Hossfly
Posts: 3704
Joined: 12/3/2001
From: New Caney,
TX, USA
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: T-pacini
I really like scale racing. I got my start in pylon at a local SWRA race 13 years ago and have been at it ever since. I've flown Q500, QM40, Formula One, and F3D but warbird racing is still one of my favorite events.
Scale racing in my area has been in a steady decline since the late 1990s and now seems ready to disappear altogether. How come????? It should be gaining popularity, not losing it. Its diversity should attract more participants than the mainstream pylon events. Tons of great ARFs at reasonable prices should make it even more alluring. Big, little, fast, slow, 2-stroke, 4-stroke; it should appeal to just about everybody. This event is designed to be flown at the average club by sport pilots. Why isn't it successful on a national level? These are classy airplanes! You seldom hear a spectator or R/Cer at a Q500 or QM40 race say "wow, neat airplane.......I've always wanted one of those". They usually say something like, "um.......what is that?" Tell them it's a P-51 and watch the eyebrows go up in disbelief. How many sport pilots would aspire to flying QM40 or Q500 after seeing an event? Not many I suspect. Many probably have (or would build) a warbird that would qualify for a warbird race, though. Gosh........they could even double as sport planes! What gives???????????????
I believe we need a stable body of rules maintained by a governing board with a national vision. One breakout here, different breakout there, some with static judging, some without, muffler rule here, dB limit there, some allow trainers (T-34s, AT-6s, T-28s, etc.) while others say it's gotta leave the factory with guns or bombs. Too many variables! There's a reason that the AMA rulebook events have 2-year rules change cycles: it's so you can know what to expect from one race to the next! With a stable body of rules I believe that more racers would be willing to travel to out-of-town events. The SWRA attainted AMA Special Interest Group status several years ago but the event doesn't seem to be growing to or on a national level. Wouldn't it be great to see warbird racing grow into an AMA rulebook event? It doesn't seem possible at this rate.
What's your take on this?
Tony Pacini
Prescott Valley, AZ
Hello Toni:
May I inject some history for your consideration concerning the Scale Warbird Racing as originally promoted by SWRA.
The first races of this type were initiated back in St. Louis, MO, in the '70s. I forget the club's name. I lived near Chicago then and my club, Skylarks RC, hosted several contests in that area. It didn't catch on in a big way.
Some years later, young Jim Allen, from the SL area, but then in Phoenix started the SWRA event in the Phoenix area and the SWRA was organized. I moved back to the Republic (TX) in '85 and yet I started attending some races in Phoenix (Mesa?).
I, too, loved the event as it was then.
Now HEAR this: Somewhere back in the archives of AMA politics, when Dave Platt succeeded in getting SCALE into its own and separated from RC, CL, FF, etc. as all events were back then, an agreement was made that ANY EVENT WHERE STATIC SCALE JUDGING WAS A FACTOR, THEN THE SCALE CONTEST BOARD HAD JURISDICTION OVER THAT EVENT.
For two rules cycles, I submitted to AMA the SWRA events for inclusion in the rule book as requested "Supplemental" or "Provisional" status, as I knew "Official" would be out of the question. The Rule Proposal had to go through the Scale Contest Board. Two things were immediately elevated to high status. #1 The majority of the Scale CB had NO CLUE what Provisional or Supplemental meant (Now these people are supposedly Masters of the RB  HA!) and #2, No SCALE SNOB wanted anything to do with people that chased each other around the sky, especially the chairman.
The Proposals were rejected even in the initial votes. The mentality was that it was NOT scale, yet the chairman would not offer the event for Pylon CB consideration. The dog did not want the bone, but protected it from any other. 
To the best of my knowledge when SWRA finally obtained the Special Interest Group status, they just quit trying for further recognition. I stoped going to Phoenix some 10 years ago as I had too many other interests and SWRA had moved into too much *racing speed* for me. I liked the SCALE part at fast speeds, however if I wanted Formula I (back then) I would have flown F-I.
I maintained my membership in SWRA until last year. No newsletters, poor Web maintenance, and too much speed and I knew I would never be back so I stopped sending money.
Here in the Houston area, Jetero RC Club (me) has promoted a form of WarBird Racing and still do. Our rules are simple and ARFs do well in our static judging. Since the event has never really taken-off big time here either, it is not speed competitive with no one breaking 2 minutes yet. Very much like SWRA back in the '80s.
Our last race (Oct.) got rained out after 2 rounds but we had some fun. The next event is scheduled for Sat. Apr. 24, '04.
The 04/04/24 race will have at least $500.00 in awards and have Gold and Silver classes.
FYI: 3. MODEL: Recognizable replica of airplane having military designation and/or raced in speed event – except Formula 1 – and be propeller powered. Model of a turbo-prop OK Civil or military color scheme OK. Bonus for mil.
4. Max engine 1.85 cu. Ins. total
6. Maximum Weight: 15 pounds dry.
7. No Rear Rotary 2 stroke glow engines.
8. Effective muffler required. Maximum 10” long exhaust.
9. Must be able to maintain sit-alone idle on grass RW. Must be able to shut down by RC in normal upright flight.
11.Static Score (40% of total) Simple Rules. ARFs OK. Accuracy of Outline and Colors/Markings require documentation.
12. Profile Fuselages may fly, however Accuracy of Outline will be ZERO.
Wing Area and Engine size Rules.
Engine size in cubic inches and the MINIMUM wing area.
2 stroke Glow 4 stroke / Gas / Multi
0 to.20 cu ins. 280 sq. ins. 250 sq. ins.
.21 -.33........ 300 ..... 280
.34 -.47........ 400 ..... 350
.48 -.56........ 450..... 400
.57 - .66 ....... 500 ..... 450
.67 - .80........ 530 ..... 500
.81 - .1.05..... 560 ..... 540
1.06 - .1.30.... 600 ..... 580
1.31 - .1.55.... 630 ..... 610
1.56 - .1.85.... 650 ..... 650
1 day event limited to 20 pilots and I would be happy to get 14.
Now as to why all pylon is slipping: few Chartered Clubs have the space to meet AMA requirements for distance, especially 2 pylon races with engines over .40 ci.
Therefore each race, under the infamous Safety Code, has to have a sanction and a waiver. Who in _ell will sanction and waiver for just a Sat/Sun day of club racing?
With no local and spontaneous / impromptu racing, newer modelers do not see racing and do not learn racing.
Dave B. and crew is slowly starving pylon to death. How does he do that? He does it because SOMEBODY ain't voting in AMA elections. Especially those that love to go fast and do other things that demand skill, dedication and fun.
2004 is an election year for AMA Pres. and districts 1, 5, and 9. Get someone to run against the incumbent and replace them all. 2001, 2002, and 2003 were election debaucheries that should never again be allowed.
So if you want to continue racing with AMA insurance, you have a big job ahead of you. There ain't any free lunches anymore.
edited the w/a table. hope you can make it out
< Message edited by Hossfly -- 12/26/2003 1:55:35 AM >
_____________________________
Horrace Cain.
AMA Life L-93, Leader and CD for 45 years
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." George Washington
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Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Pylon Universe - RC Pylon Racing >> Scale Racing >> RE: How is scale racing in your area? 
RE: How is scale racing in your area? - 
So we are merely putting on a scaled down version of the Unlimited Class. I think if we changed the name to "Unlimited Class Reno Racing", too many negative connotations would be attached. Something like "These guys are running races without breakouts, no care for safety, etc....." I think we'll just stick with what works for us, that's running an event that focuses on safety, camaraderie, and just having fun racing our birds within the specified set of rules. 
RE: How is scale racing in your area? - 
RE: How is scale racing in your area? - 
