RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing  
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RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/6/2006 8:53:35 PM   
DonStegall


 

Posts: 614
Joined: 8/8/2005
From: Monroe, NC, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: burgster

Everyone has done and is doing a great job of promoting the 424 events. I think that this where the promotion should stay and include the 428 and 422 events as well.


Let's set the record straight about one thing. There are at least 11 "Official" AMA racing classes already, plus one more that will probably be added in the current vote.

Giant Scale

Dominator 1500 - May be provisional
Biplane
AT-6
Formula 1
Experimental
Unlimited

SWRA

Gold
Silver
Bronze

Event Specific Formulas

AMA 424
AMA 428
AMA 422

Yes, the Giant Scale racers are AMA classes, like it or not. The USRA is an "Official" AMA SIG.

So is the SWRA. And it's classes are governed by the AMA. The Gold breakout time is set by the AMA. The SWRA has had some problems, but it is still an "Official" AMA SIG. It has never received recognition by the AMA pylon community, but it still is an AMA SIG.

RCPRO is not an AMA SIG. Probably never will be. We have no intentions of becoming an AMA SIG. We will be an organization for ALL R/C pylon racers, as our mission statement says.

There are far more non-AMA Event Specific races than there are 424, 428, and 422. Some are almost as big as the NATS. Kevin Norred has been having T-34 races for years. The attendence puts many "AMA" races to shame. Does the fact that his class is not in the rulebook mean that his races are not legitimate? I don't think so. The Spirits of St Louis have had 2 articles in Model Aviation in the past couple of years. That is 2 more than the NMPRA. So which is more legitimate? Obviously the NMPRA is an AMA SIG, and is mentioned in the R/C Pylon Racing Rules. But the rules have course designations for 2 pole racing, and I know of no NMPRA races that use the 2 pole course.

I am an NMPRA member, supporter, and proponent. But the NMPRA is focused on the AMA Event Specific Formulas, and that is fine.

RCPRO will be an advocate for ALL pilots interested in ANY form of R/C pylon racing. Club 40 is designed to fit in with the current needs of many AMA clubs and potential pilots. I think it fits better than 424. But that is just my opinion.

I was going to finish, but I have to add this. The NCPL does not use the AMA rules for their NCPL 500 racing. Why not? They apparently don't feel that the AMA classes meet their needs. Barry Leavengood runs Slow Quickie, AT-6, Air Cruiser, and Trainer racing. He uses these classes to keep people involved, and it is working in his area.

We all need to stick together and get this bickering over "Official" AMA classes off the board. It does not help anyone.

< Message edited by DonStegall -- 8/6/2006 8:55:08 PM >

_____________________________

Don Stegall
RCPRO - http://www.rcpro.org - http://www.rcpylon.com

(in reply to burgster)
       Post #: 101

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/6/2006 9:28:44 PM   
burgster


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Lockport, NY, USA
Status: offline 		maybe we can start a giant scale sky raider class too! Or maybe a pewter class for the SWRA. I think that would be neat!

(in reply to DonStegall)
       Post #: 102

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/6/2006 9:36:32 PM   
burgster


 

Posts: 110
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Lockport, NY, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Duane-RCU

Time to see if I can stick my foot a little deeper in my mouth. Burgster's last post..."If you don't like speed then you shouldn't be racing". The dictionary says that a race is "A contest of speed". Define speed, turtles race, crawling babies race....crickets?

touche' on the speed point, but if I were a turtle that raced I wouldn't be complaining that the other turtles are too fast and make a class of slower turtles to race against
Jeff

(in reply to Duane-RCU)
       Post #: 103

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/6/2006 10:34:33 PM   
PJ_TankPilot



Posts: 396
Joined: 1/16/2002
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Most of this discussion of how to revitalize pylon racing is from the event participants' perspective. (Pilots and Callers) What it takes to run a race is a major inhibitor for most clubs.

I don't think I will get many arguments when I say that SpeedWorld RC Flyers is one of the top clubs in the country for hosting pylon races. We have a great site, great equipment and great workers. And we still have far too many re-flys, protests and problems. If our CD ever gets run over by a bus, there will most likely be no more AMA class races at SpeedWorld.

The NMPRA needs to work on simplifying the AMA class rules. And they can start by eliminating - 1 cut, fly 11 laps.


_____________________________

Warbird racing exercises your adrenal glands.
PJ Herman

(in reply to burgster)
       Post #: 104

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/7/2006 1:25:56 AM   
DonStegall


 

Posts: 614
Joined: 8/8/2005
From: Monroe, NC, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: burgster

maybe we can start a giant scale sky raider class too! Or maybe a pewter class for the SWRA. I think that would be neat!


If you can get enough people to do it or want to do it, RCPRO will buy the trophies.

There was some talk on here and at some clubs about a class based on The World Models Giant Scale P-51. If enough people want to do it, I say go for it.

All RCPRO is doing is providing a clearing house for all of the racing that is going on. For a long time, locals have had to go it alone. Some of them have developed racing classes that seem to work very well. If they think their class has the merit to go regional or national, we will be glad to help them if we see the potential as well.

RCPRO is working on a major sponsorship proposal for a major energy drink manufacturer. They want to see 50+ pilots and many venues. Do you think you can do that with 3 pole racing and 424, 428, 422? I don't. At least not right now.

Some people seem to think all I do is talk on the internet. This weekend I assembled 2 ARF's, broke in 1 TT Pro 40, put together an electric 3D plane from parts, laid up 2 fiberglass fuselages, cut 6 sets of foam cores, watched my son ride his dirt bike, and helped him work on 3 R/C cars. Plus I worked on the RCPRO Pylon promotional tour, answered emails, and posted a couple of messages. I get things done. And I will get Club 40 done. Got it?

_____________________________

Don Stegall
RCPRO - http://www.rcpro.org - http://www.rcpylon.com

(in reply to burgster)
       Post #: 105

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/7/2006 1:35:54 AM   
bigtrev@xtra.co.nz


 

Posts: 250
Joined: 9/25/2004
From: christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		Don, greetings from NZ, I always say" give a busy man another job to do and he will do it...................give a slack asse a job to do and you'll stay waiting"!, regards trevor h

(in reply to DonStegall)
       Post #: 106

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/7/2006 2:28:36 AM   
gunfighter


 

Posts: 604
Joined: 7/13/2002
From: Canyon Lake, TX, USA
Status: offline 		yea - he is like the spoiled brat that used to live in my neighborhood when I was a kid. He had the only baseball and bat for several blocks, so when we played ball he had to be captain and pick the best team. and if he got behind he would take his ball and bat and go home. So every one suffered.

We are not the ones missing a good opportunity here. We are having fun - wanna join in??? We have had 5 races in 4 months - how many have you had? We expect 15 - 20 pilots at our next meet - how many do you expect? Given the reaction we have received - how many do you think will want to join nmpra??? 3 of us have Q 500 planes and were considering joining nmpra and trying 424 but we are all leaning against that now.


(in reply to bigtrev@xtra.co.nz)
       Post #: 107

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/7/2006 5:17:40 AM   
bl10


 

Posts: 303
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: Chatsworth, CA,
Status: offline 		Half a dozen or so in the same time period. Our average turn out is 35 to 40. (biggest race this year was 58 split between APRA, 428 and 422) Just finished hosting the US FAI World team trials today. Are now working war bird race maybe using Speedworld rules. Also have Jet meets, night flys, scale meets, electric contests and of course fun flys. The field also hosts U-control stunt, speed and racing events. Even hosted the SAE weight lifting contest this year. If we get bored with airplane stuff the facility hosts some of the largest Mopar, Ford and GM swap meets around. Also had a movie being shot at the field this weekend. So who is it that's missing all the fun?

Seems to me if you want to do it just go do it. Who cares what anyone else says. Like Don say's Kevin hosts a great T34 series. I may put one together some day if I can find the time between other racing activies. I bought a ARF mustang and Jett 40 for the Chino races last year and may yet find time to put it together and race until then the Jett sits in an unopened box.

If you want to race you have to be prepared to do everything yourself. Everyone has excuses why they can't but as far as I'm concerned if you really want to know the reason there arn't races in your area just look in the mirror.

We do a lot of events in spite of all the nay sayers. As a result of the events the club has a great revenue stream that allows all kinds of perks to members, even those who don't participate in the events.

We are off to Medford in a couple of weeks followed by two Basin races then back to Medford followed by PHX. Thinking about going to the TX Q40 race also. Lot's of racing in the next three or four months. Like I said I don't know who's missing the fun but it's not us.



Barry

(in reply to gunfighter)
       Post #: 108

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/7/2006 8:05:48 PM   
garys


 

Posts: 739
Joined: 1/31/2002
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I think I see one issue that's causing a perception problem with flying Q500's at some club fields. It's the pilots of the Q500 planes! While now I rarely fly except when I'm at a contest, I used to fly quite often at different club fields, even if I didn't fly around myself.

"There is more to it than speed. 424 planes have some club compatibility issues. You can't taxi out onto the runway. You have to land dead stick. You can't taxi back to the flight line. These are major issues for most clubs."

I've never seen a club frown on an airplane that can't taxi back to the pits. I suppose those same clubs shun beginers because they break their props and landing and can't taxi back?

There is a way to be accepted among the sport flyers. Let them know what you're doing, how short you're actually going to be up, and wait for a lull in their flying to get your 2-3 minute flight in while the others are down. Don't break their rules as far as deadlines, ect. I never had a single issue when doing this (even with full blown 428 planes), and got great receptions among the sport flyers.

In my opinion, a new event doesn't need to be created, a new attitude among some people does...

_____________________________

GS

(in reply to DonStegall)
       Post #: 109

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/7/2006 9:30:29 PM   
gunfighter


 

Posts: 604
Joined: 7/13/2002
From: Canyon Lake, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I want to issue an appology to many of the pilots here. I admit I got (get) very frustrated when some (*explative deleated*) who calls himself a pilot has to belittle any one that does not agree with his point of view. We are trying very hard to return some sort of organized racing to our area, and it is a very difficult task without some (....) from NY or CA or BFE telling us how stupid we are for trying. Any way...to the rest of you - I appologize for my outburst.

As I have said in the past, the biggest issue(s) I see to starting AMA style racing in many areas are:
1. Many SMALLER clubs do NOT have the room for a 3 pole course. **This is the biggest obstacle as I see it.
2. Many sport pilots are intimidated by 428 and 422 - not JUST because of the speed, but also because they are NOT comfortable with flying around themselves. Therefore, they are reluctant to try 3 pole racing of any sort, including 424.

I still think that if we could get a few of the local Pylon racers to attend one of our meets and just talk to the pilots and maybe help them out a bit with set-up and tuning and how to run a good race...we might be able to get some of them to try AMA style racing.

Is it worth a little of your time to find out???

(in reply to garys)
       Post #: 110

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/8/2006 2:39:31 AM   
BUDMAN27



Posts: 1116
Joined: 3/28/2006
From: Galveston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Anyone trying to get a group of people together to race is a friend of mine. I could care less if its rocks down a hill or race planes . Lets race something.

(in reply to gunfighter)
       Post #: 111

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/8/2006 2:53:26 AM   
Super Splatter



Posts: 381
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: , MN, USA
Status: offline 		How big are the rocks ? Can I bring more than one?

(in reply to BUDMAN27)
       Post #: 112

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/8/2006 3:52:03 AM   
BUDMAN27



Posts: 1116
Joined: 3/28/2006
From: Galveston, TX, USA
Status: offline 		It can,t hurt to have a back up.

(in reply to Super Splatter)
       Post #: 113

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/9/2006 4:06:34 PM   
bebenseb


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 8/7/2006
From: , PA, USA
Status: offline

Excellent, practical 6 step plan to rejuvenate pylon racing.... so we can all have more fun! This well thought out letter is an excellent service to the RC community.

The alternative to slow extinction is to talk on the INTERNET about details, go to fewer and fewer races, and watch pylon racing go extinct....... like dinosaurs ..... and we will have no where to race and have fun.

Who is the first this summerr to have had sport race like this? How did it go?

(in reply to dwbebens)
       Post #: 114

RE: My thoughts about re-vitalizing pylon racing - 8/10/2006 5:35:49 AM   
Ken Erickson