dwbebens
Posts: 207
Joined: 4/25/2005
From: Dickson,
TN, USA
Status: offline
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Ken;
We had another great Club 40 race by the North-Central Florida group last Saturday near Gainsville.
They normally charge just enough entry fee to pay expenses. Last Saturday, they charged $5, which included fuel and a Sonny's Bar-B-Q lunch!
They offer very nice "Participant" cards to everyone who races. They also offer three very nice trophy plaques for the first three places. These plaques are modelstly priced but attractive, and the winners are obviously delighted to receive them. There are NO other prizes. I think it's important that there be no significant prizes or awards in this type of racing.
In their rules, they specify STOCK OS 40 LA engines and Skyraider airplanes. They allow other hardware, but most of the kit hardware is of excellent quality. You must use all three of the wheels that come with the kit. They allow any fuel tank (muffler pressure only), and any prop. The fuel (15%) is supplied by the hosting club. The motor must be mounted upright and use the stock muffler (the internal baffle may be removed).
As to checking the motors, they don't generally check all the motors. There are a number of people in the organization who scrutinize the planes up and down the flight line throughout the day. Also, if someone appears to be going faster that the rest, I know for a fact that they get VERY interested in your plane and engine, and WILL make measurements. From what I've seen, the performance of the planes are fairly even. The differences in speeds that are evident are the result of prop selection, needling procedure, setup, flying skill, and smoothness.
They use a 600' course and the setback distance appears to be at least 500'. They use a flying start (what a blast). In most of the starts all four planes are within one second as they cross the line.
Their plane ID method is to use large numbers on the bottom of the right wing. If everyone makes their numbers large, wide, and of high contrast, then we don't have much trouble. The problem is that some will have indistinct numbers, making it difficult for lap counters and pylon judges. They are constantly trying to improve compliance in this area.
They run 4 plane 10 lap heats. 1 cut = 11 laps, 2 cuts = 12 laps, 3 or more cuts = 0 score. A "jump start" = 11 laps. So, if you jump the start and get 2 cuts you have to go 13 laps! They just flip the lap count cards back one each time an infraction occurs. The scoring in each heat is standard for pylon racing. There is usually three rounds - - the highest four totals go to the "Gold" heat
The "Gold" heat, the trophy heat, is a 4 plane heat that is usually very exciting. Last Saturday, one plane jumped the start, one plane cut-out, and two others mid-aired near the end. The cut-out and mid-air occured only after some very close, fast, and tight racing.
The rules and methods that these guys have developed are obviously working very well for them, especially considering they are getting 30+ entries at each race. I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING!
Doug Bebensee
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RE: Club 40 Racing Hangout - 
