ORIGINAL: daven
Gary, 428 is NOT or has never been ''unlimited''. It uses a stock motor and has very specific rules.
The top 5 finishing motors having been getting tore down at the Nats for several years now and measured and examined for tampering. I'm not aware of anyone being found with an illegal motor, and when you have Dennis and Dub going over all the motors with Calipers, you know they are doing a good job.
Dave: I think you might be misunderstanding me. As a newbie to RC Pylon, I am VERY impressed with the high degree of personal integrity, helpfulness and honesty of the competitive racers. I especially want to publicly thank you for taking one of your Sunday afternoons two years ago to help guide me in my initial year. THANKS! The point that I was actually trying to make (and apparently did so rather poorly) is that by KNOWING where the tricks are, the honest competitor can often detect when someone else is being less than honest. Knowledge is power. If a person wins by cheating, they are not a winner, just a cheater. I am not surprised that the NATS-winning engines are inspected. As a former NATS CD (CL Combat) I would have expected nothing less. Certainly the guys doing the inspecting (Dennis and Dub) are the best that there is!
Since 428 and 422 are SO FAR BEYOND my present skill level, I was unaware that they used stock engines. I incorrectly thought that it was pretty much "anything goes" engine-wise as long as displacement, pressure bladders and muffler rules were met. Thank you for correcting me. Perhaps someday I will be able to fly at that level, perhaps not...
I am enjoying my new event, but the best part is the ability to associate with some very fine people.