>> I have never started a race using a pace plane however, any advice there?

It is your callers job to get you lined up with the pace plane. I find it easier to get up quickly and claim a position above the pace plane rather than scramble to get into position later. The pace plane will usually fly low, so stay up. If you take out the pace plane, you buy it. I know a guy who has taken out the pace plane twice in exactly the same way.

>>Does the host club have hard hats available or do we need to get our own?

Some do, some don’t. Better call CD. Better yet, get two. All racing should require them.

>> My caller will have a stop watch and I can always throttle back.

You are not supposed to use any timing devices at the line. Your caller can count seconds for a few laps to get an idea. Minimum lap times: Gold=10, Silver=13, Bronze=16. Speed tactics are a big part of SWRA racing. A lot happens on the last lap.

A common mistake made by new pilots is to turn inside the pylons when they have finished the race. They get a cut because the pylon judges have no way to know who has finished the race. When you are done, get up above the course, circle and go past both pylons as you wait for the race to complete.