I'm going out on a limb and saying that Jason Shulman is going to win TOC 2002! Quique Somenzini second, Chip Hyde third, Christophe fourth, Mike McConville fifth... followed by McMurtry, and then Frazer Briggs with newcomer Ryan Taylor coming in eighth! Peter Goldsmith and Kirk Gray will round out the top ten. What do you think of that?

I also think that Jason is going to win this year. Hes come also close in the past and now its his turn to win. But next year i think i will be the toc champ!

That's two for two!

I have you coming in second next year ... because there is no doubt that Quique is not going to have any part of not winning again. He will win it next year. And, you will have to settle for second. Your time will come.

1 Christophe
2 Jason
3 Quique

1 Jason
2 Chip
3 CPLR

I think Jason will work hard and be determined this year. I wish him well. It could be any one of these three however...

MHO

Hubb

I think realistically... you have to put Chip in there and say any one of these four. These top four are just a notch above the rest.

well i dont know to much about them but heres what i think...

1. chip hyde

2. jason

3. an upset im thinking McConville

Ah... that would be a blast to watch and have happen. Almost everyone at the TOC is my hero... so I wish they all could win... but that 1,2,3 you show would really be a kick. I would enjoy that finish. :-)

I think McConville is the coolest... and really just holds back at the TOC out of generosity.

More musings...

It's sad to see the "ol' man" go... and I think it is a bad deal that Bill Hempel isn't there. I mean I hear that some guys love him and some guys don't... but he proved he was suppose to be there in 98 and 99 by placing 10th and 11th. Then the wings from both of his contest planes were stolen at the 2000 TOC... leaving him to try and compete with someone else's plane... and he still managed to place 18th. I just think that's a pretty raw deal that the TOC following the theft of his planes he isn't there. Unless he is the one that pulled out... I don't really know any details other than he isn't on the list.

Since they lowered the freestyle scoring this is Mr. Hydes year.I will really miss Hempel,just loved his agressive freestyle-but watch out for his replacement my longshot Ryan Taylor with the Radiocraft 330.When he is on he can fly with the best of them just wonder if the pressure of the first time will get him.All in all it's just great that the TOC is back.

In case you guys dont follow F3A, CPLR swept the Worlds in Ireland, never losing a round, first time its ever been done. His precision flying is nothing short of amazing, if they reduced the free scores then it plays that much more to his advantage.

Yup... and he swept the Freestyle in TOC 2000. But, Jason is still going to kick his lily white @$$ this year.

I suppose that dreaming is a healthy activity

Just to answer, I think it will be Christophe, Jason, and Chip in the top three...I'd like to see Mr. McConville in there somewhere also.

And, just so everyone won't stay away thinking I won't be there, I'll be in the crowd cheering on all of the competitors....

Since this will be my first TOC, I'd be interested in hearing how many spectators typically attend, where the good rooms are that aren't at the top of the cost range, etc.

Thanks!

Here's my picks for the TOC

1. Christophe
2. Jason
3. Chip Hyde

I think Quique will contend, but his transition to JR might give him a lil bit of trouble. Christophe has been in the zone for about the last 18 months or so, and he is going to be tough to beat. It would be great to see one of the new young guys give the current topnotchers a run for thier money.

I wonder with the popularity increase of 3d and large scale flying, if they might look at expanding the TOC to 25, 30, 40 or 50 guys, instead of just 20. Don't know if its logistically feasable or practical, but that would make for one heck of a week. Just a thought to ponder.

Steve

You want one heck of a week? Just have them dump the pattern.<g>

All Freestyle, All the time!!!

I would love to go see the TOC seeing its only a 6 hour drive, which isnt to bad, but why do they have it in october? the only thing i can think of is the hot summer days being 115 every day

ME.................. but I did not get invited

Yea...for some reason I wasn't invited this year either! Must have been some kind of mistake....

lol, yeah and either did i with my sig something extra

I would say that the TOC would be ruined if they removed the pattern portion of it. There are a lot of good 3D pilots out there, but it's the precision that gets them.

I have seen a couple of people that can do a great 3D routine, but they don't have the dicipline or the finesse to be able to do proper precision maneouvers.

I don't disagree that the free style is by far the bigger crowd pleaser, but let's not ruin the TOC by having only the freestyle.

Heh.. you won't get me to pick this one.. There are just WAY too many factors to contend with to pick a winner. Considering the field truly gets stronger every year, it's going to be hard to even pick the top 14, let alone the top 7, or the champ.

There aren't any on the list that if they're on their game couldn't be there on Sunday IMO.

Of course.. I'd have to give the edge to Kirk Gray.. what with his exceptional caller

And to a man.. I bet if you ask EVERY pilot.. they'd say they'd prefer to drop the freestyle rather than drop the precision, or make it a separate event.

Doug Cronkhite
Team JR

Mmmm, no bias there at all

Jason has been banging on the door and so has Chip, They all have had 1 extra year to work on everything. But I think your looking at #1 Christophe #2 Jason #3 Chip However watch out for Shawn as he is way overdue in my book. DAVE SULLIVAN