I've said from day one, in the US, Bryan Hebert is THE benchmark for this prize. The only reason I won it last year was because Bryan had some bad luck and wasn't in attendance. I've seen that plane up close and personal, it's going to be hard to beat....by anyone.

I know that beating Bryan will take me everything I have and then some for next year, which is why this year....I'm not worried about it, I'm flying the prototype in monokote....

However next year, what Bryan is flying I may have a hand in, and what I'm flying Bryan may have a hand in, so next year, who cares! My money says that Shinden takes it this year. So far, it has my #1 vote.

By the way, I've heard some speak of a "builder of the model" rule for this prize, what are the opinions on that?

-Mike