The 2004 Tucson Shootout was a competition that I will never forget.
A special Thank You to all that helped and participated in this amazing event. Especially Michael Marcellin, Anna Wood, Dave Johnson, Doug Bry, Mike Hurley, and all of the Judges for taking the time to make it happen.
The details of the competition have been summed up very well by Jason Shulman in the previous posts. I would like to thank him for showing his hospitality in making the event happen for me.
A sincere thanks to Brian Huffmeier and Dave Jones for helping to fix my model after some trouble in the first round.

There is one event that I would like to tell you all about that touched us all at the Shootout. After my Freestyle troubles on Sunday, Jason informed me that QuiQue had just received word that his father had passed. There were so many things going through my head at the moment, but nothing seemed to matter after I heard the news. I immediately went to find QuiQue and we spent the next hour and a half together. There were many stories told and many tears shed with only one conclusion, that he must fly for his father. I have been through many things in my life, but nothing prepared me for this.
I have learned much of what I know from QuiQue and his father. From Practice Discipline to Construction of a Freestyle. QuiQue's caller made sure that the aircraft was ready for the flight and QuiQue and I walked straight to the airplane trying not to get to emotional before the flight. The previous contestant landed and QuiQue started the motor. We walked out to the Runway Centerline and QuiQue started the program. I cannot even imagine what was going through his mind at the time. I can say that it was without a doubt the best Free that I have ever seen! After it concluded, QuiQue climbed his Yak as high as we both could see in rememberance of his father.
After he landed we both shed a few more tears and everyone came to offer their condolences to QuiQue.
It is a reminder that we are all a big family in aviation and at the end of the day your family and loved ones are most important. This was also very apparent when Bob Sadler announced the Szuber Family situation and how all of our thoughts and prayers go out to them as well.
I can honestly say that I learned more at this competition than I have learned at any other. QuiQue is without a doubt the best pilot in the world and he showed me why that day. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

Mark Leseberg Jr.

Mark,
I have been a big fan of QQ's since 1999, and your's more recently. I can truly feel the pain through your post, and had a few tears myself reading it: I lost my father too at the beginning of this year. I think about him often.
My thoughts go to QQ; I am sure that he appreciates your friendship more than ever.

Yep.. Mark's words basically summed it up for all of us.

Great write-up Mark, QQ will be glad to read it. Thanks for sharing you thoughts and good flights to you always.....................

Lew Sheffield

I know the Szuber's from my visits out there and at the Nat's. Can you please e-mail me what's happening.

Regards,

Eric.

Nice write up Mark.
I thought I was there after reading it.
Our thoughts and prayers are with QuiQue's family.

From all of us that had our fathers teach and help us in RC know what QuiQue must have felt.

What a great moment to have seen the YAK climb to the Heavens.

Thanks again.

Roger

The Tucson shootout was great this year. I am currently one of the board members of the TIMPA club which hosted the event. Many of the people who attended the event probably saw me assisting in the parking arrangments on Sunday. I was out at the field for all four days of flying. I was truly impressed with some of the things that I wittnessed while working the event this year. First off Jason Shulman you are one class act hats off to you and the same goes for Mike McConville. I saw Mike win a new DA50 engine and then he proceeded to give it to intermeidate flier Antonio Watkins who crashed in the eairlier rounds. I think that shows what kind of a person and competeor that Mike is. I talked with most of the top pilots and when I mentioned I would be starting out in basic next year they were full of encouragement and help in getting me set up right. The guys from Aerotec and DA were very helpful too. The guys from DA offered to help with my plane and radio setup if I had any problems. Overall what a great experience. I have attended the shootout in the past but none were as good as this one. I can tell you that all of the TIMPA members that worked the event had a great time and the flying was the best. I would just like to say thanks to all of the TIMPA volunteers and to our President Mike Cummings without his efforts this event would have never happened. Next year will be even better. All of you fliers and spectators that are interested in this type of flying do yourself a favor and attend next year.

Rick

Hello,

This was our first time at this event as a sponsor and spectator. The level of flying in all classes was exceptional. I don't know QuiQue personally, but I when we see each other we shake hands say hi etc. I was standing there when QuiQue finished and he was very strong and visibly upset. He had folks asking for pictures and want to talk and he obliged even with his visible grief. His courage to continue must be a reflection of his father and the charector they both share. QuiQue our deepest Condolences and our prayers are with you and your family. I know your father is with you and looking down from heaven on you.

Best Regards

John

www.aerotech-rcmodels.com

Very well said Mark. I have always had a lot of respect for Quique as a pilot, and over the last few years as I got to know him better, as a person. When Quique came out and flew his Freestyle on Sunday I gained even more respect for him as both an amazing pilot and a great person. He is a true professional and a man of great character.
That really put the whole competition into perspective for a lot of us. Its nice to do well, but at the end of the day, its the friendships and the "big family" as Mark put it, that are the most important.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my deepest thanks to all of you for your support shown through many post at this forum as well emails. Mark you are a gifted person, thank you for helping me to stay strong and thank you for writing what you wrote, it means a lot for me. Same to all of you who are close friends and others not so close but all showed me your support and being with me at this difficult moment of my life.
My Dad was a great man and a big part of my life, a person that felt big passion for model airplanes, I will ask please to all of you reading my post to pray for him and for his peace.
Again thank you and God bless you. Quique

Quique,

It is indeed sad to hear about your Father and our prayers are with you, your family, and your Father.

Based on reading some of your articles on flying it was obvious your Father got you started in RC flying. I was curious, if you wanted to talk about your Dad, how did he get started in flying and what are some of your best RC memories with your Dad.

Matt,
All good memories, sorry I can't write longer. I'll do in the future. Thank you for your prayers. Take care.

Quique