1991 NMPRA Championship Race
Event overview
The best of U.S. miniature pylon racing met in Irving, Texas, the weekend of November 2–3, 1991, for the annual NMPRA (National Miniature Pylon Racing Association) Championship Race. The Irving R/C Flyers Association hosted the event, working with the Irving Parks Department to secure an excellent flying facility.
Qualifications and officials:
- Entry was by invitation: top 10 finishers at the AMA Nationals, the top 20% of each district, past champions, and NMPRA officers.
- Event Director: Bob Greer
- Contest Director: Scott Kalmus
Weather and conditions
A week before the contest heavy rains fell across Texas, dumping over 10 inches in some areas. When the rain finally stopped the weather turned cold and windy. On Saturday morning temperatures were around 28°F with northerly winds 15–30 mph. Many pilots had difficulty starting engines in the cold; glow plugs would go out unexpectedly, producing numerous no-starts.
Organizers and pilots improvised to maintain safety and comfort:
- Radios and static judging were completed Friday evening.
- Scott Kalmus purchased gloves from a local hardware store and—finding only fingerless gloves—cut off the fingertips to improve dexterity.
- Rich Tocci and Jerry Small established a hand-signal system: the caller set the needle while the pilot kept hands in pockets until just before the start flag.
- Irving R/C Flyers provided windbreak tents; Jerry Small brought a propane heater that proved very popular.
A pilots' meeting at 10:00 a.m. debated whether to continue. Sixty percent of the pilots voted to stick it out.
Racing summary
Round 1 was fast and furious despite the cold. Darrol Cady set the early pace with 1:10.88. Several pilots—including Norm Johnson, Mike Helsel, Tony Huber, John McDermott, Tom Storm, Bill Hager, Gary Hover, Rich Tocci, and Ron Schorr—recorded perfect scores in that round. The cold weather produced 22 no-starts during the first two rounds.
Round 2 produced a cluster of fast times: Cady 1:10.88, Mike Helsel 1:10.54, Rich Tocci 1:14.89, Norm Johnson 1:15.42, and Tony Huber 1:21.48.
Round 3 saw Mike Helsel turn 1:10.22, lowering the contest fast time.
In round 4, Norm Johnson recorded a new contest fast time of 1:09.95 in the first heat; Tony Huber dropped a point with a 1:12.25. After this round only Norm Johnson remained with a perfect score.
Round 5 produced the day’s fastest time when Robert Brogdon turned 1:09.65 in his heat; that time held for the remainder of the contest. Close finishes and an incident-packed heat involving Tocci, Helsel, and Hubert Wills produced some of the closest racing of the day. Helsel, Cady, and Huber each dropped a point; Norm Johnson retained the only perfect score and clinched the championship.
As weather worsened and with sleet and freezing rain forecast for Sunday, a second pilots' meeting produced a vote (34–6) to call the race after Saturday. Flyoffs were held to determine places two through nine where possible. Darkness and dropping visibility affected several flyoffs: Mike Helsel's caller could not see pylon No. 1 during the flyoff for second, which contributed to Helsel finishing third behind Darrol Cady (second). Tony Huber finished fourth. Lou Rodriguez and Hubert Wills were unable to complete a flyoff for sixth and seventh due to darkness; their places were settled by race times.
Race results
- Norm Johnson
- Darrol Cady
- Mike Helsel
- Tony Huber
- John McDermott
- Lou Rodriguez
- Hubert Wills
- Bruce Brown
- Thomas Storm
- Bill Hager
- Gary Hover
- Richard Tocci
- M. W. Cranfill
- Foy Tanner
- Don McStay
- James Young
- Sam Womack
- Francisco Gonzalez
- Robert Brogdon
- Dave Doyle
Fast time:
- Robert Brogdon — 1:09.65
Final notes
The Saturday night banquet included presentation of 1991 National Points trophies and contest trophies and closed with a comedy act by Dave Doyle.
Despite being shortened by weather, the 1991 championship was memorable for intense racing and the efforts of many volunteers. Several workers were exhausted by the conditions (six spent all day Sunday in bed and one required hospital care). Thanks were extended to the Irving R/C Flyers and to the pilots who persevered.
The 1992 NMPRA Championship Race was announced to be held in California.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
