CONTROL LINE RACING
Kenn Smith, 521 Jansen Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773
My goals in writing this column will be varied and many. Number one is to constantly remind readers that, regardless of what many old-timers say, control line racing (or any of the individual events) is not dead.
Another goal is to provide proof to anyone contemplating entry into control line racing that it is not difficult. The only secret to control line racing is that there are no secrets. I am Team Race oriented and very interested in preserving and improving the AMA events. Most important, I want to provide information of interest and value to beginning racers and active racing teams; this is where you come in. Without the input and support of old-timers and those of you who are currently active, I cannot do it.
Whether or not this is a permanent position has yet to be determined; your calls and letters will decide that. Let's pretend it is by telling you a little about me.
Like many of you, I'm a retread. In the mid-1950s my neighbor and I flew Scientific models on a nearby empty lot in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Larry Conover, who was prominent in free flight at the time, took me under his wing and encouraged me to fly in FF competition. I was 14 at the time.
For about 20 years I flew just about everything I could — yes, even RC. The most fun I had was with the early Goodyear racing. In the early 1970s a move to Illinois, new job responsibilities, and lack of local modeling activity reduced my modeling to zero. It took a move to California and a couple of trips to the local flying site in 1988 to convince me that I'd been absent too long.
In the five years since returning to control line flying I've been involved as follows:
- Member of the Knights of the Round Circle (local control-line-only club).
- Two years as newsletter editor of the Direct Connection.
- Newsletter editor of the TR Inquirer for its duration (ten months).
- Contest director (CD) for the first three Knights' Joust AAAC control line contests.
- CD of the bimonthly Foxberg contest series for 2½ years.
- CD for the first and second annual United States Team Race Championships.
- CD for the 1993 FAI F2C US Team Trials.
- Headed an attempt at the endurance record for multipilot, in-air refueling, nonstop control line flying (we made four attempts — the longest being more than 22 hours). The standing record is 64 hours, 33 minutes, 14 seconds, held by a group from the Eugene, Oregon Prop Spinners club (September 1957).
National Control Line Racing Association
Did you realize that until recently, racing was the only control line category that did not have a national organization to represent it with the AMA? You've heard of PAMPA, MACA, NCS? Well, now there's NCLRA — your representing body for CL Racing. The major portion of the organizing process was done during and after the 1993 Nats. Application has been made to the AMA for NCLRA to be recognized as the body representing control line racing in the United States.
We have a bimonthly newsletter, and dues are $10 per year. Send your name, address, phone, and AMA number to: NCLRA 8 S. Grace St. N. Aurora, IL 60542
This can be a big boost to our sport. Please support it.
Third Annual United States Team Race Championships
In April 1992 the First Annual United States Team Racing Championships was held in Southern California. Six teams entered, and the contest used best-three-of-six rounds to determine the 1992 Team Race Champions.
In April 1993 the Second Annual United States Team Race Championships were held in Southern California. Six Expert and two Sportsman teams attended. The Russian Cyclon team came with an all-Russian team and a combination Russian/US team. In addition, a team from Canada and one from Texas attended, and four teams came from Southern California.
Next April will see the running of the Third Annual United States Team Race Championships. Both Expert and Sportsman classes will be run. Hopefully the Russians will return, and the Canadians have said they will bring two or three teams. Although this is a US championship it is open to foreign competitors as well. We'd like to see more foreign entries. For further information contact me at the address at the top of this column.
United States F2C Team Trials
Seven teams gathered at the Whittier Narrows Control Line Facility in South El Monte, California, to determine who would represent the United States at the 1994 World Control Line Championships in China.
Six rounds of races were flown over two days. The fastest three races for each team were averaged to arrive at the final results.
Final results and notable entries:
- 1st: Bob Oge and Stewart Willoughby (Chicago area).
- 2nd: Tim Gillott and Jeff Hollfelder (central California).
- 3rd: Jed Kusik and Dave Braun — they posted the meet's fastest heat in the sixth round.
Other teams entered:
- Lenard and Aaron Ascher (southern California).
- Bill Lee and Tommy Fluker (Houston, Texas area).
- John Ballard and Dick Lambert (Kentucky and Florida).
- Ken Mogi and Dale Long (southern California).
Fast-Fills
Have you noticed that the rubber fast-fills are becoming scarce? Joe Klause of Kustom Kraftmanship informed me that he will not be offering them anymore and that his stock is gone; the cost of having them molded has become prohibitive.
One good alternative is Tom Knoppi's brass, solder-in, spring-loaded unit. They are machined by John McCollum and are a slick, durable solution. The current price is $25 — well worth it when you see it. Contact: Tom Knoppi 19007 120th Ave. SE Renton, WA 98058
Product Listings
Many participants in our sport also manufacture and/or distribute control line racing products or services; I am one of them. This places me in an awkward position. When I mention my products in this column, some will say I'm taking advantage of my position. So be it.
I fully intend to inform readers of products and services essential to the betterment of the hobby. This includes my products, those of my friends, and those of other modeling companies or cottage industries. I will try to be fair and give advantage to others when appropriate.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
