Control Line: Racing
Kenn Smith, 521 Jansen Avenue, San Dimas CA 91773
Introduction
The Tri-Cities area of Washington (Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick) lies along the Columbia River where it turns north and splits Washington into two. It is a beautiful, lush valley close to the river, while not far away the high desert features yellow, rolling hills.
The Nats racing site was located beside the river in a public marina parking lot with ample room for the Racing circle (adjacent to the Speed circle) and parking. The lot was surrounded by carpet-green grass. A thunderstorm the day before racing drenched the site and those practicing, but the bad weather passed and, although somewhat hot, good weather prevailed for the four days of racing.
Mouse I
Dominating the Mouse I field were Streakers, which took first in both the Junior/Senior and Open classes. At least 17 Streakers were seen in the pit area.
#### Junior/Senior (combined) The J/S Mouse event was a real family affair. Father-and-son (and -daughter) teams included:
- Kevin and James Seaton
- Paul and Julie Rice
- Charles and Euan Edmonds
- Frank and Katie Purtill
- Chris and James Cox
- Stephen Cox (family also present in pits)
A memorable incident occurred in the first heat when Todd Ryan’s Streaker was released with the engine running backward. The model scooted around the circle toward Kevin Seaton, who attempted to grab it and had his finger sliced by the prop. The engine then reversed rotation, the airplane started moving forward, Todd took up the line slack and continued the race, finishing third.
J/S results (selected):
- 1st: Stephen Cox (new J/S Mouse I National Champion)
- 2nd: D. J. Parr
- 3rd: Todd Ryan
Other J/S competitors: Euan Edmonds; Julie Rice (many engine problems); James Cox; James Seaton (prominent in pitting). These young flyers showed real promise for future Control Line racing.
#### Open There were 14 entries in the Open Mouse I Racing class. Results and trophies:
- 1st: Paul Gibeault (with prototype Cox Venom-powered Streaker)
- 2nd: Mike McCarthy (his own design Mouser)
- 3rd: Bill Naemura
- 4th: Roger McIntyre
- 5th: Ron Salo
- 6th: Jeff Cleaver
Other entrants: Kevin Seaton, Richard McIntyre, Dee Washington, Bruce Duncan, Larry Dziak, Melvin Scheutte, John Thompson, Frank Purtill.
Goodyear Slow Rat (Team Racing)
Slow Rat had fewer entries than usual as some big contenders were absent, but locals and a few visiting teams put on good racing. A notable surprise was the Outlaw team from Kansas (Melvin Scheutte, James Seaton, Kevin Seaton) who finally got a Fox Mark 7–powered Slow Rat into the winners’ circle. The Mark 7, developed by John Lowry at Fox, has been beefed up with a stronger crankshaft and improved materials to withstand the extra boost racers use.
Slow Rat results:
- 1st: Melvin Scheutte
- 2nd: Mike McCarthy
- 3rd: Jerry Meyers
- 4th: Kevin Seaton
- 5th: Dave McDonald
Other placings included Roger McIntyre and additional teams.
Goodyear Fast Rat and Team Racing Support
Goodyear Fast Rat was again dominated by the Fogg/Shahan team. Team Racers’ attendance was bolstered by Cox Racing support. NCLRA president Larry Dziak organized activities; chief starter and pit crew included Paul Gibeault, Ron Salo, and Bob Fogg. Several kids and parents timed races and took turns running the event.
Kids were divided into two groups:
- Those who had flown Cox models before
- Those who didn't know how to fly
Fast Rat winner and times:
- 1st: Stephen Cox — 3:13.30
- 2nd: Steve Kern — 3:17.93
- 3rd: James Seaton — 3:34.17
- 4th: Mike Wisniewski — 3:40.02
- 5th: Dewey Smith — 4:17.50
At the end of the event, the models were given to the kids to take home. Everyone involved had a great time, and thanks go to Larry Renger and Cox Products for sponsoring the activities.
Cox Kids Fly Free and Contact
Cox runs Kids Fly Free events at air shows nationwide, supplying models, awnings, banners, flagged rope to secure the flying area, paperwork, and raffle tickets. Clubs need only set up the area and provide 8–12 people to run it. For information or to get involved, contact Don Hatcher, Customer Service.
Cox Products contact:
- Cox Products, Inc., 475 Sheridan St., Corona, CA 91720
- Tel: (909) 278-1282
- Fax: (909) 278-2981
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Vic Garner for a great job running the Nats Control Line Racing event. It is a thankless, often controversial job; Vic handled it professionally and with a minimum of controversy. Well done!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
