Radio Control: Pylon Racing
Bill Hager 4 Holly Springs Dr. Conroe, TX 77302
Offseason: Building Time and Radio Care
BUILDING TIME is upon us—unless, of course, you like to fly in the snow. Here are some hints for storing your radio till spring.
- If you have had any problems with your radio, now is the time to send it in for repair. Technicians are under immense pressure during the regular season; they have more time during the winter and will probably do a better job.
- At the very least, check out the radio yourself. You don't have to be an expert—use a little common sense.
- Open the servos. Check the gear train for any chipped or missing teeth.
- Check for damaged wires or bad connections. You'd be surprised at the damage that can be done in a short summer of flying.
- Silverware cleaner works well for cleaning connections.
Battery Care
Take care of your batteries! They can self-destruct over the winter. I'm sure everyone has seen someone's plane crash in early spring, after its second or third flight, due to battery failure. Prevent this by charging regularly.
- I cycle my batteries at least once a month, using an Ace R/C Digipace battery cycler.
- Ace also sells a VHS tape called Battery Basics that could prove helpful.
Bottom line: take care of your batteries.
Contest Reports
Texas Formula One Races — September 30–October 1
Texas held its annual end-of-the-season two-day Formula One Races. Both days turned out fantastic. Dick Ritch was the contest director and Tom Fluker was the starter. The annual banquet was held Saturday night.
This year the district began recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to pylon racing with a Hall of Fame Award. The first award went to Ed Rankin. Ed has been racing for over 30 years, has served as president of the NMPRA (National Miniature Pylon Racing Association), and has been contest director in our area and for national events. This is a perpetual award; Ed will choose who receives it next year.
Saturday (24 entries)
- Fast time: 1:11
- Top 5:
- Dub Jett
- Richard Oliver
- Norm Johnson
- Dave Layman
- Jim Young
Note: Fog Tanner turned a 1:13—guys with O.S. power, that's something to think about over the winter.
Sunday (23 entries)
- Fast time: 1:07 — Monty Moncrief
- Top 5:
- Ed Rankin (lifetime best 1:10)
- Bruce Hobbs
- Ken Kline
- Dave Layman
- Richard Oliver
Dallas RC Quickie 500 Race — September 2, 1989
Twenty-four Quickie fliers started. As the weather got hotter, the racing followed suit. Ric Tocci won first place with a time of 1:24.43, which also earned fast-time honors. Newcomer Bob Miller took second (1:32.95). The flyoff contenders were Randy Ritch, Mike Bussell, and Jerry Denton, but Jerry's firewall came off the line; Randy and Mike finished the fight with Randy the winner. Mike Bussell finished fourth.
Top 10 (name — total points — average time — best time)
- R. Tocci — 2892 — 1:30.20 — 1:24.43
- B. Miller — 1845 — 1:35.88 — 1:32.95
- R. Ritch — 6195 — 1:31.58 — 1:27.63
- M. Bussell — 885 — 1:31.53 — 1:25.48
- J. Denton — 4154 — 1:33.19 — 1:24.98
- D. Ritch — 4656 — 1:36.02 — 1:34.03
- F. French — 5717 — 1:28.60 — 1:25.17
- K. Klein — 2499 — 1:32.25 — 1:31.39
- M. Greer — 5885 — 1:32.21 — 1:30.29
- S. Womack — 2581 — 1:46.02 — 1:40.68
Congratulations to the winners and newcomers—good racing all around.
Sepulveda Basin, CA — August 19–20, 1989 (report by Nancy Rutherford)
The weather was pleasant both days. We had 33 racers on Saturday and 31 on Sunday. Everything ran smoothly, and it was nice to see some fresh faces in the top five.
- Mike Helsel took first place both days.
- Fast time Saturday: 1:12.05
- Fast time Sunday: Lee Von Der Hey 1:13.13
- Saturday Best Show: Ric Tocci (Midget Mustang)
- Raffle: Futaba donated a radio and a couple of airplane kits. Thanks to all the raffle workers and volunteers.
Top five finishers — Saturday
- Mike Helsel — 1:12.05 (fast time)
- Ric Tocci
- Lyle Larson
- Lee Von Der Hey
- Richard Verano
Best Show: Ric Tocci
Top five finishers — Sunday
- Mike Helsel
- Bruce Brown
- Rusty Van Baren
- Lee Von Der Hey — 1:13.13 (fast time)
- Jeff Carpenter
Best of Show: Mark Lattimore
Closing
It is my goal to pass on as many racing hints and as much help as I can, but I need your help. All of you have neat tricks that really work—how about sharing? Send your hints and/or ideas to me and I will print them and give you credit.
Please support the NMPRA. This group is responsible for getting us to where we are today. For more information, write to:
- Ron Schorr
5224 Teesdale N. Hollywood, CA 91607
See you next month.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
