Author: B. Hager
Edition: Model Aviation - 1997/01
Page Numbers: 120, 122, 123
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RADIO CONTROL PYLON RACING

Bill Hager, 4 Holly Springs Dr., Conroe TX 77302

WOW! What a busy summer. It's time to catch up on some contest reports.

Over the years we will have a contest that will turn out, for whatever reason, to be one that everyone wants to go to, such as the Phoenix races in February every year; the QM Silver Cup Races; the Tangerine. Well, Texas has come up with a race that will draw a good crowd. Here is a report on that race, sent to me by Don Nix:

Powermaster Nationals — Taylor Airport, Taylor, TX (Aug 3–4, 1996)

The biggest pylon race of the year in NMPRA District 8 was held at the Taylor Airport in Taylor, TX (just outside Austin) on August 3–4, 1996. Sponsored by Powermaster Fuel and named the "Powermaster Nationals," 41 contestants from 12 states (including former world champions Dub Jett and Richard Verano) flew "Hot Laps in Texas."

Five classes were run, including Formula 1, QM-40, and three classes of Q-500: AMA, District, and Sportsman. In spite of temperatures exceeding 100° both days, times were very fast. Richard Verano flew one F1 heat in 1:04.3—just a second off his existing world record! In Formula 1 (nine entries), Richard Verano tied with Travis Flynn in points (first place going to Verano for his faster time), with Travis Flynn in third place.

Plaques were awarded at the end of each day for first through third places in each class. Bill Hager graciously furnished the plaques for Formula 1, and the others were awarded by Powermaster. Several thousand dollars in merchandise was donated by many leading hobby industry manufacturers for a giant free drawing for pilots and workers, and Powermaster paid out a total of $500 in cash awards on Sunday to the first-place winners in each class.

Pylon racing had been dormant in the Central Texas area for a number of years. Renewed interest was sparked by longtime top pylon competitor (and former West Coaster) Mike Helsel's move to the Austin area a year ago. Mike encouraged Don Nix of Powermaster to begin competing; the idea for the race was born early in the year. Unfortunately, due to the rather late start, the August date was the only one available. The Cedar Park (Texas) RC Club was the co-host, furnishing all the course workers; special thanks to the City of Taylor (particularly Director of Community Development Stephanie Graves) for their enthusiastic support and hospitality.

The 1997 Powermaster Pylon Nationals is tentatively scheduled for the third weekend in May, when an even larger turnout is expected.

Powermaster Nationals — Results

#### District

  1. Mike Crotts — 1:50.21 — 14 pts
  2. Richard Jones — 1:37.93 — 12 pts
  3. Steve Ehlers — 1:46.15 — 11 pts
  4. Stu Richmond — 1:46.59 — 10 pts
  5. Dick Davidson — 1:40.60 — 9 pts

#### AMA-428

  1. Mark Parker — 1:09.03 — 20 pts
  2. Gary Roberts — 1:16.89 — 19 pts
  3. Rusty Higginbotham — 1:19.39 — 17 pts
  4. Norm Johnson — 1:19.00 — 17 pts
  5. Travis Flynn — 1:16.00 — 16 pts

#### Sportsman (Quickie)

  1. Ed King — 2:00.04 — 14 pts
  2. Dale Dickey — 2:05.07 — 13 pts
  3. Don Nix — 2:28.00 — 10 pts
  4. Eric Strickland — 2:34.00 — 6 pts
  5. Mark Bench — 2:10.96 — 5 pts

#### Formula 1

  1. Richard Verano — 1:05.59 — 15 pts
  2. Travis Flynn — 1:09.22 — 15 pts
  3. Stu McAfee — 1:10.00 — 10 pts
  4. Mike Helsel — 1:09.93 — 8 pts
  5. Dave Layman — 1:20.00 — 3 pts

#### Q-40 (Quarter Midget 40)

  1. David Lloyd — 1:09.00 — 20 pts
  2. Richard Verano — 1:05.59 — 19 pts
  3. Lee Vonderhey — 1:09.23 — 15 pts
  4. Dub Jett — 1:07.24 — 12 pts
  5. Stu McAfee — 1:11.00 — 12 pts

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CAPS Newsletter — August Race Report

The CAPS event produced excellent weather and a weekend of great racing. Friday drew approximately 18 racers for a day of practice. On Saturday morning pilots arrived from all over to compete, including the 1996 national champ from Arizona and his father from Peoria, Illinois.

Thirty-eight pilots entered 428-Q500. After five rounds there was a four-way tie for first among Chago Panzardi, Joe Dodd, Denny Sumner, and Gary Gau. After the heated flyoff, Panzardi finished first for the title of King and also received Fast Time (1:10.75).

Standard (Q-500 Standard) was contested by 14 pilots on Saturday. Scott Gilkey raced to five perfect rounds to capture the top spot; he received his award on Sunday because his wife had just had a baby. Dave Carpenter was two points back in second place. A flyoff between Ken Points and Robert (Bob) Wooley for third was won by Ken. Barney Polzin had Fast Time with a 1:32.76.

Sunday’s Standard Q-500 drew 26 entries. Chuck Wooley flew a perfect five rounds to take first place. Scott Gilkey finished second and Brian Tice third. Only three pilots broke the 1:30 mark: Chuck Wooley (1:28.06), Chago Panzardi (1:27.42), and Terry Frazer (fast time 1:26.34). A 4½-inch minimum cam length on the mufflers kept most of the competition even.

Q-40 drew 22 pilots. Five rounds were flown and five pilots broke under 1:11; three pilots broke under 1:10. Bill Johanson (son of Fred) posted a very fast 1:08.83 (fast time) and finished fourth. Denny Sumner took first in QM40 with a personal time of 1:11.99; Jim Allen was second (one point back) and Terry Frazer third.

#### Perpetual Classic Trophy (aggregate champion — highest point total over two events)

  1. Denny (Bazoom) Sumner — 201.2 points
  2. Scott Gilkey — 195.0 points
  3. Chago Panzardi — 192.2 points
  4. Terry Frazer — 181.6 points
  5. Craig Grunkemeyer — 172.9 points

CAPS — Results

#### Q-500 Standard (Saturday)

  1. Scott Gilkey — 1:35.93 — 20 pts
  2. Dave Carpenter — 1:36.66 — 18 pts
  3. Ken Points — 1:36.06 — 16 pts
  4. Robert Wooley — 1:36.43 — 16 pts
  5. Barney Polzin — 1:32.76 — 14 pts

#### Q-500 Standard (Sunday)

  1. Chuck Wooley — 1:28.06 — 20 pts
  2. Scott Gilkey — 1:31.12 — 18 pts
  3. Bryan (Brian) Tice — 1:35.17 — 17 pts
  4. Terry Frazer — 1:26.34* — 16 pts
  5. Santiago (Chago) Panzardi — 1:27.42 — 16 pts

#### Q-500 Expert

  1. Santiago Panzardi — 1:10.75** — 19.4 pts
  2. Joe Dodd — 1:16.72 — 19.3 pts
  3. Dennis (Denny) Sumner — 1:17.20 — 19.2 pts
  4. Gary Gau — 1:14.27 — 19.1 pts
  5. Tim Crookham — 1:19.41 — 17 pts

#### Quarter Midget 40 (QM40)

  1. Dennis (Denny) Sumner — 1:11.99 — 19 pts
  2. Jim Allen — 1:10.68 — 18 pts
  3. Terry Frazer — 1:15.79 — 16 pts
  4. Bill Johanson — 1:08.83* — 15 pts
  5. Craig Grunkemeyer — 1:09.72 — 15 pts

* = fast time ** = fast time (Expert)

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The Powermaster Nationals revived pylon racing in the Central Texas area after several years of dormancy. With local interest renewed and the Cedar Park RC Club co-hosting by providing the course and workers, the aftermath of the event showed many modelers intending to compete in coming months. Special thanks again to the City of Taylor (particularly Stephanie Graves) for their enthusiastic support and hospitality.

The 1997 Powermaster Pylon Nationals are tentatively scheduled for the third weekend in May — an even larger turnout is expected.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.