Radio Control: Pylon Racing
Bill Hager
Background
There has been quite a void in FAI pylon racing since the United States dropped out of the event.
While in some countries FAI pylon is one of the main racing events, here in the U.S. our main racing event was (and still is) Formula One. Here is where the problem seems to have been. With all the effort one must put out to be competitive in Formula One or Quarter Midget, there just wasn't enough time left for FAI.
A person had to build at least two planes for FAI for the season and, unlike Formula One engines, the FAI engines (which run on 80% methanol alcohol and 20% oil) must be set up differently. The prop and the RPM at which it runs are different, and with the tuned pipe you have a whole new ball game. All this, plus the fact that you were only going to be able to race FAI a couple of times during the year, made this event too much work for what you got out of it. So we ended up just dropping the event. This left pylon racing out of international competition—at least for the United States.
Revival effort
Several people—most of them pylon racers themselves—decided that they would try to get FAI racing going again. Surveys were taken. Phone calls were made. The big question was: what would it take to get you, the flier, interested in FAI pylon racing again?
This project wasn't something that was done overnight. A tremendous effort and a great amount of time were put into getting changes made so that we would start flying FAI again. Well, here we are now—the rules are almost exactly what we wanted.
Here are some things to think about:
Advantages of FAI (points to consider)
- More and more flying fields are lost every year due to noise complaints. With the tuned pipe on the FAI models, these planes are probably quieter than most sport planes with commercial mufflers.
- From the cost standpoint, you can now fly your Formula One racer in FAI—one airplane for two events. With the high cost of nitromethane at over $30/gal., the alcohol for the FAI fuel is still under $2/gal.
- Engine life: I am not sure about other Formula One engines. I have a hard time getting an engine to last one contest, let alone a whole season. With an FAI engine, it is possible to have an engine last a whole racing season.
- Glow plugs: When I started racing, glow plugs were 29¢ to 39¢ each. Now some of them are over $2 each, and in Formula One you use one plug per flight if you are lucky, as some don't even last a whole night. In FAI competition, you could possibly use the same plug for the whole weekend.
- Versatility: Your FAI/Formula One airplane can also be flown as a sport airplane if you so desire. Present-day pylon racing planes are very stable and very easy to fly. In fact, I think they will fly better than most sport planes. Try one—you might like it.
Clarification
Now, before we go any further, I want to make it clear that I am in no way trying to make Formula One look bad. As far as I am concerned, this is the premier racing event, and I would not give it up to fly in any other event. I am just using it as a comparison. This is also not to say that I wouldn't also fly some FAI when we get it going again.
We had a few local contests for FAI in 1982. What are we going to do for 1983? Someone has to get the ball rolling again. Come on, gang—they have done everything we asked them to do. The ball is in our court now.
Oh, by the way, for those of you who don't think FAI is fast enough: they are flying in the 1:20s now, and as I write this, someone may break into the teens.
Invitation from Czechoslovakia
Here's something I would like to pass on that I received from Mr. Z. Malina:
Dear Friends,
We would like to invite you cordially either only to see or directly to compete in the 6th "Grand Prix Modela" Trophy which is going to be held in Melnik, CSSR on June 10–12, 1983. The international F3D category will be flown under new FAI rules accepted by CIAM in December 1980.
"Grand Prix Modela" is a really big contest which is very popular among our RC enthusiasts and the attendance of over 2,000 spectators is usually not any exception. The airfield beside Melnik is roughly 35 km from Prague in the direction to the north; it is very nicely placed, especially for F3D purposes, and this airfield is going to be used for the F3D European Championships next year. Even the accommodation possibilities and restaurant services are very good in Melnik, so do not hesitate to write for more detailed information at the following address:
MODELA, Attn: Mr. Z. Malina, Holeckova 9, 15000 Praha 5, Czechoslovakia.
All Czechoslovakian RC modelers and the organizing committee of "Grand Prix Modela" are looking forward to seeing you in Melnik in the beginning of June 1983! You will be welcome with our traditional hospitality and we are sure you will enjoy it.
GRAND PRIX MODELA Organizing Committee
By the time you read this, you won't have much time to get ready to go to this race. But what about next year?
Pylon racing for me has brought friends from all over the United States. My wife and I have done a lot of traveling in the U.S. With FAI, you can expand that to the world!
Tangerine International
Every year, just after Christmas, a lot of people migrate to the South. Maybe they are just tired of the snow and want a break. For whatever the reason, a lot of them end up going to the Tangerine International. This year saw 23 entries in Formula One and 24 entries in Quarter Midget. Dennis O'Brian was CD for pylon racing this year. Dennis said that this year's weather was not the greatest, but between the raindrops and the fog, they had some pretty good races.
Formula One results
- Brian Richmond — 1:13.0 (Fast Time)
- Bob Brogdon*
- Bill Williamson*
- Gail Jacobson
- Greg Doe
- Rex Knepper
- Art Arno
- Dave Keats
- Irwin Funderburk
- John Gore
(Note: *Determined by fly-off.)
Quarter Midget results
- Jim Bartels*
- Gail Jacobson*
- Dave Keats*
- Rod Gier
- Buddy Roos — 1:25.2 (Fast Time)
- Paul Schattauer
- Greg Doe
- Bob Schuster
- Dave Latsha
- Stu Richmond
(Note: *Determined by fly-off.)
Sounds like Orlando, FL is the place to be to bring in the new year. Maybe we will see you there this December.
See you next month.
Bill Hager 706 Glen Haven Dr. Conroe, TX 77302
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
