Radio Control: Pylon Racing
Bill Hager
TREKKERS
In District Eight, which is where I live, it can be quite a distance to that weekend race. In order to make the trip worthwhile, in some cases we split up the weekend—having a complete contest on Saturday then starting all over again on Sunday. For someone who has a bad day on Saturday, this is like a second chance—not a bad idea.
Such was the case with our first race of the year held at Paris, AR on April 14 and 15. For those driving from the Houston, TX area, this is at least an eight-hour trip.
Paris, AR — April 14–15
The weather didn't cooperate with us on Saturday. The worst part was the 25 mph crosswind. Because of it, there were a lot of zeroes posted and a lot of broken props put in the trash can.
As the pilots started to get the feel of racing again, things got better and the racing got tighter. Bruce Richmond and Rick Oliver had a very tight race. Fred French started off the season just about the way he ended it—last year's Championship Race, Fred destroyed the No. 2 pylon. Well, he did it again. Fred, you have to go around them—not through them!
Day's-end race: a three-way tie for third with Ed Rankin, Bruce Richmond and Dave Layman. There was also a tie for first place between Dub Jett and George Parks.
The tie for third was settled by best times. Resolving first place was not so easy, as both George and Dub were ready for the flyoff. Dub won the flyoff with a 1:16.6 to George's 1:16.72. Now that's some racing!
Saturday results
- 1) Dub Jett, 15 points (Denight/X-40), 1:24.90
- 2) George Parks, 15 points (Pellets/X-40), 1:18.88 fast time
- 3) Bruce Richmond, 14 points (Toni/X-40), 1:19.60
- 4) Ed Rankin, 14 points (Polecat/X-40), 1:21.12
- 5) Dave Layman, 14 points (Polecat/X-40), 1:24.77
- 6) Gary Heithold, 13 points (Denight/X-40), 1:25.10
- 7) JP Hanway, 13 points (Denight/X-40), 1:27.90
- 8) Richard Oliver, 11 points (Polecat/X-40), 1:25.20
- 9) Norm Johnson, 9 points (Toni/X-40), 1:22.50
- 10) Dick Ritch, 9 points (Polecat/K&B .40), 1:24.79
Sunday — conditions and rounds
Sunday morning dawned gray and dismal, with the same crosswind, very cool temperatures, and the threat of rain. Round one got under way at about 9:30, and the tempo picked up where it left off Saturday. George Parks won his first race at 1:19.0. Duane Pisciotta won his first race at 1:20.4.
Round two started out hot, as George Parks and Norm Johnson went at it, with George pulling away at 1:15.57 to Norm Johnson's 1:18.9. Dub Jett won out over Duane Pisciotta, Dub 1:18.9, Duane 1:24.5 for 11 laps (cut pylon).
Round three went off without much excitement, except when Rick Oliver and Duane had a good race, as Rick won at 1:19.0 and Duane with 1:28.0 for 11 laps, as he again cut a pylon.
With round four underway, the tempo was still picking up as George won his race at 1:18.2; Dub Jett won out over J.P. Hanway as Dub turned 1:15.4 and fast time to Hanway's 1:18.4.
Round five started with George easily winning at 1:20.0, and Duane Pisciotta winning his race at 1:17.0. Phill Bussell finally got the act together, winning a race at 1:17.9, Gary Heithold's 1:19.6.
At the end of round five, ties could shake a stick at. A six-way tie for twelfth place was decided by times, a four-way tie for seventh place was also decided on times, and the tie for fifth place between Ed Rankin and Gary Howard was decided by a flyoff—Ed won as Gary cut a pylon. Tied for third place was Norm Johnson and Duane Pisciotta. Here, again, Norm won the flyoff as Duane cut a pylon.
Unbelievably, Dub Jett and George Parks again tied for first place, and the flyoff that was to take place was unbelievable. The lead changed at every turn of a pylon—it was Jett in the lead, then it was George, and at the end of lap 10 as the checkered flag dropped—who won the race? It was a photo finish as both crossed the line together, and poor Chuck Greenwood had the chore of having to go to the watches to decide on a winner. Dub Jett was the lucky winner by .04 of a second! It was again one of the best races this District has ever seen, with Jett in at 1:14.32 and George at 1:14.36.
Sunday results
- 1) Dub Jett, 15 points (Denight/X-40), 1:15.42 — fast time
- 2) George Parks, 15 points (Pellets/X-40), 1:15.57
- 3) Norm Johnson, 13 points (Toni/X-40), 1:18.90
- 4) Duane Pisciotta, 13 points (Denight/X-40), 1:17.60
- 5) Ed Rankin, 12 points (Polecat/X-40), 1:20.80
- 6) Gary Howard, 12 points (Tom-Cat/OS), 1:23.10
- 7) Phill Bussell, 11 points (Denight/X-40), 1:17.90
- 8) J.P. Hanway, 11 points (Toni/X-40), 1:18.40
- 9) Richard Oliver, 11 points (Polecat/X-40), 1:19.00
- 10) Bruce Richmond, 11 points (Toni/X-40), 1:20.70
On covering racing around the country
Throughout the year, I usually try to write about racing from all areas of the country. For some of you who don't very often go to other areas to race, this will at least let you know what is going on out there.
So, if you want the rest of the world to know what your club or area is doing in racing, send the information to me, along with some pictures, and I will do what I can to get them in.
Batteries and RC electrics
Every year, at least once or sometimes twice, I mention something about batteries. This part of your radio gear is good for four flights on its 70 mAh pack and that I then discharged, and recharged, on the field. Well, this seems to be of interest to some folks, so I'm preparing a submission to MA. If the Good Editor goes for it, you'll see one way to do it. Specifically, I have a very simple home-brew accessory that is easy and low-cost to build, and that will safely run your small flight packs down to a point where you can then safely recharge from the same equipment you use for your motor batteries. If this sounds good to you, stay tuned!
I've recently had the opportunity to see a copy of Electric Flight, by Dave Day. This book is published in Great Britain and is available from Motorbooks International, 729 Prospect Ave., Osceola, WI 54020. (Sorry, I don't know the cost.) It's a fairly small book, about 6 x 8, with 94 pages. There are lots of pictures, product descriptions, and performance information, most of which is for modelers overseas, and which may not be readily available in the U.S. The book contains some good "how-to" information, and perhaps most useful as an overview of a very wide range of electric accomplishments and as a source of inspiration and new ideas.
As a preview, some topics to be covered in future "RC Electrics" include basic electrical terms and their meanings as applied to electric flight; how to use meters and what the readings really mean; expanded information on the use of switches and connectors; assembling battery packs, and more. Remember, if you have any ideas along these lines — things you'd like to see included — or "how-to" things you'd like to share — please send 'em to me!
OK, I had kept them charged, and I did regularly take the pack out and inspect it. Well, from that day forward, I have paid careful attention to my batteries. There are many ways and many products on the market to help you in monitoring your batteries. I use the Power Pacer as my personal preference. This unit will completely cycle a Ni-Cd battery pack. And, if you have any bad cells, you will also know right away. It sure is a lot better finding the bad cells on the bench than in the middle of a race!
Closing
Now that I am done with my batteries speech for the year, we can get back to the racing. Don't forget — send me something about what your District is doing in racing. Send it to me direct, not to the magazine office.
See you next month.
Bill Hager 706 Glen Haven Dr., Conroe, TX 77385
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
