Quickie 500

 April 30, 2000 

Ugly!  That’s the only way to describe the first race of the season.  Please don’t take that the wrong way; an ugly day of racing is still better then a beautiful day at work.  15-20 mph winds keep attendance to a minimum, only four of us actually showed up.  We recruited four innocent spectators for spotters, gave them helmets, cryptic instructions, and sent them to battle.  The good news was the wind was blowing right down the runway.  The bad news……directly towards pylon 1.  We all survived two heat races and advanced to finals, however, Jim Schlapfer and Dick Stewart where the only two to actually make it out of the dirt.  Vaughn and myself where left nosed over on the starting line.  After a competitive duel, the nod went to Jim.  Congrats!  If Jim continues to race the way he did the end of last season, he’ll be tough to catch.

A special thanks to all the helpers, really, we couldn’t have done it without you.

Standings are as follows:

Race #2 - June 4

Finally, a beautiful day for racing, but you wouldn’t know it by attendance, only three of us came out to race (Which proved to be two to many for me).  Our starter (Gary), and spotters are becoming more reliable then the racers. 

Heat one proved to be very exciting for the spectators.  There was a major crash on pylon one of the fifth lap that destroyed 33.33% of the racers!  You math whizzes out there figured out that’s one plane right.  I decided it was time to turn, unfortunately, a split second before Jim and did so right in front of his plane…….WHAM!   square into the left wing panel.  So square in fact, the only part of Jim’s plane that came in contact with mine was the spinner, he actually finished the race!  I returned from the swamp to watch Jim defeat Dick in a very close feature race for his second win of the season (out of two races).  Nice job Jim! <grin>

Lesson learned:  “rub’n is race’n” really only applies to NASCAR. 

Season Standings are as follows:

We really could use some newcomers.  We’ll continue to have fun without you, but we’re starting to run out of targets.  Please contact Bill Netta if you are interested.

August - Race #5

Schlappy is on fire!  With only two races left in the season, Jim Schalfer is undefeated!  He even showed up with his own caddy that polished his plane between heats (that’s when you know you’re a superstar).  Nuf said.  You know, it felt like a real race on Sunday with a break in the weather, lots of spectators, grinning pilots, and lots of heated races.  We also had a guest appearance by Vinnie Damiani who, by the fourth heat, decided he was tired of his new racer and drove it into the dirt just after pylon #1.  I think Vaughn’s black and green monster scared him.  Dick Stewart is one of the nicest guys I know (I told him I would say something nice about him this week).  But the stick on the left is the throttle; push it forward until it stops.  Just kidding Dickie.  I was showing of my new “fear this” v-tail, but I don’t think anyone was feared.  Technical difficulties keep me out of the finals.  Just before the rain hit a ‘business-as-usual’ feature heat ended with Jim on top, Vaughn in second and Dick in third.  Nice race guys. 

A special thanks goes to Gary who always keeps the races running seamlessly; Tom LaHart and Max for keeping a close eye on the pylons; Rick Scott and Vaughn’s dad (where’s your quickie?) for spotting. 

I know of at least 3 additional pilots with operational quickies, where are you?

New rules:

1. Vaughn LeSage requested a rule change for a new propeller.  Change from Master Airscrew 10x6 to APC 9x6 (AMA rules).  The rule change was voted all in favor and is effective immediately.  Vaughn will bring new props to the next race.
2. An engine change was also discussed, but no decision was made.  Considerations are Thunder Tiger Pro and Super Tiger.
3. A change in wing size was discussed, but no decision was made.  A consideration to adopt the AMA language was suggested.       

Season Standings are as follows:

1^st        Jim Schlapfer            20 points

2^nd       Dick Stewart                       15 points

3^rd            Vaughn LeSage            6   points

4^th        Bill Netta               4   points

5^th        Kerry Stanley            1   point

5^th        Vinnie Damiani            1   point

September - Race #6

 With only one race left in the season, first and second place are pretty much locked up.  However, things are really heating up with the introduction of APC 9x6 props.  Four uneventful heat races proved to be fast and close, just how race’n supposed to be.  A little more uneventful then John had hoped.  A plethora of technical problems keep him from competing.  The feature race was by far the tightest and most exciting race of the season with a time spread of less then 2 second between first and third!  “More then ever, starting position was everything” stated Dickie (true dat).  Gary clocked us at 1:38-1:40, not to bad for a non-ABC engine.  Positions for the day were as follows:  3^rd  Dick Stewart, 2^nd Jim Schlapfer, and I managed to squeak by with the win.

With some guidance and encouraging words from Gary, Herb filled in as starter for the day.  Excellent job Herb and no one needs to tell you that “60 seconds from now” means “60 seconds from now”!  Thanks also to Ryan and Max for counting cuts and to all who help spot.

New rules:

All conform to NEPRO (North East Pylon Racing Organization) 424 Q-500 rules.  See link for more information http://users.erols.com/heil/nepro/nepro.html

1. Prop change to APC 9x6 (effective immediately).
2. Engine Thunder Tiger Pro .40 R/C in addition to the current K&B 4011 (effective next season).
3. Fuel change to 15% nitro (effective next season).
4. Wing change will be voted on next race.       

Season Standings are as follows:

Last race of the season will be on October 8^th @ 11:00 AM.

October - Race #7

With another race season safely tucked away, a new champion has emerged, one who is no stranger to being champion, Jim Schlapfer.   The only ‘real’ race on Sunday was between Vaughn and myself for that all-important 3^rd place finish.  Sooooo I gave Vaughn a bad glow plug disguised as a K&B HP.  He was still running pretty strong so I offered to give him a spot in heat race #2 and pushed his plane over at the start (Thinking this should seal victory).  However, I was still feeling a bit unsure so I paid Jim $20 to “make it look like an accident”.  That he did!  Severing the tail of Vaughn’s infamous black & green monster in heat #3, done and done.  I felt bad after that so I treated Vaughn to lunch……….I think he may be suspicious.  MVP for the day went to Dick Stewart.  Dick won the feature heat by flying a clean, consistent race, nice job Dickie.  A special award went to Gary Reisinger for his continued support, dedication, and enthusiasm.  Thanks Gary, I could not have done it without you!

I am passing the torch on to Jim who will be CD’ing the races next season (chores of the champion).  Next season should be very exciting with the introduction of so many new rules, which will be posted on the web shortly. 

Thanks to John Kirchstein for doing all that WWW stuff, and to all who helped make racing possible, successful, and fun! 

Season results are as follows:

Till next time,

Bill Netta

Race Schedule for 2000

Race Schedule for 2000

April 30            Quickie Race #1 @ 11:00 am

June 4            Quickie Race #2 @ 11:00 am

June 11            Quickie Race #3 @ 11:00 am

July 16            Quickie Race #4 @ 11:00 am

August 6            Quickie Race #5 @ 11:00 am

Sept 10            Quickie Race #6 @ 11:00 am

October 8            Quickie Race #7 @ 11:00 am

If anyone is interested in racing this year and you if have questions, please contact Bill Netta by phone or email (thanks To Dick you should have both).