WOLF-sponsored Fall Follies, Salem, Oregon. October 9, 10.
Season-ending contests held in October, in the NW, are sometimes a gamble. This is no longer the case with annual Fall Follies, contest having gained quite the positive reputation over past years. To the point where even if weather forecast is a 50/50 deal a whole bunch of us are there. No matter what. Yep, some rain on Saturday; but nothing that even slowed us down. Conditions were sometimes close to ideal. Different (better) deal on Sunday: Low fog/very light breeze most of the morning, beautiful sun/mild breezes all afternoon.
As most know, I take no notes at all during contests, so these reports center on what happens within about 10 feet of my person. Apologies to those whose heroics are overlooked. Those who were there are welcome to add their input, especially as a full-boogie report will be submitted to Flying Lines newsletter.
Saturday began with a nice field of NWSR entries, this requiring actual 70-lap heat races prior to the final. Thanks to some really good starting and pitting, Pat and Mark literally won at the start. The last time we saw Stunt fliers cross over to CL Racing--and win a final--was when...?
While all was pretty much prepped for us, timing of heats and mains was performed by some wascally Stunt fliers. That "their" team won was probably just a coincidence.
John Thompson came out of this contest his sterling reputation fully intact. I watched him pull his Classic model and all support equipment out of his car. Next thing I know the guys are short one judge. John immediately stepped forward, no hesitation whatsoever.
And then on Sunday John blew away his "442 Curse." If you haven't heard, that was his score through an amazing string of contests. This time? A very solid 472 in Advanced PA.
John's partner in Racing and the Flying Lines newsletter, Mike Hazel, was also quite active this weekend. In somewhat bizarre circumstances, Mike agreed to put off trying to finish his latest Stunt model, instead getting grass circle mowed, all the other many details taken care of so I could come down, fly-and-play without doing any actual work. In exchange, Mike was to fly model formerly known as my "loaner" ARF Flite Streak w/20FP, now tagged (by Mike) as the "DirtMobile". Mike took full advantage, flying it for only one practice flight, entering Classic, Sportsman P-40, Advanced PA. With a personal high of 453 in latter class, no appearance points!
This result was not exactly in the bag when in first round of Classic I short-tanked the thing and engine quit while entering fourth loop of four-leaf clover. Details not now, but model has seen quite a lot of use and abuse over the past year, was hardly pristine early Saturday morning. The only real challenge was twisting out a fair amount of smack-induced down thrust. Took three tries before it finally looked straight, Mike's improving scores over next 5 flights indicating all was okay. Well, model did start putting out some mildly disconcerting harmonics toward end of each run, finally doing so throughout last flight of the weekend. The completely split upper motor mount stick is a prime suspect, this nicely offset by a low-vibes powerplant.
Personally, I continue to lead a charmed life when it comes to 20FP-powered models. I snagged DirtMobile a couple times, winning Expert P-40 in a close result over Scott Riese's piped Electra, Bruce Hunt's profile Cardinal. Okay, I did indeed have probably best conditions of the day for my last flight. But a low-490s with a wounded and beat-up (nearly-) stock ARF powered by a decidedly stock 20FP? Model, Mike and I made believers out of all in attendance. Especially Scott, sometimes a disbeliever in the concept. While slumming in Dirty Pits, he casually asked about the power, I responded that it is one of my 20FPs. **"That's a 20FP??!!"** was his response...
Sunday was all PA. The grass circle was in almost constant use, true to his word Mike had made sure it was mowed very close and so suitable for all models. Rush was there for a series of flights, and it showed. I was there for a series of flights, to no good result in my case.
During our lunch break for BBQ-by-Mike it was announced that not only had Don McClave once again taken the Palmer Cup for Classic Stunt but that plaque honoring each year's winner was filled with dash plaques and so retired. Yep, Don's name is on almost all of them, but some interloper by the name of Paul Walker won one year, as did a real outsider, Da Dirt. There was also some discussion of a new plaque, this encompassing both Old Time Stunt and Classic Stunt. Scoring will be both simplified and expanded to include more contests, using same system John Thompson has in place for all other CL events in the NW.
Sure enough, for second round the sun came out, and there was just the right touch of breeze at our back. Unfortunately, this seemed to unsettle several in Beginner PA with there being two or three quite nice splats in succession. Atta-Boy award goes to Dave Miller who punched in one model and promptly went to a back-up unit. *The enthusiasm of one and all in Beginner PA was inspiring.* Those of us who having been doing this stuff for years find a certain amount of affirmation in selection of our chosen hobby activity when those new to the event do everything possible to put up flights. **Excellent stuff, really excellent.**
Inexplicably pulling up stakes, and his new USA-1, Randy left with a solid third place in hand. Bruce Hunt took advantage and burned in a really good second-round flight to push Randy into fourth. As always, Howard was flying well, although this time out he seemed to have a little extra edge to his pattern. Either of his two flights was a winner in a great many contests, less only the participation of...
...Paul Walker. Yes, I know the man gets a lot of play in these reports. That's what happens, as a matter of course, when you play the game at his level. Deal with it! We have learned to, and we love it, competing for "Best of the Rest" said with a smile, not a frown. This time out PW appears to be dealing quite well with an older Impact which has been retro-fitted with one of those new-fangled two-strokes. More specifically, a new RO-Jett 61 breathing into a pipe.
I've seen this motor run in various sorts of tune, and it is really quite impressive. Even at this contest we got to see it run with both a big prop (first round) and a much smaller prop later in the day. I don't know anything at all about other changes, but second-round flight saw all eyes on Paul's performance.
It was really special, made more so by the presence of several members of extended Walker family, all of whom live in Salem. I mean, if you had a brother, assorted nieces and nephews out to see you fly, would you bang the corners hard and fly really, really low? Of course, the only question being how bang-bang and how low. We've all pulled this act at one time or another.
However, I do not believe that ever again will any of us be treated to a pattern the likes of which Paul put up Sunday afternoon. Consistently right on the deck, it was nothing short of amazing. How low? I could tell you. It wouldn't be believable. And he was down in the bottom land for the whole flight, every maneuver
Prior to listing results, special acknowledgment to both Jerry Eichten and John Thompson. Run the events, these guys both worked nearly non-stop all day, both days. And not just in judging, although that is the most visible from this report. In addition, Don McClave came down from Portland both days to judge. Great stuff, and vital to the success of this contest.
**Ooops, Heavy Stunt took pictures of the scoreboard, I took the easy way out asking they be sent me via e-mail. The boy is workin', I guess, so no results. Yet. I'll edit them in later. Meanwhile...)
Classic Stunt
*Judges*: John Thompson, Don McClave
Notable Moment: Randy's latest, the USA-1, is really excellent. And how long has it been since you saw a three-bladed wood prop used in competition? Don't try this yourself! Trick prop a product of Al Resinger, his fabulous tooling, superb design and flawless workmanship.
Sportsman P-40
*Judges*: Jerry Eichten, John Thompson
Notable Moment: The real reason for loaning out DirtMobile comes forth as Da Dirt "recycles" an award in form of a NW Skyraiders folding camp chair. It's a long story. But all of us hope Mike Hazel finds it a comfy perch from which to direct future contests.
Expert P-40
*Judges*: John Thompson, Jerry Eichten.
Dan Rutherford
Scott Riese
Bruce Hunt
Notable Moment: Da Dirt once again proves that while he can be a gracious loser he can also be a horribly self-serving winner. This one came right down to the last flight. Pat Johnston seemed to know I was thinking about passing as I monitored score board and watched Heavy Stunt struggle with prop blades seriously buzzed down. Scott's score was posted, he eclipsed my first-round score by just a bit. Pat asked, "You flying?" And I responded, "Oh yeah! I am so there!"
Beginner PA
*Judges*: Jerry Eichten, John Thompson
Notable Moments: A series of disconcerting splats, all taken in very good humor, in one case, Dave Miller, with a back-up model being instantly pressed into service. Good job by one and all, determination to put up a couple good flights in some cases out-stripping efforts of vastly more experienced fliers. I was really impressed by entire field in Beginner PA.
Intermediate PA
*Judges*: John Thompson, Jerry Eichten
Todd Ryan
Notable Moment: Okay, just one entry. But what a sweet-running engine, this a direct result of coaching from Scott Riese. Todd, lose the tip weight, get rid of a few wiggles, put in 25 more practice flights and we'll see you in Advanced next year.
Advanced PA
*Judges*: Jerry Eichten, Dave Royer
Notable Moments: Already mentioned, but John Thompson is beginning to show his true potential in this event. No more scores related to the automobile which delivered Rush to the Pacific NW. And as I took much glee in pointing out to John and Mike Hazel, give Mike, say, a mere 12 points for appearance, a dozen practice flights on equivalent to DirtMobile--Mike's already well into a new SIG Skyray 35 with 20FP for power--and we're looking at Nitroholics CL Racing Team doing real well in Advanced PA in 2005. How weird is that?!
Expert PA
*Judges*: Don McClave, John Thompson
Paul Walker
Howard Rush
Bruce Hunt
Randy Powell
--more to come later--
Notable Moment: A few years ago and during our first meeting I was slightly taken aback when Brett Buck pointed to a "new" flying style from Paul Walker. Since then I have come to acknowledge there is such a thing as various styles, and for second round of this contest PW pulled out his "Take No Prisoners" act. Good Lord! Can anyone else on this planet fly that low, that consistently? I think not. And the corners! I saw Paul actually throw a bunch of arm-pump into first corner of hourglass. About four maneuvers into the pattern I snuck up behind Rush and suggested: "You flew really well; but you're **screwed!**"
Finally, already mentioned is fact that two CL Stunt Dudes won in CL Racing. Do please note that most significant results gained by Nitroholics Racing Team was to place well on Stunt circle...
Lookin' to get it all in later,
Dan
Steve