Montreal, Quebec Canada - August 26, 2000
My first expereince in Montreal was a good one. There were enough entrants in the Piker (sport) class to have two heats. Four in the first, and 3 in the second. I was in the second heat so I could watch (and train a new helper) the first heat. All four planes were of the same design called the "nooner". I will post the details of this kit when I get them. It was a warm humid day, and it took its toll on all but one plane. Scott was the only 4 min survivor with 18 lapps.
In the second heat, one of the contestants dropped out, So it was just me and Jean-Claude Terret. As long as we both made 4 min. we'd be in the finals. Not to be. JCT's plane landed around the 3:40 mark. My Kaplouie just made it to 4:04 with 17 lapps.
In the finals, it was just Scott and I. We both had a good start with Scott taking the lead for the first 8 or 9 laps. After that we would trade places turning every lap. I would pass Scott on turn one, he would pass me by turn 3. That lasted for about 7 lapps. Then I started to take the lead for the last couple lapps. All was good for me until... I ran out of power! It happened to my just after turn one. With Scott being close enough to take advantage of my misfortune, he passed me by about a half second to turn 3. Five seconds later, time was up. We both made the 4 min time, and we both made 18 laps. Since Scott beat me to pylon 3 (where the lapps are counted), he earned the win. Great race Scott! Thanks for the fun!
After the Piker class was finished we moved onto the Open Class race. There were four contestants. For some reason my Switchblade was really on fire. I blew everyone away to the first pylon, completing the first turn before everyone else entered it. I never looked back, lapping everyone once, and some planes twice.
I'd like to thank CD Louis Dionne for Doing a great job organizing the meet. Hope to see you next year!
posted by Todd Sheehan 5:43 AM
Oakville, Ontario Canada - May 22nd, 1999
This was my first official race, so the experience new to me. But let me say this, it was GREAT fun! Robert Pike conducted the pylon event and set up a two pylon course. The pylons were 300ft. appart. There were, I believe, a total of 6 heats. Two preliminary heats of a "sport" class, two preliminary heats of an "open" class, and a single final heat for each class. I only took part in the open class, so I don't have the complete info on the sport class details yet. I'f I can get Rob to send them to me, I'll include them here. The Open class finals include, Robert Pike (Skat), Todd Sheehan (Switchblade), and Marc Thomson (Skat). On launch, Rob's Skat became a post hole digger, so Marc and I battled it out. I was able to make it the first turn first, and stay out in front until on the 3rd lap I cut the far pylon. After doing my penalty lap, Marc was way out in front. Through a total of 6 laps I could see that I was catching up, but through 8 laps I could see that there just were not enough laps left to catch him. Then, Marc made a cut on the far pylon. After he did his penalty lap, I was able to finish the race out in front. The race was great fun because the planes were so close, I could plainly see them race the course together, almost the whole time.
Kingston, Ontario Canada - June 25th, 1999
Simcoe, Ontario Canad - July 3rd, 1999 - Canadian Nationals
The morning session of events for the day was split between F5B, and Speed 400 Pylon. The "plan" was to fly a round of F5B, then the preliminaries of Pylon, fly a secound round of F5B, then fly the finals of Pylon. However, this was not what ended up happening.
F5B and 400 Pylon had a 8am to 1pm time slot to do all there flying. Then other events would take over the field. Registration didn't start until 8am and ended at about 9:30, and that's when flying started. This put a huge restriction on pylon as there wasn't much time to complete the event. With one round of F5B out of the way, we were told to bring two battery packs to the pylon course. This was so that if you made the finals, you would compete immediatley after the last preliminary round.
Dave Mathewson (Skat), Jean-Claude Terrett (Adrenalin), and Martin Irvin (Sliver), flew in the first round of prelimiaries. Dave got out in front by the first turn, and never looked back, lapping the second place finisher. Dave had a time of 1:38. Martin's plane had technical difficulties just after launch and wasn't able to finish the race.
Robert Pike (Skat), Todd Sheehan (Switchblade), and Doug Pike (own design liooking similar to a Switchblade), flew in the second round of preliminaries. Todd Sheehan won this round of prelimiaries with a comfortable lead and a time of 1:40. CORRECTION!!! I was just informed I was in a dream world and have just been rudely woken up. Rob Pike won this preliminary round, and Todd Sheehan came in second.
This left Dave Mathewson, Jaun-Claude Terret, Robert Pike, and Todd Sheehan in the finals. Because of the time restraint, the finals saw its share of problems. Robert, and Todd still had very hot motors just completing the last round of preliminaries. As we approached the starting line, Roberts speed control went on the fritz and he had to pull out of the race.
The three racers all got a good start, with Todd getting to the far pylon first, follewed closely by Dave and Jaun-Claude. Dave quickly pulled out in front during the second lap. Todd was trying to fly a tight course to stay up with Dave, but it was not to be. Todd's motor showed signs of over heating and by the 7 lap, Dave blew by him so fast it didn't seem they could have been in the same class. Dave has a deadly combination of a very fast plane, and years of Quicky 500 experience.
When it was all said and done, Dave was waaaaaaaaay out in front, followed by Todd and Jaun-Claude.
Voltaires, Syracuse NY July 17th
A lower than expected turnout left us with only 3 pylon racers on this day. Dave Mathewson, Todd Sheehan and Bill Griggs. Bill was not feeling well, probably due to the very hot weather (100+ with heat index), so decided it was not wise to fly in the competition. This left us with just Dave and myself. I was looking for revenge on Dave after he put such a hurting on me at the Canadian NATs just two weeks before.
When things got started Todd (Switchblade) was out in front of Dave (Skat). Todd was able to stay in front for about a lap and a half, when Dave flew by. I was trying to fly a tight course, but I wasn't doing half the job Dave was. His years of Quicky flying really shows! He ended up lapping me somewhere around lap 7 to complete the race in first place. I didn't have an over heated motor to blame this time, he just plain blew me away!
You would think I could explain why his plane is so fast. After all, I built it, tuned it, fixed it, and tuned it again. I have an identical Skat and it's slower than my Switchblade! I just can't figure it out. When I do, I'll let you know (check out the "tricks" section).
The US Electric Nationals, Muncie, Indiana August 4th
I'm awaiting a complete report of how the Pylon event went. Until then, I can tell you this - George Parks won the 1/2A class (speed 400)with a Switchblade, and lapped the competition in the process! Congratulations George!
posted by Todd Sheehan 12:05 PM