Crib Point Event

This event unfortunately didn’t go ahead due to poor weather. There was a smaller than usual attendance probably because of the conditions but those that attended were keen. It has been decided to reschedule this event again for December 3 (see the calendar for details). Thanks to those members who came out to run the event .

Championship

The 2016-2107 Season Championship ended back when the Bendigo event was scheduled for. Trophies will be handed out at the AGM when this is held.

The 2016-2017 Season Champions are:

FA1 – Leigh Hocken.
F400 – Andrew Davies
Q500 – Jim Orenshaw.

The fastest time flown for the 2016-2017 Season was:

FA1 – Daniel Arapakis – 57.85 sec
F400 – Andrew Davies – 63.93 sec
Q500 – Daniel Arapakis – 94.30 sec

It all starts again from the next event at Newbridge and for your chance for bragging rights.

Check Out Season Championship >>>

Next Event

The next event is being held on September 16-17 at Rick Townsend’s pylon racing field in Newbridge. This will be the 1st time we have gone to this purpose built field.

Well, another World Championships “done and dusted”.

I must say that the Swedish F3D organisation ran what can only be described as a wonderful and professional event.

Congratulations to Jiri Novotny from the Czech Republic, Stefan Raven from Belgium and Thomas Eriksson from Sweden on their top results and fair sportsmanship.

First of all we were made to feel extremely welcome with no “special” laws laid down. The entire event ran smoothly with cuts registered on your lane board in real time and your time/result displayed within 5 seconds of your racer crossing the line. There was only one protest, which was dealt with swiftly. We saw the number 2 pylon destroyed on two occasions and repaired within minutes, and only a few re-runs required.

We now have a new World Champion. I must congratulate Daniel Arapakis for his Junior World Champion win. It just goes to prove that with the correct advice and help in this sport top results can be achieved. Good advice in pylon racing is not expensive. It was only 3 or 4 years ago, Danny and his Dad would hide behind a car when a F3D racer was started! Now he is a Junior World Champion. Well done Danny and Andrew also for your contribution to the Australian Team first place podium finish.

This Australian Team win is a special one. Not only is this a win on the scoreboard but a win for the type of Australian competitor.

To be a successful pylon competitor you need a few attributes…..know-how, sharp skills, cool and calm demeanor, a sense of fairness and a goodly amount of ‘gung-ho’ aggression. These boys have all of the above. This is what the world sees in our Australian Pylon way. This is what the world sees in us, as well as our friendly fun-loving nature.

This has been seen as the Australian way in the past- I once read on the wall of the Australian War Museum in Ypres, Belgium- “ The Australian soldier was found to be unpretentious, fun-loving and down to earth but we soon had to build another gaol as they were getting into too much trouble” “We soon had to release them as we realised we needed just this type of soldier” (or words to this effect).

I could have been easily reading a description of an Australian Pylon racing Team (almost).

The Australian Pylon Racing Team does not get into trouble as such…their sense of ‘fun’ can be witnessed by all and when called on they are ready. From the quiet dry humour in the ready box to the silent sixty-second countdown, the explosive and accurate 10 laps followed by satisfied smiles…this team flew for the team…no individual self serving.

To make the Australian Pylon racing Team is an achievement in itself. No walk up starters, no place by default, each place rightly deserved. Even 4^th & 5^th place in our team trials would make it in most of the world teams.

The 2017 Pylon Team was a pleasure to be a part of and I congratulate them all.

I especially congratulate Danny, as it has been a pleasure to be his mentor.

Barry W  Murphy