Camperdown – VMPRA Trophy – Event Report

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View from the field of Mt Leura. David Axon in the forground.

What a fantastic start to the pylon racing year. Fine weather, great club and venue and a good turnout of competitors.

2 days of flying FA1, F400 & Q500 plus Beau Murphy & Rick Townsend flew their F5D planes as a demonstration event. These things really go. Beau’s 1st event of racing this plane saw him doing a 57.63 on the 10.5 lap cause. The best time with a FA1 was  59.20! I can see that this class has a good chance of gaining traction among the regular pylon racing fraternity plus bring in new pilots from the electric scene.

F400s being identified. Barry Murphy holding Beau's F5D

F400s being identified. Barry Murphy holding Beau's F5D

The results are now on-line, including lap times for the FA1 rounds. You can find the results via the “Results” menu button at the top of the page or follow this link.

Barry Townsend with his GoPro Camera

During this weekend, Barry Townsend took some video with his helmet mounted GoPro camera. It gives you a great view of the scene from the pilot area during a pylon race. It starts off with some Q500, then F400 & FA1 plus there is some vision of the F5Ds. It’s really well worth a look (especially at full scene as the video clip is HD).

Event Calender Update

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Not long now until we go racing for the first time in 2012 and I think we’re all itching to go. First up is the VMPRA Trophy at Camperdown on the weekend of Feb 18-19. See the calendar for details.

Note the course restrictions and details of the VMPRA meeting.

There has been some minor changes to the calendar so make sure your diaries are all up to date so you don’t miss any of the action.

See you at Camperdown.

Passing of John Hughan

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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Hughan, who finally lost his battle with cancer on the morning of Jan 30, 2012.

John, a member at LDMFA for many year, started pylon racing back in 1969, and was an active participant until recent years.

He was present at the formation of The Australian Miniature Pylon Racing Association (AMPRA) and was elected to the position of President. A position that he held for some 23 years. He was chairman of the MAAA pylon technical sub committee, was involved at the state level through (VMPRA) and had also been a contributor to the Australian Airborne Model Magazine for 15 years – writing a regular pylon articles.

Our thoughts go out to his family at this most difficult time.

New 2012 Calendar

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The Preliminary calendar for 2012 is now on-line, see calendar >. August and September details are still to be finalised. There is also a schedule of how events will be run for the 2012 calendar. Events schedule >>>

Our thanks go out to Mick Kellett for coordinating with all the clubs and for putting all of this together.

Have a Merry Christmas and Safe Holidays and we look forward to another year full of pylon racing.

2012 Calendar >>>

Bacchus Marsh Results, Nov 20, 2011

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Quickies on the line before going on time

Quickies on the line before going on time

This was our last event for the year. We had 8 x Q500 & 4 x Sports entries including an EF-1 flown Alan Swift and Andrew Davies bought down a new EF-1 for a test flight during the day.

Alan Swift & Andrew Davies with their EF1 models

Also in the sport class was the battle of the Boomerangs between Matt Young in his 2nd event & David Axon.

David Axon doing some last minute tuning

It was windy as usual, the rain stayed away & it was a good day of flying with Some good close battles.

Toni Axon carrying out the starter's duties

Results >>>

Thanks to Joe Finocchiaro for the photo taken on the day.

VMPRA Members at the F3D World Champs 2011

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F3DWC2011VMPRA members were well represented at this year’s F3D World Championships. Not only was 2 of the 3 senior Australia team members and their callers from Victoria, but members of other national teams are members & regular flyers at VMPRA events.

Igor Buchler & Rick Townsend (Team Brazil) and Tom Wetherill & Jim Orenshaw (Team New Zealand)

 

Jim Orenshaw (caller), Tom Wetherill (pilot) & Andrew Davies (supporter) - Part of team New Zealand

 

Igor Buchler (pilot), Rick Townsend (caller) & Vern Gibson (team manager) - Team Brazil

 

Igor Buchler (pilot) & Rick Townsend (caller) - Team Brazil

Among the faces in the photo below, are many VMPRA members who spent the week helping in the many official tasks that needed to be carried out for the smooth running and the success of this event. From my point of view, it was well worth making the trip to take part in this terrific event. – John Schmidli

Helpers at the F3D World Champs in Bunderberg

 

Victorians contribute to awesome win at F3D World Champs in Bundaberg

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Fantastic results for our members Beau Murphy & call, Barry Murphy (2nd place) and Leigh Hocken and his caller, Frank Casella (6th place) as part of the F3D world championship winning team. Also congratulation to Chris Callow and his call Kevin Callow for their 1st place and Tyler Mees and caller, Warren Mees on 4th overall and highest Junior place.

AMPRA Report

If you had been at the Bundaberg Aeromodellers’ field over the above period you would have been able to feel the very positive vibe that was surging through the Australian Camp.  This positive vibe translated into the performances of the Australian team which I believe was the “Best” we have ever achieved. Read more >>>

Australin World F3D Champions