Fun In The Sun Pattern Contest

Fun In The Sun Pattern Contest
TCRCM R/C Field, Richland, WA
Written by Meri Anderson, NSRCA District 8 Vice President's wife

The Fun in the Sun Contest on July 7^th and 8^th definitely lived up to its name; the weather in the Tri-Cities was hot! We had a small number of fliers, 11 pilots in all 3 FAI, 3 Masters, 4 Advanced, 1 Intermediate. The small turnout made for a slow going, relaxing contest.

The Fun in the Sun Pilots!

Friday brought some mechanical problems; the alternator in Ray McClellan’s RV went out on his way to the contest from Oregon. He was able to purchase a replacement and Rex Lesher had it changed out and up and running in short time. Friday night we met at Three Margaritas for dinner and smack talk!

We were able to get in 4 rounds on Saturday which was a good deal because the weather got even hotter on Sunday. Sunday was a rough day for a number of fliers. Ray Gauthier crashed his Icepoint in the 5^th round. The sky was so bright that Bob Walker decided not to chance losing his plane and chose not to fly the 5^th and 6^th round. Both Bill and Brett Bowen had landing problems in the 4^th round leaving their planes in need of repairs so they did not fly the 5^th and 6^th round.

Ray Gauthier and Bob Walker from Molalla, OR.

Saturday night we went to Round Table Pizza for dinner. In the past Linda and Dennis Cone have put on a huge BBQ at the field. The BBQ has always been the hi-light of the contest but a lot of work for the Cone’s. We had a great relaxing time with a ton of beer and pizza.

Dennis has been working out of town and hasn’t had much time for flying this season. He didn’t compete at this contest but he did a great job flipping burgers and hot dogs! He also kept the contest running smoothly. We miss Dennis not flying hopefully next year he will have the time. It was nice to have Steve Sterling back flying with us. He too has been tied up with work and has been out of the game for the last year. Steve’s wife, Linda participated in the judging seminar in April so this was her first chance to sit in the chair. It is great to have an extra judge, with small contests it is sometimes hard to not have a flier spend more time in the chair then in the air!

Dennis Cone our CD did a great job keeping this contest moving.

Standings:

Intermediate

1^st 	Ray Gauthier               	4000.00

Advanced

1^st    	Jim Hiller                               	4000.00

2^nd   	Bill Carder                             	3595.83

3^rd   	Steve Sterling                        	3485.24

4^th   	Bob Walker                          	2972.83

Masters

1^st    	Brett Bowen                         	4000.00

2^nd   	Ray McClellan                     	3121.14

3^rd   	Bill Bowen                            	2605.80

FAI

1^st    	Gary McClellan                   	3998.11

2^nd   	Rex Lesher                            	3903.04

3^rd   	Gordon Anderson                	3898.26

Click here to see scores for all rounds.

Steve and Linda Sterling; Steve moved up to Advanced this season and Linda is judging!

Wendy Cone was our score keeper and did a great job, Thanks!

Bill Carder and Gary McClellan; I guess they are giving up?

A big thanks to Dennis and his daughter, Wendy for all their efforts in putting this great contest together. We all had a great time!

I can’t believe it but this season has only a few more contests before the 2007 season is over! As the 2007 season winds to an end so does my second term as the D8 VP. I have enjoyed this experience and I look forward to passing on this responsibility. The pattern pilots and their families are a great bunch and my wife and I have really appreciated your support over the last four years. If you are interested in running for D8 VP please let me know. I will be happy to answer any questions you have about the responsibilities

See you in the pits…

Click here to see more pictures!