Currently, the USRA Board of Directors is working on updating the standards that the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) uses for Giant Scale Racing. We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to update these standards so that we can put on events with less expense related to insurance. If this goes well, we may see lower entry fees and some weekend regional races. This isn’t a done deal yet, so keep your fingers crossed.
We also received some great coverage and exposure this year for our events in R/C Excellence, Model Airplane News, Radio Control Modeler, and local newspapers. At the Ohio event, representatives from Horizon Hobby Distributors were on hand to compete and they really enjoyed themselves. These are the same people who distribute Hangar 9 products, JR radios, and Zenoah engines. They feel that our racing series has a lot going for it, and is much more entertaining and exciting than any other R/C event out there.
The one thing we are lacking though, is an easier way to get started in the sport. It is difficult and expensive to build a lightweight aircraft and have your engine modified for racing. Working towards the goal of creating an entry level racer, the USRA Board would like to announce a new racing class for 2003 that will hopefully help us take the next step and make it easier for new participants to compete. Here are the details that we have so far. The new class is called F-1GT and is basically a Formula 1 racer with a stock Zenoah GT-80. No modifications will be allowed to the engine, and it must use the unaltered ignition system. Gas and propeller will be supplied at the races just like we currently do in AT-6. Engines will also be inspected much the same way we currently tech AT-6. All other rules remain unchanged with the exception that the minimum weight for the F-1GT class will be 27 pounds. This increase in the minimum weight will be to help offset the extra weight of a stock engine, and to encourage the use of less expensive kits that use glass fuse and foam core wing construction. The F-1GT class will compete for trophies and prizes only, so the entry fee will be lower than other classes. There will also be no World Championship or season points awarded in this class. It is our hope that the easy to build, fun to fly F-1 aircraft coupled with a very reliable, user friendly Zenoah GT-80 will be the gateway to new participation in our sport. There will be no need to spend time and money modifying engines, testing fuels, testing props and wrestling with fuel mixture curves. There are even a few glass fuse/foam core F-1 kits available in the neighborhood of $800 that can be built at the new minimum weight. We are very excited about the possibilities of this new class, and we hope you will either give it a try, or encourage someone you know to try it out. If you need a new challenge, or are tired of racing the same 3 guys all weekend, this might be the class for you. It promises to maximize your fun and minimize your costs.
One of the other positive aspects to this class is that someone will be able to “step up” into F-1 rather easily with this airplane. The reverse is true as well if someone wants to take a current F-1 and enter it in F-1GT. The class will also create a market for F-1 airplanes that might be a little too old and heavy for the traditional Formula class. Heading up this new class will be Ohio event co-organizer Chris Justus. Chris, Tom Keating, and our friends at Horizon Hobby Distributors, put a lot of thought and hard work into this idea. If you have a question concerning the class, contact Chris or myself, but understand that we are just now putting the final touches on the rules for this racer. We did want to get this important news to you right away however, because we knew it could impact your decisions regarding which airplane to build or which engine to buy.
I hope you are as excited about this new class as I am, and will consider giving it a try if you feel the need for something new. I think there is still time to get word to Santa if you need to amend your list of toys as well!
This is the last report of 2002, and I hope to see you all in 2003. Our membership renewals were sent out two weeks ago, so you should have received them by now. If not, drop me a line and I will get you another one. Don’t forget that you need to renew by January 31st 2003 in order to avoid the $20 late renewal fee.
On behalf of the Board, I want to wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season.