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Rumble over JR AND ZENOAH HOST GIANT SCALE RACING SEASON KICK-OFF by Tom Atwood
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From
June 16 to June 19, the first of three 2005 giant-scale races organized
by the Unlimited Racing Scale Association (USRA) unfolded at the majestic
Rantoul Airport in Rantoul, IL. Horizon’s JR and Zenoah teams,
primary cosponsors, pulled out all the stops to ensure that this would
be a truly spectacular racing event. Fly RC was the host magazine, and
several other major cosponsors backed this exciting RC sportsman’s
competition. At “Rumble over Rantoul,” 20 to 40-pound airplanes
raced at up to 200+ mph as some of the sharpest racing thumbs on the
planet fought for thousands of dollars in cash prizes. Racing guru Fred Sattler launches Scott Hanbury’s QuickTurn GR-7.
At Rantoul, the Dominator, Formula 1, Formula 1 GT and Unlimited classes competed. Lanier Dominators, enlarged Quickie 500 designs powered by Moki 2.10s, and the 42% scale Reno-style ships flown in the Zenoah-powered Formula 1 classes are helping expand the sport because they are among the most affordable options for both newcomers and serious racers. Several designs have emerged as leaders in the Formula 1 category, including GR-7s, Proud Birds, Shoestrings, Cosmic Winds, Kellys and Pole Cats. On the Unlimited side, engines ranged from 280cc Herbransons with “mil spec” cylinders, DA 150s and ZDZ 160s to Aero 200s. Unlimited aircraft have a 55-pound weight limit and the motor must weigh in at less than 14 pounds. Airframes, again scale versions of Reno racers, included such designs as the Vendetta, Miss America, Miss Ashley and Corsair. Two strategies emerged among the Unlimited pilots: build a heavier airplane that’s all muscle and can smoke the others on the straightaways, or build a lighter aircraft that can turn tighter and exit a turn with a several mph advantage. Watching the aircraft overtake each other at different points in the course and sometimes cluster within mere feet at 200 mph was an adrenaline rush! Any sport modeler would have felt at home looking into the tents, trailers and workbenches set up on site. Performance Plus Fuels provided glow fuel for the glow classes, and a few brands of radios were in evidence. JR radios were used by over 90% of the entrants across all classes (although the Unlimited Gold winners were mostly Futaba). WEATHER WAS GREAT, ACTION HOT
Temperatures remained in the upper 70’s for most of the race as passing clouds muted the sun’s heat—perfect conditions for both racers and the several hundred spectators who gathered each day to watch the action at Rantoul Airport. The big boys in pylon racing had come from all over the country, and you could see, hear and smell the raw power building to a climax on the last day when Gold and Silver heats were flown. Forty-two entries competed at Rantoul, and by the time the last heats were flown, it was common to see two or three planes vying for first place through most of a race. A high level of organization and safety-consciousness permeated the event. Horizon and the USRA are to be commended. On Saturday evening, the Horizon gang held a banquet for pilots and their families at the Chanute Museum on the airport grounds. Imagine enjoying the company of family and friends while surrounded by a large variety of beautifully preserved full- scale aircraft ranging from fighter jets to WWII aircraft. That was a special treat.  Dave Smith, left, took first place in the Unlimited Gold heat for Team Extra. While he inspects the underside of his Mish Ashley on the flight line, a team member from Speed Demons assists. The camaraderie between members of these two leading racing teams is what giant-scale racing is all about. Continued |
