|
.
|
|
SPA CONTEST RESULTS
FOR
THE 2008 SEASON
GADSDEN WAS G-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-E-A-T
!!
What a nice week-end at Kidd Field in
Gadsden the week-end of April 19 &20, 2008 . 29 of the finest SPA pilots
in existence performed their sequences in swirling winds of up to 20 MPH
and at times handled it so well, one would wonder if the wind had
ceased. Temperatures were perfect in the upper 60's on Saturday and well
into the 70's on Sunday.
CD Jack Stephens was "flanked" by the CRUX of SPA "doers" with Jamie
Strong pulling duties as Flight scheduler, Chief Judge, Contestant,
Caller, Announcer, these chores among others. John Baxter and Bob Bixby
inputting scores and detailing rapid score tabulation and posting.
Mickey Walker, Bill Collins and others making the contest just to assist
with the judging chores. Mr. & Mrs. Richard Brooks, Mrs. Eunice Stephens
(Jack), and Fred Steward tending the luncheon and concession site. It
was a SPLENDID coordination of efforts culminating in a "most enjoyable
weekend" and "hugely successful contest.
29 contestants entered and flew 5 rounds in all classes but Senior
Expert which flew 4. Another good indication of the increased interest
in SPA competition with 15, yes, fifteen Novice pilots. Sportsman class
enjoyed 8 competitors, 4 in Expert and a pair in Senior Expert. Fun and
fellowship was topped with the awards ceremony on Sunday which saw a
number of great raffle prizes courtesy Sid Austin and PYRAMID HOBBIES in
Cullman, AL. The lucky winner of the A-6 INTRUDER ARF model was Mr. Mike
Miller of KCRC in Knoxville, TN. Congrats to Mike, we're proud for him.
At the beginning of the awards presentation, Mr. Jack Stephens, of the
Gadsden RC Flyers, held a very special presentation. The GRCF
SPORTSMANSHIP award given the individual who exhibited a show of nothing
but "good sportsmanship" and "genuine effort" to make the contest a
success. The Gadsden Club members selected Mr. Jamie Strong as that
individual that just displayed a constant flow of Sportsmanship and his
"efforts were ongoing from the planning stages to the completion".
Congratulation and a heartfelt thanks to Jamie. It couldn't have been
received by a more deserving person. It might be interesting to note,
the alternate would have been Mr. Tom Stennis of Mississippi who made it
as far as Birmingham, AL on Thursday before his Motor Home, broke down
and is in a repair ship there for 4 days. 2nd Alternate was young Nick
Smith of the Alabaster club who parked his model in a huge tree at Kidd
Field on Friday before the contest. Parts of it are still there as of
this writing. Don Wade loaned Smith his Intruder for competition.
Incidentally, Don Wade, a proclaimed IMAC competitor flew in the EXPERT
class even though he was unfamiliar with that pattern until Friday
afternoon. This was likened to flying an "unknown" in an IMAC contest,
with an Intruder. Good show Don.
Our sincere thanks to Jack and all the members of the Gadsden RC Flyers
for their hospitality and efficient operation of the contest. Jack
shared the revenue the club will realize from this years' contest saying
"we are so grateful for we did even better than last year and our
treasury can certainly use the proceeds". He was most appreciative of
the detail by SPA pilots to leaving the field "spic and span". I agreed
with him wholeheartedly when he said, "SPA is a mighty good bunch, we
love having them here in Gadsden". I assured him, the feeling was
mutual!!! Thanks again GADSDEN, it was G RRRRRR E A T !
SPA PIO
|
Gadsden
Alabama 2008
April 19 -20 2008
More Later
As always,
where pictures are present click on the picture for a larger
view.
|
Super Senior Expert |
| 1. |
Bruce Underwood 4000 |
Guntersville AL |
| 2. |
Ed Hartley 3747 |
Knoxville TN |
|
Expert |
| 1. |
Jamie Strong 3943 |
Prattville AL |
| 2. |
Randy Roberts 3925 |
Cullman AL |
| 3. |
Scott Sappington 3860 |
Dallas GA |
| 4. |
Don Wade 3033 |
Helena AL |
|
Sportsman |
| 1. |
John Baxter
3988 |
Dallas GA |
| 2. |
Scott Anderson 3899 |
Knoxville TN |
| 3. |
Mike Robinson 3642 |
Dalton GA |
| 4. |
Jim Slocum 3583 |
Tempe GA |
| 5. |
Ken Blackwell 3521 |
Enterprise AL |
| 6. |
Phil Spelt 3520 |
Oak Ridge TN |
| 7. |
David Philips 3435 |
Hueytown AL |
| 8. |
Skip Getelman 3334 |
Sharpsburg GA |
|
Novice |
| 1. |
Austin Wingo 3982 |
Birmingham AL |
| 2. |
Bob Wetzel 3896 |
Temple GA |
| 3. |
Marc Sobolewski 3819 |
Knoxville TN |
| 4. |
Julio Arrieta 3744 |
Hephzitah GA |
| 5. |
Forest Schaffer 3724 |
Hoover AL |
| 6. |
Karl Gerth 3637 |
Oak Ridge TN |
| 7. |
David Phillips III 3634 |
Adger AL |
| 8. |
Don Eiler 3594 |
Knoxville TN |
| 9. |
Mike Williams 3590 |
Alabaster AL |
| 10. |
Dan Dougherty 3493 |
Powder Springs GA |
| 11. |
Mike Miller 3403 |
Knoxville TN |
| 12. |
Nick Smith 3393 |
AL |
| 13. |
Sammy Hamrick 3379 |
Dalton GA |
| 14. |
Les Smith 3281 |
Corinth MS |
| 15. |
Bob Primm 2693 |
Anniston AL |
|
|
ALABASTER
ALABAMA
MARCH 29 -30
Beginning on Friday afternoon, March 28 with a
greeting from the MAYOR and a presentation from his Honor to
early arrivals for the contest of a folder of literature about
the city, even personalized maneuver call sheets, to the awards
ceremony on Sunday morning participants and spectators to the
initial Alabaster RC Association's first SPA contest were happy
and proud we were there to be a part of this historic
"beginning" of what is hoped to be a lengthy series of annual
SPA Pattern meets here.
Nothing was spared to make visiting flyers welcome and
comfortable. The huge covered area, concessions department,
scoring facilities, frequency board, even the JOHN smelled like
the fragrance department at Sears or an elderly Sister at
church. These guys and gals left nothing to be desired as
regards condiments.
Saturday's weather was just ideal and four complete rounds were
ended in more than ample time to prepare for the huge seafood
consumption at the Fish Market Restaurant only blocks from the
motel and flying field.
Note the city's slogan, "Planning for the future".....this was
evident for SPA's future with, listen to this, (14)...yes,
fourteen Novice pilots. Veteran TOC assistant and judge, Bill
Collins told the group at the awards meeting, "I came expecting
to see some pretty rough flying, what with this being the early
gathering, but was I ever surprised to see how well folks were
executing maneuvers at this contest, its' evident a lot of
practice has been taking place prior to this event"! Only 180
points out of a possible 3000 separated 5th to 1st place. Folks,
the future is looking great for SPA participation based on this
turnout.
The Expert class was nip and tuck between a couple veterans who
have seen each other's slight errors in the past and "pounced"
on them in order to "eak" out a victory. No exception here, with
only 46 points separating them.
Sportsman class was dominated by our Sunshine State member who
primed for the initial Alabama contest by earning season
championship points in the Florida contest in December.
Two newspapers covered the event, the Birmingham News from
Birmingham, AL and the Shelby County Reporter from near
Alabaster. Your PIO had a nice interview with the Reporter as
did several of the Alabaster Club officials. Excellent PR on the
part of CD Mike Wingo and Co-planner Mike Williams.
The thunderstorm that moved into the area ushered in temps and
strong winds that prevented flying action on Sunday but didn't
dampen any spirits as 4 full rounds had been flown on Saturday
and the excellent covered facility provided a nice gathering for
the awards program. Trophies were adorned with beautiful photos
made on Saturday by Mike Williams' Daughter Jamie Gould allowing
a pictorial "re-living" of the weekend for eternity. Mike's
family was a terrific asset to the gathering with their chores
and fellowship, as were all the club members who played parts in
its' success.
Pyramid Hobbies made it possible for some really neat raffle
prizes, Caddies, cleaning supplies, chargers, and a World Models
A6 Intruder ARF model. How timely that Jim Griffin, a club
member and aspiring SPA pilot won the Intruder. Jim is the
Curator of the Museum of Flight in Birmingham, AL. MIke Wingo
said Jim is a most deserving winner and a future competitor.
Mike Wingo, CD, and club members voted amongst themselves to
award the SPORTSMANSHIP award to Mr. Mike Williams and his
family to share, as "they bent over backwards" to see that
things were done and done properly to insure the success of this
contest". Thanks Williams family.
There were 21 contestants who participated and probably that
many came to spectate from many parts of Alabama, Mississippi,
Georgia and Florida saying, "this is for me"...."you folks
really are as nice as I've heard and read" Doesn't it make you
feel good hearing those kinds of comments.
If there's any doubt Alabaster RC'ers about anyone not having a
BALL at your contest, REMOVE IT.....for you folks have really
set an excellent example of how a contest should be conducted.
It was a delightful weekend . We are most grateful.
Bruce
Underwood |
|
SENIOR EXPERT (1)
1000 Bruce Underwood
Guntersville, AL
EXPERT (2)
3000 Jamie Strong
Prattville, AL
2954 Randy Roberts
Cullman, AL
SPORTSMAN ((4)
3000 Jeff Owens
Tallahassee, FL
2892 Don Wade
Helena, AL
2588 David Phillips, Sr
Hueytown, AL
2585 Ken Blackwell
Enterprise, AL
NOVICE (14)
3000 Austin Wingo
Birmingham, AL
2933 Mike Williams
Alabaster, AL
2886 Bob Wetzel
Temple, GA
2884 Julio Arrietta
Hephzibah, GA
2820 Steve Vegamini
Greensboro N.C.
2770 Doug Harvel
Forest, MS
2683 Tom Stennis
Starkville, MS
2668 Forrest Schaffer
Hoover, AL
2466 Dan Dougherty
Powder Springs, GA
2416 Nick Smith
Wetumpka, AL
2271 Harry Layfield
Pitts, GA
2211 Dave Phillips III
Adger, AL
2195 Charles Johns
Brewton, AL
2138 Bob Primm
Anniston, AL |
|
|
Photos From Bruce |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Tangerine FVPA - Ocalla, FL – December 1-2
2008
|
The Florida SPA/BPA
Challenge
The Florida Chapter of
the SPA, the Florida Vintage Pattern Association, held
its first contest at the Radio Control Association of
Central Florida (RCACF) field in Apopka on December1st &
2nd. The format of the contest follows the Florida
concept where we have a true SPA event with attendance
by the Open class aircraft or BPA if you will. The
planes fly the same SPA patterns, but are scored
separately. This was our first attempt at this concept.
Attendance was not as large as we had hoped for due to
scheduling conflicts and a short lead time to get a
contest in as part of the Tangerine Pattern week. We had
six SPA pilots, all in Novice or Sportsman, and 6 BPA
pilots in all three classes. There were no SPA Expert
pilots entered. There were a good number of non-entered
planes there and the next contest should get a larger
turnout.
The RCACF did a wonderful job of field control and had
great food at a very low price. Orlandoo Frets was the
"guy in charge" and the CD. Thanks, Orlando for a great
job. The weather was typical Florida for this time of
the year. That is, fantastic. Clear, warm and pretty
dry. We flew 4 rounds on Saturday and 2 more on Sunday.
Pilot judging was used with some of the best pilots
around there volunteering to help. How about flying a
round with Don Lowe and Jason Schulman judging you?
Nerves, not me ! ! ! !
In Novice, we had a good shoot-out between Bob Cox of
Miami area and Dave Wenzell of the Savannah area. Dave
was flying the same plane he flew in the NATS in the
mid-80's. Bob won a close one 4000 to 3897. In
Sportsman, Gary Courtney of Alabama fame, won in a BPA
escape. Jeff Owens rejoined pattern competition to place
a close second in his OS61powered Crusader. Flew very
well. Jeff's from Tallahassee, so watch out up there for
a "new" kid on the block.
Expert was all open airplanes. We had two National
Champs fly, Jason Schulman and Ryan McLaughlin. Jason
was just back from his 4th place showing in the World
Championships. When they flew, everyone just stopped and
watched the precision that really can be flown by these
old planes. Wow. Jason won.
The results were posted earlier, so I won't go into
them. We had a great time. The RCACF wants to
incorporate the SPA classes into the revamped and
expanded Tangerine Internationals for the December 2008
event. Put this on your schedule, it will be fantastic.
In conclusion, we had a good start to the Florida SPA
and we're working on the schedule of events for 2008.
More to come soon. Thanks again to RCACF and especially
Orlando. Well done.
Rich Ernst
President FVPA/SPA |
|
|
|
1. |
Jeff Owens 3750 |
|
|
2. |
Ed Kirtley 3547 |
|
|
3. |
Rich Ernst 3272 |
|
|
Novice |
| 1. |
Robert Cox 4000 |
|
| 2. |
Vincent Vlassick 2703 |
|
As always, where pictures are
present click on the picture for a larger view.
|
|
