Radio Control: Pylon Racing
AVAILABILITY: I've received quite a few letters this summer wanting to know where to get a certain kit or engine rework, etc. You will find an updated list at the end of the article. Are you having trouble with your needle valve? You need to break in your new needle valve! Read on. Here are a couple of things that you should consider. It helps matters if the needle is supported where it exits from the fuselage. A rubber grommet works well here. It must be a tight fit. Most racing engines will have a needle valve assembly utilizing a jam nut on the spray bar to adjust for the desired grip on the needle. This is where we must be very careful. As we run in a new engine and carb, we will have to readjust the jam nut to maintain a solid grip on the needle. What has happened is that the needle threads wear (due to adjusting and engine vibration) where it is generally set for running. It should never have to be moved more than a turn or so for the proper engine setting.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
OUR Racing season is now winding down, but we have the TURN Q-500 Championship races, and as usual the NMPRA (National Miniature Pylon Racing Association) will have its annual Formula One Championship Races at the end of October. This year, we will go to Phoenix, AZ for our champs. I am going to touch on a new Q-500 kit and a few other items in this month's column. But first, let's look at this year's TURN Q-500 Championship Race held June 29-30 with CDs Joe Ruh and Barry Anderson. This report was sent in by Barry Anderson.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
BUILDING TIME is upon us-unless, of course, you like to fly in the snow. Here are some hints for storing your radio till spring. First of all, if you have had any problems with your radio, now is the time to send it in for repair. The technicians are under immense pressure during the regular season. They have more time during the winter season, and will probably do a better job. At the very least, check out the radio yourself. You don't have to be an expert, just use a little common sense. Open the servos. Check the gear train for any chipped or missing teeth. Check for damaged wires or bad connections. You'd be surprised at the damage that can be done in a short summer of flying. Silverware cleaner works well for cleaning connections.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
SUMMER'S END usually means Championship Race time for most Pylon Racers. Our latest event-Q500-has really taken off. And so of course we have a Championship Race for that event. The following report was supplied by Bob Greer, who also was the Contest Director for the '88 races. "This year's National NMPRA Q500 Championship was held at North Lake/Dallas on October 8-9. We had a good turnout, with fliers coming from Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, California, and Texas. Donna Bartle came all the way from California to be the starter. She did her usual great job. The week before the race she hurt her arm, so she had Marc Greer do the actual flagging. He did a great job for his first race as starter.
Radio Control: Pylon Racing
NEW RULES? In the March 1989 edition of the "Competition Newsletter" section of Model Aviation you had a chance to see how the Radio Control Racing Contest Board members performed with their Initial Vote on the proposed rule changes for 1990-91. Let's look at these rules very closely. If they survive the forthcoming Final Vote, we will have to live with them very soon. Let's look at RCR 90-8. This restricts fuel used in Formula One to a content of 15% nitromethane, and would be supplied by contest management.
