what keeps you in it is the passion. You can’t keep that kind of passion contained. It’s impossible not to share and I think that’s why I ended up with the Vendetta.
AJ’s gesture cast a blanket of good feelings throughout the pits. It seemed as though many of the other pilots wanted me to win that Vendetta as much as they wanted to win it—a few of them even told me so! It’s fine if this is an advertisement for Pylon Racing, but to me, this is really a story about the people who share the passion and regularly offer tips, share speed secrets, and even loan and give away airplanes to keep other pilots going. I think about Pylon Racing all of the time, and I can’t wait to get to the next race to share my passion with my fellow racing friends.
Mike Tallman Tribute
The Heartland Speed Freakz held its first Q-40 race in tribute to the legacy of Mike Tallman, who passed away from cancer in September 2015. I met Mike once or twice, but only briefly. I do remember one moment when Mike approached me and said, “Hello, Tim; your flying is coming along well.” I’d seen Mike at some of the races, but had never spoken with him. I was a little stunned and taken aback that a veteran racer of his stature even knew my name.
Digging a little deeper, people from the Pylon Racing community shared with me their own accounts about Mike’s wit, his warm, casual
by Aaron “AJ” Seaholm
aseaholm@gmail.com
My hard-to-explain moment started at the Mike Tallman Legacy Race, held September 17-18, 2016, at Lake Afton in Wichita, Kansas, during the awards ceremony. It was a moment I had experienced so many times before, but this time it felt different. The announcements and applause soon died down and we moved on to the raffle. It wasn’t just any raffle, but a raffle for an RTF Vendetta Q-40 aircraft.
My optimism was low, having won only one raffle in my 39 years. That was hardly a raffle because there were three prizes for each person.
A thought suddenly came to mind—a thought so clear, that it was as though someone had whispered in my ear, “Give it to a new racer.”
Vernelle Tallman (Mike’s widow) pulled a slip of paper from the box and the announcement was made. Not surprised, I approached, accepted the beautiful racer, gathered myself, and turned to the crowd. First-time Q-40 racer Tim Lampe stood out as the obvious choice.
I said a few words and handed Tim the Q-40. I walked to Vernelle, hugged her, told her that I loved her, choked back a tear, and said that I missed Mike every day. Some moments are hard to explain. I suppose that’s how you know that they are special.
Tim Lampe shares his thoughts about the Mike Tallman Legacy Race and receiving the Vendetta at the end of this column.
Mike Tallman Legacy Race
The Mike Tallman Legacy Race was a great tribute to a man’s life that touched so many.
Special recognition goes to Ben Hobbs and Lonnie Finch for organizing and executing a great two-day Q-40 event, which drew 32 contestants. Lonnie also built and prepared the beautiful Vendetta raffle prize.
Mike Tallman Legacy Race Winners
Name Time Points
1. Kurt Bozarth 1:05.12 23
2. AJ Seaholm 1:06.03 23
3. Dennis Cranfill 1:02.71 22
Fast time: Richard Oliver 1:01.96
Congratulations to Kurt Bozarth and his caller, Hank Diepenbroek, for earning the top podium spot. A shoutout goes to pilot Richard Oliver and his caller, Dub Jett, for winning fast time honors.
AMA Nats
The AMA RC Pylon Nats took place July 15-22, 2016, at the International Aeromodeling Center, in Muncie, Indiana. The following people took the top spots:
AMA Nats Winners
Warbird gold: Richard Verano
Warbird silver: Robert Holik
Warbird bronze: Robert Hietkamp
Club 40 gold: Dean Stone
Club 40 silver: Tim Sparks
Club 40 bronze: Kyle Kuhn
Electric Formula 1: Mark Parker
Q-500 AMA Event 424: Ken VanTuyl
Q-500 AMA Event 426: Richard Verano
Q-500 AMA Event 422: Travis Flynn
Overall National Champion: Ray Brown
To relive the excitement of the AMA RC Pylon Nats, check out the NatsNews newsletters, available on the AMA website. A link is listed in “Sources.”
Mile High Challenge
Hank Diepenbroek and the Jefco Aeromod’lers RC club delivered an amazing Mile High Challenge race August 6-7, 2016, at Chatfield State Park, in Littleton, Colorado. There were 20 to 30 entries in Q-500 and Q-40. I recommend attending this race in 2017. Richard Beers, Duane Hulen, and Chuck Andraka were the class of the field, placing near the top multiple times throughout the weekend.
Mile High Challenge Saturday Results
Q-500
Name Time Points
1. Duane Hulen 1:07.83 16
2. Joe Hodgin 1:10.05 16
3. Richard Beers 1:08.57 15
Fast time: Taylor Thompson 1:06.89
Q-40
Name Time Points
1. Richard Beers 1:04.49 15
2. Chuck Andraka 1:04.73 15
3. Joe Hodgin 1:04.84 15
Fast time: Richard Beers 1:04.49
Mile High Challenge Sunday Results
Q-500
Name Time Points
1. AJ Seaholm 1:08.00 16
2. Chuck Andraka 1:12.94 15
3. Richard Beers 1:10.76 15
Fast time: AJ Seaholm 1:08.00
Q-40
Name Time Points
1. Duane Hulen 1:05.69 15
2. Richard Beers 1:06.34 15
3. Scott Hartman 1:13.91 11
Fast time: Richard Beers 1:05.69
F3D Team Trials
Congratulations to Gino Del Ponte, Gary Freeman Jr., and AJ Hemken for their stellar performances at the USA F3D team trials, held September 28-30, 2016, at the Old Julian Airport in Liberty, North Carolina, and for making Team USA F3D.
F3D Team Trials Results
1. Gino Del Ponte 519.06
2. Gary Freeman Jr. 519.77
3. AJ Hemken 522.35
Alternate: Matias Salar 527.17
Minnesota “Big One”
I wanted to mention the newest National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) Hall of Fame inductee, Jerry Elert. Jerry has been a driving force for many years, including the annual “Big One” race that was held August 27, 2016, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Jerry represents the pinnacle of class and generosity in our sport. The Minnesota races use a limited workforce with no turn lights or timers at Pylon One. The cuts are called in after the heat ends. This model might be beneficial for groups just getting started in RC Pylon Racing or for those with a limited workforce.
Minnesota “Big One” Results
Name Points
1. Lonnie Finch 24
2. AJ Hemken 21
3. Jesse Platt 19
NMPRA Championship Race
Contest director Doug Killebrew and the San Fernando Valley Flyers club hosted the 2016 NMPRA Championship Race on October 7-9 at the Apollo XI Field in Lake Balboa, California. The Q-40 contest drew 51 entries and the competition was fierce.
NMPRA Championship Race Results
Name Time Points
1. Dan Kane 1:00.49 32
2. Robert Holik 59.00 31
3. Tom Scott 59.39 29
4. Jim Allen 1:01.25 29
5. Lee Von Der Hey 1:02.10 29
6. Richard Verano 1:01.89 27
7. Mike Hesel 1:00.73 25
8. Dub Jett 59.56 25
9. Marcelo Arantes
De Carvalho 1:00.83 25
10. Mathew Van Baren 1:01.40 23
Fast time: Robert Holik 59.00
Congratulations to the top finishers. Well done, Dan Kane!
NMPRA President Elected
The NMPRA membership has spoken. Trey Witte has been elected as NMPRA president.
The following is supplied by Tim Lampe.
Mike Tallman Legacy Q-40 Race
It’s been three days since my first Q-40 pylon race, and I still can’t stop dreaming about the fairytale I was living in during the event. The exhilaration and camaraderie of Pylon Racing is unmatched and almost unexplainable.
I try to avoid corny expressions, but this one comes to mind: “It’s a Pylon thing; you wouldn’t understand.” But that’s a little insulting—as though you couldn’t understand if you were offered an explanation. So here it goes …
It’s primarily centered around the Mike Tallman Legacy Q-40 Pylon Race that was presented by the Heartland Speed Freakz at the Lake Afton flying
