RC Pylon Racing

Author: Tim Lampe

Edition: Model Aviation - 2023/01
Page Numbers: 78, 79, 80

RC PYLON RACING

THREE-POLE
PYLON RACING
CLASSES

By Tim Lampe | tim.lampe@hotmail.com

BEFORE I GET to the heart of this month’s column, I’d like to discuss the classes that are recommended for getting into three-pole Pylon Racing. There really isn’t a “beginner” class, but of the four classes flown, Electric Formula 1 (EF1) and Sport Quickie 500 (Q-500; AMA Event 424) are the two that are typically recommended for getting started. The other two classes, Super Sport Q-500 and Quarter 40 (Q-40), are much faster, with the airplanes reaching speeds of 160 mph and 200 mph, respectively.

Even if you’re already an experienced RC pilot and a master of your current discipline (such as Pattern, Scale, Scale Aerobatics, etc.), you’ll still find plenty of competition in EF1 and 424 because some of the best Pylon Racing pilots also compete in these classes. It might seem unfair to allow experts in EF1 and 424, but most Pylon Racing pilots are “grass roots” competitors and enjoy the thrill of racing no matter what the speed—and the outcome is never certain.

Competing against veteran pilots is also the best way to improve. When you mix with pilots who are better than yourself, you also tend to form relationships from which you can learn. Experienced pilots notwithstanding, pilots of equal skill/speed will meet up out on the course and you’ll always find someone to compete against, wherever you end up in the final results.

That noted, I’d like to show you the Proud Bird 2 (PB2) EF1 Pylon racer from Gator RC. After the discontinuation of the Great Planes Quik-V6 ARF and Proud Bird EF1 ARF, and the Horizon Hobby E-flite Shoestring EF1 ARF, a void was left in the Pylon Racing ARF lineup.

Kits are available from boutique manufacturers if you know where to look, but they are in the most basic form and are comprised of laser-cut parts, balsa sticks, sheets, and plastic, or have fiberglass cowlings, wheel pants, and fairings that require trimming and painting. None of this is a problem if you enjoy building, but it’s easier to get into Pylon Racing with an ARF, where the entire model is conveniently packaged in one box with painted plastic and fiberglass parts and complete hardware. Of course, as with any ARF or kit, standard, off-the-shelf equipment, including the radio system, motor, ESC, and battery, are still required and available separately.

The original Proud Bird was developed by a few different people in the Pylon community, but approximately 10 years ago, it was presented to Great Planes by well-known, accomplished Pylon racer Jim

Gator RC PB2 model airplane parts laid out on a wooden surface — The Gator RC PB2 is shown as it comes out of the box, with a factory-painted fiberglass cowling and wheel pants. All of the wooden parts finished with iron-on covering.

Allen. The Great Planes Proud Bird ARF enjoyed a good run in EF1, so the improved Gator RC PB2 is a no-brainer for those who wish to get started and be competitive as soon as they get the hang of it.

I started in EF1 with the Great Planes Proud Bird, but I eventually set EF1 aside to consolidate and focus on a couple of the other classes.

I wanted to share the PB2 with you, so I went to the Gator RC website, put one in my cart, keyed in my credit card number, and a few days later, it showed up at my door. The purpose of showing you the PB2 isn’t for a review but simply to let you know it’s available and to invigorate interest in EF1. If you want to check out Pylon Racing, take a look at the PB2 on the Gator RC website, listed in “Sources.”

A white RC pylon racer shown in a workshop beside a larger black-and-white model — The PB2 was hastily fitted together for a quick overview.

A Miss Dara EF1 pylon racer resting on pavement beside grass — Dan’s Miss Dara.

Approved Motors

The list of motors that are approved for EF1 is rather long, so view page 54 of the Radio Control Pylon Racing Competition Regulations by clicking on Rules and Regulations in the dropdown menu of the Events tab on the AMA website. Other specifications in the rules list an ESC with a minimum of 60 amps and a maximum price of $150, and a commercially available LiPo battery with a maximum of four cells and maximum weight of 335 grams.

These descriptions are short, so be sure to check out the rules for compliance and full information, or simply purchase the motor, ESC, and servos on the PB2 page at Gator RC. Jim Allen already started a discussion thread in the Pylon Racing forum on RCGroups, with a build thread to follow.

Scratch-Building EF1 Airplanes

If you are interested in scratch-building an EF1 kit, the most current and consistent supplier is another Pylon Racing pilot, Dan Kane, who is from the Chicago area. In addition to being an accomplished Pylon Racing pilot who has competed in and won nearly every major event on the planet, Dan is also one of the best model builders around and has designed many of the airplanes on the circuit today.

Seeing the need for more complete EF1 options, Dan has designed and is offering the Rickey Rat and Miss Dara EF1 Pylon racers. I see these airplanes throughout the circuit in the hands of not only Dan, but also being built and flown by many other Pylon pilots!

In speaking with him for this column, I learned that his kits are exceptionally complete. For $179, they include plans, all of the wood (including laser-cut parts), landing gear, carbon-fiber rods, fiberglass wheel pants, and a plastic cowling, canopy, and a turtledeck.

You can purchase a fiberglass cowling for an additional $40 or swap the plastic one for fiberglass for an additional $20. A complete hardware kit is also available for $50, including wheels, axles, pushrods, clevises, horns, and all of the necessary fasteners.

Dan also offers a Shark EF1 racer that includes the wood for the fuselage and tail, foam wing cores, landing gear, a fiberglass cowling, and wheel pants for $250. Shipping typically costs between $45 and $60 in the US.

There is an informative build thread about the Rickey Rat in the Scale Kit/Scratch Built forum in the Aircraft-Electric-Airplanes section on RCGroups. If you’d like to inquire about or order an EF1 kit from Dan, his contact information is in “Sources.”

Getting Into Pylon Racing

If you are thinking about getting into Pylon Racing, look back at the July 2022 Model Aviation “RC Pylon Racing” column to read about what goes on during the weekend of an event, and visit the National Miniature Pylon Racing Association (NMPRA) website for schedules and forums, where you can read about Pylon Racing and ask questions. The Pylon Racing forum on RCGroups is also a great place to ask questions and chat with other Pylon racers who are always eager to help.