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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach on August 19, 2010, 10:29:21 AM
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Well.....Alberta's world famouse Prairie Fire Stunt Competition is over for another year. As usual, a good time was had by all, even those that didn't fly had a wonderful time. Thanks to our own Bruce and Allana Perry, CD and Hostess extrordinarre! H^^
Here are a few pics of the fun for you who could not be here, hopefully you will all attend next year.
First, pics of the official score sheets. As you can see, Dianne didn't fly this round as a few minutes before the start, Paul taught her how to land her aircraft while doing a figure nine! Paul Gibeault (Vector, b.40) then went on to win Intermediate....coincidence? I think not! You can never trust an old speed freak! LL~
Neil Rodgers (SV 12, PA65) took Advanced in handy fashion. He flies such a smooth pattern, its a pleasure to watch. He'll be moving up to Expert soon I think. 2nd and 3rd place were hotly contested by Calgary's Maryck (2nd), and America's own...Steve Helmick (Magnum Plus, ST.G.51) (3rd)!
Advanced was handily won by Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's own Monty Summerit (57 Special, PA.61). As you can see he wiped the other competition off the board!
Left to right in the group shot are: Steve, Marick, Monty, Gary, Neil, Paul, Bryan and Lee.
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Sunday brought the Classic birds....my personal favourite! This was won by Bruce Perry (who?) flying his beautiful Tucker Special (OS .35), closely followed by Monty and his absolutely stunning Stuntmachine powered by a Magnum .36. In 3rd place was our own Neil Rogers flying an ARF Oriental/b.40 combo. Nice flying ship....I have GOT to get mine going! n~
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Here are a few "action" shots.
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Dudes and Dudette with their respective planes.
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More kids and their ships! LL~
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Just very nice planes.
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Everyone's favourites....AWARDS!! LL~
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And even more awards!
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and the absolute last of the awards....and some "just-for-fun shots! ok....the last picture is an actual sign that was at my wife's family reunion....I couldn't resist adding it! LL~
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I hope to make this contest eventually. I've actually finally applied for a passport.
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Wow, lots of nice planes! I was wondering about this contest.. Thanks for posting. Looks like its worth the drive, maybe next year.H^^
BTW: What happened to Brian's Nobler??
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Great report Glenn, LOTZA pictures at a 1000 words or so each...
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I really do hope that some of you will come up next year. Its a great site and the weather is generally perfect. And Joe....I believe Bryan lost concentration at the top of an hourglass and ran out of flying space. I could be wrong, but I am sure he will let you know if I am.
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Great pictures, just wish it wasn't so far to get there. Also, doesn't Steve ever smile I thought I was the only one that looked like that when my picture is taken. LL~ LL~
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He did smile once....but I didn't have my camera ready! HB~> LL~
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Wahoooo!! great shots,
Thanks to all who attended. To the rest of you, see you next year!!
Bruce
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Hey Bruce,
Call me one of these days, I don't seem to have your phone number or email address. Miss you.
Gerald Schamp
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Glenn, thanks for the post and the pictures – it was definitely very well organized and fun to attend contest.
I should just bite the bullet and move to Edmonton and get the fantastic service and support stunt people (particularly in Advanced category) - enjoy up there – to bad I just bought new house in Calgary.
Marek
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Last night, I let MapQuest do some calculations for me. All one-way mileages and times. And, for comparison, Renton to Clovis, CA is 920.84 miles and 15 hours flat. The drive is faster to Clovis, but much less scenic and not nearly as pleasent! The route I took (from Renton, WA) to Edmonton, via Wenatchee, Osoyoos, Ft. Macleod, Calgary was 1,004 miles and 18h 42 min. Going N. on I-5, crossing into BC at Sumas, then Hwy.1 to Calgary and up to Eddie would only be 808 miles and 14h. 51m., they say. Going up I-5 and crossing at Sumas early on a week day wouldn't be bad. I can typically beat MapQuest times, not by exceeding the speed limit (much!), but by not stopping often. I also know how to pass on a 2 lane road (downshift and mash it)...some don't. I dislike taking the same route to/from, and year after year, so there's that, and I'll take a longer, more relaxing route without a lot of debate...
Bruce seems to like going West from Edmonton through Jasper National Park. Scenic, but not real fast, and pretty tiring. I would come back via Calgary, and Bonner's Ferry, Idaho next time. I went up that way the first time. MapQuest says 889.68 miles that route, and 15h. 37m. The border crossing there may not be open 24-7, but I'm going to try and find out. I seem to recall that either Hwy. 3 or Hwy. 1 across the Canadian Rockies both went through Glacier Park. As such, they ask if you're going to sightsee or just driving through. Apparently, you don't even have to stop at the kiosk if you're driving through. That doesn't mean that you can't stop to buy gas, food, or take a break.
I have threatened to go to Montana and hang a left, but that would be 1,252 miles and 19h. 29m. I again came back via Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, Wenatchee...and I vow NEVER to do that again! It's great south of the border, but no fun on the Canadian side. The main routes in Canada are about like 1960's roads here...not so much freeway, and main highways often go right through town. A small town may or may not have a gas station, so you need to watch the fuel gauge! Driving early or late is not a good idea, because of venison on the roads. But dusk in Edmonton is about 10pm in August, and dawn would be about 5am (yes, I saw it!).
Very definitely a two day drive, but very beautiful and the contest, chow, beer, and friendship at the end of the trail is well worth it. Bring your best charge card! I went with about $12 in Canadian money, and never had a problem. Be sure to tell your charge card security dept. that you'll be driving to Edmonton, AB, and will not like them if they shut off your card when you're trying to buy gas to head for home (it happened to me a couple years ago). Using the charge or debit card is a lot easier than cash. Every time you change $ you lose. If you changed too much, and change it back to $US, you lose a second time. Food is a bit higher, gas is about $.75/gallon more, a decent beer is about $6, and hotels are about 30%-40% higher. Bruce knows where all the good restaurants are...with a trend toward steak and Italian food. The gang goes out to dinner en mass every night, from Thursday through Sunday. It's a good contest, with a nice grass field, and deserves more support! ;D Steve
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For this old man it would be 1713.59 miles, approximately 26 Hrs 58 Min. Don't know why they just don't show 27 hours. That would mean a 3 day trip one way. I too like taking different routes going places. By the way the pics are great and I can under stand the day time being longer than the clock in the summer. H^^
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Steve,
Thanks for the kind words regarding our contest. I enjoy doing it and I"m glad to hear all the strong positive comments here. I have to travel a long way to every contest I attend and I want to make sure ours is worth the drive. It's a big commitment to come here as you well know, I appreciate your continued support! It means a lot to me and our members.
The rest of us should take a lesson, me included, to thank those who put on the events. It meant a lot to me to hear it I'm sure it would mean lots to every CD and host club. We can't take for granted that contests will always be there. Even the big ones, regionals and Nats always need someone to work them. Make sure you pay back the event we all love by putting in where you can.
Long live stunt and stunt fliers!
Bruce