Sunday morning was the annual Topclass II, the late summer Classic Stunt, Profile Stunt, and Balloon Bust contest in Topeka. The weather man promised 103* temps, and 15mph wind, with the hourly forecast suggesting the heat and wind wasn't going to get nasty until afternoon. The morning started off slow, at 9am the wind was already blowing about 10mph with frequent gusts. There were three entries in Classic Stunt, five in Profile stunt, and I think five(?) entries in Balloon Bust. The wind was challenging, effecting all the flights I watched, the only casualty was my P-force which pancaked in the bottom of the vertical eight. There were skillful saves and a wave off or two, but the day went well. Classic flew one round, and with only two second round flights in Profile, the official stunt flights were finished before noon.
The real action of the day was the ultimate challenge of C/L modeling. I'm speaking of course of the timeless conflict between man and balloon. A man, with only his flying model, pitted against the elements, the sticks, and the four inflated rubber obstacles that stand between him and greatness! The action was intense, and the results unexpected.
Thanks again to the Topclass crew for hosting another great contest. Special thanks to Jim Lee, and Ginger Taylor for judging stunt, and to Melvin Schuette for officiating the BB event.
The Planes.
An early view of the pit area.
My Nobler. OS 35-S Bristunt ABC
My P-Force. OS 32F
Kevin Prier's Sukhoi 40 FP
Kevin Prier's Cosmic Wind(?) OS 35-S BB entry.
Cary Minor's FW-190 RO-Jett 40 SE
Skip Spoula's Nobler Electric
Skip Spoula's P-force OS power
Spoula Ringmaster - DNF.
Bob Brookins' Super Magician ST 46
Bob Brookins' Oriental
The Spoula Airforce.
Skip Spoula's Magnum and Vector DNF.
Dave Trible's Clown Enya 19 - BB Entry.
Jim Lee's Otto the Franken-Giro.
Jim Lee's Otto the Franken-Giro, now sporting newer used wheels and tires!
Bob Brookins landing the Magician.
Dave Trible retrieves Kevin Prier's Sukhoi.
Matt and Skip Spoula with Skip's P-Force.
Balloon Bust! 
I didn't catch his name. Preparing to put a hurt on the balloons.
A narrow miss!
A strategic dive. The Skyray was repaired shortly afterwards, but after the clock had stopped.
Jim Lee expertly tunes the Magnum powered Otto.
Dave Trible and Kevin Prier prep Dave's Clown for battle.
Kevin prepares to launch the Clown.
A desperate dive, the Clown skids to a stop, a wheel shoots out of the frame to the right!
Kevin reignites the Enya.
Back in the fight (less one wheel).
A dive, followed by the lines snagging the stick and a wild climb out.
The spectators approve. Bob Brookins, Skip Spoula, ? Spoula?
Dave Trible hurls Otto off on his way, Jim Lee on the handle.
Undeath from above! Jim and Otto set the balloon in their sights.
Oops. Otto seems to have shed a rotor dishing out vengeance to that balloon. Dylan Prier retrieves the sheered rotor.
After a mad scramble to swap rotors, Otto is back in the action. Jim points Otto to the clouds after a narrow miss.
The People, and More.
Bob Brookins and Dave Trible enjoying discussion.
Jim Lee and Cary Minor at the score boards.
Jim Lee and Ginger Taylor judging the stunt flights.
The view of the parking area from the far side of the circle.
The crowd under the shade.
The final, unofficial scores.
The Sunflower State Classic Stunt Champion trophy - crafted by Dave Trible.
Jim Lee presenting awards. Melvin Schuette, Kevin Prior, Cary Minor, Dan Kinder in background.
Skip Spoula accepting the 3rd place certificate for Classic/Nostalgia 30 from Jim Lee. Matt Spoula, Melvin Schuette in background.
Bob Brookins accepts the 2nd place certificate for Classic/Nostalgia 30 from Jim Lee.
Cary Minor accepts the 3rd place certificate for Profile Stunt from Jim Lee.
Kevin Prier accepts the 2nd place certificate for Profile Stunt from Jim Lee.
Skip Spoula accepts the 1st place certificate for Profile Stunt from Jim Lee.
Kevin Prier accepting the 3rd place certificate for Balloon Bust from Melvin Schuette.
Jim Lee accepts the 2nd place certificate for Balloon Bust from Melvin Schuette.
The kid with no name, that mysterious figure who emerged from the shadows to conquer Balloon Bust. I forgot to note the first name, but pretty sure the last name was Spoula.
On a related note, there was much bold talk of an International Balloon Bust of Champions to be held in Topeka in the near future. The veteran balloon busters are probably already at home sharpening their lines, and putting the mold flash back on their APC props as we speak.
Topic: Topclass II - 2014 (Read 1109 times)