2008 CLUB 40 RACING SCHEDULE

MAR 1 – HOTMAC – Waco (Practice & Demonstration Race)

APRIL 5 – ARCA – North Austin

MAY 3 – Tri City Flyers – Seguin

JUNE 7 – GAMA – Georgetown

JULY 12 – HCAM – South Austin

AUGUST 9 – Prop Busters – San Antonio

SEPT 6 – CLAMS – Canyon Lake

SEPT 27 – ARCS – West San Antonio

OCT 25 – HOTMAC – Waco (Texas Championship Race)

NOV 1 – ARCA – North Austin

HOST CLUB INFORMATION

ARCA – Austin Radio Control Association http://www.austinrc.org/

ARCS – Alamo Radio Control Society http://www.alamoradiocontrolsociety.com/

CLAMS – Canyon Lake Aero Modelers http://www.nacoma.cc/Clams/index.htm

GAMA – Georgetown Aero Modelers Association http://www.gamarc.org/

HCAM – Hill Country Aero Modelers http://www.hcamonline.org/

HOTMAC – Heart of Texas Miniature Aircraft Club http://www.hotmacrc.org/

PROP BUSTERS - San Antonio http://www.propbusters.org/

TRI CITY FLYERS – Seguin http://www.tricityflyers.com/

For more information, rules, instructions, etc; contact Doug Staines at:
254-780-3512(H)                254-541-2915(C)                dstaines@vvm.com

Club 40 Racing Rules

CLUB 40 RACE PROCEDURES (REVISED 11/20/07)
The objective of Club 40 is to provide an entry level pylon racing class that is affordable
and club friendly. Every effort should be made to include all levels of pilot skill. To
ensure this, we recommend two classes be run; One for the novice pilot and the other for
the more advanced pilots. The only difference is in the power plant.
AIRFRAMES –
World Models Sky Raider Mach II. Built to instructions. (see allowable modifications
list)
World Models LA Racer – Built to instructions. (see allowable modifications list)
Planes may be repaired and / or re-covered but no speed enhancing modifications are
allowed (such as lightening holes, streamlining or changing landing gear)
ENGINES –
Novice class – OS LA .40, OS FP .40, Magnum .40, Tower .40 or any other small frame
BUSHING .40 (or smaller) *as the OS LA40 has been discontinued, we are looking for a
new engine to replace it. Check back for new information*
Advanced class – Any ball bearing .40 engine with a retail price of ($120.00) or less.
Super Tiger .40 or TT Pro .40 recommended. No specialty race engines such as Nelson or
Jett are allowed.
Engines must be STOCK – no speed enhancements such as porting, balancing etc. is
allowed. The CD or race organizer retains the right to disqualify any modified engine.
All engines must use the Carburetor and muffler originally supplied with the engine.
Carburetor and muffler must be used STOCK – NO modifications allowed! (including
removal of baffles) Engines must idle and shut off on command.
Any commercially available propeller and is allowable.
Fuel is supplied by race sponsors. All fuel will be 15% nitro.
Procedures –
We use a 2 pole pylon course because it requires less course workers.
We also recommend a distance of 400 ft. between pylons as this is long enough to
provide a good race and short enough to be set up at small club fields.
Set back – The AMA safety code for General Pylon Racing requires a minimum distance
of 330 ft. from the pylon line to the pilots. 430 ft. from pylon line to lap counters, and a
total of 495 ft. from pylon line to non-flying spectators.
If your field does not have room for these set backs, a waiver may be requested from
AMA. Please contact Chuck Waller chuckstt@gvtc.com for information on waivers.
HEATS –
The number of heats in each round will be determined by the number of pilots registered.
We run 4 plane heats in Advanced class and 3 plane heats in Novice class.
Every effort should be made to run as many heats as possible with 4 planes. i.e. 19 pilots
= 4 heats of 4 and 1 heat of 3.
All heats will start with 4 (or 3) planes on the runway in assigned lanes. The starter will
ask each pilot to hold up his plane so the cut judges / lap counters can identify which
plane they are watching. We recommend a “holder” to restrain the airplane during the
starting procedure. When every one is set, the starter will call “start engines” after which
the pilots will have 1 minute to start their engines and get to the pilot station. After 1
minute (or when all pilots are ready at the pilot stations) the starter will verify all lap
counters and pilots are ready then drop the flag. We use a staggered start. At the first drop
of the flag, lanes 1 and 3 will take off. 1 second later, the starter will drop the flag again
for lanes 2 and 4 to take off. All Lap counters will start their stop watch at the first
drop of the flag. (**the lanes starting first will change each round. In ODD
NUMBERED ROUNDS lanes 1 and 3 will start first. In EVEN NUMBERED ROUNDS
lanes 2 and 4 will start first)
Order of finish - Each plane will fly 10 laps unless they have a “cut”. If a pilot turns
inside a pylon (called a cut) the judge at the pylon (cut judge) will inform the starter by
walkie talkie. The starter will relay this information to the lap counters. The plane with
the cut must fly an extra lap (total of 11 laps). If any plane has 2 cuts in 1 heat, the plane
is disqualified for that heat and will receive no points.
POINTS –
Points will be determined by the maximum number of planes SCHEDULED for any heat.
If you are flying 4 plane heats: 1st place = 4 points, 2nd place = 3 points, 3rd place = 2
points, 4th place =1 point. (If you have an uneven number of pilots and have to run 1 or
more heats with less than 4 planes, we recommend you still award 4 points to the winner
etc. to balance points.)
Planes that do NOT get airborne (DNS) or that have 2 pylon cuts (DQ) or do not finish 10
laps (DNF) will not receive points for the heat.
Paul Herrman has a computer program to organize the matrix and assign lanes for racers.
All it requires is a lap top computer and a printer. Some find this program easier than
manually making a matrix, especially if you have more than 10 – 12 racers at an event.
RCPRO_RacePackage102.exe
RCPRO_Race_Users_Manual102.pdf
If you choose not to use the race program or do not have access to a lap top computer,
contact me and I will help you learn how to make a matrix.
Plane Identification – We use the standard colors employed by AMA pylon racers. I.E.
High and Low, Green / Red. However, We use a full sheet of fluorescent colored paper
on top and bottom of the wing attached with a cheap shelf paper tape.
There is a good description of how we identify planes here What we learned.
Course Workers –
Racing on a 2 pole course requires 7 course workers (for 4 plane heats)
2 cut judges – one even with each pylon. They will make sure each plane passes the
pylon on every lap.
4 Lap counters – One for each plane. They will be responsible for counting laps for their
assigned plane. They will also start / stop a stopwatch and report times to the starter.
Starter / Pit boss – Coordinates identification of planes and starts each heat. Also reports
“cuts” to the lap counters (walkie-talkie with cut judges)
Feature or “Mains” format.
After running 4 or more rounds of heat racing, the points are totaled and separated into
feature races or Mains. Pilots are grouped by points into flights of 3 planes. i.e. top 3
pilots (by points), next 3 etc. until all pilots are assigned to a Feature race. The bottom
group may have 4 pilots.
The slowest group is flown first. The winner of that group moves up to be the 4th pilot in
the next feature race. This continues until all features (mains) are flown and a winner is
declared.
LAP COUNTERS –
1. Start your stop watch at the FIRST drop of the starters flag.
2. Keep your eyes on your plane! You must resist the urge to watch the race!
3. Count on your fingers (or flip cards) each time your plane crosses the start / finish line
going LEFT TO RIGHT.
4. If a cut is called for your lane color (ie “High Green – Cut pylon 1”) drop back 1 lap.
Your pilot will have to run 11 laps.
5. If your color has a second cut in the same heat, the plane is disqualified and will
receive no time or points.
6. When your color crosses the start / finish line for the 10th (or 11th) time, raise your
hand above your head, stop your watch and wait for the starter to gather information on
finish order.
7. The starter will compare times on each watch and record finish order and times.
8. If there are questions regarding order of finish, discuss them with the starter only. Lap
counters are NOT to discuss any thing with PILOTS. The starter is the final authority
regarding order of finish!
Club 40 acceptable modifications
11/20/07
The airframes used in Club 40 Racing are to remain essentially stock. The goal is to
maintain a level playing field and to have fun. Anyone who has flown R/C for any length
of time knows that airplanes get hurt and need repairs. Many modelers learn what areas
of a particular model need improvement to hold up to everyday use, or more demanding
use in R/C pylon racing. “Common Modeling Practices” will be allowed in the assembly
and maintenance of the aircraft. This is not the same as “Common Speed Enhancement
Practices” which shall not be allowed. This guide will list the areas that are subject to
interpretation and provide guidance for groups and contest directors running Club 40
Races.
Engine:
1. The engine shall be mounted upright in the position as provided “out-of-the-box”.
2. Raising or lowering the engine is not allowed.
3. Shimming the engine mount to change the thrust line is acceptable.
4. The stock engine mount or a fiberglass replacement must be used.
5. The engine may be moved fore or aft to aid in balancing the aircraft.
6. Engines must be securely attached to the engine mount with four bolts or screws of at
least 4-40 size or 3mm.
7. Engine must be equipped with R/C carburetor as supplied by manufacturer.
8. Engine must use the muffler supplied by the manufacturer.
9. Baffles may NOT be removed from mufflers so equipped.
Prop / Spinner:
1. Any spinner of not more than 2.5 inches in diameter is allowed.
2. “Heavy hub” spinners, spinner weights that fit inside a spinner and aluminum safety
spinner nuts are allowed.
Fuel tank:
1. Any brand of tank may be used.
2. Tanks may be raised or lowered to allow for consistent engine runs.
3. The tank may only be pressurized with muffler pressure.
4. Bubble less tanks that have an internal bladder may be used.
5. The stock tank may be converted to use a fuel bladder.
Landing gear:
1. The landing gear block may be reinforced or replaced as needed.
2. The landing gear must be made of wire not less than approximately 5/32” (4mm) in
diameter.
3. Main landing gear must have 2 wheels separated by at least 8.5 inches.
4. Replacement wheels (mains and tail wheel) must be the same size as the original
equipment.
5. Streamlined “racing” wheels shall not be allowed.
6. Tail wheel must be steerable either by attachment to the rudder or by a separate servo.
Hardware:
1. Control horns, push rods and linkages may be replaced with similar hardware.
2. No internal linkages may be used on the rudder and elevator.
3. Pushrods, if replaced, must exit the fuselage sides in the same position as original
specification.
4. All servos must be mounted with four screws.
5. Mini receivers are allowed if they are full range designs. No “Park Flyer” receivers
are allowed.
6. Battery packs may be of the four or five cell (or 2-3 cell LiPo) with a suggested
minimum of 500 MaH.
7. Nylon wing bolts are allowed.
Airframe:
1. A piece of wood or dowel rod, with a frontal dimension of no more than ¼”, may be
used to connect the two sides of the cheek to prevent vibration.
2. Doublers of plywood (or similar wood) may be used on the inside of the compartment
sides.
3. No attempt to enclose or streamline the engine is allowed.
4. No rounding of edges or reshaping of the compartment sides is allowed.
5. Removal of the compartment sides is not allowed.
6. Openings for clearance of mufflers and needle valves are allowed as needed.
7. The covering of the airframe may be removed and replaced with similar iron-on
covering.
8. No wood may be removed during the re-covering process.
9. Additional reinforcement of airframe components is allowed.
10. Fiber glassing or other reinforcement of the center section of the wing is allowed.
11. The wing may not be thinned using any technique.
12. Contest directors may use templates to insure that the wing airfoil has not been
modified.
13. Changing or removing the wing dihedral is not allowed. The dihedral of the wing
must be within 0.25” of the standard dihedral.
14. Tail components may be glued in place.
15. Only 2 airplanes are allowed for each pilot at an event.
16. Each aircraft must start the competition with the wing designed for it. If crash damage
disables both aircraft, parts (including wings) may be interchanged to produce a flyable
aircraft.
17. Control surfaces may be repaired or replaced with wood parts (no composites) of the
same size and shape.
18. Control surfaces may be hinged with the supplied metal hinges, CA hinges, Plastic
hinges or hinge points (robart or similar).
19. Hinges must be centered vertically in the hinge joint area.
20. A minimum of 3 hinges per aileron, 4 per elevator and 3 per rudder are required.
21. Hinge lines may be sealed using tape, stick-on plastic covering, or iron-on plastic
covering.
Any modification deemed to be an attempt to provide for speed enhancement shall not be
allowed.
Decisions of the race committee regarding eligibility are final!