From: ntaib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Iskandar Taib)
Subject: Re: Quickie 500 Needs to be REFORMED!!
Organization: Indiana University
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 16:28:28 GMT

In article <1992Aug13.234429.20293@dcdwest.uucp> plb@dcdwest.uucp (Phil Blais) writes:
>In article <22808@hacgate.SCG.HAC.COM> lew@hacgate.UUCP (Lyman Lew) writes:

>The same is true of any event where an
>element of danger exists e.g. Indy 500, Reno, and model airplane meets.
>Why is it then that when an accident occurs the first reaction is to
>BAN something? In this case the Nelson 40 from Quickie 500. If the
>airframe can't handle the load as Mr. Lew claims isn't it possible to
>stategically reinforce it rather than just flat ban the engine?

Actually, doesn't this happen in full scale auto racing? I know 
that at the Indy 500 they legislate limits on how many inches of
boost every engine to be used is allowed. The engines there vary 
in displacement.

>To keep it short there are all kinds of reasons why I think Mr. Lew is
>way off base when he calls for a ban of the Nelson. Suffice it to say
>that in our system of free enterprise manufacturers/superior
>craftsman such as Nelson have a right to expect a reasonable return
>on investment and if they don't get it for whatever reason including
>banning a superior engine from the event it was designed for then we
>as modelers will all get what we deserve and ask for - Milquetoast!

The thing is that there is already an event for the gung-ho experienced
pylon racer. That event is called Formula 1. Formula 1 airplanes are 
built stronger, and they race over a longer course. They are far faster
than a Quickee 500 and if anyone wants huge doses of speed one ought to
flu Formula 1.

Quickee 500 was meant for beginners and club racers, one which doesn't 
cost too much to get into and one that won't tax the building and fi-
nishing skills of a beginner or casual sport flier. I don't see anything 
wrong with putting limits on the airplanes and motors to keep it a be-
ginner's event. After all in the car racing world there are things like 
Formula 3, Formula Vee, etc. The problem with motors like Nelsons is that 
even if one goes for stronger and/or bigger airplanes someone will still 
need to spend $350+ just for the motor if one wants to remain competitive.
It is no longer a beginners event at that point.


>>These are suggestions that I will be e-mailing to the AMA. If
>>you netters want to discuss the pros and cons or want to offer
>>any more suggestions, you are welcomed. I feel that something
>>must be done. It is just a matter a time before an accident 
>               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>happens and should a fatality occurs, you can kiss this hobby
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>goodbye!
> ^^^^^^^
>
>This statement smacks of scare tactics. When you write the AMA ask
>them how many actual fatalities have occurred as a direct result
>of an RC anything accident. I think you might be surprised to find
>that the number is > 0.

It is true that there have been several fatalities in the past,
including someone who had a .60 powered pattern ship hit him 
in the chest. This doesn't invalidate the desire to keep speeds
down and the margin of safety higher though.

C/L Combat has gone through the same thing. "Slow" combat was 
started as a beginners event and has now evolved into Fast 
Combat II. Not only that, the airplanes have been legislated 
to death in order to keep performance down. 5" nose moment, 
24" fuselage, suction tank (which cost $10 a pop for the 
chicken hopper variety), canopy, profile fuselage... Makes 
it harder to build and store the airplanes. All this event 
needs is a Nelson engine and all of a sudden no more fun. There 
have been calls to replace the event with a speed limit event 
where one can use any airplane and engine. This would be far 
better IMHO. For the "big boys" there will always be AMA Fast
Combat.
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Iskandar Taib                          | The only thing worse than Peach ala
Internet: NTAIB@SILVER.UCS.INDIANA.EDU |    Frog is Frog ala Peach
Bitnet:   NTAIB@IUBACS                 !
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