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Control Line Racing

National Control Line Racing Association
08/04/2024 to 08/09/2024

For detailed information see the IAC Calendar.

There are several classes of CL Racing, but the idea is the same for all: finish the designated number of laps before the competition.  Those who turn in the fastest preliminary heats advance to longer feature races.  Two or more entries fly at the same time. This is a team event, with each team consisting of a pilot and one or two people serving as a pit crew. Upon the “go” signal, the pit crew starts the engine and releases the aircraft. One or more pit stops for fuel are required in each race.  Many of the aircraft are equipped with shutoffs, so the pilots can land whenever the team decides. Other elaborate equipment is designed to speed up the mandatory pit stops.  Watch for quick landings and fast restarts.  There are many classes of CL Racing, including Mouse Race, Goodyear (Scale), Rat Race, Slow Rat Race, and FAI Team Race, in which participants compete at a world-class level.

Nats News

June 22, 2021: Control Line Racing

By Tim Stone

Three events were to be run Monday, but Muncie’s weather had other plans! Wind gusts of over 25 mph led to the postponement of all of the racing schedules.

F2C is the only international racing event that’s run at the US Nationals. Due to the cost, difficulty, and complexity, it has shrunk to even smaller participation than in past years. Three teams were entered, but due to weather conditions, the event was postponed indefinitely.

June 21, 2021: Control Line Racing

Opening report by Tim Stone

The sun shines once again on Muncie! Last year’s Nats for Control Line Racing was run, but the turnout was dismal. If I believe the forum vibe that I get, there is a greater sense of enthusiasm for this year’s contest than there has been for quite a while! Pre-entries in some events are double from 2020.

2020 Outdoor Nats in Photos

The 2020 Outdoor Nats took place July 12-August 5 at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. Although the pandemic made for an interesting and complicated year, several events still took place safely, allowing competitors and AMA members to continue to enjoy our hobby.

We have created a photo gallery for this year's event. Please feel free to like, share, download, and print a few!

July 16, 2020: CL Racing

By Tim Stone

Racing Wednesday were two events Texas origin: Texas Quickie Rat and Dallas Sport Goodyear. These events usually bring out some of the best races because of their time proven rules. Both events use stock engines that are still easily available and cheap, simple models with no exotic parts.

July 13, 2020: CL Racing

By Tim Stone

As with the rest of the world, the corona virus has affected Control Line racing at the Nats this year.  The National Control Line Racing Association (NCLRA) officers were waiting until June 10, for AMA to give the okay for Outdoor Nats to proceed. By this time, Indoor and Outdoor Free Flight had decided that they were going to cancel anyway. Not so with NCLRA—race is on! Gentlemen start your engines!

2020 Outdoor Nats to Proceed as Scheduled

After careful deliberation, the AMA Executive Council has agreed to not cancel the 2020 Outdoor Nats. This decision is aligned with state and federal guidelines for events concerning COVID-19.

The 2020 AMA Nats will take place to the extent that individual Nats organizers plan and conduct their respective events. Additional safety measures will be in place to protect our members, staff, and community. Nats participants and visitors to the International Aeromdeling Center will have limited access to AMA facilities and should anticipate a scaled-back Nats experience.