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Control Line Racing

National Control Line Racing Association
07/06/2025 to 07/11/2025

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

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.

July 19, 2019: CL Racing

By Tim Stone (stone-tim@sbcglobal.net)

The competition wrapped up Thursday with the running of Clown Race and Sport Goodyear.

Clown Race rules specify a standard design, the PDQ Clown, a 50-plus-year-old design currently kitted by Brodak Manufacturing and PDK. Any engine can be used, up to a .19 displacement. Engine preference has become RC car conversions and FAI combat motors. Unlike other racing events, the winner is determined by who has flown the most number of laps in a specified time period.

July 16, 2019: CL Racing

By Tim Stone (stone-tim@sbcglobal.net)

Welcome to the 2019 CL Racing Nationals! I’m happy to be back to do the reporting after a few years off. Thanks to Melvin Schuette for his Nats reporting, as well as Brenda Schuette and their business, MBS Model Supply, that continues to be an invaluable source for specialty CL supplies.

This year’s racing schedule follows that of the last few Nationals. It’s reduced in time and has consolidated events to reflect the declining interest in CL Racing.