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Radio Control Pylon

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07/07/2024 to 07/12/2024
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For detailed information see the IAC Calendar.

RC Pylon Racing is high-speed excitement.  These small aircraft obtain speeds of nearly 200 mph.  The models fly 10 laps around a course marked by three pylons.  The pilots stand in the middle of the course, turning as the aircraft circle the pylons. Pylon Racing requires good depth perception and quick reflexes.  A tenth of a second flown beyond a pylon can lose the race.

Turns are judged, and any "cuts" (turning short of a pylon) eliminate the lap.  The aircraft typically fly in four heats.  Points are awarded based on the finish place.  The pilot with the most total points after all heat racing is finished is the event winner.  Two classes of Pylon Racing are flown: the Quarter 40 and the Quickie 500.

 

Nats News

June 24, 2021: RC Pylon Racing

By Gary Freeman Jr.

Pylon had two more rounds of qualifying on Wednesday, and as I previously mentioned, lots of things changed as far as who made it in. Dennis Cranfil came out with a mission and won both of his heats and made it in. The top 22 made it in, along with the wild cards, 23rd (Ray Brown) and fast time (AJ Hemken).

Sorry but I have to be a proud dad one more time and mention that Brody did an amazing job for his first 426 competition at a Nationals. He finished up with a personal best time of 1:17.

June 23, 2021: RC Pylon Racing

By Gary Freeman Jr.

Tuesday started off a little chilly, with temperatures in the low 50s. The good news was that there was little wind and that made from great racing conditions.

Event 426 is a one-engine class that uses the Dub Jett Super Sport .40.  All of the engines are very close in performance. As a result, this class has very tight heats in almost every race. We completed six of the eight qualifying rounds. The top 22 will make it, along with two “wild cards.”

June 22, 2021: RC Pylon Racing

By Gary Freeman Jr.

On Monday, June 21, we competed in EF1. It is an electric class. It was a very windy day and made things challenging at times, but most handled it well.

EF1 is the only electric class that we race at the Nats. This is a box stock class that makes for some really great racing. We had 32 entries. There were lots of tight races and, unfortunately, a few lost airplanes.

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 17, 2020: RC Pylon

By Gary Freeman

Thursday we started 422. This is the fastest of all the classes flown at the Nats. The airplanes are capable of speeds up to 200 mph. A couple new designs are here this year, one being the Miss Foxy Lady from CMAD models. It is a very nice-looking plane and a top contender.

We got nine heats done and then the skies opened up for a few hours. We started again around 2:30 p.m. and finished after 7 p.m. Needless to say it, was a very long day.

The rest of the Kane family stopped by, including AMA scholarship recipient Nicole Kane.

July 16, 2020: RC Pylon

By Gary Freeman

Wednesday we finished up two rounds of qualifying. There were a lot of changes in the top 24 with many tight races. Mike Condon chose the two wild cards as the racers who finished 23 and 24.

The finals, as always, are some very intense heats of racing. Gino DelPonte was one of the favorites to win, but unfortunately, nosed over slightly in the first round, and then in round two, he kissed Pylon 2.

July 15, 2020: RC Pylon

By Gary Freeman

I would like to start off Tuesday's coverage saying thank you to Dennis Cranfill, his parents, and Mark Parker for an amazing evening fish fry. One of the best ever.

Today we started 426. This is a Q500 class of racer where everyone runs the same engine, which is a Sport Jett .40. These engines are all very close in performance and very easy to run.

Husband and wife team of Bruce and Joanne Coffey made the long trip from California and are looking fast. It is really great watching them work together—they make a great team.

July 14, 2020: RC Pylon

By Gary Freeman

Monday was the electric EF1 class. There were 29 entries and most everyone had fast airplanes and great thumbs. This class is “box stock,” meaning all items are available to anyone and cannot be modified in any way. This makes the class very fun and easy for everyone. Ray Brown and Lloyd Burnham were the starters for this event; thank you both for a great job. There were a lot of great heats and tight racing. It was good to see some of the newer guys kicking some butt. You can tell they have been practicing.