Monday morning’s practice queue.
By Tim Lampe
I know there have been plenty of knockdown, drag out, blood-for-blood battles in RC pylon racing, and I’ve been in this for over ten years now. But by far, the closest, hardest-fought, toughest battle I’ve ever witnessed unfolded today in round 4. It began with all four pilots; Jason Duda, Brian Blanchard, Randy Bridge, and Jim Nikodem.
I happened to have a front row seat right out there on the course, because I had just called for my teammate the previous heat, and my race was next, so I just stayed out there. Anyway, the clock went to zero and you could throw a blanket over all four planes for about the first four laps…and man, they were fast! Unless you’ve experienced it first-hand, you cannot imagine the intensity and drama of four RC airplanes racing around the course from ten to thirty feet above the ground at 180 miles-per-hour. It’s a discredit to call it insane, but it’s insane. And it got even more intense!
Over the course of another lap or two, one of the pilots dropped back a bit and another had a cut, leaving heavy hitters, Jason Duda and Randy Bridge to finish the show. Jason and Randy blanketed each other for the final laps, though Jason had the edge. It was like a visible echo seeing one plane pivot around pylon 1 and the other mimicking the exact same moves only a few feet behind. The preparation, skill, and nerve it takes to fly like this is unbelievable and a thing of beauty. I was shaking my head after it was done, I was shaking my head when I recounted my front row view to this fight, and I’m shaking my head as I write. But Jason got the edge today and took the win for this heat.
It's unfortunate that many other similar battles that occurred today aren’t recorded here, but I know the pilots who lived them will always have their own memories.
We completed five rounds today and plan for the final five rounds tomorrow to determine the 2026 426 Super Sport Quickie 500 champion
After the day’s racing, the traditional pilot’s banquet was held in the banquet room over at the AMA museum. Those who were interested got free entry into the museum, and thanks to the AMA for keeping this open and staffed for us. After dinner, Dan Kane was presented with a plaque for his entry into the AMA Hall of Fame. Dan then presented Randy Rich with two plaques commemorating his and his father’s indoctrinations into the NMPRA Hall of Fame. Finally, Robert Holik accepted a plaque to celebrate a $1,000 donation from CAPS and the NMPRA to Crash Fund, Inc., a puppy rescue corporation founded by Annie Torres, business partner in APC Propellers. You can learn more about Crash Fund, Inc. at their web site https://picklesco.com/
Day 2 of 2, which will be the final day for 426, will continue tomorrow with rounds 5 through 10 on the schedule.
A glimpse of a couple planes rounding the pylons in the heat of battle.
Jim Nikodem was presented with the perpetual CAPS “Club Champion” award for accumulating the most points in 2025 in all four classes of the CAPS district races combined. CAPS President Glenn Lang on the left and Tom Melsheimer on the right.
Robert Holik accepts the plaque to commemorate a donation for Crash Fund, Inc., on behalf of Annie Torres.
Dan Kane holding his AMA Hall-of-Fame induction plaque with son Jack, wife Catherine and Finnegin.
Dan Kane (left) with Randy Rich holding plaques to commemorate the induction of Randy’s late father “Dickie” and Randy into the NMPRA Hall-of-Fame.
Randy Rich’s father “Dickie” holding Pole Cat from the era.
Chuck Bridge donated one of his hand-made, highly-coveted Vortex Quickie 500 pylon racers as a raffle prize to the event. Ray Brown won the Vortex, but gave it to Annabelle Doe. (L to R) Tom Doe, Annabelle Doe holding Vortex, Ray Brown, Chuck Bridge, Randy Bridge.
