Page 31 - MFW March 2024

Noeline
Craighead

SIG

76th Nationals
Another successful Nationals event, especially
considering the RC1 field was not confirmed until we got a
phone call from Frazer while we were driving to Carterton.
The weather was very hot and near perfect, the entry
numbers were good, and the efforts of many helpers
allowed for some enjoyable and competitive racing in all
classes.

RC1 field looked a picture with a fantastic outlook. The
Pylon SIG was extremely grateful, as always, to Andrew
(the mowing contractor), for being so accommodating
with the requirements for the strip, especially for pylon.
“THANK YOU” Andrew.

Five rounds of all classes ~ Q500 Sport, F3R, F3T, F3D &
F3E were flown.

For some pilots, it was a very busy event, others there
were disappointments with varying issues, some had
pleasing PB’s (personal best) times, non-more so than
John Danks for breaking his own NZ Record in F3T with a
63.25 seconds time ~ not once but twice, one race after F3T National record winner
the other. For most there was some fun and exciting F3R also had a good entry with 9 pilots and was closely
racing. Unfortunately though, this is racing and there was fought between Ross Craighead, John Danks and
sadly casualties in F3D and F3E. Stephen Collins who finished well ahead of the rest of the
pack.
Q500 Sport had another superb entry with 11 pilots. Chris
Charlton and Noeline Craighead continued their There was a strong entry in F3T but unfortunately there
comradery rivalry in Q500 Sport, each taking rounds tit- were 200’s for everyone except John Danks, who
for-tat. Noeline attained a PB in the last round, but Chris commanded a convincing win from Frazer Briggs 2nd and
pipped the places getting 5th and Noeline 6th. Once Len Krook 3rd.
again, it was fantastic to have Junior’s Ruben Woods and
Sean Galloway battling for their places in Q500 Sport. It was a similar story in F3D with 200’s along with motor
After getting his model trimmed on the first flight, Ruban problems and model carnage, it became a case of Ross
certainly lifted his game to finish 4th and Sean taking 2nd Craighead being the last-man-standing, and only three
place. Geoff Hall again took out 1st place, dominating the rounds were able to be flown.
Q500 field and the fastest time of 96.78 seconds.
National Pylon Lads & Lass’s

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