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Chattanooga Classic SPA Pattern Contest The Chattanooga contest this weekend lived up to it's "billing" plus more. Primarily due to the energy and attention to details in it's planning by CD Mike. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, overlooked by him, after he'd find a need for it on Friday and text Jerilynn to be sure and bring it on Saturday. This pair, bolstered by the Chattanooga RC clubbers ran a 1st class "soiree"! Mike asked for divine assistance (it was given)...and proceeded with an amplified National Anthem playing while we all faced the combo American Flag/windsock. This, IMHO, is just the "10 point launch" to a spectacular SPA contest event. 23 contestants flew 6 rounds; 4 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday and were exiting 20 minutes prior to the finale time announced early on Sunday morning. Scores were posted within 15 minutes of each rounds conclusion with individual Tennessee orange colored copies neatly printed in a number 12 font for each pilot after each round. The festivities started early for a number of flyers who arrived a day early just to "hob-nob" and get practice flights. The SPORTSMANSHIP award is going home with Mr. Mark Kosco of Chicago, who drove the better part of two days to participate in his initial SPA contest. Kosco copped 5th in the Novice class as well. Robinson said, as he present him the Sportsmanship award said,"here, folks, is a genuine "trooper"! The raffle drawings were conducted Saturday afternoon after round four and prior to the eating gathering at the famous Chattanooga City Cafe. Winners were:
$50.00 Home Depot gift certificate................John Berry Many of us "gorged" on the excessive amounts of good food Saturday night at the CITY CAFE inside the Best Western Motel where many stayed. Yum-yum. Your reporter has been "privy" to both judging with and flying with most all the "Big Boys" of the era.....this contest was a replica of those contests in the 60's and early 70's when no one could wager, with any confidence, the outcome of such great competition evidenced by this EXPERT class of pilots. Russ Chiles and I were judging round 5 Sunday when Russ turned to me and proclaimed, "it's just difficult to find downgrades with these guys, isn't it"? Most all weekend the prevailing winds were directly in the pilot's face, same for this round only a nearby "thunderbumper" pushed the windspeeds up to 20 MPH or greater. It was a genuine challenge for these "experts" who proved they were "up to the task"! Please note the score "normalized" between 1st and 2nd was a mere 24.5 points out of a possible 4,000. The lead changed on the last round. Just "itty-bitty" errors had to be located prior to recording a score for this bunch. Just one "total" I noticed, that is the A6 INTRUDER that emitted that terrible "thud" near the conclusion of Round 4 on Friday afternoon when Daddy John Nessler misdirected it between the 2nd and 3rd roll of a roll series. He was quick to own up saying "I did it!" Little John Nessler III loaned dad his handsome PHANTOM-1 on Sunday and dad flew to a 2nd place finish, even won round 6. What a great family, the Nesslers are beginning to "drawl" their words a bit now, what with all the "elbowing" they've been doing with us Johnny Rebs. Mike, you, Jerrilyn, President Paul C. Wright, Chris Benne, Steve Shelburne and the other CRCC members who shared the chores this week-end including the folks in the concession who handled lunch prep, the operation chores, you guys and gals handled beautifully and we folks who participated have made memories to cherish of a great Choo-Choo City contest. We are SO grateful! Bruce Underwood, SPA/PIO |
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