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Chattanooga, TX SPA pilots from as far west as the Lone Star State, South to Florida, North to Ohio and No. Carolina made the journey to Chattanooga for the annual CHOO CHOO CHAMPIONSHIPS August 24 & 25. Here's the initial recap of the event from CD Mike Robinson (cut and pasted from the SPA Discussion list on August 25th..................... Twenty nine flyer's gathered this weekend at Chattanooga accompanied by wives, friends, small animals and VERY interested spectators. All I can say is WOW! WOW! and WOW! Here are some highlights and lowlights for you. Chris Gregory, Sam Hamrick, Bill Collins were the beginning backbone of my judging team. They were non-flyers; meaning I could use them pretty much all the time. All of them did a stellar job. They were joined later in the contest by Ken Blackwell, Tom Stennis, Keith Watson and maybe another or two. One again this year Jerrilyn Robinson and Linda Owens carried all the weight for scoring chores. Linda faithfully gathering and auditing while Jerrilyn ran the computer end of things. I could not have a contest without these two! Many were standing in line to help and I am grateful for that! Friday's food was a HUGE success thanks to SMT Distributing and the Dave Phillips family. What nice people, and the sure put in a lot of sweat equity. Friday's practice was vigorous and fun. Most were in town and going at it by 1:00 - 2:00 PM and if I recall we didn't have any serious damaged planes. For the first time ever I ran three active flight lines in Chattanooga. Having the right judging pool made all the difference in the world. The end result was nobody had to wait for hours to fly. ---- a couple of lessons learned bout multiple lines though. SAFETY was without doubt the most serious issue. If we do it next year I will have an on field safety Marshall approving all entries to the runway, and he will have a LOUD bullhorn! Will also put center marking pole up for the Expert Class. I think they could have used it. Funny stuff:
We will see pictures soon, but I want every person who attended, helped and flew in this contest to know I am humbled by your spirits of friendship and friendly competition.
Until 2014, We, likewise, Mike, are humbled and grateful for you and CRCC for the GREAT weekend. Weather was perfect. Scores and pics are elsewhere....again, the sponsorship, sort of, by Buddy Shores and SMT Distributing LLC was "first class". What a good group! Despite crashing and destroying their models, Keith Watson and Bill Dodge, just fell in to assist with judging, etc. displaying the genuine SPA spirit of having fun despite adversities. Raffle winners were as follows: SMT caps..........Ed Seigler and Greg Helms. APC props......Ed Seigler, Keith Watson, Scott Sappington and Steve Pacheco. The Raffle Rossi engine as well as the club Rossi engine (2) are going to Ohio with Daddy John Nessler Jr., whose "call girl" refers to as "Jack". CRCC gave a Great Planes ARF Dirty Birdy and it went to Kingsport, TN with Dennis Sams. Mike tried something we used to do when huge numbers participated, flying (3) flight lines. Two lines were parallel with the runway and the other was offset about 45 degrees to the runway. It worked nicely and nary a single "mid-air". Beginning with the Friday evening steak dinner provided by SMT Distributing LLC to the gathering Saturday night at the City Cafe then the early departure on Sunday, it just couldn't have been any better! Mike, Paul Wright (Club Pres) and CRCC membership, we are so appreciative of another terrific weekend. Ya'll are "the GREATEST"! Bruce Underwood, SPA PIO |
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