The Masters - SPA East Championships
September 14-15, 2013

The weekend of Sept. 14 & 15, the SPA EAST spotlight was on the mountains of North Carolina, Asheville, for the 2013 MASTERS championships. This season-ending festival was more than just a contest but the EPITOME of this season’s events.

The weekend opened with the traditional “Wilson Welcome”....at Duane and Penny’s lovely home where Penny was joined by Dan Dougherty and Mary Nessler (see Photo) serving that delicious “low country boil”. Loads of “fellowshippin”, storytelling, consumption of loads of food and drink. Penny climaxed the evening with a drawing for the ladies present for two items produced by Asheville area candy manufacturers. Peggy Phillips won one and Jane Underwood, the other. She planned the next days “shopping tour” for the ladies as well. (Ladies went on the shopping tour while the guys flew most of Saturday). This Friday gathering, an Asheville tradition, is solely a courtesy of Duane and Penny, it was and is, greatly enjoyed and appreciated by attendees.

The weatherman blessed us with near perfect weather...cold on Saturday (see photo) and a bit milder on Sunday. The winds that blew were, naturally, cross the runway and at the field’s altitude of 2146 feet swirled from the valleys and other mountains adjacent. The lovely view of the “smokies” was preserved on many cameras & camera phones. Honestly, the sight is more rewarding than viewing a genuine “Picasso” painting!

Contestants included Beppe Fascione who drove the 800 miles from Rochester, NY to display and fly his Phil Kraft replica KWIK-FLY III. Beppe was one of three “first-timers”.....the other two were “pattern-great” Mark Radcliff (Dist 3 AMA VP) from West Virginia and Matt Balzas (rhymes with Dallas) from Greensboro, NC.

Incoming ABA club President Dave Bowman personally greeted each contestant and extended his and the clubs gratitude for flying at ABA’s field which initiated its’ newly installed “artificial turf” runway. Dave expressed his apprehension about filling the shoes of outgoing President Will Hicks who had doubled as our CD for Asheville since it’s inception there. Other clubmembers served as luncheon servers, runners, equipment installers, etc. and always dependable Debbie Hicks did all the scorekeeping. ABA lived up to, and exceeded, all expectations.

After the day of contesting on Saturday, it was off to J&S Cafeteria where the food was delicious and the meeting room was just “super”, providing an excellent facility for quick dismissal of absolutely NO SPA business and on to Mark Radcliff’s narrative of his super Slideshow presentation of the “golden era” of pattern.. Mark gave his presentation a title of “My Heroes”. He opened with a B&W shot of his Dad made in the early 40’s, his recollections of World Team Selections and competitions, funny inputs on his diligence to “making the team”, sidelights of his travels to participate in world competitions, then concluding with the B&W photo from the model magazine of the Nessler family in action at an AMA pattern contest. It was so enjoyable, at times you could hear a pin drop as the attendees just “loved” his presentation. He defined his ascent to his current AMA status as District III VP. His District is Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Electrics were utilized by Warren Oliver and Kevin Clark. Kevin powered his Austrian designed (Hanno Prettner) Curare (see photo) with an OS electric motor. His beautiful ARF weighed a scant 6 ¼ lbs. Spectators and judges were “awed” by Olivers LEDs on his OLIVER TWIST, model designed by his Late Dad, Ben.

The annual “fly-off” for the MEMORIAL TROPHY was conducted Sunday morning first thing with the sunshine behind the pilots. The “flyoff”, consisted of just one round, judged by 5 judges, with the “high” and the “low” thrown out. Last years holder, Bill Dodge was outpointed by Jeff Owens 118.2 to 104.5. As always, these two contestants drew the attention of spectators and other contestants as well.

Typical modeler “courtesy” and willingness to assist fellow modelers was evident, an example was the retrieval of Jim John’s DR-1 which went down about 100 yards shy of the runway in weeds. Kevin comes from “good stock”. His Dad, Hugh, assisted your PIO a few years back in a similar incident.

Dan Dougherty, did an exact copy of Doc Charles Grays “thud” maker in Douglasville, GA, the pull sted of pushing elevator at the bottom of the reverse outside loop. The pieces to his pretty DB were retrieved very quickly by volunteers at the “POI” (Point of Impact) just outside of the safety fence on flight line two. DD immediately shouted, “I did it”. He finished the meet with model number two.

The NOVICE class had two entries, Joe Grant outscored Duwayne Lindsey 3937 to 3869.

The SPORTSMAN class had 7 entries. Vic Koenig K’d 3 rounds on Saturday but didn’t return on Sunday. Jim Johns carried the 1st place plaque to Dutton, AL with his total score, best 4 of 5 of 3776. DD won round 5 with his “back-up” for a 2nd place 3725. Carter Pounders of the ABA club took third with his score of 3605.

Mr. May, Scott Sappington, flying his aged KAOS showed the finesse of his increased hours of practice winning ADVANCED with 3 K’s and total score of 3988. Dennis Sams, with a round-4 victory copped 2nd scoring 3932. John Nessler, Jr (Dad) took 3rd , scoring 3863. Four flyers participated in ADVANCE. Charlie Johns kept the pressure on the above placers.

Seven, yes, (7) EXPERTS flew in the MASTERS. Eric Nessler jockeyed his PHANTOM-1 to first place K,ing 3 of the 5 rounds for a final score of 3998. Jerry Black earned 2nd with final of 3979, John Nessler, III was 3rd with 3905. What a great class this was with Oliver, Radcliff, Clark and Balazs finishing in that order.

The “old guys”, SR. EXPERT had 6 entries with Jeff Owens winning all 5 rounds for a perfect score of 4,000. Russ Chiles drew lots of compliments on his painted ATLAS flying to 2nd place with score of 3564. Keith Watson was 3rd, scoring 3471. Bill Dodge, Dave Phillips and Bruce Underwood finished in that order.

Loads of raffle prizes were awarded prior to the presentation of awards, three $50.00 gift certificates from Hodges Hobbies went to Mike Conner and Doc Gray. Connor, won two of them. Dave Phillips, representing Buddy Shores owner of NOVI ROSSI brought a donated new ROSSI engine and some ROSSI caps, the engine and cap was won by ABA President, Dave Bowman. Mark Radcliff won the T-28 “park-flyer” airplane. 50/50 gas money was won by Jeff Owens.

What a story behind the SPORTSMANSHIP award. Duane explained the effort put forth by Keith Watson to attend, like working all day Friday, then being called to work 2 hours overtime, driving all night, etc., said he “just wanted to see and hear Mark Radcliff at the annual MASTERS banquet”. Mark was standing close to Keith and led the applause when Duane presented Watson the well deserved award.

Beautiful loving cups adorned with the Male Victory figure were presented the SPA EAST season points champions. The NOVICE champ was Joe Grant with a total of 18.5 points. Jim Johns was SPORTSMAN points champ with 39 points. Mr. May (Scott Sappington) is the ADVANCED points champ. Eric Nessler nosed Brother John III by a mere 2 points, Eric’s total was 47. Congrats to these participants, real WINNERS!

ABA, many “kudos” to your’ excellent efforts to accommodate the 2013 MASTERS contest, the first year the MASTERS has been held outside the 3 states with the largest membership. You guys and gals deserve a” blue ribbon“ for your hospitality and execution of same. “Our gratitude would overrun a gallon pail”!

Bruce Underwood, PIO

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