The Giant Scale Racing Competition For RC Model Aircraft Provides Excitement

Recreational aviation comes in all shapes and sizes, and the Unlimited Scale Racing Association (USRA) is one example of technology, aviation, and outright fun sharing the airspace all at the same time. According to ANN follower, Jeff Wheless, the USRA giant scale racing event held on October 13-16 in Victorville, CA proved to be a great success.

Wheless said, “If you love Reno, you'll love the Unlimited Scale Racing Association!  We recently held our championship event, and two new world records established at this event, one beating the other.”

Held at Rabbit Dry Lake near Victorville, Wheless said the Race of Champions is a test of skills and endurance as pilots keep their airplanes in the running over three days, building to the winner take all championship trophy races held on the final day. He added, “With over $5,000 in prizes and cash purses at stake, pilots and crew compete fiercely, but do whatever it takes to help each other out in the pits to keep all the planes up and running.”

This year’s event fielded six aircraft classes with the class winners as follows:

• Unlimited: Chris Justus (Rock Creek, OH)
• Experimental: Chris Justus (Rock Creek, OH)
• Formula One Pro: Ryan Wheless (Flagstaff, AZ)
• Formula One GT: Scott Baker (Palmdale, CA)
• Sportsman Pro: Mitch Robbins (Charlotte, NC)
• Sportsman: Mitch Robbins (Charlotte, NC)

  

Wheless reported that inclement weather did cause some problems, similar to the challenges the Red Bull racers faced in Las Vegas. The racing was halted in the middle of round 4. Standings are based on points and times achieved through the completed heats.

Beating Jeff Powell’s 2015 Unlimited world record of 1:09.4, Peter Goldsmith achieved a world record time of 1:07.8 and 246.8 mph in the Unlimited heat 2. He then set an unofficial world record for holding the world record for the shortest amount of time as Jeff Powell came back on Saturday to beat Peter’s new record during heat 3 with a time of 106.1 and 247.6 mph.

By the way, these are true speeds, not scale speeds.

USRA operates under the auspices of the USA’s Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) with a designation as the Special Interest Group (SIG) for R/C Giant Scale Racing. Although originating in America, the scope of USRA operations has always been considered international and is open to all those interested in competing.

Isn’t the world of AeroSports is a wonderful place!

(Image provided by Jeff Wheless with permission for use)

FMI: www.usrainfo.org