Happy 2009 to everyone in the Northwest! 2009 is shaping up to be one of the best years ever for IMAC in the Northwest. First off I would thank everyone for a great 2008 season, we had a lot of new faces last year and it is good to see the Northwest growing. We also had great participation from our Canadian buddies again this year, so much so we have added two ARD's to help handle things up north.
Jerry Ruscheinski will be our ARD for British Columbia, Jerry has been a major player in getting pilots up there excited about IMAC in the Northwest and has done a great deal of work already for the B.C. guys. B.C. will have one points counting contest this year and we are sure to see all of them in the states for several more.
Chris Hammond will be stepping up as our ARD for Alberta, Chris really got things going in Alberta last year, unfortunately they are a little isolated but did manage to bring a great group down for the Regional’s last season. There will be three points counting contests up there this year so we are looking forward to seeing a few of them down south again this year.
I would like to thank both Jerry and Chris for stepping up this year to help out, both of these guys have done a great job promoting and growing IMAC in the Northwest.
We have added a couple of new contests this year, the Dusters RC Club in Woodburn Oregon will be hosting a contest CD'd by Dan Lurvey, this should be a great contest as we have been wanting another contest in that area. Also the Lewis Clark RC Model Club in Lewiston Idaho will be hosting there first IMAC contest, Brandon Peterson will be doing the CD honors to help these guys get there feet wet in IMAC. This should be a great contest for the Eastern part of the region and the southern Idaho guys. The third new contest is one Chris Hammond is trying to put together in Lethbridge Alberta at a field yet to be determined. This will be the closest contest for Alberta to draw any pilots from the states so if you can, plan on making a trip North.
We will have four Judging Seminars again this year, Bruce and I will be doing two each so be sure to plan on attending the one in your area. I expect to see a lot of new & familiar faces at this years Seminars as this is one of the most important things you can do to make yourself into a confident judge and a better pilot. It takes time and practice to become a better judge so take advantage of the Seminars, we all want to be judged fairly, so you owe it to your fellow pilots to be an educated and confident judge when they are flying in front of you.
I also want to thank Bruce Hanley for all the help during the 2008 season. He spends many hours working behind the scenes and is a great asset to the Northwest.
I look forward to seeing all of you this spring to kick off another great year in the Northwest. So for now fly if you can and I will go shovel some more snow.
Keith Bodeau
Northwest Regional Director