posted on November 01, 2010 14:28
2010 began with the usual: getting equipment prepared, planning for practice of the sequence, looking at and penciling in possible contests that work for you and your IMAC buddies. Whoop---three had to be canceled, and then three new venues jumped into the schedule. More on those later
The announcement that changed a lot of those plans. The Shootout was cancelled for 2101, something to lament but also a year to take it a little easier, something of a rejuvenation time for all. For some it became a time to make the NATS or Clover Creek in Tennessee. The South West pilots and support teams did not shy away and many did well.
Representing the South West and making us proud were:
NATS in Muncie……..Intermediate Andrew Taylor 5th place, Advanced Kyle Goodwine 3rd place and Jason Benson 7th place, Unlimited Cody Mclean 13th, Steve Nelson 17th
CLOVER CREEK………Tennessee in Sept…..Bryant Mack First place in Sportsman, Andrew Taylor 3rd place in Intermediate and Rusty Fried 4th place in Intermediate, In Advanced Matthew Singer took First place and Jason Benson took 5th place. Unlimited Cody Mclean 6th.
Surely, the biggest news was the two first places by Matthew and Bryant at Clover and Kyle with his result of 3rd at the NATS.
From here we can transition into the regional classes and we can see the skill, dedication and commitment to excellence showing up in the South West Regional classes.
Basic is a three way brawl between Greg Frazier with 4970, Jim Harris 4875, Lin Andresen 4839. Only Florence AZ is left so we will see who brings their A GAME.
In Sportsman Bryant Mack seems to have it wrapped up for the year with a perfect 5000 points but Randy Dreyer is very close with 4989 and Craig Guest is third with 4818 and all looking to take home wood for the year.
Intermediate leader Cameron Irwin looks like a lock with 5 contests and a 5000 total but don’t forget the tie breakers and with Rusty Fried at 4986 is can be a possible takeover. Jim Spurlock is placed in third at this time and he will be at Florence to defend his third place wood.
Advanced is led by Dennis Galloway with 5000 but Kyle Goodwine is less than 2 points behind with 4998 and he has 4 wins and could get to 5000 at Florence if he wins. If both finish with 5000 it goes to the tie breaker. The tie breaker procedure can be found on the IMAC site under articles “2010 IMAC Regional Points Series Article Jan 2010….Better look at how this is done. Matthew Stringer is lurking around and not too far back.
Unlimited look like Steve Nelson has it but Todd Bridges may have a shot. Tim Attaway is in third place but Frank Kelley is going to take it away at Florence. Many good pilots in Unlimited just did not get in enough contest results to be in the top three….we know who you are! Remember it is based on top 5 contests for the year.
Note: If those that have a lock on first place in their class and want to fly up in class. Such as Bryant Mack is doing, he is going to go into Intermediate at Florence but designate his points for the 2010 season in Sportsman and get his regional trophy. Also, noted that Andrew Taylor is registered for Advanced at Florence and that is a good move if he is going to fly in Advanced next year. Remember you cannot go down once you are flying in a higher class unless special circumstances occur. Go up and still collect your regional trophy and win wood in your 2011 class in 2010. You know you have been sneaking a look at that next class up anyway…..it’s all fun…do it.
Florence has a huge pre-registration with all classes we represented. The club is excited, they have excellent club participation and they have Rusty Fried, AVP Arizona, on board to guide them through their first contest ever. Bill Adams and Randy Wegner held a basic only clinic last weekend and it turned out to be a great help……thanks for that gentlemen.
Finally, the point calculation for official 2010 regional champions and placement in the standings will not be available at Florence. Unofficially, I will attempt to calculate the top three so that they may be recognized at the end of the contest but I am not promising accuracy. The trophies will be a new version with names on them and they will be handed out at the Superstition IMAC contest in January or sometime soon thereafter with potentially mailing a few to those not in attendance.
More reporting next month as we have a number of things to share before the 2011 season begins.
Tim