The morning started off with light winds, but unfortunately these grew gustier as time went on, with resultant ˋweathercocking‘ of the lighter models involved in the taxi competition causing severe navigation issues…
First Place – Neil Muller (1:08)
Our esteemed & hardworking Secretary, Neil, kicked off the event using his solid & powerful petrol powered ˋBrick Stick´ model with what proved to be the best time of the day: 1 minute & 8 seconds. An immediate second attempt was looking good to better this time before a spot of course confusion near the end of the circuit absorbed precious time & a resultant 1:12. Thus, his initial time of 1:08 held sway.
Neil subsequently had a third go with his lighter electric Mini Stick (yes, there’s a sticky theme here), hopped up with a 4S battery replacing his usual 3S, but this proved to be a tad flighty for the course on the day, and not only took off into the air within a couple of metres of the starting post, before being brought back for a more sedate start, but then managed to blow over onto it‘s back in a final act of misconduct, so the attempt was abandoned.
Second Place – Bill Lawrence (1:21)
Our Vice President and all round master of competency also tried out two different models. His initial time of 1:54 using his familiar Turbo Timber was not in the race against Neil’s time, so in an audacious move, he switched to a brand new untried model, sporting twin motors and tricycle undercart, called the Bush Mule. This immediately produced a more competitive time of 1:21. This didn’t succeed in knocking Neil off his perch, but was just good enough to keep others at bay.
Third Place – Greg Lance (1:24)
Our long serving Treasurer, Greg Lance, using his powerful .90 glow powered Extra narrowly missed second place, after two attempts – his best time was enough for a podium place.
Greg‘s first effort of 1:31 was improved upon after gaining a greater knowledge of the Extra‘s groundhandling idiosyncrasies (it turned far better in one direction over the other) and clipped seven seconds off this earlier time.
The Rest
The only other time to be officially recorded was a rather slothful 2:12, managed by Glen Newbown with his Cloud Dancer. This 4S electric powered model was powerful enough in a straight line, but had a weakness for Weathercocking and proved troublesome to take the required turns, at times.
The same CloudDancer model was subsequently used by Allan Laycock, but again misbehaved badly in the steering department, to the extent that the course could not be completed in anything like a competitive time, so was abandoned half way through.
Allan (clipboard in hand) had also been performing the lions share of the pit-crew work, in rescuing errant models stuck in front of the slalom poles or otherwise misbehaving.
Honourable Mention – Fred Burman
Fred had similar steerage (or lack thereof) issues with his small, light and beautifully presented electric Ugly Stick and could not record a time, despite a plucky attempt. Deemed the Model of the Meet, by the Contest Director.
Neil himself had a brave bash at using Fred‘s model (despite it being set up in mode 1, and Neil being a mode 2 pilot), but again had to abandon the attempt as the Stick simply refused to go around the taxi trial slalom‘ poles with the required dexterity.
Overall, this first go at a Taxi Trial for many years was instructive, but also pronounced to be good fun. It is certainly important to practice beforehand to find out one’s model’s strengths and weaknesses, and to try to iron out tendencies to weather cock when the breeze gets up.
Perhaps a small sandbag over the tail to give the lighter taildraggers more steering authority could be contemplated in the future if we were to hold the event again?
Food for thought.
Thanks to all those who competed, and for masterchefs Stuart and Dave B who bunged on the barby, Dave P. for producing a beautifully manicured strip with an early morning trim and the rest of the members who turned out on the morning, braving the manic Plover.
Cheers,
Glen.