After-Thanksgiving Race 2023

Jim Cameron (left) and Leighton Mangels pilot a Northwest Sport Race heat at the After-Thanksgiving Race. Mike Hazel photo.

Racers conclude NW contest season with annual fall go-fast session

Jim Walker Memorial Control-Line Flying Field, Delta Park, Portland, Ore., Nov. 25
Sponsored by Northwest Fireballs

By Gary Harris

We got lucky on the weather with some fog and chilly temperature early in the morning but by the time we started flying the sun came out and heavy clothing was soon getting removed.

First event was Dallas Sport Goodyear Race. This particular event was popular at the Northwest Regionals at Roseburg over Memorial Day Weekend. Enough interest was shown for the club to have the desire to try it in Portland at our After-Thanksgiving Race contest. Do you realize that we have followed through with this Racing on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend since 2016?

Two entrants competed with the .15-size airplanes — Leighton Mangels and Darrin Bishop. One heat race was flown.
 
We may see this event acquire more interest and then get to have more competitors.

Next we flew the Northwest Sport Race event. With five entrants, it was decided to fly a round-robin style of two-up heat races until each entrant had flown twice. The fastest heat time would end up winning. Those five competitors made it clear that "They came here to race!"  So I was told.
 
A huge THANK YOU to all who came to be a part of the contest and especially to those who helped out. Sorry if I leave anybody's name out: Darrin Bishop competed and helped officiate, Terence Bardue helped time and count laps, Don Curry timing and lap counting, Sam Baird taking notes for the club, Jim Cameron piloting and officiating along with being the assistant CD, and control line friend from the past Bill Varner helped with pitting. Thanks to those who brought goodies to eat.

In Racing there will always be the risk of having a hard unplanned landing. We saw that happen at this race and we take it in stride.

We hope all had a good time and that we can do it again next year.

Results

(Northwest standings points in parentheses)

DALLAS SPORT GOODYEAR (2 entries)
1. Leighton Mangels, North Plains, Ore. — 7:24 (2) (Pit: Doug Powers)
2. Darrin Bishop, Castle Rock, Wash. — 29 laps (1) (Pit: Bill Varner)

NORTHWEST SPORT RACE (5 entries)
1. Mike Hazel, Mehama, Ore. — 4:26 (5) (Pilot: Jim Cameron)
2. Gary Harris, Banks, Ore. — 4:53 (4) (Pilot: Cameron)
3. Leighton Mangels — 4:59 (3) (Pit: Powers)
4. Niels Madsen, Portland, Ore. — 7:10 (2) (Pit: Varner)
5. Doug Powers, Portland, Ore. — DNF (Pit: Mangels)

Niels Madsen (left) and Leighton Mangels pilot a Northwest Sport Race heat. Mike Hazel photo.

Gary Harris launches his Northwest Sport Race entry. Mike Hazel photo.

Mike Hazel prepares his Northwest Sport Race plane for the start of a heat. Sam Baird photo.

Bill Varner gets ready to pit Darrin Bishop's Dallas Sport Goodyear plane. Sam Baird photo.

Doug Powers prepares to pit Leighton Mangels' entry in Dallas Sport Goodyear. Sam Baird photo.

Leighton Mangels gets his Dallas Sport Goodyear plane ready to race. Sam Baird photo.

Niels Madsen's Northwest Sport Race entry. Mike Hazel photo.

Darrin Bishop's Dallas Sport Goodyear plane. Mike Hazel photo.

Contest Director Gary Harris handles administrative duties. Sam Baird photo.

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This page was updated Nov. 28, 2023