2024 After-Thanksgiving Race
Jim Walker Memorial Control-Line Flying
Field, Delta Park, Portland, Ore., Nov. 30
Sponsored by Northwest Fireballs
Racing planes await action in the pits at
the 2024 After Thanksgiving Race. All photos by Mike
Hazel.
By Mike Hazel
Attendees at this traditional Northwest Fireballs event
had good reason to be thankful regarding the weather.
Although the forecast called for chilly temps, the sunny
sky and lack of any real wind made for very tolerable
conditions.
Three Racing events were on the schedule: Sportsman Clown Race, Dallas Sport Goodyear,and Northwest Sport Race. A changeup from the normal racing routine was the format: Due to the limited number of either willing or experienced pilots, it was opted to do just one-up flying. (Another factor may also have been participants still suffering effects of holiday over-stuffing). At any rate, everyone was OK with this
format of flying two heats, with the best time counting. Some entrants just went with a single flight and called it good.
Midway through the competition there was a potluck lunch, provided by members of the Fireballs. At the end of the day, the winner of each event received a cash prize of $30.
The contest officials were: Gary Harris, contest director; Don Curry, head timer; and pull-testing was done by Darrin Bishop.
NW SPORTSMAN CLOWN RACE (4 entries)
1. Leighton Mangels, North Plains, Ore. — 82 laps (4)
2. Mike Hazel, Mehama, Ore. — 66 (3)
3. Doug Powers, Portland, Ore.— 53 (2)
4. Niels Madsen, Portland, Ore. — 52 (1)
DALLAS SPORT GOODYEAR (3 entries)
1. Mike Hazel — 4:44.25 (3)
2. Leighton Mangels — 4:50.47 (2)
3. Doug Powers — 6:09.12 (1)
NORTHWEST SPORT RACE (4 entries)
1. Leighton Mangels — 4:26.75 (4)
2. Mike Hazel — 4:27.88 (3)
3. Gary Harris, Banks, Ore. — 6:21.84 (2)
4. Jess Walls, Gresham, Ore. — Attempt (1)
Three Racing events were on the schedule: Sportsman Clown Race, Dallas Sport Goodyear,and Northwest Sport Race. A changeup from the normal racing routine was the format: Due to the limited number of either willing or experienced pilots, it was opted to do just one-up flying. (Another factor may also have been participants still suffering effects of holiday over-stuffing). At any rate, everyone was OK with this
format of flying two heats, with the best time counting. Some entrants just went with a single flight and called it good.
Midway through the competition there was a potluck lunch, provided by members of the Fireballs. At the end of the day, the winner of each event received a cash prize of $30.
The contest officials were: Gary Harris, contest director; Don Curry, head timer; and pull-testing was done by Darrin Bishop.
Results
(NW Competition Standing points in
parentheses)
NW SPORTSMAN CLOWN RACE (4 entries)
1. Leighton Mangels, North Plains, Ore. — 82 laps (4)
2. Mike Hazel, Mehama, Ore. — 66 (3)
3. Doug Powers, Portland, Ore.— 53 (2)
4. Niels Madsen, Portland, Ore. — 52 (1)
DALLAS SPORT GOODYEAR (3 entries)
1. Mike Hazel — 4:44.25 (3)
2. Leighton Mangels — 4:50.47 (2)
3. Doug Powers — 6:09.12 (1)
NORTHWEST SPORT RACE (4 entries)
1. Leighton Mangels — 4:26.75 (4)
2. Mike Hazel — 4:27.88 (3)
3. Gary Harris, Banks, Ore. — 6:21.84 (2)
4. Jess Walls, Gresham, Ore. — Attempt (1)
Doug Powers (left) and Leighton
Mangels prepare a Dallas Sport Goodyear plane for a
heat.
Two brand-new Dallas Sport Goodyear planes by Mike Hazel.
Two brand-new Dallas Sport Goodyear planes by Mike Hazel.
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was updated Dec. 8, 2024