By Buzz Wilson
What does 80% chance of rain mean? It means there ain't no sunshine and you are going to get wet. Ideal weather for Beavers, three of which swam up from Oregon -Gene Pape, Gary Harris, and Mark Hanson. Mark came to pit for Gary. With the flapping of their tails, it was the Beavers against the Bod Busters.
Howard Rush (JCT) had threatened to attend, however no self respecting stunt flyer would be seen flying in the rain.
The grass on the site had been mowed, but not real close. Some of the combat flyers took on the challenge and did a little low flying. The wet weather meant the site still had standing water. For those who have not flown there, the water and wetland will suck your shoes off. At times, it was difficult to keep the contest going. Down from the combat site they were giving pony rides. Fortunately they did not show up until after the pilots meeting I know Ken would have raised the question if there can be Donkey basketball, how about Pony combat?
We did get cheers from the pony ride group when Robert and Gary put on a spectacular mid air. Nothing like a foam plane being involved in a midair. Later they both did a simultaneous lawn dart in front of the judges.
I wanted to fly four rounds which meant everyone had to have there equipment ready. It was announced at the pilots meeting that once both pilots were at their planes there would be one minute to the start of the match. Prior to each round, all planes are pull tested and the streamers handed out. All shutoffs are checked at the start of the first round. If equipment is changed, the functionality is checked when the pilot is fueling the plane - engines are not run.
The first of 18 matches began at 10:00 with a break for rain and lunch; the last match was completed at 3:00. The quality of matches has improved throughout the season. Gene Pape was flying F2D equipment. The only big iron was Gary Harris. Both Gene and Gary made the semi finals - Beavers. Jeff Rein and Robert Smith were the other two in the semi finals. Oh yes, I forgot to mention Bailey who decided to show a Rottweiler who is King of the Combat dogs. In fact, Bailey showed Robert who is King of the combat pits. Robert had just laid out his rug when Bailey and Baxter hopped from the van. No use going the grass, the rug is green and dry. For those of you who do not know who Bailey is, it is one of Don's Scotty dogs. Don is the only combat flyer in the country that carries a finger guard and pooper pick bag in his pit box.
The semi final had Jeff flying Robert and Gary flying Gene. Jeff and Gene won.
Robert and Gary were flying for third and fourth. Robert got third and Gary fourth. Jeff and Gene flew for first and second with Gene winning.
Although Jeff is leading the C-Cup standings, it is not a done deal. Check out the scores and standings below.
Here are the results of Contest No. 3 (NW Standings points in parentheses):
CHEHALIS CUP RULES 80 MPH COMBAT (5 entries)
1. Gene Pape, Eugene, Ore. (5)
2. Jeff Rein, Covington, Wash. (4)
3. Robert Smith, Roy, Wash. (3)
4. Gary Harris, Banks, Ore. (2)
5. Don McKay, Redmond, Wash.
This page was upated June 21, 2010