Zoot's Mixture

August 2024

Muncie 2024, a triple treat

Mike Hazel (right) at the 2024 U.S. National Control-Line Championships with other Mouse Race entrants, from left: Patrick Hempel, Paul Gibeault, Bill Bischoff and Doug Mayer.

By Zoot Zoomer

My trip plans to Muncie, Ind., began many months ago when it was confirmed that the CL World Championships would be held in the USA after our Nationals. This would likely be my only opportunity to attend a WC since overseas travel isn’t likely an option for me. So the event lineup turned into three consecutive events: AMA CL Nationals, USA World Cup (for F2A, F2C, and F2D only, no Aerobatics), and then the World F2 (control line) Championships for everything. The Cup contest basically serves as a warmup event. This was useful for both the officials and the entrants.

In case you aren’t into FAI speak, the event designations are: F2A=Speed, F2B=Aerobatics, F2C=Team Racing, F2D=Combat. Each category is just a single event, no separate classes, imagine that!

Author Mike Hazel displaying teammate Paul Gibeault's Mouse Race plane.

I arrived on Saturday and got my camping trailer situated and then checked in at headquarters. One thing that was immediately noticeable was the new asphalt. Both the L-pad and the Racing circle complex were completely redone. And the Speed circle had a fresh “donut” put down where it was needed. Yes, this was just done a few days beforehand and you could smell that lovely aroma of fresh asphalt fumes boiling off.

The reporting here will be mostly devoid of results, as you can find those elsewhere. And so this report is just a small collection of my own random observations, nothing comprehensive here folks!

First off, the CL Nats! The usual schedule was adjusted a bit to help accommodate the additional contests. Action started on Sunday for me at the Speed circle. I had cobbled together a 1/2 A Proto plane with a really honking Fora Combat engine. The plane had been test flown and worked well, but for reasons unknown something in the controls jammed up on my first and only attempt resulting in a nice wingover straight into that fresh asphalt. With that behind me, it was time for the reformation of the infamous Can-Am Racing team. Over to the Racing circle and I did piloting duties for Paul Gibeault in the Mouse Race event. Paul once again had a very fast plane but this year some problems with consistency came up. This yielded a third-place finish. But always better to be on the podium instead of nowheresville.

On Monday I assisted Paul with his Formula 40 speed bird. Things did not turn out as well as they had a couple of years ago when he scored a first place. First off, when doing an engine test run in the pits the plane caught on fire. Unusual situation but the flames were short lived. Next for the first official attempt the needle setting went way off and then the prop came loose. Whoops, no prop tool on the circle. On next attempt I got the engine fired up, tuned and launched. But something went “hinkey” in the controls and the plane only covered about a lap and pancaked. Done for the day there!

Next on the agenda was to fly some Sport (DMAA) Goodyear racing. Both Paul and I had entries, Paul did the whipping and I did the flipping. We managed a sixth and 7 seventh place finish. Ugh, this was done in the Muncie heat (90 degrees with some humidity).

Tuesday was another warm day and it was time to go zoom with a boom, which means Sport Jet Speed for me. My performance was a personal record, but unfortunately it was in the wrong direction — the plane had never gone this slow before! Only 135 mph, which put me pretty much at the bottom of the results there. OK, back to the Racing circle to pilot Paul’s Quickie Rat. Notes incomplete but think we did OK. Unrelated to anything else, there were a couple of (up) line failures during practice flying on the racing circle which made for a couple of interesting divots in the fresh asphalt. Then it seems someone was pointing out, “This is why we can’t have nice things!” The weather starting cooling off a bit in the late afternoon and the rain showed up at the same time as the pizza for our NCLRA party.

Wednesday weather was much nicer with temps in the 70’s, which is more like it for this Northwest guy! No more events for me to do so wandered a bit between all of the competition areas for spectating and renewing friendships. This is always one of the best highlights of going to an event like this. You get to see some of these folks only once every year or two, but it feels like it might have just been a previous weekend.

Thursday was day one of the World Cup event. I had signed up as an event worker and was assigned as the height judge for the Speed event. This meant I got to sit up on a scaffold and watch to see that the planes did not go over three meters high during the timed run. After the Speed guys were done for the day I then wandered over and watched some of the Combat flying. Now done for the day it was back to camp. Mike Londke was at my  neighbor’s trailer and I wandered over to visit. Somehow this worked into me getting my Sonic Chicken 1/2 A Combat plane out and putting up a good fast flight right behind our camp.

Mike watches for height violations at the World Cup Speed circle.

Friday was the concluding day of the World Cup and I had the same job at the Speed circle. During our long lunch break watched some of the F2C Racing action. That evening there was a catered steak dinner for all of the participants held under the great big tent, well over one hundred folks there. Awards and accolades were also served. While that was going on, Dave Fischer did a demonstration flight with his “Septilla”. This is a giant Combat plane with (count 'em!) seven Profi .15 engines! Quite a sight to be sure!

The weekend was devoid of official activities, so it was time to socialize and get some relaxing done. Good on both counts.

On Monday all of the national teams checked in at the World Championships headquarters. Then at appointed times each national team reported to the big tent for model processing. The F2 rules are quite specific for most of the events and all models had to be inspected and checked for compliance. When the model passed muster a sticker was placed on it which also served as identification. It was during this time when hearing different languages being spoken that the reality of this being an international happening really sunk in. Later in the afternoon it was time for some pomp and circumstance. All of the nation teams marched to a large circle with flags and regalia followed by playing the national anthem of all 27 countries represented. Some countries were very well represented, and some had only a couple of team members. The teams and spectators were then addressed by some AMA and FAI officials, and then we were all done for the day.

The WC competition started on Tuesday and ran until Saturday. Each event has its own methodology on selecting a champion. Speed is the most simple, with each entrant having the opportunity to fly in four rounds over the week. Single best time will be the winner. Unlike a typical speed contest however, the entrants have to fly during a specific time slot which is randomly drawn. Oh, and I was the height judge again so got to witness virtually every speed flight. The Aerobatics folks also have to fly in a specific order, with qualifying rounds leading to the final rounds. In Team Racing, multiple 100-lap qualifying heats then lead to semifinal races, and a final three-up 200 lap race (races always done with three entries). Can’t really speak as to how the Combat event is done, but with a large entry there were matches starting early each day and running all day long.

By the way, weather was quite pleasant most all of the World Champs week. You often hear folks bad-mouthing the Muncie weather but we had several nice days. Maybe just lucky?

As mentioned, Saturday was the final day of competition. The F2C final race would take place in the mid-afternoon, and with most of the other categories finished, there was a large crowd of spectators. I found myself a good spot to watch and smell the exhaust fumes. The final consisted of two teams from France, and one from Poland. It was an incredible race with all teams up instantly at the go signal and superb pit stops all around. The third place finisher was less than four seconds behind first, a very close race.

In the evening I attended the event closing banquet, which was held in downtown Muncie at a convention hall. We had about 250 people attending, no small affair! At the table I sat enjoyed company of fellow NW folks Scott Newkirk and Paul Gibeault. Also at our table sat Les McDonald, a three time WC Aerobatics champion who provided some enjoyable conversation. After the dinner came the awards and speeches, etc. etc.

And with that my two-week-long Nats and World Champs experience was over.

— Zoot Zoomer (aka Mike Hazel)

Mike at left with the Nats Speed officials.

Mike and Doug Mayer after a line break led to a crash on the fresh new asphalt.


Socializing is a big part of any contest.  Here at dinner are (from left): Sylvia and Delbert Schmitt, Scott Newkirk, Will Naemura, Paul Gibeault, Mike and Laura Hazel.

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This page was updated Aug. 28, 2024