WBSK05

Wingbuster

Spring Kick Off

NEIL SIMPSON, JOE FUSTOLO, JEFF VADER

& RICK CLARK ARE TOP FOUR IN FORMULA GX

NEIL SIMPSON, MARK RUDNER & KEN HARGREAVES

TAKE THE TROPHY SPOTS IN F2D

APRIL 30 & MAY 1, 2005 - MIDDLEBORO, MA – Again, this year, the Wingbuster Spring Kick Off was a two day affair featuring Formula GX combat on Saturday and F2D combat on Sunday. The weather was unsettled both days. On Saturday there was rain or drizzle for the second half of the contest while on Sunday the start of the action was delayed about one hour. Lots of rain fell overnight Saturday making the field conditions very wet and the center circle extremely muddy for Sunday’s action.

On Saturday morning the GX event got off to a fast start with Neil Simpson and Joe Fustolo showing the way with 725 and 620 points respectively. Rick Clark, Jeff Vader and Glenn Simpson were in the hunt, as well, with 500 plus point first round scores. In the first match of round two Neil Simpson stayed hot posting a one cut win over Joe Fustolo. Round two also saw Jeff Vader and Rick Clark fly to a 510 point draw which was good for both their causes. In the first match of round three Neil Simpson earned a one cut win over Rick Clark. Joe Fustolo then got a two cut to one win over Jeff Vader in a hard fought match. Going into the final round Neil had 1965 points, followed by Joe with 1545 points with Jeff and Rick just off Joe’s pace.

The last two matches of the final round would determine the trophy winners. In the first of these matches Joe and Rick had an action filled match that, unfortunately, ended in the final minute, with a mid air. In the final match Neil Simpson got a one cut win over Jeff Vader to earn the contest win. The final order of finish was Neil (2585pts), Joe (1950pts), Jeff (1720pts), and Rick (1630pts).

On Sunday, we were back to fly F2D Combat. As the day unfolded there were a lot of good matches, as everyone was flying very well, showing no signs of rust, from the long winter layoff. We had five contestants so we ran a round robin where everyone flew the remaining four guys once each. This gave everyone four matches. When it was over Ken Hargreaves, Mark Rudner and Neil Simpson were all posting identical 3-1 records. A two match fly off was agreed upon. One man would draw a bye and the other two would fly for second and third. The winner of that match would fly the pilot with the bye for first and second. Neil earned the bye via the luck of the draw. Ken and Mark hooked up to decide who would fly Neil in the final match. Ken, who had beaten Mark earlier in the day, could not duplicate his effort. Both pilots had earned a cut, when at about the three minute point the ground came up forcing Ken to settle for third place. In the final match there was a great deal of action, most of it featuring Mark chasing and Neil running for his life. It was past halfway when Mark got one big cut, all but about the last six inches. Neil then turned into the aggressor in an attempt to get two small cuts, however, he also got one large cut leaving only about six inches of Mark’s streamer. Furious tight action ensued followed by a line tangle during which both pilots got one additional cut. With about thirty seconds left and only about one remaining wrap to get out of, the ships got too far apart and Mark crashed. That little bit of airtime gave Neil the match and the contest win. Sometimes lucky is better then good.

Thank You to Rick Clark who cd’ed this contest and did a lot of work behind the scenes to bring it to fruition. Thank You to the Wingbuster Model Airplane Club for the use of their great facility.

Wingbuster Spring Kick Off

Formula GX Combat

8 contestants ( 7 from MA )( 1 from NH )

16 matches ( 3 mid-airs )

(E) Neil Simpson-E.Brookfield, MA