Wingbuster Spring Kick Off

NEIL SIMPSON, BRIAN STAS,

JIM CARPENTER & JOE FUSTOLO

ARE TOP FOUR

RICK CLARK TAKES SPORTSMAN

MAY 4, 2003 - MIDDLEBORO, MA – When this reporter pulled into the parking area, at the south end of the Wingbuster’s control line field, one immediately got the feeling that conditions were perfect for Formula GX combat. The sun was shining, the temperature was warm, the breeze was gentle and the field was green, very green. Norm Thibeault, the club member in charge of the grounds, continues to out do himself year in and year out. This year, the field was manicured like the grounds at an expensive country club. As we unpacked the car, people were engaged in conversations about various aspects of modeling, they passed on warm greetings, genuinely enthused to see each other. Contest director, Rick Clark, had a generous supply of hot coffee and doughnuts. We had crossed over from the pressures, sometimes associated with every day life, to a place where toy airplanes reign supreme. It seemed to me that it just couldn’t get any better.

Round one saw Neil Simpson get off to the best start posting an 810 point win. Joe Fustolo and Dick Sherman were just off that pace with 705 points followed by Jim Carpenter and Brian Stas who had each posted 600 point wins. In the first match of round two Neil Simpson and Joe Fustolo hooked up, in a good match that went wire to wire with Neil posting a two cut win. Round two also saw Jim Carpenter and Dick Sherman, stay in the hunt, while flying to a one cut apiece draw. In the next match Brian Stas jumped into the thick of things, posting a two cut win over Paul Kubek. Going into round three Neil had 1515 points while Dick and Brian each had 1305. Joe and Jim were just off that pace with scores of 1205 and 1200 respectively.

In the first match of round three Neil Simpson and Dick Sherman flew to 500 point draw. In the next match Brian Stas jumped into the contest lead out dueling Joe Fustolo three cuts to one. Going into the final round Brian had 2115 points, followed by Neil with 2015pts, while Jim, Dick and Joe all had 1805 points.

The last three matches of the final round would determine the trophy winners. In the first of these matches Glenn Simpson and Dick Sherman flew to a low scoring draw. In the semi-final match Jim Carpenter put the pressure on the leaders with a three cut to one win over Joe Fustolo in a match that was well flown. In the Final match Brian Stas and Neil Simpson squared off against each other. There was lots of action early with Neil eventually getting a small cut. Brian came back, taking all of Neil’s streamer to tie the match, but that would prove to be too much too soon as Brian left Neil over two minutes to secure a final cut and the contest win in the process. The final order of finish was Neil (2720pts), Brian (2715pts), Jim (2615pts), Joe (2405pts) and Dick (2305pts). On this day, Rick Clark went home with the Sportsman division win.

Four out of the top five flyers used OS Max 32SX powered Yankee Nipper or Yankee Nipper clones with GRW tanks. Joe Fustolo used a bladder tanked Fox combat to power his Super Nova. 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

10 contestants (8 from MA )(1 from NH)(1 from CT)

20 matches ( 1 mid-air )

(E) Neil Simpson-E.Brookfield, MA 2720pts

(A) Brian Stas-Kingston, MA 2715pts

(E) Jim Carpenter-Salem, NH 2615pts

(E) Joe Fustolo-Stoughton, MA 2405pts

(E) Dick Sherman-Andover, MA 2305pts

(E)Glenn Simpson-Worcester, MA 2005pts

(A) Paul Kubek-Brockton, MA 1900pts

(A) Len Minick-Clinton, CT 1900pts

(A) Matt Stas-Kingston, MA 1700pts

(S) Rick Clark – Hingham, MA 1500pts