Competing for bragging rights

BROOKSVILLE As soon as he started the motor, Dave Wall grew silent and his eyes filled with a look of concentration.

He carefully maneuvered his remote controlled plane around each turn, not blinking for fear he might get behind in the race.

When the heat was over, Wall turned to his fellow competitor Bob Nicholas and flashed him a huge grin.

"Yeah, you beat me that time," he admitted.

Wall was competing for bragging rights in the Florida Club 40 Radio Control Pylon Race Saturday at HAM Field in Brooksville, where more than 20 contestants raced in more than 60 heats to win the top title.

After Wall made a few adjustments to his plane, he was ready to fight for first place in the next race.

"It's all about the bragging rights," he said. "I live to compete against people."

Wall, who has been flying remote controlled planes for six years, said the plane of choice at the competition is a Sky Raider, which has a wingspan of 48 inches and can travel as fast as 90 miles per hour.

The course consists of two poles that are 600 feet apart. There are three rounds of races with four or more heats per round. Each heat consists of four planes and 10 laps around the poles.

Points are earned based on the planes' position at the finish of each heat. Points are totaled for each pilot's individual three rounds, and the top four pilots with the most points for those three rounds will compete in the all or nothing Gold Race, which determines the overall winner for the day.

Wall said even though he does have a competitive side, he has become close friends with his fellow pilots.

"Everybody knows everybody here from other clubs so that's kind of nice," he said.

Club president Bill Panzeter said the club hosts 11 events each year, including charity races with proceeds benefitting the Hernando County Cattlemen's Association.

"Our motto is fly safe and have fun," he said. "The gate's always open and you're always open to come and learn. It's like golf. When you get into it, you can't get out of it."

For more information on the Florida Club 40 Pylon Racing, visit www.floridaclub40pylonracing.com.