logansc
Well Known Member
The Race to Ridgeland was run today under generally good conditions, with racers coming in from all points on the compass. The turnout was a bit light compared to last year due to low conditions early in the day at nearby airports. But under generally improving conditions all day, we got both the race and the Spot Landing contest in (the much anticipated Balloon Busting Competition had to be cancelled for reasons out of our control). The race course itself was unchanged from previous years, but a major rule change added an interesting challenge for the competitors. A full 360 degree turn plus a follow-on turn to on-course for the next turnpoint was required at each corner of the course. It was interesting listening to the racers work out how best to accomplish these required turns with the least loss of momentum compared to the shortest way around.
The Race to Ridgeland is a trophy race with awards for the first three places. Each racer is handicapped against the manufacturers published maximum power sea level speed for his aircraft. The competitor who comes the closest to their published maximum speed capability for the full 127.7 nm of the course (plus the turnpoint 360's) wins. There is also a trophy for fastest overall which interestingly, has never yet been won by the handicap winner. This years results were especially interesting given that fastest overall was won by Pierre Smith's beautiful RV-10 (that may be a first race win for an RV-10, does anyone know?).
Here are the results of the R2R:
First Place: Dick Watson Cessna 172
Second Place: Jim Wilson Waco YKS-6
Third Place: Pierre Smith RV-10
Fourth Place: John Porter Champion 7EC
Fifth Place: Sweezy/Molnar RV-10
Fastest Around the Course: Pierre Smith/RV-10
Pierre told me he was well above 200 most of the way and had the ?pedal to the metal? all the way. He only got down below 200 in the turnpoint 360's, but even there, he was still at or above 190. Nice job, Pierre! Interestingly, Todd Sweezy and Dave Molnar's V-8 Corvette powered RV-10, which gives up quite a few pounds to Pierre's and which they flew two-up, was right on Pierre's heels all the way. They came in only a couple of minutes behind (sorry, I left the computer with the exact elapsed times on it at the airport). Help me out here, Todd and Dave!
Spot Landing Contest
The spot landing contest was conducted during somewhat erratic wind conditions and because competitors are required to use idle throttle from abeam the numbers all the way to the painted runway target, some significant flying skills are usually on display. Todays competition was certainly no exception and with the best results every recorded for the R2R.
First Place: Avid Napier Cessna 172 2' 6?
Second Place: Raymond Enslow Cessna 172 3' 4?
Third Place: Scotty Dixon DA-20 C1 5' 6?
Fourth Place: Dennis Boissenneau DA-20 C1 8' 2?
Fifth Place: Baylor O'Cain Stinson108-1 9' 5?
Not only did the performance of the Spot Landing contestants impress in general (those are great results, especially in gusty conditions), of particular interest was the performance of Ben Hester, a 16 year old student pilot who turned in a best pass of 20' 10?!
A great time was had by all contestants. R2R visitors were treated to excellent displays of flying all day long included a demo by the Lowcountry Soaring Club and some spectacular RC model flying by National Champion, Dave Pinegar. Hard to have a more fun day at a county airport than this. And special thanks from all of us to our much appreciated Jaspar County Aeronautical Commissioner, Claude Dean.
The Race to Ridgeland is a trophy race with awards for the first three places. Each racer is handicapped against the manufacturers published maximum power sea level speed for his aircraft. The competitor who comes the closest to their published maximum speed capability for the full 127.7 nm of the course (plus the turnpoint 360's) wins. There is also a trophy for fastest overall which interestingly, has never yet been won by the handicap winner. This years results were especially interesting given that fastest overall was won by Pierre Smith's beautiful RV-10 (that may be a first race win for an RV-10, does anyone know?).
Here are the results of the R2R:
First Place: Dick Watson Cessna 172
Second Place: Jim Wilson Waco YKS-6
Third Place: Pierre Smith RV-10
Fourth Place: John Porter Champion 7EC
Fifth Place: Sweezy/Molnar RV-10
Fastest Around the Course: Pierre Smith/RV-10
Pierre told me he was well above 200 most of the way and had the ?pedal to the metal? all the way. He only got down below 200 in the turnpoint 360's, but even there, he was still at or above 190. Nice job, Pierre! Interestingly, Todd Sweezy and Dave Molnar's V-8 Corvette powered RV-10, which gives up quite a few pounds to Pierre's and which they flew two-up, was right on Pierre's heels all the way. They came in only a couple of minutes behind (sorry, I left the computer with the exact elapsed times on it at the airport). Help me out here, Todd and Dave!
Spot Landing Contest
The spot landing contest was conducted during somewhat erratic wind conditions and because competitors are required to use idle throttle from abeam the numbers all the way to the painted runway target, some significant flying skills are usually on display. Todays competition was certainly no exception and with the best results every recorded for the R2R.
First Place: Avid Napier Cessna 172 2' 6?
Second Place: Raymond Enslow Cessna 172 3' 4?
Third Place: Scotty Dixon DA-20 C1 5' 6?
Fourth Place: Dennis Boissenneau DA-20 C1 8' 2?
Fifth Place: Baylor O'Cain Stinson108-1 9' 5?
Not only did the performance of the Spot Landing contestants impress in general (those are great results, especially in gusty conditions), of particular interest was the performance of Ben Hester, a 16 year old student pilot who turned in a best pass of 20' 10?!
A great time was had by all contestants. R2R visitors were treated to excellent displays of flying all day long included a demo by the Lowcountry Soaring Club and some spectacular RC model flying by National Champion, Dave Pinegar. Hard to have a more fun day at a county airport than this. And special thanks from all of us to our much appreciated Jaspar County Aeronautical Commissioner, Claude Dean.
