Florida Sailplane Grand Prix Race Sep 27-29 at Seminole Lake

John,

It's a casual event, so contain your enthusiasm! Simply a relaxed, easy going, weekend excursion. Nobody graduates to the world championship if they win. Maybe, just maybe, they might get a free beer around the bonfire if they're not too boastful.

You've completely missed the number one rule listed. That includes FAR 91.115, so you can relax now. Knowing Andy, if someone was psychotic enough to be found flying IMC, and a flight trace verified it, he would hook up their trailer for them and escort them to the nearest airport exit immediately!

As far as the good old days, when "racing was actually racing": it was before the 30 mile radius turn cylinders days and before MAT's where gliders actually competed in the same air mass, to measure ones performance against each other, not measure gliding 100 miles apart.

Rules have spiraled so out of control, you need a cliff notes version to understand just even the basics. This complex set of rules actually turns off alot of pilots from even entering their first race. If somebody doesn't simplify them, and put an end to adding rule after rule after rule, before too long, we'll all be finishing at 5,000 feet, and have to keep a 1 mile distance apart for spacing while using our FLARM's (booooring). Then, someone will add the mother of all rules that says "the main rule is that nobody can have any fun."

Thankfully, Andy has set up a simple race much like the GTA events. Cost is free. Can't beat that! As for me, I'm looking forward to some great flying with good company.

John,

Ionia 2012? What are you saying? Please add detail?

Sean
F2/7T

Scott,

Great post. I think you meant FAR 91.155 (general airspace requirements). Surely a typo!

I cannot wait to fly this event. So simple! So pure! So fun!!!

Sean

Looks like 2 of 3 classes are full already!

https://sites.google.com/site/florid...ix/contestants

Class B has only 5 spots open! Sign up if you can folks.

Class A and C are already full...

From someone who has always wanted to get into racing, I am excited to see this being held just up the road from me (when I am stateside)!!! So much so I actually got off my butt and got recurrent last weekend just because of this event. Seminole Lake is a great glider port and this sounds like a great way to get into racing with no real pressure! I am sure it will be a blast and a real boost to the gliding community!

Now hopefully I can get out of work in the country of -----stan that I am in during this time!

Hope to see you all out there!

Josh

Anyone have a gopro camera who might film this race from their sailplane?

I would be ecstatic to watch a 2-3 hour race compressed into a 5 minute video.


Just watched a fine video from europe of this style and LOVED it.


Here's a beer/margarita/wine on me to whoever who tackles this thought.

Tailwinds,
SA

SA,

I have a cockpit setup that allows me 3 cockpit cameras and an external with an aero pod. I will DEFINITELY bring this and plan to edit it into a video each evening!!!!

Sean

On Friday, July 26, 2013 4:24:39 PM UTC-6, wrote:
Thanks to Andy McQuigg, he has volunteered to direct a series of weekend "Grand Prix" style races that are of no cost, other than your tow fees. Here is a website if you are interested.



Email Andy McQuigg at ash99e(at)yahoo(dot)com to sign up for the event.





Visit ---- https://sites.google.com/site/florid...lanegrandprix/





Tailwinds,

SA

This is very cool. Will there be handicaps in place to account for the differences in performance within each class, or is it a non issue?

Mike

Mike, it's grouped into similar handicaps to keep it simple so everyone has the same turnpoints to round. Interestingly the C-class has all a 1.00 handicap from those signed up. See the website to read more.

Sean, now that's going the extra mile right there. Can't wait to see it! Let me know how I can help.