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

On Monday, August 5, 2013 5:51:39 PM UTC-6, wrote:
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.

Scott,

Yes, I saw that, but there is a fair amount of scatter in 'similar' classes so I wondered about using the individual sailplane handicaps within each class as well.

Mike

On Monday, August 5, 2013 6:51:39 PM UTC-5, wrote:
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.

The C-class has two PIK-20s and they are at 0.95 handicap. The LS-4 is also 0.95 Doesn't this mean the PIK-20s and LS-4 should be in the B-class? The C-class says handicap above 0.95 and the B-class says handicap at or above 0.885 to 0.95.

On Monday, July 29, 2013 5:12:37 PM UTC-4, wrote:
This looks like an interesting format.



Perhaps I'm too jaded as one who isn't all that sentimental about "the good old days of racing" that "The Florida Sailplane Grand Prix has been designed to bring back," but I wonder if the organizers have really thought through what unlimited altitude starts and finishes mean, at least if anyone gets at all serious about the race.



Up in to the clouds for the last few minutes before the start? Zero zero final glides? What happens when you put competitive glider pilots wingtip to wingtip, give points to the guy who finishes one inch ahead of the other? Answer: well, it's exiting for the spectators. Even the IGC grand prix went to altitude limited finishes after a little too much excitement. I hope the fields near Seminole are hospitable and the fence is low.



And with a class that starts at handicap 0.880 and below, with no glider handicapping, I know what I will bring to Florida if I can make it.



That said, the general concept of starting a reasonably small race at the same time, and getting rid of start gate roulette and leeching once and for all seems attractive.



I don't know what that has to do with "the good old days," where starting last, diving through a 3000' gate at VNE and catching the gaggle were the heart of the game.



John Cochrane

let em try it.

I'm merely just passing along information to help keep everyone in the loop.

I understand John Leibacher is in the process of updating turnpoint file to show a start line and finish line. This will be posted soon as it's in a temporary folder now.

If you would like updates to this specific event and subsequent events, please send an email to --- sailplanegrandprix (at) yahoo (dot) com --- You will be added to an email list.

Also, reach out to Andreea Alexandrescu who is overseeing the gliderport and is in support of this event. It is worth emailing her a note to say thank you.


PS The Farmers Almanac is predicting 3-4 kt thermals to a cloudbase of 4,500 feet, winds less than 10 knots and a B/S ratio of 10 with thermal top uncertainty less than 1,000. We should be in for a good time!

Update from Andy McQuigg emailed out today:

Grand Prix Update 9-17-13

Hello to all the competitors in the Grand Prix Race! So far, everything is ready to go starting on September 27th for those who can make it to the unofficial practice day and for ALL pilots the mandatory safety meeting that evening.

Great news - Andreea will be here for the weekend and it will be good to see her. She will be a big help for all of us.

We will have a pilot packet ready for each pilot with the usual contest type forms please have all of your required documents for registration. Those of you that have no crews must fill out another form stating who that person will be in the event that you land out. The daily pilots meeting will be in the big hangar and we will meet each morning at10 am for the weather briefing and the probable tasks.

I will give a detailed briefing on the start finish line and a few safety rules we must adhere to. If you have not done so please look at the Seminole Lake website for useful info on the field rules traffic patterns, frequencies, etc. Please make sure that your sailplane and trailer are in perfect working order everyone must have down loadable navigation instruments and a fully functional radio. If the weather is in question for this or any future races we will post it on the website that the weekend is cancelled. If you have any questions please e-mail me directly at .

I look forward to seeing all of you. Remember, safety first and it will be a great soaring experience for everyone.

Regards,
Andy McQuigg

Cannot wait for this!!! The Start Line is going to be a blast!

Sean

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013 4:53:24 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Update from Andy McQuigg emailed out today:



Grand Prix Update 9-17-13



Hello to all the competitors in the Grand Prix Race! So far, everything is ready to go starting on September 27th for those who can make it to the unofficial practice day and for ALL pilots the mandatory safety meeting that evening.



Great news - Andreea will be here for the weekend and it will be good to see her. She will be a big help for all of us.



We will have a pilot packet ready for each pilot with the usual contest type forms please have all of your required documents for registration. Those of you that have no crews must fill out another form stating who that person will be in the event that you land out. The daily pilots meeting will be in the big hangar and we will meet each morning at10 am for the weather briefing and the probable tasks.



I will give a detailed briefing on the start finish line and a few safety rules we must adhere to. If you have not done so please look at the Seminole Lake website for useful info on the field rules traffic patterns, frequencies, etc. Please make sure that your sailplane and trailer are in perfect working order everyone must have down loadable navigation instruments and a fully functional radio. If the weather is in question for this or any future races we will post it on the website that the weekend is cancelled. If you have any questions please e-mail me directly at .



I look forward to seeing all of you. Remember, safety first and it will be a great soaring experience for everyone.



Regards,

Andy McQuigg

On Monday, August 5, 2013 8:44:22 AM UTC-4, wrote:
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.

Which video did you watch? I'd like to see it too!

I'd be willing to loan out a go pro, I am just not sure the battery would last longer than 1.5 hrs unless mounted inside the cockpit with a USB power source.

Results are up here --- https://sites.google.com/site/florid...ndprix/scoring

Sunday turned out to be a spectacular day. 159 mile task with speeds around 50 mph were scored. A great time was had by all!

Thanks to Seminole for your outstanding support. Next months event dates will be released shortly.

Sean
7T

Hi Guys,

I sort of remember there being a new website for Florida Sailplane Grand Prix, but I just can't seem to find it. Could someone please post the new website link if there is one?

Thanks in advance,
Josh