Isle of Wight, August 2001
Nineteen pilots turned up for a weekend of competition and fun flying hosted by Brian Harris and Jeff Diamond.
The Journey
We sailed into Cowes with the fireworks all set to go off, and loads of people lining the promenade.
Saturday - 60 "EPP Pylon Racing.
Our very first 60" EPP Pylon race took place at Atherfield Bay, in smooth 20-25 mph winds. There were 17 competitors.
Several mid-airs caused little problem for the EPP models, most simply carried on flying!
The winner was Mike Evans flying a modified PMP Rico-she. Newcomer Adrian Law was runner up in the finals and placed third overall.
After the racing, Greg Dakin flew a seriously impressive scale Fox. The sight of this big and heavy (16lb) model doing seemingly casual bunts over the water was memorable indeed (see picture below).
Simon Atkinson
John and McCurdy-mobile outside chalets at Atherfield Bay. Cliffs were a 200m walk away.
Pete Rundle entertained us learning to fly his Piccolo.
Ben McC with sisters Karina and Sophie. They're used to Dad playing with toys!
Jeff Diamond and Brian Harris organised a great dinner at the Eight Bells in Carisbrooke. Jeff and Brian are at the head of the table.
Sunday - F3F
Eighteen competitors travelled to Compton Farm, a deep bowl with a gentle landing area. Wind was 25 mph, and quite bumpy.
Unfortunately the weather closed in and the comp was aborted during the fourth round. That left John McCurdy the winner, flying his Pike.
Note impressive chalk cliffs in distance.
Alex flew his Acacia Mk 2 aggressively to take 2nd place. Here tweaking his 3030.
Waiting for the results: Helene, Adrian, Alistair and myself.
Pete Rundle, Greg Dakin, Alex McMeekin and John Phillips.
Mike Evans with dinosaur bone trophy donated by Brian Harris.
John McCurdy won F3Fm here holding a local IoW stone containing iron pyrites, again kindly donated by Brian.
Results
F3F
1 John McCurdy 2797.1 2 Alex McMeekin 2752.3 3 Greg Dakin 2742.6 4 Kev Newton 2718.9 5 Mark Southall 2673.8 6 Pete Rundle 2659.7 7 John Phillips 2572.4 8 Keith Nicholls 2431.3 9 Vic Eldridge 2371.5 10 Mike Shellim 2365.5 11 Peter Bailey 2273.1 12 Adrian Bedford 2257.3 13 Edwin 2201.1 14 Adrian Law 2176.8 15 Mike Evans 2156.3 16 Alistair 1241.1 17 Simon Atkinson 1208.3 18 Jeff Diamond 0.0
Fastest time: John McCurdy 40.04
Pylon
1 Mike Evans 99 2 John Bennett 97 3 Adrian Law 96 4 Alex McMeekin 94 5 Keith Nicholls 93 6 Mark Southall 92 7= Kev Newton 87 7= Mike Shellim 87 9 John Phillips 84 10 Jeff Diamond 82 11 Adrian Bedford 81 12= Edwin 80 12= Greg Dakin 80 12= Alistair 80 15 Pete Rundle 78 16 John McCurdy 76 17 Vic Eldridge 74
Greg Dakin aerobating his Fox over Atherfield Bay - Jeff Diamond photo