AMPRA REPORT 2011 - Grafton
Friday in Grafton was as near perfect a day for flying as you could ask for, blue sky and little wind. It was hard to believe the weather forecasts of impending heavy rain starting on Saturday afternoon and only getting worse. The truly dedicated were there getting in some practice for Saturday, the field was all prepared, set up and well mown.
Saturday dawned cool and overcast and stayed that way pretty much all day, even got the odd drop of water.
Having followed the weather forecasts for several days I was of the opinion that we would be lucky to get any flying in, let alone three days of it. I made an unpopular call to run 5 rounds of FA1 followed by 5 rounds of Q500. This would ensure that we could select the Junior to go on the Australian team for the World Championships, and also allow those that had been working for FA1, to have their chance to fly.
Following the FA1 competition, Tyler Mees was selected as the Junior to represent Australia at the inaugural Junior competition at the World Champs. In fact the juniors filled both second and third positions in the open competition, with Tyler coming second and Nathan Nichols third.
The Q500 competition was then run with all the usual excitement of close racing that controlled classes provide. See the results for winners etc.
At the end of the day we adjourned to the Grafton Services Club for Dinner followed by the AMPRA AGM & GM’s, see separate minutes. Thanks go to Mike Hennesey for booking the venue for both the meal and meeting. It was raining as we left the Services Club, ominous!!
Sunday I was woken by the sound of rain on the motel roof, however not to be put off we headed out to the field for a repeat of the great breakfast the Grafton Club members put on the day before. Everyone was there and of course the only topic of discussion was the weather and the current rain coming down and how long it would last. Well after another hearty breakfast it looked like we would be able to make a start as there appeared to be a clearing of the weather. Well planes came out from everywhere, engines started, tests made. Then the rain returned, out came the IPhones, logged on to BOM site and it became apparent to most that we were going to get wet and the field was already soggy from the overnight rain. The decision was made by those present to call it quits while we could still pack up and get out. The record shows that they got 4mm of rain Sunday & 62mm on Monday, and the flooding continued along the NSW north coast for the next week.
Unfortunately not the most successful weekend of racing in AMPRA’s history, but we tried.
I have a nice set of F400 trophies if anyone would like to own any of them, bids of $10, $20, or $30 will put one on your mantle piece. Thanks to the Grafton Club for hosting us with so few members, everything was in good order & the catering was great.
Chris Watt
President