Champion on Champions 2025

 

  Over it’s 15 years the Champion of champions race has become one of the highlights of the racing season for me.  Never because of my own performance but 2 days of top class racing by some of the best pilots in the UK (and now Switzerland).  This year’s race saw some incredible piloting on 2 days that showed the different skills of the pilots.

  Saturday’s conditions built from fast to ballistic as the winds increased to 63mph as we wrestled our models back into the cars.  John showed just what the Saker could do in these conditions as he carved the sky up.  John, like the other pilots in the top 5 showed how to race by collecting the buzzes rather than waiting and turning.  Those of us waiting for the buzz just showed how rusty we are.

  Sunday and as the wind fell the sun came out on the Ice cream slope.  A slope with little or no edge and one where I found it almost impossible to spot the bases.  Mark Redsell continued his dominant performance, the sun seemed to energise John Philips and his decision to race the Wyvern looked inspired.  Energy carried, buzzes collected and round wins starting to come.  The Wyvern looked more and more to be a great summer racing model, the slightest hint of good air and she showed no need for ballast as she tor off.

  Huge congratulations to Mark on his win and John for a well deserved podium for Team Saker, just kept from second by Paul Garnett.  Just about everyone left the slope with a grin and a bit more of a tan than we started the weekend with.  Thank you to the guys who got and kept the show on the road.

Some great days out

 After a frustrating few months where everyone has almost been convinced that good racing conditions just don't happen any more.  This week I've been able to get 2 days on the back of the Wrecker and then the Crest.

  In the lighter air the new lay ups of both the Saker and the Wyvern have delivered a real step up in turning performance.

  The Saker remains just easy to fly and carve all day.  With the heavier weight that the Saker fly's at, it was cutting through the airs variations with very little skill needed from my thumbs.

  Today as the wind built I was really pleased to have the easier ground handling of the smaller Wyvern.  I used my original Wyvern wings that are 120g heavier than the wings we are now producing.  But with the turns opened out the speed built really nicely.  Those heavier wings made flying the Crest's compression so easy and so much fun.

New slopedogs day out.

 This winter has felt like one of the good days falling mid week. Saturday had an almost perfect forecast for Mickie's. It seemed like a great opportunity to take the new slope dog out. She's only 4 months so a slope with less traffic and fewer dogs felt good. It did mean the Saker didn't fit in the car but the Wyverns just about did.

  After 4 hours in 15-30 mph winds and clearing skies I had the broadest smile I've had for a good while. If I could control my elevator thumb this well when there's a course I'd be doing much better at comps.

  It was fun to play with ballast levels and opening up turns while keeping the snapflap settings the same. The speed difference is very noticeable.  I've always pulled the wyvern quite hard around the corners but EM carving turns are proving responsive.

 I've noticed a difference between different models using different servos. The CHA servo fitted newer Wyvern does feel to have a step in performance. Carrying energy really nicely.

  Sunday and I found myself ballasting up the Wyvern again. With the wind now 45mph+ I was really aware to keep the speed up. The 'EM' setting from Saturday worked a treat!

It's not often I get 2 days flying in a weekend and it had me smiling more than I have for a good while.

A cold cold morning.

 Sometimes you just 'need' to get out flying. So as the fog cleared on a light northerly slope dog and I were launching the wyvern off.

  Testament that it doesn't have to be perfect conditions to enjoy your flying.

  The compared with the kingmax servos I have been using the wing with CHAservos  feels like it needs perhaps 20% less throw for things like snapflap. Perhaps less blow back than the kingmax servos?

 A cold but good time had!

UK Wyvern supply

 My drive and motivation of model development is all about the models. I've had so many people asking when the wyvern will be available. Until there's a UK dealer for the Wyvern I've decided to supply directly. 

  Contact me for details 

Some great sport flying with the new lay ups but no racing!

   The winter so far has often been the victim of sod's law.  Great conditions on Fridays and Mondays but not on race days.  That doesn't mean that there's not been any flying and some really good interesting progress on the construction of all the models.

  After some great feed back from different pilots we have been working to reduce weight at the back of the models- particularly the Saker and Wyverns.  Around 10g of weight off each tail and improvements to the fuselage has taken around 90g of weight from the finished fuselages.  I've had the chance to fly new models back to back with older lay ups, ballasted up to the same total weight.  The improvement in flight performance has felt like a real step forwards.

 New Wyvern tail shape on the left.

  After testing the first improved Wyvern layup I ordered fuselages and tail for my Sakers.  I've been a huge advocate for learning your model for the last few years and I've gone and made changes to both my Sakers and built 2 Wyverns.  I have convinced myself that the performance improvement will be worth it.

  You can imagine that I've been keen to get out and practice.  It's been quite easy to do with the Wyverns, they're incredibly fun sports models.  From scratching around to ripping up the storm force winds. The wyverns sport flying characteristics have been so much fun.

  When I have flown the Sakers I have come away thinking- why am i not flying these more often.  The lighter tails feel like they have improved the lighter air performance of the Saker.

  I used the same servos from the original Saker fuselages but for building the Wyverns I've used the new CHA servos.  Perhaps a few years ago I did not realise the effect of good servos but I am a convert.  Slop free and holding the wing section in the shape that you want- doing it right does make a difference.

First fly of the year

 My addiction to flying this week had slope dog and I sat in the car waiting for that 1 hour slot of flyable weather to pass over the slope. I decided not to tell the missus about all the waiting as she txt to see how it was going!

  When the slot did come I had the saker ballasted up to 3.75kg and soon ripping around. Pumping was limited by the cloud base rather than my thumbs this time.  It's just easy with the Saker.