Don Lowe Masters: The End of an Era

[TheTank]

Article by Bob "Biff" Sadler
For those of you who have attended any of our events, we're sure
you've felt what we have become known for; fun,fellowship and
hospitality. Recently the host group gathered to discuss the direction
we're headed as a club. What we all agree'd on was that we all enjoy
relaxed flying and sharing Triple Tree with friends old and new the
most. That sparked some pretty frank discussions.

After careful consideration and much soul searching, we've come to
the conclusion that we will no longer host the Don Lowe Masters. One of
the toughest things we all share is not continuing something that is
successful because it really isn't what an organization does best. We
are beyond proud of how this contest evolved and how it affected the
industry. It was never meant to be a replacement for the TOC, but it did
bring some great things to the table; mandatory quiet set ups, a venue
for the world's best pilots, a high profile contest in a low stress
environment and most of all a chance for us to work as a team in a realm
that was far different from what we normally do.

It was certainly bittersweet coming to grips that there won't be
another Don Lowe Masters, but we did breathe a collective sigh when we
realized we were getting back to the basics and simply having fun with
almost no stress. We talked about our other contests and as a group
decided to really push the Youth Masters. Giving those young men and
women the chance to fly world class planes with world class coaches is
really cool for all of us. Teaching young people to make school job #1
and making sure they all understand that being a good sport is more
important than winning is something we all enjoy sharing. We will
continue this event with all of the club members support.

We need to thank Don and Clara Lowe, Mike Gregory, Warren Thomas, Tom
Miller, Tony Russo, Robert Shaw, Horizon Hobby/JR, all of the judges,
Joe Naller's and everyone who worked their rears off to make this event
a reality. Also each and every pilot who ever competed. You guys treated
us to a world class airshow every time!

We hope everyone understands this tough decision as it was made being
completely honest with ourselves. We're very excited about getting back
to the basics of having fun in a reduced stress environment. We welcome
your comments and look forward to seeing you at Triple Tree soon to
share some fun, fellowship and hospitality!

Your flying buddies,

The Confederate Air Farce

[Redneck Shaun]

Man.......This is sad news. We need some deep pockets to get in to RC planes.

[Dangerous Dan]

Awsome job on what you did with this event! I understand the stress it must have put on the awsome people who worked so hard to put it together.

Thank You

[3D-Seth]

Very sad indeed! I will miss all the action and videos etc that come out of the Don Lowe. I am so glad for all the efforts of all those that worked so hard to put on this event. It is always great to see such a turn out of great pilots as well. It will be missed greatly but am glad for what everyone has done and my experiences of being at the Don Lowe. Thanks for great times!

Later....................Seth

[Boulder]

Sad news for R/C, that's for sure...

It's awesome news that an extended effort will go into the Youth Masters, that's our future!!!!!

[Kevin Y]

Thanks to everyone who worked so had to bring us the masters. It is sad to see it go but very understandable, an event of its caliber takes a lot of time and money to do.

I am glad to see that the youth masters will still go on, like everyone has said thats were the future of r/c is.

[Dan_nO]

Man, never got to go to the Masters, wanted to go the last two times but health issues kept me from going and this last year things were beyond my control as to what happened with the plans that we had.

I understand and agree totally 100% with what they are wanting to do as to the youth and spending time with them and teaching them and bringing them up to be top class pilots, but my questions is, if we keep loosing big events like this, what events other than local contests is there going to be for the youth to go and compete in ?

The TOC is no more, the JR Challenge, now that Masters, what will we possibly loose next ?

What do we have left now, the XFC, the NATS and the Shooutout ?

Im really bumbed about this.

[Animal Jesky]

This is very sad news. Like everyone has said I would like to thank everyone who made this contest what it was. From the moment we arrived at Triple Tree we were always treated great. I am very thankful to have been part of this great event where I got to meet many new people and hang out with old friends.

Andrew

[Mr.Pickle]

I thought at first it was April first and had to check my calander. then it hit me- this is for real, What a sad day!!
What do we lose next, possibly the Joe Nall event?


Or mabey the Tucson shootout? I hope not


I got a question.


Will this in turn raise the 2007 Tucson shootout payout?

[davelucas]

I am very saddened about this . It was a great event . I only managed to get there in 2004 and 2006 . In 2006 I had the privalage to sit in the front row and scribe for David Tappin . I met new friends in Pat and Mary Lou , Kirby & Carol ,Wayne & Donna , Stan & Nora and not forgeting Biff - God bless you all. I will have to get to the Nall next year . PS - Biff the Kiwi Cup IS leaving the States this year !

[davelucas]

I wonder who will step up to the plate now and put on a event of this calibre ? The TOC and the DLM gave us the gear we have today .

[Mr.Pickle]

	Quote: Originally Posted by davelucas
	I wonder who will step up to the plate now and put on a event of this calibre ? The TOC and the DLM gave us the gear we have today .

Those events were all VERY good advertisement, so mabey the vendors and backers finally got were they needed to be with sales and or finally found themselves finacially comfortable? ( Now that enough of us are into the 'giant scale'?? I hate to speculate in that direction but feel like what the heck is going on? Mabey I should just take it for what was stated and look to the youth event advancing, But didnt that event flow pretty smooth already? And what about the money 'raised' already for the next DLM? I know I sure contributed my share! Mabey I should ask these questions in PM's but I know alot of people are gonna wonder the same.
Heck, one of the reasons my family chose to move to this area almost 3 years ago was to be closer to 'the big events'.
I am truley saddened