2006 Masters Downunder!

[LeadingEdge]

Article Written by: Barrie "TowBall" Fox

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Editor's comments:

Folks, meet The Giants from Down Under! Our friends from Australia are well known around these parts, and bring a great attitude and vibe to our community. Recently, The ASAA hosted their big annual event - The Bendigo Scale Aerobatics Masters. Fun time was had by all, and our friend Barrie "TowBall" Fox brings us this contest wrap-up...

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2006 Masters Downunder!

The IMAC Masters was held at the Marong field in Victoria on the weekend of Friday 31st March to Sunday 2nd April.

The weekend for myself and some of the others began on the Wednesday prior. On arrival the West Aussies were set up and practicing hard. The weather over the entire time was cool and breezy, and mostly a crosswind. Half of the Marcs boys arrived at about 11.00am on Wednesday and straight to the field for a practice.

We then headed back to the Marong Caravan Park to clean up organise dinner. The Marong pub was the winner, where they serve anything from salads to pasta to steaks and a good-sized meal at a reasonable price.

Thursday was a repeat of Wednesday except for the queue to fly. The Queue had grown from 6 to about 12 at any one time. Dinner was at Wilco’s in Bendigo, pizza x 10 was on the menu. A few beers and a chat while Mark Easton replaced his broken tuned pipes with a set of mufflers that Wilco had in his garage.

Friday was the first day of competition and kicked off at 11.00am. Still the breeze blew across the strip and the temperature didn’t rise high enough for me. Friday was not a day to remember for Chris Brislin when his 2.6 Comp ARF Extra logged off and on while Chris fought with it. Unfortunately Chris lost the battle and the Extra bit the dust, Mick Dakers promptly put his hand up and said that Chris could fly his plane. Chris was back in the driver’s seat in no time. Thanks to Mick and all the others who offered their planes.

Andrew Marshall also came to grief in the crosswinds and his undercarriage tore out and went up through the wings. Andrew headed off to a fibreglass place in Bendigo and was back in the air Saturday afternoon. Thanks to all those who assisted
Andrew in getting the plane back up.

Friday night was a BBQ at the Marong Caravan Park and a few ales. Thanks to Mad Max and Biff from the Flying Giants for making the BBQ and beer possible.

Saturday and Sunday went smoothly without drama; everybody assisted in making sure we managed to get through the 43 entries. Presentations were done Sunday afternoon followed by the lucky draw for all the prizes. Two newcomers from the Marcs club both went home with new planes. Frazer Briggs was pulled out of the barrel a couple of times and after securing his 2mt Extra Comp ARF, he donated his other prize to Andrew (Brutus) Marshall for determination to get the plane back in the air.

Thanks to all those who made the event a success…..

[excelpoint]

Nice work Towball. Thanks Max, Biff and the crew for supporting us boys Downunder.

[rcdart]

Like to say thanks to Richo and his band of merry men (and Mrs Richo, thanks Jules) at Bendigo for a great comp, Bogan for his input and help to all that asked, great to see a dude of his position and talent, that hooks in to help, judging, inputing scores, answering all the questions from one and all, then to turn around and donate some of his prizes to those that fared not so well (Brutus, Chrisbchips) was fantastic.
The Masters has become the benchmark for IMAC comps here in Auz, and I think that all the organisers should take a huge pat on the back!!

To ALL the sponsors, thank you very much, to see a prize pool of I guess around $10,000.00 was unbelieveable, and well apprieciated.

To all the competitors that kept lining up to fly, in less than favourable conditions, well done.

Chrisbchips, to be able to bounce back from planting a plane tree out in the paddock, to fly a strange plane into 4th place in unlimited, congrat's

Mick

[RustyTumbles]

It was a great weekend all round. A big thanks to everyone involved in putting the event together.

Also I'd like to thank the guys that helped me out during the course of the weekend. This was my first IMAC comp and I was welcomed with opened arms and a great bunch of blokes who were more than happy to help me out (even though I was flying a bipe) and guide me through the weekend.

Thanks agian guys well done.....

[Jamieman]

The BDMC was represented & i will make sure i will be there next time.
The prize pool sounded as awesome as the event itself. Maybe no howling cross wind next time.

[notorious_benny]

Thanks for the wrap Barrie!!

For those not at the event, nor who watch the downunder thread, we have some pics posted in the big events section under videos and photos. There is even a video od Frazers freestyle flight!

Also for those interested in the results of the Masters you can find them here

http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/s...?t=46&page=148

[madmax]

Hey guys, thanks alot for the excellent photos in the aus thread, and of course from the big events gallery! You are all a good group of folks who fully embrace the camaraderie that this hobby brings us. Congrats on your big one, and I hope you all enjoyed "the round"! I'm still waiting for the official photo. TB, feel free to work you photoshop magic jk!

[snoopy]

from all the west aussis once again thanks a fun time had by all, the folks that missed it will never catch up on that one will be seeing u next year bill mark roman pete jason and gary

[excelpoint]

For anyone intrested the Report for the Bendigo Masters is in the Download area on the ASAA site hope you enjoy it. Its down the very bottom of the list.
www.scaleaeros.com.au