Radio Control Pylon racing is an adrenaline rush like few others offered in RC. Racing head to head against 3 other pilots around the course tests your flying ability and will leave you craving more.

This section of the NMPRA website is designed to give you an overview of a day at a RC Pylon Race. For specifics on class rules and more details visit the AMA Competition Regulations section or post a question on the NMPRA forum.

RC Pylon Competition Regulations

•  Race Course

There are two types of race courses for NMPRA style pylon racing. The 3-pole course is flown at the AMA Nationals, NMPRA Gold Cup races, and many other District Level NMPRA races. The 2-pole course has become increasingly popular especially for first time racers as it more closely resembles a day of sport flying.

3-Pole: Pilots stand near pylons 2 and 3. Models are flown around the 3 Pylons from inside the course for 10 laps.

2-Pole: Pilots stand outside the 2 pylons and fly around the poles. Races are typically 6-8 laps in duration.

Course workers are stationed at all 2/3 Pylons to judge whether or not the models have traveled outside the Pylons. If a pilot fails to fly around a pylon he or she is penalized by adding a lap to finish a heat. This is referred to as a “cut”. If a pilot cuts 2 times in a single heat of racing, the pilot must leave the race course and will receive 0 points.

•  Scoring

Points are awarded based on finish position, order of crossing the start finish line, for each heat.

4 points for 1st place
3 points for 2nd place
2 points for 3rd place
1 point for 4th place

A race must have a minimum of 4 rounds, a series of heats that allows each pilot to fly once, to qualify for national points. On average, most contests are 5 rounds per day. The cumulative score for each pilot is tracked through the day to determine a winner.

If a tie exists after completion of the last scheduled round. The winner is determined by one of two methods. Time can be used as a tie breaker or the much more exciting option is typically chosen, fly-off. Another heat is run where the pilots race off head to head to determine who receives the higher final placing. Fly-offs are always fun to watch and even more exciting to compete in.

•  Pilot's Meeting

The Pilot's Meeting allows the Contest Director to relay information to the contestants about the flying site, reiterate rules, check frequencies, and hand out lane assignments to the racers.

Each pilot will receive a heat card that tells them which heat they will fly in each round. This helps keep the race moving and assures all the rounds are completed.

Lane stickers are also assigned. Lane stickers allow the course workers to focus on a model's sticker rather then to trying to pick out a color scheme or other difference.

There are typically 2 colors of lane stickers which are applied to the high or low wing as the model is rolled up to turn.

Example:
Lane 1 – Low Green
Lane 2 – Low Red
Lane 3 – High Green
Lane 4 – High Red

•  On the Clock

The pilot's make their way to the starting line. The Starter checks each pilot's racer to assure the radio is turned on and everyone is ready to race.

The pilots are then placed on the 60-second starting clock. The clock counts down and the pilot must get their racer started and then move to their flying location before time expires.

“You're on the clock” is one of the most exciting phrases ever uttered for a pylon racer.

If a pilot fails to get his racer started or get turned around for the start signal, the heat is stopped, the pilot receives a zero and the heat is reflown.

•  Race On

After the 60-second start clock expires, the heat of racing begins. The start signal is given, either a drop of a flag or flash of a light, and the first group of racers launch. About a ½ second later the second signal is given and the second group of racers launch.

For odd rounds, lanes 1 & 3 take off at the first start signal. For even rounds, lanes 2 & 4 take off at the first start signal.

During a heat of RC Pylon Racing the pilot is teamed with a caller. The caller is responsible for launching the racer, telling the pilot when to turn at Pylon 1, and provide the pilot important race information. Information like what lap the pilot is on and if any other racers have cuts.

For a cut free race, 10 laps are flown with an insurance lap just in case a cut occurred on the final lap.

A Q-40 AMA event 422 racer will traverse the 2.5 mile 10 lap course in about 1 minute. It's a rush and a minute can seem like a week during a side by side race.

•  Winner's Circle

After conclusion of the regular racing and fly-offs. Pilots are generally rewarded for their effort with a plaque and cheers from their fellow racers. While this may seem like a small pay out for such an investment, the memories and sense of accomplishment will last a lifetime. Not to mention, racing is about far more then fast models and competition, the great people you meet will keep you coming back.