Information about SPKA Race Day 3
11th of May 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.
The event will be held at the West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife on the 11th of May 2008, please note the venue change (the SPKA are presently not using Stevenston as an event venue on safety grounds).
The Buggy Racing Series this year will consist of (hopefully) 10 races over the competition dates set. The SPKA will be aiming to get as many races as possible in on the day (~3-4 wind and weather dependant). 1 Discard is awarded after 4 races, 2 Discards are awarded after 8 races, and 3 Discards are awarded after 12 races, and running with the same marshalling average system as last year whereby If a pilot elects to Marshal a race then their score is averaged over their other participated races, but a pilot may only have 3 averaged scores per series, therefore any races marshalled after this number will be marked as fleet plus 1 as normal. These averages will be calculated after discards have been awarded, and be altered after each consecutive race so a rough position can be estimated throughout the series.
Entrants to the buggy racing will be required to show a recognised buggy pilots licence and all participants will need to show proof of valid insurance on the day. The entry fee will be £7 to enter the Racing for the day.
Registration is at 10am
If you are interested in becomming a licenced buggy racer then check out the SPKA Buggy Pilots Licencing Information page and drop Jim the licencing officer an email: trainer @ spka.org (remove spaces).
Remember, the SPKAs competition days are great fun! Come along at 10am and take part or watch, you won't regret it!
In order to let newer racers settle in and try a course in less competitive conditions the SPKA will be running an 'introductory race' at the start of the day, so if you're interested and have a buggy then come along at registration and make it known that you want to give racing a go!
The introductory race will entail a simple race course and will be entirely of the fun variety. No licence will be required for the fun event however proof of valid insurance will be, please note the introductory race is also completely FREE.
PLEASE NOTE IF RACING YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OF VALID INSURANCE AND A VALID PILOTS LICENCE* (*Not required for Introductory Race).
Please also read and understand the SPKAs Standing Rules and Regulations.
Preregistration is available Here.
The Celtic Challenge
Report on 3rd/4th of May 2008 - Benone, Co. Londonderry, Ireland.
The first leg of the event was held across the water in Benone, a fabulously smooth beach. With a number of pilots ranging in experience competing it looked set to be a great event, however on Saturday the high winds and rain meant that there would be no racing. So in good spirit everyone went to the Benone complex for a BBQ (by this time the rain had stopped) and a friendly football match with some holidaying kids ensued, the end result? Kiters should really stick to what they're good at!
Sunday began much the same way although with slightly lighter winds, but slowly the rain became less frequent and the wind dropped to much more managable conditions and a race was called. As soon as the 15min countdown was started however, the rain began again, and continued until 2.30pm, and with the rain stopped the wind disappeared.
So the Celtic Cup could still go to either nation, it now falls to Scotland to provide the weather for the next round.
Information about 7th/8th of June 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Scotland
In 2007 the Irish took the Quaich after just 1 successful race, but this year all will be different!
With a vast improvement in the skills of the Scottish racers over the past year we hope that this year the prize will be coming to Scotland and forever the nation will remember the year... 2008!
Ok, well, maybe not, but last year all involved had a great time and got to see some Irish scenery as well as meet old and make new friends on the beach.
The second round of the competition will be held at argueably the best beach for flying in Scotland, St. Andrews. It looks likely that due to adverse weather conditions over the SPKA series to date, that the results from the Scottish leg of the Celtic Challenge will contribute towards the annual series.
Entrants to the buggy racing will be required to show a recognised buggy pilots licence and proof of valid insurance on the day.
If you are interested in becomming a licenced buggy racer then check out the SPKA Buggy Pilots Licencing Information page and drop Jim the licencing officer an email: trainer @ spka.org (remove spaces).
Please also read and understand the SPKAs Standing Rules and Regulations.
Report on SPKA Race Day (3) and Freestyle Day (1)
27th of April 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.
The days weather could not be more perfect, solid sunshine all day and onshore winds, unfortunately the wind was more of a breeze.
This combination of a lack of wind and the lack of interest from competitors meant that the freestyle events could not take place.
However it was just strong enough to start a race for the buggys, however shortly after the start the race was called due to the low winds and the vast majority of pilots struggling with the tricky conditions. The race was continued from the cancellation with an announcement that it was now for fun rather than position and a few continued to lap around until the time was up. Unfortunately that was the only action on the day, hopefully 2 weeks time will serve flyers some better wind.
Thanks to all the marshals and scorers who helped out, once again doing an excellent job.
Report on the Freestyle Meet
26th of April 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.
The wind was a bit too strong for most beginners on the day, however a few turned up, the more experienced riders spent most of the day dodging showers and flying about while those less confident watched on.
Another Freestyle meet will be coming up in the next few months so keep an eye out!
Report on SPKA Race Day (3)
30th of March 2008 - Ardeer Beach, Stevenston.
Unfortunately the event was a bit dampened, first by the rain, and then by a distinct lack of wind, the majority of flyers chatted until around 1.30pm and the racing was called off. As is always the case, as soon as the majority had departed, the wind returned at 15mph onshore with bright blue skies. Lets hope it stays like that...
If you are interested in becomming a licenced buggy racer then check out the SPKA Buggy Pilots Licencing Information page and drop Jim the licencing officer an email: trainer @ spka.org (remove spaces).
Results up to this time are available by following this link: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008 Results
Report SPKA Race Day 2 and Freestyle Day (1)
2nd of March 2008 - Ardeer Beach, Stevenston.
The forcast during the week leading up to the event was not looking promising, however luck was on our side and flyers arrived to some slightly variable moderate winds for a change. The board freestyle unfortunately was not able to go ahead as most of the riders could not make the trip across the country for such a bad forcast. However buggy racing went ahead and a course was set out.
Tricky conditions and a narrow beach limited the scope for the course, which ended up as lengthy upwind and downwind stretches with marks to keep flyers seperate when heading in opposite directions.
A wet and firm beach meant that there was a variety of wheel choice however none was proved completely superior on the day.
Just as the chequered flag went out for the leader there was an accident with another pilot which saw the end of the days racing and flying. Buggy freestyle unfortunately was also cancelled.
But one more race now contributes to the series meaning competition is hotting up throughout the positions. No discards yet, however with the next race 1 discard will count and those presently in the lead may find their advantage fading...
If you are interested in becomming a licenced buggy racer then check out the SPKA Buggy Pilots Licencing Information page and drop Jim the licencing officer an email: trainer @ spka.org (remove spaces).
Results are available by following this link: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008 Results
Report on the SPKA Race Day 1
27th of January 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.
Well after the first windless attempt at racing and freestyle in November the Race Day went ahead with significantly more wind. At the start of the day the conditions were offshore with challenging winds of around 20-25mph. The racing went underway early on in the day, the first race commencing at around 10.45am. 19 pilots navigated around the course which involved a short leg to the first mark which was in some damp sand, before heading on to the most seaward mark almost directly across wind, from there a slightly upwind line heading towards the estuary caught some people out before the tighter upwind line to the last marker inland. A quick turn there saw pilots heading across wind again towards the line for another lap.
Race Master Jim H was on hand with the flags and the races ran smoothly until halfway through the second race when there was a number of significantly larger gusts. After a short time it was clear that the wind was hitting well over 35mph, and was deemed unsuitable for racing and so the 2nd race was called short. Pilots returned to the pits and realised exactly how much the wind had increased. Some feeling comfortable while buggying, but when standing up discovering they were struggling. After an hours break for lunch and to allow the wind to calm down the Racing was called off for the day at around 2pm since the tide was expected to come in fast in the near future and the wind was still extremely high, gusting 47mph at times.
All the flyers were greatful for the dry and relatively warm conditions for a change.
2 races complete... what will the rest of the series bring?
Results are available by following this link: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008 Results
Photographs can be found on the SPKA website in the SPKA Race Day 1 2007-2008 Album.
And the Marshall Productions video can be downloaded Here (roughly 6Mb)
