RC Laser Bart's Bash at Fleetwood Model Boat Club
by Tony Wilson 26 Sep 2019 11:53 BST
15 September 2019
RC Laser racing in Bart's Bash at Fleetwood © Tony Wilson
Continuing on the great success from last year's Lake Garda event, Derek had decided to join with other clubs and try out the Bart Simpson charity sailing at Fleetwood. With the RC Laser Nationals being held the following weekend, this would present a good opportunity to practise for any that would like to.
This weekend was being sailed globally, all at the same time, but mostly in full size dinghies.
The day was a RC Laser afternoon for a worthy cause, so no need to check on your latest position in the Northern or National tables as this was just for fun. The Lasers had been chosen in advance for the following weekend as a Nationals warm up to be held also at Fleetwood.
The Priestly team had set up the day and it was after the successful day on Lake Garda last year with the DF95's that they wanted a bit of a follow up. All around clubs were dedicating their sailing day to the Andrew 'Bart' Simpson charity, to help sailing clubs in less fortunate locations. Full size dinghies and other crafts were being used with some sort of handicap system for points and it was thought we could tag along with the model boats. At least two other RC sailing clubs in the UK were also sailing radio, one with the DF95 and another were using IOMs.
We met up at Fleetwood for 1:30pm as the prom was closed in the morning due to a cycle race. This proceeded with a small boat jumble sale, a coffee and sandwiches all donated by the local skippers. Derek told us the plan and we relocated outside for some racing.
14 skippers had enrolled for a small nominal entry fee and out of these four were non RC Laser skippers which was good. The course of action was to beat up the lake measured out at 150 metres return and repeat. Only two buoys to be used and the start and finish line would complete a 600 metres course.
The first race was a bit of a seeding race, where the fleet was split into two groups of seven and the times were recorded. Fastest time recorded was John P. with 11:57 and a 15:50 the slowest for a non Laser skipper which was also good.
With two boats dropping out we were able to compile four teams of three. TOT's (Team of three) which were randomly chosen from a mix of the results. Team one sailed along with team two and then a change around for team three and four. All the while the wind seemed to be dropping. Team one then sailed team three and two against four to finish off the scores.
We had initially started off thinking it was border line between A and B rig, but all had sailed with 'A' rig and by the end the wind had virtually dithered to nothing. Apart from a bit of drizzle the sailing seemed to go well.
Count up at the end of the day had Team Eric as the winners for the mugs. The day made £141 all towards the charity.
Incidentally we had one non RC Laser skipper in each of the winning groups which made it well balanced and a good worked out system. We had a good day and hope there's many more to come.
Thanks to Derek and Maureen for the smooth running of the show and to Bob.J and Trevor with the recording.
Results for Team of three:
1 Eric Austwick 88.29 secs
Sue Parkington
Bob Jones
2 Tony Wilson 90.25 secs
Peter Isles
Ken Crabtree
3 John Plant 96 52 secs
Ian Thompson
Steve Mattison
4 Walter Audley 98.40 secs
Mike Priest
Mike Parkington