IMAC N.Ireland 2009
It all started on friday afternoon. Myself, Colin and Owen travelled down to Tyrella in a convoy, with me in my van towing an old caravan, Colin and Owen picking up the parts that fell off.
We got their about 5.30p.m. and there were thirty or so people already camped out.
Once we got the caravan parked and the polo players had finished their match the shockflyers came out
and stayed out flying even after dark with their suped up shockies with night lights.
(CLICK ON THE PIC TO WATCH A QUICK VIDEO)Saturday morning we woke about 7.45a.m. with thumping heads. Mathew gave us a shout and told us that Phelim and Harry Reid had cooked everyone a fry (i know, Phelim cooking !!!) but to be fair they done a fantastic job cooking for up to 50 people. Soon after 9 a.m. the competition started. The pilots had to put up with strong winds and strong gusts.
It was not long before spectators started to arrive and it was good to see a good turn out from members of UMAC, as this was in my opinion the best R.C event to be held in Ireland.
The competition continued all day stopping only for lunch thanks to Banbridge MFC. With the wind dyeing down and the sun breaking through the IMAC boys kept the best till last, Freestyle. In this event the pilots fly a pattern to music and push their planes to the limit. This part, for me, was the best part of the weekend as we were able to sit eating our dinner a few feet away from the flight line watching some of the best pilots from Northen Ireland and the UK .
Sunday started with the weather picking up and the competition got under way , I had a quick look at the results and the boys from here were doing well, from what I can remember Gorden McCrea was first in basic, Richard McMasters was first in sportsman, Phil Hoyer was first in intermediate followed by Sean Scuillon (BAC), Steve Malllnder was leading in Unlimited with Matt Poots close behind. Matt was leading the freestyle and his old friend Simon McNeill was hot on his heels. At this point it was all to fly for.
The boys from Tyrella MFC provided us all with a lovely lunch, this set us up for the afternoon as I sat down
and watched the rest of the competition.
Mathew had orgainised a raffle which was held on both days where there was a top prize of a DA80 petrol engine and a Spectrum DX7 2.4 radio set. There were many other items also that could be won.
Then came the results and the pilots from Northern Ireland did fantastic winning four out of six classes.
To sum things up it was a great weekend. A big thanks to Mathew and his dad Trevor for organising this event and for all the pilots from the UK for coming over and taking part.
Now I will have to start practicing for next year....
