What are your thoughts about the Parallel Glider Race

It'll be about as exciting as a yacht race with no wind. Just imagine a bunch of Americas Cup boats being given a shove to see which goes furthest!

Mike

If they can make the race short it will draw well. Perhaps have them release at 1,500 feet over the runway, race out and make one lap in like 3-5 minutes with a low pass dropping ballast on the spectators, the Saudi's are going to go nuts for that. I would too. Of course, we may see flutter and some wings getting ripped off, but following NASCAR's lead, that's what the people want anyway.
I see this working, most of the public thinks we just glide down from release anyway, no need to confuse them with the concept of soaring...

Rules just published he https://t.co/ftsqzaruG2

Sean
7T

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 4:19:24 PM UTC-8, Sean Fidler wrote:
Rules just published he https://t.co/ftsqzaruG2

Sean
7T

Sort of like Olympic Lawn Darts.

Richard

call me a sellout, but i'd sign up to get paid to be a professional glider sled-racer. in a heartbeat. i'd still do some REAL soaring in my spare time, make no mistake. why not? i bet it would be fun.

I have conceptualized (like others i bet) a version of glider racing similar to formula 1 or nascar, where they do a grandprix style race with 20 pilots or so each weekend at a different site and televise it with chase helicopters and stuff. having the points add up each season to make an overall points winner for some cup or whatever you want to call it at the end of the season. call me crazy but i would definitely fly in some goofy unnecessary uniform and live out of a motorhome racing gliders on TV each sunday, with sponsorship decals all over my glider. I really would.

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6:19:24 PM UTC-6, Sean Fidler wrote:
Rules just published he https://t.co/ftsqzaruG2

Sean
7T

Well, OK, it's a glider race the same way the Red Bull airplane races are races, I guess.

Seems a shame to limit the finish to no lower than 30 meters AGL. What's the fun in that? Now if they made that the MAX altitude from the last turn to the finish, that would make it interesting!

May the best pitot-static system win!

Kirk
66

Chicks and money?

On 11/6/2015 8:59 AM, ND wrote:
call me a sellout, but i'd sign up to get paid to be a professional glider sled-racer. in a heartbeat. i'd still do some REAL soaring in my spare time, make no mistake. why not? i bet it would be fun.

I have conceptualized (like others i bet) a version of glider racing similar to formula 1 or nascar, where they do a grandprix style race with 20 pilots or so each weekend at a different site and televise it with chase helicopters and stuff. having the points add up each season to make an overall points winner for some cup or whatever you want to call it at the end of the season. call me crazy but i would definitely fly in some goofy unnecessary uniform and live out of a motorhome racing gliders on TV each sunday, with sponsorship decals all over my glider. I really would.

--
Dan, 5J

Me too!

On Friday, November 6, 2015 at 1:32:49 PM UTC-5, kirk.stant wrote:
On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 6:19:24 PM UTC-6, Sean Fidler wrote:
Rules just published he https://t.co/ftsqzaruG2

Sean
7T

Well, OK, it's a glider race the same way the Red Bull airplane races are races, I guess.

Seems a shame to limit the finish to no lower than 30 meters AGL. What's the fun in that? Now if they made that the MAX altitude from the last turn to the finish, that would make it interesting!

May the best pitot-static system win!

Kirk
66

Keep in mind.... you can never beat the lowest finish, best you can do it tie it.......

;-)

Le vendredi 6 novembre 2015 01:19:24 UTC+1, Sean Fidler a écrit*:
Rules just published he https://t.co/ftsqzaruG2

Sean
7T
Per the rules:

"6.2 Start
Both gliders shall cross the start line in the same right hand and left hand positions in which they released. Since they had the same energy after the release, there will be no start altitude limit and the start speed shall only be limited to the Vne (see para 6.5) After crossing the start line both gliders shall fly directly towards the first turn-point of the task.
6.3 Turn-points
Both gliders shall turn the same turn-points but at each turn-point glider WHISKY shall turn to the west and glider ECHO shall turn to the east. Non-compliance shall be penalized (disqualification for the race). Missing a turn-point shall also be penalized (disqualification for the race)."

If I understand the rules correctly, the gliders are not required to remain on their respective sides of the center line after the start. This means that rounding the turn points in opposite directions, as per the rules, could very well result in head-on collisions...