Our 2025 Championship Pylon Series turned out to be a hit. It was the club’s first run at this type arrangement versus stand-alone events. The racing turned out to be very competitive, quite fun and even a growing number of spectators enjoyed as well. Prizes were awarded to our eventual champions at November’s meeting, each receiving 6 fuel proof seals indicating their conquest. Look for these on the various race birds in the upcoming season. Details here: https://spiritsofstl.com/2025/10/26/pylon-racing-on-october-18th/
Now that we have the first season of this type competition in the books, we wanted to make some thoughtful tweaks to the program so that it stays competitive and enjoyable for an even wider group to participate. We started compiling and critiquing adjustments even as last season’s final races were playing out. There were about 30 of our avid racers and volunteers suggested, reviewed and otherwise were involved in crafting our 2026 program for this even better experience.
The concept for our competition rules is to promote better competition while continually factoring in the costs of participation. We strive for the most parity among the aircraft with largest appeal to most competitors with the least amount of onerous technical rules and policing required. Spirits of St Louis R/C Flying Club Pylon Racing is intended to showcase preparation and piloting skills, not who can manage a bit more speed out of their plane by being uniquely creative within or outside the rules. This one overarching principle is the ‘magic’ that every major, successful racing series in the world abides. Simply put, we promote fair competition. Therefore, intentional rules bending/breaking is not tolerated.
Some quick highlights from the approved 2026 rules:
Four-Star 40 class will remain with no significant changes, save tightening up on the power. The propeller spec has tightened so only the currently available Master Airscrew GF Series 10×6 Propeller is allowed and, since no engine modifications are allowed, engines found taching over 15,000 rpm at WOT will result in disqualification. These additions comport with all the equipment allowed must still be available new and without modifications. These tweaks should help extend the promotion of fair, tight competition.
Uproars, sadly, are no longer being produced…we will offer the class in 2026 and see how well attended it is as the year progresses. This has typically been the starting point for new racers. Many have stayed away due to the glow engine and asked for an electric class…we remain open to this and are on the lookout/entertaining suggestions for what could be the next entry level racer class.
Stock Electric Warbirds has been dominated by the FMS 1100mm P-51 Mustang’s. To that end, these Reno style racers have made some really exciting racing among themselves, but have made it tough to compete with most other currently available WWII fighter planes…this is an area we are still trying to address. Suffice to say, the FMS 1100mm P-51 Mustang is insanely fun to fly in our pylon races and eliminating them would be very unpopular. For the time being, FMS is still selling this airframe and we will continue to support it…but we are also looking towards ‘something else’ when, inevitably, these are no longer available.
Unlimited Electric Warbirds were sparsely attended last year. We plan to support this class in 2026, but will not run it, or any other class, without at least 2 planes starting each heat. If you’ve had an eye for this class, join in, it needs competition to remain viable.
New Class -> SPORT EDF JETS!
Many have asked for an EDF class. It has been a struggle to establish technical class rules so that there was good, well attended competition. It would appear we have hit on a winner for the 2026 Championship season here. We have chosen, for this initial EDF class, to use the Arrows 50mm EDF line. There are 5 different airframes, seemingly of very close ability and they all use the same powerplant. There has been very good testing of these smaller birds on 4S 2000mAh batteries and they are very fast, competitive and should make for exciting competition at a bargain! Current count has well over a dozen contenders lining up to compete with these EDF’s. These ARF planes sell for around $140 and take under an hour to setup. Add two 4S 2000mAh batteries and a receiver to be equipped to compete! Practice on the pylons is recommended as these are some hot planes that can get away in a hurry. Expecting huge fun as we introduce these to our competition!
Informally, we offer “Exposition Heat(s)” to give groups/classes with 3+ competitors access to the pylon setup on race days. We’ll schedule these alongside the already sanctioned classes, so they can demo their suggested class and build a base of contenders. If your group can make the bar for contenders and provide a competent set of technical rules, we’ll give you a shot to demonstrate and draw attention for making a viable class out of it.
Membership approved the 2026 Pylon Racing Competition Rules at February’s club meeting, these are linked below for download.
Link here: 2026 Pylon Championship Series Racing Competition rules
2026 Pylon Championship Series Race dates are below. Rain dates are the following Saturday.
Date – Race – CD
16 May, Sat 10am – Pylon Race 1 – Dave Harrington
20 Jun, Sat 10am – Pylon Race 2 – Dan Morrison
18 Jul, Sat 10am – Pylon Race 3 – CD needed
15 Aug, Sat 10am – Pylon Race 4 – CD needed
19 Sep, Sat 10am – Pylon Race 5 – CD needed
17 Oct, Sat 10am – Pylon Race 6 – Steve Cross
