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. Currently, there are about 30 of our avid racers and volunteers that have been suggesting, reviewing and otherwise involved in crafting our 2026 program for an 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 among most competitors with the least amount of onerous technical rules and policing required. Spirits of St Louis R/C 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 evades some, but 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 – take it elsewhere.
Some quick highlights as the 2026 rules are being finalized:
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.
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.
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 be 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 some 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, I would like to offer “Exposition Heat(s)” to give groups/classes with 3+ competitors access to the pylon setup on race days. We’ll schedule these in alondsie the already sanctioned classes, so they can demo what they are suggesting 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.
The last few meetings I’ve made the effort to move racing specific discussions to after the gavel out of respect for the non-racers and to keep the balance of our meetings short. Expect a “Racer Meeting” on Jan 20 @ B. Halls for review of the rules and to discuss the expectations for our 2026 Pylon Racing events. All those that want to talk about racing can come to this meeting and we’ll finish adjusting the final draft for general competition and class specific rules so they can be approved at Feb club meeting. I ask that you write down your comments and bring them to this meeting. The plan is to start with discussions around the written comments first. This is so that I have the specific wording and also make sure we address each idea adequately. Generally, if it means enough to be part of the program, it should meet the low bar of being written down and handed in to aid in keeping down the meeting’s chaos…we’ll address written comments first. You can send your concise idea to me here as well: president@spiritsofstl.com
A proposed draft for all to review before January’s meeting is available. Membership should expect to have the final proposal of Pylon Racing Competition Rules presented for adoption at February’s meeting, we’ll post the approved rules right after. We are also still looking for CD’s to cover some of these events. see below.
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 – Steve Cross
17 Oct, Sat 10am – Pylon Race 6 – CD needed
Look for the final rules and additional racing details to be posted on this website. From the homepage, click “Pylon Racing” in the top bar to go directly to these. “2025” rules are currently posted. Expect the “2026” rules to be posted as soon as they are approved by membership.
The current draft of 2026 Pylon Racing Competition Rules continues to be honed. If you are interested in what we are cooking up and/or would like to participate in the final crafting, send an email to president@spiritsofstl.com saying as much and you’ll be added to the current group discussion and sent a copy of the latest draft.
The energy for our upcoming season is palpable…so, come on Spring! …this waiting is making me sad.
