2003 NATs Clown RaceThis first attempt at running Clown at the NATs as a nation-wide event will be different than what you might expect. We will be "grandfathering" all existing Clown racers! Now, what does this mean and why? Until the attempts by NCLRA to create a truly national set of Clown Race rules, there were at least a couple of distinct "flavors" of Clown being run. The NCLRA rules adopted none of them, but tried to take the best elements. Remember that the point of view of the Clown rules committee was to create a NATIONAL set of rules. Given that, the NCLRA rules as written render many models currently being flown in ALL parts of the country "illegal". No more cheek cowl, no more sheeted wings, no more single wheel gear, etc. And, as you would expect, a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth is the result! :-) So, we have decided that at the 2003 NATs, where we will truly have the first opportunity for ALL of the "factions" to participate together, we will be "grandfathering" all of the existing racers. If it looks like a Clown, if it conforms to the tank and engine restrictions, fly it! Areas which we WILL keep an eye on and which must conform to the rules:
We WILL judge each model against the NCLRA specifications and you will be told what, if anything, is not "legal", but no disqualifications (other than as mentioned above) will occur. But it WILL be expected that for 2004, ALL models will conform to the NCLRA rules in order to be allowed to fly. Here are the NCLRA Clown Race rules. Regards, Bill Lee |