SPKA Summer Fly
Information about the 12th of July 2009 - West Sands, St. Andrews
This summer is predicted to be one of the hottest for years and so the SPKA are hoping that we've hit the nail on the head and aimed for the 12th of July for our summer fly, in the hope that the sun will shine and the sea breeze will provide perfect conditions for a BBQ and a bit of flying alongside.
The emphasis for the event is fun, so everyone will be welcomed to throw something on the BBQ and socialise with everyone else, and hopefully learn something new in between times.
Its the perfect time to learn new skills on the board (whichever type) and in the buggy. Not to mention an opportune moment to take a pilots licence to race (SPKA Buggy Licencing Page)
So come along and enjoy Summer 2009!
Celtic Challenge Irish Round
Report on the 23rd/24th of May 2009 - Benone, N. Ireland
Everyone was hopeful that this years Irish round at Benone would bring perfect racing conditions compared to the last 2 years washouts. Unfortunately the old 'third time lucky' mentality was hopeless and although the wind was suitable for some buggying and flying, it was too gusty and dangerous to have 20+ pilots next to each other competing against each other and the wind itself.
Luckily the Saturday evening meal at Cooleys more than made up for the bad weather and saw a dance off between Scotland and Ireland, with our own Stephen P. battling it out with Rob F. from Ireland, the triumph was most definately Stephens and since Rob already bet the Celtic Quaich on the outcome we thought we had it wrapped up to make it Scotland 2 - Ireland 1, but again those sneaky Irish disowned him and so they now hold the Celtic Challenge winners title for 2009.
The results for the Scottish round and hence the whole challenge can be found here: Celtic Challenge 2009 Results
Roll on next year!
If you are interested in attaining a licence to race then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page and get in touch at info@spka.org, its free as long as you're a member so you lose nothing by coming along to give it a go!
Celtic Challenge Scottish Round
Report on the 2nd/3rd of May 2009 - Sands of Luce, Dumfries and Galloway
Saturday morning appeared and with a great procession (and just a little bit too much fuss) the Irish headed for the beach from the campsite. The beach widened out and the wind increased throughout the day and a large course of around 1.5-2miles was set out. A race breifing was held and in the cross shore winds flyers from 3 countries raced for 40mins until lunch.
After the short break there were 2 more short and sharp 30min races around the course involving small water splashes, some soft banks and some hard packed speed runs.
On Saturday evening a meal was organised by Joyce at a local restaurant which went down well with the 30 attendees, and afterwards many retired to the campsite bar to finish off the evening.
Sunday morning started off wet but soon dried out and the strong offshore winds swung around to become more crossshore by the time the racing got underway, a lot of broad reaches meant fast laps and some very close racing from the top to the bottom of the fleet during the 2 x 30min races over the 1.5mile course.
If you are interested in attaining a licence to race then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page and get in touch at info@spka.org, its free as long as you're a member so you lose nothing by coming along to give it a go!
Thanks to Jim P. for being race master throughout the weekend, and thanks to Roger B., Joyce S., Keith H., Gary R. and Anne D. for scoring and marshalling once again.
Results are available here: Celtic Challenge 2009 Results
Photos available here: Celtic Challenge 2009 Scottish Round Album
SPKA Fun Race Day
Report on the 12th of April 2009 - West Sands, St. Andrews
Winds were light upon arrival at the beach, however they soon picked up and a nice onshore breeze providing some fun for those who attended, a small course was set up and everyone got lots of practice in.
Unfortunately many spent longer at the beach than intended, long queues on the beach road saw some people waiting over 40mins to get out of St. Andrews.
If you are interested in attaining a licence to race then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page and get in touch at info@spka.org, its free as long as you're a member so you lose nothing by coming along to give it a go!
SPKA Race Day 6
Report on the 15th of March 2009 - West Sands, St. Andrews
Well the 2008/09 Series has now been rounded off with a superb day of racing, 4 x 20minute races were completed between 10.30am and 2.30pm, the beach contained its usual variety of terrain however spirits were high and racing was fast in 15-25mph variable winds. A Course with 4 marks, mostly broad or relatively close reaches meant that speed was the key rather than precision.
Congratulations to Stuart McGougan, Scottish Number 1 for 2008/09!!! Not to mention the rest of the fleet, everyone appears to have progressed significantly over the season. Those who made top 10 have qualified for the European Championships later in the year and may now run their respective position as their number eg: 6th may run SCO 6
Thanks to Joyce and Kevin for scoring and marshalling every race and also to Anne, Alan, Bob and Kev who each took their turn at Race Master and scorer.
If you are interested in attaining a licence to race in the Scottish series then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page and get in touch at info@spka.org, its free as long as you're a member so you lose nothing by coming along to give it a go!
Series results are available here: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008/09 Results
SPKA Race Day 5
Report on the 15th of February 2009 - West Sands, St. Andrews
On arrival to the beach the winds were light, however everyone was in high spirits due to the (relatively) warm weather and large beach available.
After a course was set out it was decided to run a fun race around 4 marks to get flyers out while the wind was still low. The results of this race can be found below.
Shortly after the fun race the wind began to increase and the race was on, there was fierce but fun competition throughout the fleet with everyone finding someone to challenge. The race was completed with some getting 11 laps over the fast course.
A 30min break for lunch and then back onto the beach, one mark was removed and so a simple 3 point course allowed those who excelled at speed to produce some good results, the first lap saw fierce competition between the first 4 pilots at every corner with some very skillful flying and avoidance skills displayed. The tide began to rise and the racing was ended for the day.
Thanks to Jim, Joyce, Anne and Owain for scoring and marshalling throughout the day and for the encouragement during the races.
If you are interested in attaining a licence to race in the Scottish series then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page and get in touch at info@spka.org, its free as long as you're a member so you lose nothing by coming along to give it a go!
Series results are available here: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008/09 Results
The fun race results were:
1st: Kev Arlott
2nd: Stuart McGougan
3rd: Stephen Pirie
4th: Jim Wallis
5th: Alan Payne
6th: Stuart Walker
7th: Bob Mitchell
SPKA Race Day 4
Report on the 18th of January 2009 - West Sands, St. Andrews
Even though the forecast was appalling there was still a good turn out at the event, and pilots enjoyed navigating a 5 point course on the rock solid and relatively smooth beach at St. Andrews, with very close racing throughout the fleet in both races.
Thanks to Joyce, Bill, Keith, Tom and Stuart for scoring and marshalling throughout the day, without their commitment racing would be impossible.
If you are interested in attaining a licence to race in the Scottish series then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page and get in touch at info@spka.org, its free as long as you're a member so you lose nothing by coming along to give it a go!
Results are now available: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008/09 Results
