New UK F3F Record 26.84

A new UK F3F record of 26.84 for Martin Newnham at the first BMFA F3F League event in 2013

Martin was amongst 6 others pilots that achieved sub 30 second runs in great condition on the Wrecker in Wales.

Mark Redsell was the overall winner with Martin second and Joel West in 3rd place.

See the forum topic here

Martins full report below.

“The start of the new season got off to a bang and what a BANG, I don’t think there has ever been anything quite like it in the UK before. Earlier in the week it looked like it would have to be cancelled due to issues at the scheduled location. Unfortunately Whitesheet is unable to provide all wind directions, therefore a decision was made to relocate to Wales after consulting with all the registered pilots and reopening registration should anyone else wish to participate. Andrzej Tabero kindly confirmed we were able take advantage of the slopes in Wales as they provide all directions. The direction we needed was ENE and this put us on what is regarded as UK’s best slope, the Wrecker, coupled with a 20 – 23 m\s wind speed and you have the right ingredients for a great competition. It was overshadowed by the potential of hill fog, but thankfully the weather gods were on our side and we didn't have one stoppage due to weather all day.

Round 1 got on the way and after a few weeks before when Mark Abotts went sub thirty with his Caldera flying a 28.75 it wasn’t expected that we would see a time like this again anytime soon. How wrong we were, Joel West stepped up round one and posted a 29.46 a few pilots later and Martin Newnham went sub 30 with a 29.61. This wasn’t the finish of the round and Mark Redsell keen to get going, not only went sub 30 but broke the British record again flying a 28.73. The round contained many low to medium 30 + times.

Round 2 the same 3 pilots went sub 30 again Mark getting close to his new British record. Joining Mark, Martin and Joel was Paul Garnett with his first sub 30 and new PB flying a 29.24. Tony Livingstone having only attended a few winter league events made yet another improvement on his PB going from a 37.37 down to a 34.94. Ian Falconer only started flying last year and has also only attended a couple of competitions to find out what it’s all about, was getting times in the mid forties, which may not seem fast to some but it you know the Wrecker it’s not for the faint hearted especially in 20 – 23m\s wind.

Round 3 see Joel West just slip into the low 30’s but Martin Newnham and Mark Redsell still were trading blows. Martin Newnham broke the UK record with a 26.84, but Mark wasn’t going to give anything away with a 29.97. Richard Bago was also getting closer to going sub 30 but not yet.

Round 4 Joel West was back with a sub 30 time, but not quite fast enough and Martin Newnham just took the round with 29.11. Mark Redsell again was not too far behind and still less than 30 seconds with a 29.71.

Round 5 and Richard Bago finally got what he was looking for, posting a new PB 29.44 and his first sub30, again Mark Redsell was still there taking the round with 28.79. Martin Drewett got a new PB and first sub 40 time with a 37.98 and improved on this again in the next round, posting a 34.20.

Round 6 and Stuart Wallace who is relatively new to F3F competitions was already having a good day and up to this point his slowest time had been 40 seconds posted a 35.80 and I think a PB, his remaining round was over 40 seconds but 5 sub forties from 7 rounds is great flying by any standards. Joel West got his final sub 30 of the day to take round 6, with Richard Bago in second and Mark Abotts in third.

The 7th and final round and Mark Redsell posted his 6 sub 30 of the day to take the last round, followed by Joel in second and Mark Abotts in third.

To summarise, all of the above equalled an epic day in South Wales for everyone, regardless of whether you went sub 30, sub 40 or improved slightly on previous times. The conditions provided some of the best conditions I have personally ever flown in and I am sure others would echo this view.

I would like to thank everyone who helped out on the day but special mention must go to Simon Thornton getting the course up and CDing with me. Richard Bago, our buzzer supreme and everyone that spent time out on the buzzers. Stuart Wallace for taking on the task of debt collecting (entry fees). Finally Joel West, Mark Abotts, Paul Garnett who must have a right arm like popeye’s as they did most of the launches for everyone all day.”

1st Mark Redsell (Freestyler 4 )
2nd Martin Newnham (Freestyler 4)
3rd Joel West (Freestyler 4)

Fastest time of the Day Martin Newnham 26.84

Full Results below:

1 Mark Redsell                   5928.66      1000.00
2 Martin Newnham             5866.32        989.48
3 Joel West                         5784.75       975.72
4 Rich Bago                        5652.05        953.34
5 Paul Garnett                    5497.41        927.26
6 Mark Abotts                     5304.84        894.77
7 Simon Thornton              5281.98        890.92
8 Mike Evans                     5202.24        877.47
9 Keith Wood                     4800.16        809.65
10 Frank Hulton                 4741.58        799.77
11 Tony Livingston            4588.84        774.00
12 Mark Treble                  4549.52         767.37
13 Stuart Wallace              4535.37         764.99
14 Martin Drewett             4294.41         724.34
15 Mike Shellim                4280.46         721.99
16 Tom Macpherson        4205.83          709.40
17 Graeme Mahoney        2741.89         462.48
18 Ian Mason                    2624.26         442.63
19 Ian Falconer                1759.16          296.72
20 Mick Walsh                  1422.15          239.87
21 John Treble                   598.04           100.87