Cambridge to cause splash on the Lagan
31.12.69
Just before Ulster rowers Alan Campbell and brothers Richard and Peter Chambers go for gold at the Olympics, Belfast will stage an event that will set the tone for what’s to come at London 2012.
In a first for Northern Ireland, the University of Cambridge will be sending some of their best rowers to compete in the Ramada Plaza Belfast University Boat Race on Saturday June 2.
Due to its increasing popularity, the event is also moving to a new home this year, with the finish line on the River Lagan now situated opposite Queen’s PEC.
Over 1,000 spectators will be accommodated in the new enclosure, with live entertainment, food and refreshments available until 10pm on the day.
Source: Belfast Telegraph
Atomik RC Launches New Website And Releases ARC 58″ RTR Electric Boat
31.12.69
Atomik RC officially launches their new website and social media sites, and they have also released their first RC vehicle, the new A.R.C 58″ RTR electric boat. Read the press release below for all the details:
Atomik RC proudly announces the release of the Atomik Racing Catamaran (A.R.C ). This 58” RTR Electric boat is the first large-scale factory electric that out performs it’s gas counterparts. Not to mention, no smelly gas or tedious engine tuning.
After numerous requests for an electric version of our large gas boats, the Atomik design team pulled out all the stops with a whopping 2000 watts of brushless electric power out of the stock 1100Kv outrunner mounted in a water-cooled CNC aluminum motor mount. All that power is controlled with a robust 120A water-cooled ESC for a 40+ mph out of the box top speed.
Source: Radio control Car Action (blog)
Weekend 'lifted' by radio-controlled aircraft in Oroville
31.12.69
OROVILLE — A couple of hundred yards away from the Oroville Forebay, motors were humming and rotor blade whizzing, but it wasn't
boats in action, but helicopters.
About a dozen radio-controlled helicopters and their pilots took to the sky one by one during the last day of the third annual Mother's Day Fun Fly, sponsored by the Oroville Air Corps.
With control box in hand, pilots sent their yard-long helicopters in every direction, up, down and around.
One pilot hovered his craft a foot from the ground, upside down.
"Yeah, that could end up bad if he moves wrong," said club president Lorne Green of Oroville, who with vice president Greg McGraph of Magalia set up the fun fly.
McGraph said about 30 pilots registered for the event, and on Saturday a couple of hundred spectators enjoyed the whizzing "nitro" aircraft.
It was a little quieter on Sunday, chalked up to Mother's Day.
Rather than batteries supplying the power — and needing charging — these helicopters run on liquid fuel purchased from hobby shops like A Main Hobbies in Chico, which was one of the event sponsors.
That lets pilots like Richard Stanton of Napa fly pretty much where he likes, rather than having to be near a charger.
But being the president of a helicopter club in Napa, he uses a specified RC site like Oroville's, rather than a park or field.
"We have to watch for others' safety."
Stanton spent all three days at the Oroville field, which is off Wilbur Road, north of Highway 162. Within sight is the Oroville Afterbay.
The event was a fundraiser for the local club, which maintains the field. Membership in the club is $60 initially and $40 a year, with specialized insurance coverage needed. Most weekends, the gate to the field is open and members are flying, according to Green.
Hobbyists can spend several thousand dollars on their model, either building them or buying a kit, according to Stanton, who has six or seven in a bedroom that's been turned into a work station.
Enjoying a common enjoyment, socializing and testing their skills brings many radio-controlled enthusiasts together, including in national and international settings.
McGraph said individuals who enjoy sports like off-highway driving, hot rodding or racing often turn to RC sports when the economy sours or as an alternative pursuit.
Father and son Bill and Tom Dempsey of Durham were spectators at the Oroville meet, although Bill is a retired acrobatic pilot.
"It's fun watching," said dad.
For those who may want to try their hand at radio-controlled flying, the club has "buddy boxing" where an experienced flier can shadow fly with a novice.
The Oroville club, about 20 years old, has been at the current site about a dozen years.
Green said spectators are welcome during the events and weekend gatherings. More information about the club is available at its website: www.oraircorps.com.
Reach Laura Urseny at 896-7756, lurseny@chicoer.com, or on Twitter @LauraUrseny.
Source: Mercury-Register
In a first for Northern Ireland, the University of Cambridge will be sending some of their best rowers to compete in the Ramada Plaza Belfast University Boat Race on Saturday June 2. Due to its increasing popularity, the event is also moving to a new
