Wingbuster Shootout
JOE FUSTOLO AND NEIL SIMPSON
FINISH ONE-TWO IN SPEED LIMIT SHOOTOUT
AUGUST 28, 2016 – HALIFAX, MA – Only four pilots were able to attend this contest. This prompted a contest day switch from our traditional Formula GX rules to our Shootout rules which are inspired by a rule structure, from the Pacific Northwest, which is the brainchild of Gene Pape. Thank you Gene. The rules are so simple that the pitmen can judge the event. This is necessary because if you only have four guys two are flying, two are pitting and there is no one left over to judge. The contest was flown in triple elimination format. The rule structure is simple, most cuts wins, however if you land or crash, for any reason during the three minute match period you lose. If you both come down you both lose. These rules allow four guys to have a fun and competitive day of combat flying with no need for any additional people to do the judging.
The weather was sunny, hot and humid with almost no breeze. Temperatures topped out in the high eighties. After four rounds of action in this triple elimination affair, all four flyers were still in the mix. Joe Fustolo and Paul Kubek had only one loss while Brian Stas and Neil Simpson had managed to lose twice. In Round five Joe and Brian matched up and mid-aired giving Joe his second defeat while Brian suffered his final loss. In the same round Neil got past Paul in a well flown match giving Paul his second loss. This left Joe, Paul and Neil tied at two losses apiece. Paul and Neil drew the short straws and they faced off in a match that was tied at a cut apiece when the ground came up on Paul giving him his final loss and a third pace finish. This left Neil and Joe to battle for first place. They waged war and when the final horn sounded they were tied two cuts apiece. Both pilots were very hot and tired so they settled first place via a coin flip with Joe taking home the “gold”.
Wingbuster Shootout
Speed Limit Combat
4 contestants (all from MA)
Joe Fustolo-Stoughton, MA
2-2-3
2-2-3Neil Simpson-East Brookfield, MA 3-3-2
3-3-2Paul Kubek-Brockton, MA 2-3-1
2-3-1Brian Stas-Kingston, MA 2-3-0
2-3-0
