BUGGY NEWZ 2.1
The Official Organ of The Buggy Pilots International
January / February 1994
===
IN THIS ISSUE:
Buggy Boogie Thang Report.
New Buggys.
Buggys in the Media.
N. American Buggy Schedule.
Buggy Boogie Sprang Thang.
Buggy Boogie Sizzle Thang.
Buggy Cruising Options.
Power Kites - Size & Speed.
Racing Rules.
Speed Record Report.
And much, much more!
===
BUGGY EL MIRAGE:
Weekend before Memorial Day - Last chance for relative peace on a
weekend before the summer crazies come. 19-22 May.
Week Days before the 4th of July Weekend. If UP Sports Competition is
go for the 4th, more can come. 29 June - 1 July.
Week days are the safest anyway. The far end of the lake has the best
winds .
===
YOUNGEST BUGGY PILOT:
The youngest Certified Buggy Owner is Trent Baker-Casperz. Born 19
October, 1993. Trent received his Land Lizard and Q-40 as First Prize at a
raffle held at the Victoria Sport Kite Championships at Lake Tyers Beach,
Australia in November 19
The winning ticket was purchased by Dad (Wil) in honor of his son's
first kite festival. Joanne (Mom) Baker was also scorekeeper for the
event. Pop expects to have use of the buggy until Trent's legs can reach
the pegs.
===
The Buggy Pilots International is an organization dedicated to spreading
the fun and glory of buggy riding around the world.
The common ground of wind-powered traction kiting transcends all
boundaries except those of wind, gravity and drag.
Buggy or Die !
===
"THE BUGGY BOOGIE THANG":
The beginning is behind us as we boldly follow our Buggy Star into the
future of BuggySport. The birth on Monday, January 17, was greeted by
over 250 incredible Buggy'ers and over 100 Buggys from around the world.
The U.S., Canada, England, Wales, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria,
Germany, Holland, Belgium, New Zealand & Australia were represented at the
First World Buggy Gathering at Ivanpah Dry Lake during the week of January
17-20, 1994.
The week started with good afternoon winds and more room that we knew
what to do with. Film crews from ESPN-2 and MTV-Sports scrambled around
finding interesting combinations of visual settings with the Kites and
Buggys in the midst of the open space that is the High Desert.
First day activities began shortly after dawn with many anxious pilots
heading to the base site long before any wind showed up. The morning
"social scene" was attended with much excitement and anticipation of what
was in store.
Experienced desert flyers knew what to expect as the morning winds
shifted and puffed before swinging around from the north and starting to
blow. Regardless, the "sucker winds" drew the more efficient kiters far
out into the lake, strandin or an hour or more before the smooth north
winds showed around 1 pm.
Most first-time Buggy'ers stayed close to camp as they concentrated on
bringing their skill levels up to the point they could run together without
interfering with each other. The rest of the pack flowed and formed into
"Buggy Swarms" of 2 uggys and set off cruising together around the 35
sq/mile dry lake. An experience that none will soon forget.
The local hosts for the event, Scott & Cindy Dyer from the Las Vegas
Doodlebugs, had everything in hand as they essentially catered the 4 day
gathering. Food and drink as well as beautiful event t-shirts and sterling
silver pins (Made by Scott) available on the site. All proceeds from the
sale of event memorabilia paid for the party. A perfect touch!
As motor vehicles are prohibited from driving on the dry lake, the
Bureau of Land Management placed orange cones to mark our 5 1/2 mile access
route to the parking area and outline the "camp"... a 600' x 2000' space
where cars would be permitted.
The space was so much larger than most Buggy pilots had ever
experienced, early arrivals on Sunday had confined their Buggy runs to
within the parking area.
Space and distance can be very deceiving on such a flat and
featureless expanse, and besides, one cannot be too sure of just how deep
it might be out in the middle.
Reluctance soon gave way to curiosity as more and more Buggy'ers tried
the short 2 mile trip across the narrow part of the lake to a brushy
shoreline or the more adventurous 3 mile upwind reach to the I-15 freeway
that crossed an arm of Ivanpah Dry Lake.
Late Monday afternoon, from a couple of miles out, a group of riders
(Paul Jobin, Dean Jordan, Robbi Sugarman, Garry Clarke, Martin Lester and
myself) paused to watch as the afternoon sun, streaming across the lake
bed, illuminated 48 Buggy heir multi-color parafoils sailing back and forth
across the southern end of the lake.
The setting was awesome. The stark McCullough Range loomed over the
lake on the east side, the Ivanpah Mountains on the west. Cradled between
the two, Ivanpah Dry Lake was alive with KiteBuggys.
Due to the efforts of Jeff Cain, we received national media coverage
with the presence of crews from MTV-Sports and ESPN-2. We set up tandem
Buggys and sailed them out into the action.
As they crossed the lake, a swarm of other Buggy riders would circle
them like movie-indians around a wagon train, whooping and hollering,
showing their courage and skills.
There was a refreshing lack of organization on the lake bed.
Acquiring a permit for the use of the site from the BLM, arranging
accommodations at the hotel/casinos at the end of the lake, and getting the
word out was enough.
The Buggy Pilots proved adept at taking care of themselves and we
noted only the lack of a perfect evening gathering spot. We made do with
the Prima Donna casino bar and their very nice restaurant with the $8.25 /
1 lb. Prime Rib Special.
Many Buggy designs showed up on the lake. The majority were Peter
Lynn Buggys, and they brought their wide-track, long-wheelbase, extra-wide
tire version as well. Claims of improved soft-sand ability wait to be
tested as there was no suitable soft-sand location on the hard-pack dry lake.
Land Lizards from Highly Strung Kites in Australia made a strong
showing with their new "Long Prong" add-on cruising set-up and their new
distribution agreement with Shanti Products.
Cobra Kites introduced their Peter Lynn-designed Cobra Buggy at the
KTA Show, and brought a few of them to Ivanpah along with their new Power
Foil with its concealed spar-tips and wider mesh leading edge.
Steve Shapson brought a few of his new Force-10 Buggys and Fran
Gramkowski brought his Kite Traction Machine to the Buggy Boogie Thang.
Both copies of the original PL Buggy.
Brett Onstott brought 5 of his bright green BO's Buggys, and there
were even a couple of home-built models using bicycle front ends and wheels.
Nop Velthuizen from Belgium brought his custom 4-wheel and 3-wheeler
Buggys. Garry Clarke from England had a one-off called the Rabbit while
countryman Paul Jobin ran a hybrid G-Force front end & seat attached to a
Land Lizard rear axle.
The custom-built G-Force Buggys were also used by 13-year old Jonathan
Harris and slightly older Mick Parsons from the Welsh Sport Kite Centre.
Julian Wolf-Patrick brought his fiberglass Zeph-1 from France and
Tomas Jeckel brought the big-wheeled Ph¾ton trike from Germany.
Scott Dyer even brought his Manta LandSailer to play with. Plenty of
Toys!
===
BUGGY NEWZ is an independent operation. Non-profit as it happens.
The purpose is to spread the word around the world of the Buggy and the
people who use them.
Conceived, Founded, Written, Edited, Published & Distributed by Corey Jensen.
The ultimate responsibility for facts and errors, for truth and fallacy,
for all the things you find enjoyable and because there is no-one else to
blame, for the things you disagree with in this newsletter... Falls on only
one pair of shoulders.
Contact him or me in care of:
Windborne Kites
585 Cannery Row #105
Monterey, California 93940 USA
Work/Shop # (408) 373-7422
Home # (408) 372-7922
Fax # (408) 373-0688
===
BUGGYS & THE MEDIA:
The Buggy Boogie Thang brought the KiteBuggy out of the closet and
into the reach of the vast television audience. Through the efforts of
Colorado Buggy'er Jeff Cain, a crew from MTV-Sports spent two days with us
at Ivanpah, interviewing so e international Buggy contingent and filming
from the tandem Buggy while sailing across the lake bed with the pack.
On Tuesday, a crew from ESPN-2 joined the media glitz that had
surrounded us and we treated them to more good winds and plenty of rides in
the tandem Buggy. Look for Buggy coverage on both.
Eric Saunders, a free-lance photo-journalist based in L.A., attended
the Buggy Boogie Thang after picking up a copy of American Kite Magazine
(the one with the Buggy'er on the cover) last fall, while doing a shoot in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
A few phone calls later, and he was pitching the story to Le Figaro -
the #1 magazine in France!
The Italian print media was represented as well with Maurizio DiLoreti
covering the event in word and picture. The second day group shot of 66
Buggys and the "Buggy-crew" was a result of his efforts.
The L.A. earthquake on Monday kept the local media away, they had to
interview gamblers who couldn't return to their homes and had to stay in
Vegas and donate more money to the rich casino owners.
We didn't even miss them!
===
IVANPAH EASTER
The big Land Sailers have their annual regatta at Ivanpah during
Easter week. Many Buggy Pilots plan to be there 31 March - 3 April. They
are a fun bunch and don't seem to mind us if we stay out of their way.
===
BUGGY PILOTS INTERNATIONAL:
The reality of our world-wide community of Buggy Pilots became obvious
on the dry lake at Ivanpah. The idea of the Buggy Pilots of America must
grow to acknowledge our wider boundaries.
Buggy Pilots International more correctly identifies the global
community of Kite Buggy Enthusiasts.
Identity is a large part of any clout we may wield. We are what we
claim to be.
I have a BP of A flag. Now we need one for the BPI. How about taffeta
so we can hear ourselves think when the wind blows.
===
DA KITES:
Many forms of propulsion made their appearance on the dry lake as well
as the variety of Buggys. Peter Lynn was there with a selection of Peels
(mostly flew the 10 meter Ultra-Lights) and wacky Brit Andrew Beattie even
brought his 15 meter Peel.
The Peels are 2-line control and are usually flown with long (150 ft.)
lines. Martin Lester had his up on about 80 ft. lines and kept up with the
quads without difficulty.
The UL's were very efficient and the PL crew got suckered out onto the
lake on the early "sucker winds" - Hence the name! Quite a sight to watch
Peter, Dominique & Phillip walking back to camp!
Nop Velthuizen had his own version of the tapered Peel design that did
very well. He also flew a stack of SpeedWings that kept him running with
or ahead of the pack in winds that seldom exceeded 10 mph.
Joost Meijerink and Ray & Jeannie Merry from Flexifoil/Cobra Kites
introduced their new concealed-tip Flexis with the wider mesh designed
expressly for Buggy and Beach use. Joost flew an 18 stack that looked like
a ladder stretching into the sky and was a truly impressive sight, even
when seen from across the lake bed.
Mick Parsons from The Welsh Sport Kite Centre brought his Modulas
Quad-line Foil. This innovative design allows the pilot to add or remove
zippered sections of the foil as conditions dictate. The entire system
hangs from the rear axle in its own carry bag. Very handy and very clever.
The 4-line soft foils dominated the lake bed with their presence.
Quadrifoil and Force-10 foils were everywhere. The modest winds allowed
use of the larger bags without too much side-force. 40-50 sq/ft was the
norm while many of us used 60-75 sq/ft. or bigger on occasion.
There were the normal numbers of home-built bags, some that worked very
well and some that couldn't quite keep up. The winds were light enough to
not offer any help to less-efficient designs.
===
MY PERSONAL IVANPAH:
Some of the most wonderful kite experiences happen with friends. For
all the personal pleasures I find at the end of a kite line, something
about sharing with a group of like-minded kite crazies multiplies the joy.
To be able to Buggy the dry lake wheel-to-wheel with the group at
Ivanpah was an absolute skygasm.
Thanks to the KTA for having their trade show where and when they did,
and being a strong international organization that supports our industry.
Kite friends span the globe - A tough group to get together for a
party. While I have been involved in organized kiting for more than 15
years, I've never put my name on any event before.
I worked from a pent-up desire to create a group identity surrounding
Buggy Riders. Many of us have few if any other Riders to buggy with, and
we needed this to energize our sport.
Buggying the Dry Lakes in southern California is wonderful and all, but
I needed more... I needed to share it with others who touch the sky and fly
on the ground.
I learned a couple of things about event organizing. Less is more. I
have no desire to sit in a tent all day "organizing" things, so the
structure was a product of the people.
Racing, the idea of measuring one's skills as "better" or "worse" than
someone else's by way of head-to-head competitions has its place, but the
idea of creating a few "winners" and a lot of "losers" is not what makes my
world go around.
We raced each other on an informal basis. Actually, it was more like
running together, dicing it up a bit. One would pull ahead, then the other
would fight back, gaining a little extra speed to pass, both finally
slowing on the far side to laugh and shout our joy together.
There will be more Buggy Boogie Thangs where we all win just by
playing. Thanks to everyone who came and shared and Buggy'd.
===
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
I received this off the Prodigy Interactive Service:
To: All.
From: Michael Jones. Crack the Sky/Jones Airfoils. (KTPU87A).
"I woke up this morning to find the Buggy Boogie Thang being televised
on ESPN-2. I thought this was great, especially since it was on for about
5-8 minutes. Usually kites are only shown for 10 seconds or less at the
end of a news story or something. So there I sat watching this and glad
kiting was being exposed to the public when here comes Corey Jensen
buggying by naked. Needless to say I was upset that he could ruin what
could otherwise have been a great thing for kiting. My wife turned to me
to say "some parents are really gonna let their kid get involved in kiting
now". She is right. After all the work many of us have done in kiting to
expose it to the public as a viable sport and that we aren't a bunch of
kooks, it's all down the drain in one fell swoop. After the clip the
anchors made fun of it with raised eyebrows. Can you blame them? I really
don't think any "international" event should be clothing optional. I'm
disgusted."
===
LINE TRICKS:
A length of heavy dacron or Skybond attached to the handles (usually
the bottom), with knots where-ever needed, makes for easy adjustments right
at the handles (instead of making changes up at the bridles).
Because I teach new Buggy'ers, I have put 6'-8' dacron lines from the
handles (top & bottom) so if anyone twists the lines around an axle,
instead of thin SpectraLine to dig out of the threads, there is a thick
piece of 250# dacron that comes out easily.
===
Windborne Kites
We offer the Peter Lynn Buggy, the Land Lizard from Highly Strung,
and the new Peter Lynn-designed Cobra Buggy. Complete Accessories and
Parts. Quadrifoil and Force-10 Foils. Peels, Flexis & Revs. Call or Write
for our Retail Kitealog(tm)
Windborne Kites
585 Cannery Row #105
Monterey, California 93940
Toll-Free Order # 1-800-234-1033
Shop # 408-373-7422
Fax Order # 408-373-0688
===
BOOGIE THANG VIDEOS:
Many of the folks at the Buggy Boogie Thang brought their video
camcorders and took hours of wandering around the camp waiting for the
wind. They also got some really beautiful shots at sunset Monday and
Tuesday with the sun streaming across the lake bed, highlighting the foils
that were gliding along, pulling ecstatic Buggy riders.
The PL Tandems, and Steve Shapson's tri-cepede buggy carried some
of the camerapeople out into the action on the lake, including the crews
from ESPN-2 and MTV-Sports, The ESPN-2 thing has already aired and the
production crew that shot the s sent me a copy of there work. If you
didn't see it, call ESPN and request they show it again or on ESPN-MaxOut.
Start a thing and maybe it will happen. I get calls asking for copies.
Here's the deal... I'm doing this simple. Send me YOUR buggy video
footage and a quality blank VHS tape. I'll put together the MTV & ESPN
stuff, any of their raw footage I can, the best collection of stuff from
what I get from ya'll, and om my own collection of video tapes. A deadline
for submissions is necessary to keep this on a reasonable timetable. Let's
say you must get it to me by August 1, 1994. That gives me time to do a
good job and still have it ready by AKA-Wildwood '94
Besides the MTV and ESPN pieces, this could include Lee Sedgwick on
blades and ice, KiteSki, spring & summer El Mirage Boogies, Original Naked
Buggy footage - NOT! I also have the two videos from the No. Amer.
Powerkite Manlift Team from Wa , both Gwithian Buggy Races, Martin Lester
buggying with MegaLegs, the Dean Jordan CNN "commercial", AKA-Ft. Stevens
Boogie '93, and other stuff too.
Basically the offer is to trade to share. I want what you have, and I
hope you will want what I can put together enough to really send me the
damn tape instead of just thinking about it and then spacing the whole
thing out.
I would love to find someone with professional facilities who will not
laugh at amateur stuff, and do the job for love instead of money. I don't
care as much for the quality as I do to see ya'll doing the Buggy Thang!
I'll use two VHS decks and do the thing myself, at least we'll all have
some proof. Some evidence of others in the zany fringe element, orbiting
out there somewhere.
Doing not saying. If many share, we have more and better stuff to
include. Longer tape - More value for the hassle. Better community spirit
too. And I'll recognize you by sight next time instead of having so many
readers come up and have oduce themselves because we are just voices and
words.
Let's Trade & Share!
===
RULES OF THE ROAD:
Last issue contained a reprint from "The Kiteflier" magazine from Great
Britain. Mike Johnston from the Welsh Sport Kite Centre presented ""10
Golden Rules For Buggy Racing".
It immediately hit the Internet and great discussion began with
Peter Lynn presenting the most detailed arguments point-by-point. I have
interpreted them somewhat and added a bit of my own and now regurgitate it
for you... Uuuuuurrrrrppppp !!!!! (i hate rules!)
Let's start at the beginning and understand the difference between
friendly buggy-in-bunches activities - "General Rules Of The Road" and the
more serious "Buggy Racing Rules".
1. The Starboard Rule- Always keep to the right.
Peter argues that this may be used to dis-advantage an opponent.
True. But regular running across limited spaces mandates some general
understanding of where Buggy'ers are likely to go. Keep to the right seems
logical for non-racing.
2. Upwind Buggys must keep clear when overtaking.
Peter raises the same point. As soon as any rule makes one party
responsible, then the potential to use contrived situations makes them
imperfect for racing rules.
3. Always look before you gybe (come around).
This gets a heartfelt endorsement from Phillip McConnachie and
Peter. They had a spectacular and violent downwind "coming together"
during the 1993 NI vs SI New Zealand Championships. Rule for the road.
4. When passing or crossing, the upwind kite must be lowered.
The difference between crossing buggys and passing is important.
Friendly buggy times are different than races. Having an understanding to
permit more buggys without tangles keeps our buggy spots usable.
Crossing buggys have every desire to keep clear and this seems
mostly to prevent the problem. Planning ahead of where you are gives the
Buggy'er the opportunity to position Kite & Buggy for safe passage.
Knowing the opposing/upwind Buggy'er will fly lower as the two of you
approach gives a clue as to what to expect.
Reasonable as a General Rule of the Road for Buggys, but
unnecessary in racing.
Overtaking has a different perspective. Until the buggys meet, it
is often impossible to tell which will be windward. If kites tangle (or
buggys for that matter) - both loose! This situation seems mostly
self-regulating.
Team-buggy situations, where one racer with no chance to win purposely
hinders another to ensure a team win, raises an ugly spectre. Is this new
sport already so cut-throat that we have no choice of the type of people we
buggy with?
Normal racing situations allow for maneuvering for advantage. When
the more upwind buggy tries to hinder and manipulate other buggys (for
instance), deal with it by tacking away or try to bluff through.
Using sailing technique and strategy in racing situations is in many
circumstances very much an enjoyable part of the wider "game" of buggy
racing. Good sportsmanship is only to be expected. What is the point of
racing if win-at-any-cost is the only rule?
5. Buggys "on the run" (down-wind) have right-of-way over "reaching"
(up-wind) Buggys.
It is implied but not stated this applies to the appropriate leg of
the course and not the moment-to-moment maneuvering that occurs during
Buggying.
Otherwise, the same old problem of making one party responsible
allows an unscrupulous competitor to create a foul for an advantage.
6. Never underfly the lines of opposing Buggys.
This seems intended to prevent line wraps. Again, the application
for General Buggy Use is valid in the knowledge of what to expect from
others, but generally redundant redundant.
7. "Air" at the mark. (When competing at the mark, the first must
down-turn the kite when gybing.)
Quoting Peter: "There are so many reasons why... (it)... is
impractical. One is that especially in light-winds with big kites (a fair
proportion of all racing we do) there is often not nearly enough sky to
turn-under without hitting the ground. Requiring such a rule would just be
mandating a kite crash for the leading Buggy at each close gybe.
"In a stronger wind situation it can be quite unsafe to underturn
the kite as the sudden (more than) doubling of kite pull makes it "hit the
fence" time.
"However requiring this maneuver rather than leaving kite control
and its consequences to (the) Buggy'ers individual judgement would be an
interesting test of testicularity!"
There are also differences in how two-line power kites (Peels,
Flexi's etc.) and quad-line foils with their shorter lines behave at the
gybe. Running in bunches is easier if everyone understands some common
ways.
8. Never touch a mark.
Doesn't go far enough. If the mark is of some solidness: tree,
derelict Sherman Tank or whatever - Who cares? This should read: Never
move a mark by contact. Penalty equals replacing the mark (if necessary)
and then re-rounding correctly
9. Never relaunch a kite in such a way as to cause obstruction to
others.
Peter again: "Yes, but remember that not relaunching can sometimes
also be an obstruction and that Buggy'ers should not obstruct others
attempting to relaunch."
For beginners, remember to put downed lines on the ground if a
Buggy'er is about to roll through. Raising your lines to allow a Buggy to
pass under unfortunately ignores the kite which is powering it.
10. Avoid contact with other Buggy'ers and kites at all times.
Obvious. It is the absolute responsibility of each Buggy'er to keep
aware of others and plan ahead how to deal with situations. Yelling your
intentions (politely) to another is acceptable if needed.
===
Roger Ripstop Says: "SAFETY FIRST!"
===
NEW WAYS:
Many criticize, few construct. Peter offers insightful, experienced,
constructive ideas that help us step forward. We are at the beginning in
this sport and we have the chance to think things through and either get it
right or foul things unworkable details for years.
So what should the Rules be? Four Things: a) Simple b) Enforceable
c) Unable to be used manipulatively d) Only about things that need to be
regulated - many things don't need specific rules (eg: avoid kite/line
entanglements)
Remember we are (or want to be) a spectator sport and due
consideration needs to be given to promoting visually exciting events with
the first-to-finish equalling the winner. No after-race protest hearings
and any handicapping being done with starting times.
It is absolutely true we must have an internationally recognized rule
framework in order to grow as a sport. Every attempt to set up a
"Right-Way" must have at its heart the desire to create a level playing
field on which competitors compet elative safety and can be assessed on the
basis of their skill and strategy.
We must take a positive "pro-active" approach to rule creation as we
ultimately must have them. The "lottery" of having a winner selected by
the blind luck of being able to avoid entanglements and crashes is not
satisfactory.
STANDARD STARTS:
For Multi-Buggy Events: Starts should be with Buggys spread at least
20-30 ft. apart on a line set across the wind with the first leg being to
the most down-wind mark without rounding any other marks on the way.
This effectively spreads the field by the first mark which is from
experience where most entanglements occur. Starting on a reach has the
disadvantage of having good/bad starting positions. Down-wind starts are
more even.
Unless the site is very large, preliminary rounds are advisable to
reduce the field to less than 10 Buggys per race.
Where races are short (less than 1/2 hour each), competitors should
drop their worst score when points are totalled. Say for a 5 race
program, count the best 4. This helps reduce the effect of "occasional bad
luck" on eventual race outcomes.
Endurance Races run until one competitor laps the field or a
predetermined time of 1 1/2 hours really lets the good Buggy'er shine
through over even obstructionists.
In MultiRace Events, the Winning Strategy is absolutely to play clean,
keep out of trouble, avoid troublemakers (Either by design or through
ineptness - to the point of hanging back until a clear opportunity for
passing comes along), and to concentrate on turning in perfect laps.
Further communication with Peter Lynn on this subject (or others):
Argyle Park Buggiers Fax +64 3 308 1905 Ashburton New Zealand.
===
FUTURE POWER KITES:
It would be presumptuous of us to think that we have the ultimate
power kites already. We are using the available sources and designs and
can expect further development to provide increases in both power and
efficiency.
Peter Lynn (who else?) is working on a Quad-Peel with nearly twice the
chord (distance from leading edge to trailing edge) than current Peel
designs.