R6N and the Revival of the Adrian Contest Site

Welcome to the R6N website. It's a work in progress, but it should deliver everything you need to know or want to know about flying the 2018 R6N Contest in Adrian, Michigan.

Pilots stumbling on to this website (whether through the Facebook, the SSA website, news of the U.S. Juniors Camp Contest or RAS), ought to know the two host organizations Sandhill Soaring Club and Adrian Soaring Club are putting a lot of effort this year into re-establishing Adrian as a destination contest site worthy of a stop along the racing circuit. When an opportunity came up to host the 2018 U.S. Junior Camp Contest we knew it would help ensure a successful "first" contest in terms of registration and participation. Luckily, both clubs now have enough contest pilots among them to organize such an event (many thanks to Glen Betzoldt, Steve Rusinowski, and John Harte). Our goal is to make this a safe, enjoyable event for all.... to encourage cross-country soaring and greater sailplane racing participation among Michigan glider pilots.

We're also hoping to attract nearby Chicagoland, Dayton/Cincinnati, Central Ohio, Akron, Pittsburg, R6, R7, R3, R4, and Ontario based pilots who may like to visit and compete with each other. We've taken a page out of several contest site's modus operandi for hosting regional and national contests, and hope you will find this an attractive site too.

While some complain of the "Ionia Curse" and poor weather, we've selected dates commensurate with the peak of our soaring season. While no one can predict weather in Michigan more than 6 hours in advance (it seems like), we've often experienced stellar soaring conditions this time of year with NW/SE streeting a likely possibility for one or more of the contest days. Keep in mind, many Michigan soaring records have been set this time of year. Several Downwind Dashes and Out & Return flights of nearly 400 s.m. have been achieved by Fred Huenl, Rudolph Mozer, David Nelson, and Jack Wyman in "Club Class" or older ships on or about the first week of July.
 
Please consider joining us this year and flying R6N in Adrian, Michigan. The soaring, good food, music, and camaraderie will make it a worth-while contest, but the opportunity to help revive a once prominent contest site and promote sailplane racing here in the Midwest... this is surely the icing on the cake.

​To register now, click here. 

- Chris Schrader, R6N Contest Manager