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CALENDAR IN AGENDA FORMAT
May 1-4, 2024
The Event Director(s) for this event are Jan Sundberg and Dave “Falcon” Fusinato. Dave, who’s been flying turbine powered craft since the 1990’s. A legend in jet construction and a cornerstone to Team Hunter. with Jan Sundberg taking the helm on this mission. Both are members of the Clovis Area Modelers. Jan, has excelled rapidly into the field of Turbine aircraft achieving a first at the USSM for his first appearance. His special focus is in the area of onboard cockpit authenticity employing robotics, digital displays and a HUD for the animatronic pilot. Jan is no stranger to RC Modeling having a background that exceeds 30 years. Dave himself has previously managed jet rally’s from the Fresno Radio Modelers early 2000 events to the more recent field design on the 2019 US National Scale Modelers Championship. With assistance from other notable Turbine Jet Pilots (Jim Chapman, Tom Messer, Scott Lampkin, Dan Carlson, and more) this will inevitably play into the success of this rally.
Be prepared for a phenomenal event with even Large Turbine Model Aircraft (LTMA-1) and speed with formation & High and Low G Maneuvers!
This event will be held at the CAM (Peg) field [FRIA CERTIFIED] located adjacent to the Friant-Kern Canal. This is just below the north side of Campbell Mountain near Reedley, CA. A short 20 Minute drive from Clovis. This field is off Highway 180 and Alta & Jensen Avenues with a visual view of the Sierra Nevada toward Kings Canyon National Park. See directions below.
Thunder in the Valley Jet Rally
When: September 26 – 28, 2024 from 9 am – 10 pm
This is the largest collection of both EDF and fuel-powered Jets in NorCal. With over 50 of the best pilots in CA and surrounding states. From 1-meter minis to 4-meter monsters the sound, smell and adrenaline are incredible. These aircraft can withstand high speeds and excessive wing loads and are some of the most advanced in the hobby. With 1,000 spectators (over 3 days), this event is great for kids to get excited about RC and generates a tremendous amount of donations for our wounded vets through Healing Hero’s.
Cost:
- $60 Entry Fee, includes Free Thurs Taco Dinner*
- $10 for Friday or Saturday Lunches
- $20 for Friday or Saturday Dinners
- We accept ALL major Credit Cards
Register Day of Event:
- $90 Entry Fee, includes Free Thurs Taco Dinner*
- $10 for Friday or Saturday Lunches
- $20 for Friday or Saturday Dinners
Shade Options:
- $200 Front Row Shade 10’x24’
- Max 2 sections per person
- Includes Evap Cooler and Electricity
- $150 Second Row Shade 10‘x20’
- No limit per person
- Includes Electricity
Location:
4015 East Catlett Rd Lincoln, CA at the corner of E. Catlett & Fiddyment Road, two miles West of Thunder Valley Casino
More Details:
- This will be the premier RC Jet event in NorCal- don’t be sorry you missed it.
- Last year was a sell-out!! It will be an EVENT!
- We expect over 60 pilots and over 125 planes from the Central Valley, Bay Area, Nevada and Socal.
- Enjoy the 700’ long runway with 100’ plus groomed runouts.
- We have over 100 acres of emergency landing area and over 125 acres of fly over space.
- There are eight high quality acrylic awards up for grabs and plenty of crowd participation for the People’s Choice award.
- On Saturday at noon spectators will vote for the People’s Choice Award so bring your “A Game”.
- After the People’s Choice Voting we will have a smokin’ 3D Show, Crazy Heli exhibition and Extreme Jets (for spectators’ benefit). We will also have the MAVRIX youth intro and Combat Flight! Wow!
- We welcome RC Jets of all kinds- from large turbine powered monsters to small foam EDF’s.
- We will have a professional announcer (on Saturday only) and killer sound system that covers the entire pits and spectator’s areas.
- We are promoting through social media: Facebook, Instagram, forums, email and local TV stations so there will be TONS of spectators!
- We offer 10’x 24’ (first row) and 10’ x 20’ (second row) Shade tent rentals.
- We have plenty of EZ Up space available close to the pits, “first come-first serve.”
- Easy RV access (in and out) and lots of space for free overnight parking- starting Tuesday, Sept. 23rd.
- Professional Photographer will be on-site for “static and action shots”. Free photo downloads too!
- Smarter Images will be on site with high quality RC Apparel (shirts, hats, goodies) and can customize your garments during the event.
- In case of warm weather, we have over 5,000 sq. ft. of shade (front row), 12 large Evap Coolers.
- We will offer additional shade in second and third rows. Each row is and additional 1,600 sq ft.
- Electrical outlets every 20’ in the pits. No need for generators in the pits.
- We will have an Air-conditioned Awards/Dining tent open 24/7.
- We will offer smoke oil at $12 per gallon.
- We will have high-quality “on-site” professionally prepared lunch (Fri, Sat) and dinner (Thur, Fri).
- We have a renovated food concession stand (The Cantina) where you will food that is a “cut above.”
- We will provide Free Coffee and Doughnuts Friday and Saturday mornings.
- We will have a separate Ice Cream Bar and Beverage Stand (with tons of caffeine and sugar).
- On Thursday night at 5:30, we offer the best local Street Tacos & Mexican Beer for all attendees ~ FREE!
- We offer free beer and wine at the end of your flying day. You will find this in the dining tent.
- The entire pit area is lit up at night with “market lights’ so it’s a great place to chill
- BRING A NIGHT FLIER AND LET’S LIGHT IT UP!
- We offer ice-cold bottled water for the pilots 24/7 in the pits.
- We will provide one “yard sign” for each sponsor with their name and logo prominently displayed on the “Row of Sponsors.”
- We provide hand washing stations, hand sanitizer and all the stuff to stay safe.
- If you would like to have a Turbine Waiver Pilot and CD sign you off, this may be done on Fri/Sat. Please have all AMA papers.
- There are several high-quality and inexpensive hotels within 10 miles of the field.
- This event is an opportunity to give back and help support the community.
- Throughout the event, we will ask for donations. Please be generous. We did over $27,000 last year.
Pricing:
- Spectators ~ FREE
- Parking ~ FREE
- RV Overnight Parking ~ FREE
Have questions?
Contact Dave Long at 916-801-7764 or Visit our website
Due to unforseen life circumstances, Joe apologizes but is suspending the BITW Jet Rallys this year and going forward.
That said, two clubs are filling the gap with comparable events:
> Associated Modelers of Sacramento (amosrc.com) is hosting Thunder in the Valley – Jet Rally (Sept 26-28) – https://amosrc.com/product/thunder-in-the-valley-jet-rally/
> Clovis Area Modelers (Clovisrc.com) is hosting a Warbird Rally (October 24-26) – https://clovisrc.com/events/warbird/
It’s unfortunate about BITW; however, that event sparked interest among other California Clubs who are stepping up to help Joe’s legacy carry on.
WELCOME TO THE 33rd. ANNUAL BEST IN THE WEST JET RALLY 2024 (Tentative Dates)!
ONE OF THE LARGEST JET SHOWS IN THE WORLD!
CELEBRATING 32 YEARS OF AMERICA’S FAVORITE JET SHOW!
BUTTONWILLOW ELK-HILLS AIRPORT, BUTTONWILLOW, CA
AMA SANCTION #?
6-Flight Lines, Food On Site, Spectator Seating, Camping on Site, 3,260 X 50 Foot Paved Runway, No obstructions No Restrictions, 1200 foot Ceiling, RV Parking on Site (No Hook-Ups), On Site Thursday Night Taco Night, On Site Friday Night Pilots Dinner, On Site Saturday Night Banquet Awards Dinner and Auction With 36 Spectacular Awards Including The “Prestigious” The Colonel Robert E. Thacker Award, all in our huge 40 X 80 Enclosed Tent on site. Best in the West will be a 6 day event, Tuesday October 12th. through Sunday October 17th, 2021.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Best In The West Jet Rally is a non-competition AMA-Sanctioned event. This is an open, fun-fly event with very few restrictions.
All Registered Pilots planning to operate a turbine-powered model must have a Valid AMA Card and must be a CURRENT Turbine Waiver holder.
If you plan on only flying Electric or Gas ducted fans, you must only be AMA Current. Please have this information ready before you register, or at the Registration Table.
All Non-Waiver Pilots, MUST fly on the buddy box system. If you would like to have a Turbine Waiver Pilot and CD sign you off, this may be done from Tuesday or Wednesday by 6:00 PM. Please have all AMA papers with you. Please contact Joe for waiver time.
Best in the West 2021, the 32nd. Annual will be another great show as in the past. Come and join the many in attendance from all around the
United States and many from around the World.
We encourage everyone to RV and Camp at the field as there are many fun things going on during the after hours, BBQing, Night Flying!
Join “The Cali Crew” and see how we do it!
America’s Favorite Jet Rally!
BITW 2023
https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-jets-120/11705050-best-west-jet-rally-dates-2023-a.html