Sacramento Area Modelers

09/05/2026

⚡ Come catch some lightning... and witness the thunder of Warbird Pylon Racing! ⚡

No, we're not talking about the weather...

We're talking about the lightning-fast action you'll experience as some of the best RC Warbird pilots in the West battle it out just a few feet above the course at speeds that will keep your eyes working overtime!

🏁 Valley of Speed IV
📅 September 12–13
📍 Sacramento Area Modelers Flying Field

⚡ Fast airplanes...
⚡ Tight turns...
⚡ Close racing...
⚡ Big prizes...
⚡ Non-stop excitement!

Whether you're a seasoned racer, an RC pilot looking for your next challenge, or just looking for an exciting weekend with the family, this is an event you won't want to miss.

🏆 Featuring:
✈️ Three racing classes
💰 Cash payouts
🏁 APC Fast Time Awards
🎨 People's Choice Awards
🎟️ Huge raffle prizes
🌮 Catered lunch both days by Vallejo's Authentic Mexican Restaurant

A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:
👏 Area Modelers
👏 Country Hobbies
👏 Propellers
👏 Tree
👏 Homes
👏 8th Scale Aviation
👏 Merrill Scale Models
👏 James "Bulldog" Gale
👏 Gerald Meux

📣 Pilots: There's still time to register!

👀 Spectators: Admission is FREE, so bring the family, grab a chair, and watch some of the fastest and closest RC racing you'll ever see.

08/27/2026

🏁 THE VALLEY OF SPEED IV IS ALMOST HERE! 🏁

Join us September 12–13 for two action-packed days of Warbird Pylon Racing, big prizes, fast airplanes, and serious bragging rights!

🏆 Plaques and cash for 1st–4th in every class
✈️ Bonus 8th Scale Aviation short kit for each class winner
⚡ APC Fast Time: $300 Gold • $200 Silver • $100 Bronze
🎟️ Huge raffle featuring a Giant Scale Spitfire ARF, JR-Propo transmitter, E-flite T-28 Trojan BNF, and more
🛩️ People’s Choice awards
🌮 Catered lunches from Vallejo’s Mexican Restaurant both days

Already pre-registered:

🥇 GOLD — Ben M., Dave S., Gerald Meux, Jeff R., Jeff S., Jim S., Joel G., Mark S., Mick C., Sergio V. & Stearman B.

🥈 SILVER — Aaron A., Ben M., Dave S., David B., George R., Gerald Meux, Gregory L., Jeff M., Jeff S., JR S., Matt C., Ollie M., Rick C., Rob W., Russ D., Skylar K., Steve B., Steve N., Steve S. & Tom G.

🥉 BRONZE — Aaron A., Charlie C., Dave S., Doug M., Jim P., Joe S., Kimo D., Matt C., Robert S., Ross R., Ryan G., Skylar K., Steve B., Tim S., Tom G. & Tony M.

Want to race? Pre-register now by sending your name, AMA number, class, and primary airplane description—including its top and bottom colors—to Ollie in a separate message.

📱 (916) 947-6599, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

Pilots who help with just one race-day job will also be eligible for special worker prizes—including a rare RareBear kit!

Glory will be earned. Champions will be crowned. See you at the pylons! 🏁

08/22/2026

08/17/2026

One of our favorite SAM racers, Gerald Meux, graces the cover of July's Model Aviation magazine. Can we still call him just a SAM racer with all the different races where he is a regular? Aside from being a great racer and RC pilot, Gerald is also one of the most down to earth people on and off the flying field. Congratulations Gerald!

08/09/2026

Save the Date

07/06/2026

The countdown is on! Less than ONE WEEK until the Sacramento Area Modelers Fun Fly on Sunday, July 12, and we're looking forward to a full day of flying, food, and fun with our S.A.M. family!

📋 Potluck Reminder!
If you haven't already, please stop by the Auger Inn and sign up for the side dish, dessert, or beverage you'll be bringing. S.A.M. will provide the main course, and your sign-up helps us make sure we have a great variety of food—and avoids ending up with twenty bags of chips and a mountain of cookies! Thank you for helping make our club events a success.

✈️ Here's What's Waiting for You:

🥔 Potato Cannon Shootout
Think your airplane can dodge a flying potato? Volunteer an airframe and take your chances against the famous S.A.M. Potato Cannon! It's exciting, unpredictable, and guaranteed to entertain. Every shot helps support the club!

🏆 Baked Potato Challenge
Put your piloting skills to the test with our precision landing competition. Can you land as close to one minute as possible? The top pilots will take home some awesome potato-themed trophies!

🍔 Potluck Lunch – 12:00 PM
Enjoy a great meal with your fellow club members as we celebrate another fantastic year of flying and friendship.

🕘 Schedule
• Flying activities begin at 9:00 AM
• Potluck lunch at 12:00 PM

Whether you're a seasoned pilot, a new member, or just coming to enjoy the day, there's something for everyone. Bring your family, bring an airplane, and help us make this the biggest and best S.A.M. Fun Fly yet!

Who's planning to be there? Let us know in the comments! 👇✈️🥔

07/02/2026

06/30/2026

🚨 S.A.M. FUN FLY IS ALMOST HERE! 🚨

Looking for a fun day of flying, great food, and a little friendly competition? Join us Saturday, July 12 at the Sacramento Area Modelers Fun Fly!

🔥 Think you've got what it takes to survive the Potato Cannon Shootout? Volunteer one of your airplanes (preferably one that's already earned its keep!) and see if you can dodge a flying potato launched from the S.A.M. Potato Cannon! It's one of the most entertaining events of the year, and every shot helps support the club.

🥔 Or test your precision in the Baked Potato Challenge, where smooth landings and perfect timing are the keys to victory. Trophies await the top finishers!

🌮 Don't forget the food!
We'll be enjoying a potluck lunch at noon, with S.A.M. providing the main course. We're asking everyone to help make the meal a success by bringing a side dish, dessert, or beverage.

✅ Please stop by the Auger Inn and sign up for your potluck item before the event so we can make sure we have a great variety of food for everyone.

🕘 Activities begin at 9:00 AM
🍽️ Lunch served at 12:00 PM

Bring your family, bring an airplane, and bring your sense of adventure. Whether you're flying, competing, cheering on your friends, or just enjoying the camaraderie, this is one event you won't want to miss.

We can't wait to see everyone at the field for what promises to be one of the best S.A.M. Fun Fly events yet!

06/30/2026

Big news for Sacramento Area Modelers!

As of today, SAM has received official authorization from the FAA and Mather Air Traffic Control Tower to fly up to 1,200 feet AGL at our flying field—a privilege granted to very few model aviation clubs.

This achievement reflects the trust placed in our club, and it's now up to all of us to protect it by flying responsibly. Remember: never exceed 1,200 feet AGL, and immediately descend to 300 feet or below whenever a full-size aircraft is nearby. Following these rules is essential to keeping this authorization.

A huge thank you to AMA District X Vice President Jr Schiager for the countless hours, dedication, and persistence it took to make this happen. Your hard work has created an incredible opportunity for our club, and we truly appreciate everything you've done.

Let's all do our part to protect this privilege for years to come.

05/30/2026

🔥✈️ TURN & BURN IS BACK! ✈️🔥

The skies over Sacramento are about to get a whole lot louder and a whole lot faster!

On June 13 & 14, 2026, the Sacramento Area Modelers (SAM) proudly present the Turn & Burn Warbird Pylon Race—two action-packed days of high-speed RC warbird racing where pilots push their aircraft to the limit around the pylons in a battle for speed, skill, and bragging rights.

🏁 Bronze, Silver & Gold Classes
✈️ Fast warbirds
🏆 Competitive racing
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Spectator-friendly action
🎟️ AMA Sanctioned Event
📸 Incredible photo opportunities

🌮 Great Food Included!
We're excited to have a catered Taco Bar Lunch available both Saturday and Sunday, provided by Vallejos Restaurant of Midtown Sacramento. Come enjoy great racing and great food all weekend long!

Whether you're a seasoned racer, an RC aviation enthusiast, or just looking for an exciting weekend activity, you won't want to miss the sight of these warbirds screaming around the course just feet apart.

📍 SAM Flying Site
11000 Florin Road
Sacramento, CA

💰 Entry Fees
• Bronze – $30
• Silver – $50
• Gold – $70

👀 Spectators Welcome!
Bring your friends and family and experience the thrill of pylon racing up close. Admission is free!

A huge thank you to our sponsors:
🌳 Tailored Tree
🏠 Calli Homes
🛩️ APC Propellers
🏪 RC Country Hobbies
🔋 RCBattery.com

📲 For registration information, visit:
Sacramento Area Modelers Warbird Racing Page

Or contact Contest Director Greg Lane at (916) 201-7668.

🔥 Rev up your engines... it's time to TURN AND BURN! 🔥