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So. Calif. Roller Assoc. NEWSLETTER

Volume 1, Issue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 March, 1999
Predator Attacks Spoil Spring in L.A. !!!
Falcon and Hawk attacks have reached epidemic proportions in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Fanciers living in the area south of Downtown Los Angeles and extending to Long Beach, have seen intense predator activity since last fall. Predators tend to disappear around March, but local fanciers are reporting continued and even more intense activity at this time. Because of the multitude of fanciers in the area (some areas have 2-3 fanciers per city block), predators find a continual source of food throughout the year. With a year-round food source for predators, it could be a long year for L.A. flyers. Some fanciers have already abandoned flying Kit Competition for the remainder of the year. The emotional stress of seeing birds taken daily is just too much for some fanciers. Local L.A. club competitions have been impacted to the point that approximately one third of the flyers in each club (Including the ICRC, OLRC, WSRC, WCS, and FCRS) will not participate in the club's kit competitions this year.
The predator attacks will also affect next years' kits as many fanciers are not able to train youngsters at this time and are either selling off their young birds or holding them in --- a tactic that tends to ruin many good rollers.
Several long standing competitive fanciers have been severely hampered. Two examples include Rayvon Hall and Keith London, both of whom traditionally fly some of the best rollers in the area. Hall, who has won the ICRC Kit Competition three times, has completely eliminated all of his kit birds after repeatedly loosing birds to multiple falcon attacks (at times, two to three falcons per day!). After breeding nearly eighty birds, Rayvon has nothing to show for his breeding season.
London, who has won the ICRC Kit Competition twice and the WSRC four times, started the year with over seventy birds and is now down to just seventeen rollers! The stories are equally as horrid with members of the FCRS and OLRC.
Fanciers have been able to trap some Coopers Hawks using wire traps, but the only defense against the falcons have been "heavy artillery" (if you know what I mean). On one visit to a fancier's loft, I felt as if I was in Vietnam as he fired several shots into the air trying to hit a falcon that was ripping his kit apart. Walking near his loft, one could trip over the piles of bullet shells spread throughout the yard.
For those of you who are flying "Predator-Free", please keep your Los Angels colleagues in your prayers and enjoy your kit… "You don't know how good you've got it, until it's gone."
TRA Show Kicks Off Show Year!
The TRA (The Roller Association) kicked off the Show Calendar for the year with its February 21st event. The event, which was held at the San Fernando Valley Racing Homer Club House, was attended by over one hundred fanciers.
Judge Reggie Stewart set a new record for the amount of time needed to judge the show as it took nearly seven hours to select the show's winners. Winners for the day included:

Grand Champion: Gary Sawyer (WCS)

Best Old Cock: Dave Goss (TRA)
2nd Place Old Cock: Adam Alvarez (ICRC)
3rd Place Old Cock: Duane Scholl (TRA)

Best Old Hen: Jim Hodges (TRA)
2nd Place Old Hen: Adam Alvarez (ICRC)
3rd Place Old Hen: Adam Alvarez (ICRC)

Best Young Cock: Gary Sawyer (WCS)
2nd Place Young Cock: Gary Sawyer (WCS)
3rd Place Young Cock: Burnett Brulee n/a

Best Young Hen: Bruce Hall (ICRC)
2nd Place Young Hen: Travis Bivens n/a
3rd Place Young Hen: Burnett Brulee n/a

Several quality rollers were auctioned off and some great raffle prizes (including a beautiful new kit box) were won by many in the huge crowd.
The show was the first of ten scheduled shows in the Southern California area this year. Show winners and classes will be recorded and will be used to designate "The SCRA Showman of the Year" Award.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 Predator Attacks Ruin Spring in L.A.!!!
1 TRA Show Kicks off Show Year!
1 "1999… Who's Hot !!!"
2 SCRA Web-site
3 California Classic Update & Club Kit Fly Updates
3 1999 Individual Rankings Update
4 SCRA Calendar of Events
5 1999 SCRA Club Directory
1999… "Who's Hot !!!"
As the New Year gets under way, clubs throughout Southern California have begun their kit competitions. With the World Cup Qualifying Competitions starting in April, many fanciers are priming their kits to get the maximum out of their birds! Here's a look of who's hot… and don't forget, you read it here first!

LOS ANGELES AREA: (Includes ICRC, FCRS, OLRC, WSRC, & WCS)
The hottest fanciers in the area include Keivn McCray, Tommy Broussard, Juan Navarro and Milton Rudd. McCray looks to follow up his successful 1998 year with another strong showing in 1999. After two flies, Kevin is currently in first place in both the ICRC and the OLRC. Navarro is currently second in the ICRC and has a strong team flying. Although neither Broussard nor Rudd have begun their club kit competitions (they are both in the WCS), both have recently flown kits that show a lot of potential.

RIVERSIDE/SAN BERNARDINO AREA:
(Includes CPRC & MVHRC)
With so many quality flyers in the CPRC, it is just a matter of timing as to which member could potentially win the World Cup or NBRC Fall Fly. The hottest competitors at this time seem to be Tim Decker and Frank Ochoa, and J.J. Ransom of the MVHRC. Decker won the Fall portion of the club's fly and Frank (or "Frankie" as he is known) Ochoa is currently flying a solid kit. J.J. Ransom continues to fly several kits and looks to be in a good position as the World Cup Regional Fly date nears.

VENTURA/SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AREA:
(Includes VCRC & TRA)
Randy Lackey of the VCRC and Bob Southall of the TRA seem to be the hottest flyers in this region. It has been reported that Lackey has had more time than usual to get his birds into shape (due to a new job) and Southall seems to be the fancier who has best survived the intense predator problems that the San Fernando Valley flyers have recently experienced.

HIGH DESERT AREA:
(Includes APEX, HDRC, & LCRC)
The high desert area is one that is going through a period of resurgence. Less than two years ago there was really only one Roller club for the area. Today there are at least three strong clubs and the area has a renewed energy flowing amongst its fanciers. The flyers to watch in the area appear to be Willie Wright and Mitch Walker. Both flyers are traditionally strong competitors for the area and seem to be getting their programs into shape just as the World Cup Regional Fly comes to the area.

ORANGE COUNTY/SAN DIEGO AREA:
(Includes SBRC & SDS)
With the SBRC flying mostly "individual" performers, the strong kit competition for this area will come from San Diego. John Jones and Jim Wahlroos of the SDS finished first and second in the Fall portion of the SDS kit competition and appear to be the ones to beat for this region. Despite severe predator attacks, the San Diego area has always been competitive in the World Cup qualifying round.
At press time, it seems that Southern California will qualify five flyers for the World Cup. With the past success of area flyers , there is no reason to doubt that a Southern Californian may once again win the World Cup Championship!

SCRA On-line with Internet Web-site… The SCRA now has an Internet Web-site. The inter-net address is: www.angelfire.com/ca2/scra/index.html. The web-site provides information on the local area clubs and happenings including general information on the SCRA, a Directory of the SCRA Clubs, Local Event Highlights, Club News and a Calendar of Events for Southern California.
Special thanks to Terry Duncan who created and maintains the web-site. If you have any information on your club or an event in your area, please contact Terry Duncan at (310) 638-7873 or on the inter-net at tamrad@pacbell.net. You may also contact Juan Navarro at (323) 254-2507 or jnavarro@earthlink.net. The Web-site is also "linked" to several Roller web-sites for easy access.
California Classic Update: There are less than twelve weeks left before the California Classic Event on Saturday, June 26th!!! Host Kevin McCray will be selecting a panel of five judges no later than April 12th. The judges will be selected based upon their ability to select quality rollers and their history of flying good rollers.
The final judging of the birds will be conducted over five consecutive weeks prior to the June 26th event.
Kevin has informed me that most of the birds (more than 55) are still competing and most of them are into their roll. He also states that the current top ten birds are "as good as any spinners you will find in any loft in the United States!" Kevin adds that guests at the event should be able to see one of the best Classic kits ever and that everyone should take advantage of buying one of these fine champions during the auction.
A "Host Loft" and "Trainer" is still needed for the 1999-2000 California Classic. Anyone interested should contact Kevin at (310) 325-3344.
Birds for the 1999-2000 Competition can still be entered up until the June 26th event. The entry fee is $160.00 for a two bird entry. Don't delay as many of the slots have already been reserved. Don't miss your opportunity to win $2000 in prize money and the title of having the "Best Roller in America".
Club Kit Competition - UPDATES

Here's who's leading in each of the club kit competitions as we enter April (club's listed alphabetically):

APEX:
1) (2 Person Tie) Mitch Walker & Mitch Walker Jr.
2) Hank Lumpkin
3) Alton Davis Jr.
4) Alton Davis
5) William
 
CPRC:
1) Tim Decker ------------8) Mike O'Conn
2) Joe Bower-------------- 9) Richard Espinoza
3) Frank Ochoa---------10) John V. Broeck
4) Jerry Higgins -------11) Lee Duran
5) Van Copple -----------12) Robert Pellum
6) Randy Gibson --------13) Robert Parker
7) Roy Gonzalez --------14) Doug Brown
 
FCRS: (Club only ranks top three places)
1) Roy Whitley
2) Jimmy Gonzalez
3) Gus Ortega
 
HDRC: (Club only ranks top three places)
1) Greg Rideau
2) Willie Wright
3) Hank Lumpkin
 
ICRC:
1) Kevin McCray
2) Juan Navarro
3) Calvin Johnson
4) Eddie Scott
5) (6 Person Tie) Keith London, Craig Wiggs, Rayvon Hall, Adam Alvarez, Lee Wade
 
LCRC: (Club only ranks top three places)
1) Ron Luna
2) Alonso Johnson
3) Alfonso Johnson
 
MVHRC:
1) J.J. Ransom
2) Tony Coldpepper
3) Harold Ransom
4) Shesner
5) Mike
 
OLRC:
1) Kevin McCray
2) Leonard Lucas
3) Calvin Johnson
4) Jaime Calbo
5) Curtis Meloncon
6) (2 Person Tie) David Ramirez & Darik McGee
 
SBRC: (Based on Individual Performance "Multi-bird Fly")
1) Armelio Aristan
2) Kenny Gower
3) Mike Marion
4) (7 Person Tie) Arnold Jackson, Richard Luna, Jim Fenton, Chris Widum, Art Martinez, Frank Lathrop & larry Jolly
 
SDS: (Based on Individual Performance "Multi-bird" Fly)
1) John Jones
2) Jim Wahlroos
3) Steve Moore
4) Al Eoff
5) Mel Nabon
6) (4 Person Tie) Bill Simpson, George, Tony Woerner & Gustavo Madel.
 
TRA: (Club only ranks top three places)
1) Bob Southall
2) Danny Monteon
3) Ron Anno
 
VCRC:
1) Randy Lackey
2) Tony Silerio
(Other members grouped together: J.P. Isom, Gene Giedgoldt, Steve "Smitty" Smith, Don Clark, Rusty Cody & Bob Graham)
 
WCS: (Club begins season with World Cup Regional Fly)
WSRC: (Club begins flying season mid-April)
1999 SCRA Top Ten - UPDATE

The 1999 Kit Competition flying season in Southern California has gotten off to a somewhat slow start. Due mainly to severe and continuous predator attacks, most clubs are reporting "less than terrific" scores from their kit competitions. Given the number of quality roller flyers in the area, things should heat up as we near summer. Here's a look at the one's to watch:

Mar/April Ranking: Jan/Feb Ranking: Club:
1) Kevin McCray ..(2) .....ICRC
2) Tim Decker ......(4) .....CPRC
3) Randy Gibson ...(9) .....CPRC
4) Jerry Higgins ..(1) .....CPRC
5) Robert Parker. (3) .....CPRC
6) John Jones .......(7) .....SDS
7) Bob Southall ....(8) .....TRA
8) Joe Bower .....(N/R) ...CPRC
9) Milton Rudd .....(6)......WCS
10) J.J. Ransom.. (10).... MVHRC
Others to Consider: Frank Ochoa (CPRC)
Juan Navarro .................(ICRC)
Mitch Walker ...............(APEX)
Randy Lackey............... (VCRC)

A recent loss of several birds in Jerry Higgins' #1 kit has dropped Jerry out of the #1 Ranking as the World Cup Regional Fly approaches. Higgins, who had been ranked #1 at the start of the year, drops to #4 but should rebound well as he still has three other kits from which to rebuild his #1 team. Kevin McCray jumps to the #1 spot as he continues his dominance of both the ICRC and OLRC clubs.
Tim Decker moves up to the 2nd ranked spot after winning the fall portion of the CPRC Fly.
Randy Gibson jumps from #9 To #3 with a strong showing in the kit flies.
Robert Parker, a former World Cup winner, drops to #5 with a poor showing in the club flies and reportedly having less time to spend with his birds given the time commitments of a new job.
John Jones moves up one spot to #6 as Johnny Smith drops out of the Top Ten having moved last month from Los Angeles to the San Bernardino area. It will take a few months for Johnny to rebuild his kits.
Bob Southall leads the TRA and moves up a slot to #7.
The only new entry into the Top Ten is Joe Bower (at #8) after a second place finish in the CPRC Fall Flys.
Milton Rudd drops from #6 three slots to #9. Milton's kit doesn't appear as strong as last year's NBRC Fall Fly Regional qualifier.
J.J. Ransom remains at #10 as he prepares to qualify for the World Cup for the first time ever.

Others to watch include Frank Ochoa (3rd Place in the CPRC), Juan Navarro (2nd Place in the ICRC), Mitch Walker (1st Place in the APEX) and Randy Lackey (1st Place in the VCRC).

Most of these fanciers will be competing in the World Cup Regional Fly this month. The Regional Fly provides the first indicator for the year of where everyone really stands. It should serve as a tool to "separate the men from the boys".

SCRA 1999 Calendar of Events

January ----- ------ -------

February ----

Sun. 2/21 - TRA Show
Sun. 2/28 - NBRC
(Hall of Fame Nominations due)

March ----- ------ -------
April
Sat. - 4/10 -ICRC Show
Sa-Su - 4/17-18 - L.A. W.C. Reg.
Sa-Su - 4/24-25 - L.A. W.C. Reg.
Sa-Su - 5/1-2 - L.A. W.C. Reg.

May tbd tbd - HDRC Show
Sun - 5/16 - SDS Show
June - Sun 6/6 - FCRS Show
Sun - 6/24 - Calif. Classic
July - Sun -7/11 OLRC Show
Sat - 7/24 - LA Sheriffs Fly
Sun - 7/25 - LA Sheriffs Show
August ----- ------ -------
September tbd tbd - NBRC Fall Fly
October
Sat - 10/16 - WSRC Show
November Thur - 11/17- CPRC Show,
Fri - 11/18 - Kit Fly &
Sat - 11/19 -NBRC Conv.
December ----- ------ -------


1999 SCRA CLUB DIRECTORY

APEX - APEX Roller Association ---------Established 1998
President: Alton Davis (805) 273-4208 Vice President: none
Area: Antelope Valley
Members: Alton Davis, Alton Davis Jr., Mitch Walker, William,
Mitch Walker Jr., Hank Lumpkin
Kit Competition Rules: 20 birds, 20 min., 1 bird out allowance, quarter turns,
Fly Schedule: 9 flys (second Sunday each month, October through June)
1998 Kit Champion: Mitch Walker Open Show: none

CPRC - California Performance Roller Club -----Established 1978
President: Mike O'Conn (909) 688-9283 Vice President: none
Area: Inland Empire (Riverside & San Bernardino counties)
Members: Mike O'Conn, Jerry Higgins, Robert Parker, Tim Decker, Van Copple, Doug Brown, Randy Gibson, Rick Bolanos, Joe Bower, John Van den Broek,
Elias Duran, Richard Espinosa, Roy Gonzales, Abel Ibarra, Bob Maunder,
Leroy Washington, Robert Pellum, Frank Ochoa, Jim & Don McCauley.
Kit Competition Rules: World Cup Rules, 3 bird out allowance.
Fly Schedule: 7 flys (second Saturday each month. Winter - Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan. Spring - Feb, Mar, April)
1998 Kit Champion: Randy Gibson
Open Show: "Pensom Memorial" (Held with Pageant of Pigeons, Nov. 17,18,19)

FCRS - Full Circle Roller Society -----Established 1996
President: Victor Garcia (310) 674-2891 Vice President: none
Area: L.A., Lynwood, San Pedro.
Members: Victor Garcia, Gus Ortega, Leo Benitez, Jesus Cornejo,
Jimmy Gonzalez, Joe Morada, Tavo Quezada, Roy Whitley, Lance Toliver.
Kit Competition Rules: 20 birds, 20 minutes, 1 bird out allowance, quarter turns,
Fly Schedule: 8 flys (third Sunday each month, Febraury - September)
1998 Kit Champion: Jimmy Gonzalez Open Show: June 6

HDRC - High Desert Roller Club -----Established 1990
President: Fred Goodlow (805) 225-1207 Vice President: none
Area: Palmdale & Lancaster
Members: Fred Goodlow, Willie Wright, Hank Lampkin, Greg Rideau,
Lev, Mike, Robert Felix, Robert Felix Jr. .
Kit Competition Rules: 20 birds, 20 min., 1 bird out allowance, quarter turns,
2 judges (average the scores).
Fly Schedule: 9 flys (first Sunday each month, Oct through June)
1998 Kit Champion: Lev Open Show: Sun, May 16

ICRC - Inner City Roller Club -----Established 1985
President: Juan Navarro (323) 254-2507 Vice President: Rayvon H
Area: L.A., Lynwood, Compton, Glassell Park, Harbor City.
Members: Juan Navarro, Rayvon Hall, Kevin McCray, Keith London,
Craig Wiggs, Adam Alvarez, Calvin Johnson, Eddie Scott, Kevin Adams,
Joe Ruiz, Bruce Hall, Tim Bradley, Lee Wade.
Kit Competition Rules: 20 birds, 20 minutes, 1 bird out allowance, quarter turns,
Fly Schedule: 8 flys (first Saturday each month. March through October)
1998 Kit Champion: Kevin McCray Open Show: April 10

LCRC - Lancaster Roller Club ----- Established 1992
President: Anthony Johnson (805)944-5480 Vice President: Alfonso J
Area: Antelope Valley
Members: Anthony Johnson, Alfonso Johnson, Alonso Johnson, Donny Faison, Derrick Simon, Ron Luna, Greg "Top", Alonso Reed, Greg "Moose" Adams, Ali
Kit Competition Rules: 20 birds, 20 minutes, 1 bird out allowance, quarter turns,
Fly Schedule: 9 flys (first Saturday each month, October through June)
1998 Kit Champion: Open Show: tbd

MVHRC - Mo Valley Heat Roller Club ----- Established 1997
President: J.J.Ransom (310) 509-3757 Vice President: Tony C.
Area: Morena Valley
Members: J.J.Ransom, Tony Coldpepper, Harold R., Mike, Shesner
Kit Competition Rules: World Cup Rules.
Fly Schedule: 12 flys (first Saturday each month, January through December)
1998 Kit Champion: J.J. Ransom Open Show: tbd

OLRC - Outlaw Roller Club ----- Established 1993
President: David Ramirez (213) 969-7167 Vice President: CurtisM
Area: South-central L.A., Lynwood, Harbor City, Diamond Bar
Members: David Ramirez, Kevin McCray, Leonard Lucas, Curtis Melocon,
Calvin Johnson, Darik McGee, Jaime Calvo.
Kit Competition Rules: 20 birds, 20 min., 1 bird out allowance, quarter turns,
2 judges (add scores).
Fly Schedule: 10 flys (first & last Sunday each month, March through August)
1998 Kit Champion: Kevin McCray Open Show: May

SBRC - Spinning Birmingham Roller Club ----- Established 1990
President: tbd (714) 524-1180 Vice President: none
Area: Fullerton, Orange county
Members Arnold Jackson, Richard Luna, Pat Stagg, Jim Fenton, Kenny Gower, Chris Widum, Armelio Aristan, Art Martinez, Frank Lathrop, Larry Jolly, Mike Marion
Kit Competition Rules: "Multi-bird Fly" (based on individual quality not frequency of turns). Main objective is to certify "Spinners"!
Fly Schedule: 6 flys (second Sunday each month, March - August)
1998 Kit Champion: none Open Show: tbd

SDS - San Diego Spinners ----- Established 1989
President: John Jones (619) 279-6559 Vice President: none
Area: San Diego county
Members: John Jones, Bill Simpson, Jim Wahlroos, Steve Moore, Mel Nabon, Al Eoff, Tony Woerner, George, Gustavo Madel
Kit Competition Rules: World Cup Rules
Fly Schedule: 10 flys (first Sunday each month, Jan- Dec/ except Aug & Sept)
1998 Kit Champion: John Jones Open Show: May 16

TRA - The Roller Association ----- Established 1969
President: Ron Anno ( 818) 762-9211 Vice President: none
Area: San Fernando Valley
Members: Ron Anno, Dave Goss, George Rivera, Bob Southall, Carl Dorton,
Leo Lonzo, Kurtis Bryson, Mark Milani, Danny Monteon, Chuck Paul
Kit Competition Rules: World Cup Rules (no multipliers, bonus points for roll quality, kitting & heigth - 10 point maximum each, 5 judges/average middle 3)
Fly Schedule: 10 flys (first Sunday each month, Jan- Dec/ except Aug & Sept)
1998 Kit Champion: Bob Southall Open Show: Sun, Feb 21

VCRC - Ventura County Roller Club ----- Established 1983
President: Randy Lackey (805) 985-3640 (Smitty) Vice President: JP Isom
Area: Simi Valley, Ventura, Ojai, Thousand Oaks
Members: Randy Lackey, JP Isom, Gene Giegoldt, Steve "Smitty" Smith, Don Clark, Rusty Cody, Tony Silerio, Bob Graham
Kit Competition Rules: World Cup Rules.
Fly Schedule: 6 flys (first Sunday each month, September through March)
1998 Kit Champion: none Open Show: tbd

WCS - West Coast Spinners ----- Established 1994
President: Ray Fisher (310) 533-6123 Vice President: none
Area: South Bay
Members: Ray Fisher, Johnny Smith, Rod Fomby, Fred Wofford, Milton Rudd, Tommy Broussard, Gary Sawyer
Kit Competition Rules: World Cup Rules.
Fly Schedule: approx.7 flys (every three weeks, Saturdays each month, April through September) All members are required to fly in both World Cup & NBRC Fall Fly.
1998 Kit Champion: Fred Wolford Open Show: none

WSRC - West Side Roller Club ----- Established 1993
President: Keith London (213) 752-3529 Vice Pres: Ernest M.
Area: South-central L.A.
Members: Keith London, Ernest Middleton, Derald Gaines, Don "Lucky" Lyles, Tom & Javier Flores.
Kit Competition Rules: 20 birds, 20 minutes, 1 bird out allowance, quarter turns,
3 judges (average scores).
Fly Schedule: 8 flys (second Saturday each month, March through October)
1998 Kit Champion: Javier & Tom Flores
Open Show: "Norwood Memorial" (Saturday, October 16th)

Comments or questions about the SCRA or the Newsletter?

Call Juan Navarro
(323) 254-2507 or
on the internet: jnavarro@earthlink.net