Randy
Bridge Pilot
My wife Bridget and I, along with my step-daughter Ashley, live Apopka Florida. I am employed as an Engineering Aid in the defense industry.
I began flying RC model airplanes back in 1981 with my father. We began competing in Pattern contests at 12 years old, and
we continued to pursue Pattern flying for about 3 or 4 years. I was absent from the hobby as I pursued a golf professional career, and then in 1997 I began flying RC Pylon.
My father and I started this journey together as a team, and we are still going strong. My father is now known all over the world for his Vortex Quickie 500 design and immaculate building skills. I have been fortunate to have won the AMA Nationals Quickie 500 class, a total of 5 times. We quickly began competing in Quarter 40 as well, and I won the AMA Nationals Q40 in 2002 and 2012. Winning the AMA Nationals was always a big dream for me, and very rewarding. I won the AMA National Pylon Champion a total of 7 times.
I started FAI pylon racing in 2002. After trying out for the 2002 team, I began to understand how difficult FAI racing is. I’ve since been fortunate enough to make the last 5 USA F3D Teams.
My proudest achievement was winning the 2007 World Championship. Having that experience and sharing that with one of my best friends Travis Flynn, was truly an achievement that I will never forget.
Personal Stats: 2007 – 1st place World Champion 2009 – 3Rd place Individual.. 1st Place Team Gold 2013 – 2nd place Individual.. 1st place Team Gold
My wife Bridget and I, along with my step-daughter Ashley, live Apopka Florida. I am employed as an Engineering Aid in the defense industry.
I began flying RC model airplanes back in 1981 with my father. We began competing in Pattern contests at 12 years old, and
we continued to pursue Pattern flying for about 3 or 4 years. I was absent from the hobby as I pursued a golf professional career, and then in 1997 I began flying RC Pylon.
My father and I started this journey together as a team, and we are still going strong. My father is now known all over the world for his Vortex Quickie 500 design and immaculate building skills. I have been fortunate to have won the AMA Nationals Quickie 500 class, a total of 5 times. We quickly began competing in Quarter 40 as well, and I won the AMA Nationals Q40 in 2002 and 2012. Winning the AMA Nationals was always a big dream for me, and very rewarding. I won the AMA National Pylon Champion a total of 7 times.
I started FAI pylon racing in 2002. After trying out for the 2002 team, I began to understand how difficult FAI racing is. I’ve since been fortunate enough to make the last 5 USA F3D Teams.
My proudest achievement was winning the 2007 World Championship. Having that experience and sharing that with one of my best friends Travis Flynn, was truly an achievement that I will never forget.
Personal Stats: 2007 – 1st place World Champion 2009 – 3Rd place Individual.. 1st Place Team Gold 2013 – 2nd place Individual.. 1st place Team Gold
Gino Del Ponte Pilot
Born Dec 4th 1986 and currently I live in Toole Utah I have been in the RC world my whole life, my dad taught me to fly when I was 6 years old and I’ve been doing it ever since. My main focus is in Pylon Racing where I’ve held multiple AMA records and had strong showings in most competitions around the US. I’ve been a Futaba member since 2002. Modeling helped me get my current job flying UAVs for Northrop Grumman. This led me to meeting my wife Brandi, and us having a beautiful son named Dominic .This will be my first time going to the Worlds and I look forward to representing Team USA in Czech Republic.
Accomplishments: 2003 Q40 Gold Cup Champion, 2004 Q40 AMA Champion, 2007 Q40 NMPRA Champion, 2007 428 AMA Champion, 2008 Winterfest 428 Champion, 2008 428 AMA Champion, 2011 Ef-1 AMA Champion, 2015 F3D US Team Member Runner up at; 2006 NMPRA Championship, 2009 426 Winterfest, 2011 426 AMA Champion
Born Dec 4th 1986 and currently I live in Toole Utah I have been in the RC world my whole life, my dad taught me to fly when I was 6 years old and I’ve been doing it ever since. My main focus is in Pylon Racing where I’ve held multiple AMA records and had strong showings in most competitions around the US. I’ve been a Futaba member since 2002. Modeling helped me get my current job flying UAVs for Northrop Grumman. This led me to meeting my wife Brandi, and us having a beautiful son named Dominic .This will be my first time going to the Worlds and I look forward to representing Team USA in Czech Republic.
Accomplishments: 2003 Q40 Gold Cup Champion, 2004 Q40 AMA Champion, 2007 Q40 NMPRA Champion, 2007 428 AMA Champion, 2008 Winterfest 428 Champion, 2008 428 AMA Champion, 2011 Ef-1 AMA Champion, 2015 F3D US Team Member Runner up at; 2006 NMPRA Championship, 2009 426 Winterfest, 2011 426 AMA Champion
Gary Freeman Jr. Pilot
I am 36. I live in beautiful Casselberry, FL. I have a wife of 15 years Kacie, a daughter Sadie who is 12, and a son Brody who is 4. I am a Systems Engineer for LMC. I have been involved with RC airplanes since the age of three.
I have been to numerous WC and was part of the gold medal winning USA team in 2009 and finished 5th place overall. I am looking forward to again being on the team with my fellow pylon racers: Randy Bridge, Ray Brown, Gino DelPonte, Richard Verano, and our TM Tom Scott.
I am 36. I live in beautiful Casselberry, FL. I have a wife of 15 years Kacie, a daughter Sadie who is 12, and a son Brody who is 4. I am a Systems Engineer for LMC. I have been involved with RC airplanes since the age of three.
I have been to numerous WC and was part of the gold medal winning USA team in 2009 and finished 5th place overall. I am looking forward to again being on the team with my fellow pylon racers: Randy Bridge, Ray Brown, Gino DelPonte, Richard Verano, and our TM Tom Scott.
Tom
Scott Team Manager
I have been involved in modeling for as long as I can remember. I am 64 years old and flying RC since 1959. I have been racing pylon since 1988 and has become my primary interest. I have won the US Nationals twice and was NMPRA Champion once. I have won the Phoenix Classic two times as well. Numerous top ten wins. I held the Q-40 Record from 2000 till the long stroke was introduced in 2007. I currently hold the AMA 426 national record. I was on Team USA in 2005 with my long time racing Partner Craig Grunkemeyer. I was asked to serve as Team Manager and coach for my friends Julio Quevedo and Eddie Melville on Team Guatemala during the 2009, 2011 and 2013 world championships in Germany, Australia and Netherlands. I am honored to serve as Team Manager for this great Team USA for 2015
I have been involved in modeling for as long as I can remember. I am 64 years old and flying RC since 1959. I have been racing pylon since 1988 and has become my primary interest. I have won the US Nationals twice and was NMPRA Champion once. I have won the Phoenix Classic two times as well. Numerous top ten wins. I held the Q-40 Record from 2000 till the long stroke was introduced in 2007. I currently hold the AMA 426 national record. I was on Team USA in 2005 with my long time racing Partner Craig Grunkemeyer. I was asked to serve as Team Manager and coach for my friends Julio Quevedo and Eddie Melville on Team Guatemala during the 2009, 2011 and 2013 world championships in Germany, Australia and Netherlands. I am honored to serve as Team Manager for this great Team USA for 2015
Richard Verano Caller for Gino Del Ponte
56 years old and been in R/C for 40 years. I'm married to Jane for 27 years with 3 children Jeremy, Michael, and Jewel. I have worked in the R/C industries all my life and currently the sole importer of YS engines here in the USA. My individual accomplishments in F3D pylon racing are 1st place at 1993 World Championship, Vice World Champion in 1995, 2003, 2009, 3rd place in 1999 and 4th place in 2005. I set the World record in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 and the 1st to record a sub minute time in F3D with a 59.3 seconds. I'm a 14 times US National Champion in pylon and held national records in Q-500, Q-40, Formula 1, and F3D
56 years old and been in R/C for 40 years. I'm married to Jane for 27 years with 3 children Jeremy, Michael, and Jewel. I have worked in the R/C industries all my life and currently the sole importer of YS engines here in the USA. My individual accomplishments in F3D pylon racing are 1st place at 1993 World Championship, Vice World Champion in 1995, 2003, 2009, 3rd place in 1999 and 4th place in 2005. I set the World record in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999 and the 1st to record a sub minute time in F3D with a 59.3 seconds. I'm a 14 times US National Champion in pylon and held national records in Q-500, Q-40, Formula 1, and F3D
"Rocket" Ray Brown Caller for Randy Bridge and 1st Alternate
Team Futaba member since 1997
Part of 2013 Gold medal winning US F3D team
Team Futaba member since 1997
Part of 2013 Gold medal winning US F3D team