BUGGY NEWS 1.1  February, 1993: 

   UPDATE: Here it is the end of February, and already much is happening in
the buggy world. The Buggy Boogie Thang scheduled for January 17-20, 1994
(immediately after KTA / Las Vegas) also known as Operation High Desert Swarm
was expected to be at El Mirage Dry Lake between Palmdale and Victorville in
California's Mojave Desert.  New developments have brought another location,
much closer to Las Vegas, to my attention.  A more convenient location could
bring more folks who have only a passing interest in buggies, and give us a
chance to convert them.

   LAND SAILING: I have recently been in contact with the North American Land
Sailing Association (NALSA) and have been invited to their National Regatta
to be held during Easter Week.  I will be there April  9-11. This event is
being held at Ivanpah Dry Lake just 40 miles outside of Las Vegas right on
Interstate 15 (The highway to L.A.)  Ivanpah straddles the state line (Cal-
Nev) and there are two casino-hotels there.  Whiskey Pete's is the choice,
the costs are low ($33/night) and the food prices are their loss-leader
(Prime Rib for $9.95).

   RESERVATIONS: If you can make it... use my confirmation number when you
make your reservations to receive adjacent rooms instead of being spread out
all over.  Don't delay, they will probably fill up.  Whiskey Pete's phone
number: 1-702-382-4388 Confirmation # 153 254 / Jensen. This event should not
only introduce the buggy pilots to the larger land sailing community, but
them to us and it will also allow us to explore this extremely convenient
location for the Buggy Boogie Thang.

   BUGGY CLUB: In regards the land sailing club, they maintain a 1 million
dollar liability insurance policy and serve as the sanctioning body for races
and speed trials. The president of NALSA is also a kiter and a friend.  He
has stated that we may form a buggy sailing club and affiliate with their
organization for $40/ year and be covered under their insurance.

   BUGGY PILOTS of AMERICA: I already have a banner with BP of A appliqued on
it.  Can we be the Buggy Pilots of America?

   BIG BROTHER: The Federal Government manages most of the dry lakes and
requires a $2/person fee for any competitive events held on public land. 
NALSA has and maintains these valuable contacts with the bureaucracy.

   BUGGY PRICES: Distribution and prices on the PL Kite Buggy remain just a
bit unsettled.  They are struggling to make them available worldwide.  Fat
Tire Buggies are less expensive.  They are best on sand but less efficient on
grass.  Skinny Tire Buggies cost more because of the spoke wheels.  They work
best on hard-pack and grass. Current list prices are FTB: $799  Street Price
$550 - $650.  STB: $899, Street Price $600 - $700.  Some discount prices do
not include the carry bag. 

   AFTER MARKET: Fat tires may be retro-fitted to STB's rear axle without
modification, as can skinny tires be fitted to FTB rear axles.  A fat tire in
the front of a STB requires the new front fork, while skinny front tires on
fat tire forks may require a longer axle bolt fitting. As the rims and spokes
on the STB are not stainless steel, some riders are looking to upgrade. 
Check your local bike shop for BMX rims.  I found some 16" red, blue or
silver anodized rims that I picked up for $5 ea.  The bike shop, looking for
winter business, offered 3 rims, spokes & assembly for $64 complete. Peter
Lynn has developed a dead-man handle for two-line power kites.  As the major
problem of letting go in times of trouble is that the handles fly off and can
wrap around or strike something, this system that releases the lines when the
flyer lets go of the handles is a very smart choice for responsible flyers.

   RELATIVE POWER: At my weight of 225 lbs. a Quad 25 on 60 ft. lines moves
me in a 13-15 mph wind on hard-pack.  The Q-50 with 70 ft. lines  gets me
going in a 8-10 mph wind, and in a 15 mph wind on a hard-pack surface can
propel me to the mid 30 mph range.  The Q-75 on 90 ft. lines drops the
minimum wind needed to buggy down to around 5-6 mph. I also am using a two-
stack of Rev-1's and while they do not generate as much power and require
more attention during set-up and launches, they have the advantage of great
maneuverability and being adaptable to wind velocity by adding or removing
sails. The 5 m. PEEL is still the most powerful I have used (it scared me)
with the buggy, but the best power is generated with a looping flight path
that requires more room.

   TEACHING: Teaching others is still easier with the Quad bags. There is
less need to be an accomplished kiter first.  Set-up, launch and crash
recovery are also easier with the quad-line parafoils.  I make a point of
bringing my mountain bike along so I can follow and instruct without yelling.

   BUGGY BOOGIE THANG: I am making a very special Buggy Boogie Thang
Sweatshirt that will commemorate this already legendary event.  They will be
available soon and will cost $30/ea. including S&H in the USA.  Overseas
orders add $10.  X-X-Large add $5.

   CONTACT: Contact me through WINDBORNE KITES  585 Cannery Row #105 
Monterey, California 93940.  I am in the shop from 10 am to 6 pm Monday,
Thursday & Friday. The shop phone is 1-408-373-7422. You may fax me at the
AKA fax number 1-408-647-8483.

                                        Good Sailing, Corey Jensen