IMAGINE racing competitors at 350 kilometres an hour about 10 metres off the ground - that's what Warrnambool's Leigh Hocken will be doing against the world's best in the Czech Republic.
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The 35-year-old will represent Australia in the F3D world championships for pylon racing model aeroplanes.
Using a hand-held remote control console he'll be required to steer his $3500 machine with precision accuracy 10 times around a triangular 400-metre course in less than a minute without crashing into other planes racing on the same circuit.
That will have to be repeated 13 times in subsequent rounds to determine final points.
"This class is equivalent to the formula one of model planes," Mr Hocken said as he prepared to leave for Olomouc, east of Prague where the championships will run from July 7 to 10.
"There will be three planes racing at once and we lose points for cutting inside the course. Crashes are not uncommon."
The 2.25 kilogram aircraft will be screaming through the air at average speeds of 330-340 kilometres an hour and can cover the 4.3 kilometre race in 55 seconds.
Their finely-tuned 6.6cc two-stroke engines rev to 34,000 rpm, burning a mixture of methanol and castor oil. Each set of propellors has been carefully shaped by the pilots to give them a winning edge.
Four other Aussies will display green and gold on their wings including current world champion Chris Callow of the Sunshine Coast and talented 14-year-old Daniel Arapakis of Mornington.
The Aussies are keen to regain the world team championship which they last won in 2011 at Bundaberg. Mr Hocken finished sixth in individual rankings.
He first tasted the thrill of flying model planes as a 10 year old with smaller machines and stepped up to competitive racing about 15 years later.
Despite his busy work schedule as a metal fabricator he has squeezed in practice sessions at the Warrnambool Model Aero Club.
He's even had friend hover a drone over the course and film practice rounds on a replica of the world championship circuit.
Hopefully that will give him an edge over his international opponents.
In the spectator gallery will be his wife Fiona and daughters Indiana, 6, and Lacey, 4, with high hopes of a trophy to bring home.
