A lot of good points have been stated in this thread.
I'm sure I can't add any good points, but I can add
my 2 cents worth...

I've flown in one SSA Regional contest, a couple of
GTA (Georgia-Tennessee-Alabama series) and some 'fun
flys' that were sort of run like contests. In all
cases, I was in a 'sports class' and I think the GTA
runs their series based on the sports class rules.

I know I don't have a chance of winning. Yet. But
I want to go to contests to:
1. Improve my flying
2. Meet other people
3. Have a great vacation

The main problem holding me back: Lack of vacation
time. A regional requires more than a week of vacation
time and since I'm on a new job, it takes time to build
sufficient vacation time. Here is where the GTA series
is great: They fly weekend events with the occassional
3-day fling thrown in. Unfortunately, their races
nearest to me are about 500 miles away. That's just
an awfully long way to go, especially with gas over
$2.20/gallon, for two days of flying. (I know the
Europeans are rolling their eyes over this item.)

I am a bit intimidated when I find a lot of newer gliders
as compared to my 1970 LS1-d at these events. Sure,
there may be the occassional Libelle or 1-34, but most
of the competition I've seen at the events have been
newer than mine.

While it is a little intimidating, I'm not put off
by it. I know that is just the way it is. And besides,
it gives me a good alibi for loosing! (Handicap for
my glider is 1.019)

But I must say, it would be more interesting if all
the competitors in my class had gliders of similar
vintage (or even street value?)

Back to the GTA: They run two classes: The 'A' class
for the experienced pilots and the 'B' class for the
rest. For the two events I attended, I flew in the
'B' class. They assign shorter tasks for the 'B' pilots
and usually the route stays a little closer to the
home field. To me, these are appealing features.
It lets me fly 'in the shallow part of the pool' before
I 'jump off into the deep end.'

So, I could see where a Club Class would be interesting
and I would participate, if I can ever build enough
vacation time. But, I'll be happy in the Sports Class
just the way it is. That's because I'm not a 'real'
competitor like EY. He and others like him are out
to win. I'm just out to have a good time. And having
the structure available at a contest: The CD, the
weather guesser, and all the other pilots doing the
same thing make flying a contest a whole lot more fun
and interesting than flying at the home field where
everybody seems to do their own thing.

So, I just need more vacation time and a longer spring
season.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA
LS1-d, 'W8'