My first reaction to John's proposal was "No, no, don't take away my
Standard Class." My second reaction was "Sure, why not?" Way back in
1991, Karl Striedieck, Charlie Spratt, and about 10 of us showed up at
Lockhaven, PA in October for a Region 2/3 contest (it was the
precursor of the increasingly popular Region 4N contest I just
returned from at Fairfield, PA). Various gliders were flown and the
scores were handicapped. I don't know whether we were within the
rules, had a waiver, or what. John Good was there so I suspect it was
OK. The competition was fierce: Karl, John Seymour, world champion
Janusz Centka, Shempp-Hirth's Tilo Holighaus, U.S. Sports Class
Champion Dave Stevenson, et al. We had a blast and I learned a lot.
Anything that helps make competition more accessible without removing
my ability to fly whatever I bring against good pilots is OK with me,
at least at the regional level. My only suggestion would be to allow
pilots to "move up" from the Club Class to FAI Class if they wish. Not
everything more than a few years old is obsolete.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB" ("obsolete" but still going as well as anything out there)
USA