Great debate all.

Please allow me to remind everyone that FSGP USA is intended to be a fun event. It is not competing with or calling US rules ugly. In large events (25+ gliders) or Nationals, it would probably not work safely. Perhaps one day an SSA sanctioned US GP Nationals would be a great way to qualify an American and a Canadian for the FAI GP World Championship! HINT! HINT! HINT!

It truly was fun (even though we had only 10 gliders racing (14 on site) in 3 classes, (2, 4, 4)) and if we get some weather in the future, it will be outstanding flying! Remember that all are welcome and that there are still plenty of spaces available! To sign up email Andy McQuigg at ash99eATyahooDOTcom. Please consider making a trip down and give it a go!

I wish to state that I have considerable respect for the US rules and the safety ideals the USRC are trying to protect (even though I have been a critic of some minor points at times). That said, I think the GP concept (with US finish or without) has tremendous potential (sanctioned or unsanctioned) to excite US pilots and make for some great, fun and exciting competitions.

For the record, I do think we are all capable of flying assigned tasks far more often than we do...and that AAT's are probably overused in contests (except for Sports class of course). Short MAT's are the worst! GP events would attract those who share my opinion for sure!

Please remember that this Florida Sailplane Grand Prix - USA event is all about fun. Its not trying to be anything more than that at this stage. Lets not beat it up too much!

For more info check the website he https://sites.google.com/site/sgpflusa/

Sean
F2/7T



On Saturday, October 5, 2013 7:40:08 AM UTC-4, kirk.stant wrote:
On Friday, October 4, 2013 11:02:30 PM UTC+2, WB wrote:



I could not agree more! The beauty of the GP format (of which I was not



convinced before flying one this past weekend) is the sense of



immediacy. I think that is part of what is missing from MAT and AAT



tasks. You get to experience the results of your efforts in the moment.



Flying an assigned task with a GP start "concentrates the mind



wonderfully". I have had very few contests flights where I have



concentrated so hard on picking my path and flying with the utmost



efficiency. I know the others were doing the same. You could almost see



the little thought bubbles over each glider with each pilot thinking



"How do I get away from this SOB?".







The one word that sums up this little experiment in GP racing for me is



"satisfying". It was simpler, purer, more challenging, more immediately



gratifying. Let's keep it that way. No need to "gild the lily".







--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ---



Guess what - there is an easy way to get the same effect under current rules in the US: fly speed tasks, and during the pre-start maneuvering find an follow someone who you think you need to beat but is as good or better than you (or better, several of those guys). Then start within a few minutes of him (them). Works like a charm at smaller local races - been doing it at ASA contests for years!



Kirk

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