Super Regionals

On Dec 31, 5:14*pm, wrote:
If that part of the country is so good, have another contest at Ely!
Parowan is so tight, I understand one could not even fly there with a
wingspan of more than 20 m?

You guys just have to get your act together and *arrange contests at
Ely or similar. If pilots want to race there! One should not have to
tell anyone to stay home?

soarski

On Dec 31, 12:07*pm, Bullwinkle wrote:



On 12/31/07 11:37 AM, in article
, "JJ

Sinclair" wrote:
Parowan offers not only outstanding soaring with plentiful landing
locations (for the most part), but it is also one long days travel
from some 10 western states. The waiting list is
gigantic............some 80+ last year! How do (did) we deal with all
these folks that want to fly Parowan? Last year, everyone within
region 9 was automatically in + another 5 reverse seeded pilots from
outside the region. This resulted in an overloaded sports class that
took up some 20 slots, leaving the other 3 classes to fight over the
remaining 30 slots (50 max).

Now, let's look at the sports class. We had quite a group with no
experience, save a silver badge and who were they competing against?
Top of the line; Striedeck, Wills, Harrison; Guys with high seeding,
because that's what it took to get in! Is this what we want for our
entry lavel competitor, raw recruits racing against national /
international class pilots?

I believe the rules committee dealt with this discrepancy in a fair
way, let 0-50% from within region 9, with no questions asked, then let
the individual seeding decide the rest. I was 68th on the list and got
in just 2 days before it started. A couple of those already in had to
drop out, one broke his bird and the other had job issues. Most
couldn't drop everything, so the list quickly got to me at 68th. Those
who couldn't drop everything were good pilots that really wanted to
come, were they treated fairly? This problem only happens at Parowna
and Mifflin and I say the Super Regionals is a good idea. Newbies, if
you can't get into Parowan, come to Air Sailing for some "not so
intense" entry level racing.
JJ Sinclair

Just because Parowan is a great place to fly and people from outside R9 want
to fly there, shouldn't give everyone who wishes to fly in our Regional the
right to do so.

The "problem" that was solved with the new rules is this: how to make it
easier for outsiders wanting to invade the R9 Regionals and prevent R9
residents from flying in our own contest. I personally think the three you
mentioned, plus all the others from outside R9, should stay home.

Why not just have a National contest at Parowan every year to satisfy the
easterners (and New Zealanders, apparently), and quit stacking the rules
against residents of Region 9? Let our Regional contest be truly a Regional
contest.

This is manipulation of the system pure and simple, to benefit the few and
discriminate against the little guy.

Sorry, that's just my opinion. I respectfully recognize that others
disagree.- Hide quoted text -


Well I'm a bit torn on this one. I flew my first contest in 20 years
at Parowan in 2004 and have flown there in 2005 and 2007. I'm from out
of Region 9. I've gotten in every time, but it's always a nail biter,
which is a problem given how much I have to plan ahead to take time
off. Speaking pesonally, I am thankful to to have an easier time
getting in as it is an exceptional soaring venue.

I don't really agree that Parowan is not a good place for new contest
pilots. In the west prety much all the sites have some rough terrain
and I find Parowan to be more friendly than most. I also don't
necessarily agree that newbies shouldn't mix with top pilots in the
sports class. If top pilots elect to fly Duos and end up in Sports,
that's a fine choice an it's kind of cool fo a newbie to go toe to toe
with the top guns even if they kick your butt in the end (I am a
personal recipient of said butt kicking at Parowan in 2004. I had a
fine time just the same and I don't think I got in any one's way). I
think it's not a bad way to get new folks up the curve a bit faster -
have them fly with experienced pilots sooner rather than later.

I guess I find the Super Regional idea feels a bit too much like it
started with a particular end in mind, like "get the following guys in
at Mifflin and Parowan". I would rather see some ability to admit out
of Region pilots to ALL regionals while preserving the character of
Regionals as stepping stones for pilots in developing contest flying
skills.

I think a longer lead time for a non-refundable deposit will eliminate
a few casual entrants and avoid some of the "last minute shuffle" at
the bottom of the entry list - that's probably a good thing for all
concerned. I also think allowing some leeway for organizers to set
minimum/maximum class sizes to balance the field and reserve a
specified number or percent of spots as preferential for in-Region
makes sense in general for regionals, not just for specific sites.

That said, I expect the contest committee elected to do it the way the
did for a reason, so I'm willing to see how it goes in 2008.

9B