Hi Noel!
You might remember me, we talked at the last convention. The reason I
am replying, is that I have run a few contests, and my husband Charlie-
Lite has run QUITE a few contests. I noticed a couple of things in
the above postings I wanted to clear up!

Every Regional is required to have a minimum of 5 inverse seeded
positions available at each contest. This guarantees that newbies
such as yourself have a chance at getting into contests as a first-
timer. Usually at my parowan contests, I have those 5 signed up for
at least 6-8 months before the contest begins. However, I make sure
that when a newbie signs up for a contest, I contact a practiced
competition pilot in their own club or area to "mentor" them to get
their bronze (minimum) and silver distance badges, and to talk to them
about what it takes to fly in the upcoming contest.

I would NEVER let or recommend a newbie fly at a National contest for
their first contest. The newest trend in regional contest management,
is to ALSO assign a mentor during the contest for every newbie.

Also, this year, I am opening up a NEW contest site with a regional
during the second week of august, that will have a plenty of room, and
is closer to you than Region 5! Look at Region 9 North in Logan.
Parowan is a popular soaring contest site, and is ALWAYS over-
subscribed, that's why I wanted to have another contest site in Utah.
Logan is only 274 miles north of Parowan, and has a nice LARGE
airport, and plenty of facilities and amenities. (sales pitch over!)

This is another HUGE recommendation for your first contest. Make SURE
you bring a "crew" person. You will be so busy planning, learning
strategy, plotting on your PDA, talking with other pilots and
learning, that you will need the help on the line getting ready for
launch, and having a dedicated person to come get you for land-outs.
As a newbie, you need to EXPECT to have land-outs. If you make a
"deal" for other pilots to come get you, you will be sitting on your
tail for a long-long-long time waiting for rescue. A newbie, always
lands out earlier than most experienced pilots, and you would have to
wait for them to land, and then find your trailer, and then head out,
after they check everyone else's scores, after they have a refreshing
drink, after they check with the retrieve office, after they figure
out where you are, and I could go on...but I think you get the idea.

Each contest is required to state whether or not they require ELT's.
I have not been requiring them at Parowan, because most of my pilots
are using the SPOT's which are less expensive, and been working quite
well. I had a pilot land out last year, and didn't have cell phone
reception in that area, and we were able to get an idea of where he
was because of SPOT. I recommend that you look into this, it isn't
perfect, but it is a lot less expensive and fun for your crew, and
easy for the contest management, if you are over-due with no contact.

Just my thoughts
Micki Minner