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.