On Sep 18, 1:01*am, Tim Taylor wrote:
On Sep 17, 9:23*pm, Sam Giltner wrote:





I would like to thank the people responsible for putting together the SRA
Poll. A lot of work for sure.
I do take issue with item 3.0 and 3.1, Club Class
First 3.0 states that the WGCs Club Class List is too unstable and
excludes too many ships in widespread use in the US. The whole idea of a
Club Class is to have a class of gliders based on similar performance, not
on how many different gliders are being flown in this country. I also find
the statement *"the WGC Club Class List is unstable" questionable. The
IGC has a very specific list of gliders allowed in the WGC. It is
published on line. Why not use what the rest of the world uses. If we want
to compete with the rest of the world we need to do as they do. *
3.0 further states that if a Club Class were to be implemented it would be
a "Major Change" and it would be implemented gradually.
*The way it is stated:
1st year- Demonstration contest by waiver
2nd year-Regionals and super regional contest
3rd year-Nationals Contest
4th year-The US team would use it for WGC
3.1 then ask-Should we proceed with the introduction of a Club Class "as
described above".
To me this is a two fold question;
1. Do you favor a Club Class?
2. Do you want to wait 4 years to fully implement the Club Class?
* Some people may want the Club Class to begin right away. After all the
IGC already has the rules in place. Other countries have had a very
successful Club Class for years! Why do we have to vote for a Club Class
"as described above"? Why can't we vote for a Club Class in one or two
years.
Please note that if you vote YES to 3.1 you vote to have a Club Class but
you also vote to a 4 year wait for it to be fully implemented.
Why should we have to wait 4 years if we want a Club Class. I encourage
you to vote "yes" but also write in the "other issues" area that you
vote "yes" with the stipulation that we do it ASAP! The IGC has the
rules, gliders, handicaps, etc already in place. We can use the format of
the last WGC and move forward. * *
These are my thoughts only. Thanks, 5 Ugly LS1-F

The biggest problem I see is that the "Sports" class has become the
alternate year contest for those pilots that don't want to travel
across the country to fly in their respective classes.

If the rules committee would move to create an East and West Nationals
for each class, the Club class would have a much better chance to be
what it is in Europe. *Not everyone owns a current racer and a club
class ship ;-).

So far the rules committee seems to be stuck in the past of cheap gas,
people with lots of vacation time and love to drive for days to get to
a Nationals. *They will say we have a problem with numbers at
contests, but staunchly refuse to think outside the box.

I guess if I had one of the latest ships, the money to travel
thousands of miles and plenty of vacation time I wouldn't want to
change the rules either so that others might be able to compete with
me at the nationals.

I am still waiting for any response form the rules committee on why we
can't change the current system and why they are happy letting the
numbers decline each year and do nothing to change it.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The competition committee currently struggles to get enough organizers
to run 6 nationals a year. Your suggestion
is to make this 12 . This is highly unlikely to be supported by
contest organizers.
2 15 meter "national champions"- one "east", one "west". which is the
true NATIONAL champion? Who gets the world team slot?
I see your thinking, while trying to address a real problem, as
flawed.
I would challange you to support your assertion that the RC is happy
about declining participation. This is simply not true. It is
however , very true that there are no simple answers to these issues.
The Club class has the potential to increase participation by creating
a "special home" for that group of ships. It remains to be seen
whether this will increase participation of simply divide the sports
class, have one more set of prizes, more work for organizers and
scorers.
Lest anyone think that I oppose this new possible class, I do not. I
must demonstrate that participation can be expected to increase or all
it really does is make a class where guys don't have to compete with
KS.
Please provide your input as part of your poll response. These are
used as supporting documentation for the annual Rules meeting.
Thanks
UH
SSA Competition Rules Subcommittee Chair.