ORIGINAL: CLRD2LAND
Con's.
I say this with <u>COMPLETE and UTTER respect</u> but I find it interesting that most of the people that are against this ( at least in this thread) are the people, at the very least, getting to the podium in Masters. It would be good to hear from those that finish mid-pack or lower all the time and see if they are truly happy with this. I don't understand how this is possible since we are all competitors. Arch and others, truly I'm not trying to be disrespectful by saying these things. One day, I can only hope to fly as good as y'all regardless of how all this turns out. I simply would like us to try to figure out the best way to make the majority happy, not get stuck in a mold of how things should be, and work on improving not only the quality of our sport, but increasing the enjoyment and continually grow what we have already started.
Although you may have heard more often from Archie and Watson on this, I think many Masters pilots are reading the postings.
Let me give you my point of view. I have not won a Masters local event in 15 years. I have not placed in a Masters local event in 10 years. Last time I flew at the Nats, I came in in the top 20 back in 2004, I think. Only time I even got close to a Nats win was way back in 1981, when I led the Sportsman Event for 2 days, but lost it due to balky engine. Just didn't know enough to set the silly thing right. Not enough experience.
I am Mr. Middle of the Pack. I just don't see that the majority of all of us Mssrs "Middle of the Pack" are unhappy about our placing. For all of us who scored great at one time but we no longer do, we know what it takes....more work. Many of us, myself included, simply don't have time or energy to put in the necessary practice to get better. Some of us, myself included, now may have physical or medical problems that make it even more difficult to put it the required time.
Want to know what? I enjoy the sport as much as ever....its great to win true. But there are other ways to enjoy it also...for me, it's creating something new and different that still keeps me at the front of my seat. It is all part of the whole