ORIGINAL: RByrd
Leveling the playing field would require everyone to learn to properly trim their plane. It doesn't matter how much a pilot spends. If isn't trim properly. He will get beat every time no matter how much time he's at the field.
Ding Ding!!! The winning response. Money can't buy experience and knowledge needed/used to properly setup a good pattern plane. A proper setup is far more important than the actual plane for the majority of flyers/contests - the exceptions being the high levels of competition in Masters or FAI. At those levels, the equipment better be pretty darn good, and the setup is a must. Granted, some guys have enough natural talent to overcome some weaknesses in airframe and setup, but that is a truly small number, and there is limit to what can be overcome.
Regards,