There is nothing confusing about an unknown in basic. To me flying the unknown is the highlight of the contest. Instead of just flying the same sequence again and again you get
to fly your unknown first thing in the morning along with the other classes.
Invaluable experience, in my opinion, one that makes you feel part of the rest of the imac group and not some sort of a misfit trying to get in.
And you are right, the unknown can blow your contest if you are not carefull, (as it did on my first contest when it dropped me from first to 4th) but what's so bad about that for basic pilots?
That's how imac works. You want to expose them to aerobatic flying right?

I know I learned my lesson since then and I now feel better prepared for the unknown
experience in the upper classes.
Also, in the 2 contests that I flew an unknown in basic, non of the basic pilots ever complained about it. Everyone seemed to have fun with it.
Again, I don't think it's as bad as you make it sound.

Take care,

Stratos.-