In IMAC, Basic is the entry level class. It is full turnaround with no exits. There is a "break" with penalties if you need to regroup. The point is, this is considered an easy pattern by everyone in Sport Aerobatics while, as a pattern, it is more difficult than our Sportsman class. I have never heard any complaints that it is too difficult.
The big difference(and it is big) is the lack of a box. I believe the biggest problem our sportsman newbies have is the constant struggle to keep out where the box is bigger. So, perhaps, as an experiment, we should try eliminating the box for Sportsman, not the turnrounds. Keep the same pattern, with the two regroup "breaks".

There have been comments about newbie sportsman in this thread, referring to eyes glazing over at the concept of flying a continuous ribbon of maneuvers within a set maneuvering space. It is very difficult to take a relatively inexperienced pilot who flies racetrack with an occassional loop or roll and transform him overnight into someone who can fly a reasonable sportsman pattern. It takes interest, drive, research and lots of disciplined practice to get from A to B. I'm not too interested in an adult who doesn't know the basic maneuvers but my interest definitely perks up when I'm asked how to do a better cuban 8 or how to do a snap roll or how do I stay on line when I roll.....

John