Well Jerry we are competitive beings and as such most of us do what is needed to remain competitive. As a father of 5 with 3 teenage boys at home still and still 15 years from retirement my time is limited. Especially when you consider that I also fly soaring contests, IMAC and pattern. Without a very understanding wife that is also my caller in these events it would not be possible. With all that said I design and build my own airplanes, it gives me no real advantage due to the breakout and I think in some respects it has hurt me. There have been heats where I didn't think I was running too fast but ended up breaking out. The breakout really does level the playing field and truth be known 90% of the guys doing custom airplanes are running gold class. Again IMO this subject only has to do with one or two guys in the smallest class we run.