Sportsman should be a gathering of 60,90 size models and the class should be scored where they should beat a top end 2M. You want people to try pattern, more than once, the sigma of having a 2M has to go. Once they decide they want to pursue Pattern they can move on to better equipment.
As an aspiring pattern pilot, who has yet to compete, at the ripe old age of 61, this makes a lot of sense to me. A "good" sportsman pilot with a Sig 4 Star should be able to if not win place in the top 5 or 10. Well maybe a 4 Star is a little farfetched but you get where I'm coming from. Maybe disallow any air frame over a XX wing span and XX engine size in sportsman?????? After you move up from sportsman I would think any air frame should be allowed.
I certainly would be in favor of one day contests. Especially if you could find those contests within a two to three hour drive. That would be manageable in my book. The two day events with the overnight stay and possibly even a second night so you can get in a day of practice, drive the cost of competition out of my price range. Going to one or maybe two contests a year is not worth it. Your score totals would be low enough to eliminate you from any serious contention even if you are a good pilot.
On the other hand a one day contest once a month may very well inspire and dispel any of the above detractors???
In a nutshell.... get rid of the 2m stigma with limits on air frames in sportsman , more "local" contests, one day contests.
Ken