Competitive improvement?
It is common -that does not make it alright.
I don't fly in the lower classes - just watch the continual spiral toward higher costs and goofier flight sequences - We have to really work to get judges prepared for our contests- (I CD each year).
And sandbaggers ?
you bet they are there
If you can't spot em - you have not been at it long enough.
In my book - any win in Basic or Sportsman -against more than a handful of flyers - really dictates a voluntary move up.