Be prepared; you're likely to hear several reasons supporting the existence of the Gold-class breakout. This goes back several years and the valid answer now wasn't a valid one then.
1. A fatality at an SWRA event some years ago triggered some changes to the event and I believe the Gold-breakout was one of them. Pulling workers off the course (out of the pylon cages) was one of the smarter moves and arguably could have prevented the incident.
2. I've been told different stories by different people (some of them on the SWRA board during the time of and after the accident). Some say they wanted to "do something" in the interest of safety and the breakout was a solution that wouldn't require equipment (airframe/engine) changes. It was a seemingly easy way to fix the perceived safety problem.
3. You'll never find a top-of-the-heap Gold pilot who supports the breakout. Those who insist on keeping it probably wouldn't be competitive without it. Many of the breakout supporters can now effectively compete in the class because the fast guys quit showing up altogether (and that seems to sit pretty well with the current administration). Recent Sacramento race (no scale judging and 1:30 breakout) drew nearly 50 entries. Average SWRA race WITH scale judging and 1:38 breakout draws half that if they're lucky. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.....
4. Regardless of what you hear the CURRENT reason for the breakout is that the AMA won't issue an event sanction/endorsement unless the club can build the course in accordance with current AMA rules governing 2-pole racing for engines over .40 CID. Most clubs don't have the space to set up the course per these guidelines so it's up to the district VP to grant a per-event "waiver" allowing the course to be placed closer to the flightline and spectators. Our current District X VP will issue said waiver but requires Gold breakout. Interestingly enough the same VP allowed a 1:30 breakout for a recent race in Sacramento but somehow the local group opted for the more popular 1:38 (go figure!). For what it's worth our current VP also served as SWRA President several years ago.
Q500 racing probably won't give you much of an edge since you're used to flying inside of a 3-pole course and SWRA flies outside an offset 2-pole course. It's pretty wierd. I've flown more SWRA than 3-pole and find the 2-pole stuff easier.
If you hope to trophy the scale judging is important; your scale score counts just as much as your racing score. The judges are reasonable but your airplane better match your documentation (outline, color and markings) and they also look at craftsmanship.
You've probably figured out that I don't support the Gold breakout (it's no secret.......just ask anybody within the organization). I attended the December race because it was close and my 11-year-old son wanted to race in the Gold class. Even he can run low 1:40's and high 1:30's. I've run low 1:20's myself and the current event structure doesn't offer much of a challenge for me. I miss the good old days.
One thing to remember: in rulebook events like Q500 most people aspire to be the fastest. In SWRA racing they look for a way to run you off if you beat them.
Good luck! It's a lot of fun until you run up against local politics.
Tony Pacini