I agree with Jim,as the average joe that is not sponsored or has loads of cash at hand can't compete with the people who do!!!.There are guys out there who put countless hours into building and flying and are just as good as most of the guys competing in either Top Gun or the TOC,but will never get there because of jobs traveling time or the biggest thing of all MONEY.This is where I think each seperate district should host their own tourneys for their own people.Instead of the AMA spending countless dollars on overseas tournaments or things like fai that most of us do not benefit from anyway,give the money to the districts to get us average joe's a chance or atleast the opportunity to compete against others from neighboring states and towns.
I don't know about anyone else but I can't take the time to run all over God's green earth to try to compete in a tourney in Arizona (TOC) or Lakeland Florida (Top Gun)or where ever the nationals are being held each year.Lets have something that is available for all within a reasonable distance from our own doorsteps in each district.More people/Modelers would compete if they felt they could!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!