Oh what the heck, I'll chime in again.

We all agree that encouraging participation is a good thing right? If IMAC, as an organization, really wants to do that, the insiders need to look at IMAC through the eyes of an outsider. Determine what the barriers to entry are, and knock them down. It is just as simple as that, in my opinion. If Mini-MAC, with the current rules and personal investment of experienced IMACers, does not bring in beginners, we should question why. Do the current 60/90 rules represent the demographic of most potential beginers? Maybe not. Could a more modern interpretation of Mini-MAC bring beginners in? Only if experienced IMACers commit to it.

I suppose another interpretation is that IMAC is really a group of giant SA pilots that have followed the natural progression of ever increasing airframe sizes and that cost is no object. I can tell you from an outsiders view, that's what it looks like. My own experience is based on one local IMAC competition. The financial resources sitting on the flight line was mind boggling (even in Basic class).

Although that doesn't deter me too much, I bet many people just go home feeling that participation in IMAC is an exercise in futility.