RE: SPA / BPA prediction
You don't have to have retracts or a pipe to be competitive!!!
Pattern as some have seem to have forgotten(harping on equipment). Is about straight lines, centering and geometry etc.ect.
This was proven in spades at the BPA contest in Huntsville. There were a couple of SPA legal planes there and in the right hands performed better than some of the BPA style aircraft(Piped & retracted).
To win a pattern contest you must fly consistantly and better than the other guy!!!
Type of aircraft and equipment is more of a personal choice!!! Penalties and restrictions just decrease the number of competitors.
I have flown pattern new and old and the consistant pilot always seem to come out on top, no matter what they are flying!!!
JMO
Gary