RE: 1st contest, 3rd place...
I was the dragging plane at our last fun fly/ demonstration and it was a blast. I can't imagine crepe paper causing any type of interference if you catch it with something other than the prop. I can hardly get it to stay across the ceiling at my kids birthday parties.
One other thing I've seen and have been dying to try is target practice. You draw a big target, runway or otherwise. Rubberband a dixie cup onto your plane and put a tissue paper full of flour into it...fly up to an agreed altitude and drop the 'bomb'. I've seen guys roll to do it. loop or even hump it out. I imagine with all of the insurance rules and liabilities that have been coming down that this event is no longer practiced but I'm sure I'll still try it one day....
Mr. Buckner you're going to have to elaborate on that one...all I can see is fuses getting swiss cheesed on the first pylon....