Personally, I think Pilot who know that they're slow will usually fly higher to stay away from others that are moving and grooving. Most will know when to battle and when to fly the course as how their plane move. If it's slow, they will back of a little, but if they feel they have the speed, they are going for it. This usually the true scenario from the actual racing I've seen.

For me would be, I'm flying the course wether I'm slower or not. If I can keep as tight as I can with out cutting, then opportunity exist for some points if not a win. Unless, I'm very slow due to missed needle setting or minor problem with the plane itself. After all, if you're NOT racing, you're not living on the edge. And racing take guts and guts take glories when all is well and done.

As for the Mid-Air... It's going to happen one way or another if you're racing. If it doesn't happened already, you're NOT really racing or pushing to the limits.

Sam S.