[ronm]

It's not the prizes. When I started, I didn't know there was prizes! And not all of the contests have prizes. It has not made a difference in the interest.

Two main factors, in my opinion:

1: Other events occuring on the same weekend (not IMAC, any flying event)

2: Weather. Our weather has SUCKED for most of the season. People won't travel if the weather does not look good.

Ronm

Hey, that reminds me, I still didn't get my Carden or Sew Busy shirt?!
I guess they must be real busy this time of year though.

[AJCoholic]

I think "we" should schedule the contest dates to allow more of "us" to participate. Like you guys said that makes sense..

I imagine the most fun of the contest will be having fun, trying to fly your best and doing better each time as you get more practice flyign the manouvers.

I will be at the contest in London this weekend, barring my truck breaking down on the 401!! Next summer I will try and make 2 events if I can help it. Its a heck of a drive for me (8 hours one way) but if I can beat out Frank in the basic I can rub his nose in it all night at dinner.... hehehe blame it on his "old age" if he beats me, well I will blame my youth and inexperience..!

[Vulcan1]

Mike,
I am not into IMAC but you never know. But if I could add something to your contest idea it may help.
Out here we have pretty set weekends when holding racing events. It does not change from year to year. If you or somebody sets 1 or 2 weekends a year and hold it the same time next year, I think you might get more participation. This way a guy can plan on setting the weekend aside well in advance.
As for prizes, I am not sure if that will make any differance. I would drive 1400 km. round trip to win a trophy and didn't expect anything else. I would go just for the fun and also visit with the guys. At one time we where even talking about recycling the trophies.
Just my thoughts on the subject.
John

[Randy Brown]

Heck I drive that far just to try a new Pizza business out

Randy

[scaleguy]

Originally Posted by Randy Brown

Heck I drive that far just to try a new Pizza business out

Randy

So youve had the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza from Calgary then? It's great! Eastown Pizza in London is also GREAT even though it's not deep dish! Hmmmm maybe for diner Saturday ...!

[Randy Brown]

No lie, Ask Bob about me, the guys would go out for supper after flying and I would race to the Motel room to see where I could order a Pizza and Wings from to try

Beats teh Heck out of the last place I ate out at from a contest.. Right Bob<G>

Wonder where that Ghost Buster went
Don;t Ast

Randy

[Bob Hudson]

Originally Posted by deano

.I find people don't know where or when the events are and that is the major problem with the whole thing.Maybe this is what happened to your contest or maybe not as I am just speculating.
Sorry to have upset you

Deano,

If you don't know where or when the events are you are:

1. NOT reading your MAAC Magazine All 6 of the Ontario contests and ALL 5 of the Quebec contest were advertised in the Scale Aerobatic colum at least twice aerly in the year.

2. Not visiting the website for the discipline you are intetested in. In our case it's IMAC and the website is http://www.mini-iac.com.

3. Not "in the loop" with the active, regular flyers.

4. Last but not least, you're a "newbie" and are still uninformed. just starting to find out about it. want to get more info. ( you know what I mean)

See you in London at the last IMAC contest ( in Ontario) this weekend

[bigguy]

Being a newbie myself,what does it take to get some of the pro's in CANADA to show up at these events to promote the discipline?I can think of a few that could have shown up at one of our last events but it seemed everyone had an excuse.I noticed this year's imac at our club had more interest in it and I think that is due to the participation of some of the more experienced fliers last year giving good tips.There confidence & performance were shown at this years event just look at the scores.Lots more interest has suddenly appeared for next years event.If we can't promote the hobby amongst ourselves no one else will do it for us. Thx to Bob he has done alot of work in this area!!

[Brian Facey]

I agree with the idea of setting our own schedule and relying on our own competitors in Canada to attend. If some Americans come, GREAT!! If they don't or can't, to bad for them as our contests are going to grow in quality and participation if the number of turnouts in Basic at the Edenvale and Stoney Creek contests are any indication.

Prizes are very nice but it is not the reason I go. I want to fly better and hope to beat the poop out of the competitors in my class.

Brian