IMAC in Colorado

[lfalsetto]

Hi from Colorado,
I have been a CD for several contests in Colorado, This year we an considiring dropping our Pattern and Imac contests because of poor attendance in the Denver area. Thoughts?

[bodywerks]

I spoke to a few guys here in AZ that said they would have made an effort to go to Colorado contests if Coloradans would have made an attempt to come to theirs here in AZ. But the Coloradans never showed up. That's just info on a conversation I had down here...

[Kiva Flyer]

The weather during the last few Jefco contests has been incredibly hot. My whining opinion is that contests scheduled in July-August are just no fun. I don't like sitting around in the 100F heat, even with a canopy. Plus the planes don't fly as well either. Schedule something in the early fall and see if it helps.

[exeter_acres]

what is "low turnout"

how many?

[lfalsetto]

We had a total of 7 participants, the Jeffco contest had around 10. Very hard to convince a club to shut down the field for a weekend.

[Zee]

I need to put my input here, we have been having very low attendance at IMAC contests here in Colorado past two to three years. I have been putting IMAC contests on for 13 years, not all the time as CD, but still do the work. It is hard work to CD contest, specially with little or no help.
Now we have computers to help us (or NOT). WE pout our contest on the IMAC web site schedule and that is it. Our new pilots interested in to IMAC flying don't even know that there is a contest in next town. In past years we print flyers and send it to another neer by clubs. Lot of interested pilots do not belong to IMAC as they are in trying stage. If you want the people to come to your contest, you got to let people know you having one!
Printing few flyers with contest information, sending it to clubs in your state and some bordering states
would make some difference.
Having contest listed for two days and have few locals to take vote on not having scond day contest because it may be windy tomorrow, that does not going to bring the out of town people back next year, yes it happen last year.
I have talk Ken Gregory abaut our situation in Colorado. He suggested The CD burn out. I heve to agree, CD burn out and lack of interest to put good contest. May be it is time some another interested members should step up and become CD and run contest. May be better to have two CD's and alternate.
May be have few low key Basic/Sportsman one day events, just as itroduction to IMAC and generate interest.
IF you are interested to help and CD a contest let me know. If we do not make some changes we may not have many contests to go to this and future years, it is up to every member or competitor to pitch in and make things happen.
Please let me know if you are willing to step up and help.

Zee
New Assistant S.W. regional director for Colorado
Former S.W. Regional Director
ZS12146@aol.com

[Zee]

Bodywerks,
You have NO CLUE , what you talking about!
Zee

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Zee
	Bodywerks, You have NO CLUE , what you talking about! Zee

Actually Zee, that opinion is held by more people that just him. I've heard that a lot, back when I was attending Colorado contests and trying to convince others to go up there as well.

However!!! There has been a few really interested parties out there who have been trying to get the word out. Extra260 came down to Albuquerque last summer... I think he is from Durango... and VERY motivated.

There is hope!!

[gstjohn]

I know that there are a few more from colorado that do go out of the state. I for one hitched a ride with mark dennis, and team colorado attended the SW regional champs in Las Vegas. Jim Brink has gone to the NM, and NV events as well. I just think that the other pilots from the lower altitude states just do want to try and fly at 5000+ altitude in the summer! I know that I will be attending more events in '08

[Zee]

Dave,
I have been in Abuquerque few times with some another people from Colorado and you guys come up to, and I am planning to go to ABQ again in '08. But comparing that to 12-14 hr. drive to Tucson is childish specially coming from guy that would not go fly in contest and comes up to Jefco and watching from behind the fence.Don't foregot that Bodywerks use to belong to our club in Colo. Springs, that is how I know that talk is cheep.
Also there has been scheduling problems like your contest in ABQ within a week off the Love Air,some peple just can not go out of town back to back weekends.
Also for '08 year you have the contest listed on same weekend as Love Air has been?
So when you put your contest on the same date as the contest here in Colorado you got to figure out that most people from Colorado will go to Colorado contest.
That type scheduling kept me from coming to ABQ, as much as I like to.
Hopefully we can get that schedule straight so it would worked out for everyone.
Zee

[Extra260]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Zee
	Dave, I have been in Abuquerque few times with some another people from Colorado and you guys come up to, and I am planning to go to ABQ again in '08. But comparing that to 12-14 hr. drive to Tucson is childish specially coming from guy that would not go fly in contest and comes up to Jefco and watching from behind the fence.Don't foregot that Bodywerks use to belong to our club in Colo. Springs, that is how I know that talk is cheep. Also there has been scheduling problems like your contest in ABQ within a week off the Love Air,some peple just can not go out of town back to back weekends. Also for '08 year you have the contest listed on same weekend as Love Air has been? So when you put your contest on the same date as the contest here in Colorado you got to figure out that most people from Colorado will go to Colorado contest. That type scheduling kept me from coming to ABQ, as much as I like to. Hopefully we can get that schedule straight so it would worked out for everyone. Zee

People will go to the most convinient contest. But the colorado contests have to get a name for them selves. Abq was an awsome contest. The pot pool was actually very motivating. I am sorry I couldnt make it to the ones up in denver. I will fly sportsman again next year and I will most likley make it to those comps. All coloradoans need to spread the word. It is not the other states fault. Denver should have tons of people competing in imac. I just dont think the word is spread. Dave will you be able to compete at next years challenge???

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Extra260
	People will go to the most convinient contest. But the colorado contests have to get a name for them selves. Abq was an awsome contest. The pot pool was actually very motivating. I am sorry I couldnt make it to the ones up in denver. I will fly sportsman again next year and I will most likley make it to those comps. All coloradoans need to spread the word. It is not the other states fault. Denver should have tons of people competing in imac. I just dont think the word is spread. Dave will you be able to compete at next years challenge???

I think we will leave the Albuquerque contest date where it is. It is a large contest with many participants. I won't be around for next year (moving to Florida) but the ABQ contest has a well earned (hard earned) rep for being one heck of an IMAC show.

Been to many Colorado contests, even when there were a handful of pilots. Still had a nice time. Larry, remember you well. Zee, it was always nice seeing you and Danny. Daniel, Mike, Candy, Jim, Dan U, you too!

Sorry 260, I think you've seen the last of me in ABQ. Job calls.

[lfalsetto]

When I posted this I wanted to get dialogue going, not start arguments. This happened in pattern many years ago and then they started a run what you brung for basic. It prompted interest, I am just asking for what we can do to get people interested. I would go to the hobby shops and the word is you need a $3,000 airplane to be competitive, I disagree, we should allow any type of airplane in the lower classes, eliminate the pilot penalty and get people into the competitive spirit. Zee you are right, no one wants to step up and CD anymore, it is hard work, last year I had to cd the contest and do the scoring I did the same for the pattern contest, It is the CD's discretion to allow certain airplanes and I feel that getting the word out that for the lower classes "run what you brung and have fun" is the way to go.

Dave, sorry to see you moving to Florida, I understand that the weather down there is not conducive to good flying, but we all must do what we gotta do. Flying in contests with you was fun, Good luck and enjoy Florida.
Larry

[SuperDave]

	Quote: Originally Posted by lfalsetto
	Dave, sorry to see you moving to Florida, I understand that the weather down there is not conducive to good flying, but we all must do what we gotta do. Flying in contests with you was fun, Good luck and enjoy Florida. Larry

Thanks Larry. Good luck to you too.

Parting thought. We tried for years to get interest from the locals with no luck. That's when we started to really advertise our local contests, almost to an annoying level, online and at other contests we went to. I even handed out flyers.
Now the Albuquerque contests, especially the June one, are really well attended by out-of-state pilots.

I wish Colorado much luck as there are some great people and great fields there.

Dave