What do you look for in a contest?

[Paul Taylor]

What are some of the things that draw you to a contest?

I know a lot has to do with location but besides that.

Is it the facility? Rest rooms? Condition of the field. The flying surface- Grass vs Tarmac?
Is it the food?
Raffles?
What type of awards do you prefer?

Just some of the question I can think of. Feel free to add your thoughts.

[GonzoBonzo]

The Chica's!

[Bill Little]

Facilities: the number of flying circles (like asphalt the best), bath rooms, shelter. 

On site food and drink (sodas, water). 

Likelihood of a lot of my "friends" being there. 

Closeness to home (long trips are getting harder to do).

Good judges.

In that order!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Mark Scarborough]

quality of the circle surfaces,,
number of people attending ( more is better)
surroundings,, Trees, hangers, angry landowners weilding shotguns,,

awards, I have become fond of plaques,, trophies are a pain in the dusting hand,,Plaques cover up the holes in the walls much better

[Brett Buck]

What are some of the things that draw you to a contest?

I know a lot has to do with location but besides that.

Is it the facility? Rest rooms? Condition of the field. The flying surface- Grass vs Tarmac?
Is it the food?
Raffles?
What type of awards do you prefer?

Just some of the question I can think of. Feel free to add your thoughts.

   Mostly, the level of competition and the level of organization. As far as facilities go, I flew WAM contests for years so if you can take off, it's good enough.

    I go to essentially all the local contests I can go to, and as many as it practical to go to that take overnight stays. I always offer to help and end up judging at more-or-less all of them.
 
    Brett

[Tim Wescott]

I have a small bladder.  So usually the first thing I look for when I arrive at a contest is the porta potty.

Oh -- you meant what do I want in a contest (other than unlocked restrooms):

• smooth paved circles
• contest officials willing to put up with my near-permanent befuddlement
• fair judges, who understand that I'm not trying to challenge them when I ask why I've been marked down unexpectedly, but realize that I just want to be better next time

I realized after I wrote the above that it's pretty much in reverse order of importance to me.

[MarcusCordeiro]

Good judges...
Some guys really suck.
All the rest can be arranged.


Marcus

[Tim Wescott]

angry landowners weilding shotguns,,

You want angry landowners wielding shotguns?

Maybe we could set up a contest for anyone willing to have their helper release when someone yells "PULL!"

[Will Davis]

A contest that has good participation, well run and organized, all of the things that Brodak's have will make for a successful event, location and time of year will help get things going

[Bob Hudak]

Paul,
 You hit all the big items to look for but you might have missed the 2 most important. The money and the women !
  Bob

[Joey Mathison 9806]

Low adjusted altitude readings.

[Steve Helmick]

I've been to VSC twice, Golden State twice, NW CL Regionals, Fall Fallies (sic), Western Canada Stunt Champs (BC), and Prairie Fire Stunt (Alberta) a bunch of times. All were a good time, but I enjoy the two Canadian contests the most, on average. In their contests, it is almost mandatory to have group dinners every night. I think it adds a lot. We are trying to get the same tradition going, but there seem to be more party poopers this side of the border. Just a theory, you understand...  Steve

[Mark Scarborough]

You want angry landowners wielding shotguns?

Maybe we could set up a contest for anyone willing to have their helper release when someone yells "PULL!"

nope, just things I look for,, as in look out for,, It figures Tim you are the only one who responds to that LOL

[Rafael Gonzalez]

1- The opportunity to see the competition perform. 
2- How I compare to the others. 
3-Ability to see better equipment.
4-Get to know the folks that do the same as I.  
 

[john e. holliday]

We are spoiled.   Paved circles, porta potties,  lunch break and banquets after the day is done.   I can still remember contests on ball diamonds and the little circle at KCK City Park.   Swope Park had a little asphalt strip for take offs.  Wind had to be right tho.  Old small  city airports.   First contest Stanley Kansas at a small grass field.  Oh, on the way home from the contest is when we stopped at a nice place to eat and talk about the day.  I remember the resaurants on the Kansas Turnpike.   Back then I could go to a two day contest, one night in motel, eats, gas and entry fees with a $100.00  in my pocket with my Mother and little neice,  we would still have money when we got home.   I was flying carrier, combat and rat race.

[Joe Just]

Actually, the first thing I look for is a place to park near whatever event I'm most interested in.  The next thing I do is a walk around the entire area to see if any of my few remaining friends made it there.  Then I note the location of the restroom facilities; that is the expected Porto potty.  Then I check my equipment to see what I failed to pack and wonder if there is anyone I can hit up for the usual forgotten item/s.
Joe