OK Rob. Thanks very much for the response!

I have carefully read through your last 2 posts twice.  Admittedly, I am totally out of touch with how model contests are run and appreciate your explanations.  What I gather from you, and please correct me if I am wrong, is once an entrant has prooven their skill via winning golds and BOS's (I'm assuming best of shows) then they are moved into a class of higher skill level competitors.  I get that.  Then, in the next sentence you say "Basically it's the same as the contest here".  I don't get that.  Your next point about it sounding like "poor losers" is well taken but, personally (and I can only speak for myself) is certainly not the case.  As I said "I don't do contests" so, for me, it's not about making the contest easier to win.  It's about suggesting some ways to improve the contest, making it fair for all and at the end of the day strengthening SMA!  Also it has never been suggested that the best builders be banned from the contest.  That was a conclusion that got jumped to by someone (don't know who...doesn't matter) that did not read the posts carefully and correctly.  As for the thread being shut down...I really don't see the need. If as you suggest it deviates into something that is not civil, my suggestion would be to simply delete the offending post and not the entire thread.  This is too valuable a discission and many people have contributed thoughtful and intellignt points.  I strongly agree with your comment "It is hard to make everyone happy when doing a contest so a middle ground has to be found".  Absolutely right Rob!  That "middle ground" is exactly what we're searching for here!  I sure do appreciate you taking the time to respond and supply some great information!  Thanks Rob!  Now get to the bench!!