IT Looks Like IPAC in Florida Is Off To A Good Start

[AtlasAirguns]

I opened my Instagram out of curiosity and the first item I saw, top of my "feed" was a series of 8 photos from IPAC from TalonTunes. Looks like pretty good attendance, shooting lines showed a typical line of people shooting. There was a photo of a helicopter landing. Lots of sponsor banners lining the entrance road to the event.

But yes, no results yet. HOWEVER, for the entire time I've been involved in airguns I've seen posts like this one
about people wanting to see results during events. So, they're right in line with all of the big airgun events in that regard.

I'm with @Billm, I just don't get the negativity. It's not very realistic for the average, unsponsored shooters to travel cross country. More matches is good for everyone, and especially good for the airgun retailers who are the real drivers behind these large shooting events anyway. The Southeast didn't have a large event like this, and if this becomes an annual thing, now they will.

I personally think that's awesome. The only way I can even fathom negatives is from those not attending who think it'll somehow hurt their "street cred" as self-proclaimed "airgun elite," by not attending and/or placing at this particular event. Based on negative comments, there are some who seem to see themselves as the airgun industries sweethearts/golden boys that appear to feel left out by not being at IPAC.

The helicopter is the owner of the range - he is an ex pilot for the military and owns both the range and a bunch of other acerage. He flew in during our EFT event in the same facility. Cool guy.

 

[duchunter007]

Where in CA will it be?

I did not see where the location was in the info they posted on FB

 

[AtlasAirguns]

I did not see where the location was in the info they posted on FB

It's in Leesburg Florida at the Ares Shooting Facility.

 

[duchunter007]

It's in Leesburg Florida at the Ares Shooting Facility.

I was replying to the one next year in California, sure looks like a good turnout for the shoot, that's awesome, glad that it went well!!

 

[Billm]

I was replying to the one next year in California, sure looks like a good turnout for the shoot, that's awesome, glad that it went well!!

I would imagine that it would be near the host (east of LA).

 

[AtlasAirguns]

I was replying to the one next year in California, sure looks like a good turnout for the shoot, that's awesome, glad that it went well!!

Northtac told me in person that it would be in San Bernardino, but they had only just announced it on Saturday. I do not know if they have a location yet. I also heard mention of some other ideas from staff present but I will leave it for them to report on what they are doing.

 

[AtlasAirguns]

 

[Billm]

I guess, I’ll have to stop saying that I rarely see the BW being used for benchrest. It’s definitely making a showing now.

 

[AtlasAirguns]

I guess, I’ll have to stop saying that I rarely see the BW being used for benchrest. It’s defymaking a showing now.

Blackwolf is everywhere and deadly accurate

 

[duchunter007]

Blackwolf is everywhere and deadly accurate

You put a deadly accurate shooter behind a very accurate gun and good things happen!! The BW is probably next on the list... Hopefully it makes me a better shooter........

 

[Solo1]

100 yd bench winners

150 yd bench winners

 

[JoeWillie]

100 yd bench winners
View attachment 21025
150 yd bench winners
View attachment 21026

Over $50K in reward monies! Interesting new player in Town?

 

[duchunter007]

Over $50K in reward monies! Interesting new player in Town?

That does not include the money for the ELR event that was canceled and the split that money with everyone who was registered to shoot it.

 

[JungleShooter]

Even into my little corner of the globe in a Peruvian desert flew this note
today about the
RTI Mora winning
the 150 yard slug competition.



Yeah, that's bad news for my wallet — this slavic "Mora" (meaning "Nightmare") might wreak havoc with my finances....

Matthias

 

[Billm]

That post quickly vaporized.

 

[AirGun Oregon. Jacob]

That post quickly vaporized.

Vaporized it because I decided to talk with the rest of the team before addressing this situation.
But yes, I posted in haste before my coffee I own that.

Cooler heads prevail.

 

[Billm]

Vaporized it because I decided to talk with the rest of the team before addressing this situation.
But yes, I posted in haste before my coffee I own that.

Cooler heads prevail.

I don’t really have a stake in the subject, other than I intentionally started the thread as a positive/supportive post for the IPAC event. I’m not connected to them in any way. I was just excited to see a “BIG EVENT” being organized in Florida. Unfortunately a medical appointment prevented me from attending.

I don’t personally think some of the negativity on here was beneficial for any of the events or the hobby in general. My comments are really meant as general comments and not directed at any one event.

But, I can relate to both sides. I owned Radio Control hobby shops and built a racing program that lasted 20 years. The RC racing is very similar to the competitive Airgun scene. It’s not main stream, not much public awareness, the competitors have thousands invested in their gear and to survive event organizers have to draw competitors from afar. In RC racing, I considered my local area to be a 200 mile radius. At different times I either ran weekly or bi-weekly races, with quarterly big event trophy races mixed in. I held races on Sundays and trophy races would be 2-3 day events. I constantly dealt with racers asking me not to hold races on certain weekends, because it might conflict with an event 300 miles away. It’s just not always feasible. A club or event has to do what is right for its participants.
As event organizers, you obviously want to have as few conflicts as possible. But, the reality is there are only 12 months in a year and mostly four weekends a month. Whether people like it or not, EBR, RMAC and PAC are the big three. Step on them and you’re asking for decreased interest in your event on the national level.
Other than that you have to honestly ask yourself does an event 3000 miles away really impact your event adversely? Or enough to lose sleep over? According to posts about both events, they were both sold-out. If true, I’d say no conflict. If a competitor is upset because they couldn’t commit the time or money to attend two events in the same month, that understandably sucks. But, it’s just a fact of life and is just another of when we have to prioritize our choices.
The airgun competition circuit is far from the point where there are too many events. It needs growth. I’d agree with what someone else stated, there is some elitism involved.
Do we want all the big events to be only out West? Personally, I was disappointed to see that the next IPAC is in California.
For the life of me, I don’t get why a large airgun event held in Florida in the November-March timeframe wouldn’t be a huge hit. I poke fun at my friends on here that post about not being able to shoot until the great spring thaw. Surely, some weather bound shooters would venture to warm sunny Florida in the winter months to dust off their airguns. There’s enough turf and days in the calendar for everyone.

Another similarity between RC Racing and Airgun Events, is that it seems that the average participant does not comprehend how difficult it is to organize and put on an event. It’s even harder to keep it running like clockwork. It’s easy to criticize the late starts, bad calls, untimely results and all the rest. But, unless you’ve been in the Match Director or in my case the Race Directors shoes, it’s hard to imagine what a difficult task it is.
I honestly commend those that put on these events and do understand them wanting to protect their events.

Let’s see more of them, not less.

Incidentally IPAC is currently being beat up in some of the groups for their results and payouts.

I think anyone interested in finding out more about IPAC, might consider visiting the FB group Ultra-Match Precision Airgun Association. A lot of the people involved are on there.

 

[AirGun Oregon. Jacob]

I don’t really have a stake in the subject, other than I intentionally started the thread as a positive/supportive post for the IPAC event. I’m not connected to them in any way. I was just excited to see a “BIG EVENT” being organized in Florida. Unfortunately a medical appointment prevented me from attending.

I don’t personally think some of the negativity on here was beneficial for any of the events or the hobby in general. My comments are really meant as general comments and not directed at any one event.

But, I can relate to both sides. I owned Radio Control hobby shops and built a racing program that lasted 20 years. The RC racing is very similar to the competitive Airgun scene. It’s not main stream, not much public awareness, the competitors have thousands invested in their gear and to survive event organizers have to draw competitors from afar. In RC racing, I considered my local area to be a 200 mile radius. At different times I either ran weekly or bi-weekly races, with quarterly big event trophy races mixed in. I held races on Sundays and trophy races would be 2-3 day events. I constantly dealt with racers asking me not to hold races on certain weekends, because it might conflict with an event 300 miles away. It’s just not always feasible. A club or event has to do what is right for its participants.
As event organizers, you obviously want to have as few conflicts as possible. But, the reality is there are only 12 months in a year and mostly four weekends a month. Whether people like it or not, EBR, RMAC and PAC are the big three. Step on them and you’re asking for decreased interest in your event on the national level.
Other than that you have to honestly ask yourself does an event 3000 miles away really impact your event adversely? Or enough to lose sleep over? According to posts about both events, they were both sold-out. If true, I’d say no conflict. If a competitor is upset because they couldn’t commit the time or money to attend two events in the same month, that understandably sucks. But, it’s just a fact of life and is just another of when we have to prioritize our choices.
The airgun competition circuit is far from the point where there are too many events. It needs growth. I’d agree with what someone else stated, there is some elitism involved.
Do we want all the big events to be only out West? Personally, I was disappointed to see that the next IPAC is in California.
For the life of me, I don’t get why a large airgun event held in Florida in the November-March timeframe wouldn’t be a huge hit. I poke fun at my friends on here that post about not being able to shoot until the great spring thaw. Surely, some weather bound shooters would venture to warm sunny Florida in the winter months to dust off their airguns. There’s enough turf and days in the calendar for everyone.

Another similarity between RC Racing and Airgun Events, is that it seems that the average participant does not comprehend how difficult it is to organize and put on an event. It’s even harder to keep it running like clockwork. It’s easy to criticize the late starts, bad calls, untimely results and all the rest. But, unless you’ve been in the Match Director or in my case the Race Directors shoes, it’s hard to imagine what a difficult task it is.
I honestly commend those that put on these events and do understand them wanting to protect their events.

Let’s see more of them, not less.

Incidentally IPAC is currently being beat up in some of the groups for their results and payouts.

I think anyone interested in finding out more about IPAC, might consider visiting the FB group Ultra-Match Precision Airgun Association. A lot of the people involved are on there.

To be clear I was not bashing on the event. I stated that I have reached out multiple times and ways throughout knowing of the matches existence. Trying to work on a schedule together so all the competitors have the best chance to enjoy the events. Figured I would post here as this seems to be the most populated thread on the subject on this forum. Hoping they would reach out.

Them being in Florida 3,000 miles away allows for people who cannot travel to the West Coast to attend a large event. That is amazing and I support it 100% and would even like to attend. If not same schedule as ours.

That being said coming to California in April could be an issue. Or a blessing if we work together and allow everyone to attend both events. We have for the last 6 years hosted in April and or May depending on other events dates. Try for late April usually.

Would like to communicate with the host/hosts to discuss a plan as is usually common curtesy in most industries. Like you stated,

"Another similarity between RC Racing and Airgun Events, is that it seems that the average participant does not comprehend how difficult it is to organize and put on an event. It’s even harder to keep it running like clockwork. It’s easy to criticize the late starts, bad calls, untimely results and all the rest. But, unless you’ve been in the Match Director or in my case the Race Directors shoes, it’s hard to imagine what a difficult task it is.
I honestly commend those that put on these events and do understand them wanting to protect their events."

This is not a bash or in any way a try to stop the event. As a Match Director and Host, my goal is to make it work for everyone including the shooters and event staff. Not being able to communicate a timeline or gameplan. Having someone with a very large backing of monies that just posts a date on top of or very near to your event. Would more than likely swamp the current already established event.

Hopefully they will reach out!

 

[Solo1]

To be clear I was not bashing on the event. I stated that I have reached out multiple times and ways throughout knowing of the matches existence. Trying to work on a schedule together so all the competitors have the best chance to enjoy the events. Figured I would post here as this seems to be the most populated thread on the subject on this forum. Hoping they would reach out.

Them being in Florida 3,000 miles away allows for people who cannot travel to the West Coast to attend a large event. That is amazing and I support it 100% and would even like to attend. If not same schedule as ours.

That being said coming to California in April could be an issue. Or a blessing if we work together and allow everyone to attend both events. We have for the last 6 years hosted in April and or May depending on other events dates. Try for late April usually.

Would like to communicate with the host/hosts to discuss a plan as is usually common curtesy in most industries. Like you stated,

"Another similarity between RC Racing and Airgun Events, is that it seems that the average participant does not comprehend how difficult it is to organize and put on an event. It’s even harder to keep it running like clockwork. It’s easy to criticize the late starts, bad calls, untimely results and all the rest. But, unless you’ve been in the Match Director or in my case the Race Directors shoes, it’s hard to imagine what a difficult task it is.
I honestly commend those that put on these events and do understand them wanting to protect their events."

This is not a bash or in any way a try to stop the event. As a Match Director and Host, my goal is to make it work for everyone including the shooters and event staff. Not being able to communicate a timeline or gameplan. Having someone with a very large backing of monies that just posts a date on top of or very near to your event. Would more than likely swamp the current already established event.

Hopefully they will reach out!

Have you tried joe polanco directly? Isn’t he the man behind the shoot?

 

[AirGun Oregon. Jacob]

I have not reached out to Joe directly as this is the first I am hearing he is the man to reach.
Thank you I will attempt to reach him.

Been focused on our 6th annual event not much time for anything else.