[TRNinTX]

Bruce (since you participate here),

I know I spoke with you and I also talked with Mike for quite a while on Sunday morning concerning the thoughts & ideas that the members of USPSA BOD who attended their first Steel Challenge. It might be interesting to some of those who did not have that opportunity, to hear what some of the general comments were.

Thanks

This post has been edited by TRNinTX: 19 August 2008 - 06:37 PM

[bgary]

Hmmmm.... not sure where to start, except to note that this was not my first Steel Challenge. My first one was back in 1987 (I think), and I never missed one until I moved out of California in 1993. I'm delighted to have had the chance to break the string of "missed ones".

I love the Steel Challenge. I have enormous respect for the Mikes (and their lovely wives), and my main hope is that we can make them proud of what we do with the match they created and still have such a strong connection with.

It was a "transition" match, in that USPSA basically retained the Mikes as consultants through the 2008 match so that we could learn as much as possible about all the things that happen behind the scenes to pull it off. In candor, this match had some ragged edges. That means we learned some things, and will have to "learn some more" as we go forward. I *think* we managed to keep most of the ragged-ness from affecting shooters, and most of them I talked to had a good time and went away smiling, which is great.

Not sure what more to say. Was there a particular direction you wanted to go?

B

[DaBlaster]

Holy Cow,
I am so excited about getting to shoot the steel challenge that I'm beside myself,
It was my first one and I can't believe I never went before now!!!

I had no idea it was so much fun to shoot 3 guns over 3 days and 7+ side matches,
I shipped ammo, brought ammo and shot 1000 rounds wednesday afternoon when I got there in
about 3 hours, and was disappointed that I didn't send out another 2000.
I went to Wal-Mart and bought all the ammo they had and was still wanting more, my hands
hadn't hurt that much for a long time, which is my excuse for not finishing well!!!!!!

I didn't finish well, but I had the most fun at that match then any other in a long time,
I didn't have to think about how to shoot the stage, where to do a reload, which foot to lead or trail with etc.
you just stand and shoot and don't miss!! It had a awesome prize table, the side matches gave a
gun a day away and then one just for entering a side match. I counted probably 50+ guns,
on top of 1000's of $$$ at the prize table. Something for everyone, rifle side match, shotgun side match, pistol
side match with a revolver, rimfire, centerfire, compact about anything you could imagine.
Can't wait to go back next year, and if you haven't shot one you better go also, you won't regret it!!

Manny

[Michaelvoigt1]

As usual, the match was great!

The weather was very warm, but cooperated by not scorching the competitors or nearby tinder dry hillsides.
KC, BJ and Max were on their usual pace of blinding speed. They have definitely taken basic shooting skills with an Open pistol to another level.
There were quite a few new faces at the match and many faces returning after a "vacation". Steel shooting is both humbling and addictive!

NSSF was fantastic in their support of the Steel Challenge and our drive to expose shooters to a simple/safe shooting sport. The NSSF dinner had several cakes (thank you and a birthday) and a few presentations. The First Shots program and the many side matches were always busy.

You always know you are working on a good project when rumors fly... I heard rumors that USPSA was going to do away with the prize table and cash payouts. I heard rumors that another range had "sealed the deal" for the 2008 Steel Challenge match. I was able to make the announcement at the NSSF dinner that the 2008 World Championship Steel Challenge will be in Piru, CA the third week of August. Entry forms and details will be on the Steel Challenge website by 1-1-09. That brought alot of cheers and "thank yous" from the competitors, staff and range owners.

We collected many suggestions from competitors and staff. The Steel Challenge committee will be meeting to process all the data we collected and make the necessary decisions to impliment those that will help the match and organization grow.

We had GREAT coverage of the match from network TV! Two introductory clips and a nice story covering the pros speed, junior shooters were shown trying Steel Challenge with a rimfire and the side matches were covered. No bad bias, just great coverage of a World Championship sport being contested in Southern California. And the reporter tried shooting on air!

We are looking forward to the Steel Challenge bringing in new shooters, growing the number of clubs in the USA and internationally in 2009.

MV

[John Amidon]

With this being the first Steel Challenge that I have ever attended, I really have nothing to compare it to, others who have posted to this topic, have pretty much said it all.

The one thing I noticed, was the shooting was intense, had to be to break a string record by Max of 1.69 on Five to Go and an overall time record for winning the event of 79.16 by KC, yet the atmosphere was laid back, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and after helping to get the prizes accounted for, and then bagged for Sunday, I can honestly say(without the money), there were plenty of prizes for the winners, as well as money.

The sponsors were outstanding with their support and we all should take time to thank the sponsors whenever we can, they do alot for shooting.

NSSF was as usual, outstanding in their support.

The Mike's and their wives were very gracious host and the land owner, Mike Thompson was just as gracious.

As it has been said, steel shooting is very humbling, yet can be very exhilerating, if you haven't tried it and you like shooting, go for it.

John Amidon

This post has been edited by John Amidon: 21 August 2008 - 10:40 AM

[USPSAED]

TRNinTX, on Aug 19 2008, 07:36 PM, said:

Bruce (since you participate here),

I know I spoke with you and I also talked with Mike for quite a while on Sunday morning concerning the thoughts & ideas that the members of USPSA BOD who attended their first Steel Challenge. It might be interesting to some of those who did not have that opportunity, to hear what some of the general comments were.

Thanks

The 2008 Steel Challenge was a huge learning experience. I am in awe that the Dalton's and Fichman's built the match with no help outside their own families and a small but very dedicated volunteer staff. USPSA has always been blessed with, and dependent upon, volunteer workers at all levels. It is obvious that the SC is equally blessed.

I've attended the past two matches as an instructor for the NSSF's First Shots program. That view didn't reveal the complexity of the match or the subtleties of the various pieces and parts. There is a *lot* going on all the time. If it weren't for the staff's knowledge and experience it would be very difficult if not impossible to manage.

The old saying is that if you like sausage you probably don't want to watch it being made. That concept applies to a lot of matches and this one was no exception. I think that the challenges faced by the staff were pretty much invisible to the competitors, and that's how it should be.

Steel Challenge Coordinator Kim Williams did an incredible amount of very good work and deserves our appreciation. Thanks Kim. Thanks to the Dalton's and Fichman's. Without their work and guidance we would have been in real trouble. Thanks to NSSF and to all of the incredibly generous sponsors.

We're already planning the 2009 match and are excited to apply the lessons learned this year. Constructive comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Dave

[bgary]

Quote

Steel Challenge Coordinator Kim Williams did an incredible amount of very good work and deserves our appreciation. Thanks Kim.

+1,000,000,000,000,000,000

B

[Jim O'Young]

I hope everyone made it home safely and with a minimum number of hassles. Well, everything is unpacked, the guns are clean, the practice brass is reloaded and the sponsor “thank you” letters are written.

Before reality and everyday life sets in, I would like to thank the BOD and the USPSA staff as well as the Mikes and their crew for putting on another great Steel Challenge.

The 2008 Steel Challenge was my 19th and I can honestly say that for me, this year’s event pretty much maintained the flavor and the family like atmosphere of all the others. For the most part, things were pretty much consistent and transparent compared to other years.

Mike Dalton’s crew provided us with stellar facilities, both a pristine match venue and a fully equipped practice range. Registration was a breeze, the ROs and range staff did everything possible to allow you to perform at your best, the results were posted in a timely fashion and the prize distribution seemed to go even faster and more smoothly than normal. One positive improvement over the previous years was the score card stickers. It was nice not having to lug a bunch of scorecards around and search for the right one on a particular stage.

Many thanks to the NSSF for supporting the Steel Challenge. The Friday night social event is one of the highlights of the week and gives everyone a chance to renew friendships and unwind from the pressure of the match (and get stuffed as well). The NSSF First Shots program will help grow shooting and the shooting sports. Who knows how many of those participants caught a glimpse of the match and caught the bug?

All of the USPSA staff were constantly in observe, learn and absorb mode and were interested in hearing everyone’s inputs and opinions. I think they realize that the Steel Challenge is unlike any other match and is more than just a shooting event. I also believe that they are sincere and genuine in their desire to grow and improve both the match and the sport, yet retain all of the things that made it successful. For those who attended the Steel Challenge for the first time: Welcome, you are now part of the family. Yes Kim, you are now “hug worthy”!

It gives me great pleasure in knowing that the 2009 Steel Challenge will be at the “same bat time, same bat channel”, so the history, tradition and legacy will continue for another year. Now if they can only bring back the shootoffs……

Jim

[shred]

A whole lot of people were walking around going "I hope USPSA doesn't screw this up". Even some USPSA officials said "our #1 thing is not to screw this up."

They succeeded in that.

There were a few rough edges that need to be polished out, but those are mostly minor-- tweak the squadding, sort out the prize gun distribution from the side matches, etc.

Attendance, sponsors, and the prize table were all down some this year. Economy? Gas Prices? World Shoot? USPSA worries? Who knows. One datapoint does not a trend make.

I too would love to see the return of the shootoff-- it gave the 'with-regular-jobs' shooters a goal to shoot for and was a ton of fun. The lunchtime demos by Fast-Draw Cal are sorely missed too.