USARB Classification Changes

[Joe Friedrich]

The Board of Directors has experimented with new rifle classifications in
the interest of expanding participation through greater variety of classes.
Not all of these have succeeded in developing significant followings, and
there is a need to streamline the overall number of classifications for the
benefit of those that do have significant followings. So after difficult
consideration, the Board has decided to eliminate the Hybrid and Production
classifications, while retaining the Spring Piston classification on a
continuing trial basis.

We would like to remind Match Directors that while only certain
classifications are sanctioned for inclusion in Scoreline, Records, or
National Championships, any other classification deemed appropriate at the
club level may be offered at that club's discretion.

Joe Friedrich,
member USARB Board of Directors

 

[garrettkq]

Phoenix Airgun Club Snubs USARB Class Changes

It is agreed streamlined classes are important. It is unfortunate the Board of the USARB has not recognized the importance of inclusivity of an entire population of air gun shooters. Over the last few years, the Worlds decided to decimate an entire segment of the the competitive airgun environment based on unsubstantiated fear. As a result, the Phoenix Airgun Club has decided to continue to honor the former Hybrid class's intention and spirit. At the time of the original decision, we had approximately 40% of our shooters shooting with these integrated components. Evidence has demonstrated that there is zero proof of any threat to present equipment. We feel it is important for the airgun community to include shooters rather than segregate and exclude.
Although, we never really had a demand for Production, we do have a Hybrid following. As of the next match, we at this club will integrate all electronic-component rifles into their power level equitable classes. They will compete alongside their manual counterparts. Or if you choose the Unlimited class, it still exists. You may compete in that class if desired.
We at this range are progressive in our inclusion, and you as a shooter will not be excluded based on the poor foresight and statistically unsubstantiated decisions made by the World and National organizations to exclude electronic components.
It has also been announced above that the Spring Class is still under a "trial basis". We are proud to have the strong representation of springers at our range, which on a monthly basis, even exceed in numbers what many other benchrest clubs in the country shoot in their entirety. So, don't worry, that won't go away at our club either.

We welcome any discussion, by match directors of the clubs that make up, and financially sponsor the USARB to effect changes. Not self appointed changes by a board that effect the entire national airgun community without input of these changes.

Kind Regards,

Garrett Kwakkestein
Phoenix Airgun Club

 

[Harry Fuller]

World perspective

" the Worlds decided to decimate an entire segment of the the competitive airgun environment based on unsubstantiated fear.
Kind Regards,
Garrett Kwakkestein
Phoenix Airgun Club

It is not my intention to pass opinion on what is essentially a USA domestic discussion here.
However at the World level I presume Garrett is here referring to the exclusion of electric and electronic equipment from competition ...

IMO it is generally good strategy to be ahead of the game. Across the wider world of air BR competition the focus seems to have been upon discriminating the competition results as much as possible on the basis of shooters' skills. At the time 2013? that the decision was made to ban electronics, wholesale, I doubt there was an "entire segment" ; there was no such class and therefore no one to be disadvantaged.

Getting ahead of the game and eliminating the possibility of remote electronic wind reading feedback electronics triggering shots when conditions are ideally aligned, and that done without shooter involvement, was to my thinking evidence of great foresight in ensuring that a major shooter skill was not at some future time eliminated from the competition equation.
That some solenoid and other type triggers were netted in the ruling also possibly supports their intent to uphold the value of traditional shooter skills versus technology driven enterprise.

Relevant World sporting bodies are constantly fighting to maintain level playing fields based upon human skills.
(As an example; this week a competitor in The Tour Downunder was caught with a motor integrated into the frame of his cycle, presumably driving the CB axle on demand).

This 2013? initiative of the WRABF appears to me to be a shining example of closing the gate ahead of time and before any were disadvantaged. At the recent World Championships, as the leader of the AR equipment test team, accessible to all, I heard no debate on the issue, so I can only assume that in the wider world the forward-thinking decision has been well received.

Of course, how you in USA, determine at club and national level the way you move forward is not mine to advise or debate.
Kind regards to all, Harry.

 

[19Turkeys]

If any club needs access to the rules of discontinued USARB classes they are available on the USARB website under "Archives".

Yours,

Steve W.

 

[Boomer_Mikey]

The USARB Serves the Nation

The Phoenix Airgun Club leadership has a history of snubbing any organization that doesn’t agree completely with their way of thinking. They don’t post competition results to any of the usual places on the web that most airgun enthusiasts frequent preferring instead to post a link to the club website. While this may be a matter of convenience for the Phoenix Airgun Club I personally have found it to be an inconvenience for me and left me with a feeling that the clubs leadership doesn’t wish to compete with everyone else “shoulder to shoulder”.

There is no doubt that the Phoenix Airgun Club is successful with outstanding facilities and a large following in the Phoenix area. Airguns of Arizona is a company with an extremely strong customer base in the same geographical area that sells most brands of airguns and what I would call “premium” airgun brands Daystate and FX. Airguns of Arizona provides generous support and sponsorship for Phoenix Airgun Club’s shooting range and activities. It seems to me that any Airgun Club that serves an airgun community strongly represented by owners of Daystate rifles with electronic management systems and a sponsoring airgun retailer that sells air rifles with electronic components would have a vested interest in acceptance of such rifles regardless of national and world competition organization rulings.

I agree with Garett’s obsession to go his own way with the leadership of the Phoenix Airgun Club, it serves both his members and sponsors; however, I disagree with his reasoning as to why things should be his way for obvious reasons.

The USARB serves the nation including the members of the Phoenix Airgun Club that wish to compete “shoulder to shoulder” with a set of rules that allow everyone to compete equally on a national and world level.

Mike Aber