First level III ever

[Dead Buff]

We want to host our first IPSC Level III ever next year and annually thereafter and then hopefully more then one per year in the near future.

Most of our matches comply to the Level III specs and rules, but doing this thing officially and hopefully pulling 1 or 2 international guys is a whole new ball game.

Are there any suggestion out there that will make the experience for us as painless as possible and as fun as possible for our guests and shooters?

Just for info:

* We can go up to 13 stages - amount of bays - of which 3 are 7x15m and the other ten are a minimum of 25x60m. All berms are at least 4m high.

* We have no electricity, water or ablution facilities on the range and all will have to be provided.

* Shade is a serious consideration. In winter we have 20 deg C+ during the day...summer up to 38 deg C+.

Thanks for your help.

[Vince Pinto]

These things immediately come to mind:

1. For the benefit of international competitors (and your own sanity), ensure that you state the deadline for registration very clearly (this alludes to allowing yourself sufficient time to obtain the necessary permits for them). Having all match information clearly stated on a website is a benefit for all concerned.

2. You'll also need to consider accommodation and transportation arrangements for international visitors plus, if necessary, assistance with clearance at the airport on arrival and departure.

3. Given the high heat and humidty, an unlimited supply of (preferably chilled) water will be essential, as will shelters for all participants, but especially for the ROs, who generally cannot leave their posts. And don't forget about providing (free or paid) lunch for everybody.

4. Unless you can arrange a generator, the lack of electricity will impact scoring, in which case you'll need to have one or more notebook computers with ample battery power.

5. Level III sanctioning is about quality not quantity. Hence even if you only have 8 stages, ensure they staffed by competant and experienced ROs and that the course design, construction and procedure is of the highest standards and fully in compliance with the rules.

[Dead Buff]

Tnx Vince.

Some more Q's:

*Is it compulsory that target frames be made from wood? It is not a problem to change to wood, but we have about 100-150 steel (±5mm round bar) targets of various heights and configurations.

* Must barricades and wall be transparent AND "soft"? This is a safety issue, I understand and the "soft" part where bullets can fly is a must, but are solid walls/screen OK?

More to come with more info....

[Vince Pinto]

* Is it compulsory that target frames be made from wood? It is not a problem to change to wood, but we have about 100-150 steel (±5mm round bar) targets of various heights and configurations.

See Rule 1.1.1.

* Must barricades and wall be transparent AND "soft"?  This is a safety issue, I understand and the "soft" part where bullets can fly is a must, but are solid walls/screen OK?

Using transparent walls and barricades made of either orange snow fencing or green mesh (see below) is not mandatory, however it's highly recommended. The primary benefit in using "screens" rather than solid plywood walls is that Range Officials can more easily and more safely monitor competitor action.

A secondary benefit is that spectators can see more of the action. Thirdly, screens are usually cheaper than solid walls.

[rhino]

Screens and "snow fence" will have some other benefits too:

1. They withstand wind much better than solid walls

2. Lighter weight makes them easier to handle during setup and teardown.

3. Usually less expensive and easier to build, and repairs are easy too

Any big match with harsh weather conditions will greatly benefit from shelter. If you can provide some overhead cover big enough to shade most (or preferably all) of the squad, that would be ideal. If you could include some benches so people can rest and rehydrate in the shade (especially ROs), then you'll be very popular with your shooters. Cold water, preferably at each stage, is a must!

Have as many safety areas as you can accomodate. That way, if someone has gun trouble during the match, they won't have to hike too far if you're range is a big spread.

If you get portable "facitilities," and the "handicapped" version is available, get them. The standard size is too small for a lot of people, and everyone would appreciate a little extra room to negotiate.

[ivanhu]

Some more suggestions; I'm afraid you already know most if not all about it

1. Finding the range.

The international shooters don't know the exact location of the range and sometimes their accommodation, therefore a map, or a written guide may help a lot. Placing IPSC targets on the roadside (with arrows if needed) really helps.

2. Range infrastructure.

Often overlooked point: there should be enough toilets, and places to wash hands. Preferably, minimum of one toilet should be assigned exclusively for ladies. I mean, even if only one person at a time could enter.

3. Range infrastructure 2.

Catering. It's always a hard decision. For one, maybe two hundred shooters some kind of catering should be available - but don't expect the shooters to spend much money there. Therefore, the catering is rarely a great business. The trap is, that since the expected income is rather small, the prices are higher, which generates even less traffic, and so on. In most cases, bottled beverages, and maybe a few sweetmeat (the international ones, like Mars, Bounty, etc) usually do (supposing that at noon, there is a kind of lunch).

3. Confirmation of registration.

Also often overlooked. The shooters want to know that their registration request is arrived and accepted.

4. Post-match communication.

It is very important for the shooters! They all want to know how they have finished, knowing the first few is not enough. Posting the results on the web page is sufficient enough nowadays.

[Rob Boudrie]

Safety issues must not be compromised, however, I do not share the enthuiasm over perforared walls. Something seems to be "lost" if you're using a hallway which is transparent, or a "wall" which is meant to represent hard cover, or something which is solid in real life such as a building, is not solid.

If all you are looking for is a skills testing exercise, the perforated walls work great. If you like flavor and atmosphere in your major matches, solid walls offer a defiinite improvement - the 2004 Area 7 Championship and AWARE Invitational (photos from each posted at

www.uspsa-photos.org/gallery) Take a look at the second photo from the top on the entrance to the USPSA photo gallery and ask "would this stage be as cool with mesh walls?"

Other things:

1. Running water or those pre-packaged moist towlettes by the porta rest rooms.

2. If you do not have flush toilets, rent an extra portable and designate it women only if you have the numbers to justify this - it will be appreciated.

3. Water on stages.

4. A clearly stated refund policy

5. Prompt results, and a well defined procedure for competitors to request correction/verificatoon of scores.

6. Local webserver and client machines at clubhouse with results posted several times a day. (Optional: Install DHCP, Bind and a wireless router so that competitors can bring their own laptops to check scores as the match progresses)

7. Staplers on ALL stages. If a target needs to be pulled, this will stop the stage from being slowed down.

8. Radios for all CROs.

9. A separate pair of radios on each stage, each "stage pair" tuned to a different frequency. If the rain gets really bad, the scorekeeper can stay under the shelter while the RO walks the range reading the scores into the radio. This will eliminate the range and stats room hassle of dealing with soggy paper.

10. An air conditioned staff lounge, with a generous supply of refreshments.

11. Spare batteries, pens and extra scoresheets on all stages