Re: Oregon Sniper challenge
Now that I've had a day to reflect, look at a lot of pics and vids, complete an almost full day of work, etc. etc. I have some to add.
First of all, for me this was not just a great match but a great experience. I had so much fun, met so many great people, learned a lot, and just had a grin all weekend. Steve and his crew did an awesome job. I didn't make the match last year but from what I understand this was a lot bigger and for how fast it grew they did a great job. Things went as smooth as they could, people were real positive even in the craptastic Oregon sunshine, just some hiccups that were handled well and dealt with. Like someone said, just wrinkles that will be worked out next year.
Things were fair, very fair. I had a question on one of the stages about my score, didn't so much doubt but wanted to verify cause something just didn't make sense. I normally don't worry about it cause I don't want to ruffle feathers but I decided to approach Steve making it well known I wasn't complaining and was just having fun. He was way more than willing to do what it took to help verify things for me, went beyond what I expected and did it all with a smile. I saw a couple people who had questions and/or corrections about their scores durring the match and all seemed to be handled professionally and with great courtesy. I believe this helped with the lack of bitching from anyone.
The fact that we got our actual targets from the stages was great. Not just to verify our scores but show us where we made mistakes so we (and by we I mean at least I) could correct and learn from it. I was totally not expecting to get our targets back so that was great.
Everyone I met was great. Just a great group of people. Met a lot of you hide members and a few non hide members. I've made it a goal of mine to try and make it to one or two out of state matches next year to continue meeting new people in the sport. It still amazes me how many of you travelled a great distance to come out to my neck of the woods for a match. That was just awesome to me.
The helicopter, what can I say about the heli. I've been watching vid of it all day and each time still gives me chills. When I first saw the stage descriptions and learned of a helo assault I couldn't write a check for entry fast enough. I've never been in one but have always wanted to, even if just a tour in Maui or something. It has always been somewhat of a fantasy to be able to fly in one and shoot out of it. So in a small but realistic way yesterday was a dream come true for me. The stage was ran great, super smooth, props to everyone involved with that. And a huge thank you to POF and Corbon for their contributions to that stage and the match, just incredible. And congrats to Randy for winning that stage and the rifle. I didn't get a chance to chat with him much but did trade some small talk throughout the weekend and just seems like a nice guy, along with the whole crew from Thunder Ranch.
The prize table, holy crap the prize table. I'm still floored by the prize table. I've never heard of a match, car show, or anything I've ever been involved in where every single person got a prize, and a good prize none the less. Last place got a great surprise with that Chuck Mawhinney signed photo and Surgeon bottom metal. I believe 40-49 got an Impact Data Book and a Benchmade knife. And they just got better and better from there. I felt I did horrible and still came home with a certificate for next years entry fee's so you better believe I'll be making the 30 minute drive to it again next year.
All the sponsors put out a lot of great stuff. Every prize that was handed out just floored me. I think the sound of Steve's voice while he was talking about it explained it well enough as he was obviously blown away by the sponsor support also. The goodie bags were just tits. I haven't gone through mine completly yet but to find a Larue Dillo and Dillo Dust in the bag was incredible. Fortunatly for me I know a Dillo Dust addict who craves that stuff more than a crack addict looking at the last crack on the planet so I was able to thank him for all the help he has given me with my shooting over the last year with that bottle.
Again, just an incredible experience and I'm already looking forward to next year. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and happen so great.
