The Group Nationals, at this time anyway, is a six day marathon. The number of clubs/ranges that can and are able to host the endurance test is limited. We cannot go to Weikert every year. That is too much of a burden on the club and its stalwarts, like Mark Trutt and Dale Boop. How many of you would take a week of vacation and WORK for the benefit of your fellow shooters? I am pretty sure that neither of those fellows gets 4 or 5 weeks of vacation time from their jobs. And that does not include the countless hours of work beforehand, such as getting the targets ready, making sure the backers are set up, and a myriad of other details that the average shooter assumes appears from the heavens without anyone's efforts.
Mainville, PA is an excellent range and well located, only five miles from the "Mainville" exit of I-80. It has hosted many IBS Nationals. I was there in the early 1980s when Pat McMillen shot a .1604" agg in one of the classes which stood for many years. True, power is limited. But the grounds are large and the club will make some accommodations. The club recently added some good showers.
We have to go where the clubs can host our Nationals. I guess the bar has been raised at Weikert and a few other similar ranges where large RVs, air conditioners and other amenities are the norm. If I am not mistaken, the Ben Avery range in Phoenix does not have power either? I have been there, but do not recall.
Jeff Stover
IBS President