The 2003 Pacific Coast Freestyle Championships & IMAC Challenge was the largest scale aerobatics contest held in the Northwest.  Over 40 competitors signed up for the four day schedule of events.  The Basic pilots competed on Thursday, and the rest of the IMAC competition was held on Friday and Saturday  

The top IMAC contenders are invited to participate in the Freestyle event, which was held on Sunday.  The three top competitors from the previous year are invited and qualified to participate in the Freestyle the following year, along with three  individuals who are invited to participate as guests.  The remaining competitors who make up the twelve contestants are those pilots with top scores in the Challenge, and are invited to compete in the Sunday Freestyle event.  This year, the invited pilots were Gary Hall, from Fox engines; Mike Leesburg from Las Vegas; and Garret Morrison, a previous Pacific Coast Champion.  Already qualified from last year were Darrin Miller; Brian Welton, and Kolby Kippers.  Miller and Leesburg did not attend, which allowed eight pilots to advance from the Challenge.  

The event helps fund the girls soccer team from the Molalla high school.  Once again, this event raised again several thousands of dollars in support of their program.

The event drew contestants and spectators from the entire region.  The Saturday night banquet of New York Steaks was a total sell out.  Kevin Miller, USN,  won the Peoples Choice award for the nicest airplane.  It was a beautiful print of the Wright Flyer provided by the Areoframe Gallery in Oregon City.  Brian Welton, fresh off his win as the Junior National Champion IMAC pilot at the AMA nationals, won the top honors in the Precision Aerobatics program.  Brian also place third in the Open and second in the Freestyle.  

The Freestyle event was won by Garret Morrison.  It was a pleasure to have him back.  This gentile young man has added grace, style, and performance to the world of performance exhibition aerobatics.  

Congratulations to all that qualified to participate in this event at our field.  Check out the Northwest IMAC website for total contest results.  The bright yellow shirt you have earned, is a symbol of your skill in the air.  Thank you all for coming, and we look forward to your return next year.  Anyone who has not witnessed this outstanding aerial Ballet set to music, please come and enjoy one of the West's brightest and most energetic competitions held anywhere!.