ReMax or Pinnacle Distance Challenge Experience?

[Ole_Tom_Morris]

Anybody here ever participated in a long-drive contest, like the ReMax or Pinnacle Distance Challenge? Maybe you have some stories or advice to share.
(No offense meant; I know y'all are real golfers, and tend to look down at long-drive as novelty golf.)
But for about two years I've had an itch to try. Got cold feet a year ago after a reality-check at the driving range.
After some swing improvements--taking the club back with the face slightly closed, and working to increase the late-hit/release, I feel ready for public embarassment. My swing remains Hoganesque and flat, nothing like the high, more upright backswing that is popular these days, especially in long-drive circles.
Best of all, the Pinnacle Exceptional Driver Challenge qualifier is scheduled to come to the Rawls Course at my home town of Lubbock, Texas, August 28. Another qualifer will come to Abilene, Texas, just 170 miles away, July 23.
(You can find more info about the sport of long drive and ReMax & PEDC qualifiers here: http://www.longdrivers.com/ )
My longest drivers are E-Bay specials @ $15-35 each: a Zero Tolerance Crown Jewel 360 10.5* with Harrison 4.5 Ultralite shaft, a 10* Pure Spin with "telephone pole" kevlar shaft, and a Titleist 975D 8.5* with YS-6 shaft. All are about 46" by vertical measurement. All are capable of 300+ yards. (The tools are capable; only the flesh is weak.)
The 975D is sensational in feel and distance.
The clubs, like my swing, and me, are a bit old-fashioned, if not quite elderly. We'll see.

[Ben]

One of the members at the course I work at won a seniors long drive event a few months back. That's all the experience I have...