Gunlaker was a real asset to the World 1000, it is clear he is a fast learner and quite observant. Hope he sticks with it because he can be a contender and a positive influence in the sport.
Tia Arriba, Tia is Spanish for Aunt, Arriba in Spanish means up or upper. I think refined high power shooters would call Tia Arriba an UPDRAFT. As opposed to a WIND SHEAR which conversely pushes the bullet down.
Unfortunately, the best way to determine either effect at Ben Avery is where the shot spotter is placed AFTER the shot.
Now, talking about day 3 at Ben Avery for Gunlaker.
The heat and humidity conditions at any moment that prevail at Ben Avery are like no other range, neither are the surface conditions. No vegetation on the ground, elevated firing points, bullet travel well above the flags, among others. Accept the conditions, monitor them and work as best you can within them. As the conditions increase, the goal moves from keeping your shooter centered to keeping them on paper.
For instance wind from front: Your shooters sighter #3 was an X. You notice the two targets to your right were center hits also. Next shot (of course first shot for score) is a 6 at two o'clock barely on the paper.
You notice the two targets to your right were also up in the upper right hand corner. You have not taken your eyes off of the flags or scope for the duration. The LIKELY cause was T.A. from 10:30 area because prevailing wind was generally in your face. The clue is nothing in flags or mirage indicated a change from the condition the X was shot in.
Wind not from front: Last sighter shot center shot, next shot WOODY at 12, barely on paper. Prevailing winds to your back. Likely cause, Tia Arriba from six. Nothing visible to indicate the condition other than the placement of the shot spotter after the shot. If the hit is 10:30 to 11:00 the push up was likely from 4:30 to 5:00.
Think of it as an unseen modifying condition within a fairly constant observed prevailing condition. Spooky thought, que no? Scientific fact? No.
Just my educated guess based on painful experience.
I think of hard fouling as inevitable and enhanced by low humidity, high evaporation rate, radiant heating and cumulative heat of combustion. Basically, humidity down, heat up, shooter needs to increase fouling control. For me, I GUESS at what the average highest negative condition for the string of fire will be and start with that level of control from shot one and watch the last patch as it exits the muzzle for each shot. If it is black I run another patch until the last patch is not black.
Unexplained low shot may be fouling. Preventing hard fouling during a string is preferable to the potential futility of trying to reverse the effects once they have taken hold.
So there you go Chris, glad you and the Mrs made it home O.K.