Cameronswmp9
Happy to be here
When I started years ago I started out shooting a sub compact 40 Springfield talk about snappy. I never once had anyone talk crap about me and my gun. Majority were Hey glad you are here feel free to ask questions. Watch and learn. And those were guys with 3,4,5 k guns on their hips as well as the others with factory guns too. Not saying there are not snobs out there.
This one sounds like it was written just for you. "At OnPoint, we believe that IDPA is all about fun, challenging your practical shooting ability, improving your handgun skills, making genuine and lasting relationships and amazing experiences competing with, not against people." https://practiscore.com/onpoint-raleigh-indoor-idpa-match-21/register
There are so many categories and classes that you wouldn't be judged against the GM(s) there, unless you're at GM level. First you compete against yourself and probably compare yourself to those just above or below you. A number of people can be within a fraction of a point of each other in overall performance. (USPSA goes by "hit factor" which is basically points per second.) If you're in a group like that, you can imagine your position changing by maybe just a slightly better shot or reload. That's where your competition lies. Not at who is at the very top...unless that's your level.
Someone who enters as, say, "Production, B class, Junior, Lady, Major" will have standings in all those categories. If you're "Carry Optics, U class, Senior, Minor" then you aren't technically competing directly against the other person. Let alone against an "Open, GM, Super Senior, Lady, Foreign, Military, Major!" You could be first in some categories and last in others. If an extraterrestrial with a laser gun takes first overall, it doesn't reflect poorly on your performance.
At least the way I understand it and see it.
Just be safe. No one else will remember where you placed, but will remember if you do something unsafe.
I'm not worried about it, I'm looking to have fun and get better. I'm no GM, and I know I'm not expected to be one. It's all in fun.
If the first match I hit nothing and and it takes an hour each stage (obviously exaggerating here) it doesn't matter to me. Anytime behind the gun is good, and not static range shooting paper is better. Safety 1st and 2nd, fun 3rd.