Newbie question : Which module(s) are able to create a submission cycle

Hello all

I am new to the Drupal scene and I am evaluating Drupal's workflow capability.

I am working on a website for a contest, based on D5 (no choice on this :))

Here is the basic cycle : people create account, submit an application (a node), then the juror rate all the application.

Each applicant can only edit his own application (I used ACL module, right? :))

Here are some questions I'm facing:

1. People should be able to save a draft of their application before submitting it, even if the required fields are not yet completed.
Is workflow able to bypass check from node-form on thoses fields?

For example : TXT1, TXT2, TXT3 fields. All are required. User should be able to fill TXT1&2. Save their submission. Then later on TXT3.
Of course all required fields should be filled before submission, by clicking on a submit button on the form.

I tried save_as_draft, and modules as this one, but none where able to bypass the node submission, and i could'nt save my application draft with "empty" required fields.
Is workflow capable of doing such a thing? Or any other module?

More over Workflow combined to action should be able to launch actions such as sending reminder emails before submission deadline for all users who haven't created their application (node) yet or who have application draft saved but not submitted yet.

SOrry for such trivial questions, but I am starting on Drupal

Cheers from Paris :)