Re - Magazine - and once again some opinions not always backed by knowledge or fact.
The ACU Magazine is compiled by an Editor - who is paid to produce and put the thing together.
Rather than just dive in and quote opinion without being able to glean fact ( unlike some comments) I tried to contact him yesterday - but he is in Asia until mid/end January - so it will be then when we find out actual situation.
I will relay some of the things I do know - and this will have to suffice at present.
The deadline for many productions - especially things like the magazine is set many months prior to the actual production. The Editor contacts various people - with an outline of the planned topics he intends to include.
At the T & E we were concerned some time ago - and this was partly due to posts on this site - that information was not getting through - especially Championship results and positions and updates etc.
We were not convinced that an ACU magazine could necessarily be competing on the market on a journalistic type way - that is already catered for - our view was to try to ensure that actual facts about rule changes, emphasis on various Champs and an attempt to ensure support for them.
In addition we would try - I say try - to include articles of interest about events, riders and of course Champions and other notable success. It us the Editor however who plans out the whole thing.
We are asked for contributions and facts etc
Such contributions however take time - and I am starting to wonder why everyone believes that peole like myself - owe it to everyone else to be putting ever more hours into the job - there are only so many hours in a day - and there is the small matter of trying to earn a crust in between. It is a matter of priority of what you can and cannot get done. Everything is important - but not everything gets done.
Now back to the issue. The Editor produces an outline plan of what he thinks will be in the next issue. This was many months ago. The space is limited to a certain amount - and some decisions have to be taken at an early stage. There was obviously going to be the Trial Des Nations - so space was booked for that.
The fact that the emphasis switched to the Womens sucess - actually meant here that the normal report on mens TDN was much reduced.
There would obviously be ISDE - but deadlines meant that it would be next issue when report of event will appear
You will notice that the reports and sort of summing up of the various Championships tend to be in exactly the same format- this again is at the Editors request.
New material is requested - and always has been in the mag - and people are invited to contribute - as of course ar Clubs and Centres. How many of you have contributed? How many of you have sent in say articles about hard working people/ officials in your Club etc - not guaranteed to be used by the Editor- but if he ain't received it you sure as hell will never see it.
To the case in point. In the next issue - space has been booked for an article which will deal almost exclusively with our younger riders - in both Trials and Enduro - and it is here that a report will appear on Alexz success in World and European and also on some of our other young riders - most probably also including Enduro in same article with ref to Tom Sagar and a few others.
The timing of this is not completly guesswork - as this will be very much an emphasis on what young British riders are achieving - and what support they should be given.
It is already well detailed on this site that then intention is now to give ACU support to fewer riders - with the emphasis on " support" rather than training. This has not met with universal approval - and there is work to be done.
The article will hopefully convince those who have doubts that this for 2007 at least is the way forward - and those young riders who have gained sucess will be used as an example of what can be achieved.
I cannot emphasis too much that it will; not just be Trials based - but Trials and Enduro - as without some support - with UEM events in places like Finland and shortly Latvia and Croatia etc - the young Enduro riders are going to find it tough.
When I eventually speak to the Editor I will try to find out why there was not at least a passing refrence to Alexz success in this issue - I do not know - so I am not going to guess, but I am sure the next one will hit the spot.
Have to tell you guys that while the suggestions and ideas you are posting are all worthy of discussion I am afraid we at the T & E do not have the luxury in late November of being to anything about it know
The rules for 2007 are now finalised - so anything you suggest will I am afraid be for 2008. Same goes for all other Championships with the exception of the British Solo Championshiop where we meet with the Organisers in about Jan - then finalise series ( consequently you will find the Championship rules/regs for this do not get put into handbook)
The whole Pre-65 date is one that depends very much on your own personal opinion and I believe on your own riding requirements at the present time.
I know quite a few guy's who are in more advancing years - and frankly their riding ability is now declining at a rate of knots. I find myself that this is a bit of a vicious circle if you do not manage to get out and ride quite often - when you do - you are that rusty you cannot even ride to the ability ( however low) you used to have. When younger - you seemed to be able to get away with it -but now it just seems to make everything much harder.
Many of the guys I know get their enjoyment from building and fettling their machines - which often includes trawling he autojumbles for those rare parts etc. This is where they get their pleasure - and will enjoy bringing the gleaming machines out for a ride around many a Sunday when thankfully they volunteer to observe. I find many of these friends of mine can be put into the " purist" mode when it comes to Pre65 eligibility- and certainly wish to keep everything genuine - as of course it should be.
However as they are rarely riding the machines - certainly not in competition - this is all fine and dandy - and while they often be-moan sections as being too hard etc - on the known occaions when there are good rideable sections available - and often an easy route - they still do not appear.
There was some debate on this in my own club - when I was rather critical of some fellow members recently ( I just seem to create controversy ) The Frank Jones - Sammy Miller round is a super event, and offers an easy route for the genuine larger bikes - of which there are several in our Club. The event is just over an hopur from us. Still none of them went - only a few of us on Twinshocks and Pre 65 " Specials". My conclusion is therefore that the riding is becoming secondary to the bike building - and this is OK - but I just wish they would accept it. When we have put on super easy Novice /Pre 65 events at our Centtrev - thet rarely appear.
While we have certainly tried to keep the rules in accordance with what we thought they should be - for some reasons which escape me - many were reluctant to enter the " Specials" class - although this is clearly what they were - and continued to enter as Pre 65 - which in turn annoyed those who were making the effort to keep within rules.
I know many of you will say that the rules should be strictly enforced - and of course you are correct - but try telling that to the organiser who has worked hard to put on the event when he sees a dwindling entry - or even worse see's those who have entered put their bikes back in the van - when infornmed they are in the wrong class by amachine examiner - who is only trying to do the job correctly.
Of course it is chicken and egg - and if at the start of the year the rules were applied forcibly and correctly the chances are that it would stick . Who is going to travel around and do this then ? Certainly not me - the few Sundays I have free in 07 will be spent on the bike.
At the end of it all - we have to now support those who are supporting the series. We owe this to the Organisers. The easy route - which has been spot on in many events - has certainly not been supported as it should have been - end of story. It is pointless those who should have been riding on it spending their time telling everyone how this or that should have been on the other route - if they are not riding themselves.
Yes I think you are right. The Novogar needs to reflect the popoular Natiopnals that the Clubmen are entering - and more importantly enjoying.
The Wallace was actually one which I think made a concerted effort to get back to the intended concept.
I know my son rode - and he is of Clubman standard and enjoyed the event last year. He was certainly enthuisatic about it - as were the other lads from this area who also rode.
We did as a Committee look at the scores of last years rounds - and whikle we know this does not always give a 100% picyure, we did get the impression that things were moving in correct direction and this was reason we decided that for 2007 we would not be messing about with the format
Certainly for 2007 the Novogar Trials are one route.
I leave you all to your opinions - as they all seem valid and sensible - and again 2008 can be looked at - and ( sorry) again it was on the table for the cancelled forum. ( By now I know you are all saying - Trials would hve been out of this world if the sodding forum had not been cancelled - abd next year I will probably have to book the Albert hall)
My opinion is very much same as Bikespaces - I feel that we have to accept that he Novogar - was the original MCN Clubmans Championship.
It is not designed for the better Expert riders - and we fear that the two route system will inevitable lead to a harder Expert course - and yes whilst possible a better Clubmans course - this will eventually be forgotten or become an add on - and just a make up numbers course.
What we are after - is a genuine series - not aimed at the good Experts but at the good and middle level Clubman.
If the Clerk of the course is aiming just to take marks off the top runners - Championshiop and Expert - we the T & E have made a mistake by giving that club a round.
It is absolutely pointless deciding on a series - and then letting each individual Organiser put their own interpretation on it - this is not the way to go . We stated all this clearly last year - and I think things started to turn in the right direction.
The Colmore I am sure will take this into account when organising Novogar this year - they surely could not be expected to last year when it was a normal National. This is actually another point - there are lots of good Nationals - and they have the choice of one or two routes etc - they can and do run excellent events to cater for their participants.
The Novogar is a series - and the concept is laid down. The real answer for the Clubmen who wish to enjoy this Championship is to support the rounds that are clearly supporting you - rather than bowing to the pressure of a few individuals you are just looking for another " win".
When we send out the Championship conditions for the Sammy Miller and Classic rounds to the organisers of 07 rounds we will clearly state that it is a Non -Stop Trial.
We will ask them to emphasise to Observers that it is a Non Stop Trial.
We will also ask them to emphasise in their Supplementary Regs that is a Non Stop Trial.
I will look at the Standard Entry Form on ACU Web site - trouble is it may be just that ie Standard Entry form fopr all ACU events. Somewhere on this form if possible we shall put " Run under No-Stop Rules" - ior similar.
On ACU site - where we put title or details of series we will also inset somewhere " Non-Stop rules apply" etc.
That is a start - and should be fairly easy to do.
The Classic and the Sammy Miller series run under No Stop rules. There is no debate. This is clearly in the Rules/Regs etc.
What some are saying is that the rule is not being applied with enough enthusiasm or dilligence - agreed.
Not agreed that riders in these evebnts do not know that they are running under No-Stop rules - they most certainly do. Each Club/Organiser produces thier own regs for each event - and once a rider enters he must acept that these are the rules he will be riding under.
I am sorry but I just cannot accept that riders do not know this.
In an earlier post I explained my view that the problem was that the Observers are often lenient in their interpretation of the rules - this is fact whether you like it or not - and will remain so.
So far OTF suggests the ACU are not interested in solving the problem - but he makes no suggestion of how he would do it - only that it needs to be done. He further comments that it amounts to leaving the Clubs to do as they feel best. Well of course it does - in the same way as the Clubs mark the sections, provide the officials, draw up regs and send them out, find observers and book the toilets - all part of running the event.
If there is a method by which the ACU ( and I have already explained that that is us - and the Clubs/Centres) should be making sure the No-Stop rule is implemented please let me know - but I mean an actual suggestion not an analysis of the problem - everyone already knows that.
Equally someone else wants it " sorted" - and this time the sugestion is to put up a notice telling the riders that it is a Non Stop Trial - and also print this boldly in the regs.
Yes we can ask Clubs to do this - I do fear they will wonder who they are emphasising this to - as if the riders are not aware of it I wonder why the hell they are entering these events. It is already in the rules, it is already emphasised in the Championship Conditions which each organiser receives and has to accept before being finally allocated a Championship round.
So the situation very definitely is: The riders know, the Organisers know, the Observers know.
Riders who stop far too often get away without a five. All this established.
What is now needed a a clear workable suggestion of how to make sure the Observers that the organiser struggles to find implement it better than at present ? This is the crux of the matter.
I am prepared to try to establish any sensible suggestions - when I hear them.
I actually believe that this topic about observing in the Classic Trials series is probably just part of debate on observing rules which probably needs to be started on such a forum. ie "Methods of Marking" I suspect it will be an extremely long debate. I also suspect at the end we will probably not have reached a conclusion - and certainly there will be many varying views - but interesting none the less.
Back to case in point - the Classic series is of course TSR 22B - No Stop permitted. So there is nothing to really change - and no new rules to be written.
What we are really talking about I suppose is how it is strictly enforced ? and here lies the real issue.
Personally it has never been a burning issue with me - and I have said before that I think over the years we have tied ourselves in too many knots over this or that marking system - and made far more out of it than necessary.
For me - probably the best article/description I have encountered on the issue is the one that Mike Rappley wrote in TMX a few weeks( months?) ago. Mike got a little mixed up with his description of curent FIM and UK rules etc - but apart from tghis I think he hit the nail on the head and very sensibly identified the problem.
Certainly in general - observers are not little hitlers out to spoil a riders fun - the exact opposite in fact - in in most cases tend to mark on the lenient side - possibly too much so - they are certainly not intend in handing out fives at the drop of the hat - and usually seem to give the rider the " benefit if you like.
Giving a dab or a two or three is usually far more preferable than a five - unless it is an obvious one.
Trouble is of course that the riders ( and I mean us all) then " expect" this leniency all the time - and the rules get dilluted until as some of you describle they bear little resemblence to what is intended - and this of course can mean the section severity/intention also gets confused from the concept the C/ourse had.
Mikes main observation was that if all trials were back to full No-Stop - while it sems the rules would be clear - the actual implementation would not be so easy.
I tend to agree. It is very easy to say - the rule is simple - cease forward motion - and it is a five.
Accept however that unless someone can provide proffessional paid observers - we rely entirely on the good will and grace of the countless volunteers we manage to press gang into the often thankless task of providing our sport.
Should one of these fine fellows or very often ladies not be strict enough to make the correct decision what should be done?
Sack them ? Send them away never to darken out doorstep again? I think not.
Even worse of course is the tendancy for riders to curse/swear or just generally show dissatisfaction with a decision - and probably this is the starting point - but it was actually this morning I noted in both my Sunday papers the controversy that soccer seems to be having about players hassling referee's.
I am afraid it is a problem where any individuals have to make a "judgement" about a competitors performance - a bit like the X factor I suppose.
In many sports it is often a panel of perhaps 4 or 6 who make this judgment. If we had 4 - 6 or even 1 or 2 observers on each section to make a co-decision it would be a lot easier ( excuse me while I just watch that pig fly past)
In reality we are more than lucky to have one observer on a section - and so whichever way we dress it up we rely entirely on their judgment.
Do I have a solution - no. Will I ever - I doubt it - but a good topic/post
The Classic Championship - with yes 12 rounds has caused a few comments for sure.
There are quite a few factors to take into account however.
Firstly there are 4 events which can be regarded as " double headers" if you like ie Saturday and Sunday - although different clubs - are in same area etc.
This will hopefully will make a good weekends riding for many. Worth a try we think - rather like the Lynn and the Treborrough used to be?
Secondly - quite a few of the Classic rounds are combined with Sidecar. With the number of participants in the Sidecar series not always high - it often needs this combination with something else to make the s/car round viable - not an ideal situation I know - but reality in any case.
It therefore follows that if you do not wish to deprive clubs who do not run sidecars the chance of running a Classic round and if you also wish to take advantage of those Clubs who run Classic & Sidecar - you inevitably start to get a lot of rounds.
It must also be stated that it will be possible therefore to drop two rounds of this Championship ( unlike just one round of most others) - this in effect will allow someone a little more choice.
I think more and more we are seing that it is not the tag " Championship" that is necessarily determaning participation. It does appear that in many Championships - there are not a huge number of riders contesting the whole series - and while possibly one could say too many rounds can cause this - the facts do not always bear this out - and it seems that riders are choosing the events they enjoy - or can afford to travel to - and while some may do the whole series - many will not - and including these good events into the series may give us a good variation of events that suit many. We have also changed the options organisers have to offer alternative routes for O/40 modern machines
The whole Classic Championship is certainly changing/evolving - and certainly for 2008 it will probably need a thorough review. It was one of the agenda items of the cancelled Trials Forum - and certainly will be in 2007.
For 07 we will see what happens with the whole thing - and try to keep an open mind of where it will go in te future - which is perhaps a good discussion topic for a separate post.
One thing however may be that once the Championship season for most categories was more or less over - there may well have been very few if any Press realeases sent out. It is the time of year when the calendar takes almost every day and then the rules/regs/handbooks - so there may have been none - but I will check.
Had lots of queries in ACU General Council yesterday as obviously Centres have to fix thiers and are waiting.
It has been even more difficult than usual.
You have to start at the top or bottom of the Trials World. It is obviously not feasable to put in Closed to Clubs and Centre events and then Nationals and hope that the FIM and UEM work around them. Ain't never going to happen. So you have to start at top ie FIM and then UEM ( UEM cannot do theirs until FIM have finalised theirs - and so it goes on)
FIM ones were finalised last week.
Intention is - ( big crossing of fingers)
Brit Champ dates finalised by Monday. Novogar and Schoolboy A & B by Monday.
Youth C &D, Women, Sammy Miller and Classic and S/cars all sorted by Tues.
T&E meet Wed - look at last minute problems - then confirm calendar - sent out to Clubs/ Centres on Thurs ( poss Wed night)
Very often on all Bultaco's - people buy clutch plates etc - when it is usually clutch adj that is incorrect.
Not sure which manual you are using ( bin is best place for most of them)
One problem I have found over 30 years of adjusting them is that it is best to go the whole hog - adjust and maintain whole clutch mechanism in one go - then thing work really well and is also lighter.
My method. May take a liitle longer - but is best.
1. I assume you have already looked at plates. On yours they will be all steel - not as easy to see wear as people pretend - and frankly although I have sold a lot - not as many as any other make - they are not a serious wear item as long as not abused etc.
If totally shot - the all steel plates will show real signs of wear when you look at them - but next steps will confirm it anyway. If you do find they are very worn - obviously you can but new ones - or if cash is tight - you can go over each one with a centre pop - but do it in a surface plate - and do not go mad.
2. You need to disconect all the cable and mechanism. By far easiest method is to remove the timing side cover. Remove the clutch plates from other side by undoing the nuts - or if you have the post and pin hub centre - compress springs and remove pins. There is a special tool - but you can easily make one.
After removing plates, remove what I call clutch mushroom ( about 40mm with flat head )
Remove clutch rod - by pushing out from either side with small screwdriver etc. CARE YOU DO NOT lose clutch ball.
Now is a good time to clean out the centre hole in the gearshaft that the clutch rod runs in - they tend to rust/crud up and a good clean with WD 40 - while working the clutch rod back and fo - or better still a similar dia piece of rod. Carefull if you are tempted to put a piece of rag in there you do not get it stuck.
3. Replace Clutch mushroom into hub on clutch side.
4. Re- place plates.
5. Check clutch thrust bearing is in place on outer clutch/spring retainer plate. Before you do this slacken of adj nut ( it takes 21mm socket) so that you can easily turn adj screw in centre of plate.
Use a little grease to hold thrust bearing in place when you put on outer plate.
6. Replace clutch cups and springs. Good idea to check no-one has put an odd ( short)
spring in here.
If you have post and pin - you have no control on spring tension - just compress spring - with dished washer on top and replace pins - care - or they fly accross workshop - this is why special tool is handy.
If you have threaded clutch hub - several methods really.
I - bottom springs - using a tubalar spanner - but when I say bottom - do not go mad or you will shear the threaded part. Just turn nut until it feels as if it does not need to go further - then slacken each one 4 complete turns. easier to count if you have a rod through your tube spanner - but easy enough whatever you do. This will usually leave about two complete thread showing at the top ( I mean you can see two threads on top of each clutch nut. If you do not fancy the bottoming method - you can just go to two complete threads showing in first place - but I prefer to bottom them.
You have not replaced any clutch rod/ball etc yet
7. Now you can find out if it was an adj problem or plate wear - as without rod and ball etc - and with the adjuster screw turned out half a turn from full in ( so it does not actually touch thrust bearing)
You can replace k/start lever and test. With your hand you can leave the timing case off.
If you are going to really test it - and need to kick it - best to but timing case back on as you are not so likely to bend k/start shaft. You can leave it off - but kick carefully - do not jump all over it!
You still have no clutch / clutch ball fitted.
No slip - your plates are OK and it is adj. Slip - plates are shot.
If plates are ok - or if you have needed to fit new ones - you can now carry on adjustment.
Take timing cover back off. Carefully refit clutch ball. Refit Clutch rod. On end of rod where it enters sleeve ( sprox) gear there should be a felt washer - to stop crud going in. A small disc of piece of rubber inner tube with slit works just as well.
Good time now to remove the clutch operating arm - and really clean and grease it so it is a smooth fit in the timing cover. It is retained by a shoukdered bolt. Check that the flat on the opertaing arm has an undamaged - half ball bearing shape on it ( it often gets damaged) Clean off any burrs on arm etc - and also check that the bore of the timing case where it fits is clean/smooth. Graese and turn by hand to ensure nice smooth action.
Replace timing case. New gasket is always best.
DO NOT FIT cable.
8. Adj as follows. Your clutch arm should be more or less positioned to it is at about right angles across he engine ie about 90 degrees to line of frame - actually just back from there is best - about one notch futher back towards rear. ( no more)
On other side turn the adjusting screw in - until all the play you can feel by hand on the operating arm is taken up - and then back off a little so you have about 2mm free play. In other words you can just wobble the clutch arm a few mm forward by hand until it becomes solid. Take up excessive play by turning adj screw - but never make it solid - so there is no free play - you need a few mm slack.
Inevitabvly when you try to tighten lock nut it will go out of adj - best to use 21 tubular with srewdriver through it to hold adj screw stready- or just use 21mm socket with T bar and when ready give the t bar a wack towards front of bike! You may need a few goes to get this right. Experiment!
Object is that you can move operating arm - by hand just few mm back and fo without feeling solid.
Absolute - no cable fitted. Final position will be clutch arm pointting back a little from halfway position. If you need to move arm take off spline and re-position- but do not have it more than a little further back than just past halfway.
Re-fit cable - and adjust at h/bar lever until you have 2-3mm free play at h/bar end.
If you find you have too much play at h/bar - either the cable is wrong/stretched - or the clutch rod is worn short or the clutch ball is the wrong one. Do not compensate for this by moving clutch opertaing arm - fix the problem.
If you really wish to set it up ( but not as critical as people think) pull cluch lever in and press k/start - clutch will slip - and you will see plates turn. Observe outer spring retainer plate - it will wobble.
If you have the threaded type clutch posts - you can play at adjusting nuts a LITTLE - in or out until pressure plate runs true - then thread some lockwire through nuts etc
If you have post pin - there is sod all you can do.
The older Betor - skinny type shocks were not really re-buildable.
Your options are really
More modern Betor - which are rebuildable - Sammy Miller and most of his stockists etc will sell these - but check that re-build kit is available.
Falcons - more expensive - totally rebuildable
Rock Shocks - recently re-introduced and look great - and full rebulid parts available etc and used to be about the best shocks available for twinshocks - probably a little more expensive.
I think there are sone NJB ones also available - not sure if you can rebuild these
Yes certainly the initial requirements/costs for Training at Club/Centre level were too high/complicated/time consuming.
The T & E and also other disciplines ,and representatives from your Centres at General Council ( see it does work when people from Centres go through right proceedure) asked the Training Panel to look at it again - and this has been done - so the cost is now nowhere near the figures quoted. I do not have them to hand - but will try to get them .
The 25 hours etc is also gone.
However. I speak about Club and Centre Coaches - i.e those who wish to put training events on at this level. This is usually done for the benefit of that Club/Centre - with probably only small charges applied to cover cost of expenses etc.
There is also a Practice Permit available - for those to get together on a Club /Centre basis and do exactly that rather than the formal coaching set up.
Commercial Coaches - who wish to do this on a proffesional basis/ living etc is a different thing - and yes I think the charges will still be quite high and there will be more hoops to jump through.
Was starting to wonder if you had all given in - or fallen asleep as this Forum seemed to have stalled.
Now I see this post I kind of wish it had - for this is surely a controversial one!
I am up to my eyes in things today - it is that time when dates/rules/conditions etc all have to be finalised - but certainly tonight or tomorrow I will give my response - which will quite likely upset quiote a few !
As stated Clubs can put in any classes they want - up to them.
As far as tghen National scene is concerned:
Samy Miller Championship - Class 8 - Any Twinshock - Next rd Greensmith this weekend.
Classic Championship - Class B - Any Twinshock
The real question is - while everyone talks about te large number of Twinshocks etc out there - which is true - this does not necessarily turn into entries for Clubs that atempt to put events on for them.
We organised a Welsh Twinshock Championship a few years ago - and at one event - which had a superb course - the entry was 6 - the twinshocks were out there - I had sold over 20 s/hand Bultaco's in that area that year.
I have never really been able to work it out. Generally many of the Twinshocks are very reliable and easy to fettle, the spares are still quite reasonable and the bikes - by and large are still quite competative and easy to ride - and not too heavy etc.
You can still pick quite reasonable twinshocks up for around
OK - We need to make some progress here - as we need to be trying to do lots of things - all desirable - but not all achievable without diluting others. I purposely have not included Championship format - this is surely for another post?
Training at home for 2007 - I have already stated that it was not at all satisfactory for 2006. Mick Wren who was in charge of it - has also stated the same.
However- please remember it was no-ones god given right to have training - nowhere is it enshrined in the ACU structure that our young trials riders are to receive training - it is something that has been attempted for quite a few years - and 2006 was not satisfactory - end of story.
Also while it is easy to bandy names about - and suggest who would be good to this or that - this will only work - if those people are willing to do it - and more importantly are available at the given time - it is usually the latter that causes the big problem - we all lead very busy lives - and weekends just always seem to be full of something or other. Especially when Int season starts
I know it is different - but as I can quote from my own experience - Enduro wise - where I manage U23 Squad I will. At the start of 2006 - I wrote out to about 12 -14 well known Enduro names - all either past top quality riders, Champions etc - all still associated with riders now , - some top World class mechanics - with a view to trying to establish more or less what has been suggested Trial wise - also the offer to send one - minder/mechanic /guro ( wrong words for Enduro - but you know what I mean) along to each UEM round.
After - 4 weeks - I hade only received one reply ( from one of the younger lads - who is still now riding in Brit Team) - with offer to help. I knew all the people personally - not just as ACU man - and at later stages some came and said they wished to help - but were just too busy. To date - nothing has happened - their weekends were just too full. It was not even a question of money.
To progress with what I think we have established - please tell me if we are wrong
First - we select an " Elite Squad" if you like - I agree that these do not need to be too old - certainly Under 21 - and certainly showing potential - we can debate this further.
It should not be too difficult to co-ordinate the first training weekend ( probably a Saturday) - where Mick Wren would get these together.
At this session - their minder/mechanic/mentor/parent - could be present - and a Technical / Practical asession could be arranged - either by sharing experience - or if possible people with some good mechanical knowledge there to give advice. I do know that if you have 4 - 6 people with some technical acumen - it is possible that they all learn from each other - and just showing the way they do things - can lead to others showing a better /alternative way/
The squad riders - would have an indoor " classroom" session - going over rules/ regulations/ requirements - and also the proceedure we will adopt - and get office to adopt - for all entries to UEM /FIM in 2007 - because frankly some of this has been pathetic in past years.
We could also work out - exactly what the ACU delegate would be doing for them ( and all other ACU riders) of course at the event - and we could arrange - as other countries do - a format while at the event - eg set briefing with everyone after Jury meetings to disseminate correct info etc. Also a more organised approach to signing on, producing documents, sorting admin problems ( I already do this at UEM Enduro and it works well)
In fact - changing my mind - as I write - I actually see no reason why the above session should not be open to all riders - men or women - who are intending to compete in UEM/FIM next year.
If a suitable venue could be found - the riders could then use the aftetrnoon for example as a training session - and hopefully good coach could be found ( and paid for by ACU) - if the right one was found - this could also possibly be used as an instruction session for minders etc - or perhaps - someone else may be willing to do this.
The elite squad - once selected - would for 2007 - receive some financial help for each UEM round - certainly enough to pay entry fee's and insurance for each event - and hopefully some help toward travel.
I do not think it feasable to arrange a minder/mechanic for each rider - and this will just dilute finance. I kniow Thierry Michaud does it for French - he combines it with being French Jury delegate - and is on wage - this is not feasable .
I am afraid riders are going to have to sort this for themselevs - or why not the interested people meet up at the session I have talked about - and divise something for themselves - and therefore spread cost ?
Home training - will have to be reduced - and left very much to Clubs/Centres and individuals.
I believe there will still be scope to arrange at least one probably two training sessions for Women
I think in addition to the initial session I proposed with for UEM riders - there could be at least two National sessions - and subject to speaking to Mick Wren - I think these couild be for a fairly large number of up and comming riders - probably identified by Clubs and Centres - and invited to a National Training Session.
These are just my views - but for me the emphasis now needs to be on greater support for this " elite" squad of 4-6 riders.
A few specific National sessions for other riders with potential.
I "think" I now intend to do the same with the Enduro squad - so TC has probably had more influenec on the Enduro scene than on Trials ?
For our Brit Champ round a few years ago - when we feared an Observer shortage - my son actually spoke to a guy where he works who was involved with some sort of scout group. I think they were the senior scouts. The chap was quite interested in getting them involved - not only for the prospect of a donation to their funds -( they probably struggle more than we do) - but also because they were constantly looking for something of interest to do - and it could have been turned into a good excercise - I suppose logistics/planning/transport - possible camping etc.
The idea was for them to turn up - and work with an established Observer at one or two of our Centre Trials - and then be ready for Brit Champ.
When our Club found we could actually man the sections ourselves ( just) - and also then not have to spend any money ( Club finance arguments often make ACU ones look a doddle! ) they decided not to go down this road - to the dissapointment of the guy concerned.
I think it was an opportunity missed. In the ACU handbook - in NSC where it talks of min age for Marshall etc - I think a special allowance has been made for such bodies as scouts etc - on basis the are with organised/responsible body.
If others have chance to go down this route I think it is a good idea.
I appreciate the idea OTF that some training etc and then issue of a card may be a good idea. I do not think there would be any great problem in doing it - HOWEVER - it has been experince in the past that making people take out cards/licences - while perfectly acceptable to some - it annoys others - so it is a tricky path to tread.
It would also be a disater if Clubs were not allowed to gather people in the ad hoc manner they now do - perhaps not desirable - but the only solution many have - and I am sure they would not wish to loose it - neither would the odd observer - often wife/girlfriend/mother pressed into action wish to in any way feel inferior.
I think there is no harm looking at a way of offering more recognition - and I also feel that there may be some who would be willing to Observe - but are not that confident they know method - and would not wish to make decisions etc - ( I know that is my wifes view) and OTF idea's would certainly help this.
It needs us all to give this one a little more thought. It is not the standard of Observing that needs the emphasis ( although obviously important) - but the actual method of getting enough Observers to run the event. Certainly worth thinking about a register - as long as we are sure it would discourage the casual observer who we are glad of - even if only once or twice a year.
Probably U21 is correct - I was thinking with my Enduro training hat on - where the rules are all built around U23.
I see no possibility frankly of dropping the Brit Expert Champ and turning it in a Youth Champ .
The Youth Champ must cater for ALL youth riders =- not just the elite who wish to compete on Int stage - which is now those we seem to all be agreeing we are going to try to help.
Making a super hard - Champ would help these perhaps - but where would the rest of the less able riders go ?
The Brit Expert Champ will remain - and the whole format and reasoning behind all our Championships is probably the subject for another post.
In 2006 50 plus riders scored points, 70 plus rode in various rounds and almost 80 applied for priority entries at start of year.
This will remain for foreseeable future the Brit Expert Champ.
The current Brit Champ allows for 5 Youth riders too participate - and they do - and these usually tend to be the ones that are going off to ride in Int events - so they gain the experience with the Experts.
I do not believe it need the tag of " Champ" bolted on. They can easily establish just how well they are doing in relation to the Adult Expert
I see no problem with the question , and in fact it is a question that has often been placed on the Agenda at the Rugby Forum in Rugby - the cancelled one - and there was actually a letter sent asking us to debate it one the day - from someone who was atending - who suggested much the same as your idea - a National register.
This was tried many years ago ( quite a lot) - really for Brit Champ - to try to get a sort of " standard" if you like.
There were very few - if any takers I seem to recall.
It is a huge problem - I am not sure the ACU has any answere - and because of the geographical implications - I am not sure a central register would work - although if it deemed worth trying - I think we would be willing to try. Making a register of any sort - tends to work if the people on it are for eaxmple getting paid - ie register of plumbers. Not sure if it would work with volunteers - but who knows?
I do think different areas have different methods - we have tried an Observer draw - where each club at start of season puts in
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Re - Magazine - and once again some opinions not always backed by knowledge or fact.
The ACU Magazine is compiled by an Editor - who is paid to produce and put the thing together.
Rather than just dive in and quote opinion without being able to glean fact ( unlike some comments) I tried to contact him yesterday - but he is in Asia until mid/end January - so it will be then when we find out actual situation.
I will relay some of the things I do know - and this will have to suffice at present.
The deadline for many productions - especially things like the magazine is set many months prior to the actual production. The Editor contacts various people - with an outline of the planned topics he intends to include.
At the T & E we were concerned some time ago - and this was partly due to posts on this site - that information was not getting through - especially Championship results and positions and updates etc.
We were not convinced that an ACU magazine could necessarily be competing on the market on a journalistic type way - that is already catered for - our view was to try to ensure that actual facts about rule changes, emphasis on various Champs and an attempt to ensure support for them.
In addition we would try - I say try - to include articles of interest about events, riders and of course Champions and other notable success. It us the Editor however who plans out the whole thing.
We are asked for contributions and facts etc
Such contributions however take time - and I am starting to wonder why everyone believes that peole like myself - owe it to everyone else to be putting ever more hours into the job - there are only so many hours in a day - and there is the small matter of trying to earn a crust in between. It is a matter of priority of what you can and cannot get done. Everything is important - but not everything gets done.
Now back to the issue. The Editor produces an outline plan of what he thinks will be in the next issue. This was many months ago. The space is limited to a certain amount - and some decisions have to be taken at an early stage. There was obviously going to be the Trial Des Nations - so space was booked for that.
The fact that the emphasis switched to the Womens sucess - actually meant here that the normal report on mens TDN was much reduced.
There would obviously be ISDE - but deadlines meant that it would be next issue when report of event will appear
You will notice that the reports and sort of summing up of the various Championships tend to be in exactly the same format- this again is at the Editors request.
New material is requested - and always has been in the mag - and people are invited to contribute - as of course ar Clubs and Centres. How many of you have contributed? How many of you have sent in say articles about hard working people/ officials in your Club etc - not guaranteed to be used by the Editor- but if he ain't received it you sure as hell will never see it.
To the case in point. In the next issue - space has been booked for an article which will deal almost exclusively with our younger riders - in both Trials and Enduro - and it is here that a report will appear on Alexz success in World and European and also on some of our other young riders - most probably also including Enduro in same article with ref to Tom Sagar and a few others.
The timing of this is not completly guesswork - as this will be very much an emphasis on what young British riders are achieving - and what support they should be given.
It is already well detailed on this site that then intention is now to give ACU support to fewer riders - with the emphasis on " support" rather than training. This has not met with universal approval - and there is work to be done.
The article will hopefully convince those who have doubts that this for 2007 at least is the way forward - and those young riders who have gained sucess will be used as an example of what can be achieved.
I cannot emphasis too much that it will; not just be Trials based - but Trials and Enduro - as without some support - with UEM events in places like Finland and shortly Latvia and Croatia etc - the young Enduro riders are going to find it tough.
When I eventually speak to the Editor I will try to find out why there was not at least a passing refrence to Alexz success in this issue - I do not know - so I am not going to guess, but I am sure the next one will hit the spot.