Andy Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 One of the posts replying to last week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big john Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 (edited) With regard to the Dakar cancellation and having been involved at the "sharp end" when the SSDT was pulled due to foot and mouth in 2001, it is obvious that there was a real threat to life if the Dakar went ahead. We truly live in a very unsettled world and 9/11; the Madrid and London bombings etc have proved that we are all vulnerable. The ASO (organisers of the Dakar) had a very difficult decision to make indeed, the cost of riders just getting to the start line and committment by sponsors etc runs into millions of pounds (or euros). Just imagine if the terrorists (another sanitised word for murderers) had successfully executed a couple of guys on KTM's what would the world's reaction be I wonder? Not favourable to the organisers I would imagine! To run an alternative event at the last minute I don't think would have been welcomed by all and I think it would have put the Dakar into the shadows for many years to come. I hope it will not be the last real Dakar as it is an incredible event (Robbie Allan still talks about it yet!). Right decision to cancel this time, IMHO! Big John Edited January 6, 2008 by Big John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
as iow Posted January 6, 2008 Report Share Posted January 6, 2008 As the organiser of the British indoor youth trial in 05 & 06 i think it would be a great idea to run a indoor or arena trials championship, but there a few problems that you would find. The first thing you need is cash, as someone has to pay for every section to be transported to and from the venue, section sponsorship is one way around this problem but you need at least eight different sections at every event. Building the sections is not as easy as you mite think, anyone can park a few cars together or get hold of some skips, but to make a good arena trial you need a lot more than this. The C of course needs to know whats he's doing too which is why we got Steve Saunders to help out, and then you need a BIG fork lift & a BIG hiab crane, at the IOW indoor we had two of each and it still took all day to put it together. Another problem is that most large arena's will charge at least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
physco Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Big John Respect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neils on wheels Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 A British indoor series could certainly benefit our rising stars, but I'm not sure it would be commercially viable. It's one thing to travel once a year & fork out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cubby Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 From what I've seen and heard the Spaniards already have an established, relatively high profile domestic indoor series, which showcases the top 6 or so riders. A money earner for them and basically using the same sections transported from venue to venue so as to minimise on build costs and set up time. Don't know whether it is run by the federation or on behalf of them by a thrid party, but if they can do it surely we can too? But we have to cut our cloth, so yeah, why not tag it onto agricultural shows, or have a round at the NEC bike show, one at the dirt bike show, and any other shows that are relevant which leads up to Christmas and use it as a qualifier for Sheffield? How many rounds do you need, well in year one probably best of 3. May be the third one could be in the afternoon/ early evening at Sheffield? To be honest it is unlikely that Brit riders will hone the skills enough without something specialised in order to beat the Spanish. The sport is more specialised indoors now and needs the appropriate focus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilco Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 All it needs now is an entrepreneur Look's like we're sending you off to the Dragon's Den then rapper's.I've been told you could charm the knicker's off a Nun,so facing those Dragon's and coming home with the Dosh should be a piece of cake for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordi Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 (edited) But we have to cut our cloth, so yeah, why not tag it onto agricultural shows, or have a round at the NEC bike show, one at the dirt bike show, and any other shows that are relevant which leads up to Christmas The Dirt Bike show. Now that is a very sensible suggestion. Edited January 9, 2008 by jordi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sectiononecleaner Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 This would be a great idea, huge benefits to uk trials in terms of exposure and rider development on the international scene, but the commercial viablity would be of great concern to an investor/entrep. Perhaps L and M events would be interested in taking this on as they seem to be the only real players in the market at the minute. I suspect they have looked into this only to find this not a viable venture. Personally i think the money is on the world stage as regards ticket sales, and i know our british riders carry some great skills, but not only getting people to travel as well as pay entry i just cannot see the viabily of such a venture at present. Would love to be proved wrong. Who would be your top 6 anyway? Doug, Brownie, Dabill, Jarvis, Wigg, Danby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cota kid Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 It is fundamental to the development of the sport that the UK has its own Indoor Championship. I attended a the Spanish Indoor Round in Girona and whilst it lacked the grandeur of an event such as Sheffield, it was non the less a very entertaining evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
666wobbler Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 Look's like we're sending you off to the Dragon's Den then rapper's.I've been told you could charm the knicker's off a Nun,so facing those Dragon's and coming home with the Dosh should be a piece of cake for you. Top idea. Come on Rappers, how about you and the good lads and lasses at Lancs County looking into this. If you could find a venue then you might not have to cancel so many trials due to bad weather g/n birds etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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