scorpaf Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Just a couple of questions regarding this years solo championship, maybe John Collins or someone else at the ACU could answer. I make no excuse for asking these questions, my son wishes to ride in Expert A but has been given a very low priority in Expert B. 1) Why is there a need to split the classes? 2) Why have such a limited entry for Expert A? 3) Why did the entry rules change at the end of the season? 4) How did the ACU T&E Committee prioritise Expert B? 5) Isn't this going to stifle the development of our younger riders moving into the adult class? ps. I've read and understood the entry 'qualifications' for Expert A - I just don't understand the relevance of them. Wasn't the whole idea to improve the entry numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john collins Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Scorpa F - |You make several points and I will try in limited space to answer them I must point out at the start however that it is not possible to analyse and dissect all decisions made throughout the year - and additionally we hold a Brit Champ organisers meeting to which all Organisers, Importers ( who support quite a few Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpaf Posted February 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks for taking the time to reply, it is appreciated. But judging by the list of riders wishing to participate, 83 in total, and only 55 places available, low entries aren't going to be a problem. Getting an entry could be a problem for the unlucky ones at the bottom of the list especially at the more centrally located and popular rounds. It would be interesting to know how many riders aren't riding the course they applied for. As for the selection process, as you say its not an exact science, I'm guessing last placed rider in Expert A would struggle to make top 10 in Expert B! There's a lot of good riders in Expert B that may not wish to ride Expert A. Likewise a few others lower down the ranking may relish the challenge - some riders are trying to up their game! And what would be the point requesting a move up part way through the championship - you'd just end up with two half scores. From our own viewpoint its very disappointing for a rider to find he is suddenly no longer allowed to compete on the same stage with the same riders he has spent his entire national trials career competing with - the interest is fading already! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsnutterman Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 John If everyone was to enter the first round, probably won't happen but let say it did, who will take priority in the Expert B, I ask as there would be 60 ish entries if everyone entered without including the priority 2 riders hence some of the riders on the priority 1 list wouldn't get a ride, will it be on alphabetical order, ability or previous attendance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trialsnutterman Posted February 4, 2009 Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 Scorpaf Did your son ride the expert route at all last year? just trying to work out way he is not on the priority 1 list if he is capable of riding the Expert A. I shouldn't worry about there been 83 riders on the list, there is always loads more riders on the list than actually enter, last year I don't think a single one of the rounds had a full entry. I'm just a little worried every one may just enter the very first round as it is a new round to the championship and under a new format increasing interest. I reckon if he doesn't get in the first one he should easy get in to the 2nd round then scoring points shouldn't be a problem if he is Expert A standard so then he will be guaranteed a entry in the rest of the rounds I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpaf Posted February 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2009 No he didn't ride at any of the Expert rounds - its a long boring story - he was actually still a youth rider but since his birthday was early in the year opted to geta 250 and ride as an adult. Therefore not riding his last year in A class - hence no result - hence no place in expert A. Bit of a bummer 'cos had we have known then he would have contested A class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john collins Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 I think we may be worrying about a hypothetical case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpaf Posted February 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 Why can't the rounds host more than 55 riders? The World round at Hawkstone catered for 77 riders, and one European round we rode in Spain had well over 100, might have been nearer 120 (the queues where stupid - good job it was hot)! But 55 seems a bit mean. I was also thinking along the same lines as trialsnutterman that there will be a full entry at Scarborough (first round and fairly central) and also our closest trial - to which we probably won't get an entry! Next round, Lochaber, probably won't get oversubscribed due to the distance involved. So we might get an entry - but do you think my impoverished student is going to want to drive up to Lochaber for a trial when he's already one round down? Yet, there is no doubt he would (especially since its normally a good trial) if he was guaranteed a ride at all rounds. But then again, he isn't madly keen anyway since he isn't competing with the riders he wants to compete with - irrespective of whether he's capable or qualified in the mind of the ACU. Looking down the priority list and I must say there are a few eyeopeners (in all classes). A couple in championship class! Expert A looks okay (I'm off to BetFred for an each way punt on that one) but I can see at least 6 riders in Priority 2 who will outride 6 riders in Priority 1. There seems to be a few, dare I say, no-hopers in both Expert B lists and a few who really should be in Expert A. But that's just my 'finger on the pulse' opinion. I suppose it's a thankless task - although a self imposed and needless one in my opinion. I'm sure the whole championship would be better if the riders just registered their intentions and rode the trials. Or let 'em all ride whichever class they fancy and ditch any rider who doesn't score a point all season. That goes for all the classes. Promote the best and drop the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel dabster Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Why can't the rounds host more than 55 riders? The World round at Hawkstone catered for 77 riders, and one European round we rode in Spain had well over 100, might have been nearer 120 (the queues where stupid - good job it was hot)! But 55 seems a bit mean.I was also thinking along the same lines as trialsnutterman that there will be a full entry at Scarborough (first round and fairly central) and also our closest trial - to which we probably won't get an entry! Next round, Lochaber, probably won't get oversubscribed due to the distance involved. So we might get an entry - but do you think my impoverished student is going to want to drive up to Lochaber for a trial when he's already one round down? Yet, there is no doubt he would (especially since its normally a good trial) if he was guaranteed a ride at all rounds. But then again, he isn't madly keen anyway since he isn't competing with the riders he wants to compete with - irrespective of whether he's capable or qualified in the mind of the ACU. Looking down the priority list and I must say there are a few eyeopeners (in all classes). A couple in championship class! Expert A looks okay (I'm off to BetFred for an each way punt on that one) but I can see at least 6 riders in Priority 2 who will outride 6 riders in Priority 1. There seems to be a few, dare I say, no-hopers in both Expert B lists and a few who really should be in Expert A. But that's just my 'finger on the pulse' opinion. I suppose it's a thankless task - although a self imposed and needless one in my opinion. I'm sure the whole championship would be better if the riders just registered their intentions and rode the trials. Or let 'em all ride whichever class they fancy and ditch any rider who doesn't score a point all season. That goes for all the classes. Promote the best and drop the rest. Scarborough fairly central? That makes Birmingham deep south then? Tell you what, tell us your riders name and we can give you our opinion as to whether you're right or wrong and this great injustice can get sorted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cota kid Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 As this is a British Championship, Scarborough for that matter anywhere across the north of England would be fairly central for riders travelling from Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john collins Posted February 6, 2009 Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 To be fair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpaf Posted February 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2009 Scarborough fairly central? That makes Birmingham deep south then?Tell you what, tell us your riders name and we can give you our opinion as to whether you're right or wrong and this great injustice can get sorted? Actually Scarborough is South of central - the geographical centre of the UK is Haltwhistle in Northumberland. I didn't mention any great injustice - just fact that my son would like to ride (and is just as capable as some of the riders in Expert A and equally probably not as good as some of the riders in Expert B!) in Expert A. Not much point naming him, it wouldn't make any difference - I'm surprised you can't work it out. I'll help you, he frequently used to be at the top of the results on the bike you hate and advise no one to ride because they're rubbish, the Scorpa 125 four stroke! John, my remarks about ditching the riders was a bit tongue in cheek - but I did mean riders who had previously tried! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel dabster Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) Whilst scarborough may be the geographical centre you know quite well I was refering to the geographical spread of riders, and as only gary macdonald is north of you its not central in anyway is it. I do not hate the Scorpa 125 its a great little bike. For observers. havn't a clue who your exceptional talent is never heard of anyone doing any good on a 125 scorpa. Edited February 7, 2009 by Nigel Dabster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scorpaf Posted February 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 havn't a clue who your exceptional talent is never heard of anyone doing any good on a 125 scorpa. Now now, no need for the sarcasm, exceptional and talent where not mentioned - merely capable and willing. You'll not enjoy this photo, taken a few years ago, of him 'not doing well on a Scorpa 125'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel dabster Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Only other person I've ever seen ride one well as that was Gubian. He did loose a euro championship because of it though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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