OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: Graeme M on May 01, 2008, 10:21:35 pm
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OK, up front I'll say that CD5 was great - loved every minute of it. And if it stayed exactly the same forever I'd be a happy camper.
But I thought it'd be interesting to see what people think could be done to improve it, and maybe the VMX boys might see some gems in amongst the usual load of crap!
I'll start off with a few thoughts:
The track. I know it's vintage motocross, but we have any number of races throughout the year on real tracks, so I think CD should be more about just riding around and getting a buzz from seeing the bikes. The harder tracks, especially if it rains, simply stop a lot of the bling bikes, or older bikes, getting out and being seen. The first two CDs with their very easy, open grasstracks had a much greater variety of machines on display and gave the spectators a better view. Perhaps as a compromise somewhere like MX Central could run the MX track AND a simple grasstrack in the middle of the Dirt Track. Or go for a rural property as Twisty suggested.
Special riding sessions like the TTs Only, Brit Bikes, Spanish Bikes themes at earlier CDs.
The swapmeet. Again, I preferred the approach at CDs 1 & 2 with a single area laid out for the swapmeet. Maybe that had been planned at CD5 and the rain blew that out of the water?
Some sort of show and shine type thing? It's good to see the bikes on the track, but how good to have all the great restos and bling machinery in one compound and awards for best of whatever?
Make it a full week long, like the Mid Ohio thing. Maybe add in some competitive events too? Or, combine it with the Nats for a true vintage festival, and maximise attendance for both.
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Wow a week long Classic dirt and MX nats .I would have to take a spare liver . Ouch
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I can't think of a lot only Anzac Day seems destined to be forever wet..unless in Queensland ;D
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OK, up front I'll say that CD5 was great - loved every minute of it. And if it stayed exactly the same forever I'd be a happy camper.
But I thought it'd be interesting to see what people think could be done to improve it, and maybe the VMX boys might see some gems in amongst the usual load of crap!
I'll start off with a few thoughts:
The track. I know it's vintage motocross, but we have any number of races throughout the year on real tracks, so I think CD should be more about just riding around and getting a buzz from seeing the bikes. The harder tracks, especially if it rains, simply stop a lot of the bling bikes, or older bikes, getting out and being seen. The first two CDs with their very easy, open grasstracks had a much greater variety of machines on display and gave the spectators a better view. Perhaps as a compromise somewhere like MX Central could run the MX track AND a simple grasstrack in the middle of the Dirt Track. Or go for a rural property as Twisty suggested.
Special riding sessions like the TTs Only, Brit Bikes, Spanish Bikes themes at earlier CDs.
The swapmeet. Again, I preferred the approach at CDs 1 & 2 with a single area laid out for the swapmeet. Maybe that had been planned at CD5 and the rain blew that out of the water?
Some sort of show and shine type thing? It's good to see the bikes on the track, but how good to have all the great restos and bling machinery in one compound and awards for best of whatever?
Make it a full week long, like the Mid Ohio thing. Maybe add in some competitive events too? Or, combine it with the Nats for a true vintage festival, and maximise attendance for both.
Ditto to all of the above - I second the motion.
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Guys, I understand your enthusiasm, but let's not go off on a tangent and create something that isn't actually what classic dirt was originally about. ;)
Classic Dirt is an uncompetitive event to allow a bunch of guys to get together and enjoy their old bikes. ;)
We have already indicated that the track was not as expected due to weather. I think we should all consider ourselves lucky that we had a rideable track at all, given the pre-event conditions. Grasstrack venues are a nice idea, but not always practical when you want large numbers of people to camp. There cannot be camping at Barrabool, for example.
The swap meet at CD is free and people prefer to do thier business from their camp site. In Mid Ohio, swap meet locations are allocated and cost big $$$ because of the cost of getting it organised. I seriously doubt our swap meet sellers would be too keen on paying to sell thier stuff. The swap meet at CD4 did not work as intended and the area allocated effictively just became part of the camping area, so we decided not to bother trying to segregate it for CD5. Under the circumstances with the weather, this was probably a blessing in disguise.
FWIW, Mid-Ohio is only a three day event. They get about 25 times the number of people that we get to Classic Dirt. It's extremely unlikely that CD will increased in length. Please remember that doing so would also increase the cost proportionally. ::)
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AJ, appreciating the effort and work that went into CD5, and appreciating the difficulties and compromises required in organising such an event without the vagaries of weather being thrown into the mix, I would never have been game to bring up the subject.
However, given the above, I contributed to the thread in the spirit of a wish list rather than unrealistic or undeserved criticism of the past efforts. I think with a little thought, rather than more work, the basis formed can be built on. The intention of the building upon would be to put more people through the gate rather than simply improving things for those already dedicate to the cause. More people, more money ;) ;D.
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Theirs always pro's & con's of every angle but I don't think CD should be competetive & it's surprising the number of people who think it is or just don't know what it is.
While mentioning to some people "will I see you there" the response was What's CD5"? or "I'm not ready to race my bike yet"
Some mainstream advertising could help the cause, but that gets expensive & bad weather will kill any gains.
Most of us here are "in the loop" but there are still many who don't know VMX exists or that the CD concept is just about getting together for a fun weekend and that you don't need to bring a bike to enjoy it.
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Guys, that's fine...I understand that it is a wish list and indeed we also have some of those aspirations for CD, although combining it with a competitive event like the Vintage Nationals is not one of those aspirations.
I felt the need however to give you some of the reasons that these things don't happen, especially the issue of having a longer event. CD5 is already the same length as Mid-Ohio now and Mid-Ohio is different in that it is primarily a competitive event, not a fun event.
And most importantly, please understand that it's not about money either. We try very hard to keep the cost of CD down as low as possible, whilst offering the most bang for the buck. Things like Event Licences, MA permits and Rider Levies (for the guys that want to ride) are costs we have no control over of course and can punt the cost of riding up quite a bit. So it's a delicate balance.
Finally, I think the weather did play a role in the attendance at CD5. I think that if we hadn't had the rain right up to the event, it would indeed have been even larger than it was, not that we really were lacking in total attendance this time around.
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So if we had a generous benefactor with a suitable property, most of Graeme's wish list would be achievable, yes?
People could turn up on the Thursday, leave on the Monday.
You could have a grass track or three.
Camping would be no problem.
The venue hire costs would be less/non-existant.
This is how CDs 1 & 2 work, as I understand it?
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My son and I have been to all of them and I think they are so good I've told my son Tom what ever happens in our life the CD's will be our weekend away together 8) so keep them coming I'm sure things will change from year to year but at the end of the day VMX mag put in the hard work and its up to us the VMX junkys to bring the good vibe along :) jimson
P.S I wish the bloody gates was open at 11.30pm on friday night.
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Hi Nathan - camping wasn't permitted on site for CD1, 2 or 3 it was only introduced at CD4 and continued at CD5.
Thanks
Ken
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OK, thanks for the clarification.
So what I've suggested would be previously uncharted nirvana, if it could be made to happen?
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Hi Nathan - camping wasn't permitted on site for CD1, 2 or 3 it was only introduced at CD4 and continued at CD5.
Thanks
Ken
Well there were lots of us camping at all of the CD events. Permitted or tolerated?
For me, camping on site is fundamental to my enjoyment of Classic Dirt.
Same for the swapmeet, treasures to be found all around the place.
Improvements, the CD concept is brilliant, dunno how you could make that better.
The track did cut up rough for the short travel bikes, a second smoother track would get a few more
older bikes, and riders, circulating.
Would it have been crowded had weather in the lead up been perfect?
How many suitable locations can there be? Not many I'd guess. Selfishly I would love CD6 to be back in Vic.
Thanks to everybody involved in running this wonderous thing called Classic Dirt and I hope you get as much
out of it as we who travel from all over the place most certainly do.
See Ya
Kurt
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Where is Victoria ???
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Where is Victoria ???
I think thats where the mexicans come from???? ;D
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Where is Victoria ???
I think thats where the mexicans come from???? ;D
with 3 VMX clubs down mexico way (all running 5-6 different events to each other per year) its the VMX heart of OZ my friends.
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I seem to remember that 4 of the 5 CD's have been in Victoria...so I don't know about you, but I think you guys haven't done too badly so far. ;)
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I think that MX central is Exactly that ,while it was a fair hike i would do it again next year and it's not that far for the Qld boys . Another year's work on the facility and a bit of flat track action and slightly better weather would make it perfect in my eyes. I know it would be nice to have the next one in my backyard but then there would be a heap of qld boys who would struggle to get there. And the boys did a great job getting the track open after all the rain . So i think the only way you could improve was with a bit of Flattrack time and i'm sure that would get some of the rarer and expensive bikes out on the track . my thoughts on it .
Hilly.
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If you had come along you could have put on a show for us ???.There was plenty of theatre
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From people I met during the week preceding CD5 there was a bit of publicity around the Hunter region - shops etc., no doubt.
A point for consideration perhaps, is the entry cost of for general spectators, ie friends of mine, & others, who were interested enough to come along but thought $20ea was a little steep for non bike people. (Can't remember how much entry was for the previous CD's).
The other point was that Joel Robert didnt get enough time to talk at the interview on Sat nite, but that was out of VMX managements control.
Otherwise all good, thanks for the immense effort.
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MX central has got my vote, as its halfway between qlders and mexicano's. A good venue thats only going to get better and eager hosts. It would be good to make use of the dirt track area and a small grass track in the middle as suggested would be a good addition.The extra man power to have that running might kill that idea. Saturday night entertainment got everyone together as a group and made for a fantastic atmosphere. I think $20 to get in to any sort of event is cheap these days.
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Yes using the dirt track would have being fun its a good track when preped,but did anyone know that there used to be an endruo loop also on site that used to run around the prerimiter.The band was a fantastic surprize, and i think it brought more people in contact socially than other wise would have happened around camp sites or at least a lot quicker .if we all continue to enjoy our bikes whether building or riding there can not be a bad CD so thanks to the workers see you there next year wearever it is.
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i think cd5 was great central to everyone
only improvment i could see would be to have swap in one area and
pits in another, it was all over the place and when you went to go and ride on track it was a mission
to get through everyone to get onto the road
and a big show and shine area for all the garage queens
like firkos but bigger ;D
run the road test suzukis in there own time span by themselves (prob impossible) ::)
but shit i dont care cause ill be back next year ;D
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Is there a common theme that people found the lay-out of the venue a bit dis-jointed?
The seperate swap-meet area sounds good, but probably won't work so well when people are camping.
It's hard to improve on something so good, I guess. :)
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Just FYI, the way that CD5 ended up being laid out wasn't as originally planned, due to the rain. The main camping area was supposed to be around where Klub Kevlar was. Also the Dirt Track area was supposed to be for day trippers' parking and overflow camping only. Also, the large area below and between the canteen and the track was supposed to be used for the trade display/pits, but that couldn't happen either. :(
Also on the dirt track issue, one fact remains: it's a "nice to have" feature of CD, but it just costs too much to be a viable option.
At CD4 we went to the trouble of having the Dirt Track available for riding (especially after the outcry on this Forum), and despite the rain putting a damper on things then too, the reality was that only 12 dirt track bikes actually turned up to the event. This just does not justify the extra track hire, additional MA permit fee/ rider levies, more flaggies and additional Paramedic crew that we have to have, to make it possible to run the Dirt Track.
At the end of the day, there are several great Vintage Dirt Track meetings held each year, and they need the support of the Vintage community, rather than have Dirt Track at CD.
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Id love to see it come further south dont care how far south just further to make it a safe 1 day drive for one person.
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Start planning your drive now Freaky in 2 one day trips up & Back.
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Id love to see it come further south dont care how far south just further to make it a safe 1 day drive for one person.
Newcastle is south Freaky, South of the gulf of carpentaria, south of QLD, South of the sun, has a domestic airport that is twenty minutes from the track, what more could you ask ;D
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Jeez Freaky it's a piece of piss drive accross the Hay Plains from Adelaide. There were blokes from SA,WA, North Qld and NZ and they were'nt whingeing about the distance. Walter bought the entire YSS factory from Adelaide with not a wimper! Give youself an uppercut for missing out. There were shitloads of punters just dying to meet you in the flesh ;)
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lets pick on Freaky today.
yer come on Freaky,we have to travel from WA next year.got to meet ya ugle mug ;)
at least fuel is cheaper than a bottle of water. ;D
alison
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I guess it goes without saying that if someone knows of a venue which has:
A natural, MA licenced, natural terrain grasstrack MX with track watering capability
Full Camping Facilities on site
Cheap Food Vendors available
Ample power on site
Lots of accomodation nearby
Closeish to a major city
We may possibly consider it (Not asking for much are we?) ;)
A winery in the Hunter or Barossa valleys would be interesting... ;D
P.S. Just so as we don't get bombarded by suggestions for Barrabool, Barrabool currently does not meet these requirements, otherwise we already would have gone back there.
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I was going to say WA earlier ,but not too many travellers out there ;)
Collie track has all the above and can also cater for 1000 campers/canteen etc etc,but the track has a bit of deep sand which some don't like.
just a suggestion
I love to travel as its my holiday combined with vmx
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Sorry to say, but I suspect that the logistics of doing CD in WA from our base in NSW may prove to be an insurmountable problem. :'(
Never say never though. ;D
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I guess it goes without saying that if someone knows of a venue which has:
A natural, MA licenced, natural terrain grasstrack MX with track watering capability
Full Camping Facilities on site
Cheap Food Vendors available
Ample power on site
Lots of accomodation nearby
Closeish to a major city
We may possibly consider it (Not asking for much are we?) ;)
A winery in the Hunter or Barossa valleys would be interesting... ;D
P.S. Just so as we don't get bombarded by suggestions for Barrabool, Barrabool currently does not meet these requirements, otherwise we already would have gone back there.
The Thumpernats used a track at Meldon on the outskirts of Picton that would tick most boxes. Not sure of camping facilities and plenty of power though.
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Picton was actually one of our first options and was considered for CD4.
Unfortunately, it is a no-go for a couple of fundamental reasons. :'(
Nice try though. ;)
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Picton was actually one of our first options and was considered for CD4.
Unfortunately, it is a no-go for a couple of fundamental reasons. :'(
Nice try though. ;)
Great minds think alike.
Take a bow. ;D
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The track at Fairbairn (Canberra) would have to go close to those criteria. Sure its not natural terrain, but it's closer to being natural terrain than Raymond Terrace (even allowing for the rain issues at RT)...
Plus we've got Dennis the ACT track maintenance guru...
And it never rains here. :-\
On a different tangent, why does the MA track licence matter? Surely its possible to get a MA rec-riding permit for trail riding (even if that trail happens to go round and round on itself)?
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Gee Ajay don't open this can of worms as all the Queenslanders are going to get on board, Conondale, Just had a round of the national championships on the weekend, plenty of camping, 30 mins from the sunshine coast, lots of bed and breakfast within 15 mins, local school does the food selling including breakfast, make any type of track you like!!!.
But we would like to push our own day at Conondale in early August (two days of the best riding you can get hey Magoo!! and keep it as it's own meeting)
But to be fair I can see the point in not moving each year, it is easier for you to organise from Sydney, central to the East coast runners (most of the East Coast runners) and Raymond Tce was an excellent venue that was still usable after 2 weeks of rain!!! the catering was first class and at a reasonable price, the accommodation around was also at good pricing, easy to find (even if your signs were not user friendly)
I think all in all a top effort was put in by your team under very hard conditions, (the past two years have been hard) and now speaking as a sponsors (as the owner of Wiltec Industries) the valve for money is great in terms of the people that turned up, you are never going to please all the people all the time but that is typical of anything in life these days.
Lets just hope it continues to grow and we all get behind this worthy event
Shane
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Gum Valley, 30 mins south of Mackay Qld, can fulfill those criteria. Used to hold the Aust Champs in the 70s, track can be diverted back to basically exactly what it was. I helped John Hand (land owner and ex Aust Enduro Champ) get the track back going about 3 years ago and is under the banner of the Gum Valley Natural Terrain and Vintage MX Club. The idea was to at some stage hopefully lure the VMX Qld Title meeeting away from Bris vegas at some stage. Round of the Modern Aust titles held there in 2007 and got pretty good wraps from everybody (at least up here!). Anyone for some time in the sun and a sail in the Whitsundays.
Only really posting this so people know we have good tracks up here. When I lived in Vic, the trip to Cherabah certainly looked a biggie, so I could understand reluctance to go to North Queensland. If you are in this neck of the woods give me a PM. We don't have a heap of meetings up here but there pretty good when we do.
Rosco.
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mAke any track you like at victor harbour in SA, everything else is there, could do all the above. also there still might be a venue at Mount gambier inside the current road track that could be marked out. mildura ? swan hill ? whats out that way /
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Why not Lake Eyre Freaky? Raymond Terrace is a perfect venue and accessible to most folks. If you're complaining about the travel, you're just not keen enough. Keep it at Raymond Terrace and build a tradition from there. Many make the pilgrimage to Philip Island for the GP, Bathurst for the Tooheys 1000 and Canberra for the SummerNats so why not work on building those same traditions for Classic Dirt at MX Central/Raymond Terrace?
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Well said Firko , but also keep the date a tradition also . Then all the planing can be done in time.
Hollydays , long leave etc. It would certanly be more convinient at my doorstep , but looking at the big picture , Raymond tc is pretty central for all . My fuel bill was exeeding the big 1000 mark , but hey ,everyone is in the same boat and for me its only one event per year. If therte is enough warning ( at least 9 months ) we will do it again.
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Hey Walter, My fuel bill was $220 and I live only down the road a bit in Sydney. :'(
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Ajay - does it look like being the same weekend next year? I wholeheartedly agree with YSS - I would like (and need) to plan now - to even trying to buy a bike and leave over there?
ta
Rossco
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Unfortunately, we cannot lock a date or venue in for next year at this early stage. We'd like to, but it's just not possible. :(
Naturally, the moment a date and venue is locked, this forum hears about it first. ;)
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I guess it goes without saying that if someone knows of a venue which has:
A natural, MA licenced, natural terrain grasstrack MX with track watering capability
Full Camping Facilities on site
Cheap Food Vendors available
Ample power on site
Lots of accomodation nearby
Closeish to a major city
We may possibly consider it (Not asking for much are we?) ;)
A winery in the Hunter or Barossa valleys would be interesting... ;D
P.S. Just so as we don't get bombarded by suggestions for Barrabool, Barrabool currently does not meet these requirements, otherwise we already would have gone back there.
It has to be said............ ANYWHERE IN NEW ZEALAND
If you Aussie blokes charter a plane,...... we'll find the golf course ;) ;D ;D
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YSS 9 months to get organised thats spot on,
wonder if Hooney & co have a calender ;D :D ;D :D ???
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So if I am reading this correctly, our Classic Dirt Wish List includes visiting a venue just down the road from each of us. Including:
Rockhampton, Connondale, Lake Eyre, Raymond Terrace, Picton, Canberra, a mythical rural property, Wineries, somewhere on the south coast of NSW, Broadford, Barrabool [whoops, sorry can't camp there], Wyalla and now New Zealand and everything in between.
The answer is now obvious, an annual 12 round Classic Dirt Series. Coming to a venue just up the road from you!!!!
I'm going to start my retirement plans right now, buy the Winnebago and follow the circuit. The best thing is we can charge each of the venues a premium when we break the drought in their local areas.
It is going to make Ben Hur look like an epic!!!! I wonder if Suzuki can find enough Ex-World Champions to attend each round?
Whooo Hooo, now where are my VMX gumboots.
VMX42
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So if I am reading this correctly, our Classic Dirt Wish List includes visiting a venue just down the road from each of us. Including:
Rockhampton, Connondale, Lake Eyre, Raymond Terrace, Picton, Canberra, a mythical rural property, Wineries, somewhere on the south coast of NSW, Broadford, Barrabool [whoops, sorry can't camp there], Wyalla and now New Zealand and everything in between.
The answer is now obvious, an annual 12 round Classic Dirt Series. Coming to a venue just up the road from you!!!!
I'm going to start my retirement plans right now, buy the Winnebago and follow the circuit. The best thing is we can charge each of the venues a premium when we break the drought in their local areas.
It is going to make Ben Hur look like an epic!!!! I wonder if Suzuki can find enough Ex-World Champions to attend each round?
Whooo Hooo, now where are my VMX gumboots.
VMX42
Sounds like a plan... :o
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Surely one of the biggest criateria would have to be FUN and Ravenswood sure is that! A city a stones-throw away, plenty of room to camp, picturesque undulating track, very vintage friendly. I know we've had all but one CD in Vic but hey, we are the VMX meca of Oz.....
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee74/All_things_414/IMG_0925.jpg)
You know, I have to say that every time someone says that Victoria is the centre of the VMX universe (even if it is in jest), it just creates an unnecessary situation where there is the potential for bad blood to be let. So why do it? It certainly is not helpful. ::)
There are just as passionate VMX people in Tassie, WA, QLD, SA, NSW and even NT as there are in Victoria. ;)
Sure FUN is one important aspect of CD, but people can have fun anywhere if they really want to (within reason). 8)
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I don't think it really matters where it is there will always be some who cannot make the trek. To have it on a long weekend is ideal but to run it any longer would also cause issues for some as not everyone can get holidays to coincide with the extra time needed. Dodgee and I did CD5 in three days but the friday was a marathon 30+ hours without sleep and little food. wasn't too bad but if you had the cheese and kisses and billy lids tagging along then there'd be some very cranky scenes. 3 day is great, the venue was quite central to the east coast and I loved it. My only gripe was something entirely out of anyones control..the weather ;)
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I'd like consideration for the issue of arriving and leaving the CD venue.
It's just an observation and a thought so pls read as such - no attitude intended, OK?
We all appreciate the need for the Organisers to set-up the three day event; to be left alone to weave their magic without being bothered by the sweaty hoardes.
However, given the massive road trip for many punters we can't all arrive at 'gates open' on the Friday.
I drove from Brissie and arrived at 1130pm friday night to find the gates locked and two other vehicles waiting. No biggie, I was expecting to sleep in the car all weekend.
But to time it, to get to the venue on time to experience Day one means I'd leave home at midnight thursday. Drowsy drivers die I think the saying goes, and that's not meant to be dramatic but it's possible following a day at work and little sleep prior to midnight.
The rules also stated 'all out by 6.00pm Sunday' (or words to that effect) but this also seems a tad harsh if a days riding in the sun is to be followed by a ten hour drive. I noticed a few campers remained on sunday eve but I believe they sought permission and were an exception to the rule.
That's enough - you get my point.
I'm throwing this in for discussion; I'm not sure of a solution for the arrival issue, but I think being allowed to camp the last night and leave after a good sleep makes absolute sense.
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I agree Wombat but if you are travelling 40 km or 4000km the rules are rules and thats that.Its the venues/organizers choice of whom and when they open the main gate.
If ya on the committeee then ya have more pull,so to speak.
cheers
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I'd like consideration for the issue of arriving and leaving the CD venue.
It's just an observation and a thought so pls read as such - no attitude intended, OK?
We all appreciate the need for the Organisers to set-up the three day event; to be left alone to weave their magic without being bothered by the sweaty hoardes.
However, given the massive road trip for many punters we can't all arrive at 'gates open' on the Friday.
I drove from Brissie and arrived at 1130pm friday night to find the gates locked and two other vehicles waiting. No biggie, I was expecting to sleep in the car all weekend.
But to time it, to get to the venue on time to experience Day one means I'd leave home at midnight thursday. Drowsy drivers die I think the saying goes, and that's not meant to be dramatic but it's possible following a day at work and little sleep prior to midnight.
The rules also stated 'all out by 6.00pm Sunday' (or words to that effect) but this also seems a tad harsh if a days riding in the sun is to be followed by a ten hour drive. I noticed a few campers remained on sunday eve but I believe they sought permission and were an exception to the rule.
That's enough - you get my point.
I'm throwing this in for discussion; I'm not sure of a solution for the arrival issue, but I think being allowed to camp the last night and leave after a good sleep makes absolute sense.
Wombat,
While I understand that the gates open/closed issue may seem harsh, the reality is that there do have to be limits on camping time at the venue and also restrictions on access out of hours. The reality is that is it unrealistic and uneconomic to have people manning the gate 24/7, just to allow people to arrive whenever they choose to do so.
On the inwards trip, it was always the case that Friday would be the "arrival day" and not a full day of Classic Dirt. The intention therefore was for people to travel during the day on Friday and arrive in the afternoon. Thus an early start from Brissy or Melbourne would have you arriving in the mid afternoon Friday. If you wanted to arrive early Friday, there is of course always the option to drive to closer location, stay somewhere overnight and then do a shorter trip on Friday morning. We even suggested it on this forum, prior to the event.
Similarly, we deliberately scheduled the event to come to a completion at about 3pm on Sunday, to allow people to begin their homeware journey in daylight and then, if necessary make an overnight stop before completeing the journey the next day. But there was never any mention of camping being available on Sunday night.
At the end of the day, both these things could be fixed for the few, at the expense of many, by simply increasing the camping fees to cover the extra venue hire period and manning the gate 24/7. I for one, would prefer that not to be necessary and just rely on everyone to take into account the gate open/closing times and organise their trip arrival, departure and return accordingly.
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While I understand that the gates open/closed issue may seem harsh, the reality is that there do have to be limits on camping time at the venue and also restrictions on access out of hours. The reality is that is it unrealistic and uneconomic to have people manning the gate 24/7, just to allow people to arrive whenever they choose to do so.
On the inwards trip, it was always the case that Friday would be the "arrival day" and not a full day of Classic Dirt. The intention therefore was for people to travel during the day on Friday and arrive in the afternoon. Thus an early start from Brissy or Melbourne would have you arriving in the mid afternoon Friday. If you wanted to arrive early Friday, there is of course always the option to drive to closer location, stay somewhere overnight and then do a shorter trip on Friday morning. We even suggested it on this forum, prior to the event.
Similarly, we deliberately scheduled the event to come to a completion at about 3pm on Sunday, to allow people to begin their homeware journey in daylight and then, if necessary make an overnight stop before completeing the journey the next day. But there was never any mention of camping being available on Sunday night.
At the end of the day, both these things could be fixed for the few, at the expense of many, by simply increasing the camping fees to cover the extra venue hire period and manning the gate 24/7. I for one, would prefer that not to be necessary and just rely on everyone to take into account the gate open/closing times and organise their trip arrival, departure and return accordingly.
No, I didn't think the locked gate upon entry was harsh - but it was a surprise. and I don't for a moment expect a manning of the gate 24/7.
Waking to the news of the stolen Husky only confirmed it's not a bad idea to lock the place up.
Your reasoning makes some sense but my original decision not to stay at a Motel or sleep on the side of the road was based on a fear my bike or tools or gear could be easily lifted from the trailer by any roaming grub.
I'm happy to concede on the entry/day one but I maintain a good sleep in situ following the event is a safer travel option.
Like I said, it's an observation/suggestion and not a critisism.
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OK, no worries.
Having said all of that however, manning the gate Friday and Saturday nights is something we would consider in future. Even when the gate was closed and locked at about 8pm on Friday, there was a period where people came into CD5 without having to pay. Fortunately, some were honest enough to let us know in the morning, but in reality we shouldn't have to reply on someone's honesty.
So in that respect you are correct - improvement in the gate control is a subject worth mentioning. ;D
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ajay, you guys would still be in the recovery phase from cd5, so i hope you realise its just our obsessive keenness for cd-style vmx events that has us relentlessly pushing out ideas/requests/ suggestions at you.
so just in case this has meant we've moved on a bit too quickly from just reliving how good cd5 was, i'll remind you - i had a blast, and you and all your people did an absolutely fabulous job that put smiles on hundreds of faces for lots of day and gave us some treasured memories too.
so keep up the pats on each other's back for a while yet before you put the planner's hat back on.
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Hey, it's not a problem - and we do immediately think of CD6 immediately after CD5 as well. The planning really does start now, albeit in a low key way.
All constructive criticism offered here is welcome and considered seriously, although we do filter the personal preferences from the general improvement suggestions.
Naturally we want CD to improve each time, even if its only possible to do slightly better. ;)
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Does that wee little yellow suzuki caravan still attend the CD events. ??? ??? ???
or has it retired to be used as a chook pen. 8)
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Ah, the Yellow caravan was only a figment of Jeff's imagination. It seems to have gone the way of the Dodo now. :'(
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Well , last thing I heard, its being rented out to the Kevlar Girls ;D ;D
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why the MA licence?
Move Barrabool to NSW?
baz
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why the MA licence?
Move Barrabool to NSW?
baz
????????????????????????????
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why the MA licence?
Move Barrabool to NSW?
baz
????????????????????????????
??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Ditto; I don't quite follow...
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why the MA licence?
Move Barrabool to NSW?
baz
Insurance ;)