OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Competition => Topic started by: loosecannon on March 19, 2014, 04:53:20 pm

Title: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: loosecannon on March 19, 2014, 04:53:20 pm
G'day guy's,

I just got my green plates for my yz250F resto, I have my race number which is 3 numbers, Just wanting to know the minimum size of the numbers and class letter ( in this case E).... just so I know what to get and how to fit it all on the little plate  ::) ::)... as I have seen some that are a bit smaller and fit on the oval plates ok, and some that over hang the perimeter of the plates

Thanks again in advance for your assistance

Regards
Dave
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: KTM47 on March 19, 2014, 05:18:18 pm
The class indentification letter should be a minimum of 50mm (2") high and in upper case  E for evo.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Nathan S on March 20, 2014, 09:56:42 am
I know your pain, loosec.

I don't think there's a minimum size for the numbers themselves - although it is obviously in your best interest to make sure they are large enough to read.

The letter has to be 50mm high, but it doesn't specify how wide. ;) Again, you obviously want it to be readable, but it doesn't have to be read by lap scorers.

Also, the wording about 'to the left of the number' is actually more vague than it first appears.
It gives a bit of freedom to let you put the letter above or below the number, providing it is toward the left (this doesn't help much with oval number plates, but it does for rectangular ones).
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: loosecannon on March 20, 2014, 09:30:51 pm
Thanks guy's...

Nathan, yes with an oval plate makes it harder, if the letter "E" needs to be 50mm high..... how high at minimum can the race numbers be?....... so I can figure out how to juggle the letter and numbers around,

Regards
Dave
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Noel on March 20, 2014, 09:37:34 pm
9.1 Number plates
16.9.1.1    Number plates shall be either oval or rectangular and in the following colours:
CAPACITY
   
BACKGROUND COLOUR
   
FIGURE COLOUR
Up to 125cc    Black    White
250cc    Dark Green    White
263cc and over    Canary Yellow    Black
16.9.1.2    For all competitions three number plates must be fitted: one at the front and one on each side.
16.9.1.3    Number plates must:

    Where they are not an integral part of the machine or streamlining and are under 1.6mm in thickness, have rolled or wired edges,
    In the case of rectangular plates, have the corners formed to a 38mm radius,
    In the case of bolt on number plates, be made from a rigid material with minimum dimensions of 235mm height and 285mm width; and
    In the case of sidecars, be positioned so that they are visible from the front and each side of the sidecar.

16.9.1.4    Front number plates must have figures which are clearly visible at a distance of 20 metres and a solid 10mm wide border.
16.9.1.5    Side number plates must:

    Be fitted above a horizontal line drawn through the rear axle,
    Be fitted so that the front edge of the plate is behind a vertical line drawn at 200mm to the rear of the rider’s footrest,

16.9.1.6    Number backgrounds on side number plates may be an integral part of the rear seat section or fairing.
16.9.1.7    Advertising must be at least 25mm clear of the background of a number plate unless the advertising is an integral part of the back plate cover.
16.9.2 Back Numbers
16.9.2.1    No competitor may compete in any competition unless wearing the machine identification number on their back in contrasting colours and with a minimum size of 125mm height and 20mm width of stroke.
16.9.3 Class Identification
16.9.3.1    A letter will be:

    Used to identify the class of the machine,
    Placed on the left side of all 3 race plates,
    50mm high, and in upper case,
    The same colour as the race number.

16.9.3.2    Identification letters for each class are:
a)    Pre-1960    “A”
b)    Pre-1965    “N”
c)    Pre-1970    “H”
d)    Pre-1975    “X”
e)    Pre-1978    “Z”
f)    Pre-1978 Women    “T”
g)    Evolution    “E”
h)    Pre-1985    “Y”
i)    Pre-1990    “W”
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: loosecannon on March 21, 2014, 12:46:48 am
Perfect Noel... thanks for that mate  ;) ;) ;)

Still be a tight fit to get 3 numbers and a letter behind it on a yz250F plate

I have seen the letter (E) above the number on a few bikes with 3 numbers, as it won't fit behind it
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: FourstrokeForever on March 21, 2014, 10:38:48 am
And here we go again. Another over complicated rule to confuse the punters......

It's hard enough to fit 2 decent size numbers on our oval number plates, let alone 3.

Dave, just do your best to make the numbers as big as you can to make them all fit on. 090 (Brad) on this forum has his numbers fitting very good so it can be done.

The thing I don't understand is why MA continue down the path of ridiculous rules for VMX bikes.  In this case, has anyone seen the size of number backgrounds and numbers on modern enduro bikes......surely they need bigger number boards mounted, 200 mm from line of swingarm and 200mm behind rider foot peg........ ::)


 
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: PCMAX on March 21, 2014, 11:56:42 am
Can anyone advise the best place to buy these era letters? I've tried MCA's, Sydney City MC's, Bunnings, & Office Works. The only ones I found are at Office Works & they're no good 'cause they are only about 1cm high.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Fabulous on March 21, 2014, 12:18:34 pm
BCF have a pretty good selection . They are for boat registration but work pretty well
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Big Scotty on March 21, 2014, 01:13:26 pm
Gday
I have found it easier when finding new numbers to go into Microsoft publisher, find a number font you like, you can then size it up or down, put them on a lean, whatever you like,  print it out, you can then check how it fits your plate, keep trying till you get what you want, then take that to your local sign shop were they scan it and print it out, I found with multiple numbers to lean the numbers forward, gives you more room for the ID letter on the left, usually around 60 dollars for two bikes,
cheers scotty
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: loosecannon on March 21, 2014, 02:51:32 pm
Thanks guy's

I'm new to VMX racing , so trying to figure out what others out there do in this situation  ;) ;)



Regards
Dave

Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on March 21, 2014, 03:51:01 pm
bit like BS - I gave the maximum available size to my decal printer - they draw up with number and letter give it to me to sign off on and then print out - easy done and such a better finish than trying to do it yourself.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: PCMAX on March 21, 2014, 04:11:02 pm
BCF have a pretty good selection . They are for boat registration but work pretty well

Yep checked BCF and they do have a good range in any colour you like as long as it is black. Unfortunately I need white ones for my 250's. Same result when I went to another Bunnings store today they have suitable sizes but all in black  :-[
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Ted on March 21, 2014, 04:58:55 pm
And here we go again. Another over complicated rule to confuse the punters......

It's hard enough to fit 2 decent size numbers on our oval number plates, let alone 3.

Dave, just do your best to make the numbers as big as you can to make them all fit on. 090 (Brad) on this forum has his numbers fitting very good so it can be done.

The thing I don't understand is why MA continue down the path of ridiculous rules for VMX bikes.  In this case, has anyone seen the size of number backgrounds and numbers on modern enduro bikes......surely they need bigger number boards mounted, 200 mm from line of swingarm and 200mm behind rider foot peg........ ::)

And there lies the problem.

Rules are introduced that we're not applicable back in the day, when these bikes were new.

Front and rear sprocket covers are in vogue these days. If you stuck your fingers in the sprocket back then it was called bad luck mate. Now you become an instant victim.

Too many rules.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: PCMAX on March 21, 2014, 06:01:54 pm
And here we go again. Another over complicated rule to confuse the punters......

It's hard enough to fit 2 decent size numbers on our oval number plates, let alone 3.



And there lies the problem.

Rules are introduced that we're not applicable back in the day, when these bikes were new.

Front and rear sprocket covers are in vogue these days. If you stuck your fingers in the sprocket back then it was called bad luck mate. Now you become an instant victim.

Too many rules.

Now now Ted, you know the rule about the era letters is so that you or I, or anyone else for that matter doesn't front up to the pre 65 or pre 75 grid on our pre 85 bikes........'cause no one would notice that would they ;D ::) ;D
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: HeavenVMX on March 21, 2014, 08:58:55 pm
In 1976/77 a front sprocket cover was actually a requirement on all bikes it was not until the early '80s that the sprocket covers were deleted but only if the sprocket is less than 30mm from the swingarm pivot or words to that effect and that is still the rule today except for VMX were all eras require them.

Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: FourstrokeForever on March 22, 2014, 10:40:23 am
And here we go again. Another over complicated rule to confuse the punters......

It's hard enough to fit 2 decent size numbers on our oval number plates, let alone 3.



And there lies the problem.

Rules are introduced that we're not applicable back in the day, when these bikes were new.

Front and rear sprocket covers are in vogue these days. If you stuck your fingers in the sprocket back then it was called bad luck mate. Now you become an instant victim.

Too many rules.

Now now Ted, you know the rule about the era letters is so that you or I, or anyone else for that matter doesn't front up to the pre 65 or pre 75 grid on our pre 85 bikes........'cause no one would notice that would they ;D ::) ;D

Exactly right PCMAX....if the era letter wasn't in place or big enough to read, everyone would ride whatever they felt like riding in any class. It's too easy to make a 1984 CR250RE look like a 1974 CR250M...... ::)
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: KTM47 on March 22, 2014, 11:07:59 am
And here we go again. Another over complicated rule to confuse the punters......

It's hard enough to fit 2 decent size numbers on our oval number plates, let alone 3.

Dave, just do your best to make the numbers as big as you can to make them all fit on. 090 (Brad) on this forum has his numbers fitting very good so it can be done.

The thing I don't understand is why MA continue down the path of ridiculous rules for VMX bikes.  In this case, has anyone seen the size of number backgrounds and numbers on modern enduro bikes......surely they need bigger number boards mounted, 200 mm from line of swingarm and 200mm behind rider foot peg........ ::)

And there lies the problem.

Rules are introduced that we're not applicable back in the day, when these bikes were new.

Front and rear sprocket covers are in vogue these days. If you stuck your fingers in the sprocket back then it was called bad luck mate. Now you become an instant victim.

Too many rules.

If the lawyers and the courts would do everything the same as they did in the 70s etc the rules could be the same as back then, but in the real World that is not the case.  You can fit a three digit number and the class letter on number plates, you just have to make the numbers to suit.  Or take your plates to a graphic guy and get them to do them.  I use Sixty-Nine Designs, they can do anything you want.  If you don't want to pay to get the numbers done.  Just make your own number (and letter) templates and make your numbers using contact.  That was what I did when I first started racing in 1972.

Just for the record bikes with front sprockets further away from the frame than 30 mm have always had to have front sprocket covers.  Most bikes had them fitted standard.

There isn't too many rules.  If everyone just enforced the ones we have got there would be less of a problem.  Because some rules are ignored because (it's just a Club Day), we have the problem of riders being let get away with things and then eventually being told they have to change.

Kevin
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Nathan S on March 22, 2014, 12:56:05 pm
And here we go again. Another over complicated rule to confuse the punters......

It's hard enough to fit 2 decent size numbers on our oval number plates, let alone 3.



And there lies the problem.

Rules are introduced that we're not applicable back in the day, when these bikes were new.

Front and rear sprocket covers are in vogue these days. If you stuck your fingers in the sprocket back then it was called bad luck mate. Now you become an instant victim.

Too many rules.

Now now Ted, you know the rule about the era letters is so that you or I, or anyone else for that matter doesn't front up to the pre 65 or pre 75 grid on our pre 85 bikes........'cause no one would notice that would they ;D ::) ;D

Exactly right PCMAX....if the era letter wasn't in place or big enough to read, everyone would ride whatever they felt like riding in any class. It's too easy to make a 1984 CR250RE look like a 1974 CR250M...... ::)

I don't think that confusing 74 and 84 models is a problem. But there are plenty of times when it would require a trained eye to pick between pre-70 and pre-75 bikes, or between pre-85 and an early pre-90 bike.

To be honest, I'm not sure why the rule exists. There is clearly some merit in having a simple era-identifier on all bikes, but when it's a 50mm tall letter on every number plate, it suggests that it is for the lap scorers... I've never been able to work out why the lap scorers need to know what era the bike is, mid-race.
I've certainly never seen anyone bother to record the era-letter when they're lap scoring...
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: loosecannon on March 22, 2014, 07:16:03 pm
I will just have to make the 3 numbers as big as possible on the 79 model plates... via a sign place ( which is tiny number plate next to the 96 cr next to it in the shed)... you can't do anymore than that

If there was an issue with the era of the bike, couldn't that be address either before or after the race?
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Nathan S on March 22, 2014, 07:45:59 pm

If there was an issue with the era of the bike, couldn't that be address either before or after the race?

Yes, but the reason for an identifier is to keep the continuity between scrutiny and the racing - otherwise it could be possible to get a Pre-75 bike passed for scrutiny, and then line it up in the Pre-70 races.
I don't know if this is a real problem or an imagined one, but the identifier goes 98% of the way to solving it.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: FourstrokeForever on March 23, 2014, 10:03:45 am

If there was an issue with the era of the bike, couldn't that be address either before or after the race?

Yes, but the reason for an identifier is to keep the continuity between scrutiny and the racing - otherwise it could be possible to get a Pre-75 bike passed for scrutiny, and then line it up in the Pre-70 races.
I don't know if this is a real problem or an imagined one, but the identifier goes 98% of the way to solving it.

I think your imagination is working overtime Nathan. I can pretty much guarantee that all those in the pre70 class would know if there was someone attempting to line up on a pre75 bike. And they wouldn't be fooled by that pre75 bike even if it did have a bogus "n" identifier on it's number plates. I really can't imagine anyone having the kahoonas to attempt doing it either, as the lynch mob would be all over them.
Suggesting that a class identifier helps with scrutineering or lap scoring is bordering on silly.....If a scrutineer doesn't know what he/she is looking at, then they shouldn't be scrutineering. As for lap scoring, it's hard enough to follow numbers let alone a 50mm letter flying past at race pace with bikes all around it.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with having identifiers on my bikes, I just think it's another one of the "silly" rules.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: PEZBerq on March 23, 2014, 10:17:58 am
Nothing silly about being able to tell the class a machine is entered in by reading its number plate. Quite a good idea. More for the benefit if spectators and officials I expect. Not for scruitineers or purists who can tell what any machine is from its reflection on a tin shed from 50 feet away  ::)
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: KTM47 on March 23, 2014, 03:43:08 pm
I really think having the class indentification letter on the plate is a good idea.  What it does do is permit the start officials to identify a bike that shouldn't be in a race. 

Putting the letter on the plates with a three digit number is not as big a problem as it may appear.  From my experience (with modern MX) the lap scorers don't really like big size numbers, because they blend into the  plate too much.  Anyone who saw the bikes on the QVMX stand at to Moto Expo would of seen several bikes there with plates with three digit numbers and the class letter.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: Nathan S on March 23, 2014, 05:32:44 pm
TBM, I was saying that it is no use for lap scoring (and therefore doesnt have to be a 50mm letter on every number plate).
It's only realistic value is for event admin, which includes containing continuity between scrutiny and what bikes line up on the start line.

Otherwise, I have no idea what the point of it is.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: FourstrokeForever on March 25, 2014, 03:54:52 pm
Yeah Nathan, I suppose the identifiers are good for those controlling the start line. I know when I do the start line job I walk along the grid to make sure the riders are in the right race. It's a good excuse for a bit of friendly banter as well  ::) I don't need the identifiers for the majority of bikes at club days but I guess a situation could arise where a volunteer doesn't necessarily know about old motorcycles, so having the letter on the bikes and on the race program IS A GOOD THING.....there, I said it.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: QLD779 on March 29, 2014, 03:55:29 pm
Who knows the correct machine identification colours for sidecars? I was using black numbers on yellow background but I was told to use black numbers on white background. I can't find anything in the rules regarding sidecar ID colours. I think most are using black on white which is not on the list.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: QLD779 on March 29, 2014, 05:56:33 pm
Ok thanks for clarifying that for me Walter. I'll go with the yellow background. As for the later frames, the rules aren't clear enough regarding use of frames for pre 85. Also unless a scrutineer inspector picks it up, who would know what frame is being used and is it their job to check frame eligibility? It is however up to the entrant to prove that the frame and engine is legal. It is hard to find information regarding some of these boarder line frames. But in the case of a title, pre 85 is pre 85. Simple.
Title: Re: Race number and class letter sizes
Post by: John Orchard on March 29, 2014, 08:04:35 pm
I've never seen any rule stating that you must be a racer to contribute here 8-)