Just reading the threads about Vintage in NSW, and while I don't think it's at all bad (just look at the range of events this year!), I think there is an opening for looking after the Pre 90s that HEAVEN has decided not to cater to. Now, this is no criticism of HEAVEN, I think they do a great job of promoting a range of events and as far as I can tell everyone that goes to one has a ball.
But I've always wanted to do something a little different, and this Pre 90 thing looks like an opportunity to do just that. So, I'm floating the idea of a Register, a bit like VIPER but with the focus more on the lighter side of things. Not a competitor for HEAVEN or anyone else, just something different. Read on, see what you think, and let me know whether it's worth going for.
I want to call it Eighties MX. I don't have any really solid plans at this stage, but I see something like this:
- A website, probably here on OzVMX.
- A separate forum, or a room on here.
- A hardcopy newsletter.
- A T-Shirt
- A sense of humour, probably a bit like Mark Austin's original HEAVEN site.
- Some social events, maybe a dinner, weekend at Lochmaree or whatever, 'runs' to big races like Oceania.
- Displays at events or shopping centres.
- Maybe an event or two through the year. Not sure where, but surely we could swing one at Canberra. And not near any existing events either, if at all possible.
- Maybe a demo ride at another modern event (hmmm... did I hear Amcross?)
Now as far as the race schedule goes, I want to break with tradition and move away from the traditional classes. Not suggesting changing the well proven Vintage formula, not suggesting changing the rulebook, not suggesting usurping the Nats formula. Nope, just something different to add some flavour to a fun take on ridin' bikes. I am open to ideas, but here's the thoughts:
Firstly, 80sMX covers the decade 1979 to 1989, so any motorcycle involved must be fit in the range of manufactured on or after 1 July 1978 and be designated a 1979 model, up to being manufactured before 31 December 1989 and be designated a 1989 model. This covers the transition, via Evolution and Development, from Vintage to Modern.
Two primary classes:
EVO - Evolution (drum brakes, air cooling, non-linkage)
DEVO - Development (disk front, anything else)
Within those, two capacity classes:
VMX1 - 260-1000cc
VMX2 - 100-255cc
Thus: VMX1 Evo, VMX2 Evo, VMX1 Devo, VMX2 Devo.
Each of these classes would have a race based on skill and age:
V-Am - Age open, just have fun, cruise around, race at my own pace, no sheep stations
V-Pro - Age open but I'm a serious Mother.
V-Master - Over 45.
Races are therefore
E1-Am
E1-Pro
E1-Master
E2-Am
E2-Pro
E2-Master
D1-Am
D1-Pro
D1-Master
D2-Am
D2-Pro
D2-Master
12 races per round, 3 rounds of racing gives you 36 races for a day's action. A 48yo guy with say an 86 CR250 could be in for D2-Pro and D2-Master, which translates to 6 races. NO-ONE would get less than 6 in fact.
No sheepstations, but there would be trophies or ribbons for each class on the day. No series totals, especially in the first year cos there would be no series.
And finally, while we are MX focused, I can't see any reason why we couldn't look at a Pony Express as well...
Whaddya think?