The Nats

[Nathan S]

It just supprises me that MA get envolved and all of a sudden things are changed without consultation, every other club has been able to run the Nationals without the deletion of class's or changes to numbers to consitute a class, so why cant MA do the same. I just dont think we should water down our National Titles just because of falling numbers and that is what has been done IMO

cheers Trev

I see your point - but rather than seeing it as MA changing the rules when it suits them, you could look at it as MA finally making a change that's clearly been overdue.

[worms]

thats fine Nathan, but my point is what consultation took place, zip if any.

i dont care if there are changes, but dont you think the process for change is a matter of importance.

the changing of the GCR's to suit any one event or class at a National Title needs debate


Cheers Trev

[090]

Hey Pete, thanks for asking and posting so others can have a say/ help out.

[marshallmech]

Pete its typical of victorians leave it to the last minute to enter.
Most Viper entrys come in on the last week.

[holeshot buddy]

brads race order is close to the mark

how come we recieved entries in mail last week
well after the cutoff date for a discount entrie
entries are expensive enough as it is
my suggestion is scrap the late fee
that might help entries
we did it at conondale and we filled all classes
with the minimum of 10 for championship status

[fatboyracing]

Hi Pete,
Dont worry about the entrys they will come with 2 days to entrys closing at our last Nats in Tassie we only had 24 and ended up with 125 so please tell the club not to panic, I personally, along with the guys that are traverling with me are sending our entrys over the week end ,just trying to finalise how many bikes we can fit.
It has always been a problem trying to get people to send there entrys and part with there money well before the even.


Cheers
Shane

[EML]

Jeez. it's along way from 1974 in NZ.
Used to walk into a paddock at 7.00am, run out some tapes and a flag or two. The secretary had an old caravan that was set up near the gate at 8.00am and signed the guys in as they drove up. Had 200 c graders in those days and we all raced for a $40.00 prize pot. And it usually pissed down to make it more fun.
Thems was the daze.

[worms]

maybe another consideration is the fact the Nationals are being overshadow by a non- competitive event as in BBB, maybe there needed to be a bigger gap between these events. Also the slow down in the economy will add to poor showing of competitors from interstate with the fact the Vic's have the lowest numbers in the sport in general! maybe this should also be a factor when awarding States with National Titles. Centrialisaton of the event to allow easy acces for all should be considered, and not just who had it last time mentality, with maybe one venue central NSW used primarially for this event.

i know what your thinking, but just my thoughts.

Worms

[Freakshow]

My only killer is im running out of time to get a bike going, why april ? its always been a winter sport and in JUne side of the year.  being this earlier is just that its a bit tooo early to get our arses in to gear.   I get one step forwat 2 back, so it will be down to the last day to enter for me.   On that not got the Rt running last night and the exhaust front blew out, any one going that can lend me one if i cant fill the holes up, the more i fill the more falls out.

Time just keep running out.

Before they thing about cancelling it, cant they think about moving it back a few months ??

[Tossa]

I'm with freakie, i think it's one of the main reasons your not getting many Sandgropers.  No body's had time or inclination to get in the shed, been a very long and hot summer over here.  Only just been able to spend time in the shed to get ready for the season.  i always thought championships were held towards the end of the season also

[GMC]

i always thought championships were held towards the end of the season also

Depends how long you've been in the scene.
I remember the Nats at Barrabool in 96 were at Easter, and I thought one at Ravenswood was too?

[Tossa]

I understand what you are saying, but I thought the majority of championships are held towards the end of a season, to give riders/drivers whatever form of motor sport chance to get form, and bikes right

I don't think that having the Championships in the first month of the season to be the way to go, Our first meeting in WA is 11th April

[firko]

I remember the Nats at Barrabool in 96 were at Easter, and I thought one at Ravenswood was too?

We deliberately picked Easter to run the very first Nats at Dargle in '91 to enable entrants a travel day on either side of the two race days and for the mild Autumn weather conditions. The next Nats at Ravenswood were also held over Easter and so it remained for a number of years until the Nats were first held in WA (I can't remember the year, 1998 maybe?) which was changed to because Easter is too hot on that side of the island. While the event has returned to the traditional Easter date on the East Coast on numerous occasions, there hasn't been a set pattern. Both Queens Birthday (June) and October long weekends have been used along with random other dates.

I don't buy the " No body's had time or inclination to get in the shed" excuse for the lack of Sandgroper entries. It hasn't stopped them from travelling to any of the Easter Nats in substantial numbers in the past. I suspect politics are the real reason behind the lack of Sandgroper entries.

[albrid-3]

I do agree with what you say Mark, plus Classic dirt can play a roll too, some rider enjoy the low key atmosphere of the meeting, without the pressure of racing. That may stop them from making the trip.

[GMC]

Basic stats from the 96 program…
Pre 75    125   all ages     57 entrants
Pre 75   250   all ages     89 entrants
Pre 75   263+   all ages     39 entrants
Pre 75   4 stroke A/P     32 entrants
Pre 75   Sidecars   A/P     6   entrants

Pre 65   4 stoke A/P   18 entrants
Pre 65   2 stroke A/P   8   entrants
Pre 70   A/P      33 entrants

Pre 75   under 30   125   11 entrants
Pre 75   30 - 39   125   26 entrants
Pre 75   40 - 49   125   11 entrants
Pre 75   50 +   125   10 entrants

Pre 75   under 30   250   14 entrants
Pre 75   30 - 39   250   37 entrants
Pre 75   40 - 49   250   23 entrants
Pre 75   50 +   250   19 entrants

Pre 75   under 30   250   9   entrants
Pre 75   30 - 39   250   31 entrants
Pre 75   40 - 49   250   20 entrants
Pre 75   50 +   250   14 entrants

States aren’t listed, just clubs. There seems to be reasonable entries from most states and a few from NZ.
Seems to be 151 entrants plus sidecar teams