2011 VMX Nationals

[Dan-166]

Very valid points Noel and there the sort of things that we need to scrutinise for the event. Would be good for other vintage guys who are thinking of riding the NAts next year to come and have a practice on the track at our next round there in August so that we can get a wider spectrum of opinions on the track. From both Pre78 and Post 78 riders.
HEAVEN VMX Inc will be holding the EVO Challenge at the Lakes track on the 14th & 15th August this year. Saturday shall be dedicated to the EVO Challenge races with Sunday being two normal rounds of HEAVEN racing. This is a good opportunity to get some track time at Lakes for those that haven't ridden there before. If you have any further questions about this event, please do not hesitate to contact myself. Cheers
Dan

[EML]

Dan, the table top wont be a problem. The sidecar spectacular at Warrnambool had 3 or 4 and also some step-ups and step downs, so don't worry about it.
If there are some hills we'll cope with that as well. Can't be any worse than France with tracks like Tours or Thouars-which ever-it has very sharp hills.
As long as there are 2 or 3 passing points each lap.
If the sidecars are a problem we'll just do a demo at lunch break.

[firko]

you only need to watch Jens Olsen ( who is in his prime at around 65 yrs old) ride this track on his 74 RH250 and give most of his younger rivals a riding lesson and you can see that the track is fine (IMO)

I must admit that I wasn't at The Lakes so can't comment for or against its pre 75 viability. I can however comment on using Jens Olsen as an example that the track is pre '75 friendly. The old Norwegian may be 65, but he was also an ex Aussie Champ in the 70s and again, many times in the vintage era so he shouldn't be used as an example for the track being ridable for everybody. I've always maintained that a track should be able to be ridden safely by the slowest rider in the event, not the guns like Jens or Carl Bletcher. Never lose sight of the fact that there are more Joe Average racers than those at the pointy end and making up the population of our sport. If you make a track too difficult or dangerous for them they repay your 'kindness' by not returning. We learned that the hard way after riders universally hated the track we gave them for the '94 Mt Kembla Nats. They're still whingeing about it 16 years later!

[matcho mick]

ok,using Jens again,last year he lapped me (admittedly last lap) down the last hill,just flew past,skipping over the jumps like the pro he is,last weekend,no one lapped me on my pre75 ossa,(& i am the professional sweep rider,just ask anyone ),it's still enjoyable,it's a serious track no doubts about it,but it's not dangerous,the jumps are manageable,it's different,i have come to like it,(minds willing,body thinks i'm on drugs ),stop procrastinating all,if it comes up,go for it,keep it simple guys!!,mick

[Dan-166]

Take on board your comment Firko regarding Jens and Carl but if you read the bit after that in my post, I talked about guys riding to their ability. This track is certainly manageable for the "Joe Average "rider and not dangerous providing they ride within their capabilities. All tracks can be dangerous, but if people ride to their capabilities and not go thinking they are indestructable teenagers again, then there are usually no problems. Sure you will always have guys putting their bikes down in the heat of a race, but that's why they call it racing.
One comment I would make though Firko is how many "Joe Average" riders do you see at the Nat's?
Cheers, keep the constructive talk coming!
Dan

[firko]

One comment I would make though Firko is how many "Joe Average" riders do you see at the Nat's?

Most of them Dan. I'd condider Matcho Mick to be one of those Joe Average punters and going by nhis comments, if he handled it OK then all is well. 

[Slakewell]

I will try and come in August and see for myself. Joe Average in my opinion is still 70% of the field.

[Freakshow]

One comment I would make though Firko is how many "Joe Average" riders do you see at the Nat's?
Cheers, keep the constructive talk coming!
Dan

Every rider is a Joe average.  One might be a better joe average but at the end of the day there is always someone better than you out there and i dont care who you are.

Where possible keep it natural terrain the fast guys can still go faster, but the guys mid pack can still enjoy a good race.  I agree with firko its not about making the track tricker  or harder to sort out the top 5, its about giving a riding experiance to those that make the Nats financially viable, thats who you are catering for" the lifeblood of the sport", the top 5 will fight it out regardless of the track or the place so they will look after themselves.  Success of an event is a broader vision.

[supersenior 50]

Status re my proposal as I understand it is:-
Several formal submissions have been received by MA supporting the broad thrust of the proposal.
Two states have responded [that I know of] to MA           "                 "           "               "
The upshot in brief is:-
The Nats to be split into two eras,[Classic & Post Classic terminology has been suggested.]
A Pre90 class introduced for 2011 Nats ,with 125,250 & 263+
Four age groups for Evolution class.
Pre 75 age groups to be adhered to as per MOMS.
Over 70yo riders to be recognised [similar to Super Seniors sponsored by VMX at the last two Nats.]
The word "mandatory" removed from the submission.
The recommendation by the Commission is the split be at Pre 75.There are valid arguments for this ,but there is a strong counter argument for it to be split at Pre78.It is agreed by both factions that the split is needed, it's a matter of where.

[worms]

well done Col and thanks for the update.

Only 2 states bothered to submit, mmmmmmmmmmmmh, let us pray

age groups for Evo is a great start, yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Ah, split away from the rabble at pre 75 and let WA have some fun, makes sense to me

Back to the retirement home for me, the young fellows have every thing under controll

Cheers Trev

[EML]

If a split was made at say pre75, will that bring more pre 68's or earlier back to the fold, as I think it might, or have they all gone off to never never land.
I've only been back a couple of years so am not sure how many oldies there were/are about but it does seem likely to encourage more to come back-or am I dreaming.

[Davey Crocket]

Lets just hope that they split it at pre 78....fricken West Australians have to try and stuff it up just because they only ride pre 75......retards if you ask me, Evo, pre 85 and pre 90 will grow bigger so I think pre 78 needs to go with the earlier bikes. The biggest class will be pre 75, then pre 78 followed by pre70 so that gives 3 major classes....Post 78 would have pre 85, Evo followed by pre 90 as the 3 classes but I would think that pre 90 would take over as the main class within a few years. If we add pre 78 to the post classic class then pre 75 would only have 2 major classes and post 75 would have 4 major classes, to me it's all about keeping it even and before all you pre 65 people start jumping up and down saying that pre 65 will grow.....your dreamers, proofs in the pudding....pre 65 people Dont go to the nationals in big numbers ie, more than 15 or 20 so your not going to make up the numbers if pre 78 wasnt there and this split is about the nationals!! I hope this makes sence  and maybe Col or someone if you agree can pass it on to the commisson. Maybe BIG DAVE is reading? I think that the West Aussies are just being selfish and not looking at the big picture ( apparently the Vic's are backing them up....shit, they couldnt even turn up to there nationals a couple of months ago AND they had to get a ROADRACE club to hold it!!!..... they didnt even bother to come and watch.....gutless.... and now they want to have there two bobs worth). I think pre 78 will suffer if it gets lobed into the post classic's anyway , enough rambling, I hope I havent upset to many people but commoncence needs to prevale. Cheers John.

[JohnnyO]

Good points Johnboy.. I heard it's not just the WA boys wanting the split at pre '75.
Doesn't worry me either way but like you said the post '78 era would eventually have more classes added.

[Tossa]

Lets just hope that they split it at pre 78....fricken West Australians have to try and stuff it up just because they only ride pre 75......retards if you ask me,

sorry to disappoint you Davey but us retards, now have a pre85 club as well.  For fun on the 6th June our pre85 club is running a support class at the manjimup 15000, extremely retarded!!!!!!

The only reply from this state came from the VMXWA club which answered the proposal as per their constitution

[Husky500evo]

One of the reasons that I really like the pre '78 classes is because of their versatility. Pre '78 bikes have enough suspension to be comfortable on tracks that suit evo and later classes, but they also don't look out of place at meetings for pre '75 and earlier . I think that the '07 Coffs Harbour nationals would have have struggled for numbers if it had not been for the pre '78 classes.