pin officially pulled
when we can sort out what you really want, we might try again next year
camping will still be unavailable due to Transgrid Easement (as mentioned several times here)
My suggestions for anyone who's considering running future Post-Classic Nationals:
I could be wrong, but I think the camping stuff is quite important. It's not just about the tight-arse and/or social factors, it's about not having to load and unload bikes repeatedly, and then worry about them being left on a ute/trailer outside a motel.
Offering secure overnight bike parking would help those issues?
The need for off-site accommodation just adds a whole extra dimension to pre-event organisation too - no matter how many places are nearby, the organisation required is well beyond simply chucking a tent/swag and camp stove in. A list of nearby accommodation is relatively easy to way to make the whole process less daunting to potential competitors.
The event needs to be given lots of promotion. "Build it and they will come" isn't enough, particularly when it's a new event. Doubly when the pre-90 era is still young, and doesnt have the history/depth of competitor support of the older eras.
It needs to be pushed regularly, in VMX mag, the modern magazines, the Vinduro-based forums, and the modern forums, as well as here. And via the vintage clubs around the country!
Regular reminders of closing date for entries and regular links to the entry form are an important part of that push.
A dedicated website with a positive, inclusive sales pitch would be a nice move too.
Name calling, heckling and the like should be avoided at all costs, regardless of the frustration felt...
I don't believe the age races are important for the newer eras - not worthless, but age classes for every single capacity class just makes the programme bloated and drags the weekend out too much.
I believe it should be an all-capacities class for the newest era class that's eligible for the meeting (and everyone is allowed to ride-up into the pre-90 era).
Some age classes will be poorly supported - there's just not that many 60+ year olds who will want to race pre-85, no matter how you look at it. Whether or not to run the poorly supported age classes is an interesting dilemma at both ends of the age spectrum (that's beyond the discussion here).
A realistic, pre-considered approach to the 125 classes (only the pre-75 125 class is consistently capable of gaining Championship status), and how they'd be combined if needed.
Two days (including sign-on, scrutiny and practice) is important.
Realistically, I'd suggest optional sign-on and scrutiny on Friday arvo/evening, with racing not starting until late Saturday morning. With a dozen empty age-races removed from the schedule, I assume this could be made to work.
I reckon they're the main things that need to happen to make the event a success - others that may disagree, but hopefully this will get the discussion rolling in a constructive fashion.
If we persist with the notion that problem (and solution) lies entirely with the competitors, then we will be doomed to repeat the scenario we've had with the 2013 Nationals.
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For the record, I am happy to help out with the publicity stuff for future C/PC Nationals.
