My view on this is a question. If you DID NOT have latter classes ie single shock ( yamaha mono shock aside) at all point blank , would the people who really want to race and be part of a vintage movement ( not just trophy hunters ) still come and race older bikes?
I think that by allowing a large spread of classes that the numbers will thin in each class as there is only a small populaces that wants to race any old bikes inc 91
I spoke to several guys at a mx recently that liked the bikes I had on display with misty eyes to the old days, but wernt interested in racing them as they were into modern vets or were pushing their kids to be the next great thing.
As far as I am concerned anything that looks like a modern bike is not a vintage bike.
What happens in WA where there are no single shocks are the fields small?
I hope this doesnt get taken the wrong way and we can all stay calm and not turn this thread into another Pre 90 versus Pre 75 sh#tfight.
But if you look at the fields of classes in NZ VMX ( Enzed series) clearly the later eras have the bigger numbers.
This excludes the greybeards club in Auckland which has an up to Pre 80 rule and is suffering from continual decline in numbers year upon year.This is fact guys,I know some of the main players in this scene and attend the odd event every year or so.
Therefore moving to what the Buzzard (aka Assasin) has suggested above-cut the existing bike age groups- will alienate a large number of current racers in NZ.
I also think that VMX needs to continue to evolve as time goes by, just like all other forms of "classic motorsport" ie classic road racing,rally etc etc.
None of us are getting any younger and eventually we will will move away from the scene as our bodies deteriorate.
I also look at whats happening in the UK with its massive growth in Evo (pre 90) vmx and see the future of our sport.
I am sure this will get the usual suspects all fired up,which is not the aim of my statement.This is simply one mans opinion.