I've held-back on entering this discussion, I think as riders of certain bikes (Pre 95) appear so will classes for them. I do tend to agree that LTR bikes will chop a track up quicker than a bone-jarrer, so maybe not combine the classes at riding events but I really want to see them together at display events.
I definately feel there is a place for Pre 90 & Pre 00, anything that is not current and has an enthusiast following should & will have a place.
Here in Vic it's crazy having three bodies for older motocross bikes, suely CSC should combine with VCM and cater for up to Pre 78 or maybe Evo, and Viper should cater for Pre 80 (Evo),Pre 85, Pre 90, Post 90 2-stroke, Pre 2000.
I think Viper pretty-well cater for those classes save Pre 2000 (they do have a modern class), Once a few Pre 95 & 2000 riders appear I am sure Viper will include them.
Hell I enjoy a '98 RM250 just as much as '69 DT250MX.
John, like you, I have tried to stay out of this discussion but have been reading it all with interest. While you do make a valid point about there being three different bodies in Victoria all based on "vintage" mx, all three clubs are run entirely different.
CSC will
never entertain the idea of Evo bikes being brought into there fold. I fought for a few years to allow Pre78 bikes when there was an interclub meeting between CSC and VCM, purely on the grounds that a lot of the VCM members had a Pre75 bike and a Pre78....The thinking was that nobody would travel for 3 or 4 hours to ride 1 bike in 4 15 minute races so including Pre78 might entice a few more bikes on the start line. It was rejected every time I mentioned it. Now they run Pre78, but I'm pretty sure that's only because of the Pre78 split at national level.
VCM has their own way of doing things. For a start, they are not a club as such, but a register that rides under other clubs banners. They run everything from fast 50's to Evo, and everything in between. And it all works very well. The CSC would never entertain such a broad spectrum of bikes at the club. I also believe that the seperation of the 2 clubs started because of 1 party of riders wanting to allow later bikes in the club while the "old boys club" didn't.
Lastly, Viper. What they have also works very well. But most of the tracks they race on are more LTR type tracks. Nothing wrong with that, it's the LTR era they cater for. I believe they HAVE a Pre00 2 stroke class so there is no reason why those with an interest in racing Pre00 machines in Victoria can not get a race. You can ride everything from Pre78 to moderns at Viper. Shite, I've even run my '74 elsinore at one Viper meeting but it was too hard on the bike. Again, there's no reason why you can't run Pre75 (or earlier) at Viper meetings.....you just might want to stick to the grass track events......
I don't have anything against anybody wanting to race bikes after the Pre90 era. Far from it. I enjoy a good fang on my Husaberg, even if it is over 10 years old now. I also enjoy
racing much older bikes. I don't see how the 2 can mix together. Even the Pre85 bikes dig big enough ruts and braking/acceleration bumps to near swallow a 7 and 4 inch travel bike. It's not fair to ask the Pre78 brigade to allow later model bikes into the mix. Old bikes get broken....Bodies get battered.
I've said it before, but I will suggest it again.... Anybody who wants to get the Pre00 thing happening, take a look at what Viper in Victoria does. It's easy enough to take a look. They have a website.....just type Viper into your favourite search engine and all will be revealed