I would like to clear the air a little about recent posts on the forum and explain how I think we should properly approach use of the forum.
First, the aim of this forum is to foster the 'vintage' dirtbike scene. One of the main concepts that supports this is that the vintage dirtbike scene is first and foremost about the celebration of an earlier time, whatever that time might be for you. For myself, while I acknowledge that racing is part of this, it is not in my view all there is. Even the racing should pretty much be about enjoyment.
So the over-riding purpose of the forum is to have fun. I expect then that the forum members will talk about all sorts of things - events, parties, bikes, memories, history, and yes, racing and the rules for that.
I also believe in robust debate. I think we are (mostly) all adults and should be able to call a spade a spade without that causing world war 3.
But.
Robust debate does not mean that we are free to defame people, or to seriously agitate against them because of our perceived dissatisfaction with their behaviours or actions.
If you genuinely have a grievance, then explore that via the correct channels. The forum is not your personal platform nor is it a courtroom. This means that you can expose contentious issues, discuss how or why certain decisions have been made, even call into question how those decisions were made. However you should take care NOT to take that as meaning you can accuse individuals, clubs or organisations as you see fit. Use the forum to clarify the issue and frame your argument, and then take it up with the person or organisation concerned.
Please, in order to ensure the forum remains a fun, informative and inclusive place to meet and talk, bear that in mind. I encourage everyone to discuss whatever they wish to discuss, even if that is Suzuki footpegs, RM125B swingarms or Evolution class rules. But don't let it descend to a personal level.
All of that said, we probably should try to keep things on an even keel. We don't need 4 or 5 threads about the same topic all full of over the top opinions. So in future, I will be attempting to better manage that. I will merge threads where necessary, or call time on any over-duplication. I will also be much stricter about not letting discussions go when I think they are overstepping the mark.
I remind everyone that there ARE defamation laws in this land, and as publisher of this forum, I CAN be found at fault should someone take an action against things said on this forum. Believe me, if you want to see this forum closed, it will only take one serious threat of legal action for me to close it down. A few years ago I came very close to that over a potential legal action for comments on here.
Please keep that in mind, and let's get back to the fun.
Now, as far as the Evolution rules thing goes, this has been done to death. As I understand it, there ARE official channels you can pursue to change the rules if you think it's that critical. Can I ask those who feel that way to work out a way to take that forwards. I am not familiar with the process nor with all that's been said in the past, but I think you must be at the stage where something substantial can be done. If you MUST continue to discuss this issue, then let's keep it to one thread, and keep it civil and stick to the facts.
I am now going to close ALL threads relating to the Evolution rules matters. I will not delete them (although of course, as has already happened, the originator of a thread can delete it). I will be creating a new forum board purely for debates/discussions about the rules of Classic and Post Classic dirtbike competition. I ask that all future threads aimed at discussing rules, changes needed, or problems with current administration be restricted to that part of the forum.
Thank you.
