Age classes do we need all of them

[Iain Cameron]

I have been talking to another member about this topic so here goes .
These thoughts are for discussion only Im not wanting to shake up the hornets nest just asking .
1 Why do we have so many age classes .
2 Would all in as far as 125,250, open. Could this  be a answer to the lowering of time , money needed be a answer .
Ok before you all scream bastard my Daughter\Son races in under 30 , think if he\she is good enough they will  win the class in the main event anyway . My thoughts on age races is for us older buggers that rode these bikes when they were new . What really do a under 30 or u40 have in common with these bikes .
Already I have heard talk of why bother going to the Nats its a kids race (why don't they ride moderns , why take our trophies and on and on ) . As a older fart ok younger fart  (Super Senior ) I can see how some will think . I know myself when a younger rider flys past me and I wonder why ive stopped why bother but we need to go forward and include younger riders but not at the exclusion of older riders

[albrid-3]

When I was racing the vintage, there was only 30 to 39 class, over 40 to 49 class and over 50`s class. thats all you need. I would delete the 30 to 39 class all powers. and replace it with an
over 60`s class. and then leave it alone.

[Iain Cameron]

Dave there is under 30's , 30 to 39 , 40 to 49 , 50 to 59 , etc

[Rookie#1]

NO

[Iain Cameron]

NO

Come on Rookie no what .

[VMX247]

Keep the age races and delete the capacity age races.
Why offer them,when they never get more than ten.
More unnecessary cost.
cheers A

[Rookie#1]

NO

Come on Rookie no what .

Some simple questions require just the simplest of answers, this is one of them 

[supersenior 50]

VMX247--No more than 10??
2012 Classic Nationals 250cc 40-49  16 riders,                 2013      250cc 40-49  12 riders
                                           50-59  28 riders                                         50-59  18 riders
                                           60+     13 riders                                         60+    16 riders
                                  263+ 40-49   19 riders                              263+   40-49  10 riders
                                           50-59   16 riders                                        50-59   13 riders
                                           60+      19 riders                                        60+     15 riders
                                                                                        Note, this year after Canberra withdrew there were only 7 weeks
                                                                                                   from agreeing to take it on to gate drop, very little time
                                                                                                  for promotion etc.
            Sorry to introduce facts into the discussion
   

[GD66]

If there are time/programme restraints, you could consider running 40-49, 50-59, 60 plus, all-in (ie, regardless of capacity). That way, the rider could enter the bike he felt was most suitable for the circuit/conditions and get stuck in. If there is plenty of time and the programme can run freely, leave it alone, and run it as it has been satisfactorily run.
 But historic roadracing is now choking with too many eras/capacities, and struggling to cater for all their classes at nationals level. As a result, any crash or breakdown at their nationals compromises an already-tight schedule, and races are shortened or dropped, that's no good.

[supersenior 50]

In the two years exampled we had no trouble getting through in two days. What we do though  in any given capacity  is run a couple of age groups concurrently (depending on numbers) but pointed separately.
We have also used staggered starts with great success.
On the "General Discussion" section I've listed some stats which illustrate how popular the age/capacity races are.

[GD66]

Good call, Col. As always, your contributions are based on knowledge, logic and fact. No wonder you're only on here every now and again...

[VMX247]

VMX247--No more than 10??

pm sent Col.

[Iain Cameron]

Thanks gents this is what I was after rather than the fights that are the norm on here . Just another thought Is it time for a Masters type MX event as well instead of age classes at the Nats . A separate Masters Nats .
Iain

[Tossa]

Personal belief is basically along the lines of Ian, Because the words National championship is used.  It gets to serious for a sport based on an era, an historic era at that and there are no young hot shots riding regularly at classic clubs, or not enough for it to be taken seriously.  We take our sport seriously, for the age we are.  maybe a Master Championship is the way to go, with each championship being based on age group.  Too many people make too many comments about the championship, but never turn up to ride.  We make the trek every year from the West, why we love the era and enjoy the chance to race with like people on the other side of the country.  Win we would love to but it's not the be all, end all!!!

[35elsinore]

I was under the impression that it was age groups all powers until the riders list come out.