Rule change suggestions for 2010

[Jim 'smooth' Brewer]

Here's a basenote for suggesting rule changes for the 2010 season.

A couple of guidelines

1) Please state the current rule that you wish to change. If you're suggesting an addition, state the section / subsection in the rulebook where it would go.

2) PLEASE *PLEASE* don't drift off on discussions, arguments, or comedy on this basenote. If you want to do any of those for a particular suggestion, PLEASE start a new basenote for it.

3) I'll post the dates for suggestions, the committee meeting, and ratification in another basenote.

You can always PM me or Ray-Ray with any questions ..

[marty]

this would be totally self serving but here goes.

6.2.6 Miscellaneous Motorcycle Requirements
B. All exhaust retaining springs safety wired.

i would like to propose we do away with this rule or make it voluntary. i know on at least my 250, there is no way to actually secure the spring to the bike. all i can do is wire the pipe to the manifold. i have seen a few aftermarket pipes for the 4 strokes that have the same type of spring. i realize it is an attempt to keep debris off the track, which i am in favor of, but it seems in some cases the springs won't allow it. at a minimum, it is one less thing for ray to get stabbed from checking :lol:

[chrobis]

Go get yourself a beverage and please, before you light your torch - read this again. My goal is to get us to consider a possible vehicle for growing our ranks. Okay, flame on.

Synopsis: Creation of a new Beginner class intended to entice fence-sitters into our world. It will address three primary issues (all discussed on the Colorado Sport Bike forums http://www.cosportbikeclub.org/forum...ad.php?t=33592 - thanks, Jeff): cost, rider/bike preparation, and competitiveness. Compeititveness will be managed by limiting the duration of eligibility in the class, either one calendar year from first competition or one season only. Preparation concerns from the point of view of the Beginner will be addressed by relaxing the rules to Track Day standards. Cost: in keeping with Peter Egan's oft quoted line and The Beginner's Guide to Addiction Promotion, let's make the Beginner races FREE, yes, FREE! (or really cheap, if free is too much of a stretch, but remember that this is more a recruitment than a profit making concept, and it is time limited. Hell, some could argue that it would be to our advantage to PAY people to try it, just once :wink: ).

These changes would allow beginners at least one dedicated race per weekend, with at most four races if they and their bike meet Novice standards. I'm envisioning an endurance format race (maybe only 15 or 20 minutes long) at the end of Saturday, preceded by a Beginner only practice, (maybe allow sponsoring racers to pace'em?), both of which would take place after the Heavyweight / Open endurance race. (We would probably have a Beginner's rider meeting just before practice; maybe also a Beginner-only tech.) This would give us a lot of time if the worst case scenario - a track-day prepped bike oils the track - hits. (Blow-ups happen; we can get over this.) To make this feasible, a couple two-three of the Saturday sprint races might be relocated to Sunday. Maybe we limit these Beginner races to once per year per venue? Worst case we run them at the end of Sunday. Remember this is a recruitment exercise...

An AMA license would be required. A limited MRA Beginner license may be advisable in order to qualify Beginner-only racers, since I am suggesting that we relax the Novice 'approved racing school' requirement, replacing it with some sort of 'vouching' system instead (see my 4.1.C).

This class could give us, individually - as club members, the opportunity to sponser Beginners. Admittedly, my bike is going on 13 years old, but I'd be willing to let a Beginner use it if the Track Day bike prep rule is deemed too permissive.)

Being a new class, there aren't many rules that would be changed, rather new rules would be added. Okay, here is my official proposal:


Section 1 – RACE CLASS LIST

(new) Beginner: held, (with Beginner-only practice), after all Novice, Amateur, and Expert races have been completed on a race day (or weekend). Grid position will be determined randomly (or FIFO, i.e., by arrival at pregrid after 1st call?)

Section 2 – RACE CLASS DEFINITIONS

2.1 Sprint class general guidelines

2.1.I. Only first-calendar-year (/ first-season racers) may enter Beginner classes.

2.9 Beginner class

The beginner class is a class for first year racers. There are no end of season trophies awarded for this class, (but there may be race day trophies - I'll pony up right now for the first one).

2.9.A. Unlimited displacement, modifications, and engine configurations.

4.1 Beginner definition (this will bump all of the other class definition numbers, i.e., 4.x , up by 1).

4.1.A. Racers are eligible for Beginner races for no more than one calendar year from their first Beginner, Novice, or Amateur race. ('one season' could be substituted for 'one calendar year'.)

4.1.B. There is no community service requirement for racers who compete only in Beginner races. Beginners whose primary classification is 'Novice' must comply with the community service requirements of (old) 4.1.A. (Remember, we're still sucking them in...let them think that the're conning us.)

4.1.C. Beginner-only racers must obtain a written recommendation by an MRA-approved track day organizer or instructor.

4.1.D. Only Beginners may race in classes designated as Beginner.

4.1.E. Beginner racers may also hold Novice classification, in which case their primary classification will be Novice.

4.1.F. Beginner racers whose primary classification is 'Novice' may compete in Novice and Amateur classes.

4.1.F. Beginner-only racers may not race in Novice, Amateur, or Expert classes.

4.1.H. Beginners may not practice in Novice sessions unless their primary classification is 'Novice'.

4.1.I. Beginners who are not also Novices will display red numbers on yellow number plates.

4.1.J. Bike prep for Beginner races will mimic the track day requirments of the track where the event is being held.

4.1.K. Beginner practice and races will be held at the end of race day, after all Novice, Amateur, and Expert races have been completed.

4.5 Beginner to Novice advancement process (current 4.5 becomes 4.7)

Advancement from Beginner to Novice occurs when the following requirement has been met:

4.5.A The racer meets Novice competency and equipment requirements and chooses to relinquish Beginner-only status.

4.6 Beginner Expiration

Racers will lose eligibility in the Beginner class when any of the following transpire:

4.6.A. One calendar year has elapsed since entry into their first Beginner race. (This allows someone to start as a Begnner at the end of one season and continue into the next season; could also be limited to a single season.)

4.6.B. The racer's inclusion in the Beginner class is deemed to be counter-productive by the New Rider Director.

In Conclusion:

What I am proposing amounts to a controlled exception to the club's safety and eligibility regulations. I believe that the one additional race that I am proposing - with a dedictated practiice session - could be implemented within no more that one clock hour. (Unknown man-hours would be consumed by teching Beginners.)

[rybo]

Propose Class Changes to allow more novice classes in the 2010 season:

Keep existing novice only classes
Keep existing amateur classes

Add as a second wave to the following classes novice versions of the same:

Middleweight Supersport (novice)
Middleweight Superbike (novice)
Heavyweight Supersport (novice)
Heavyweight Superbike (novice)
Open Supersport (novice)
Open Superbike (novice)

impact is 0 added time to the schedule, and six more classes that novices can participate in.

It does not affect manufacturer contingency for these programs as they would be run as a separate class in the second wave

It exposes more novices to our expert level racers and classes

[rybo]

Production Class Racing (amateur)

Propose 2 new categories:

Middleweight Production
Open Production

MIDDLEWEIGHT PRODUCTION
Up to 600cc four cylinder
Up to 750cc two or three cylinder
Up to 904cc, two cylinder, four stroke, two valves per cylinder, air cooled
Unlimited displacement pushrod, two cylinder, four stroke, two valves per
cylinder, air cooled

OPEN PRODUCTION
Unlimited displacement

Supersport motorcycles must meet the following requirements in addition to the requirements in Section 5 - Technical and Safety Requirements.

The intent of this class is to reduce the ongoing costs of racing and bring close competition. As such only minimal modifications may be made to the motorcycle with the intention of making it track worthy. In the production class the stock ECU, Airbox, Air Filter and Exhaust system must remain in place.

For production class racing only the following modifications may be made. No other changes/modifications are allowed:

1)Bodywork may be changed for plastic or fiberglass bodywork of similar appearance and dimensions to the stock body. Aftermarket ram air tubes and windscreens are permitted.

2)Case covers may be replaced with reinforced covers for the purpose of fluid retention

3)Hand and foot controls may be changed, but the stock master cylinder(s) must be used

4)Insturment/fairing brackets may be changed

5)Forks must use stock external tubes. Internals (springs, valves, oil) may be changed

6)The rear shock may be changed to a commercially available aftermarket unit. The linkage must remain stock

7)Brake pads and brake lines may be changed.

8)Fluids may be changed

9)Tires must be a brand / model that is available to all racers throughout the season. Rain tires will be allowed.



This is NOT an attempt to create a new "sportsman" like class, but rather to have machinery that is leveled in ability even more than the current supersport bikes.

[rybo]

from Tim Crump's suggestion last year after the rule change process had closed. I've copied and pasted this directly from his post last year.

E. Any novice racer who finishes in the top 10 in overall points in either Novice GTU or Novice GTO will be ineligible to compete as a Novice in the future unless they do not race for 3 or more seasons and are subject to the requirements
of 4.3.C.

I would like to suggest that this rule be amended to include Am U, Am O and any endurance classes.
If we force a top ten Novice to move to expert, how can we not hold a novice finishing top ten in an Am class to the same standards. I would think that it would be more difficult to finish top ten with experts mixed in.

[T Baggins]

Propose Class Changes to allow more novice classes in the 2010 season:

Keep existing novice only classes
Keep existing amateur classes

Add as a second wave to the following classes novice versions of the same:

Middleweight Supersport (novice)
Middleweight Superbike (novice)
Open Supersport (novice)
Open Superbike (novice)

impact is 0 added time to the schedule, and four more classes that novices can participate in.

It does not affect manufacturer contingency for these programs as they would be run as a separate class in the second wave

It exposes more novices to our expert level racers and classes

Why not also add Heavyweight SS & SB (Novice??)

[rybo]

Propose Class Changes to allow more novice classes in the 2010 season:

Keep existing novice only classes
Keep existing amateur classes

Add as a second wave to the following classes novice versions of the same:

Middleweight Supersport (novice)
Middleweight Superbike (novice)
Open Supersport (novice)
Open Superbike (novice)

impact is 0 added time to the schedule, and four more classes that novices can participate in.

It does not affect manufacturer contingency for these programs as they would be run as a separate class in the second wave

It exposes more novices to our expert level racers and classes

Why not also add Heavyweight SS & SB (Novice??)

Because my fingers forgot to type those...original post edited.

[T Baggins]

Three possible suggestions for ROR - primarily due to declining entries...

1) keep both ROR O and ROR U - but allow smaller displacement bikes to ride up in ROR O.

2) combine the two classes into a single ROR, and increase the payout with the ROR U purse being added in - with payout to 20th instead of 15th.

3) combine the two classes, and run a two-race format per weekend. Race 1 would run where ROR U is, and Race 2 would run where ROR O is. Combined finishes would determine overall payout for the weekend. i.e.: Two firsts, equals first overall. First and 15th would be approx 8th overall, etc... Race 1 of the weekend would grid by accumulated season points. Race 2 would grid by finishing position in Race 1 (sorta makes race 1 a qualifier...). Entry fees would consider this a SINGLE entry (don't have to pay double) and the surcharge would be flat $50 per rider.

[snay]

Propose Class Changes to allow more novice classes in the 2010 season:

Keep existing novice only classes
Keep existing amateur classes

Add as a second wave to the following classes novice versions of the same:

Middleweight Supersport (novice)
Middleweight Superbike (novice)
Heavyweight Supersport (novice)
Heavyweight Superbike (novice)
Open Supersport (novice)
Open Superbike (novice)

impact is 0 added time to the schedule, and six more classes that novices can participate in.

It does not affect manufacturer contingency for these programs as they would be run as a separate class in the second wave

It exposes more novices to our expert level racers and classes

+1 \/

[dragos13]

Propose Class Changes to allow more novice classes in the 2010 season:

Keep existing novice only classes
Keep existing amateur classes

Add as a second wave to the following classes novice versions of the same:

Middleweight Supersport (novice)
Middleweight Superbike (novice)
Heavyweight Supersport (novice)
Heavyweight Superbike (novice)
Open Supersport (novice)
Open Superbike (novice)

impact is 0 added time to the schedule, and six more classes that novices can participate in.

It does not affect manufacturer contingency for these programs as they would be run as a separate class in the second wave

It exposes more novices to our expert level racers and classes

Could we set this up with a time limit qualification? I'm just thinking about a brand new novice having never raced before jumping into MWSB (pretty much the fastest of the fast) and being caught in lap traffic after like 2 laps. I always thought the reason for class eligibility (yellow versus white plates) was a matter of safety.

[gsnyder828]

I always thought the reason for class eligibility (yellow versus white plates) was a matter of safety.

+1

I can't imagine the chaos of Matt Lynn and Jason Disalvo battling for contingency $$ through a field of 40+ new novices.

*If* we went this route - I would suggest getting rid of Nov O and Nov U and moving to LWSB Novice and MWSB Novice (2 waves) running together and HWSB Novice and OSB Novice (2 waves) running together.

If novices want exposure to experts - run amateur classes and/or get an expert plate.

[rybo]

2) combine the two classes into a single ROR, and increase the payout with the ROR U purse being added in - with payout to 20th instead of 15th.

I'd like to add a 4th possibility, in the wake of declining club revenues:

4) Combine the two classes, retain the current ROR - O payout schedule and eliminate the ROR - U payouts.

The additional funds are badly needed for a strong recovery in the MRA. Establish a "reserve" amount for the MRA bank account and once that reserve is met and maintained for a full season consider adding additional payouts.

[rybo]

Heat races would solve this, and there is already a spot in the schedule for them if they were needed.

Propose Class Changes to allow more novice classes in the 2010 season:

Keep existing novice only classes
Keep existing amateur classes

Add as a second wave to the following classes novice versions of the same:

Middleweight Supersport (novice)
Middleweight Superbike (novice)
Heavyweight Supersport (novice)
Heavyweight Superbike (novice)
Open Supersport (novice)
Open Superbike (novice)

impact is 0 added time to the schedule, and six more classes that novices can participate in.

It does not affect manufacturer contingency for these programs as they would be run as a separate class in the second wave

It exposes more novices to our expert level racers and classes

Could we set this up with a time limit qualification? I'm just thinking about a brand new novice having never raced before jumping into MWSB (pretty much the fastest of the fast) and being caught in lap traffic after like 2 laps. I always thought the reason for class eligibility (yellow versus white plates) was a matter of safety.

[dragos13]

Heat races would solve this, and there is already a spot in the schedule for them if they were needed.

A heat race is set up when the grids are too large, this wont eliminate the chance of a brand new novice running 2:20 lap times to be caught in a MWSB battle for 1st(like stated above).

[gsnyder828]

2.4.1 Class Displacement and Configuration Limits

Remove section 5 (delete ROR GTU)

Modify section 6 to read:

6. Race Of the Rockies GTO
• Unlimited displacement and origin
• All RoR GTO riders are required to possess a valid MRA license as per 3.2.D.4

Removes requirement to race a full season as an expert prior to entry and removes ROR GTU bike exclusions

[T Baggins]

2) combine the two classes into a single ROR, and increase the payout with the ROR U purse being added in - with payout to 20th instead of 15th.

I'd like to add a 4th possibility, in the wake of declining club revenues:

4) Combine the two classes, retain the current ROR - O payout schedule and eliminate the ROR - U payouts.

The additional funds are badly needed for a strong recovery in the MRA. Establish a "reserve" amount for the MRA bank account and once that reserve is met and maintained for a full season consider adding additional payouts.

We've already tied the ROR payout to overall racer participation, so even adding the U payout to the O combined class wouldn't increase costs. Also, paying deeper would help ensure the 600 guys would participate. The idea is to "increase" participation, not just cut expenses.

[dragos13]

We've already tied the ROR payout to overall racer participation, so even adding the U payout to the O combined class wouldn't increase costs. Also, paying deeper would help ensure the 600 guys would participate. The idea is to "increase" participation, not just cut expenses.

So by combining the classes, that means I could (in theory) earn a top 10 number plate riding on a 600cc?

[T Baggins]

I always thought the reason for class eligibility (yellow versus white plates) was a matter of safety.

+1

I can't imagine the chaos of Matt Lynn and Jason Disalvo battling for contingency $$ through a field of 40+ new novices.

*If* we went this route - I would suggest getting rid of Nov O and Nov U and moving to LWSB Novice and MWSB Novice (2 waves) running together and HWSB Novice and OSB Novice (2 waves) running together.

If novices want exposure to experts - run amateur classes and/or get an expert plate.

Per Jim's suggestion at the top, let's move this one to it's own topic for debate:

http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtop...?p=54519#54519

[T Baggins]

in theory

"In Theory" - yes.... :lol:

[T Baggins]

Moved ROR discussion to it's own thread as well:

http://forums.mra-racing.org/viewtopic.php?t=9469

[marty]

I would like to suggest that this rule be amended to include Am U, Am O and any endurance classes.
If we force a top ten Novice to move to expert, how can we not hold a novice finishing top ten in an Am class to the same standards. I would think that it would be more difficult to finish top ten with experts mixed in.

it might be tough with the endurance class, if you make every race, you would almost guarantee you would bump up. for several folks endurance is the only race they run.

[dragos13]

"In Theory" - yes.... :lol:

I'm down (now i just gotta figure out how to ride an R6 like Dalton does)

[gsnyder828]

4.5 Novice to Expert advancement process

Advancement from Novice to Expert can occur when the following requirements have been met, subject to approval by the New Rider Director:

A. [Add] Completion of a minimum of 6 races.

B. Demonstration of a working knowledge of MRA safety information, such as race day format, equipment requirements, and the meanings of all corner worker and starter flags.

C. and so on....

Explanation:

We used to have this (or something like it) in the rulebook. I don't recall when it went away, but when I started (in '01) racing it was clear that a novice with decent skills *could* turn expert after their 2nd full weekend (assuming 3+ races/weekend). Now it implicitly reads (to me at least) that you should be a novice for a full season before either a) being forced up or b) petitioning to move up. I think we'd want to encourage advancement to expert... no? Not sure if this is the best way to do that - but I was surprised to see the minimum race participation clause had gone away.

[Scored51]

4.5 Novice to Expert advancement process
A. [Add] Completion of a minimum of 6 races.
... a novice with decent skills *could* turn expert after their 2nd full weekend (assuming 3+ races/weekend).

That could actually happen in less than 1 race weekend with a 2000 M/Y 600.