Postby Axel » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:52 am
This is definitely something that needs to be addressed, probably at club level on club days by just getting the women together and discussing this. It may be a year long plan to encourage the girls on and then support with transport.
Bus may be too expensive, perhaps, but I think the point was to share transport and share cost. How many competitors had space in their car and trailer for an extra rider and an extra bike? This again could be discussed and encouraged at club level, and not just the week before the championships. Start the discussions and plans now. Ask for volunteers that could possibly take an extra person and bike if required and get together a list within each club.
It is an enormous commitment financially and time wise also for parents to follow these events with children, especially if they have children in other sports. The offer of a lift from someone within their own club that they know well could be the answer for many.
The extra junior classes have certainly increased the rider numbers at the championships. My concern is in future years what happens to them when they reach 21? If they are not open solo standard, what happens to them until they reach 30? In my opinion, boys in this age group would possibly be the largest buyers of motorcycles in this country but they are not catered for. Of course, organizers have to be careful to not end up with far too many classes and need to keep re-using existing lines and grades so as to not put extra work on themselves and observers. Open solo B has been used before. Was it a failure? Couldn't t be run on masters lines? Perhaps only the higher level juniors, womens's, open solo class, etc. could be the championship class and the others receive a lesser award? The rider then has a choice if they want to compete for the open title within the class, but still get to compete if they want to. I am only a family spectator in this sport and not a rider, but this is how I see it from "outside the square".
Neo, I thought you were paying Bev a great compliment! One that she rightly deserves! The title "Aussie Titles Women's Team Manager" sounds fitting.