Unofficial FTR Hare Scramble Meeting Info

[Mark]

Just got back from the FTR meeting a little while ago and there wasn’t a whole lot of progress in the three hours I was there. (It was still going on when I left and probably still is) Allot of different issues were being talked about. I have to say though it was a lot more civilized than the last meeting that I went to two or three years ago. At least people didn’t start yelling when the subject of the Quads was brought up. Seems like a lot of the whiners are running out of excuses to move the Quads to Sunday or just get them out of the series all together. Seems like a lot of the people in the FTR are truly thinking for the better of the series. The mention of quads having their own series aside from the bikes was brought up but it seemed like most everyone understood that it’s just not possible right now with the number of entries there are. And I agree. Maybe in the future.

After a while things started heading in a more defined direction. Concerns of track deterioration and the long days that the club members put in having these events were starting to be focused on. Everything looked like it was heading towards shortening the Saturday race schedule. Cut a half an hour off of each class on Saturday. Basically go back to the way they have been in the past before they went to the two-hour format. I would prefer to run two hours but if it keeps everyone else happy, I’ll take the hour and a half. I’ll see how that works.

This was the second meeting that I have set in on and I have to say if you’re an FTR member and have never been to one, try it some time. It will give you a feel for what it takes to make changes within the organization.

I’m not the greatest at relaying information so if anyone has any questions just post them.

Doug was still there when I left so he should have some more info on what happened later. I’m sure he’ll post it. Hope I didn’t miss anything good.

Mark

[DOUG]

This is some of the notes I took from the meeting hitting the highlights of what I thought was pertant information. These are all going to be recomendations made to the Harescramble Series for a proposal to be made.

1. C riders moving
A. Group consinsus was to only have 2 races on Sunday due to the small turn out in the C class. So they have decided that the C class should be combined with the A, B, class at 12.

2.Quad elimination brought up Buddy Gailord.Mention of possible start of Quad Series.
A. It was thought that they will eventually need there own series if they continue to grow. But untill those # get there ruffly in the 200 rider range that they where to stay with the series and continue to run at 3 on saturay.
B. Also was brought up that the quad should move to 2 pm on sunday. But once realized but the memebers in attentance that this would pose a serious safety issue. And that they should remain where they are. Was also mention about putting them first on saturday. But this was ruled decided against since the mini would run behind the quads and would pose a risk to them with the ruts the quads created.

3.Practice yes or no practice
A. Consinsus was that yes we do need to have a practice before the race, but these are going to more controlled like a parade lap. Where somone would lead out the group at a controlled speed and they would not be allowed to pass. This will keep down on course wear and tear and provide more safetly.

4.Support class limitation of time from 2 hours to 130
A. Support classes are the ones that run on saturday. They are considering quads under these classes. Thought was to be limit the races to 1:30. And that everything would move back 30 min allowing the clubs more time to get the approapriate amount of people there to run set up and have them out on the course.


5.Junior A and B Saturday
A. It was thought that the Junior A and B needed to be moved to the saturday race to allow them a more gradual step into the A,B,C classes. And they would be restricted to only running on saturday.

6 Trophies
A. They are going to start ordering less trophys due to so many that are never picked up or not wanted. This is more for the clubs benifet so less money would be wasted on trophies never used.

The new Sunday schedule.

7:30-9:30 Sign Up
8:30-9:30 Practice
10:00 Riders Meeting
10:30 Race 1 Specialty Classes
1:00 pm Race 2 A, B, C Classes


I did not get down the new saturday schedule written down but once I get it I will post it.

But if I remember correctly it had the quads racing at 3:30



These where not all the points made but these where the ones that I wrote down.

Doug

[Mark]

Doug, Thanks for sticking around and passing on the information.

Mark

[Mark]

Got a couple of questing for ya Doug.

Was there any interest shown in Mike Preslars proposal after I left? Didn't seem like there was while I was there.

I think Keith Finnerty also brought up changing the peewee start times to first on Saturday. Was there any more talk about that? I know he made some good points.

Also, any word on another meeting before the HS Committee meets?

[DOUG]

Yes the peewee should be moved I belive they said from 1130-1230 and if I remember right the riders meeting will now be held at 12.

I dont like this pushing back the schedule if still finishes at the same time. But there ithinking was that this would allow the clubs more time to get attiqute # of people there.

I think this was the order for saturday but dont quote me on it

9:30-11:00 sign up
10:30-11:30 Practice
11:30-12:30 PeeWee
12:00 Riders meeting
12:30 Mini's
2:00 Vintage, Beginner
3:30 quads

as I say dont quote me on it but I know it was 330 start for the quads. And all the races would be a max of 1:30.

As I say I didnt like this idea. Why give us less time to race so the club members running the race can have extra 130 for set up. It was said that the club members wont have to camp out on friday night to be there first thing saturday morning.

I agree they should limit certain classes after all if a beginner can race for 2 hours then is he really a beginner?

Thats another subject of advancing beginners more rappidly. Well my thinkin is 3 after 3 races your not a beginner any more. But then again now that they have them racing with the AA class I might just try and move myself to the beginner class so I dont have Garrett using me for another obstacle. I agree these AA, A , B riders know what there doing. Its that C class rider that has a guy going twice his speed running up behind him scaring the daylights (ME) out of them and be more worried about whats going on behind you than the course itself. But I hated being at the races till 5pm on Sunday then having to drive home.

Doug