Micros8391@aol.com

First off, let me make it clear that this new interpretation of rules
regarding the age of stokers in tandem races does not affect me personally. My
kids are both beyond that age. However, I think this should be reconsidered. I
understand that it is probably not possible to change the rules in
mid-season (or maybe it is). But, I think this is clearly an issue of interpretation
of the rules. And this is a brand new interpretation. Many of the local
time trials have been well attended by this demographic. The Co-Motion Classic
Tandem Race even includes a C category that does a short time trial and road
race that mostly caters to the parent child combination. I am fairly
certain that the people who conceived this rule were not considering kids stoking
tandems. It makes perfect sense to not allow very young kids to control a
bike in a race on open roads or in races with older riders to whom they could
pose a danger. However it makes no sense to not allow a young kid to ride
behind their parent in a tandem race. We have a big problem in Oregon racing
in that there are hardly any kids participating. This will make it even
worse. The OBRA Championship race today had 7 total kids between the ages of 10
and 14. That covered four separate categories! Racing tandems with their
parents is a great way to give kids exposure to racing, and turn them into life
long competitors and fans.
Once again, I am not sure there needs a change in the rules, just an
interpretation that makes more sense. Is there a rules interpretation committee or
technical advisory committee within OBRA? If there is, that body should
consider this issue.
Mike Rosenberg
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