Salvatore Collura
I agree that the interpretation of this rule should be clearly defined, one way or the other, and soon.It will affect our categories at 2009 Co-Motion Classic Racing events.
BTW, the parent/child class is the fastest growing group in tandem racing.
-sal
From: Micros8391@aol.com
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 00:35:54 -0400
To: cmurray@obra.org; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Juniors on Tandems
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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