OBRA: OBRA Chat: mnt bike from a promoters view

mnt bike from a promoters view

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Damian

2004-10-08

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I don't know if this will solve anything, but here goes.

19-39 would work just fine. 29+ usually do beat 19-29. Plus I think the most racers in my category this year (exp 19-29) in the races I did was 6, usually 2/3. I fully support fewer categories, as this is an issue every year.

Two years ago I did a mtb stage race and combined categories. No one seemed to be bothered with this. It broke down real easy: Pro/Elite, exp, sp, beginner. Each cat. had men, women, jr (Pro/Elite had no junior). My xc race, however, still had all 35ish cats. By combining my stage race categories I was able to provide some sweet prizes to the top 3 (tubeless wheel set among others).

Look for Pickett's Charge! MTB Stage race May 21 & 22, 2005

Why does a race have to part of a series for you to go? Just curious. I pick my races based on reputation, course etc.

As far as reg. fees. I pay someone to time my event, I pay land use fees (including a % of my gross), provide snacks, free DeFeet socks (is anything really free), insurance (higher than road I think), OBRA fees and a series fees. Plus if you're racing the Pro/Elite, I pay one thousand $$ out to the men and women.

A big part for the late fee (for me) is the timing. In mtb races (like cross) everyone gets a time. This means everyone has to be in the computer. Everyone has to have a number and 2 pull tags. Day of reg is a crazy time at any event, and having promoted both rd and mnt, mnt is way crazier.

I won't hide the fact that I make money at my event, but the late fee can be the difference between profit or loss. I hate raffles, they keep me and my crew there way too long.

Just some things to think about.

d

cmur-@obra.org wrote:

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From: Greg Bruce [mailto:Greg_-@pfm.org]

Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 9:37 AM

To: cmur-@obra.org

It is my response to the MTB attendance issue- maybe you can post it or just keep it for your information:

Candi and Topica members,

I think we have two separate issues here.

Issue #1- Based on the attendance (or lack thereof) at this year?s MTB races, do we have too many categories?

Probable Answer: Yes?If there is not sufficient enough attendance to have 15-20+ riders in a category, it would probably be in everyone?s interest to reduce the number of categories.

Issue #2- Why are the MTB races so poorly attended?

Response: I don?t think the categories themselves have anything to do with attendance. As stated above, categories should be looked at if attendance continues to be small, but I don?t see it as a cause or cure to the attendance problem itself.

What could be some of the causes of poor attendance?

It is possible that having 3 series instead of one contributed to a lack of attendance. Someone would have to look at historical data to determine if attendance was significantly better prior to the ?3 series format?. Is it just cyclical? Cross Country racing may be down everywhere, Road Racing and Cyclocross are the current rage.

What else is currently the rage? 12 and 24 hour events? Marathon events?

My opinion is that we would be better off with one race series at the 5-7 most highly attended races/locations (from a historical perspective) and that we should have a ?one off? State Championship that is separate from the series itself. Much like what took place this year with the NORBA series and then a ?National Championship Race? that took place at Mammoth. So, you would have an OBRA Series Champion and you would have an Oregon State Champion.

I also think we should follow the national lead and have a Cross Country series for those interested in shorter distance, high intensity, high speed events and a Marathon Series for those interested in longer distance, lower intensity, endurance events (50-70 miles). Attendance at marathon events is growing leaps and bounds.

Again, I think categories should be a response to attendance. If attendance is excessively high, create additional categories to respond to that. However, it would be initially better to start out with a smaller and more streamlined category list.

Also, the reason I say 5-7 races or locations is for the same rationale as the ?category issue?. If you already have poor attendance, you do not want to spread your ?attendance pool? out over a broader scale. Reduce the number of events and series and create in them a ?must attend? atmosphere.

Last but not least, the cost of MTB races and the punitive late entry fee penalty need to be changed. I know lots of people that need the flexibility of making a decision on racing a particular weekend at the last minute and then to have to consider a $35 entry fee, plus a $10 late fee, plus the gas and time to get what may be ? way across the state is enough to just say. ?I guess I won?t go.?

Thanks

Greg

---------------------

Dr. Greg Bruce

Bend, OR

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To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.orgTo unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com

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<DIV>I don't know if this will solve anything, but here goes.</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>19-39 would work just fine. 29+ usually do beat 19-29. Plus I think the most racers in my category this year (exp 19-29) in the races I did was 6, usually 2/3. I fully support fewer categories, as this is an issue every year.</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>Two years ago I did a mtb stage race and combined categories. No one seemed to be bothered with this. It broke down real easy: Pro/Elite, exp, sp, beginner. Each cat. had men, women, jr (Pro/Elite had no junior). My xc race, however, still had all 35ish cats. By combining my stage race categories I was able to provide some sweet prizes to the top 3 (tubeless wheel set among others).</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>Look for Pickett's Charge! MTB Stage race May 21 & 22, 2005</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>Why does a race have to part of a series for you to go? Just curious. I pick my races based on reputation, course etc.</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>As far as reg. fees. I pay someone to time my event, I pay land use fees (including a % of my gross), provide snacks, free DeFeet socks (is anything really free), insurance (higher than road I think), OBRA fees and a series fees. Plus if you're racing the Pro/Elite, I pay one thousand $$ out to the men and women. </DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>A big part for the late fee (for me) is the timing. In mtb races (like cross) everyone gets a time. This means everyone has to be in the computer. Everyone has to have a number and 2 pull tags. Day of reg is a crazy time at any event, and having promoted both rd and mnt, mnt is way crazier.</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>I won't hide the fact that I make money at my event, but the late fee can be the difference between profit or loss. I hate raffles, they keep me and my crew there way too long.</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>Just some things to think about.</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV>d</DIV>

<DIV> </DIV>

<DIV> cmur-@obra.org wrote:</DIV>

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<DIV> From: Greg Bruce [mailto:Greg_-@pfm.org] Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 9:37 AM To: cmur-@obra.org </DIV>

<DIV class=Section1>

It is my response to the MTB attendance issue- maybe you can post it or just keep it for your information:

 

Candi and Topica members,

 

I think we have two separate issues here.

 

Issue #1- Based on the attendance (or lack thereof) at this year?s MTB races, do we have too many categories?

Probable Answer: Yes?If there is not sufficient enough attendance to have 15-20+ riders in a category, it would probably be in everyone?s interest to reduce the number of categories.

 

Issue #2- Why are the MTB races so poorly attended?

Response: I don?t think the categories themselves have anything to do with attendance. As stated above, categories should be looked at if attendance continues to be small, but I don?t see it as a cause or cure to the attendance problem itself.

 

What could be some of the causes of poor attendance? 

It is possible that having 3 series instead of one contributed to a lack of attendance. Someone would have to look at historical data to determine if attendance was significantly better prior to the ?3 series format?. Is it just cyclical? Cross Country racing may be down everywhere, Road Racing and Cyclocross are the current rage.

What else is currently the rage? 12 and 24 hour events? Marathon events?

 

My opinion is that we would be better off with one race series at the 5-7 most highly attended races/locations (from a historical perspective) and that we should have a ?one off? State Championship that is separate from the series itself. Much like what took place this year with the NORBA series and then a ?National Championship Race? that took place at Mammoth. So, you would have an OBRA Series Champion and you would have an Oregon State Champion.

 

I also think we should follow the national lead and have a Cross Country series for those interested in shorter distance, high intensity, high speed events and a Marathon Series for those interested in longer distance, lower intensity, endurance events (50-70 miles). Attendance at marathon events is growing leaps and bounds.

 

Again, I think categories should be a response to attendance. If attendance is excessively high, create additional categories to respond to that. However, it would be initially better to start out with a smaller and more streamlined category list.

 

Also, the reason I say 5-7 races or locations is for the same rationale as the ?category issue?. If you already have poor attendance, you do not want to spread your ?attendance pool? out over a broader scale. Reduce the number of events and series and create in them a ?must attend? atmosphere. 

 

Last but not least, the cost of MTB races and the punitive late entry fee penalty need to be changed. I know lots of people that need the flexibility of making a decision on racing a particular weekend at the last minute and then to have to consider a $35 entry fee, plus a $10 late fee, plus the gas and time to get what may be ? way across the state is enough to just say. ?I guess I won?t go.?

 

Thanks

 

Greg

 

---------------------

Dr. Greg Bruce

Bend, OR

 </DIV> 

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--- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.767 / Virus Database: 514 - Release Date: 9/21/2004 <PRE>To respond to the whole group send to ob-@topica.com.

To respond to the list manager send to cmur-@obra.org

To unsubscribe send to obra-uns-@topica.com</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE>

<hr size=1>Do you Yahoo!? 

Yahoo! Mail ? CNET Editors' Choice 2004. <a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/Yahoo_Mail/4852-9236_7-30980704.html?part=editchoice"> Tell them what you think. <a

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