Fischer, Jim E (Corvallis)
When we do Cherry Pie, we figure out the total cost which is a function of the # of fields(aka # of officials), # of riders and cost per rider and cost for the officials as well as the other "fixed" costs like porta pots, permits, etc.
Basically, it costs about $100-$150 per field for officials at Cherry Pie with officials primarily coming from Portland. Cherry Pie costs about $1800-$2000, and we run 6 fields in the AM and 6 in the PM. When we use officials from our team for much of the driving work, then the cost is cut significantly allowing the team more revenue for operating throughout the year.
Officials are reimbursed for mileage, and are paid for their duties based on the size of the event. Larger events pay more. They are not, however, paid for their time at an hourly rate. Example: If I work an official for 2 hrs in the AM driving for a field, then they drive again in the PM for another field, they only get paid for their mileage and their per/day fee for the entire event. There is no hourly rate that requires more pay for the extra time to work another field.
So it makes sense, if your venue and courses can handle the increased traffic issues, to break the day into two sessions (AM and PM), and run more fields. The added cost, once your officials are on site, is only in the mileage they drive while they're working.
Table Rock and Kings Valley run one "session" with 6 or so fields. For them to add a field, they need to hire another official, need more portable toilets (since everyone starts at the same time, everyone "goes" at the same time), occupy more road (upsetting more local traffic)...all at the same time.
Breaking an event into two sessions and assigning the officials to two sessions makes for a longer day for everyone EXCEPT the racers. Officials must arrive very early, can't leave until the afternoon, local traffic is impacted longer, etc. However, it makes it more economical to offer more fields if you've got two sessions.
A crit is nice because you only have one group racing at each time and races are generally shorter than road races, so you can run lots of fields and still have a reasonable length to the overall event for your volunteers and officials.
Time trials and mountain bike races can add fields almost at will since they do not have stringent rules about how to separate the fields, or about how to provide support and officiating for each group. The officiating costs are sort of fixed.
Just my perspective as a racer/official/promoter...
Fish
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From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of Geri Bossen
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 3:40 PM
To: Don Hanson; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] table Rock Road Race idea
I know the reason I added 50+ and then 60+ at The Beautiful Estacada Time Trial is because the racers asked for the additional categories and came up with at least 3 guys to race it. I know the 60+ group was out recruiting their peers for the race.
I know that I have gotten promoters to split juniors by age because I asked and recruited enough juniors to make two junior fields.
It never hurts to ask.
Geri Bossen
> From: dhanson@gorge.net
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 14:27:05 -0700
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] table Rock Road Race idea
>
> Hey organizers who're having a hard time filling your events..Add some
> age-category racing and you might be surprised at how many entrants you get.
> I'm an old guy who still loves to race, but I usually end up doing most of
> my racing out of the northwest because there are so few events with age
> group racing around here.
> In Arizona, California, even Idaho and Montana, there are quite a few
> events that break down the racing into ages as well as the regular
> categories and these races have good participation. Back east and in the
> midwest, age group racing is very big, or so I have heard from friends I've
> raced with around the west (other than Or and Wa)
> I know, "Too hard to score" "Too difficult with so many fields out on a
> course" "too much work" etc etc. I keep suggesting and I hear the same
> reasons why it can't be done. So I continue to race mostly elsewhere, where
> somehow they've found out it CAN too be done without a whole lot of extra
> work on the organizers part.
> Most older racers around here have given up racing because there are so
> few chances to start and race against a somewhat level field. I would come
> to Table Rock, it sounds like a fun course, if there was even a separate
> start for 55+ masters..but starting in a combined bunch with guys who're
> almost 25 years younger, even if you are scored separately (against just the
> guys 15 years younger)...Not too appealing or worth a long drive to TT along
> behind a pack of younger fellas..
> Usually older racers also have some money and an understanding that
> organizing a race takes time and money..So we are a potential source of
> entrants that are being ignored completely..(except for the OBRA state rr,
> thank you, OBRA!)
> Don Hanson
> 60+ Master
> ZTeam
>
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