William

Here is my initial proposal. The idea is to create a competitive series, not run the same old race over and over again. While there would be nothing against the weekly series that a lot of locales try to run, this would be to give everyone a chance, not just the people of a certain locale or a certain type of rider. The series should include diverse races with regards to length, course style, location, time of the season, etc. For instance, a short twisty prologue type TT, a flat windy long TT, a rolling TT of intermediate length, a long climb TT, etc. This way different types of riders will be able to shine and hopefully there will be enough diversity to determine who is the best of the best in each category.

TT Cup Categories would include:
Junior Men 10-12;
Junior Men 13-14,
Junior Men M15-16,
Junior Men 17-18,
Junior Women 10-14;
Junior Women 15-18,
Senior Men (P/1/2/3/4/5)
Cat 4/5 Men,
Masters 35+,
Masters 45+,
Masters 55+ ,
Masters 65+,
Senior Women (P/1/2/3/4),
Cat 4 Women,
Eddy Senior Men,
Eddy Senior Women.

Maybe a recumbent or tandem category?

In the Eddy Category riders would compete without Aero Bars or extensions. Disc wheels and Aero helmets are not allowed.

As an example, the number of events could be nine, with the lowest 2 scores dropped (for if a rider was out of town, or couldnt' travel a certain distance, etc...the idea is to keep riders from being a slave to EVERY race).

Maybe the calendar would look something like
Feb - Jack frost
Mar - Southern OR TT
apr - Dechutes
Apr - Estacada (just one of them)
Apr - Raven (only one of them)
May - Hutch's (only one of them)
June - Central OR TT (only one of them)
June - State TT champ
Aug - Obra uphill TT

Hopefully this would inspire new TTs as well with the hopes of attracting riders who want to vie for TT cup status and points. Would love to see a Mary's peak TT, or a super short (sub 10 minute) prologue type (maybe a PIR TT?). The idea would be for diversity. At the end of the season, there is a cup for the winner. Seem simple?

There would be rules for the promoters such as:

Pre-registration – Promoters may permit same-day registration yet can only do so if they can ensure that same-day registrants are sorted and given start times that are within,
or adjacent to the riders correct racing category and in line with the Starting Order requirements noted below herein. Pre-reg only would be preferred.

Fee Limits - No promoter may charge a rider a registration entry fee in excess of $XX per event.

OBRA Regulations – Promoters may not impose any bike or equipment standards (such as prohibiting disc wheels or aero helmets or enforcing UCI guidelines), regulations pertaining to bicycle equipment, clothing and other regulations (with the exception of standardized "Eddy" rules for those categories).

Start Order & Numbering - Race promoters shall ensure that riders are grouped according to their Categories such that all riders of same categories are grouped together and have similar start times.

Rider Sorting, Starting Order - Promoters must sort no less than the highest ranked five (5) riders within each categories such that the points leaders within each category are starting last. Run it reverse GC.

Time Gaps - Promoters should have time gaps no less than 30 seconds. Promoters could put a few (2 recommended) 30 second “blank slots” in between categories. This will help create a cushion and separate categories and avoid, for example, a junior being too overrun by a faster rider behind. As well, those gaps will ensure that if you’ve missed anyone, or have to make a race-day addition or exception, you have some slots you can fill last minute.

Time keeping / Scoring - Promoters must use some form of Electronic timing or scoring, as best possible to ensure accurate and timely results.

Results, Protests - Promoters should strive to quickly present correct and timely results, with an attempt at producing initial results within 30 minutes of category end. Subsequent to posting “Final” results, there shall be a 15 minute protest period during which riders or officials may modify and correct results.

Submission of Results - Promoters must provide an electronically formatted list to OBRA no later than 2 days after the event.

Course- There must be a rider holder (with the exception of TTT), sign indicating distance to turnaround (if applicable) and signs indicating distance to finish.

I guess I just feel overall that this could drive some people to these races, encourage people who might be otherwise intimidated, provide racers with the highest standard of races, and promote a stronger TT unity and cohesion in OBRA. What do you all think?

William