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Post by getta20m on Jan 10, 2009 15:07:26 GMT -5
Quote from Usless Information Thread; "WHERE ARE THEY NOW!!!!!! Are these riders without a track, lost interest or what. Before we can plan races and events we might need to find out if any one really wants them. Frank "
Q: Who were they then?
A: Racers in their late forties and early fifties who had been novice or amateur professionals in the late 1960s and 1970s, the "heyday" of flat track....
Q: What are they now?
A: Ten years older.
In order to keep vintage flat track alive we must attract new riders!
Theory: Racers returning to the sport after twenty or thirty years and new racers, attend many races for about three years. During that time things ignored add up and they become more selective about the races they attend. This was a contributing factor to the lack of riders at NFTRA events. The “core” of riders we depended on were called away by different things: Jobs, health, family obligation and AGE.
Q: How do we make vintage flat track more appealing to younger adults with family and job obligations?
A: In the Great Plains Region, local point championships in addition to the overall championship will provide shorter driving distances.
Another idea is to just have a few select racing events, such as Stockton, at the best tracks. If announced early enough racers can plan vacation time.
When a person reaches their late forties and fifties, kids are grown, business is stable and there is more time, money and flexibility. Younger adults are still working to establish themselves and raise the kids.
Q: How do we structure classes to appeal too and maintain these new riders?
A: This is a complicated question. With the current class structures, I am once again in the back of the pack. Up front is much better! I worked my way up there as an “amateur” and I am trying as a “pro”, but progress is slow. When I cease having fun as a racer, I am finished. Will new racers with big bore bikes (which vintage racing needs) become frustrated and quit?
Just some thoughts and ideas to help get conversation going.
#20m
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Post by verticaltwin on Jan 12, 2009 10:39:12 GMT -5
Just my 2 cents....
I think vintage riders are getting older and vintage parts are getting more expensive. Couple that with last years fuel prices and the NFTRA's "all out" schedule... Some regulars got run off. I think fewer but bigger events are the way to go. Multi-day events like Jeeps or Stockton, or Friday/Saturday races (like Great Bend/Hays) close together would likely bring more participants and minimalize travel expense.
Its hard for me to justify the money spent to go and race, but so far I've been able to attend quite a few events. Enough to be a terrible slow rider and still get that 2nd place plaque. You see how I have to do it though, cheap! This year will be even tougher, but I plan on selling some old bikes (maybe even a couple of old Brits) so I can race and maybe get another bike/rider on the track too. I'll try to attend all of the events I can this year.
You hit the nail on the head, Brigitta - New riders!! Not necessarily vintage, but getting more people into the sport is very important. I'm a vintage guy, but I think its really important to keep solid modern bike classes too. Especially entry level classes, for the modern 4-stroke 250's and 450's. Those are the bikes in the garages of modern youngsters. Where are the younger 150 class racers? I thought it would be a perfect class for a young rider to start out...
Kyle#44x
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Post by getta20m on Jan 12, 2009 13:46:39 GMT -5
There were usually a couple of under 30 riders who wanted to race the 150 class, but not enough 150 bikes. Jake let Andy, Josh, and me ride his bike, but when there are only enough riders for one class, only one rider gets it.  One of the owners of Lincoln Cycle and ATV mentioned that last year, with gas prices high, the sales of used street bikes was up, but the sale of dirt bikes was down. The decline of the NFTRA seemed evident a couple of years prior to last year. There were many contributing factors, but a chunk of the riders that could be depended on to show up to races were slowing down or forced to quit. With the exception of some of our senior riders, almost everyone who expressed negative feelings about the new class structure participated in races the year after it was in effect. We had already lost racers prior to this. I believe that some of the seniors that did not participate were already to the point of becoming more selective. #20m |
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Post by thumper on Jan 17, 2009 15:52:44 GMT -5
Getta,
I really enjoy the 150 class. I'm spending money on mine during this off season to put a 17" rim and tire on the back to go along with the new front tire I put on it just before Stockton last year. I'd love to see more riders in the class. Putting all the 150 riders in the same class should help. After all we are all riding the same bike, what difference does it make how old the rider is?
As far as participation goes, I'm going to do everything I can to ride at every race on the schedule this year. I put the Yamaha back together with new tires on it too. I'll race in two classes as often as I can.
Frank asked a question in another string to the effect of, if we schedule will you come? For what it's worth Frank, I will.
J Day #23
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Post by tsmiley98 on Jan 17, 2009 21:08:38 GMT -5
I know they split it up by age, but in past if there were few riders they did combine the two age groups. I am getting some non knobie tires for my CRF100, I got some good sprockets for it, it should be able to hang in the back ;D ..
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Post by getta20m on Jan 19, 2009 1:02:20 GMT -5
Getta, I really enjoy the 150 class. I'm spending money on mine during this off season to put a 17" rim and tire on the back to go along with the new front tire I put on it just before Stockton last year. I'd love to see more riders in the class. Putting all the 150 riders in the same class should help. After all we are all riding the same bike, what difference does it make how old the rider is? J Day #23 I enjoyed the 150 class too! It was low-stress, just have fun racing. I didn't do a good job of explaining what the problem was with the combined class last year. First, I should say, I am fine with having this class combined. The problem was, only three (Cherrypicker will tell me if I'm wrong ) under 30 riders participated. None of them had a 150. Dave, Bomber, Chris, and TJ all shared their bikes. This meant that if the class was combined and those 3 under 30 riders were on a bike, there were three over 30 riders not racing. Unfortunately, there were more riders willing to pay an entry fee to race then there were bikes for them to race on. I don't know how the Great Plains Series plans on promoting the races this year, but if posters are distributed, perhaps a little notice could be included about this "beginner" class. #20m |
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Post by getta20m on Jan 19, 2009 1:18:54 GMT -5
Just my 2 cents.... I think its really important to keep solid modern bike classes too. Especially entry level classes, for the modern 4-stroke 250's and 450's. Those are the bikes in the garages of modern youngsters. Kyle#44x I agree with you Kyle. I was talking Vintage because the VDTRA numbers Frank gave are from days prior to them having modern classes (I think). #20m |
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Post by tsmiley98 on Jan 19, 2009 20:00:13 GMT -5
Getta, I really enjoy the 150 class. I'm spending money on mine during this off season to put a 17" rim and tire on the back to go along with the new front tire I put on it just before Stockton last year. I'd love to see more riders in the class. Putting all the 150 riders in the same class should help. After all we are all riding the same bike, what difference does it make how old the rider is? J Day #23 I enjoyed the 150 class too! It was low-stress, just have fun racing. I didn't do a good job of explaining what the problem was with the combined class last year. First, I should say, I am fine with having this class combined. The problem was, only three (Cherrypicker will tell me if I'm wrong ) under 30 riders participated. None of them had a 150. Dave, Bomber, Chris, and TJ all shared their bikes. This meant that if the class was combined and those 3 under 30 riders were on a bike, there were three over 30 riders not racing. Unfortunately, there were more riders willing to pay an entry fee to race then there were bikes for them to race on. I don't know how the Great Plains Series plans on promoting the races this year, but if posters are distributed, perhaps a little notice could be included about this "beginner" class. #20m That makes sense, and if some old fart wanted to use my bike I would let them for sure.. ;D what is the age cut off? 30 I thought I read this year there is no age limit. If they do have 2 age classes it could draw more $$ for riders.. |
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Post by thumper on Jan 22, 2009 22:03:40 GMT -5
tsmiley,
The class structure Randy posted indicated no age limit. That could mean more bikes in one class rather than fewer bikes in each of two classes. Besides who cares, it's a fun/trophy class not a money class.
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Post by getta20m on Jan 22, 2009 22:16:11 GMT -5
I must do a terrible job of explaining myself.  One combined class is a good thing. #20m |
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Post by tsmiley98 on Jan 23, 2009 1:19:06 GMT -5
I must do a terrible job of explaining myself. One combined class is a good thing. #20m I thought you were trying to get across the point of two classes means possably more riders to spend money? tsmiley, The class structure Randy posted indicated no age limit. That could mean more bikes in one class rather than fewer bikes in each of two classes. Besides who cares, it's a fun/trophy class not a money class. All I care about is having fun, its not fun to go home and say "Hey I got 3rd". "how many were in the class?" "Uhmm TWO!" Now I have to find Josh a small bike to play with.. |
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One combined class is a good thing.