There is interest in re-instating the Advanced/Sportsman (or is it Sportsman/Advanced?) class for 2009. The basis is that the step between the Sportsman and Advanced classes is a big one and there are a number of riders that don't like the stuff you can crash on in the Advanced class, but want more of a challenge than the Sportsman class offers. The A/S class would ride the easiest 4 (give or take) Advanced sections and the toughest 4 Sportsman lines.
The only argument against this is "we will need more trophies". I say if that is an issue, just move a trophy from the Sportsman and a trophy from the Advanced class into the A/S category.
I support such a move and think this offers more riders what they want and it does not create any more work from the promoters (other than indicating what Advanced and Sportman sections the A/S folks will ride).
As a matter of fact, I would like to see this same concept applied to offer a class between Advanced and Expert for has-been (and wanna-be but not-there-yet) Experts. Again, no new lines are needed - just a mix of the 2 classes.
If any of you have other comments, requests or suggestions on these or other rule-related topics, please share them here. I would like your feedback.

Brock,

I have been approached by many this year about the A/S class also, and support reinstatement of the class. I for one, will ride the A/S class if we have one next year. Also having a class between the Advanced and Expert classes might relieve the "bottleneck" in the Advanced class.

Daarrell

On a related note, regardless of whether or not there will be up to two more classes, shouldn't the promoters stagger the starting sections throughout the loop for each class, thereby virtually eliminating the bottlenecks that invariably occur on the first loop and sometimes in the most demanding sections of subsequent loops? It would go Novices to Section1, Intermediates to Section 2, Sportsman to Section 3, and so on.

Drew

From my experiences it seem better to start the upper classes first, the novice/intermediate will catch the upper classes too quickly. The whole pack mixes up eventually anyhow.

I hope to make a competition comeback in 09' if it is in God's plan for me, and I would be interested in riding an A/S line like Darrell and some others. This subject alone should fuel some sprited discussion at the annual meeting.

i too would support this and i hope and plan to make some events next year, i miss riding and seeing you guys, hopefully the baby will be ready to travel and we can make it out to play

rob

That sounds like fun.

On the trophies, how about three sizes of "STRA" logo glasses, like Brock had for trophies. Give awards for the top three places. Or the medals make a nice award.

Or maybe just a hearty handshake and "Attaboy"!

Yes the adv/sportsman class would be great!

Sounds like the A/S class is set to return! I'm hopeful for an E/A class as well. The more comfortable riders are with the level of difficulty, the more competitors should turn out. It looks like a win/win to me. All that is left is a vote at the business meeting.

In terms of split starts, that is already the norm. And as Jeff points out, you put the slow guys (upper classes) behind the faster guys (lower classes) so they don't cause a bottleneck. It does not matter what section number you start a class on, but the start section should be one of the easier sections for that class to allow folks to get warmed up before hitting the hard stuff.
Rick wrote up some promoter tips and we should ensure this is in the guidelines.

Jeff: I would love to see you back in the sections next year my brother! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

I need a smokin deal on a complete set of spokes for the rear wheel of my '04 Sherco...

Expert/Advanced would be awsome, sign me up! And the shotgun start worked well when I first started riding STRA.

I totally agree with an A/S and an E/S line. Now by doing so I believe the Expert sections should truly be Expert and Advanced truly Advanced. It allows for the best of both worlds.

I hope this isn't out of place, if anyone thinks so, PM me and I'll remove it.
As far as the medallions that I do, I buy back the ones that aren't used at an event. I've been doing this with TI for several years (and some for STRA). Maybe it would help out on the cost of awards.