Another item I have proposed a couple of times in years past is to have each person sign up for a 'local' club when they renew their STRA membership each year.
What that means is each member is associated with a club within the STRA based on geographic location (or personal perference).
When that club hosts their STRA championship rounds, the regional members help set up and run those events.
The Atlanta Trials Club (ATC) will promote 2 rounds in 2007. I'm suggesting there can be a TTC 'club' (Dan, Charlie...), CTC (Randy, Darrell...), South Carolina (Chad, Gordon...), Alabama (Rooster, Mark...), Camelot, Mississippi, etc. that will sign up for events once a year, once every other year or whatever they are comfortable with.
The advantage I see is that each event promoter will have the list of local club members to work with on running their trials and the local members can have a bit more of an association and comradere between events.
What I'm suggesting is very informal with no additional work or expense.

Correction: not Atlanta Trials Club but Atlanta Area Trials Riders!

[/QUOTE] I too will volunteer. Do we need someone to keep track of event results and year end points?

Frank[/QUOTE]
As far as keeping track of the points. STRA was using the same system as T.I. to keep track of points, and it would have section by section scores posted the next day on web site. All is needed is someone to enter scores at the event. At T.I. events it was made a $money paying position. $60.00 an event. It has worked great for T.I. 3 or 4 people actually do the job, and split the money. I know STRA is a little different (with promoters who lose or make money). I feel it is great to be able to view your section by section scores the next day on the internet. my 2 cents worth! Jim.

I like the 3 x 9 loops/sections.

Like the Honda TV ad goes, "I just want to ride"! With the current schedule of events, I'm no longer able to compete on the full STRA schedule, only events close to home. In short, Saturday rides starts too early & Sunday ends too late. For me to compete, I either need to come a day early & spend an extra night in a motel ($) or get up at some unjust early hour to where I'll not see my wife as she’s not getting up at that time (I work out of town & I'm home normally on weekends only). Then Sunday it’s a late start, which leads to a very rough Monday morning/week.

Comments are commonly made as to how we can grow the STRA. While there are many good suggestions, one area of improvement that can be made is to make our schedule of events more user friendly for those of us who travel greater distances just to make STRA events.

And while there are those who will quickly jump on my comments as being anti youth, please note that unlike most here, I started my racing career in one of the first Junior series in the country back in the mid 70's, the New England Junior Enduro Championship.

All that I’m asking here is to move the schedule of events back to where they use to be with the Youth first on Saturday then the Adults. For Sundays, lets please try & have earlier starting times. With the Modern Series now being mostly 2-day Modern events, most everyone now arrives on Saturday so people are already committed to an evening away from home.

Thanks for your consideration,
H

Harry,

It would help me to understand your idea if you put example start times in your post. Currently start times are already earlier on Sunday than on Saturday, so evidently you would like even later Saturday and even earlier Sunday starts. What do you have in mind for Modern start times on Saturday and Sunday specifically?

I too think the youth competition should be flexible on start times and work around the “adult” classes. The youth group numbers fluctuate greatly and some times have only 2 or 3 riders I think. So now I’m in the fire with you.

On a secondary note, if you really want to get changes made, you will have to attend the business meeting to support your idea. Many items are discussed and even if an idea is a good one, without someone to support it, it can easily be passed over quickly.

Frank

Like Harry I have more important things to do,,,
but I did manage to ride 4 events in 2006.
All events at TTC. The last event had a poor turnout for an event held at TTC. I guess it was Dec.? I think around 40 riders? I rode Sunday's event, drove 4 hrs., event started at 11:00.
Like all the other events, the "end time" was extended by 1 hour, 1/2 way into the event. I finished at 3:30. Didn't want to wait around another 2 hrs. What would happen if 80 riders had showed up!!!
I ask some of the Advanced riders if their sections were hard, they just said "very long and technical"; just took the upper class rider much longer to ride a section. I have no advice for people like Harry and myself,,,,except just ride what ya can and have fun doing it.
I had plans to ride 8 events and score one,,,,it didn't work out.
I do think 3 loops/9 sections would cut times down for an event.
I wish the STRA a great year for 2007!
Happy New Year to all!

I think at least part of the answer to this dilemma lies within Brock's suggestion, as well as Dan's, to break into regional clubs. This would give regional trials enthusiasts time to work and ride together hosting events in their areas, and as a multi-time event promoter, I believe the average STRA rider needs to be more involved in the task of promoting sanctioned events. I realize if local clubs are formed that those members intimately involved in the section layout would not actually compete in their group's event, those riders would have some work days to ride together near home as a trial is laid out

As far as the youth event's scheduling and importace , I will elude those issues to my young son. He will attend the business meeting as always.

Personally, I like the idea of earlier start times, and also the idea of a non flexible course closing time. I should say non flexible as far as extensions go, I would not argue shortening an event due to weather extremes though.

I will definately support the idea of a 3x9, or a 3x8 trial format too. That one change alone would accomplish much to get folks on the road home sooner.

Frank
What I'm talking about is how we did events 3 or 4 years (maybe longer) ago. Back then is was typically a 1PM Saturday start & and an advertised 11AM Sunday start. Yes, it was Vintage on Saturday but these events took just as long as a typical modern event. Contary to how some may believe, a Modern event can be completed in time even with the Fall darkness. On Sunday I say an advertised start time because if it were a Charlie event, it usually took him an extra 30 minutes to an hour as he combed the pits looking for warm bodies to check. What I'd like to see is back to a 1PM Saturday & 10AM Sunday start.

And as far as going to the business meeting, I know exactly what you mean. Over the last 14 years (12 of which I rode enough events to win some sort of championship award) I've been to most business meetings and fought many battles over various issues. And while I'll never get credit for it, thanks to the current checker system, Charlie's ride thru the pits seeking checkers is about eliminated.

Jeff,
While I'd like nothing more than to have a regional system, I just don't see it working. Yes, it may work for you there in Cartersville. But, take the South Carolina group. There are no active STRA members within an hours drive of me. The closest is the Holberts at about 1.5 hours away. Chad & Art are like 2+ hours away. Gordon Bowden about 3.5 hours away. Heck, with travel time like that I'd be just as likely to join you with the Cartersville group (2.5 hours) or the Newnan group (2.5 hours).

And Jeff, what modivates you to be so active with the STRA as you have claimed to be? You are fortunate to reside in about the center of the STRA. Yes, you & Ian will be at the business meeting. I expect it. Its going to happen in your home town area. If I were as fortunate as you I'd probably ride most every event. I'd not be looking at spending $100 (but maybe you'll offer to put me up that Saturday night so I can cut it to $50) just to be at the business meeting. Why do you & Ian ride Saturday & then leave Sunday after your service? Heck, Ian even gave up the Advance Championship to Gary Holbert because of this. Gary was baffled. What motivates you to be so active?

Again, I JUST WANT TO RIDE!
H

Religion, And the so called self rightious, Has always been the biggist problem in the world. I think lets keep religion and STRA totally seperate.
Rick Caron

CLOSED

I'll post an agenda next week.

John

CLOSED?

And I was about to suggest I could provide free beer to all participants that care to help me drink it afterwards. Bummer!!

See ya there! Frank

Did you say free beer Frank? Now I'm there for sure!

Rick, shut up!

And just for the record, Juniors and religion both have a place in the STRA in my opinion. On religion, ask me about my son.
H

Harry, I think those times you listed are about what we did at the last event.

If your comment is directed toward me R Caron.
I agree with you completely.
Yourformer post sounded like it was 180 degrees
opposite yourlast post.
Maybe i took it the wrong way