2017 Rule Changes

[David Lahey]

David, it will achieve #1, who knows about #3 but won't necessarily do #2. The rules state that 'the Promoter has the ability to start individual classes at different sections on the course', so to avoid significant pooling behind others, I would imagine this being done more often than not....and realistically, once we've all done the first lap, the quicker riders have gone through and passed others they may have started behind.

Except how do you pass anyone? As soon as someone gets through a section, slow rider or normal rider, they have to ride to the next section in sequence, and they will get there before you. You will stay behind them all day or unless they stop for a rest or whatever

WHAT FOLLOWS IS SARCASM, NOT SERIOUS SUGGESTIONS:
Options to avoid big queues and annoying the hell out of riders with the new rule:
1 The cards for each lap could be held back until everyone has completed the preceeding lap, and fast riders cards given out before slow riders cards
2 "self censored" suggestion
3 "self sensored" suggestion

[Mark K]

.............. WHAT FOLLOWS IS SARCASM, NOT SERIOUS SUGGESTIONS: .................

another alternative is to make each rider's cut off switch lanyard be worn on the wrist of the rider behind.
That way nobody gets too far ahead and nobody gets left behind.

[JAKROO]

David,
The sections must be ridden in sequence, the riders don't have to maintain any sequence between themselves. So, just like there is today, faster riders naturally move forward through the group. People let others in "...you go first, I'm still working out what line I'm going to take..."

A lot of you guys (I'm a newbie at 3 or so years) have been around this game for a long time, so I'm not sure why anyone would think the status quo (ie pick a section to start at and proceed around the course in an ascending numerical manner from section to section) which wasn't mandated will now cease to continue simply because it's now mandated. If that's the case, then we're a contrary lot.

[Twinshock200]

Getting back to intelligent debate,,,,, I can imagine the 44 riders in different age groups and Masters at the recent National titles will be somewhat annoyed as 41 of them will be riding for the pleasure of it and have no chance of a podium place in State and National titles of the future.. These changes will also flow through to club, interclub and open events thus reducing trophy costs to the organising clubs
I was forewarned that this could happen some weeks ago by the Trials commissioner who spoke to me specifically about the Classic grade numbers with the same outcome possible for the 2018 season.

I also asked him about the same thing happening to ;
Sidecars 7 riders at Aus titles
Women 6 riders " "
Air cooled mono's 3 " " "

The answer to all changes in the MOMS popular or unpopular is to do something about it yourself by getting on the State trials Sub Committees ,,,, at the right time ,,,,,, and introduce whatever changes you deem fit,,,,,,,, which is what has been happening for many years,,,,,,

[David Lahey]

David,
The sections must be ridden in sequence, the riders don't have to maintain any sequence between themselves. So, just like there is today, faster riders naturally move forward through the group. People let others in "...you go first, I'm still working out what line I'm going to take..."

A lot of you guys (I'm a newbie at 3 or so years) have been around this game for a long time, so I'm not sure why anyone would think the status quo (ie pick a section to start at and proceed around the course in an ascending numerical manner from section to section) which wasn't mandated will now cease to continue simply because it's now mandated. If that's the case, then we're a contrary lot.

Not everyone currently rides their sections in numerical sequence (which is why there is sometimes a safety issue with two-way traffic on the loop). Many riders (me included) ride their sections in a sequence that minimises their waiting time in queues, which has the side benefit of maximising the number of laps that can be completed by the whole field within a given time allocation. The new rule if applied will mean a reduction in the total number of sections for the day that will be able to be ridden by the field in the same time period.

[Twinshock200]

David, you are correct in what you say. I am impatient when it comes to queuing up behind 7 or 8 riders and it means you will be queuing behind those 7 or 8 riders all through the lap and it will take longer to complete the course rather than skip a couple of sections and go back to the one you missed.

Skipping sections also spreads the field out.

Downside of the organisers allocating start sections for certain groups is, "why do I have to do the rocks first, I want to go through the muddy bits before they get too bad".
I would ask the question of the Trials Commission,,,
"what is the purpose of insisting sections are tackled sequentially and who raised the subject" (the answer will be "to avoid two way traffic" which, of course, we don't have already. !!!!!

The Vets have been strangely silent so far, is it the calm before the storm ??

[Mark K]

David, you are correct in what you say.........

Being more serious than I was earlier, I also prefer to ride how you described, skipping a group of sections where there is significant queuing, and going back to do them later. It can always be done somehow without creating two way traffic, whenever that is necessary. I don't understand the need to necessarily do them in strict numerical order. Its not like we set them out like the Scottish Six Day Trial, where it isn't practical to do them any other way.

[sherpa]

I assume the trials commissioner/commissioners have made these changes and I would guess as a commissioner your role is to enhance or improve the sport for the current competitors, and be a representative, to MA, of these riders, voicing their concerns and views. Also I would assume there would be an emphasis on bringing new people to the sport. I am not too sure how any of these changes achieve any of these goals.

[cota]

While understanding the need to prevent two-way traffic from a risk management perspective, the desire to minimise waiting at sections is appropriate, but perhaps writing a rule to specify certain grades may start at certain sections is overly prescriptive, whereas clubs often have this under control e.g. starting on the section of the last digit of a bib number (if bibs or numbered plates are used). The desire to have sections completed sequentially is appropriate, rather than have some riders riding a single section 4-5x before it gets cut up by other riders or avoiding certain sections until the best line is established etc.

The best way to initiate change is making a submission for a rule change through the MA process - submission usually due in March. So, now is the time to discuss, formulate a reasonable submission through individuals, club or state panels and be involved in creating the optimal set of rules. For this particular issue, it might be as simple to leave it as 20.11.2.3 Riders must attempt the sections in sequential order. Thus leave out a prescription related to the promoter able to start individual classes at different sections. Leave it to clubs and promoters as to how to implement so as to help trials. So, if you want to effect change have a look at how to change rules on the MA website - http://ma.org.au/index.php?id=136 - and submit a change for 2018.

[Joe Henderson]

Hi Everybody,
Jackroo is right, the term "sequentially" on its own, without any qualifying addendums is meaningless.
It can mean, amongst a plethora of other scenarios, riding every third section...one and ten, two and nine...the easy ones first, then the hard...ad nauseum.
All they had to say was "In numerical order" that would have fixed it...although why they feel the need to make more rules, I don't know!
The punch card system stops anyone riding the same section over and over for the required number of laps before moving on to the next. ( Although that is another, and quite legitimate, sequence.)
Rule makers...I love them.
Trials riders with a logical mind and an independent and pedantic streak...I really love us all!
Formula one team principals would ride roughshod over MA.

Regards, with an ever increasing feeling of admiration for the intelligence and sense of proportion of the Australian trials community,

Joe.