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Re: Whats the rules for minders at a observed trial
Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:29 pm
by bigdamo
I agree Keith registered or not a minder should not touch the bike.
This matter was brought to our attention as we where observing at a trial last sunday and when we went to consult the rule book to our surprise there was nothing in the rule book about it.
a big grey area exists about this issue.
It could be come a bit of a farce if every rider turns up with a minder to help them out knowing the rules can be stretched.
Re: Whats the rules for minders at a observed trial
Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:43 pm
by keithj
I'm going to keep stirring the pot here...
The rules state that a Rider can have a Minder. 23.7.4.1
The rules also state that a rider cannot receive outside assistance, apart from in the interests of safety. 4.3.2.1
Therefore, by the GCR's, is a Minder allowed to give directions (eg "half a tyre to the left!") to the Rider?
Re: Whats the rules for minders at a observed trial
Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 9:22 pm
by Ben Z
Hi all,
Hmmm... interesting post and a very relavant one...
I havent actually gone top pick up MOMS to check but from my perspective....
A minder touching a motorcycle or rider should be frowned upon.... however there are cases where a minder thinks he is needed, when in fact the rider is just able to do what they were trying to do by themselves... such a touch is probably minor and gives no outside assistance other than the mental side of things.... "my minder has my back"
I have done SFA minding in my life... but have touched bikes with out grabbing them in preparation for a big stack that i though was imminent... but didnt actually happen....
Bottom line... this is a little bit of a grey area... open to interpretation....
But somewhere in teh front on the MOMS is a statement along the lines of: These rules are not and can never be all encompassing... it is intended that they be interpreted in the interests of the sport etc etc etc..... (from memory)
So in a protest or argument situation.... for example.... yes the minder touched the bike/rider... but was there any assistance???.... it comes back to the witness statements... rider, minder, observer (s) and spectators.... You take in alll the information you can.... and within the spirit on motorcycling you make a decisioj on the facts you are3 able to obtain by witnesses....
it doenst need to be 100% black and white in print... there is always that thing called common sense....
but that can be an oxymoron.... common sense isnt as common as it used to be...
Cheers
Anything that actually assists a rider would be considered a 5...