2008 Erik Goetzinger BMX News Letter #1
Welcome to the 2008 season at Erik Goetzinger BMX. Our first race was a great success as we had 56 riders, many of who were new to BMX. As the 2008 season is still new, there are a few things we need you to know.
ABA Rules:
Each parent should go over the ABA rulebook especially the rules of racing. We have ordered a few of the books and will be available at no charge when they arrive. You can also access the rulebook online at HYPERLINK "http://www.ababmx.com" www.ababmx.com. If you have any questions please don’t be afraid to ask. There are a couple of rules you do need to be aware of so here they are.
Only riders who are 5 and under can be helped on the gate by a parent or anyone else for that matter.
This isn’t a new rule, but those new to the sport need to be aware of it.
Your child’s number plate number must match what’s on the moto sheet. If it doesn’t they will not be scored at the finish line.
Our scorers do not have time to ask a rider who’s number is wrong or missing who they are as the next moto is coming. It is your responsibility to make sure their plate number matches what is on the moto sheet. If it doesn’t, then they won’t be scored at the finish line and will be awarded last place.
You must keep track of your child’s wins and move them into the next category when they have reached the appropriate number. 8 wins to move from Novice to Intermediate for boys and 8 wins from Novice to Girls for girls. After 25 wins as an Intermediate you must move up to Expert class.
If you don’t move your child up the ABA will notify the Track Operator and your child will not be awarded points for the races they raced “out of class”. If you have any questions on the number of wins your child has let Gerald Trees know and he will contact the ABA to check the number for you.
A rider cannot impede the progress of another rider by moving over in the first 30 feet of the track or in the last straight away. If they do, they may be disqualified.
This is a new rule for 2008. We have not had any problem with riders doing this in the past and I don’t anticipate we will this year. If one of the track officials see this occur we will speak to the rider and parent as a warning before we begin disqualifying the rider. Again I don’t anticipate this being an issue.
Track Rules:
Sign up is from 6:00 to 6:30 pm unless otherwise posted. Even though we may still be entering riders into the motomaker program past 6:30 pm we will be cutting off registration at 6:30 pm in order to allow us to get racing as soon as possible.
Only track volunteers are allowed to bring their vehicles up to the track. Please park your vehicle in the parking lot and walk up the access road.
Smoking. We would please ask that if you are going to smoke, please don’t do so around the registration area or on the starting hill where children are present. Please be considerate of those around you, especially the kids.
Please ask your kids not to throw trash in the porta-potty! This is provided by the city and can be removed if we don’t use it for what it was intended. In that case you will have to walk over to the recreation centre to use their facilities.
Volunteers:
We are always looking for volunteers to help on the track during race nights. Erik Goetzinger BMX is a non-profit society that is ran by volunteers. Other then getting to park our car’s at the track the Executive and regular volunteers are not compensated for their time. We do this simply because we want to provide a place for our children and yours to ride and race. If you are asked to help please say “yes” and if there is something that you would like to do to help make our facility and services better please let Gerald Trees or Scott Baillie know. We won’t turn you away. Also, please invite your kid’s friends out to try BMX. If they want to try it, but don’t want to pay for a full license we have a free one-race license, which allows a new rider to race once for just the race fee of $7.00.
Upcoming dates in Vancouver Island:
Saturday, May 10: Work party at Erik Goetzinger BMX starting at 10:00 am.
Sunday, May 11: Vancouver Island Challenge (VIC) Series Race #1 at Nanaimo BMX. Sign-up from 10:00 to 11:00 am. The VIC is a great series as you don’t have to leave the Island and everyone, including Novice riders has a chance to become Vancouver Island Champion. New for this year, a rider only has to race one qualifier plus the finals to be eligible, but their best three scores plus the finals will be used. The format and schedule can be found on HYPERLINK "http://www.erikgoetingerbmx.net" www.erikgoetingerbmx.net, under the VIC tab.
May Long Weekend: The Vancouver Island let of the Provincial Series will be held this weekend. Our race will be on Sunday, May 18th with sign-up from 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Other tracks on Vancouver Island to race:
Nanaimo BMX will be racing on Wednesday evenings, sign-up from 6:00 to 6:30 PM and on Sunday’s from 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Coal Hills BMX in Cumberland will be racing on Saturday’s for the month of May with sign-up from 2:00 to 3:00 pm.
Your full ABA license allows you to race at all these tracks.
Again, if you have any questions please ask.