Proposal for a MRA ladies class!!!

[Grant_Me_Revenge]

Hey Everyone this petetion will be made to the MRA board Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 7.00pm at Breckenridge Brewery - interested in proposing a ladies only class in attempt to draw more ladies in the MRA listed below is the proposal - your support can materialize this class - during the October meeting the request will be presented and in November with your support, it will be ruled on, please post your comments or send me a PM - greatly appreciate it!


SCOPE
Proposal: Ladies of the Rockies (LOR) Amateur class for female racers.

1. Rider Eligibility
- Must be Female (Sex change operations will be considered with documentation from physician)
- Valid MRA Racing License
- Novice / Expert Combined

2. Motorcycle Eligibility
- Motorcycles are of unrestricted origin.
- Unlimited displacement, engine configurations and modifications

3. Schedule Solutions
- Race to be run as the second wave of a two-wave start with Lightweight GP.
- No change to already established Race Day schedule.


BENEFITS
1. Incentive for new female racers to join and participate with the MRA
- Seeing a small, well-organized class just for women has a strong potential to draw new racers into the organization.

2. Increased participation from existing membership
- Current female members would have an additional class to register and compete in that does not conflict with classes that any females are currently racing in.

3. No impact to the race day schedule
- Class would be run behind Lightweight GP and would not impact the current schedule in any way.



Full thread posted on MRA Rules & Tech Forum

[Bueller]

I would suggest you make it a non contingency class (might make it easier to get it through), and if it is Amateur is there a "bump" policy for the top finishers?
We tried a formula 40 class a couple years ago and couldn't get enough support to get it in. And there are a lot of old farts in the MRA

[lovinCO]

I posted in the other thread as well....

We ran a "Ladies Class" in the MRA in the mid-90's. First year or two there were ok grids, maybe 8-9 of us, then it dwindled and they killed the class. I always thought it was a good thing, since it was one more class I could run during the day. Same deal, we were on the track with another class....might've been the thumpers, can't remember now.

I would suggest you make it a non contingency class (might make it easier to get it through), and if it is Amateur is there a "bump" policy for the top finishers?
We tried a formula 40 class a couple years ago and couldn't get enough support to get it in. And there are a lot of old farts in the MRA

The above proposal is good, to grid w/ Lightweight GP. I don't think there will be an objection to the class if the schedule stays the same--it's just if there's enough interest to warrant it. There were never enough entries to matter novice or expert when we ran it before, it was open to anyone interested. How many women are racing now?


BTW, when I ran the Ladies Class we had a cash purse--money every weekend.

[mtnairlover]

It's an expensive sport. I'd be all over it if I had the fundage, honestly.

I'm not intimidated by the guys either. It really is all about the money. Regardless, I'm gonna at least attempt to do a track day or two.

I think the idea of making a woman's class would definitely draw women. It would draw me, just to get my feet wet and then see where to go from there. Of course, I'm just dreaming out loud.

I do like this idea, though.

[ctb]

Holy Crap...I replied to this on the MRA board, and, as I told you at the last weekend, I would definitely do this (you can't count on me until the second MPH weekend, though...call me, I'll explain) and I had even forgoteen about contigency...

Hell Yeah...I now recind my concerns about the speed differential...I don't really give a crap, as long as the slower folks and LWGP kids don't...Money? Gimme sum

[Jenny]

I'll support it! Over the past few years I've talked to several girls who didn't feel comfortable racing with guys but would be all over an all-girls class!

[Mel]

I posted in the other thread, but yeah I am definitly in. Figure I let the guys all beat me, might as well let the girls beat me too.

[Jayock]

My favorite proposal was the "Revised" formula 40 class Where the combined age of rider and bike had to be over 40. I don't think it was ever seriously considered.

[rybo]

Sasha,

I think this is a fantastic idea. Women are the fastest growing segment of the motorcycle community and a women's only class would be a great addition to the MRA. I'll be happy to place my vote in favor at the rule change meeting!

Heading over to the MRA board to post a similar message. Hope to see you soon!

Scott

[Sully]

I think this is definitely a great idea, but I'm with Mtnairlover on the cost of racing .. Right after I rob a bank, I'm in !!!!!!

[Filo]

We ran a "Ladies Class" in the MRA in the mid-90's. First year or two there were ok grids, maybe 8-9 of us, then it dwindled and they killed the class.

It's an expensive sport. I'd be all over it if I had the fundage, honestly.

I remember the ladies class - Tracy Schalow and Wyeth Jackson always were beating up on everyone else. The problem with the class (and for the record I am not against it) is the combination of the above two quotes. If you start with only 8-9 people racing and add in the cost, crashing,etc very quickly you end up with 1-3 entries per weekend. That was the reason it was killed last time. Look at Rocky Mountain Supermoto - they are really struggling to fill grids at the end of the season because of attrition. If you can get about 20 women interested in it, it would make for a more full class. And who doesn't like sweaty women in head to toe leather?

[lovinCO]

I remember the ladies class - Tracy Schalow and Wyeth Jackson always were beating up on everyone else. The problem with the class (and for the record I am not against it) is the combination of the above two quotes. If you start with only 8-9 people racing and add in the cost, crashing,etc very quickly you end up with 1-3 entries per weekend. That was the reason it was killed last time. Look at Rocky Mountain Supermoto - they are really struggling to fill grids at the end of the season because of attrition. If you can get about 20 women interested in it, it would make for a more full class. And who doesn't like sweaty women in head to toe leather?

I agree, the question with any new class is will it draw enough entries to justify it. But that's what's great about club racing. The MRA can try this class again for one year, and if grids are too small take it off the schedule. It just has to have enough support to get voted in.


When we ran it before, there were some women who were up to speed and some who were just learning. But that's no different than a lot of other classes. Often a couple of "racer girlfriends" on the racer's bike too--all good. No biggie, it's a v small grid and you deal with a lot more chaos in novice or amatuer. Which most of the girl racers were also running.



Oh, and I'm Wyeth. Filo = Adam? I haven't seen you in eons.

[Filo]

Oh, and I'm Wyeth. Filo = Adam? I haven't seen you in eons.

Yep, it is me. It hasn't been eons Wyeth - only about 13 years or so.

[lovinCO]

Yep, it is me. It hasn't been eons Wyeth - only about 13 years or so.

No, not that long! But a while.


How's supermoto? We ran into Paul Nafziger at Endurocross a couple weeks ago. I think he's out of all that these days.

[500rgurl]

I think it's a great idea! Thinking of racing next year... you can count me in Sasha!

[ctb]

I'll see you there...

A la (the other) Jim Breuer..."all I wanna know is one thing... who's coming with me?"

Great Job Sasha, I may be able to come by "early" on 11/8 before we get on plane to cast a vote...I'll ask the powers that be if that would fly...

[ctb]

OK...so here is the skinny...

Sasha sis an awesome job proposing the LOR class at the MRA meeting. The rules meeting will be held Sat. Nov. 3, 2007 at 12:00 noon at Breck. There is no "official" vote, but if you can, GO TO THE MEETING, and speak up in support of this, and anyother rule changes you want. Jim Brewer will be closing the rule change thread on the MRA soon, and then will summarize the proposed rule changes. Once that is done, you can do a few things;

1) Go to the meeting and voice your opinion
If you can't go...

2) Email Jim listing the rule changes you have an opinion on, and what that opinion is...

3) I think he said you could comment right on the summary thread, but I am not sure, and it may clog things up.

That's all I got. It was great to meet Wyeth and see all the support there for this great idea. Thanks Sasha!

[uberwench]

Thanks for the update, Lauri, and thanks Sasha for the whole proposal thing!! Sorry I couldn't be there, but I'll be there on the 3rd and/or will lobby with Jim.

...I'm sure Jim'll love having more pink leathers out there...

[lovinCO]

That's all I got. It was great to meet Wyeth and see all the support there for this great idea. Thanks Sasha!

Nice job Sasha, you presented well. And it was great to meet Lauri, Sasha and Sheila at the meeting--fun friendly gals on racebikes. Good luck next year ladies!

[1ofTheBoys]

Sasha, great presentation last night I will definately make it to the Nov 3rd meeting. We had a good turnout of women, oh yea and men.

It was good to meet you too Wyeth.

[Sully]

Any news on this ?

[1ofTheBoys]

Any news on this ?

Hey Sully, you plan on racing in LOR?

[Bueller]

It passed if that is what you're asking.

[Sully]

Thanks Bueller.. good to see ya Sat btw..