THE ACU ROAD RACE COMMITTEE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO LET
ANY 250 GP RIDERS HAVE "WILD-CARDS" FOR THE BRITISH GP
AT DONINGTON PARK!!!
In response to the outcry against that decision the
Road Race Committee have answered everyone with a
simple reference to an old press release. With that,
they consider the matter closed!
QUOTE:
"The Road Racing Committee received applications from
3 riders in their 30’s for the 250cc class. After
careful and lengthy deliberation it was decided that
none of the 3 applicants would be of a high enough
competitive standard for a wild card entry.
This decision also took into consideration information
submitted in connection with the 2003 and 2004 Grand
Prix’s and the results of these races".
END QUOTE
If that seems to be ageist and uninformed to you, then
you are probably in the majority.
If you expected those "careful and lengthy
deliberations" to include an actual conversation with
the applicants, you would be disappointed.
If you think that there would be any sensible answer
to an appeal against this decision, you would be
disappointed.
If you think that such a decision fits the ACU mission
statement, you would be disappointed.
Despite an upsurge of discontent at this decision, the
Road Race department have refused to change their
minds.
----------
Dave Stewart of BMCRC took up the cudgels on the
riders behalf and his letter to the Road Race
Committee sums up the rational argument.
QUOTE:
Jim,
Further to our chat on Friday, I would ask that you
reconsider the Road Race Committee decision no to
endorse the 3 250cc “Wild Card” applications on the
following basis:
It may not have been presented to the committee in the
correct light.
All 3 riders have up to date machinery, well capable
of making a satisfactory qualifying time. Dan Tarratt
has a 2003 Honda with the latest ignition kit and a
spare 2002 machine. Andy Meacham has a 2003 Honda TSR
with the latest TSR package. Ian Gardner has a brand
new 2005 Yamaha TZM with multi adjustable ignition
system.
All 3 riders have set faster lap times than Lee
Dickinson (accepted and qualified at last years GP) at
the first 3 rounds of this years MRO Championship.
Like it or not, the MRO Championship is the highest
level of 250GP competition held under ACU
jurisdiction.
All 3 riders know that the weekend will cost them in
excess of £5000 and are prepared for that outlay. They
would not be prepared for that level of commitment if
they did not believe they could qualify for the race.
The comment that last year, 2 of the riders failure to
qualify was embarrassing to the ACU and
counter-productive to GP racing in Great Britain is
incorrect. The riders missed out by a fraction of a
second through inexperience, not lack of pace. Both
riders were within the qualifying time until less than
2 minutes from the end of the final session. Pole
position was reduced by 8 tenths of a second on the
last flying lap thus reducing the qualification maxima
with too little time left for the riders in pit lane
to put in another flying lap.
The fact that both riders accepted this with good
grace and thanked all concerned (including the ACU)
for the opportunity to take part was a positive thing
for 250 GP racing in Great Britain. You cannot be
unaware of the increase in interest in the class since
last season. The 3 wild cards have been excellent
ambassadors for the class and it has helped to revive
this once ailing class. Refusal to allow these 3
committed young men to compete could undo all the good
work and good will generated over the past 12 months.
It might help to note that whilst we are talking about
people with ‘no chance’ of winning, the US Masters has
just been won by a player deemed incapable of making
the cut even from the qualifying competition!
I am confident that all 3 riders will acquit
themselves well, all they need is a little good will
from their own federation to allow them that chance.
Please look at this in a favourable and sporting
light.
No one knows the result until after the competition,
otherwise there would be no point in running the
event.
Dave Stewart
END QUOTE
---------------
Just complaining to the ACU is futile, as we have
found in the past. The only way to break through this
rhinoceros-like thick skin, is to hit them where it
hurts.
We need some (peaceful) action directed against its
representatives and as much publicity as possible.
If we are to make any headway with this we need as
many people as possible to e-mail the FIM, Dorna,
Eurosport (Julian Ryder and Toby Moody), MCN,
Bikesport News and Donington Park (Brian Pallett).
Jeremy McWilliams is already on the case with Dorna
but if we want to make a difference, it will take
weight of numbers, so don’t sit on your hands – get
typing.
The Road Race Committee representation is made up of
individuals from New Era MCC (Jim Parker – the Big
cheese), ? MCRCB (BSB) and Darley Moor MCC. ? Write to
them – phone them, email them and let them know how
you feel about this!
Here are some contacts to get us started:
Bikesportnews@aol.com gary.pinchin@emap.com (MCN)
ROAD RACE COM
J Parker 172 tower Rd Ware Herts SG12 7LL Tel 01992
551564
C Appleyard The Meadows 106b Skipton Rd Silsden
Keighley West Yorks BD20 9DA Tel 01535 606311
D Barnfield (MCRCB) PO Box 6450 Woodford Haise
Daventry NN11 3ZD Tel 01327 264010 email
doug.barnfield@mcrcb-events.co.uk M Boddice 447 Stourport Rd Kidderminster Worc DY11 7BD
Tel 01562 751770
D Carter (AMRCO) Thruxton Circuit Andover Hants SP11
8PN Tel 01264 772607
R Fearnall Motorsportsvison Brands Hatch Fawkenham
Kent
R Hanks 50 Lynhurst Rd Erdington Birmingham B24 8QS
Tel 0121 686 3799
E Nelson Anvil House Derby Rd Old Tupton chesterfield
Derbyshire S42 6LA Tel 01246 866537 email
eddie@darleymoor.co.uk ----------------
Please don’t hesitate to contact
www.motoforum.net if
you can advise of any further contacts that may be
useful and we would be grateful if you could pass this
onto as many sources as possible (especially internet
sites).
Thank you for your time.
Regards
Supporters of a better future for Road Racing
domski
Linear Mode
