Originally posted by skidlids Chris we can only enter the races we get on the entry regs so if there are only two races for DD those with two bikes will not be able to use both so can only enter one and then the numbers are automatically less than if we get four races to enter. And if it does come down to only one grid of 46 then we need to be able to look at what happens if the entry is over subscribed and it comes down to quallifying with some riders not getting into the DD race. As riders rep I need to know what the riders views are so I see no harm in discussing it openly. then once New Era let us know what is happening we can sort out the best way forward. I'm sure it will come up in conversation at the Oxon \ Berks night out this evening, its already getting discussed in phone calls, U2Us etc again its the lack of concreate information that keeps these discussions going. so the sooner New era let us know whats happening the better for everyone
Thats good news Skids, biggest problem I'm faced with sorting it out with New Era is knowing what the true numbers are. Once we know that we've a better chance of sorting the grid situation so please try to get as many riders commited to the event as possible. It would be handy to have a list of entrants, ideally an email from them to confirm they are riding once they send in their New Era application.
Not all the riders seem to use their emails so that isn't easy to sort out either.
It's a way off yet so don't despair, we'll get the best deal we can negotiate, as always.
I intended to race at CC in the 583 grid. So that's one on your list Bike 24. I really don't mind racing in a combined grid but I do mind not qualifying and therefore not racing (I am missing a big family event to be there and half of my wife's family who come from that neck of the woods are planning to come watch) so if there is a possibility that i won't race I definitely won't enter, if that all makes sense.
the sooner it can be sorted out the better as far as i am concerned.
If i can afford it I would go Tonio's way and enter both 620 and 583 to bump the grids up.
Franco
PS - Don't mean to sound negative - i have been really looking forward to this
Stop speculating, the RC are on this issue. We need everyone to respond to the e-mail theat went out this morning and then we will deal with New Era and advise back
Following discussion with the riders reps it was decided to ask ALL riders for their views on this. It isn't ideal to have two combined races but whichever way you cut it we just don't have the numbers to force the issue on grid size. If we could fill two seperate grids there would be no problem.
It will be up to the riders to vote on this and lets get it sorted.
We negotiate round by round with New Era so that the best option is arrived at each time, Castle Coombe is a big event with high running costs for the organisers so they do need to recoup those costs by filling grids.
On the point of 583 riders getting a raw deal over 620's a couple of points: At Assen the Dutch club generously donated us three extra trophies which they wanted to go to the first three finishers, their generosity, their choice. That said I was able to arrange it that Pierre Terblanche presented the first three finishers in BOTH classes with their trophies at the same time on the GP rostrum. Thought that would help to make the event even more special for the riders and most I spoke to agreed. It wasn't easy for the Dutch club to sort at the end of the race but I listed out the two classes and explained it was a 2 class race, they kindly agreed to sort it for us and all went well (I thought ??).
The RC now has the riders reps on board and believe it or not we do communicate regularly to reach the best possible solution to each situation as it arises. I'm sure they will confirm that to anyone still doubting the organisation.
The most recent time table I have seen has us racing over 2 days with Practice and race 1 on Saturday and Race 2 on Sunday around 10 to 10:30. Which is fine by me as I would be there both days even if I wasn't racing.
As for guest riders entering I hope the answer to that is NO and I think I have made my point about this to the other members of the RC.
08.45 – 09.00 FIM STEWARDS CIRCUIT INSPECTION 09.00 – 09.15 Untimed Practice 250cc Grand Prix 09.20 – 09.50 Untimed Practice SUPERBIKES 10.00 – 10.30 Timed Practice FIM WORLD SIDECARS – 1st Qualifying 10.40 – 10.55 Untimed Practice ACU STAR - Junior SuperStock 11.00 – 11.15 Untimed Practice ACU STAR – 125cc Grand Prix & Formula 125 11.20 – 11.50 Timed Practice SUPERBIKES - 1st Qualifying 12.00 – 12.30 Timed Practice FIM WORLD SIDECARS – 2nd Qualifying 12.40 – 12.55 Timed Practice Bracken KTM 660 13.00 – 13.15 Timed Practice Ducati Due & Desmo 13.15 – 13.30 Timed Practice Sound of Thunder
PAUSE (Classic Parade 6 Laps)
14.15 – 14.30 Timed Practice ACU STAR - 125cc Grand Prix & Formula 125 14.37 – 14.52 Timed Practice ACU STAR - Junior SuperStock 15.00 – 15.15 Timed Practice 250cc Grand Prix 15.20 – 15.50 Timed Practice SUPERBIKES – 2nd Qualifying 16.00 – 16.30 Race 1 FIM WORLD SIDECAR Sprint 10 Laps 16.40 – 17.05 Race 2 Bracken KTM 660 8 Laps 17.10 – 17.35 Race 3 Ducati Due & Desmo- 8 Laps
SUNDAY
08.45 – 08.55 Untimed Warm-Up 250cc Grand Prix 09.00 – 09.25 Race 4 Sound of Thunder 8 Laps 09.35 – 10.00 Untimed Warm-Up SUPERBIKES 10.10 – 10.25 Untimed Warm-Up SIDECARS 10.35 – 11.00 Race 5 Ducati Due & Desmo 8 Laps 11.05 – 11.35 Race 6 ACU STAR 125GP & F125cc 10 Laps 11.45 – 12.15 Race 7 ACU STAR Junior Superstock 12 Laps
PAUSE (Air Show - Superbike Riders Circuit Tour - Pit Lane Walkabouts)
13.00 – 13.30 Race 8 250cc Grand Prix 12 Laps 13.40 – 14.20 Race 9 The SUPERBIKE GRAND NATIONAL 15 Laps 14.30 - 15.30 Race 10 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SIDECARS 22 Laps 15.40 – 16.05 Race 11 Bracken KTM 660 8 Laps 16.15 – 16.55 Race 12 The SUPERBIKE GRAND NATIONAL 15 Laps 17.05 – 17.30 Race 13 Sound of Thunder 8 Laps Word – SBIKETIME2ndTABLE06 Timetable as 2nd draft by JP