Author Topic: 30 years of UKBMX, but possibly an end to old school in the south, help needed (Read 4877 times)

RATTY · « **on:** February 13, 2011, 08:44 PM »

Ok folks, the news I have been dreading, Old school racing is about to be dropped from Hersden, the final bolthole of the Old school.
Its gutted me to hear that this year may well be the final chance we get to show what we and our 30 year old bikes are made of!!

Hersdens a great location, brilliant crowd, fantastic staff and a beach less than 5 miles away with chips and beer

I have persuaded the guv down at Hersden that if we can get 2 gates of Old school he will keep the class, at least for this year.

After my brain tumour 2 years ago I have struggled to get to many races and have done poo, but I allways looked forward to the Hersden series.

Come on guys and girls, even if this is the last year, lets give Hersden some fireworks. Old shit forgotten, old riders dragged out of retirement, Zippys mouth taped shut and hands tied to bars...Lets remind Hersden of the days when TK had 14 motos of us to deal with.

Beginners and show pony riders welcome

Round 1 .......Sunday 5 April

Round 2........Sunday 15 May

Round 3........Sunday 5 June

Round 4........Sunday 1o July

Round 5........Sunday 7 August

Round 6........Sunday 18 September

Best 5 out of 6 rounds count towards end of series totals

58 delray · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:00 PM »

i'll be there

58 delray · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2011, 01:38 PM »

just heard that spike and james will be there and i'm pretty sure ben will be, so thats 5 just another 11 needed ..................

58 delray · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2011, 02:23 PM »

zippy's say's he's in

RATTY · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2011, 10:50 AM »

So we have 6 confirmed, another 6 should swing it, come on guys not a lot of time left

moomin · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2011, 09:41 AM »

It's not looking good from this thread, be a real shame to see it disappear from Hersden as well especially after all the support the old school have given, come on lads, get your names down

Humps00 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2011, 06:57 PM »

I'm looking to be up for Round 1 at least if that counts. Humps

58 delray · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2011, 07:06 PM »

Quote from: Humps00 on February 20, 2011, 06:57 PM

I'm looking to be up for Round 1 at least if that counts. Humps

nice one alan

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2011, 07:09 PM »

How comes? now they have their big track they gone all serious

RATTY · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2011, 01:06 AM »

Quote from: Bob_Acid on February 20, 2011, 07:09 PM

How comes? now they have their big track they gone all serious

Hope thats not the case Bob $:-\$

58 delray · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2011, 11:29 AM »

http://www.hersdenbmx.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=319

Kaner · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2011, 05:31 PM »

I'm in, hopefully for all of the races too, the dates look good, except for the clash with MK11.

Let's do it!

spike371 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2011, 01:19 PM »

Im in, hopefully for all 6

Beard and Glynn have mentioned coming down for 1 meeting as well

moomin · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2011, 03:18 PM »

I'm presuming that the classes are being slimmed down due to finances, looks like the 12 + 13 boys, 14 - 16 boys and Ladies need to watch out as they all had low numbers too

moomin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:30 PM »

Quote for Justin one of Hersdens organisers

if enough turn up the class will be reinstated.we have always supported oldschool and they have been a massive part in what we do at hersden.but we cant run a series on 3/4 regular riders.the 17+ plus class was also poorly supported last year and it seems silly to run gates of 3 /4 for 2 different classes.you also have to accept that new riders on new bikes may be included in your class.like i say,if enough of you turn up you can have your own class.they dropped o/s from regional racing for the same reasons.we give out medals at every race,massive cups and plates and concolation prizes at the end of the season.we charge the cheapest race fees anywhere and rarely charge for parking.we have at least £1000 to pay out before the regional this year.we run a tight budget and you get a lot for your money. the medals alone are £2 each.when there are only 3/4 of you you can see there is'nt much to put towards your end of season trophy (£16+plate£5).
ps,parking is £2 this year.
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As far as i can see the decision to not run old school is mainly because of the finances/turnout. I've had a look at costs (although these cannot be 100% accurate as not all entries for each round are shown on the Hersden site)

In the 1st 3 rounds Old School entries per round and revenue to the club, are as below

Round 1 - 8 Riders - £40

Round 2 - 10 Riders £50

Round 3 - 12 Riders - £60

I cannot ascertain entries for for rounds 4 and 5 as the results only show top 5 finishers but the final round had 9 entries so add another £45 to the pot.

The cost of the Old School class to Hersden in relation to plates trophies and medals are as below

Medals - £36 for the series

Trophies £45 vfor the series

Plates £15 for the series.

Total £96.00

Taking into account cost versus revenue for the old school, not including rounds 4 and 5's incoming race fees the profit to the club is £118If you then compare this to other classes who only pay £3 entry their classes cost the club money to run!

The ladies class for example could net a maximum Revenue of £90 over the series versus a cost of 114.00!

The 14 and 16 class maximum potential revenue was £54.00 and the cost was £114.00.

On that basis i really am struggling to understand why the Old School class has been abolished.

The numbers you mention Justin of 3/4 per round last series confused me also.

Round 1 = 8 entries

Round 2 - 10 Entries

Round 3 - 12 Entries

Round 6 - 9 Entries

As i say i cannot obtain figures for rounds 4 and 5 as they are only listed on Hersdens site as top 5 riders.

I presume that 17 + is masters, on that basis their entries were 6, 10 then 11 i think for the first 3 rounds.

I can honestly say that i really dont know quite what to make of the Old School being disbanded when it has been well supported and has paid for itslef and as a class made the club money. The only saving would be the cost of medals, trophies and plates as there is near on no way that the old schooler (billy O apart) will be able to be competitive in a mixed masters class. This would represent a maximum saving of £96.00!

I've got to say that we all came to Hersden purely to race the Old School. We have every intention of being at Hersden and come round 1 if there is not a class for Tony to ride in then we simply wont come again as we could save money on petrol and do club races closer to home. It would be interesting to see how many others may feel that way?

Just as an example, if just Tony, Emmanuel and Josh do not race Hersden this year the club will lose

£76 in entries and £12 in parking

If everyone in Old School made the same decision then the cost to Hersden as a club would be fairly substantiial. Not just in entries and parking but burgers and coffee cos you know us Old schoolers dont do Pro Food

I'm not in any way trying to be difficult but i cannot understand this decision with the reasons given even more so after all the support that the Old School have shown to the club by digging into their own pockets to pay for trophies..

I sincerely hope that the Old School put up as good a show of numbers in 2011 as they did in 2010 and we have an Old School Class

Also if i am out on figures Justin and someone can provide me with the exact numbers attending i will modify this post accordingly

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2011, 11:32 PM »

Riiight, so it's all about the money?

moomin · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2011, 08:18 AM »

Quote from: Bob_Acid on February 23, 2011, 11:32 PM

Riiight, so it's all about the money?

All sorted now Bob and the class is running, pop down and have a roll around with us

bobbbbsy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2011, 10:08 PM »

im pretty sure me and a mate would be up for this.. what are the safety clothing requirements?

RATTY · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2011, 10:48 PM »

Quote from: bobbbbsy on March 13, 2011, 10:08 PM

im pretty sure me and a mate would be up for this.. what are the safety clothing requirements?

Well worth a go, great crack and a great crowd.
All you need is long sleeves and pants or pads, helmet and gloves, hope you make it. If you are up for it can you put your name down on the riders list pleezzee