VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ

[RATTY]

As you may know, BCF are in the thros of getting the OS dropped from racing in the UK.
I have started a poll over on BMX talk, please pop over there and log your vote, we fought long and hard to get the Old school racers recognized, please help us to stop them removing us.


The link

http://www.bmxtalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=25470&start=0

[baldbmxer]

Done it Rattmeister....... to race any race in the UK 

[HEYWOOD BMX]

  Done-voted to race any meet in the UK.WTF are the BCF on?

[Dark Diggler]

Done

[nhoj]

Clicked on the link but couldn't see where to place my vote, do you have to be a member?

[moomin]

Yes mate, you do x

[JD_76]

Voted 

[moley]

Done!!

[Zippy]

Voted for any regional and the Brits. Don't think we should have a National presense to b fair but regionally we are and should be a force to be reckoned with.

I do agree with Glen though that we should have our own championship, perhaps run independantly of the regional system but during the regionals if that makes sense.

Most importantly thogh I think we need to bring up the fact that we need a silver licence to race and have to pay full race fees, however we don't qualify for t-shirts and plates at the brits. WTF is all that about.

In fact I'm thinking as I'm typing and aside from wanting to rush off to the toilet to bash one out over the girl that's just walked past I think perhaps their idea of stopping the OS class is not such a bad idea when you think about it. We can still race at Regionals and can have a charity race at the brits. This could actually work in our favour as we could run our own championship as we used to in the OSSS. We could include the Hersden rouunds and the regional rounds and run like we used to. We can then have our final race at the Brits with the proceeds going to the Stephen Murray Fund.

It would also be a big fcuk you to the BCF who would get none of our race fees from the brits. If we were the biggest class they would eventually have to reconsider. Then we can tell them to Fcuk off again.

Well I hope you followed that. I'm now off to the loo. back in 5. 

[OrgasmDonor]

done

[kevin (A.K.A) kai riviere]

Mine is most definately in & i have to add that at Braintree there was another fine example of why old school is an asset to Bmx. I'm talking about the return of ex Ace & Kuwahara rider Steve Gilley who brought his two sons, his sister (i think) & Dad Tom (great to see you guys). Both Tom & Steve, like Tony Waye & a lot of old school faithful from all other regions, are originators & pioneers of Bmx & are very welcomed. She (sorry, i didn't get her name) liked what she saw & would have "had a go" (her own words) but for not having the equipment & that's what it's all about, the introduction of people wanting to enjoy the fun. Why do people keep missing, or more to the point, AVOIDING this?  Let the statistics do the talking, that's my opinion 

[kevin (A.K.A) kai riviere]

QUOTE; I do agree with Glen though that we should have our own championship, perhaps run independantly of the regional system but during the regionals if that makes sense.

It does make sense & as long as the regional clubs would allow us to take part in their events, while still remaining independant, then i believe it would work well & in our favour, though i'm not sure if this creates issues with insurance etc, which may be one of many reason why we need some form of membership. If riders are going to race a series/season then we want/need/deserve a platform to stage the pinnacle of our achievements & there is no better place to stage that (& for maximum exposure) than the brits. Whether THEY have decided NOT to recognise us doesn't mean the Bmxing community follows suit & i'm sure ALL racing, old school or otherwise is welcomed ANYWHERE!
Trophy presentation would be a real eye opener 

[beard1973]

Voted.

I've tried to refrain from posting on BMXTALK as I feel I could quite easily get drawn into a pointless argument.

Its clear alot of the guys don't 'understand' the 'passion' of the Old Skool riders and their attitude is very elitist..

I think having paid for my Silver License and my race fees throughout a series then I should be entitled to race at the Event that forms the conclusion of a great BMX series...

I think the A Final at Preston earlier this month proves that this is not a 'novelty' class.... yes there is a broad spectrum of ability but those of us with lesser skills are working hard to catch the faster more experienced riders.

I find it quite depressing that BCF could be so dismissive with little or NO feedback from the actual riders their descision with effect. 

[moomin]

QUOTE; I do agree with Glen though that we should have our own championship, perhaps run independantly of the regional system but during the regionals if that makes sense.

It does make sense & as long as the regional clubs would allow us to take part in their events, while still remaining independant, then i believe it would work well & in our favour, though i'm not sure if this creates issues with insurance etc, which may be one of many reason why we need some form of membership. If riders are going to race a series/season then we want/need/deserve a platform to stage the pinnacle of our achievements & there is no better place to stage that (& for maximum exposure) than the brits. Whether THEY have decided NOT to recognise us doesn't mean the Bmxing community follows suit & i'm sure ALL racing, old school or otherwise is welcomed ANYWHERE!
Trophy presentation would be a real eye opener 

You've hit the nail on the head Kev and this is where we need to seek clasrification from BCF.  You're only allowed to race Novice for a certain amount of time and then you have to move to expert and pay the relevent membership fees, this was partly why we sought a recognised class as the insurance does not cover the Old School class.  I for 1 will not support Old School at Regionals if we are expected tp pay for Membership and full fees and then not get inclusion at the Brits, end of

[medved]

my post on BMX talk:

there is varying opinion on here as to the relevance and usefulness of have an old skool class.

the one thing i have found extremely useful about old skool is that it serves as a way in for older riders who have never ridden.

i am 29, have never raced BMX previous to a few months ago. I had the joy of being put in with 30-39 expert cruiser at the first regional race meet i went to because there werent any novice riders my age.

the second race event i went to was the southern champs at andover. I got put in 17+ payback  as i turned up with a 20"

had it not been for the old skool class i would have turned around and gone home after the first race.

i see old skool as a good way into the sport for those of us who want to take up the sport, but dont have the racing knowledge or experience behind us to be in with 17+ or the age to be in 30+

i'm sure there are a few others like me, many who have stayed away because they cant see a way in for them beyong club race level.

that's why i will support the old skool

[nhoj]

Has anyone actually spoken to the person/people who make the decisions at the BCF?

Surely its a common sence decision to involve old skool, I can't think of any down sides.

[dialledbikes]

I voted for keeping old school at regionals and Brits.

I don't think nationals is the place for Old School (and I don't think many OS'ers want that either).  It's bad enough the spectators have to endure never-have-beens like me and Spillers duking it out for 7th and 8th place in the 40+ B-final at nationals, without having old school there as well 

OS should definitely be a proper regional and Brits class though.

[kevin (A.K.A) kai riviere]

the reality of the old school debate is that it appears the decision to relegate old school is a final one. i've always been of the impression that as a governing body BC wouldn't reverse their decision, as this would make them look even more incompetent than the do already. Judging from the response of many old schoolers that actually want to race Bmx (myself included) it seems that (for whatever reason) the  & for the foreseeable future they will either race their old school bikes in the 40+ 20" class or relegate their rides & head for masters or cruiser & i think BC know this, leaving the issue of lost revenue as a non issue. My rekindled passion for riding/racing Bmx rules out the only real action that would go in any way toward making BC stand up & take notice & that would be for all old school riders, nation wide, to "NOT" renew their membership & boycott racing all events in any class. I for one, at this stage in my return to Bmx, am not prepared to do this, though it would be intersting to know how many would.

[kevin (A.K.A) kai riviere]

I ride OS simply because i believe that it/we should be there to always remind those that have either forgotten or simply don't know about the sports history & heritage. The days of riding almost every weekend, rain or shine, with numbers in excess of what turned out for the brits on a regular basis is, in my opinion, reason enough. Being new to the new style of Bmx i have very little understanding of the running of the sport in it's current state but (see latest post in this thread) as i've said in my post, the ONLY way to make BC take notice is to hit them where it hurts & counts & that would be financially by means of a nationwide boycott by every rider in the class but as i've said, this is most unlikely to happen simply because of the passion to ride. obviously being exploited by BC. Though it would be most interesting to know how many would actually be prepared to commit to this degree of action for the period of time it would take.
The reality of the old school debate is that it appears the decision to relegate old school is a final one. i've always been of the impression that as a governing body BC wouldn't reverse their decision, as this would make them look even more incompetent than the do already. Judging from the response of many old schoolers that actually want to race Bmx (myself included) it seems that (for whatever reason) the  10_2_12 & for the foreseeable future they will either race their old school bikes in the 40+ 20" class or relegate their rides & head for masters or cruiser & i think BC know this, leaving the issue of lost revenue as a non issue. My rekindled passion for riding/racing Bmx rules out the only real action that would go in any way toward making BC stand up & take notice & that would be for all old school riders, nation wide, to "NOT" renew their membership & boycott racing all events in any class. I for one, at this stage in my return to Bmx, am not prepared to do this, though it would be intersting to know how many would & if the VAST majority we're prepared to do this for the cause then my stance would undoubtably change.

[dialledbikes]

Boycotts only cut off riders noses to spite their faces and not something I recommend en masse (fine if people want to make a personal stand).  Also, BMX is nowhere near united enough to make a boycott effective.  There will always be people who will cross the picket line because they either don't care, don't believe in what the boycott is about, or even use the boycott to their advantage to get a better result.

Best thing to do if people dont agree with what the commission and BCF are doing is bombard them with e-mails and get on their nerves.  Their contact details are on the BCF website.

[moomin]

Boycotts only cut off riders noses to spite their faces and not something I recommend en masse (fine if people want to make a personal stand).  Also, BMX is nowhere near united enough to make a boycott effective.  There will always be people who will cross the picket line because they either don't care, don't believe in what the boycott is about, or even use the boycott to their advantage to get a better result.

Best thing to do if people dont agree with what the commission and BCF are doing is bombard them with e-mails and get on their nerves.  Their contact details are on the BCF website.

Sounds daft Mike but do you have a link please? I was trying to find the other day and couldnt get any contacts up and no direct link to BMX 

[dialledbikes]

On the old BC site there was a page which listed each Commission member, what they did, and I also thought some contact details.

On the new site, this is all I could find on the Commission:  http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/bmx/article/bmxst_bmx_commission

[motomagII]

done

[big kev 40]

could we start another federation like back in the day when you had ukbmx nbmxa

[RATTY]

could we start another federation like back in the day when you had ukbmx nbmxa

The thought had crossed our minds