2014 VCL
Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:54 pm
Hi all:
John asked me to post a summary of the decisions we need to make about our involvement in the VCL. Basically, do we want races, do we want the beginner format, are we happy with Western Speedway or prefer something else?
VCL Format and History:
VCL is the weekly training series for road in Victoria. 2013 schedule http://duanebc.com/raceresults2013/VCL2013results.html
The various local road clubs split up the dates and collectively present a series that contributes to an overall standings. Categories are A, B and C. 2013 results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub ... utput=html
Courses (caleb, newton, latoria, windsor) tend to be short, one lane, and fairly technical for beginners, except the hillclimbs and counting tt's at Sidney.
Two seasons ago, C was a very small category, so not really appealing to beginner racers as they pretty much had to ride around alone or with one or two others. Tripleshot started a beginner series Monday nights then, that was nominally part of the VCL, but did not contribute to overall points. It was a hybrid clinic and race series at western speedway, so riders could begin racing without having to think about cars or technical courses. It got great reviews, but modest attendance.
The club also has organized Wednesday races at Western, which historically made money for the club. Last season we only had one Wednesday, which was rained out.
So, what do we want?
The VCL races are an ideal way to get into bunch racing, either the Wednesdays, or the beginner Mondays. (and the A and B races are competitive.) They're cheap, safe, close to home, not too long, friendly. It should be an easy step up for anyone doing regular Tripleshot group rides. But, the beginner races have not drawn well promoted simply as part of the VCL series. Probably because the VCL is mainly experienced riders that know what they want and the schedule is all most races need to draw riders. Beginners on the other hand don't know as well what they need or want.
This means that if we want to cater to more beginning racers, we probably need to more heavily promote our races to beginners if we want to continue to offer them. An alternative is to drop the beginner events, and focus on hosting Wednesday races with C races, at a circuit like Western, which would give some beginner racing, but likely not the clinic atmosphere as much.
Courses
The club is thinking about other courses. These require permission, neighbor relations, cleanup, etc. Western is simpler, but is on the west side of Victoria, and they charge rent of approx $250 a race (Al can you confirm?). It's terrible to drive to from downtown in traffic, but easy to ride to. The organization can be done with a backpack. Tents and brooms are available from the speedway.
There is also the opportunity to modify the plain oval with one or more chicanes into the infield and the go-cart hairpin.
Western is available Wednesdays from daylight time until June 18, when the hornet cars take over. Bookings are first come first served.
If there is interest, i can book, but we need to be sure members think it's what we want. And we need volunteers to help register, and score the races.
Traditionally, the VCL has a results team that scores and compiles results and standings. I believe its continuing, but am not sure until the first meeting.
We also need to know how many to ask for: other clubs may want the early Wednesdays when interest in cycling is high. We have to know we want these Wednesdays to get them on the schedule.
Finally, I'm fairly committed in the spring: I coach at the track April to August, Mondays and Thursdays 4:30 to 6:00, and help run the school league Tuesdays 3-7, in April and May. I can do Wednesdays, but Mondays require a bit too much juggling for the turnout we've had.
John asked me to post a summary of the decisions we need to make about our involvement in the VCL. Basically, do we want races, do we want the beginner format, are we happy with Western Speedway or prefer something else?
VCL Format and History:
VCL is the weekly training series for road in Victoria. 2013 schedule http://duanebc.com/raceresults2013/VCL2013results.html
The various local road clubs split up the dates and collectively present a series that contributes to an overall standings. Categories are A, B and C. 2013 results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub ... utput=html
Courses (caleb, newton, latoria, windsor) tend to be short, one lane, and fairly technical for beginners, except the hillclimbs and counting tt's at Sidney.
Two seasons ago, C was a very small category, so not really appealing to beginner racers as they pretty much had to ride around alone or with one or two others. Tripleshot started a beginner series Monday nights then, that was nominally part of the VCL, but did not contribute to overall points. It was a hybrid clinic and race series at western speedway, so riders could begin racing without having to think about cars or technical courses. It got great reviews, but modest attendance.
The club also has organized Wednesday races at Western, which historically made money for the club. Last season we only had one Wednesday, which was rained out.
So, what do we want?
The VCL races are an ideal way to get into bunch racing, either the Wednesdays, or the beginner Mondays. (and the A and B races are competitive.) They're cheap, safe, close to home, not too long, friendly. It should be an easy step up for anyone doing regular Tripleshot group rides. But, the beginner races have not drawn well promoted simply as part of the VCL series. Probably because the VCL is mainly experienced riders that know what they want and the schedule is all most races need to draw riders. Beginners on the other hand don't know as well what they need or want.
This means that if we want to cater to more beginning racers, we probably need to more heavily promote our races to beginners if we want to continue to offer them. An alternative is to drop the beginner events, and focus on hosting Wednesday races with C races, at a circuit like Western, which would give some beginner racing, but likely not the clinic atmosphere as much.
Courses
The club is thinking about other courses. These require permission, neighbor relations, cleanup, etc. Western is simpler, but is on the west side of Victoria, and they charge rent of approx $250 a race (Al can you confirm?). It's terrible to drive to from downtown in traffic, but easy to ride to. The organization can be done with a backpack. Tents and brooms are available from the speedway.
There is also the opportunity to modify the plain oval with one or more chicanes into the infield and the go-cart hairpin.
Western is available Wednesdays from daylight time until June 18, when the hornet cars take over. Bookings are first come first served.
If there is interest, i can book, but we need to be sure members think it's what we want. And we need volunteers to help register, and score the races.
Traditionally, the VCL has a results team that scores and compiles results and standings. I believe its continuing, but am not sure until the first meeting.
We also need to know how many to ask for: other clubs may want the early Wednesdays when interest in cycling is high. We have to know we want these Wednesdays to get them on the schedule.
Finally, I'm fairly committed in the spring: I coach at the track April to August, Mondays and Thursdays 4:30 to 6:00, and help run the school league Tuesdays 3-7, in April and May. I can do Wednesdays, but Mondays require a bit too much juggling for the turnout we've had.
