VCL 5 at western speedway

[Lister Farrar]

Hi John. What's the schedule for next week? I have a bunch of u15s who need some bunch experience before Tour de Bloom in Wenatchee, Wa. Will C go at 6pm for about 20 minutes?

Some may have parents willing to volunteer, especially before the race, so they can leave after the c race if their busy schedules demand.

[John D]

Hi Lister....I'm going to assume that you were referring to our VCL rep, John T.

J.

[Lister Farrar]

Hi Lister....I'm going to assume that you were referring to our VCL rep, John T.

J.

Yes, sorry John.

[JohnT]

I learned this morning that Mark Ford will race in C next Wednesday. His first race! If that isn't enough to draw an enormous crowd, I don't know what is. Maybe this: I will take attendance! That sometimes works here on campus

I was planning on calling you Lister, probably still will, but no reason not to discuss it here and encourage input from others.

6pm Start

Do I need keys to get in, e.g., to open things up for warming up at 5:30 pm?

C race: 15 or 20 min and then 5 laps (a little like the Windsor Park Crit. format). Done by 6:30 pm.

A and B:

Option 1:
A and B race together: 50 minutes and then 10 lap count-down.

Option 2:
Separate A and B: 25 minutes and 5 lap count-down.

All done by 7:30 pm.

To tell the truth, I don't know when it becomes too dark to race. If we're good till 8pm, then separate A and B races could be 40 minutes long. Separate would be better for scoring (i.e., keeping track of lapped riders). Or do we pull lapped riders?

I mentioned at 6 am today that IRC is taking care of results. I have a feeling that they could use all the help they can get at the Speedway. Can someone (or many) volunteer to film the event? That would be fun to post on our site and would help a lot with scoring.

Lister, can we request the concession stand, or might we be allowed to sell hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.?

JT

[Lister Farrar]

Thanks John. Sounds good to me. I'd go for separate races if you can. Better short than a blow-out for the b's.

I'm recommending to all our youth riders to do C as well. Could be the largest age range ever at a vcl-10-70+! I'll be riding out with the youth team, so arriving 5:30, 5:45.

I believe we can request the concession. One of the youth parents has business dealings with the speedway and has discussed this for the school league race there. Which is the day before, so my hands are full with that one. I'll get the contact and pass along to you.

I have lap cards and ziplocks of forms, if someone can come and pick up. Its a race in a backpack.

Re getting in, it's usually open when I arrive. I'd call the day before and ask our contact what she prefers. She sometimes refers me to the caretaker to open bathrooms or accept cheques.

One feature we have for the school race you might want; there's a sound system there with a wireless mike and music input. Maybe ask for that, and crank the tunes to race by. It will make this venue unique for another reason in the vcl.

What's the soundtrack to ricky bobby like?

[JohnT]

Thoughts on pulling lapped racers?

There's always a risk of a single break-away lapping the field. Could make it exciting for spectators to witness, but not so much fun for racers, e.g., if someone shows up and completes the job in 10 minutes.

On the other hand, keeping track of people 1, 2, 3, ..... 7 laps down will be impossible.

Ideas? Anyone?

[Lister Farrar]

a common procedure in crits, where a break laps the field, is the field sprints with X laps to go, and the break continues to full distance. I'd say at least five laps in this case because it's a short lap. that way the field doesn't mess with the break sprint.

[Lister Farrar]

The concession stand is available and they are getting back to me with a menu for us to promote. I've suggested some less-unhealthy stuff, like, subs, chili, and juice. Post here if you must have something else.

The PA is available, someone has to pick up the mike and key from rv park manager.

One more option about lapped riders, maybe ask lapped riders to drop out, say at 10 to go, bunch at 5, then break sprints at full distance. (if both lapped riders and a break lapping the bunch are an issue).

[chrisb]

I'm planning on riding in this one, but I'm not sure what category I fit into...
Lister - any thoughts?
what is the distance on this?

Thanks!

[Lister Farrar]

Hi Chris
I think you're strong enough for B, though C's not a bad idea for getting the feel of a race if its your first, with a greater margin of error in fitness so you can not be on the edge of control through fatigue.

The distance is mentioned above I think, but it's likely to be about 30-40 minutes. Not long, the main challenge is positioning and managing the surges in speed with attacks and easing, and the bunch flowing around. Keep your head up and move predictably and not erratically. Watching the front will give you notice of what's happening, ie when they're attacking and when they're easing so you can go easy on the brakes and accelerate before gaps open. Avoid overlapping wheels, leave some room for others, use your voice (eg 'on your right') are key safety principles.

React to the moves, jump across gaps rather than pull the whole group up, save a bit for the sprint, and you're golden.

[katew]

I mean, how hard can that be?

[John D]

I mean, how hard can that be?

Everything you need to know about bike racing - in 100 words or less!

Does this mean you're in for Wednesday, Kate?

[stevierooks]

So I said to Terra, "That new guy Christian Bugslag is planning on racing this Wednesday!"
She says "Are you gonna race Steve?"
I says "I dunno. Im thinking about it. Im nervous"
She says "What are you talking about!? You should go race, then you could just go as fast as you want and you wouldnt have to worry about them yelling at you to 'steady up'."

"Awww...I love you T"

I'm in for B race. And Ive been looking at your Strava times Mr Bugslag...I'll be fortunate to be on your wheel now

Rooks

[trevor]

As start at 6:30?

[JohnT]

I'll type out a schedule today and send it to clubs. But, to answer your question Trevor:

6:00 pm start for C
6:30 pm start for B
7:00 pm (most likely) start for A, maybe 7:15.

Concession stand open (bring family to watch and eat 'dinner')

JT

[JohnT]

A couple of people (yes, not just one) asked about dogs at the race. Speedway say: It's up to us, and that they don't allow it at their events. So, if this makes or breaks your ability to come and race or watch, then bring the dog on a strong leash (not to mention doggy baggies). It can be funny when a dog runs onto a soccer field mid-game - it isn't at all funny when this happens at a bike race (lots of TdF videos available to make this point), so it's acceptable if absolutely necessary.

JT

[JohnT]

Schedule of events (minor revisions to what was posted before):

5:30 pm Track Opens
6:00 pm C race: 20 minutes plus 5 laps
6:30 pm B race: 30 minutes plus 5 laps
7:10 pm A race: 40 minutes plus 5 laps

JT

[Andrew L]

I'm going to come out for the B race tomorrow. Is there a meeting place and time for riding out there?

[stevierooks]

For anyone riding out tonight, I'll meet at the switch bridge then ride then through Atkins to Millstream.
As it is Ill plan to leave at 5:00
We'll have to stop at a store because I gotta get some smokes and a bag of chezzies but otherwise it should be a straight shot

Rooks

[Rolf]

Rooks: I like you and all, but don't you be knockin' the Hawkins!

They're one of the only reliable source of trans fats left in the grocery store.

Good luck and thanks to all you volunteer organizers (and racers) for delivering Tripleshot's contributions to Victoria's bike race scene.