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Time again for a newsletter after a successful first event to keep you updated and informed.
I think we can all agree that Omaruru was a great event after all. We had a record number of 76 entries. These are the most entries ever at a National enduro event as far as I can recall. We all hope this stays this way or even becomes more later this year. Thanks to Ingo and his team for a great track and thanks once again to Mr Waldschmidt senior for letting us ride on his farm once more.
Unfortunately, we had a few issues with transponders and clickers being missed. We as the Enduro Working Group, decided on a few measures to prevent these things from happening again. Firstly, we will improve on track marking, especially the marking of transponders. For the next race, we will have a Marshall at every transponder. This Marshall will make sure you swipe your tag at the transponder. We will not make use of pliers clickers in the future. Secondly, we will have riders inspecting the route the Sunday before the event to check the route marking. This will be done at every enduro from now on. The transponder will also be repacked so that no one can switch off the transponder during the race, neither by accident nor on purpose. We are confident that trough this we can eliminate the “human factor” from transponder issues and thereby can ensure that the transponders will be 100% reliable.
A few other things that we need to mention in this letters are:
1. Incident report forms
On the incident report forms, as the name already clearly says, you report on any incidents in writing. This means, if there is any kind of incident you came across during the race, you need to write this on the form. For example, if you ride over a chicken or crash into a donkey on the route you need to report that in writing, if you race into a fence, you will write that down or if you collide with another rider, you’ll put this in writing, if you fall and you break your arm, you’ll also write that down. AND just as important is that you hand in your duly completed form after the event. At the last event there were 16 riders who did not hand in their forms. We know who you are! The SR clearly state, that, if you don’t hand in your form, you will be fined N$ 100,- and believe me you guys will be paying this from the next event on. We will be very strict on this rule.
2. 75% Rule
At enduro there is a 75% rule, this means, you can be classified as a finisher even when only completing 75% of the total race distance. However, there are a few things which you will have to keep in mind:
- The 75% rule can only be applied if the race leader has finished the race. This means if rider A, who is the race leader is still out on the course, you can not finish your race and apply the 75% rule because you have a flat tyre. You will have to wait before the finish line till rider A crosses it and only them you can cross it and finish your race.
- You will also have to cross the line in your full riding gear. You can not leave the bike at the finish line, go and have a shower and later come back and push your bike over the line.
- If you have gone out on your last lap and your bike brakes, you can not apply the rule because you have done maybe 3 out of 4 laps. You will then get a DNF or you must finish the lap.
- You must inform race control that you are finished and tell them you want the 75% rule to apply.
If you don’t do this, you will also get a DNF.
3. Pit Rules
There are a few rules in place that have to be followed in the pits. One of these are that you have to have a Environmental mat in your pits and you can only refuel a bike on this mat. You also must have a fire extinguisher in your pits. At least one per pit. There are severe penalties if you don’t adhere to these rules, which could even lead you being excluded from the race. If you are riding in the pits, you can only do this in first gear. First gear we mean at walking pace, and not first gear full throttle!
Alcohol is also not allowed in the pits during the race.
What ever you do in the pits please respect others.
4. Price giving
The Price-giving for the Omaruru Event will be held at Monte-Christo together with the Year-end price giving for the 2009 season and the Monte-Christo price giving.
At the next event scruteneering of bikes will also be very strict again. Especially in the national classes. Make sure your number are correct. Make sure you have nerf-bars, a dead man switch and orange rear lights on your quad. These things are for the safety of yourself and others on the track so please make sure everything is as it is suppose to be.
I have received phone calls from Windhoek residents, complaining about loud bikes/quads that ride in the streets. This is especially noted in Academia where guys ride their MX and Enduro bikes/quads to the service station to refuel. Please guys, if you ride in the streets, just ride slow and respect others. I don’t think it is necessary to race to the service station at 2o clock on a Sunday afternoon.
This is it from me for now.
If you are not sure about something, read your SR’s and SSR’s first. If you can not find it in there, you are welcome to contact me and ask me.
| Author: Heiko Hennes / Enduro Working Group |
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