Helping out at the Handicap Race Thursday 15th May

[Keith]

[size=150]We still need a few more people to step forward and offer to help make this a safe and successful race.[/size]

I don't want to be having to withdraw ACC racers from the startlist in order to marshal (which is what has to happen if there aren't sufficient helpers.)

[size=150]I've emailed all those who have already offered to help - yet to receive a reply from many![/size]

[mlocke]

Hi Keith

I am available

Can I be lap board, bell & judge?

Thanks

Mark L

[Keith]

Thanks Mark.

[jowhiting]

Happy to help if needed.

[Keith]

[quote="jowhiting"]Happy to help if needed.

[jowhiting]

Happy to be wherever I'm put... within reason obviously! See you at HQ

[mark mclaughlin]

Hi Keith
Happy to help if your still short on numbers...hopefully I can get a lift from George??

[Keith]

[quote="mark mclaughlin"]Hi Keith
Happy to help if your still short on numbers...hopefully I can get a lift from George??

[George]

Yes Mark I will be leaving my place around 5pm give me a bell

[jowhiting]

Keith, I'm leaving work at 6 - should be with you at 6.20/6.30 - hope that's OK

[Keith]

A big thank-you to everyone who helped out tonight.



K

[Antloony]

Yep thanks Keith for a superbly organised race. A huge thanks to all the marshalls and helpers that gave up their time so we could race. Was lovely hearing the shouts of encouragement.

My race was hard but good. Shepherded Steve B for the last 3 laps and got him set up for the sprint after a hard lead out from me. Very happy with my form at the mo and having a 3 year break from racing hasn't dampened my love of it. Its great fun getting shouted at by Steve , just shows how good his race craft is.

Just a couple of points. Once again we never caught the groups in front. There was a lot of disgruntled riders at the finish due to this. 4 races so far this year and the front group has yet to be caught I believe. It certainly isn't from a lack trying. We're paying good money to race and riding hard to pick up 30th place? This situation can't carry on.

Second point is the matter of the car that was let through and headed towards us as we were finishing the race flat out. Why wasn't it stopped. That could have ended horribly.

[Keith]

I expect to continue organising races in some form, so a question to all helpers and competitors:

"Is there anything that could be improved upon?"

Feel free to email me. Thanks.

[Marek]

Ant, unfortunately it is illegal to stop the traffic, so if some idjut ignores the request to stop there is nowt you can do about it.

Handicapping can be quite hard to get right, Keith Butler was a master at it, maybe someone should ask his advice on the gaps that he thinks would be best. He was pretty good at getting it spot on depending on which riders rocked up, but it does require someone to know the quality of the overall field, which somehow he seemed to be able to get right most of the time.

Cheers

Marek....

[Antloony]

I hear ya Marek but from what I've heard no one tried to stop the car and the driver seemed quite shocked to see us all over the road. I know you get the odd idiot but thankfully the majority play ball and are pretty good.

As for the handicapping try asking the other riders. We know the strong guys and always laugh when they get put in the first or second group. I appreciate it's tricky but a little asking around might help if they're unsure of a riders talent.

Feels good to be back racing though.