Graduating requirements

[UKDuc]

I emailed the novice rep and Joel for this info but haven't heard back yet so asking here. What is the requirement for getting signed off on the track component? I have completed 6 novice races without crashing but no-one watched me (the graduating form says you need to be watched). I know I have to do an air fence setup and marshalling (which I plan to do on the 6th of May) to get to expert, but I don't want to do any more novice races.

My question is: Can someone watch me in a practice session and sign me off for the track component OR do I need to do another novice race without crashing under the watchful eye of someone to sign me off? I obviously would prefer to just be watched in practice.

Would appreciate an authoratative answer on this from the WMRRA folks in the know.

Thanks,
Andy

[Steve]

Joel isn't the novice rep anymore. Diane is so you may want to get in contact with her.

[UKDuc]

I emailed them both and haven't heard from them yet (nearly 2 weeks now) so maybe the WMRRA email addresses are not the best way to get hold of them. Anyone know of a better way to contact Diane?

[timk]

The xxx@wmrra.com email addresses are just aliases which redirect the mail to their regular accounts, so it shouldn't make any difference whether you are sending to the wmrra addresses or to the ones to which those redirect. I'd suggest just trying again.

But by my reading of the novice graduation form and the rulebook , you were supposed to fill out and submit the form before you rode that sixth heat so that the appropriate people would know to watch you. IMO a strict interpretation would indicate that you need to run another novice heat, and this time fill out and submit the form first so you get watched.

-tim

B.14.c.V says in part: "The burden shall be on the particular novice to ensure that he or she is so observed." Also note that B.14.c.IV says you need to "Be observed by the referee or his designee [...]", so you might want to try sending email to the referee and asking your question.

[Mr Sunshine]

B.14.c.V says in part: "The burden shall be on the particular novice to ensure that he or she is so observed." Also note that B.14.c.IV says you need to "Be observed by the referee or his designee [...]", so you might want to try sending email to the referee and asking your question.

I read that too and it isn't clear because it uses "racing conduct" in potentionally two different contexts. The reference in section IV I would think it should be during a race because it says "racing conduct". Practice isn't a race although you would show some of your "racing conduct" during practice.

But then section V goes to say that you need to be observed for an entire practice session where your "racing conduct" will be examined.

So the rules in this particular case are unclear BUT I personally think that secion IV is intended to mean during an actual race which means he'll need to do one more Novice heat and be sure to be observed during that heat.


Section B.14.C

IV. Be observed by the referee or his designee, who will examine all aspects of the rider's racing conduct to determine whether his skill level and safe behavior are sufficient to grant entry into expert classes.

V. Be observed by at least one of the designated WMRRA expert instructors who participate in the regular novice practices for at least one full practice session. Said instructor(s) will examine all aspects of the rider's racing conduct to determine whether their skill level and safe behavior are sufficient to grant entry into expert classes. The burden shall be on the particular novice to ensure that he or she is so observed. The requirements of part IV and this part carry equal weight and both must be fulfilled to graduate from the novice class.

[shematt145]

It's my understanding that the observation happens in the Novice heat.

From a registration pov being observed in practice doesn't give you any advantages since you can't register for Expert races until you've been graduated and all registration has to be complete by 9:00am. So even if you could get observed in practice it would be after registration is closed and therefore you couldn't register for Expert heats until the next day.

Shellie

[UKDuc]

Thanks for your replies which all make sense. The way I see it I have to do this:

1) Be observed by an expert instructor

2) Be observed by the race director (referee or his designee)

My confusion is whether I can do all of the above in ONE practice, or if I can do #1 on a trackday and #2 in a practice or if I need to do #1 in a practice and #2 in a novice race heat.

It is looking at least like I can not graduate and race in expert on the same day, so maybe I will have to run another novice race - it is just that if I crashed in race 7 after successfully completing 6 races including racing in rain and hail without incident, then it would suck big time :)

[skidmarx]

Diane will be at the club meeting next week...you can talk to her in person. Joel is likely to be there also.

[UKDuc]

Diane will be at the club meeting next week...

Unfortunately I won't be :(

I'll try and email again and if that doesn't work I suppose I will just have to go the route of running another race.

Two questions on this approach:

1) If I crash after completing 6 races without crashing, do I have to start again in novice???

2) This will mean I cannot do my marshalling requirement on May 6th and airfence setup (as planned) and I will be doing the American supercamp on the 7th SO, I will have to do it at Spokane. My question is, do they do an airfence setup there - in my memory they do not. If they don't, then I guess that means I have to defer graduation another weekend until I can get the airfence setup done....

[Mr Sunshine]

Unfortunately I won't be :(

I'll try and email again and if that doesn't work I suppose I will just have to go the route of running another race.

Two questions on this approach:

1) If I crash after completing 6 races without crashing, do I have to start again in novice???

2) This will mean I cannot do my marshalling requirement on May 6th and airfence setup (as planned) and I will be doing the American supercamp on the 7th SO, I will have to do it at Spokane. My question is, do they do an airfence setup there - in my memory they do not. If they don't, then I guess that means I have to defer graduation another weekend until I can get the airfence setup done....

You can setup the airfence and still race on the 6th. Then you can marshal the first day in Spokane.

[UKDuc]

You can setup the airfence and still race on the 6th. Then you can marshal the first day in Spokane.

That sounds like the right solution :) That is what I think I will do. Wasn't sure I would be able to get both done in the same day.

[irnieracing]

What happens when I novice racer wins by a big margain in his or her first couple of novice races? Can a rider be bumped to expert more quickly?

Do the 750's race in the open class with the liter bikes? where are the classes listed?

[Mr Sunshine]

What happens when I novice racer wins by a big margain in his or her first couple of novice races? Can a rider be bumped to expert more quickly?

Do the 750's race in the open class with the liter bikes? where are the classes listed?

What happens is the novice has to complete their 6 heats safely. They still have to do their volunteer work (1 airfence setup or 2 tear downs and corner working). And they still have to submit their grad form to the race director to be observed and hopefully signed off. A fast novice isn't nessarly a safe or consitent novice.

As to the 750s. There are two classes specifically for them. 750SS and 750 Superbike. But you can run the 750 in Open Supersport and Formula Ultra but you will be running against liter bikes.


Edit: BTW: Nobody "wins" a novice heat as it isn't a race. It is a place to learn how to race and how to do it safely. So whether you come in first or you come in last if you ran the heat safely and finished, you won.

[irnieracing]

hey thanks thatman. some very informative replies.

How many novice heats take place every year? Are you saying the novice "series" is just a warm up, before being able to actually race in a series with points and competition.

By completing 6 novice races, will I have missed the expert races, therefor having no chance in expert 2007 points series?

If only their was a way to actually race in 2007.

[Mr Sunshine]

hey thanks thatman. some very informative replies.

How many novice heats take place every year? Are you saying the novice "series" is just a warm up, before being able to actually race in a series with points and competition.

By completing 6 novice races, will I have missed the expert races, therefor having no chance in expert 2007 points series?

If only their was a way to actually race in 2007.

Every race weekend there are 2 novice heats. One on Sat and one on Sunday (except when the 6 hour endurance race happens and then both heats are on the same day). There are 8-9 events a year so that's 16-19 novice heats a year. More than enough opportunity to get the heats in an graduate.

And yes Novice is a "warm-up" time. You aren't getting any points, trophies or money for your placement. So the deal is, finish the damn race. Don't be stupid, be safe and get to the end. If you do then great!

Now after you finish your 6 heats and the rest of the requirements (including sign off) you can start racing in the expert classes and get some points, money, trophies, fame, whatever. You change your number from the 900 series number to a 800 series number. Your plate retains the yellow background. This is for the rest of the year. After that you can apply for an expert license and the lowest available number for the next season. Then you run the number assigned and a white plate....and enjoy the ride.

So yes there is a way to actually "race" in 2007...its just that you'll be in novice for at least 4 weekends to get there.

[Hypnotiq]

You may also petition for early graduation (you still must complete your volunteer work) if you feel that you are moving fast enough to run in the Expert classes.

Though usually you'll be approached about graduating early, not the other way around. ;)

[Ex Presidente]

Nico is right however there are very few Novices that get graduated early.

[Mr Sunshine]

Nico is right however there are very few Novices that get graduated early.

Yes cause if a Novice would have graduated early it would have been Nico!! :)

[irnieracing]

You may also petition for early graduation (you still must complete your volunteer work) if you feel that you are moving fast enough to run in the Expert classes.

Though usually you'll be approached about graduating early, not the other way around. ;)

I'm glad their is a way to graduate early. Gives me hope, as travelling is expensive.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f221/namesmarcel/outofcorner41small.jpg

[Mr Sunshine]

Oh don't get me started on that picture...I'll stay off the soapbox.

[irnieracing]

what race classes are most popular with WMRRA?

[Mr Sunshine]

Define popular?

Most entries? 600SS. Most favorite to watch? Mine is Formula Ultra cause them dudes are physco!

[timk]

where are the classes listed?
The details of exactly which bikes are allowed in which classes are all in the rulebook. There is a searchable online version here: http://www.wmrra.com/rules.html

But you'd probably get a better feel for which bikes actually race in which class by looking at some race results: http://www.wmrra.com/results.html

Cheers,
-tim

[irnieracing]

The details of exactly which bikes are allowed in which classes are all in the rulebook. There is a searchable online version here: http://www.wmrra.com/rules.html

But you'd probably get a better feel for which bikes actually race in which class by looking at some race results: http://www.wmrra.com/results.html

Cheers,
-tim

hey.. that helped a lot.

I was surprised to see people racing in multiply classes? If I race a 750, I can enter 750ss, and in Open class, with the liter bikes?

[Mr Sunshine]

hey.. that helped a lot.

I was surprised to see people racing in multiply classes? If I race a 750, I can enter 750ss, and in Open class, with the liter bikes?

Yes. The rules specify limits not minimums. So if you want to run a 600 in Formula Ultra you are more than welcome to...although it would be pretty stupid to do that.

[Hypnotiq]

I dont know about that. Jake Frame did pretty well in OpenSS on a 600.

Granted, the Superbikes are running faster than the 600's by a couple-few seconds a lap but a 600 can still be out there and not be owned too bad. Depends o n the rider. :)

[piper907]

I did better in 750ss than I did in 600ss/sb last weekend on my GSXR600... :confused:

[Mr Sunshine]

I dont know about that. Jake Frame did pretty well in OpenSS on a 600.

Granted, the Superbikes are running faster than the 600's by a couple-few seconds a lap but a 600 can still be out there and not be owned too bad. Depends o n the rider. :)

I didn't say OpenSS...I said Formula Ultra. :)

[Hypnotiq]

Statement still stands, its still only a few seconds difference. :)

[AndrewN]

I did better in 750ss than I did in 600ss/sb last weekend on my GSXR600... :confused:

yeah. i ran in the 750 classes, and I was only lapped by 2 or 3 guys in both classes - not much difference - the 750 classes, just got a little smaller at the end of the front straight. Not to many people there either - maybe it was because it was Spokane. ??

[irnieracing]

How does entry work for multiple classes? Do we pay for each class?

[Lauralynne]

How does entry work for multiple classes? Do we pay for each class?


all of your answers can be found by reading this: http://www.wmrra.com/rules.html

[Mr Sunshine]

Statement still stands, its still only a few seconds difference. :)
Formula Ultra from the last round Mike ran a 1:27.480 and had the fastest lap of the race

600SS from the last round Mike ran a 1:30.751 and had the fastest lap of the race.

I don't know about you but 3.271 is alot of time when you are talking about those lap times. Sure they only lap you a part of a lap sooner...but it still is a significant amount of time.

[Hypnotiq]

3 is a few still right? :)

I just dont think its that insane to go out if you're trying to get some practice with a less full grid. :)