In response to the outcry against that decision the Road Race Committee have answered everyone with a simple reference to an old press release. With that, they consider the matter closed!
- Quote:
"The Road Racing Committee received applications from 3 riders in their 30's for the 250cc class. After careful and lengthy deliberation it was decided that none of the 3 applicants would be of a high enough competitive standard for a wild card entry.
This decision also took into consideration information submitted in connection with the 2003 and 2004 Grand Prix's and the results of these races".
If that seems to be ageist and uninformed to you, then you are probably in the majority.
If you expected those "careful and lengthy deliberations" to include an actual conversation with the applicants, you would be disappointed.
If you think that there would be any sensible answer to an appeal against this decision, you would be disappointed.
If you think that such a decision fits the ACU mission statement, you would be disappointed.
Despite an upsurge of discontent at this decision, the Road Race department have refused to change their minds.
----------
Dave Stewart of BMCRC took up the cudgels on the riders behalf and his letter to the Road Race Committee sums up the rational argument.
- Quote:
Jim,
Further to our chat on Friday, I would ask that you reconsider the Road Race Committee decision no to endorse the 3 250cc "Wild Card" applications on the following basis:
It may not have been presented to the committee in the correct light.
All 3 riders have up to date machinery, well capable of making a satisfactory qualifying time. Dan Tarratt has a 2003 Honda with the latest ignition kit and a spare 2002 machine. Andy Meacham has a 2003 Honda TSR with the latest TSR package. Ian Gardner has a brand new 2005 Yamaha TZM with multi adjustable ignition system.
All 3 riders have set faster lap times than Lee Dickinson (accepted and qualified at last years GP) at the first 3 rounds of this years MRO Championship.
Like it or not, the MRO Championship is the highest level of 250GP competition held under ACU jurisdiction.
All 3 riders know that the weekend will cost them in excess of £5000 and are prepared for that outlay. They would not be prepared for that level of commitment if they did not believe they could qualify for the race.
The comment that last year, 2 of the riders failure to qualify was embarrassing to the ACU and counter-productive to GP racing in Great Britain is incorrect. The riders missed out by a fraction of a second through inexperience, not lack of pace. Both riders were within the qualifying time until less than 2 minutes from the end of the final session. Pole position was reduced by 8 tenths of a second on the last flying lap thus reducing the qualification maxima with too little time left for the riders in pit lane to put in another flying lap.
The fact that both riders accepted this with good grace and thanked all concerned (including the ACU) for the opportunity to take part was a positive thing for 250 GP racing in Great Britain. You cannot be unaware of the increase in interest in the class since last season. The 3 wild cards have been excellent ambassadors for the class and it has helped to revive this once ailing class. Refusal to allow these 3 committed young men to compete could undo all the good work and good will generated over the past 12 months.
It might help to note that whilst we are talking about people with 'no chance' of winning, the US Masters has just been won by a player deemed incapable of making the cut even from the qualifying competition!
I am confident that all 3 riders will acquit themselves well, all they need is a little good will from their own federation to allow them that chance. Please look at this in a favourable and sporting light.
No one knows the result until after the competition, otherwise there would be no point in running the event.
Dave Stewart
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Just complaining to the ACU is futile, as we have found in the past. The only way to break through this rhinoceros-like thick skin, is to hit them where it hurts.
We need some (peaceful) action directed against its representatives and as much publicity as possible. If we are to make any headway with this we need as many people as possible to e-mail the FIM, Dorna, Eurosport (Julian Ryder and Toby Moody), MCN, Bikesport News and Donington Park (Brian Pallett).
Jeremy McWilliams is already on the case with Dorna but if we want to make a difference, it will take weight of numbers, so don't sit on your hands - get
typing.
The Road Race Committee representation is made up of individuals from New Era MCC (Jim Parker - the Big cheese), ? MCRCB (BSB) and Darley Moor MCC. ? Write to them - phone them, email them and let them know how you feel about this!
Here are some contacts to get us started:
Bikesportnews@aol.com
gary.pinchin@emap.com (MCN)
ROADRACE.COM
J Parker 172
Tower Rd
Ware
Herts
SG12 7LL
Tel 01992 551 564
C Appleyard
The Meadows
106b Skipton Rd
Silsden
Keighley
West Yorks
BD20 9DA
Tel 01535 606311
D Barnfield (MCRCB)
PO Box 6450
Woodford Haise
Daventry
NN11 3ZD
Tel 01327 264 010
email doug.barnfield@mcrcb-events.co.uk
M Boddice
447 Stourport Rd
Kidderminster
Worcs
DY11 7BD
Tel 01562 751 770
D Carter (AMRCO) Thruxton Circuit
Andover
Hants
SP11 8PN
Tel 01264 772607
R Fearnall Motorsportsvison
Brands Hatch
Fawkenham
Kent
R Hanks
50 Lynhurst Rd
Erdington
Birmingham
B24 8QS
Tel 0121 686 3799
E Nelson
Anvil House
Derby Rd
Old Tupton
Chesterfield
Derbyshire
S42 6LA
Tel 01246 866537
email eddie@darleymoor.co.uk
----------------
Please don't hesitate to contact www.motoforum.net if you can advise of any further contacts that may be useful and we would be grateful if you could pass this onto as many sources as possible (especially internet sites).
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Supporters of a better future for Road Racing
Posted on behalf of Nigel Moss
_________________
Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM
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