Julie has asked me to post this on here prior to the next regional meeting on the 18th Sept,any ideas,suggestions please make them known to Julie before this date.
email from roger Wilbraham reads.......
It has been suggested on several occasions that the Brits qualification is tightened up. The BMX Commission still wish for regions to have a big say in how this is administered. Rather than being dictated to (yes, I know it makes your life easier), the opportunity for regions to work together and come up with an agreed solution could be explored. Martin Baxter (South Region Secretary) has initiated this, so hopefully Martin will start the debate off. No need to include me in your discussions, only if you have a question.
Areas to explore are:
Minimum number of regionals to qualify:
It's currently 3 according to BC regs. There's no need for this to be standardised across regions, as each region has a different number of tracks and geographical spread. I feel that the South West ask a little too much of their riders, but that's the region's call. If events are good enough, the riders will come. The perception of qualification is a disincentive for some. Too many regionals to qualify and the perception could be what's the point of doing any if I can't qualify.
Dispensation:
The most difficult one to nail down, but the more regionals you ask someone to do, the more requests you'll get. What are the areas you get requests about?
Work
Other cycling
Other sport
Finance
Living abroad
Injury
Each one may need identifying and possible scenarios addressing. You may also have to agree a standard dispensation request period. For example, open up the dispensation requests early and it's giving the rider an excuse to try it on. Open up a period of 2 weeks, say during late July and most regionals are over and the requests should be lower or at least more controlled.
Should a minimum cost be attached to a dispensation request? I know some regions allow a rider in if they pay for a missed regional. A contentious one, but if that dispensation cost had an administration cost attached, it might be more acceptable. On average, I'd pay £15-£20 in fuel to get to a race, so maybe this should be reflected. Each round missed cost £20 to apply plus the cost of the race. Favours the rich? Maybe, but it could be an option only if a rider is one race short of qualifying.
It's only guide. There's probably more issues you wish to address
