Race Report:

BMX/BSX Race and King of Dirt 9th March 2003

 

1.   Our sponsors:

·       We like to thank the following sponsor for their support:

§       National Park Board

§       Boon Bike Supply

§       Seng Chun Heng Trading

§       Teck Hock Hin Trading

§       Ban Hin Chan Trading

§       Miz 29

§       Spitfire

2.   Total number of participants: 57

·       Racers: 44 (of which 2 are ladies who raced with the male BSX racers.)

·       Dirt Jumpers: 13

·       There were 7 motos in this race, one more than our first race. It’s a long way from having 89 motos on Fridays, and 119 motos on Saturday, but we are progressing steadily.

 

3.   Total number of volunteers: 30

·       Pre-Race set up: Thanks to S.Ramanathan, Gardahfi, Alfred de Kuttig, Bam Bam, Amsyar, Rahmat, Amir, Sallehin, Ivor, Hubert Ee, Uncle Sapari.

·       Race Day: Max, John Tan, Alan O, Beverly, Ping, Tchi Mun, Yan, Adrian, Ai Li, Boon Lim, Ryan Chua, Balal, Razey, Sahrun, Ming Huei, Ping, Ariff and Osman.

 

4.   New gate command was introduced in this race. In the past, the command was ‘riders ready, pedals ready, go’. This race, we adopted a clearer and snappier command, “on the gate, set them up. Riders ready, watch the gate’.

We wish to assure the racers that our gate-starter will continue to improve on the consistency in gate command.

 

5.   Event sequence: The day kicked off with BMX and BSX race. When the BMX / BSX moto stage was completed, the King of Dirt (Dirt jump competition) started their show simultaneously.

 

There were many feedbacks about the lack of rest in between motos. Racers preferred to have 5 to 10 minutes rest before they head off to the gate.

 

Due to the hot weather, we need to keep the race tight.  Racers can have their rest in-between qualifying rounds, i.e. semi-finals and finals.

 

As the fun gets more serious and competition gets tighter, racers should prepare their own food and drinks.

 

6.   Registration procedure

BMX / BSX race administration is different from that of other bicycle disciplines.

 

Each racer has his/her own designated race number. The race categories are also different.

 

Planning for 100 meters dash in athletics is different from marathon. The former is equivalent to BMX/BSX race.

 

Racers will grouped into a moto group, each no more than 8 racers.

 

Based on the feedback from racers, good racers will be seeded according to their current ranking in category and separated from each other in the moto stage.

 

The BMX sub-committee will be considering the feasibility of implementing computerized registration and moto-planning. This will cut down manpower; shorten racers’ time at registration counter.

 

7.   Seeding

There was feedback that racers of similar qualities are grouped unevenly in the motos. They suggested that racers be seeded, and separated in the moto stage.

 

The moto planner will look into this in the next race (18th May).

 

8.   No distraction on starting hill

Gate start is one of the important aspect of BMX / BSX race. The BMX sub-committee want broaden their experience by providing an environment for snapping the gate.

 

Hence, our Starting Hill Officials (SHO) will ensure that only racers who are starting on the gate, and the racers preceding the moto will be allowed on the starting hill. This will reduce noise level and distraction.

 

9.   Issue on transferring to Semi-final

Tongues were wagging on why a certain racer fell, got a bad finishing and still qualified for the semi-final.

Well, according to the UCI rule (Section X para. (E) Part D, a racer who starts but does not complete the round will be awarded points equivalent to the total number of racers in the moto.

 

In the case of the said-racer, he did well in the first two rounds of the moto. His total moto point was among the lowest, hence, he was transferred to semi-final round.

 

10.         What happens next?

a.    Adult-racers in Tampines may want to avoid paying $5 levy for late registration by pre-registering at  Seng Chun Hin Trading (located at Blk 272, Tampines St 22, #01-22).

 

b.   Bike inspection

                                         i.     The Bike Inspection procedure will be more stringent in the next two races.

                                       ii.     After registration and during race practice, racers will be required to report to Bike Inspectors located at the foot of Starting Hill. 

                                     iii.     Their bicycles, helmet and clothing shall be subject to inspection by our Bike Inspector (B.I.). before racers could move up to the starting hill for practice.

                                     iv.     Each bicycle will get a sticker from our B.I. Racers without the sticker will not be allowed to stage the gate during the race.

c.    Post-Race Video Screening

                                         i.     It is set on 5th April (Saturday)

                                       ii.     At Tampines-Changkat Community Club – auditorium – 4th floor.

                                     iii.     Time: 4 to 6pm.

                                     iv.     Admission free of charge.

                                       v.     Those cycling to the club may want to arrive at the club by 3:45pm. The club will allocate a secure place to store our bicycles.

d.   Practice Race

                                         i.     On 6th April (Sunday)

                                       ii.     Time: 5:30pm.

                                     iii.     Where: Tampines BMX track.

                                     iv.     The Focus:

1.    Gate start (see your gate start in video)

2.    Time trial.

3.    Team sparring.

e.    Feeback

                                         i.     We are open to suggestions and feedback on how the BMX / BSX race could be improved. You may contact Loong or visit Feedback: BMX / BSX 02 9th March 2003

f.     More information how to start BMX / BSX race.

                                         i.     Basic BMX racing tips with Jim Boswell.

                                       ii.     How to maintain the BMX/BSX track