Ok so I'll throw this out there: I stepped away from racing in 2004. Sold it all. Put myself through college and got back into the sport 3 years ago.
During my hiatus, I picked up mountain bike racing as was fairly succesful at it. Raced the local OMBC and 331 series. OMBC was fairly comparable to our local series. Decent following, traditional race format and classes.
However, the 331 series was a whole nother animal. It still contained the traditional XC style races, but also had races comprised of time trails, team races, short tracks, and enduros. It touched all facades of the sport, kept the racing competive and interesting each weekend, and was a breath of fresh air into a stale sport, which arguably, is what our local series has become. You could purchase the whole series entry fee's up front at a discounted cost and NO membership was required. Awesome turnouts, hot dogs and beer post race. Folks would stick around 2-3 hours post race just to B.S.
So what's stopping us from doing this? Have a 10 race series through the year: 2 MX, 2 Harescrambles, 2 GP's, 2 Supercrosses (could even use the fair races for these), a team race, and a time trial. Cut out all of the bullshit classes, run an A,B,C, 2stroke, Vet +30, womens big bike classes. No engine size requirements. Run what ya brung. 65 and 85 mini classes, no age divisions.
This is what would bring me back personally, something other than the same old 3-5 laps we run. You have to keep the local scene interesting, otherwise we're.going to keep losing racers to practice days. Oh and quit charging racers to get into the damn race!
@ck1racerx @Route 62 mx park @MalvernMX @hershey @Meister @GeorgiePorgie what say you?