NORTH KENT TRIALS COMBINE MEETING HELD 18th January 2007.
Clubs Present: Sidcup, Bexleyheath, Erith, Double Five, Owls, Kent Youth. (6 clubs with 8 members present)
Chair: Colin Mote
Apologies for absence: Peter Burton.
Minutes of Last Meeting: Ok
Matters Arising: None
Jan 14th Team Trial NKTC @ Stonegate: Stewards report read out, 3 laps of 13 sections and it started on time. With 62 riders in the programme 3 non-starters and 5 entries on the day this meant that there were a total of 64 competitors. With a good entry 13 sections were laid out but the daily changing weather conditions brought out the best of our Clerk of the Course who did a brilliant job that gave the riders a really good day out. Well thought out trial putting the onus on the rider to get the best out of the trial. Well done Colin.
Comment from those present agreed.
Poor return of the ‘feedback form’ but it is early days and it will be continued at the next trial and on the website. From those returned (10% of entry) the riders thought trial was just right, only one thought it was too easy. Also it was commented that stating at each section on a clear notice what exactly the Inter B & Expert B rode for that section was an excellent move and it should be adopted at all our trials. It avoids confusion.
Exiting the parking area discussed, there were two with 4x4’s towing out during the day with many pushing, one email received concerning damage to a vehicle and requesting consideration for reparation. Plus one verbal comment received about damage. Discussion ensued about the poor attendance of our meetings by club members and those present, who are a very small minority of all the combine members, agreed, that any decision on this must be by the majority. Each combine club will be asked to make a recommendation after discussion in their next committee meeting.
Feb 11th Trial Gravesend round 1: All ok, regs in TSM and classes will include the Intermediate B. Venue is Yetnor Farm and The 96 Trials Club are to provide the Steward.
Mar 11th Trial Wickham round 2: The club Secretary has been spoken to and all is ok and at Cowden, regs have been sent to the TSM, classes run will be as stated on nktc.org.uk website and Gravesend are to provide the Steward.
2006 Class winners, trophies, awards: 2006 final aggregates handed out, and we have only two trophies to come back. CM to let us know which trial he will be able to hand out to 2006 winners.
Most improved rider award needs to be discussed at clubs committees and let us know who they recommend.
Likewise for the Observer award, clubs should let us know who they recommend.
Any other business: AGM & Centre Board meeting info, Centre made a loss last year mainly due to the loss of some MX events. The levy goes up by 10p and later in the year it may go up 50p.
Poor attendance at combine meetings, most but not all riders just want to ride and go home with no worries about who organises it, or how it’s run, or the background administration. At a recent MX event with 6,500 in attendance a survey type form got 10 replies.
Can anyone explain why clubs run under AMCA rather than ACU? What are the benefits and drawbacks for comparison?
Consider the merits of an over 40 class on the Intermediate route for riders who at present ride FNA, similar to a recent proposal, will not make decision until later in year once fully discussed.
No further business meeting closed 22.23pm
Agenda for the Next meeting on February 15th 2007. 8.30pm start
1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
3. Matters Arising
4. Feb 11th Trial Gravesend round 1
5. Mar 11th Trial Wickham round 2
6. Apr 8th Trial Kent Youth round 3
7. Recommendations from clubs
8. Any other business
Date of next meeting March 15th 8.30pm