MINUTES OF THE 2nd MEETING (2007 SESSION)
OF THE ACU TRIALS & ENDURO COMMITTEE HELD AT ACU HOUSE ON
SATURDAY 24TH MARCH AT 10.30 AM
___________________________________________________________________________________
Present -: Mr J Collins - Chairman
Mr D Willoughby - Vice Chairman
Mr J Lightfoot
Mr A Penny Mr A Rew
Mr M Bates
Mr M Wren
Mrs A Devine
The Committee wished to pay their respects to the memory of ex-Committee member Jim Courtney who sadly died on 23rd March and who would be fondly remembered.
1. APOLOGIES
Received from Mr Tim Fairbrother.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Minutes of the 1st meeting were approved, with the exception that a mistake had been made in item 17 - Stewards Reports IOW Youth C&D Trial - where the text should refer to the rider’s father as Mr Evans and not Mr Connor.
3. MATTERS ARISING
All dealt with under separate items on the Agenda
4. 2007 TRAINING SQUADS
Trials
Mr Wren had advised all squad members of the support they would receive for competing in UEM events, which were to be the main point of focus for both Squads this year. It was not now possible to arrange a home session before the first round in Spain as originally intended but Mr Wren would liase with James Lampkin with a view to this happening in the near future.
The Womens’ Training day held at Bracken Rocks had reportedly run successfully and had been well attended.
Enduros
U23 Squad members were due to compete in the first UEM Enduro round in Italy on 31st March, and were aware of the contributions they would receive towards their costs. It was anticipated that Dave Thorpe would organise a training session in the UK in between the UEM and British Championship rounds.
5. RISK ASSESSMENT
It was understood that a meeting to move progress in drafting a standard Motorcycle Sport Risk Assessment form incorporating variations for use by individual disciplines, was due to be held on 17th April. This would be attended by Mr Willoughby on behalf of the Trials & Enduro Committee.
An example currently used in MX events was circulated for the Committee’s attention.
6. OFF ROAD VEHICLES (REGISTRATION) BILL
This Bill had already received its second reading in Parliament and now discussions were to take place amongst various Organising Bodies of Motorcycle Sport and the MCI(A) likely to be affected by its implications if it is successful, with a view to lobbying for amendments. Designed to bring in some kind of registration scheme to combat Mini Motos, in its present form the Bill would require all Off-Road Motorcycles (including Road Race bikes) to be registered at DVLA. The Committee had no issues with the Bill in principle, indeed they agreed that registration could be a positive step in helping to identify stolen bikes and in securing insurance cover. However, enforcing the use of number plates on competition bikes (and even quite possibly farmers’ Quads), was agreed to be nonsensical and something to be objected to.
A meeting was due to take place on 27th March in Pall Mall to outline a strategic approach to the problem and to agree an effective campaign to oppose the Bill. The ACU would be represented by the General Secretary.
7. MARKERS IN TRIALS SECTIONS
Following a comment received by John Dickinson (T&MX) regarding the array of different coloured markers used at some Centre Trials, the Committee decided to hold a poll to see which colours were currently being used throughout the country, with a view to creating a uniform system in events.
Action- Secretary
8. BRITISH SOLO ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP
The Committee were delighted that following another meeting with representatives of Metzeler Tyres, sponsorship was now in place and Conditions had been sent to Organisers. Sponsors had been provided with contact details for each Organiser and they would supply promotional material including tape and logos. Clerks of the Course would be urged to strictly enforce the use of number plate stickers by competitors.
A decision had been made to rotate the order of start for E1, E2, E3 classes throughout the Series.
A proposal to include an Experts Veteran class in 2008 next year received initial discussion and would be followed up later in the year.
Following a suggestion from the meeting held with Organisers to discuss sponsorship, Mr Collins agreed to produce a summary of Enduro basic rules to provide information for spectators in the programme.
Action – Mr Collins
9. BRITISH SOLO TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
All was in place for the first round of the Championship, posters, programmes, whistles, clocks, bibs etc. Organisers were reminded that bibs were to be washed before they were passed on to other Rounds, as the sponsorship money included an allowance for this.
Mr Willoughby would be present at all rounds to supervise the scoring and to assist with the ballot if required.
Youth riders’ performance after the first 2 Championship rounds had been monitored and riders had been added to the Priority List in order of merit, and then this had been passed on to Organisers.
A press release would be issued reminding riders that they should apply to enter any round that they wished, regardless of their position on the Priority List, as spaces often became available.
Action- Secretary
10. WOMENS TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
An application from Joanne Coles to ride up a class (in Class A), in the Women’s Youth Trials Championship had been considered by the Committee, and subsequently accepted. Notification of this had been sent to the individual Organisers. However, Joanne would continue to ride in Class B in the Youth Trials Championship. Amendments to Championship Regulations – ie; the inclusion of a Youth A Intermediate class had also been notified to Organisers, and sent to T&MX News.
11. NOVOGAR CHAMPIONSHIP
The suggestion of including a Women’s class in the Novogar Championship was to be discussed later in the year.
12. CLASSIC TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
After some consideration, the Committee agreed that the following Rule change be promulgated for Machine Eligibility – ie. “Carburettors must be of British manufacture” was to be withdrawn. It was agreed that this made it more difficult for riders when tackling the type of sections which featured in Classic events. Organisers had been advised of this rule change. The requirement was however considered to be feasible for machines tackling the Sammy Miller Championship, and therefore would still apply.
13. BIKE TRIALS
Mr Rew and the General Secretary, Gary Thompson had been working towards a solution to the conflict within the Bike Trials discipline where certain factions had split off to the AMCA.
Thanks went to both for establishing a core of clubs under the auspices of the ACU. Bike Trials UK and their new Committee, affiliated to the ACU were now recognised by the BIU and the European Bike Trial Union, who were made aware that all Bike Trial events run by Bike Trial UK would be done so in accordance with the Standing Regulations as provided for in the ACU Handbook.
A British Championship was currently being arranged amongst Bike Trial Clubs and Mr Rew agreed to draw up Championship Conditions for approval.
A new website had been started to help the Bike Trial clubs and anybody wishing to run Bike Trial events should look at www.ukbiketrial.co.uk for further details.
The Committee were assured that the door had been left open for the Clubs who were at present no longer affiliated to the ACU to return, provided they agreed to adhere to the Standing Regulations in the ACU Handbook when running an event under an ACU Permit.
Action- Mr Rew
14. TRAIL BIKE CHAMPIONSHIP
The first round of this Championship – the Barrett Trial, scheduled for 18th February, had been postponed with no suggestion of it being re-instated in the calendar as yet and the second round - the Spring Surprise, had been cancelled due to land problems, leaving a 4 round Championship.
15. PRE 70 INTER-CENTRE TEAM TRIAL
September 16th was the date reserved for this event and as an initial application had now been withdrawn, invitations were to be circulated to Centres, in the Press and on the relevant Websites.
Action- Secretary
16. BRITISH CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP
Provisional proposals had been made by various Promoters to host a BXCC Championship.
Mr Collins would speak to those concerned and report back at the next meeting.
Action- Mr Collins
17. WORLD INDOOR ENDURO CHAMPIONSHIP
Paul Edmondson had provisionally lodged an application which had been approved by the ACU with the FIM, to organise a round of this new series. Clive Thorsby was working in conjunction with Paul and had been in contact with proposals which he would be advised would necessitate discussion at a meeting with the Committee. It was intended that this would be arranged in the near future.
18. SACU
Mr Willoughby had written to Directors who had recently visited the SACU to express his concerns that various queries raised in a letter from Mr Jones remained unanswered, which could lead to problems in future events. He unfortunately had not yet received a reply and it was hoped that the Directors concerned would respond soon in order to make progress. The Secretary had received queries from other Federations relating to some of the issues of insurance and licence requirements raised by Mr Jones, and these would be passed to the Directors.
19. ISDE
Minutes of the meeting held with support crew, the British Team Manager, Logistics Manager, Mr Bartlett and Mr Collins on 3rd March were circulated, and Mr Collins gave a brief resume of the main items discussed. He confirmed that the ACU would support a Senior and Junior Trophy team in the 2007 event. Team Manager Dusty Martin went on to outline his plans for team selection, saying that he proposed to release a provisional list for the Committee’s approval after the Welsh 2 days Enduro in June.
Action - Committee
At present, the date of the event was in question and until that was confirmed no progress could be made with booking hotels and travel. The Secretary was asked to make enquiries with the FIM.
Action –Secretary
Logistics Manager, Dave May-Miller ran through the arrangements and costs for travel, containers, car hire, and fuel etc.
Only three Club Teams had applied to date, and a cut - off date of 31st March would be given for those wishing to lodge their interesting in sending a team. The Committee and those present at the Team managers meeting all agreed that it was now necessary to introduce criteria for selection of riders for Club Teams whereby they would be required to produce evidence of ability and experience. These guidelines would be produced and publicised as soon as possible, in order to give riders time to prepare for the 2008 event. The Secretary would include this item for discussion on the next agenda.
Action - Secretary
20. LARA
It was confirmed that Mr Alan Kind had agreed to provide consultancy services to the ACU to deal with Land and Rights of Way issues affecting Motorcycle sport.
21. FORESTRY ISSUES
Mr Willoughby would be attending a meeting with representatives of the Forestry Commission in the next couple of months. He understood they were in the process of producing a booklet focusing on Motorcycle sport in the Forest, which was agreed would help present the Sport in a positive light. The Secretary would contact organisers using F.C land in their events to recommend that they should use the Forestry Commission logo in programmes, and other documentation wherever possible.
Action Secretary
22. TEST DAY PERMITS
Following a recent meeting between the Training Department, Mr Bellars and Dawn Luby from Lockton’s, a number of changes had been made to the issuing of Training and Test Day Permits.
Training Permit fees and Per Capita rates had been reviewed, and Clubs and Centres will be receiving the revised forms in the next club mail shot.
Test Day Permits will now be issued from ACU House, by the appropriate Sporting Secretary, as happens already in Road Race. The facility to issue Test Day Permits online will be removed from the options available to ACU Clubs/Centres. A copy of Practice / Test Day Permit Regulations for Enduro and Trials had been drawn up by John Collins and Frank Carter and had been circulated to the Committee for their information.
Action- Administration
23. ADDITIONAL STEWARDS
An updated list was circulated to the Committee who were concerned however that a more foolproof method of approval than the one currently in use needed to be devised, as Committee members identified several people on the list who they believed had not met the specified criteria of acting as a Steward in the last three years. More thought would be given to this before the next meeting.
A letter had been received from Mr Andrew Deeks requesting a National Stewards licence. He would be asked to complete a record of his experience as an Official and return it for the Committee's consideration.
Action - Secretary
24. 2008 DATES
Hafren Dirt Bike club had submitted a provisional budget for the 2008 British round of the World Enduro Championship which had been provisionally granted to the ACU. Taking into account the FIM standards for Organisers it was agreed that it was lacking in detail and some of the proposed costs appeared to be inadequate. It was suggested that a meeting take place to go through the budget and other issues involved in the organisation of the event. However it was understood that promoter Alain Blanchard was due to meet with the Club shortly to approve the venue and facilities and ideally the meeting with the Committee should take place after this. The Secretary would contact the Club for an update.
Action - Secretary
Inter-Centre Team Trial
An application had been received from Ray Crinson of the North Eastern Centre to host the event. This would be acknowledged and the application kept on file.
Action - Secretary
Inter-Centre Team Enduro
The South Eastern Enduro Combine had applied to host this event in January of next year. It had been over a decade since it last ran and the guidelines established for the hosts then would be sent to the SEEC, with the advice that the Committee would be happy to work with them to make any necessary revisions in the course of planning the event. It would not be possible to confirm the date until FIM and UEM calendars had been established.
Action - Secretary
25. FIM
i) Japanese World Trial - date change
The FIM had confirmed that despite objections to a date change for the above round it would not be possible to hold it at any other time. It would therefore go ahead on the 2/3rd June.
ii) Geneva Conference-15th-18th February - Minutes
Received and acknowledged
iii) FIM Enduro Seminar
Held in Rugby on the 10/11th March and presented by Alan King, all candidates had successfully passed and would shortly be receiving their FIM Enduro Officials licences.
iv) Report Alan King CER Meeting
Received and acknowledged. The details relating to a change in the presentation of ISDE medals was to be given publicity
v ) Commission for Women in Motorcycling
The new FIM Commission (CFM) reported on a number of significant changes to the motorcycle world which had been effected since their inception in 2006
vi) Weekly News No's 9&11
Received and acknowledged.
26. TRIAL DES NATIONS
David Craine had written to the Committee on behalf of the Isle of Man Centre with a request that they be allowed to enter a Manx team in addition to the British Team. They would be informed that this would not be possible as the FIM had established the event for National teams and as such only accepted one per Federation.
Action- Secretary
The contract naming the Peveril MCC as the organiser for the above event had been duly approved by the ACU and forwarded to the FIM.
27. UEM
The UEM Secretariat had emailed Federations to remind them that Supplementary Regulations should be submitted for approval a minimum of 2 months before the event. If this deadline was not adhered to, the FMN responsible would be fined 130 Euros.
Action- Secretary
28. ACU MAGAZINE
The editor had reminded all Sport disciplines of the deadlines for receipt of articles ie. 13th April.
He would be supplied with contact details for the Scottish Six Days Organisers in order to write a feature on the event. Additional suggested material from the T&E discipline were:
· Details of the new British Enduro Championship sponsor- and Anthony Fry / Chris Blomfield from Metzeler would be asked what they wished to include in the magazine.
· Information for (Enduro) spectators
· Report of UEM/FIM championship results
· Training Squad progress/ pictures
· Criteria for ISDE Club team riders
· Updates on British Championships
A feature on long established Clubs was also proposed and the Committee would consider suitable ones for inclusion.
29. ACU WEBSITE- STANDARD ENTRY FORMS/REGULATIONS
Mr Willoughby had concerns regarding the lack of information contained in the standardised Supplementary Regulations used by Organisers when applying to the ACU for a Permit. He thought that despite instructions to the contrary, it was quite likely that Organisers were issuing their own Supplementary Regulations which of course would not have received Committee approval. It was agreed that the existing forms would be emailed to the Committee prior to the next meeting where further discussion could take place.
30. ACU HANDBOOK CHANGES
A letter had been received from Jim Connor with suggestions for changes to TSR 19 - Time and TSR 22a and 22 b - Method of Marking.
In reply the Committee would say that with reference to TSR 19, they felt that some of Mr Connor’s points regarding the issuing of Final Instructions were already covered in TSR 28 and use of time clocks and riders briefing sessions were measures which were already being implemented in some Championships. His letter would however prompt further discussion of the issues raised at the Trials Forum, which would be arranged later in the year and Mr Connor would be welcome to attend.
Action- Secretary
32. STEWARDS REPORTS
The Knut Trial A Rew 10/12/06
IOM S/Car T Fairbrother 03/02/07
Colonial Trial M Wren 11/02/07
Yeadon Guiseley A & B M Wren 18/02/07
Colmore Cup Trial J Lightfoot 04/03/07
Moorlands A & B A Penny 04/03/07
Otter Vale A & B A Penny 18/03/07
The above were received and acknowledged with no particular comments made.
33. STEWARDS APPOINTMENTS
List held at ACU
34. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Secretary would arrange to have the Trials Des Nations trophy transported to the Isle of Man.
Action- Secretary
35. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 22nd May at ACU Head Office, commencing at 10.30 am.