2017/18 VINDURO SERIES DATES
Spring is on the way it's time to start thinking about the 2017/18 Vinduro Season. This season we are hoping to include one or two new events on top of our regulars of the last two seasons, all of which are on board again. Getting any events up and running isn't an easy task as even tiny amateur affairs like ours have to cope with moronic layers of Health and Safety bullshit. However, we are working on two new rides, so here's hoping that we can get them sorted.
VNZ SERIES
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EVENTS CONFIRMED SO FAR!
SURVEY RESULTS
Eighty five riders completed the latest survey. Here are some of the key findings.
Popular periods. Bikes of the 1980s are the most popular closely followed by the 70s. Nineties machines are a little way back in popularity and only a handful are old enough to remember the 60s with any affection.
Our ages. It is readily apparent that the most representative two decades are riders in their feisty fifties and naughty forties. There are a smattering in both the thirty and sixty year age groups, but barely any in the twenty and seventy year brackets.
Events ridden. Nearly 30% of respondents had not ridden a Vinduro, but of those who had ridden last season, either one or four events was the most likely. Make out of that what you will, but it seems we will see plenty more new faces next season.
Event difficulty. Overwhelmingly you think our organisers have it about right in terms of difficulty, with only two respondents each in the too hard/too easy camps.
How many events do you want? Most riders think 4-6 events are about right.
Mud? Surprisingly perhaps, most respondents relish the idea of a muddy winter ride, though common comments were 'just one', and 'not too muddy'.
Entry fees and trophies. Pretty well all riders are happy with entry fee levels as they are, but you are divided to a greater extent as to the value of trophies.
How serious? Fairly even, sixty verses forty percent in favour of events being competitive, we will ask more detail about this next year.
Classes and regs. We must have this pretty right because most respondents are very happy and several say that there's something for everyone. There were a number of comments about bikes entered in the wrong classes and more than one mention about out of era components and longer travel sneaking into classic class suspension. Also comment on the difficulty and expense of sourcing twin rear shocks.
Geographic spread?
No surprises that 80% of riders live in the regions where we are holding events, Auckland/Northland and Waikato/Central NI. However there are enthusiasts keen for a ride or two in the southern North Island and an enthusiastic bunch desperate for something in the South Island. The answer to a wider spread of events won't be solved until hands go up.
Helping
It seems like the message that we need helpers and fresh organisers is getting out. Nearly 50% of respondents say they are prepared to help out and some even have ideas of where new events could be held. Ball's in your court now folks. One man with considerable ambition has even suggested a winter snow Vinduro in Otago! Snow run or not, there's a good chance that a team of thin blooded Northerners might be tempted on a road trip south, perhaps in a warmer season, especially if some Vintage trailriding was on offer as well!
Popular periods. Bikes of the 1980s are the most popular closely followed by the 70s. Nineties machines are a little way back in popularity and only a handful are old enough to remember the 60s with any affection.
Our ages. It is readily apparent that the most representative two decades are riders in their feisty fifties and naughty forties. There are a smattering in both the thirty and sixty year age groups, but barely any in the twenty and seventy year brackets.
Events ridden. Nearly 30% of respondents had not ridden a Vinduro, but of those who had ridden last season, either one or four events was the most likely. Make out of that what you will, but it seems we will see plenty more new faces next season.
Event difficulty. Overwhelmingly you think our organisers have it about right in terms of difficulty, with only two respondents each in the too hard/too easy camps.
How many events do you want? Most riders think 4-6 events are about right.
Mud? Surprisingly perhaps, most respondents relish the idea of a muddy winter ride, though common comments were 'just one', and 'not too muddy'.
Entry fees and trophies. Pretty well all riders are happy with entry fee levels as they are, but you are divided to a greater extent as to the value of trophies.
How serious? Fairly even, sixty verses forty percent in favour of events being competitive, we will ask more detail about this next year.
Classes and regs. We must have this pretty right because most respondents are very happy and several say that there's something for everyone. There were a number of comments about bikes entered in the wrong classes and more than one mention about out of era components and longer travel sneaking into classic class suspension. Also comment on the difficulty and expense of sourcing twin rear shocks.
Geographic spread?
No surprises that 80% of riders live in the regions where we are holding events, Auckland/Northland and Waikato/Central NI. However there are enthusiasts keen for a ride or two in the southern North Island and an enthusiastic bunch desperate for something in the South Island. The answer to a wider spread of events won't be solved until hands go up.
Helping
It seems like the message that we need helpers and fresh organisers is getting out. Nearly 50% of respondents say they are prepared to help out and some even have ideas of where new events could be held. Ball's in your court now folks. One man with considerable ambition has even suggested a winter snow Vinduro in Otago! Snow run or not, there's a good chance that a team of thin blooded Northerners might be tempted on a road trip south, perhaps in a warmer season, especially if some Vintage trailriding was on offer as well!
RULE CHANGES 2017/18
Rounds counting. Four round series, all four rounds count. Points allocated, 1=25, 2=22, 3=20, 4=18, 5=15, 6=15, etc to 20th place.
Helpers points. Any rider who helps out and misses a round of the Vinduro NZ Series will be allocated an average of their score at their other rounds ridden, plus two bonus points to add to their series total.
Evo 4 - 'Modern' Class. Though not as popular as expected this is included for bikes built before 1996 plus flow on models.
Over seventy handicap. A provision of 3% is created for riders over seventy years in the Overall Handicap Classification.
Suspension - classics. Rules governing suspension for this class are more specific to reduce anxiety and forestall an arms, or 'legs' race.
See Detail 2017/18 regs.
OTHER STUFF
Improved scoring
You will all agree that the decision to ask Silver Bullet Events to score all rounds worked really well and we are certainly hoping that John and Jane Rushworth Silver Bullet is on board again next year.
Help is needed to organise events!
Don't forget to contact the organiser of your local round to help out. Remember that Vinduros are complex and time intensive events to run and no one owes us anything, it's self help or nothing. Riders who help will receive an additional average score, plus bonus points as above.
Helpers points. Any rider who helps out and misses a round of the Vinduro NZ Series will be allocated an average of their score at their other rounds ridden, plus two bonus points to add to their series total.
Evo 4 - 'Modern' Class. Though not as popular as expected this is included for bikes built before 1996 plus flow on models.
Over seventy handicap. A provision of 3% is created for riders over seventy years in the Overall Handicap Classification.
Suspension - classics. Rules governing suspension for this class are more specific to reduce anxiety and forestall an arms, or 'legs' race.
See Detail 2017/18 regs.
OTHER STUFF
Improved scoring
You will all agree that the decision to ask Silver Bullet Events to score all rounds worked really well and we are certainly hoping that John and Jane Rushworth Silver Bullet is on board again next year.
Help is needed to organise events!
Don't forget to contact the organiser of your local round to help out. Remember that Vinduros are complex and time intensive events to run and no one owes us anything, it's self help or nothing. Riders who help will receive an additional average score, plus bonus points as above.