<Rant On>
So, Nema is taking the classes (C class for newer riders, and B for
faster riders and past B class champions) out of the womens series. Now
it will be based solely on age and bike size instead of experience and
overall performance. This means a 15 year old second year rider, will
compete for points, sponsors, and contingency against riders having 10
or more years of experience. Some riders who have indicated to Jessi
they may be racing NEMA next year are riders like Eden (National
Champion) Regan (Winchester Champion) and Shannon (who smoked the B
class a couple of times last season after starting with the C class a
minute behind B), and several others who had things stayed the same,
would have bumped up to the B class.
NEMA was the last local racing org. to let the girls compete with riders
of similar experience (like the boys do), but as one official said to
me, "it's kind of a hassle" (to bump the girls up like they do the boys
a tried and true system that has been working for years). Well paying
$500 a week so NEMA can fill a class, and Pro riders, day riders, and
National Champions can run wild on novice riders is a hassle too. As a
newer race team I am not yet sure how loaded classes might effect the
few sponsors we have.
At least with the classes based on performance, there was a place for
less experienced riders to compete and have a chance to work hard and
come home with something to show for it. If that isn't bad enough, if
Jessi wants to race the 250 I just bought her (thinking she could race
it in the womens C *novice* class), she will have to bump up and race
with Professional riders like Crissa S. and several others very close to
her (Crissa) in experience. It's too bad NEMA thinks it's "too much of a
hassle" to keep the girls racing fair, fun, and "somewhat" competitive.
<Rant Off>
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