Poll: ELV Summer Series Format

mclarent

Once again ELV is organising a Summer Series at Hog Hill for 2014. This year we are intending to change the format of racing to provide a 4th category only race and a 2/3 category race, whereas by tradition we have run 3/4 and E12 races. Therefore in 2014 the proposal is not to provide racing for E1 category riders. ELV took this decision with the aim of boosting overall levels of participation in cycle sport.

We have subsequently received some feedback on the proposed format, some supportive of our view and some not. As the promoting club it is up to us to decide what races we choose to promote. However, recognising we are proposing something different this year (and in particular that E1 riders will be excluded) we would like to better understand the balance of feeling amongst the racing community.

Are you:
A rider and current licence holder who has participated in the Summer Series races during either the 2012 or 2013 seasons (and intends to race again this year), or a 4th category rider and current licence holder who intends to compete in this years Summer Series for the first time?

If so then we would like you to tell us about yourself and your race preferences at the 2014 Summer Series via this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C3F6KV3.

It will take a couple of minutes and all the details we need are:

• Your Name
• Current Club
• Current Licence Category
• Whether you competed in the 2012 or 2013 Summer Series or the 2014 Winter Series
• Whether you agree or disagree with the proposed race format of 4th category and 2/3 category races only for 2014

We recognise that there are a number of formats other than 3/4 and E12 that could allow E1 riders to participate e.g. E123 and 4 or potentially some form of handicap racing. We are not looking for detailed feedback on these options or on the pros and cons. We just want to gauge opinion from those who matter most (the riders who support or intend to support the Summer Series) on whether or not the proposed format of 4th category and 2/3 category racing is supported.

To get you thinking….

Arguments for the proposed format include:

• ELV ran races on a 4th and 2/3 cat format for the Winter Series and we saw overall participation levels increase very significantly, including a higher proportion of younger riders
• Opportunities are scarce for 4th cat and 2/3 cat riders to race on circuits within their ability groups and to genuinely ‘compete’ rather than just be ‘hanging on’
• There are a number of alternatives for midweek E1 racing in the London area
• It is right that race formats should correspond with demand, E1 participation in the Summer Series has been very low historically (typically 5 or 6 riders per night)

Arguments against the proposed format include:

• 4th and 2nd cat riders would miss the opportunity to challenge themselves against higher cat riders
• Mixing 4th and 3rd cat riders helps ensure 4th cat riders reach a higher standard before securing a licence upgrade
• There are a number of local E1 riders who have supported the Summer Series in the past and it is unfair to deny them (and potential successors) the opportunity to race
• Demand for 4th cat racing may decline as the season progresses and therefore participation levels may not mirror the Winter Series

Thanks!

maryka

I have done the women's race in the past, but if I raced a men's race I would consider only a 3/4, not a 4th cat race, if that offers any perspective (though as much as I love that circuit it's really hard for me to get to it on a Thurs evening so my opinion is probably moot!) But why does it have to be either 4 + 2/3 or 3/4 + E/1/2 the entire summer long? Can you not start it in one format and revert to the other as numbers drop later in the summer? Or alternate it? Or make it a handicap?

Is there a women's series again this year? This might be seen as treachery by other female racers, but as I recall the numbers of women racing are so low that I would actually run the women's race on a biweekly basis too, thereby offering up more spots for E/1s by running only 2 races on the alternate weeks -- a 3/4 and E/1/2 (handicap?) with bigger numbers for each and an easier job for the comms not having to watch 3 different races.

bigmat

Similar views to Maryka - it would seem to make sense to vary the format a bit. 2/3 races are very welcome from a 2nd cat, but it seems unfair on E/1s and also there is a lot be said for racing at the highest level we can - for me that was the main appeal of securing a 2nd cat licence and whilst I welcome the opportunity to compete for points (its a necessity at the end of the day), the races I enjoy the most are often the ones where I am getting a kicking from people way way better than me. Hoe about 2/3 and 4 races one week, E/1/2 and 3/4 the next and alternate? All categories handicap would be the other option but SERRL evening series also on a Thursday night are doing that so a bit of variety would be good.

All of the above is caveated by the fact that I can almost never race on a Thursday night sadly

gattocattivo

I definitely think there should be 4th-cat only races, but agree that it might be fairer to alternate.

mclarent

Thanks for your comments!

simonparker

ELV ran races on a 4th and 2/3 cat format for the Winter Series and we saw overall participation levels increase very significantly, including a higher proportion of younger riders

- Participation seems to have been up everywhere, so may not be due to format changes

Opportunities are scarce for 4th cat and 2/3 cat riders to race on circuits within their ability groups and to genuinely ‘compete’ rather than just be ‘hanging on’.

- True for the 4th and 2nds, but takes away from the 3rds opportunity to be the strongest in the race. The jump for a new 3rd straight to a 2/3 race is quite large. There are lots of 4ths only races.


Personally I'm a weak 3rd Cat and spend most of my time riding with 4th Cat friends. I'd like the chance to be able to race with them.

gattocattivo

simonparker wrote:

There are lots of 4ths only races.

Not in East London. Only if you race in the middle of the winter or can get all the way across to Hillingdon on a week night.

According to the ERRL forum they're going to try this out as a handicap event now.