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Is there a national series this year?

Threepointtwo

Monkey
Jun 21, 2002
632
0
SLC, UT
Well, I used to race this thing called the NMBS and before that, the NCS. I thought they were going to continue but I think it must be extinct. I raced Angel Fire but I'm not sure if that counted, it was like NMBS/ MCS or something. I went to the NORBANATIONALS.com and found somebody's poorly constructed personal blog I think. I don't know, I guess I was expecting to see something like a calendar of events with links but my expectations must just be way too high. I mean, it did take me more than an hour to put together a web page with useful information so you really shouldn't expect that for a national series.

I heard that Sugar was supposed to be on of those NMBS races but it must not be the case because the turnout was lower than our local events. 2 women in DS and 3 in DH? There were 2 experts in men's 25-29.

There have been a number of potential alternatives kicked around for the past few years - anybody making progress?
 

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
0
The 802
Racing is more popular than ever. . . . just as long as the event has no direct affiliation with team big bear or usa cycling.
 

LaytonDH

Monkey
Dec 19, 2003
183
0
UT
I know our local promoter along with some promoters from So Cal, Vegas area, and Colorado have been kicking around the logistics of a"Western States Series" this summer. It would be non-norba and likely have stops in So Cal, Central Cal (mammoth), Bootleg, Utah (wolf mtn or Brian Head), Tahoe, and Colorado (durango or snowmass).

Do you think the turnout would be better than the NMBS?

My guess is that it would be since the bootleg races, Southridge races, Utah State series, and MSC all have bigger turnouts than the NMBS is getting.
 

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
0
The 802
fixed it for ya. :)
hahah, yeah ya did. but by "direct afflitiation" i was referring to the nationals series/nat. champs. I have no beef with all the local NORBA (or whatever it is called now) events.

the national series is just a black eye on mtn biking in the US
 

General Lee

Turbo Monkey
Oct 16, 2003
2,860
0
The 802
Do you think the turnout would be better than the NMBS?
yes, unless no one showed up.


on another note, does anyone else feel there needs to be a major restructuring of classes at "NORBA" events. do we really need beginner, sport, and expert 15-16; 17-18; 19-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39. . . etc. seems like it is designed to make everyone feel good about themselves at the end of the day rather than making for good competition in broader categories.

i'd like to see 18 and under, 19-30, 30-40, etc. and maybe just junior, amateur, expert, and pro as categories. would probably help out promotors too as they no longer would heve to give out prizes to a dozen or so different categories of people of essentially equal ability. . . .
 

LaytonDH

Monkey
Dec 19, 2003
183
0
UT
i'd like to see 18 and under, 19-30, 30-40, etc. and maybe just junior, amateur, expert, and pro as categories. would probably help out promotors too as they no longer would heve to give out prizes to a dozen or so different categories of people of essentially equal ability. . . .
That would be a much better system. Also, make it much more difficult to get to "expert" status. NORBA sort of did that this year, but since no one is racing, it doesn't matter much.
 

Pbody

Monkey
Oct 30, 2003
341
0
Do you think the turnout would be better than the NMBS?
Most definitely, as these were the races that a higher percentage of people were going to when the "NORBA Nationals" actually had good rider counts several years ago.

I kinda like the fact that there could be an Eastern States Series and a Western States Series. This makes a lot of sense these days since there is now a one-day US National Championship race. But it would make more sense if they held the Championship later in the summer. The only reason they have it earlier in the summer is to use it as a selection process of who is to attend the World Championships but with Juniors and Pros both having to pay their own way, no one is really "winning" a ride to the World's anymore. But then again I am forgetting about the XC folks who are still more subject to the selection process. On the other hand, USAC should be able to figure out who the best XC riders are based on their UCI competitions.

on another note, does anyone else feel there needs to be a major restructuring of classes at "NORBA" events. do we really need beginner, sport, and expert 15-16; 17-18; 19-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39. . . etc. seems like it is designed to make everyone feel good about themselves at the end of the day rather than making for good competition in broader categories.
I think the class structure is pretty adequate, especially the age groups. What I'd like to see change is that Beginners and Sports should not be competing at the National Level, just Experts and Pros. And then add a few more special classes, for example Vet Pro (35+), Semi-Pro Women or Women's Open. By not having Beginner and Sport riders, you'd be able to build a more challenging course. And it would allow more practice times for those riders who are looking to compete at the National Level, which just might attract more riders to compete at Nationals. Might even allow for Women's-Only practice time. Yes, you lose Beginner and Sport riders from showing up, but how many more Experts, Pros, and Women would show up so that they can get more seat time on a fun and challenging course. Plus, it might cutback on some of that sand-bagging that goes on in the Beginner and Sport classes. Since only one course would have to be built, it would negate the need for a second race course allowing additional work and money to be spent on a more difficult, challenging course. Then, by having a more difficult course with perhaps some cool "Wow" features on it, we might start attracting outside sponsors and TV coverage.

would probably help out promotors too as they no longer would heve to give out prizes to a dozen or so different categories of people of essentially equal ability. . . .
The 3-5 prizes they give out per class is a small chunk of change compared to the $ that is brought in for each class. You ever see the awards BMX racers get for their entry fee money, and they go 8 deep!

:bonk: OK, I'm awake from my awesome dream now . . .