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Pro GRT 2010 - Need Your Ideas!

Dylan Dean

Dylan Dean

Monkey
Oct 12, 2007
608
0
southern California
So i'm giving a presentation out at the MTB Summit in about 10 days giving a rundown on the Pro GRT.. i've got a great layout for the Pro GRT for 2010, but want to make things bigger & better!

Shoot me some ideas of what you'd like the "national series" to be, to have, to offer you! This is for both Amateur/Pro racers, spectators, & industry alike! Although i can't promise everything, i'm sending all the valid information direct to USA Cycling, the various promoters & industry. This is "OUR" series! We should all have a say in it!

I wish i could share the schedule, locations, etc... but you'll have to wait for just a bit longer. I'm trying to finalize a couple of final resorts which should hopefully be sorted by the MTB Summit meeting on Nov 13-15. Trust me, you'll be pumped on it! No major conflicting schedules, a relatively easy travel plan & a ton of great locations!

However, if you are a pro, industry, media & need to know the tentative schedule due to budget concerns, you can hit me up directly at jdd@dylan-dean.com

i'm building a temporary Pro GRT website as well, so you can stay posted there for all your info.
 
NateH

NateH

Monkey
Feb 25, 2004
438
0
It was awesome this year, the one thing I would say is if you can take into consideration travel complication that would be awesome. For instance, Angelfire is sweet but impossible to get too, where as Mount Snow for instance is about 2 hours from a legit airport. Anything that would make it a bit easier for those of us trying to make the whole series!
 
A

A.P

Monkey
Nov 21, 2005
423
0
boston
Would you mind elaborating on the 250 dollar annual pro team fee? Will this fee apply to any pro wanting to race at a ProGRT, or is it only required to be ranked in the overall?
 
Dylan Dean

Dylan Dean

Monkey
Oct 12, 2007
608
0
southern California
NateH said:
It was awesome this year, the one thing I would say is if you can take into consideration travel complication that would be awesome. For instance, Angelfire is sweet but impossible to get too, where as Mount Snow for instance is about 2 hours from a legit airport. Anything that would make it a bit easier for those of us trying to make the whole series!
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way ahead of ya! :D

A.P said:
Would you mind elaborating on the 250 dollar annual pro team fee? Will this fee apply to any pro wanting to race at a ProGRT, or is it only required to be ranked in the overall?
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if it's what i think you're speaking of, it's essentially for a "team" to be ranked in the overall series.

any pro rider/team is welcome to race the pro tour even if they do not elect to be ranked (as a team)

i'll be talking things over further with USAC about this anyhow.. we're combining the team categories as well... it was built last year more for the XC teams
 
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vtminuteman

Monkey
Nov 29, 2004
166
0
Sharon VT
Best 1 of 2 run or two runs combined format for Pro DH. A timed run before and after Amateurs on Sunday. Its better for fans, since they get to see the pros twice and follow a story run to run. Its better and more challenging for racers since you get two chances but you have to be on it for two runs. More pro racing is good for promoters since its a stronger sell to sponsors and potential spectators. They get more out of running the lift and having the timing and scoring there. Pro cross country racers do extra laps, why not pro DH? A two run format works well on shorter tracks, so smaller mountains closer to cities could be an option.
 
cookinchris

cookinchris

Chimp
Sep 19, 2004
19
0
high
A few years ago we did a couple G-3 event here in Colorado, 2 DH and a very DH like Super-d. I like ur idea Vtminuteman, for the Pro GRT u could run 2 DH's and the 4X and do an overall award as well as indivudial. Sorta like Sea Otter but with real DH...
 
ianjenn

ianjenn

Turbo Monkey
Sep 12, 2006
3,001
704
SLO
Pro course best out of 2 as stated above.

I want to see them cry when they see the course not ride a 4X bike down it. STEEP, ROCKY, LOOSE, HUGE JUMPS (60 footers), if you want to pedal race the tour! It should be very hard to walk down.... (HAHAH)

When Big Bear used to do the 2 run down two courses that was awesome. Just get hammered riding like 12-16 runs in a day. Maybe in venues where it could work do a dual course format.

Maybe if the single speed thing keeps gaining ground have a CAT for that!
 
thom9719

thom9719

Turbo Monkey
Jul 25, 2005
1,104
0
In the Northwest.
best of 2 run format is dumb.

(pros) should have a qualify and a race run. Keep it like the world cups. dealing with the pressure of pu8tting it together on one run is part of the sport.

It would be cool to have qualifying on saturday and racing on sunday though.

-KT
 
Loochi

Loochi

Chimp
Aug 18, 2009
28
0
thom9719 said:
best of 2 run format is dumb.

(pros) should have a qualify and a race run. Keep it like the world cups. dealing with the pressure of pu8tting it together on one run is part of the sport.

It would be cool to have qualifying on saturday and racing on sunday though.

-KT
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I agree, racing is strategic in a sense that not always does the fastest rider win, usually it's a combination of the smartest and fastest rider. I think by following the world cup style (qualify/race) we are giving better odds to our riders to be more competitive as they step into the world cups.

Not trying to downplay your series and call it a stepping stone, it would just be nice to have some consistency in racing formats, and IMO I think it would develop and hone a riders racing skills as he/she progresses.
 
ianjenn

ianjenn

Turbo Monkey
Sep 12, 2006
3,001
704
SLO
People didnt like the best of two back in late 90's because they were worried about possible injuries of riders pushing to hard. Doing the average of 2 runs is pretty lame. Being consistent is different than being pinned on the edge.

You want to see who the best rider is ditch PRACTICE all together! Or limit it to 2 runs.

Like the WC's for real? What % of the 80 or so Pro's at WC races have their way paid? A class of 50 at a USA based race has like maybe 10 guys paid while the rest of the field has to cover the bill. Being able to have more runs down the mountain will make the 60 hour drive seem more worth the hassle.

You wont be able to get real funding without exposure of some sort via TV, and high traffic internet sites. Having stands where spectators can sit and sponsors can hang Banners might be a start. Getting companies with A LOT of liquid capital to spend on advertising will be hard without a good amount of area for them to hang their Logos. Getting $1 million out so someone like Google, Ebay, Bing whoever is like getting $1 from me. A full page in the LA Times used to run $100K a day. Drawing advertisers has to be done first then riders can be catered too.

DJ, Freeride, show at every major venue?
 
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bikerpunk98199

bikerpunk98199

Turbo Monkey
Apr 24, 2005
1,313
0
the hood
Nice rant... I think Thom was talking about having a race run and a qualifying run, more like the world cups. Nice try though...:thumb:
ianjenn said:
People didnt like the best of two back in late 90's because they were worried about possible injuries of riders pushing to hard. Doing the average of 2 runs is pretty lame. Being consistent is different than being pinned on the edge.

You want to see who the best rider is ditch PRACTICE all together! Or limit it to 2 runs.

Like the WC's for real? What % of the 80 or so Pro's at WC races have their way paid? A class of 50 at a USA based race has like maybe 10 guys paid while the rest of the field has to cover the bill. Being able to have more runs down the mountain will make the 60 hour drive seem more worth the hassle.

You wont be able to get real funding without exposure of some sort via TV, and high traffic internet sites. Having stands where spectators can sit and sponsors can hang Banners might be a start. Getting companies with A LOT of liquid capital to spend on advertising will be hard without a good amount of area for them to hang their Logos. Getting $1 million out so someone like Google, Ebay, Bing whoever is like getting $1 from me. A full page in the LA Times used to run $100K a day. Drawing advertisers has to be done first then riders can be catered too.

DJ, Freeride, show at every major venue?
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pterodactyl

pterodactyl

Monkey
May 1, 2005
191
0
On the other side of your monitor with a baseball
The one beef I had with racing the some nationals like Mt snow and the races at Windham in the last couple years was that you get a few hours practice per day over 3-4 days. If you are too far to be able to go home, Making the effort to camp or footing bill for a room is a drag for 2-4 hours of riding per day over 4 days. During the non-practice time, it would be nice to be able to ride some other trails that are not being used for any courses.

Either way, I raced the Windham Yankee Clipper this year and it was great. Very well organized, great course, etc.
 
ianjenn

ianjenn

Turbo Monkey
Sep 12, 2006
3,001
704
SLO
VooDooHoo said:
dh is one timed race un only!!

Best of crap is for sallys
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Yeah the 1 timed race run seems to be working out real good. See all that ESPN coverage going on? Or maybe 1 hour sections on Fuse/Fuel every week?

The entire layout needs to change drastically if there is ever going to be a large following in the Sport.
 
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vtminuteman

Monkey
Nov 29, 2004
166
0
Sharon VT
Explain why two runs is a "bad idea" or for "sallys"?

Maybe put up some cash for the fastest seeding run. If you hold it Saturday it creates a second race that sets the stage for the main event on Sunday. Not as important as the finals but it would add ad to it and build excitement for it. More racing and less practice is better for all involved(racers, spectators, sponsors). Friday afternoon 4-5 hrs practice, Saturday 2-3 hrs practice then seeding, Sunday 1-2 hrs practice then race.
 
thom9719

thom9719

Turbo Monkey
Jul 25, 2005
1,104
0
In the Northwest.
vtminuteman said:
Explain why two runs is a "bad idea" or for "sallys"?

Maybe put up some cash for the fastest seeding run. If you hold it Saturday it creates a second race that sets the stage for the main event on Sunday. Not as important as the finals but it would add ad to it and build excitement for it. More racing and less practice is better for all involved(racers, spectators, sponsors). Friday afternoon 4-5 hrs practice, Saturday 2-3 hrs practice then seeding, Sunday 1-2 hrs practice then race.
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You don't need cash for it, you need points from it for an overall (shockingly, just like world cups!)

-KT
 
V

vtminuteman

Monkey
Nov 29, 2004
166
0
Sharon VT
Racers not in the overall series won't care and won't pin it. Unless you mean points toward an overall win for the weekend, motocross style(finals having more points and more importance but a good seeding run could decide a close race).
 
C

caseyo

Monkey
Feb 14, 2007
112
0
Reno
They DO have qualies on sat and final on sun. You think ESPN is gonna come out because we have more race runs? What a joke. Everything was perfect last year, and is only gonna get better with JDD behind the wheel. I do like the fact that the last guys down the hill are the Pros. A lot of races screw this up, it makes a very anticlimactic day, especially for the general public (all 25 of them haha) in attendance. The schedule is sick, the venues are more than sick, and I can't wait until it all goes down.
 
seattle_hans

seattle_hans

Chimp
May 12, 2008
50
0
aptos
just need one more expert race podium and i got my pro license but u should angel fire again even tho i went there and couldnt race cause i got sick with crohns disease this next year is gonna be awsome!
 
Dylan Dean

Dylan Dean

Monkey
Oct 12, 2007
608
0
southern California
thanks for the input guys... 2010 is going to be even better than this year... i'm taking all of your thoughts & suggestions. some i might try to impliment...others maybe not, BUT it gives me ideas for other projects.

thanks guys! can't wait for 2010!
 
seattle_hans

seattle_hans

Chimp
May 12, 2008
50
0
aptos
oh you know wat would be rad if you guys put up speakers all the way down the courses and blast sum music while we ride hahahahahahaha
 
ianjenn

ianjenn

Turbo Monkey
Sep 12, 2006
3,001
704
SLO
seattle_hans said:
oh you know wat would be rad if you guys put up speakers all the way down the courses and blast sum music while we ride hahahahahahaha
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Any way to get SOCIAL DISTORTION to play a live gig?:thumb:

I think there have been good ideas thrown in here. Sorry for any derailment. Would it be possible to have electronic timing that can be displayed on a large monitor as soon as a rider crosses the line. Keep it up until the final rider in the class is down.

It has been a few years but having to wait a few hours to see the results sheets always drove people nuts!
 
S.K.C.

S.K.C.

Turbo Monkey
Feb 28, 2005
4,096
25
Pa. / North Jersey
D - just a few questions for 2010:

Purse for the winners in each Cat.?

UCI Points?

As far as venues go it would be rad to include Schweitzer/Sandpoint in Idaho, Whiteface (HUGE mountain - not sure about lodging accomodations though) in NY state, and maybe Diablo or Highland.

What do you think?
 
downhill mike

downhill mike

Turbo Monkey
Mar 23, 2005
1,286
4
S.K.C. said:
Whiteface (HUGE mountain - not sure about lodging accomodations though) in NY state,
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Whiteface has thousands of hotel rooms in lake placid (8 miles away) and many more rooms in the town of Wilmington (where Whiteface is located).
 
Racerx7734

Racerx7734

Monkey
Mar 4, 2002
616
0
Hostile Sausage
Dylan Dean said:
thanks for the input guys... 2010 is going to be even better than this year... i'm taking all of your thoughts & suggestions. some i might try to impliment...others maybe not, BUT it gives me ideas for other projects.

thanks guys! can't wait for 2010!
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JDD...............

1.Northstar mang.........Northstar....
2. "best of" photog section on the website for each race. Easy place for mags to find a great shot of the event.
3. Shade........shade is key in the summer.Providing an area for "other" people to hang out while we race is key.
4. Movie showing at the event. Worked great at the Race for Tara.
 
Sam B

Sam B

Monkey
Nov 25, 2001
280
0
Cascadia
thom9719 said:
You don't need cash for it, you need points from it for an overall (shockingly, just like world cups!)

-KT
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Exactly. The WC formula is the best.

Final result per race should be determined by ONE run. You have it or you don't and that is racing. Crashes and mechanicals happen; trying to avoid them is part of good race prep.

Giving points towards an overall in a "seeding" run is a great way to add some excitement to the race, and to give a deeper pool of points in case you DO have a mechanical or crash out of a final. Everything counts that way.
 
Dylan Dean

Dylan Dean

Monkey
Oct 12, 2007
608
0
southern California
thanks guys... i'll be running it by USAC this weekend, but it looks like someone has stepped up to help out w/ keeping track of Amateur points for us (me).. no promises yet, but it "looks" like we'll get something going for '10.

as far as venue... i'm biting my lip on some of the potential resorts right now.. i'm excited.

would love to have diablo... but (as mentioned) i don't think it'll happen

durango was one of the first calls i made. unfortunately they aren't interesting in having an event there. :(
 
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Eastern States Cup

Eastern States Cup

Turbo Monkey
Feb 29, 2008
2,465
2
East Coast
Possibly having Ams is great news and should help the series grow in the long run. But at this time do you really think they will travel coast to coast ??


You're the man Rich !!! Wish I had your day job;)
 
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