Attention cx race directors and interested others
It’s time to start the process of formally identifying race directors for the 2016 cx series season and get a prelim schedule together. So please confirm with me your interest in putting on a race as part of the series, intended venue and possible date(s). We want to avoid conflicts with various regional races and right now looks like the Boulder US Open of Cyclocross will be held the weekend of Oct 15-16 so will block that weekend out for series races. The AZ cx schedule is posted and think their closest race is Oct 28 in Flag. We are considering allowing racers that compete in selected regional races say in AZ or Durango to bring back points for the NM series as well. I will be sending out more details about the series structure later this week.
Let me know your thoughts in the next 2 weeks. Goal is to have a finalized series race schedule by June 15. Also fyi, below are the minutes from our April 7 cx series meeting.
Thanks much
Jeff Huser
505-228-9150
Minutes from April 7 cx forum held at SportSystems:
Key points to creating a successful series:
· Finding and securing good race venues – will require developing relationships with various govt. and NG entities, APS etc and creating mutual benefits. The CX series staff (myself or an assigned individual) will be available to work with individual race directors to meet/discuss with various agencies to assist in securing venues.
· Optimizing resources -
o Human resources- having sufficient and trained on site staff ( including USAC officials, volunteers, club members) to put on a well organized, safe and fun event. This will require good communication between Race Directors, USAC, and other staff. I will assist with this communication to help assure an appropriate staffing level.
o Supplies – Have available to all series race directors a race kit containing the basic supplies, registration materials (start lists, bib numbers, tables, chairs, pop-up,…) , generator, PA system, course marking, barriers, start area materials, lap counter, podium and other ancillary supplies as later discussed with individual race directors.
o Create opportunities for race directors to host a financially viable event and to support their selected charity/cause/group.
o Support any new race directors with advice and networking with experienced directors as needed.
· Create a Series structure that drives participation throughout the series-
o Communication –
§ Promote events through mult-media, websites, flyers, Face book… Series will maintain up-to-date web site and NMcyclocross community Face book postings, e-mailings…
§ Provide centralized information, registration links, results… Also through series website and in conjunction with individual race directors.
o Coordination-
§ Minimize date conflicts with other regional races and other events that would adversely impact participation. Will obtain other regional race dates as they become available and communicate to series race directors.
§ If possible, provide % discount for full series pre-registration, pre-registration discounts for collegiate and junior racers
§ Intra regional series races – allow points from select AZ or Co series races to apply to NM series and vice versa to encourage regional participation . Discussion has been initiated with AZ and Durango series directors.
o Standardization –
§ Consistent race categories, field groupings, start times and processes – to be determined with input from race directors and exec council
§ Ease understanding and participation for racers and staff with registration and race day events
§ Sets expectations for all
§ Combined starts for appropriate categories – increase riders experience with larger fields, reduce length of race day, encourage spectator participation.
§ Create opportunities for a fun and challenging event for everyone, both male and female, beginners, juniors, collegiate, masters and upper category racers.
§ Communicate any variances due to weather, adverse travel conditions, etc to participants in a timely fashion.
o Course design
§ Create appropriately challenging, fun and safe courses.
§ Provide varying courses depending on categories or A/B lines in parts of course.
§ Night cross – a fun event and course needs to be designed with safety in mind.
o Clinics - Need to have 1 and desirably more clinics prior to season start and then if possible in conjunction with series race opener. Consider inviting pro racer for one of the clinics.
o Race day amenities - food ,beverages, MC, and other fun stuff as determined by race director and within guidelines of venue.
o Awards process –
§ Consistent and timely race day podium events
§ Series points system that supports continued participation
1. Dropping a set number of lowest scores
2. Bonus points for select races
§ Timely posting of results online
§ Formal end of season awards ceremony/party
o Sponsorship development and support
§ Series will solicit for sponsors for monetary support, supplies, prizes, ... Have tentative agreement with NM Bank and Trust to be series title sponsor and have agreements with ABQ West Properties (Margaret Olivarez) and Sport Systems
§ Provide support to sponsors through website, flyers, on-site banners, PA announcements at events, mention in communiqués, logos on jerseys…
§ As series sponsorship funds permit- provide stipend to individual race directors to assist with costs, prizes,…
§ Encourage individual race directors to also pursue sponsorship for their events
Proposed next steps/timeline: Lots of details to work out and while it seems a way to go till cx time, we need to get going.
Next 2 weeks - We are setting up an executive council for the series to assist with this process. Thanks to those of you who have volunteered. To make this a workable sized group will limit this to 8-9 individuals. Planning a meeting with this group in 2 weeks and likely
then 1/month meetings and communication as needed. Will begin work on a draft of series standards which will also be circulated to race directors for input
May 15- Identify race directors for series and get additional input on details for series from this group and finalize standards for series and tentative race schedule. Meet with race directors as needed.
June 15- have race directors and race schedule finalized. Race directors begin permitting process.
July 15 - Permits finalized for early-mid season races
Aug 15 – permits finalized for mid-late season races