The Championship standings are complete, the Most Improved Rider ballots have been counted, the Best Event of the Year has been determined, the 2019 Awards Banquet has been scheduled for February 22^rd and a Fun Trial at the TTC the following day has been confirmed.  The 2020 Rule Book has been updated and the 2020 schedule is set.  That about concludes my administrative and scheduling duties for the year as the Association’s President.   This post will be my last “President’s Announcement” on our website.

The annual STRA business meeting held on November 5^th included a review of the season in regard to participation, a summary of the recently held NATC meeting and the proposed 2020 STRA event schedule.   The meeting also saw rule changes for the 2020 season voted in by attendees.  These changes addressed riders changing classes and the delegation of Championship points; the ability to remove a hand from the handle bar when a foot is on the ground; promoter leeway to alter event start times; and various other small modifications to existing rules in the attempt to make them more accurate and succinct.

The most essential part of the meeting however, was the election of officers for the coming year.  At first there was a lack of volunteers to take over the Youth Director and President positions for 2020 when Curt Comer and I resigned.  After discussion amongst the forty plus attendees, a plan was developed to help the association continue.  Current officers other than the two noted above will remain in their current posts with the exception of Francois Saint Laurent, who will move from the Vice President role to a Media Coordinator role.  Ray Peters will step into the President’s role and Alex Niederer will become the Vice President.  A shout out goes to Kim Bronstein who stepped up and volunteered her services to be Secretary/Treasurer, a position that has been vacant for the past two years.  Nick Smith and Alan Shirley also volunteered support to aid Ray and Alex throughout the season so don’t be surprised to see them running the show when the President and Vice President are unable to attend STRA events due to National and Pro trial commitments.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     2020 STRA Officers                                                                                                           President                              Ray Peters                                                                             Vice President                   Alex Niederer                                                                     Secretary/Treasurer      Kim Bronstein                                                                   Administrative Aids       Nick Smith and Alan Shirley                                     Competition Director    Dawn Shirley – to be assisted by                                                                                   volunteers in exchange for event work                                                                          credit                                                                                       Media Coordinator           Francois Saint Laurent                                               Sporting Steward               Eric Mattson                                                                     Youth Director                     Vacant – duties are to be carried out                                                                             by the promotor and volunteers for                                                                                 work credit

A stop gap plan to continue the youth program was proposed and will be developed as the season approaches.  The plan is to have each event promotor set up youth sections and have events scored by STRA volunteers in exchange for work credit.  The idea of exchanging labor for work credit was also extended to assist with rider check-in and pre-event operations under the direction of Dawn Shirley.

As I sign off as President I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity and the support over the past three years.  Together we accomplished a lot and implemented many new ideas to expand our sport, improve rider participation and heighten the STRA experience.

It is often said that reluctant leaders make the best leaders.  I have no doubt that this association will continue to develop and prosper under Ray’s direction and with the talented support of the other officers.  A heart felt thank you for everyone for stepping up and continuing to lead the Southeastern Trials Association, truly making it a premier trials association.

I hope to see you at the 2019 Awards Banquet on February 22^nd and the pre-season Fun Trail on the 23^rd.  We have some special things planned to officially end the 2019 season and to welcome our new officers for 2020.

Douglas

The Executive Board and Competition Director have reviewed the performance of STRA competitors for 2019 season in order to create a list of candidates for the Most Improved Rider Award.

STRA members please click on the link https://www.stratrials.com/most-improved-rider-poll/ and review the candidate’s accomplishments listed in alphabetical order and cast your vote at the bottom of this page (please only one vote per STRA member).  The award will be presented at the 2019 Championship Series Banquet on February 22nd, 2020.

VOTING ENDS DECEMBER 15th, 2019.

The following proposed rule changes and ideas for enhancing our association were submitted by members of the STRA.  The following items will be voted upon at the 2019 business meeting on Saturday November 2nd following the Mark Moon Memorial Ride and be implemented for the 2020 riding season.

Additional items may be added to this list if submitted to the President (stramail@charter.net) no later than noon October 30th, 2019.  Only items pre-submitted for peer review will be eligible to be voted on at the business meeting.

For The Championship (Rule Changes)

Proposal 1: Section 3.4 states “A Rider wanting to compete in a class other than their normal class may do so by indicating to the Competition Director that they are riding for “Exhibition only”. This allows the rider to test their performance in another class. An exhibition rider will not be eligible for series points but may be eligible for the awards of the day subject to the discretion of the promoter.”

Proposed change:  “A Rider wanting to compete in a class other than their normal class may do so however, they may only qualify for points in one class per season.  Riders competing outside their normal class will be considered to be riding for “Exhibition only.” This allows the rider to test their performance in another class. An exhibition rider will not be eligible for series points but may be eligible for the awards of the day subject to the discretion of the promoter.”

Reason for change: This change will prevent the potential for riders changing classes towards the end of season from effecting season long point battles among the regular competitors in that class.

 Proposal 2: Section 5.4.c states:  “Rear dampers may be replaced with gas filled units. Rear wheel travel (not shock travel) is limited to four inches. Front wheel travel is limited to seven inches.”

Proposed change:  “Rear dampers may be replaced with gas filled units. Rear wheel travel (not shock travel) is limited to four inches. Front wheel travel is limited to seven inches.”

Reason for Change:  Rule seems unnecessary and submitter suspects that all the air cooled monoshock bikes have more than 4 inches of rear wheel travel.

 Proposal 3:  Section 8.0.b.5 states: “The rider does not have both hands on the handlebar when footing while stationary.”

Proposed change: “The Rider removes their hand from the handlebar and uses their hand to reposition the motorcycle or perform mechanical adjustments to the motorcycle when footing while stationary.”

Reason for Change: To be consistent with current NATC rules.

 Proposal #4:  Rule 10.1 states “Promoters should start events no earlier than Eleven O’clock Local on Saturday and no later than Nine O’clock Local on Sunday.   There will be 30 minutes between the end of the morning event and the beginning of the afternoon event. Youth events will be held at the Promoters and Youth Directors discretion.”

 Proposed change: “Promoters should start events no earlier than 11:00 a.m. local time on Saturday and no later than 9:00 a.m. local time on Sunday.  Promotors may alter that time if warranted (e.g., available daylight, land use restrictions, etc.) and given the President’s permission.  There will be 30 minutes between the end of the morning event and the beginning of the afternoon event. Youth events will be held at the Promoter’s and Youth Director’s discretion.”

 Reason:  Each year one or two events (most notably the Mark Moon Memorial Ride) occurs where daylight is limited because of Daylight Savings Time.  Due to an early sunset Promotors and riders are hindered and sometimes put in a position where it is not safe to ride due to lack of daylight.  The proposed change would give leeway to the Promotor to alter the start time under the guidance of the association’s President.

 Proposal #5: Rule 12.3 states “Each rider’s championship score for the year shall be based on the points earned in ½ the total number of events plus one. Each rider’s best scores in this number of events shall be used in computing the total championship score for the year. (See Novice exception (page 5, item 4, #4)).”

Proposed change: “Each rider’s championship score for the year shall be based on the points earned in ½ the total number of events plus one. Each rider’s best scores in this number of events shall be used in computing the total championship score for the year.  (See Novice exception (page 5, item 4, #4)).”

 Reason for change: In 2015 Rule 4.4 was introduced to encourage Novice riders to remain active in STRA events by allowing them to qualify for year-end awards after only riding and working three events.   Their Championship points however are tabulated the same as all other classes.  Elimination of the wording in Rule 12.3 would help clarify this point.

 Proposal #6:  Rule 13.4 states “Thirty (30) layout points will be awarded to the Trials Master and one additional worker per STRA Trial.  Layout points can only be earned one time per year.”

 Proposed change: “Thirty (30) layout points may be awarded to the Trials Master and up to one additional worker per STRA Trial.  Layout points can only be earned one time per year.”

 Reason for change: Provide flexibility in awarding points.  Some Trials Masters do not want the automatic points to go to their championship score and the current rule mandates the giving of 30 points.

Proposal #7:  Rule 13.8 states “All STRA riders competing in the Florida Trials Association annual Fun in the Sun 2-Day event will be given work credit for that day’s event provided the rider finishes the event and was not given the opportunity to work in a scoring capacity.”

Proposed change: “All STRA riders competing in an event for which the Promoter provides checkers will be given work credit for that day’s event provided the rider finishes the event and was not given the opportunity to work in a scoring capacity.”

Reason for change: As evidenced by Hollytree this year, Promotors beyond Fun in the Sun are able to provide checkers for events.  This proposal “officially” broadens the scope of events for which people can get work credit.

For Member Consensus

 No items submitted at this time

For The Promoters (What we want Promoters to do for us)

 No items submitted at this time