We had a great turnout to the 2018 STRA Business meeting on 11/10/18. Approximately 60 people discussed and voted on proposals to help advance our association. The following are items approved by the group and will be implemented for the 2019 season.
For The Championship (Rule Changes)
Change #1: Rule 3.0 Rider Classification was amended to reclassify Vintage A, B, C and Twinshock A, B, C into one class each, referred to as “Vintage Novice,” “Vintage Intermediate” and “Vintage Sportsman.” These three classes will include all years of air cooled monoshock and twinshock motorcycles with drum brakes.
Change #2: Rule 8B-12 Failure Definition was amended to be more descriptive and will now read:
“The rider fails to pass through all designated gates for the rider’s class. Competitors may ride where they choose where boundaries are not marked by either split gates or tape. The rider may not pass backward through a gate of their own class or in either direction of another rider’s class (which equates to any tire contact patch breaking the plane of the gate).”
Change #3: Section 8.0 of the STRA Rule Book will be amended to include a process for breaking ties which reads:
“In the event of a tie, the Rider with the most cleans, and then ones, twos and threes will win. If still tied, then the first point dropped will be used as a tiebreaker. If still tied the riders will be considered tied for the event and receive the place and the same number of Championship points for the higher of the two positions being contested. “
Change #4: The potion of Starting Time Definition Rule 10.0-1 indicating the time allotment between morning and afternoon riding events during a trail has been changed to 30 minutes between sessions rather than 45 minutes.
Change #5: The portion of Starting Time Definition of Rule 10.0 – 1 regarding Youth events was changed to give more flexibility in hosting an event to read:
“Youth events will be held at the Promoters and Youth Directors discretion.”
For Member Consensus
Item #1: A rider taking part in the Shadow Rider Program where an experienced rider (typically from the Champ class) rides with them to assist and teach about navigating the loop, sections, scoring and competition tactics will be able to ride for place and Championship points without penalty .
Item #2: The STRA will donate marking kits, including boundary tape and gate markers, to the promoters for each event rather than have the promoter purchase these required items.
Item #3: The STRA will submit application to hold a NATC National Event in 2021.
Item #4: Inclusion of a one line Cherokee Cup trial in conjunction with a 2021 NATC National event hosted by the STRA will be explored and may possibly be a night trial.
For The Promoters (What we want Promoters to do for us)
Item #1: Loop arrows at events will now be marked as to which section is next on the loop.
Item #2: A colored gate marker system (a specific color represents a class) will be implemented for the 2019 season. This will deviate from the current system using arrows and class letters to indicate gates. The colored marker design will be similar to the NATC’s new marking scheme
Item #3: The possibility of a promoter hosting a night trial at some point during the year will be investigated.
On behalf of the STRA I would like to specially thank Dawn and Griff Shirley for the use of their facilities, table set up and organizing dinner for all those who attended this year’s STRA Business Meeting.
— Douglas