2017 Proposals – PA Road BAR
Proposal #1
Author: Ed Slaughter
Brief Description: Require all masters PA Road BAR races to have a prize list that goes minimum of five places with the 5th place award cover the race entry fee.
Rationale: The PA BAR Series is definitely a fun way to stay engaged in the racing season and it adds an interesting dynamic to the races for individuals and teams. Winning the BAR or ending the season among the top finishers is satisfying and makes for great chiding and bragging rights. Still there should be some minimal standard for the promoters of these events. Riders are drawn, even compelled, to participate in BAR races. In turn promoters should feel compelled to offer at least a modest prize list.
Race directors can use a method of their choosing for the 1st through 4th place prizes. For example based on a $35 entry fee 5th = $35, 4th = $45, 3rd = $55, 2nd = $65 and 1st = $75. In this example, prizes would only cost the promoter $275, which shouldn’t be too burdensome when there are roughly 50 or so competitors paying $35 each.
Proposal #2
Author: Chip Berezny
Brief Description: Combine W35+ and M65+ competitors in PA BAR races.
Rationale: The W35+ and M65+ fields are growing and feedback from the racers in each category, when paired together, has been positive. If the numbers are large enough the fields can be started separately. For BAR races with no W35+ field the M65+ riders will continue to race with the M55+ field.
Proposal #3
Author: Beth Fayant
Brief Description: Remove the “free entry next season” award from the PA Road BAR Series for all senior men and women’s (Men and Women 5-4-3) category champions with the exception of Elite Men & Women (Cat 1/2) riders.
Rationale: It seems there have been a lot of issues with upgrading as noted on the Local Association forum and valid issues raised. Upgrading should be the focus for all lower category riders (3-4-5). As the PCA has implemented a firm policy for upgrading riders should not feel they are losing the chance to have free entry in the next season series races.
As an incentive allow riders to take 70 points with them to the next PA BAR category competition as “bonus” points when they upgrade.
Proposal #4
Author: David Mitchell
Brief Description: Prior year PA Track BAR champions can race any PA Road BAR events at a 50% entry fee discount.
Rationale: Marty Nothstein (VPCC) has extended an offer for PA Road BAR champions to race for free at all PA Track BAR events. That offer was extended to PA Track BAR riders for the PA Road BAR Series. That generous offer is at the discretion of the Race Director and while some riders have taken advantage of the tender I have received some inquiries on the subject.
This proposal is to provide a reduce entry fee of 50% for those PA Track BAR champions.
Proposal #5
Author: David Mitchell
Brief Description: With the new W5 category put in place by USAC restrict W35+ PA Road BAR events to Cat 1 – 4 riders.
Rationale: This proposal is similar to the bylaw for men master’s races that restrict entry to Cat 1 – 4 riders. As the PCA and USAC implement the new Cat 5 women’s race category I feel it’s prudent to limit W35+ races to W1-4 riders for safety and to allow beginner women to gain valuable race experience before riding with more experienced masters.
2017 Proposals – PACX Series
Proposal #6
Author: David Mitchell
Brief Description: Allow prior year champions to race for free in all PACX events.
Rationale: This proposal is being submitted after frequent feedback from the PCA CX Committee and PACX Series race directors to allow prior year champions to race for free in all PACX events.
Proposal #7
Author: David Mitchell
Brief Description: Riders who upgrade during the race series will carry over 50% of their points to their new category competition.
Rationale: Over the past several years many CX riders have not complied with voluntary and/or mandatory USAC upgrade policies. I posted this issue to other Local Associations and the feedback was consistent:
- Enforce USAC upgrade policies regardless
- Allow riders to carry 50% of their series points to their new category
At the end of 2016 the PCA notified its members that USAC policies, especially mandatory upgrade requirements, will be strictly enforced. USAC does have a rule forgoing an upgrade while competing in a race series but it’s grossly inadequate and doesn’t meet the parameters of the PACX Series.
This proposal provides riders with an incentive to upgrade even prior to the mandatory threshold.
2017 Proposals – PA Track BAR
Proposal #8
Author: Doug Thomas
Brief Description: Modify the PA Track BAR competition for JR’s to spilt the Future Stars A & B to:
Future Stars A (Men)
Future Stars B (Men)
Future Stars A (Women)
Future Stars A (Women)