Re: RC: Weight Divisions

["Nancy Mitts" <mitts_n@hotmail.com>]

I would like to again remind everyone that it is REGIONAL points we are 
talking about here. It's only necessary to compare rides within the same 
geographic area, not opposite ends of the country. It is quite common that 
riders in the same weight division in the same region have the opportunity 
to go head to head at least once during the season, probably several times. 
Especially if they are actively chasing points. If they are truly seeking 
out those small rides where points are such an easy jackpot, pretty good 
chance they'll be at the same rides. I wish they'd come to the Ozarks, we're 
real easy here ;> .
Nancy

Randy Wrote:
>From the time I began serving on the Board, about 10 years ago, I have
>heard the phrase, "we need to make it a level playing field".  In most
>cases I have argued against that logic because it is not really possible
>to make each and every ride the same...even the same ride in the same
>location will differ each year due to variables such as weather,
>humidity, temp, experience and number of riders, Vet interpretations ,
>etc.  However, one thing that can and should be a level playing field is
>how points are calculated.
>
>Overall Points are based on a level playing field.  It takes a minimum of
>eleven riders to get full Top Ten Points.  However, Weight Division
>Points differ from ride to ride.  If a ride has eleven riders in the same
>Weight Division, then all those riders are competing against their fellow
>Weight Division riders, ONLY!  In the same region, a ride can have eleven
>or more riders, but only ONE rider in a Weight Division, and that ONE
>rider can get 1st place Weight Division Points and still just walk thru
>the ride because our rules allow that rider to use all the other Weight
>Division riders to count as their competition.  In the first example the
>1st Place Weight Division Rider (and Top Ten  WD Riders) had to compete
>against their fellow Weight Division Riders..COMPETE is the key word.  In
>the second example, the 1st Place Weight Division Rider only had to
>finish the ride to get the same number of Weight Division Points..without
>COMPETING against anyone but the trail.   I understand how those who
>object to a change feel, but I fail to understand how this is fair and
>how this is a "level playing field".  What about those FWT, LWT, MWT, and
>HWT riders who do compete against a large number of same WD riders, and
>lose out at the end of the year to someone who seldom Competes against a
>number of same WD riders?
>
>I don't agree with the argument that small rides will die off if we
>change the point calculation.  I truly believe that most of us ride for
>the fun and camaraderie, and for the personal challenge.  To me, being
>the 1st Place (And Only)  FWT, LWT, MWT, or HWT in a ride and getting
>full Weight Division Bonus Points is no different than those show people
>who talk about winning the Blue Ribbon in their show class and forget to
>tell us they were the only one entered in the class.
>
>I hope we keep this dialogue going till the Annual Board Meeting in March
>because it represents what I have always preached...AERC functions best
>as a team..Members and the Board working towards a common goal that
>benefits the majority.
>
>Randy Eiland
>
>
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