| First Time Rider Info |
| Written by Administrator | |
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First time racing FMHSC
To make this as informative as possible, let us start with the history of FMHSC… Our series, the ‘Forward Motion Hare Scramble Championship’, began holding hare scrambles in the state of Kansas in 1979, at that time we were known as the ‘Kansas Hare Scramble Series’. We have continued our events non-stop since that time. Our series split off from the western half of our state in 1994 and adapted our current name at that time. We also began holding races in Kansas and Missouri at that time. The next big step came in 2000 when Tammy Brooks launched her own website about and for the series at www.kansasoffroad.com. Because of the website, attendance at our events has been steadily growing at approximately ten percent per year. Currently we have an average attendance of about 140 riders And have computer scoring and a second series information website: www.fmhsc.com Our computer program allows us to use the results from eachrace to create an index system to ensure that riders are in the correct class, we currently have 10 class divisions. The average attendance in each class is about 12 to 14 riders. We hold 14 races at eight or more locations each season. Our season is from March through November.
We recognize the delicate balance between hard core race events and the need for a beginner friendly track. Our courses are challenging but offer alternate routes when necessary to ensure every entry can make it around. We want this to be a family event where everyone feels welcome and safe at all times. We try to keep our tracks and pits safe for all riders and spectators. Some tracks offer overnight camping. To keep things safe for everyone, the pit area requires very slow operation of motorcycles and vehicles. Always remember that children are playing all around the area and are sometimes hard to see. We hope you will come give us a try and become a part of the Forward Motion Family.
Basic riding gear is a must when you are going past trees at race speeds. A good set of hand guards and a drink system will both be very high on the suggestion list. A gas tank that holds three gallons or more will get you through a race without stopping. If you have a smaller tank, plan a pit stop just past the one hour point of the race. Place the gas can just off of the trail where you can get to it during the race and still be out of the path of other racers. An extra set of goggles and gloves, stored with the gas can, may come in handy. On race day, show up early so you can beat the crowd and give yourself some time to relax and take it all in. Gates open at 8:30. A gate fee of five dollars for each person 11 years old or older, will be charged. Once inside find a good parking spot then head right for the sign up location. It is usually a trailer parked alongside the track. There will be a table with blank sign up cards. Fill out a new card at your first event. After that the following will apply…
Sign up information sheet The alphabet has been split into three boxes. Everyone who rode a race in2008 has a card in the box. They are by alphabet but not alphabetical inside each letter file. Look through all the cards in the file that your last name begins with before you fill out a new one. Do not mix up the cards while you are shuffling through them. Keep the A’s in the A file and so on … Make sure your card is completely filled out. This will help us get you a flier next year and you will then be able to receive email notifications from us. Make sure someone can read it! Show it to the guy behind you and see if he can figure out what you wrote.Make sure you sign the back for each race. Your percentile is on the card. Based on your percentile you can choose a class. If you did not race last year, try to determine what your speed is by talking to your buddies who race our series. If you have no way to determine your speed, pick what you think is close. After one race, you will have a percentile and you can then change classes if needed.
If you have signed up early for a number, make sure the scoring person knows what your number is or she will assign you a new one. Transponders will never need to be rewritten again beyond 2008. You will be able to change classes/numbers and not have to rewrite your transponder. You will even be able to ride a team race and neither team member will need to have a transponder rewritten.
Transponders cost $30 to buy and $5 to rent with a $30 deposit. Rented units must be returned the same day. Temporary numbers will be given out for your first two events. After that, they will cost $1 per set. Permanent numbers really help everyone involved. ALLTHREE NUMBER PLATES MUST SHOW THE CORRECT NUMBER OR YOU DON’T RACE.
Test your transponder on your practice lap on your bike. Don’t just test it by walking through. This is your responsibility. If you don’t read during the race, you don’t get that lap. This is critical. Entry fee is 30.00. Take your card and your money to the scoring personnel. They can help you pick a class and answer all of your questions. They will program a transponder for you and explain how it must be mounted.
Here is some more transponder and scoring information…
Once you have finished signing up, go back and prepare everything to ride. Go to the scoring lane and start from there. Be sure to pass through the scoring lane to make sure your transponder is working. When you exit the scoring lane, just follow the arrows around the track. Take it slow and learn all you can about the track. There may hard / easy lines in certain locations. The hard lines will almost always save time if you have the ability to make it through that section. The easy lines will always get you safely around a difficult obstacle. You can ride as many practice laps as you like but make sure you are back in time for the rider’s meeting at 11:40! The riders meeting will explain special information that you will need to know about that particular event. Be sure to attend and pay attention to what is being announced. Riders line up for at the starting line at about 11:50. The order of the rows is the same as the first digit of the rider’s number. The National Anthem will be played and the end, all bikes will be started and “cleaned out”. All engines will be shut off and then each row will be started one minute apart. Several different types of starts are done. The rider’s meeting will provide information on how the start is done. Just watch the rows ahead of you to learn what to do. The race runs exactly two hours from the time the first row starts, not two hours per class. So, if you start five minutes after the first row, it is possible that your race could last one hour and fifty five minutes if you come in exactly at that time. This seldom happens. Most riders end up riding about two hours and ten minutes to as much as two hours forty minutes depending on track length and when you came through on you last lap. Once all the riders are in(usually about 30 minutes after the race ends), the results are calculated. The results are posted and there is a fifteen minute protest period. This allows riders to look for mistakes in the scoring or possibly a competitor that did not choose to ride the entire course. After the protest period, awards are presented to one third of each class. If you have any questions you can ask just about anyone you see. This is just one big family and everyone loves to help others. If you find racing to be fun, maybe you should experience the fun of helping with the set up of a race. The entire organization is made up of volunteers. Every race is set up by a bunch of volunteers who get nothing more than a work average to show for their efforts. If you want to know more about this, the rule book offers a complete explanation. While you are there it would be a good idea to read the entire rule book. It will help explain many of the topics that were only briefly mentioned here.
Information about your transponder The Scoring System provides a revolutionary way of scoring off road events – one we’re convinced will soon be the standard for scoring all off-road motorcycle events. Just like anything new, it’s important that you take the time to become familiar with some of the details of this system. About the Transponder - Our transponders are manufactured by Texas Instruments – theleader in transponder technology. The transponders are EXTREMELY durable, made from a polycarbonate material, requiring virtually zero maintenance, requiring no batteries, and having an indefinite life. They can be covered with mud or completely hidden with layers on layers of duct tape and still have full reliability at the checkpoint. When issued, they will already be programmed with your rider Information and will not need to be programmed again. Scoring – Please remember that with implementation of transponders, it’s the rider’s responsibility to ensure they have been scored. Aremote display is available at all events, displaying the rider number, the rider class, current standing, and how far behind the nearest rider in the class. You’ll know you’ve been scored when you see your information on the display. The Checkpoint - The transponder is detected when the rider passes the antenna(shown to the left) at the finish line. You will be disqualified if you run into the antenna. The system isn’t cheap, so we expect riders to do their part in helping us keep a quality, reliable system. Time will be allocated prior to the race where you can make some practice passes through the checkpoint to confirm the readability of the transponder. All riders must conduct this self-test at every event, toensure the transponder is mounted properly. It is far better to find out before the race than it is to discover problems at race time. Checkpoint Speed - If properly mounted, the system will detect riders at almostany speed. Riders should slow down when passing through the checkpoint. Speed at the checkpoint will be controlled with a series of "S" curves - enough to eliminate any possibility of passing through faster than the system can detect you. Does the transponder differentiate between me and another rider? The system is easily ableto differentiate between riders at the checkpoint – regardless how close they are together. Riders will go through the checkpoint single file, so there’s no problem with proximity between riders. What happens if I forget my transponder at home? We will always have additionaltransponders available at signup – allowing you to rent one for the day. There’ll be a $30.00 charge at signup - but you'll get $25.00 back if you return it before the scoring team leaves that weekend. Do not expect a refund after the weekend you rented it. IMPORTANT ******* Where should I mount my transponder? Regardless where it’s mounted,it MUST be mounted cross-ways, horizontal to the ground, and it WILL NOT WORK if it’smounted on metal. Without question, the best place is to tie-wrap it to your chest protector – either in the front or back – it doesn’t matter. Place a small wrap of duct tape on each end to prevent it from sliding out of the zip ties. You can also put it in a Camelbak, as long as the transponder remains horizontal. An alternative location is to mount it to either the front or rear fender as shown in the accompanying photos. While it might seem logical to mount it to the crossbar pad, that’s okay, but a bit risky, since the pads are prone to rotate, bringing the transponder in contact with the metal of the handlebar clamps. In all cases, be sure the transponder is VERY securely mounted. Use extra tie-wraps or duct-tape. Remember, the transponder is YOURS, so take the extra time to ensure you don’t lose it. Be sure to makesome passes through the checkpoint prior to race time to confirm readability. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 September 2009 ) |
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