Is your class on the chopping block?

synfinatic

synfinatic

Wannabe Fast Guy
From the Nov meeting minutes:

Elimination of 700SS, SD, 650 TW, O TW, LEG HVY, LEG LT, and LEG 250:

MOTION: Motion to eliminate the following classes from race events: 700SS, SD, 650 TW, O TW, LEG HVY, LEG LT, and LEG 250

2nd: Max

Discussion: There was discussion on the above mentioned classes as they were the lightest in entries for the season. Arguments in favor of and against were heard including potential removal of classes, combining of classes, and merging classes. Discussion and Motion was tabled to allow for additional review including consideration of our current schedule structure, entry level classes, etc.

MOTION TABLED: BOD Members charged with choosing 2 classes for discussion at the December 2018 BOD Meeting.​

Next BoD meeting is tomorrow (Wednesday).
 
thedub

thedub

Octane Socks
Kinda surprised to see 650TW on there with the popularity of the MA Twins Cup rising.

But yeah, def get rid of the rest of that garbage.
 
Kalvin00

Kalvin00

Well-known member
So my SV goes from 4 classes to being eligible for 1? What a crock of shit. It's not like those classes run by themselves anyways.
 
synfinatic

synfinatic

Wannabe Fast Guy
I'd also suggest keeping 650TW (and by proxy 700SS) since MA Twins grid is crazy big and even if they don't come and play with us, one of the stated goals I've heard for the AFM is to be a stepping stone to MA. The only way for AFM members to do that is to:

1. Run a bike which is legal in both AFM and MA
2. Race (preferably as many races as possible)

Removing classes which are stepping stones to MA doesn't fit with that stated goal.

Also, we're gridding 650TW w/ 450SB and there aren't many other classes which make sense to grid with 450SB from a safety perspective so you're basically leaving money on the table.

Lastly, yes, I'm coming back for 2019 so that's one more entry for 650TW that wasn't there in 2018.
 
Tumbleweed

Tumbleweed

rollin' right along.....
Although this doesn’t impact me, I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one that read the minutes. I’d so hate to see anyone iced out. Since weeks ago I had emailed the BoD about my questions regarding rumored changes to the 450 class and got.....crickets......., I wouldn’t suggest emailing the BoD, cuz that shit don’t work. I had to wait to read the minutes from this meeting to see wth is being proposed for the 450-class. #nicetransparency #mydogcommunicatesbetter #hulloanyone

If these eliminations are YOU, and you ain’t happy, you should maybe consider something other than emailing the BoD....I’ll Let you figure out how to communicate with them.

The AFM seems to be an interesting creature. If you aren’t easily defined (ie: a $$$$$liter bike or a $$$$600), you best pay attention at all times, cuz AFM may not want your entry fees next year. AND.....if you email the BoD for info, well, uhmmmm, fo-gitabouit.

It is important to be involved in matters you care about, it’s important to care. I would encourage anyone impacted by this potential change to......well......I dunno? Maybe tell your favorite Starbucks Barista, because at least they will pretend they care??
 
easter bunny

easter bunny

Amateur Hour
Tumbleweed said:
If you aren’t easily defined (ie: a $$$$$liter bike or a $$$$600), you best pay attention at all times, cuz AFM may not want your entry fees next year.
Click to expand...
Twins make zero sense to me as stated above. But Legacy Heavy (me) is a liter bike and on the block. There's like a dozen of us on the grid and we run with the 750s so it's still a combined race. How are we on the choppping block but dinosaur and vintage aren't if we're talking grid numbers?
 
Mick-e

Mick-e

Ride, Race, Live
synfinatic said:
Lastly, yes, I'm coming back for 2019 so that's one more entry for 650TW that wasn't there in 2018.
Click to expand...

This.
I took 2018 off with a house purchase since I needed to rebuild my bike from the ashes of a bad crash in 2017. I was planning on doing the work in February. If the AFM is killing 650T I'm out. I'd like to see legacy light stay on, but IF it has to go OK.
Again if AFM kills the 650 classes I'll go race with AHRMA. I'm old anyway.
 
thedub

thedub

Octane Socks
easter bunny said:
How are we on the choppping block but dinosaur and vintage aren't if we're talking grid numbers?
Click to expand...

Super Dino is. I mean I assume that what "SD" is.

Vintage wont go away because they only people who race it are the people who make the rules.
 
pappy

pappy

Getting Older and Faster
1) Why do "we" need to chop classes in the first place?
2) First time ever a manufacture is actually going to make a 650 sport bike and "we" chop the class.
3) Do I need to get my deposit back for the aprilia rs 660?

And Like Micky, I bought a house in 18. will be back in 19 or go race with Ahrma.

Patrick
afm 180
 
2

2wls4ever

Well-known member
I will start by saying, I race a bike that struggles to find classes to compete in....Production 2015 Honda NSF250R

Taking a positive approach, I am wondering if this has the AFM looking at more class consolidation. For example combining 450/650 wins/Formula 2 into a single class (calling it Formula II like the CVMA series)?

Which in my opinion would be awesome if the goal was to remove Saturday Practice, create more qualifying and hold same class races Saturday and Sunday.

Another example could be combining Formula III with LW Twins (allowing singles) and also race once Saturday and once Sunday.

If done right, there could be less classes, same amount of racing, bigger fields, and with any luck longer races (8-10 laps)
 
eeeeek

eeeeek

Freelance Superhero
It is a little ridiculous that there are classes with only one or two people racing in them.

From my memory, there was at least one race where Sam Romick was the only person. I remember because he pulled into the hot pits half way through the race, ran to the JPH pits, then came back and still won the race as he was the only one in it.

There were also a few OT races with only 2 people in them. 650 T was down to about 4 bikes.

Vintage was 2-3 bikes at most and the biggest speed differential out there.

250 Leg was usually 2 bikes.
 
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afm199

afm199

Well-known member
I do recognize that the small bikes are the future of AFM racing for now, and that needs to be addressed.

Vintage has always been hit or miss.
 
duh_ave

duh_ave

Well-known member
the rule of thumb we used when I was working with rules stuff, was that if the class couldn't fill two rows, it would be considered for chopping.
Vintage should have been, if it hasn't, made a special event and only run once or twice per season (I haven't followed any of this for 3-4 years now)


The best bet for all of you is to get involved. It was always difficult to make decisions when hardly any of the players would comment , much les participate in the research and making of these rules changes.
 
Martin

Martin

Well-known member
I intend to race in 2019 but can't promise it. You (the BODs) should consider matching MA's rules (except for the homogenization BS) for their Twins class, name it "MA Twins", and promote it as the super accessible club level stepping stone to race Nationals.
 
scratchpad

scratchpad

Well-known member
synfinatic said:
I'd also suggest keeping 650TW (and by proxy 700SS) since MA Twins grid is crazy big and even if they don't come and play with us, one of the stated goals I've heard for the AFM is to be a stepping stone to MA. The only way for AFM members to do that is to:

1. Run a bike which is legal in both AFM and MA
2. Race (preferably as many races as possible)

Removing classes which are stepping stones to MA doesn't fit with that stated goal.

Also, we're gridding 650TW w/ 450SB and there aren't many other classes which make sense to grid with 450SB from a safety perspective so you're basically leaving money on the table.

Lastly, yes, I'm coming back for 2019 so that's one more entry for 650TW that wasn't there in 2018.
Click to expand...

MA Twins grid is far from crazy big on the West Coast. East Coast is a different story. 650 Twins are still a thing most everywhere else where the 450 quirkles have become a thing here.

FIV mimicks MA Twins best as of now with qualifying for grid position. Though, theres still the same old song and dance about adding laps to it. Its supposed to be a premier class so treat is as one. Running a 6 lap sprint is far from a 11-13 lap MA race. FIV has potential to be a stepping stone class.

I have ZERO confidence in anything AFM does anymore. Like one other poster mentioned you cant even get a response from anyone. Ive had the same issues in the past. Perfect example, 12+ months ago the online application process was supposed to be a thing. Its still not a thing.

I could give a rats ass if they chop the classes ive always raced in. Nobody shows so get rid of them. Ill show up for FIV and spend the rest of my money with other clubs.

Good to hear you, Mickey and Pat are coming back. :thumbup
 
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