Still time to enter the Northern. Entries should close on 7th February but we will not be absolutely strict about that. Two brand new sections and some cunning changes to some others to keep you all on your toes. Spectacular scenery guaranteed at absolutely no extra charge!!! Youve heard how good it is from others, now try it out for yourself. All car and bike classes including Class O. If you are having problems with regs, email me fror them at fsacnct@yahoo.co.uk
We always guarantee a warm welcome and good competition.
See you there.
Myke Pocock
Got confirmation of my entry today. looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteAs above, the entry closing date has been extended for the Northern but we are well down on entries from last year. Why is that? As anyone who organises a trial knows, it takes virtually just as much time, effort and cost to organise for 40+ as 80+ and we need exactly the same number of marshals. We have always known that a trial in deepest Border country isnt going to attract the same entries as further down the country but would anyone care to comment on the reason for the drop in entries? For those entered (including me) dont worry though, we still have a cracking trial in prospect all the same. I too, Michael, am realy looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteMyke
Myke - I will weigh in with my personal opinions that apply to attracting entries to any event, not just The Northern.
ReplyDelete1. The general level of entries for Classic Trials is lower than a few years ago. Gone are the days when you had to rush to the nearest sorting office when the regs came out. Certainly the Clee and the Exmoor had lower numbers than usual.
2. IMHO the sport has become polarised. At the top level cars and drivers are very, very competitive. If organisers satisfy them the sections are un-popular for many casual competitors or those with older, more delicate or less well prepared cars. Again IMHO this is a product of the sports success over the last couple of decades. The danger is that the sport will go the way of Autocross which declined when the top drivers/machines became so good the gap to the "cannon fodder" became so great the CF couldn't be bothered. In our case its the severity of the sections/number of restarts. Some of us Cannon Fodder are very selective about the events we compete on for these reasons.
3. Cost Issue - The cost of entry Fees, Fuel, Insurance has risen faster than income. This adds to the need to be selective.
4. Regs - IMHO opinion there are only one or two events, perhaps the LE and The Cotswold Clouds that sell themselves. I think the most important thing is to get the regs out early. At least 2 months before the event. If you don't people can have committed themselves to other things.
5. Marketing - Its not enough just to have a good event. You have to sell it. eg
a) Sending information about the event to invited clubs and asking them to put it in their newsletter/website.
b) Having regs available at signing on/off at preceding events.
c) Sending regs and information to the MCC/ACTC/(and even Classical Gas) two or three months before and asking them to publish on their web sites with links to your website.
d) Having a constant flow of information on your own website. Use the new Social Media = Facebook and Twitter and how about pre-event updates on YouTube?
I would stress these are my very personal opinions.
Michael
Michael, again speaking personally, I'd add the Northern and the Ilkley to the list of events that do market themselves - both have good website content and Northern has even got local media reports published inc BBC website. I guess they realise they are a long way from the trials heartland of the SW.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, a lot of other events are extremely low profile and without ACTC and Classic Gas websites could sink without trace.
I think your second point is very relevant - James and a few others came in as a result of Fifth Gear's Exeter coverage and stuck with it but a lot more have fallen by the wayside probably because it all became a lot more involved a lot more quickly than they were prepared for. And the issue is probably less the gulf between the classes than the gulf within the classes.
This is why MCC have pushed Class 0 but they now effectively have to cope with organising 6 events a year not 3 as a result. MCC events are by far the biggest draw the sport has in terms of public imagination due to the scale, the history and the overnight adventure aspect which is pretty well unique - there's a lot more to them than a handful of people busting their nuts in a field or wood in front of their mates.
Cost has got to be an issue for events that don't have the big local market that something like the Cotswold Clouds has. How much is fuel now £1.30/litre plus...?
Congratulations to james Shallcross for winning The Northern Trial. Full results at http://tinyurl.com/4nvxxmk
ReplyDeleteI think its also congrats to Michael for a 2nd also! I absolutely loved competing this time around. Familiarity of some of the sections certainly didnt help my performance though! Many thanks to everyone who entered in cars and on bikes, to all the 90 plus marshals and scrutineers and to the organising team who do as much work for an entry of sub 50 as 90 plus. Now we need to look at a range of strategies to ensure the continuation of the trial in future years. Any comments, negative as well as positive, would be most appreciated.
ReplyDeleteMyke Pocock