Power Kite Forum

Club racing

slapbasswoody - 14-11-2016 at 07:16 PM

I am gauging interest in Club racing.

I have just moved over to the USA from the UK where I used to compete in the PKA and run Club racing events.

I would like to start up some club racing and race training events in the future.

I am based in Utah and am looking around for some good venues to hold the events. I have my eye on a couple of areas that look perfect.

Let me know if you are interested I and I will see what I can do.

All the best

Woody

Cheeks - 15-11-2016 at 04:13 PM

Been wanting to do racing at our events but most people are happy with just P.B.'s.

I guess it's the organization and administration of the races that falls short. Everybody just wants to ride.

I believe that Big Kid was a race administrator one year at Ivanpah. He might have some input. Not sure how that went.

I think it would be a hoot and a half.:D Could you be in charge of these events Woody?

A race at JIBE might be fun for the first part of the week.
You willing to travel to Jekyll Is. GA. to run the event? I'll put up some prizes.

Let's hear from Jeff.

bobalooie57 - 15-11-2016 at 04:23 PM

I viewed this one with interest. When you consider the relative distances we would have to travel, compared to people from Europe, just to get to a spot that might have wind and conditions suitable for a race, you start to see the difficulties involved with such an endeavor. That said, there's not much better, in my opinion, than watching a Euro buggy race! The precision and timing of those folks is indeed something to behold.

slapbasswoody - 15-11-2016 at 05:29 PM

Well guys I am certainly willing to be race officer for the races that's for sure and am willing to give training to those who want it.
first of all I would like to start things off slowly and hold them here on Utah for those who are within travelling distance.
If I am at one of the national meets then for sure I am willing to help out there too.
Baby steps first to see how things go.
All the best
Woody

bigkid - 15-11-2016 at 09:10 PM

One of the biggest things that was an issue is the distance from here to there. You can drive from London to the heel of Italy in a long day. West coast to East coast of the US is 3 days.
Another issue is everyone wants to race and nobody wants to officiate let alone bone up on the rules.
And a few other issues I won't go into....

If it was up to me, I would start with some simple skills like being able to navigate a 4point course. You would be surprised at how many can't turn at a given point. Just saying....
Teach the skills first then the rules and then RACE.

slapbasswoody - 15-11-2016 at 11:17 PM



If it was up to me, I would start with some simple skills like being able to navigate a 4point course. You would be surprised at how many can't turn at a given point. Just saying....
Teach the skills first then the rules and then RACE.
[/rquote]
my thoughts exactly
make it fun to start with and then once the skills are there people will want to be competitive.
As I said earlier I am willing to help out with races and training
I have already won my trophies and would like to give something back to the sport.

I understand that the US is a huge place and logistics would be a nightmare to hold a season across the country. But if we can get different areas doing club racing then it is posiible to hold a US cup at say 1 venue once a year.
Just a thought
anyways if anyone would like to come and have some fun in Utah myself and son will be out most weekends. Even of there is weak wind we like to socialise and get on the beach.

All the best
Woody

BeamerBob - 16-11-2016 at 09:12 AM

Where are you riding at in Utah? It could be between 2 and 10 hours away and I'm probably closer than all but 3-5 buggiers.

At IBX we've had fun with the relay races. It's a team event with a more accomplished rider mixed with an even mix of talent on each team. It seems to draw in more of the regular Joes that sanctioned races intimidate.

Wind_dog - 16-11-2016 at 12:04 PM

Count me interested.
I am early in the kite buggy learning process
but have lots of sail boat racing years behind me
so I know the fun of racing a course under wind power.

Learning to navigate a course in a buggy and joining
some races for different skill levels (beg/int/advanced)
would be a blast.

Maybe a new NAPKA event after some informal meet ups??

I'm in Bend, OR, 10 hour drive from Sandy/Saltair Utah.

What are the best times of year for hitting the Great Salt?


slapbasswoody - 16-11-2016 at 12:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob  
Where are you riding at in Utah? It could be between 2 and 10 hours away and I'm probably closer than all but 3-5 buggiers.

At IBX we've had fun with the relay races. It's a team event with a more accomplished rider mixed with an even mix of talent on each team. It seems to draw in more of the regular Joes that sanctioned races intimidate.


Hi Bob,
I haven't ridden in Utah yet but I am in Salt lake and have the beach of the Great Salt lake and The Bonneville slat flats in mind.

The mixing of talents is a great idea, there is nothing worse than being a beginner and racing against Masters.
We used to have 2 hour endurance races with teams of 1 Master and the other a beginner.


slapbasswoody - 16-11-2016 at 12:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Wind_dog  
Count me interested.
I am early in the kite buggy learning process
but have lots of sail boat racing years behind me
so I know the fun of racing a course under wind power.

Learning to navigate a course in a buggy and joining
some races for different skill levels (beg/int/advanced)
would be a blast.

Maybe a new NAPKA event after some informal meet ups??

I'm in Bend, OR, 10 hour drive from Sandy/Saltair Utah.

What are the best times of year for hitting the Great Salt?




Thats good that you are interested, All it takes is interest to start things off.
I can certainly look into getting things off the ground with peoples interest. One thing that I do have to do is find out when the best times are for the Salt lake. I'm sure that Kent will me out with that info.

Lets see what happens.
I will be on the beach anyway so if people turn up the more the merrier.

All the best

Woody

slapbasswoody - 16-11-2016 at 04:41 PM

Here is a bit of club racing fun
https://vimeo.com/112489709

Cheeks - 16-11-2016 at 05:14 PM

I agree that baby steps would be the best way to start. And using the honor system, each pilot could give themselves a handicap rating or status. Pro(team riders) down to beginner and novice and a few levels in between. After some exposure, riders would be moved up or down in class as skill levels are apparent. Maybe even a class letter beside your NAPKA #, 47n or 00p. you get my drift.

But what about kite size range, wind appropriate size in these classes? All in these classes kite size chosen by the race officials with input from all riders in that class. Like 2.5m to 3.5m if appropriate for apparent MPH. WOW, this could be interesting to make decisions.

Where can we find a European model to look at? Any body have this info?
_______________________________________________________________________

Salt lake and the beach of the Great Salt lake and The Bonneville salt flats sounds like a monster places to buggy.

For me, a 2K mile trip, one way, would be Ivanpah, The Salt Lake, The Bonneville Salt Flats and the Mojave Desert would be a lot of fun if it could take place after IBX.

Talk about a bucket list for a buggy pilot that can't make it to Europe to buggy.:smilegrin:

What does it take to get to buggy at the above mentioned locations.

slapbasswoody - 16-11-2016 at 05:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Cheeks  
I agree that baby steps would be the best way to start. And using the honor system, each pilot could give themselves a handicap rating or status. Pro(team riders) down to beginner and novice and a few levels in between. After some exposure, riders would be moved up or down in class as skill levels are apparent. Maybe even a class letter beside your NAPKA #, 47n or 00p. you get my drift.

But what about kite size range, wind appropriate size in these classes? All in these classes kite size chosen by the race officials with input from all riders in that class. Like 2.5m to 3.5m if appropriate for apparent MPH. WOW, this could be interesting to make decisions.

Where can we find a European model to look at? Any body have this info?
_______________________________________________________________________

Salt lake and the beach of the Great Salt lake and The Bonneville salt flats sounds like a monster places to buggy.

For me, a 2K mile trip, one way, would be Ivanpah, The Salt Lake, The Bonneville Salt Flats and the Mojave Desert would be a lot of fun if it could take place after IBX.

Talk about a bucket list for a buggy pilot that can't make it to Europe to buggy.:smilegrin:

What does it take to get to buggy at the above mentioned locations.


Well I can certainly come up with different formats for people to think about.
I have raced in Europe for quite a few years.
So club racing would take place within districts allowing people to hone their skills.
national racing in Europe usually consists of 2 classes. Open class and masters
Both classes would race at the same time but scores are seperated into classes.
as for kite choices, that can be done in 2 ways. Either a size range pre determined buy the officials or usually done by the pilots as they know which kites they feel more confident with.
Club racing should be made fun so that new comers don't feel out of their depth.
So the top racers are there to offer coaching to them

slapbasswoody - 28-11-2016 at 12:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Cheeks  



What does it take to get to buggy at the above mentioned locations.


As far as I know at the moment you just rock up and fly, that's what we have been doing