The BSMA Team Event

I have been asked to write a few paragraphs on what the BSMA Team Event is all about.

It’s something like the Motocross des Nations for all the clubs in the BSMA. It is run towards the end of the season, when the National Championships have finished. It really is a prestigious event with all the clubs vying for the top slot. Apart from some pretty impressive trophies for the winners the winning club also gets to host the meeting the following year.

The Cotswold Club have won this event convincingly for a number of years now but this year we thought it was up for grabs. East Kent and Ringwood both thought they had a good chance of wresting it off them and up until Saturday evening there looked as if there was a good chance. By Sunday, fortunes started to change and low and behold Cotswold started pulling away again, although it was quite close, right to the end.

At the end of the weekend East Anglia came in a creditable 8^th. One place down on the best position we have ever achieved. It was a very good weekend though; the weather was good, which makes a change. The last few years have seen us towed out at the end of the meeting and last year the second day was abandoned. This year the last two races were abandoned because of dust.

The event always starts with a parade of the riders and the supporters, with much horn blowing and flag waving. Pictures are taken that end up in the press and as a team we looked great, we were fortunate enough to get some sponsorship towards a complete new kit in the clubs colours and we were very visible. This might sound vane but from a clubs point of view it’s very important to be recognised and stand out from the rest.

Of course there is the other aspect of the weekend, the bar-be-cue. Each club is allocated its own area and on Saturday evening there are some great parties going on. I have got to say this is something we are very good at, perhaps it comes from years of practice and its something that we are known for amongst the clubs.

Again we see this as important as it shows what sort of club we are and this perception helps when we try to attract new members. That does not mean to say we take our eye off the ball. It’s important to compete and it’s even more important to win and we always try to field our strongest team.

This year we were lucky we almost took a picked team. In the past we have been blighted by last minute injury or bike problems. The team is picked by a team manager, who is usually a member of the committee who put their hand up for the job. We do not set fixed criteria for eligibility, it is the team managers job to pick the best team that will work together. Obviously those who are performing well will be the first to be looked at. It’s not just about high scoring though we also need a rider that will finish. There is no point in having two riders in the top ten and the third rider fails to finish.

The team comprises of four riders in each group but does not include the autos or open group. Three riders out of the four compete in every race and again it is up to the manager to decide how to use the fourth rider. In our club we always start by alternating the team so that everyone gets a ride and then play the best team as we go along.

Autos have not been included in any BSMA National Event as it has been considered to be a learning class but this is gradually changing.  The open class has not been included yet as not every club runs an open group but I am sure that they will as every club gets involved.

There is some discussion going on within the BSMA about how riders should be picked for the AMX and Open groups. At the moment there is only one AMX license and riders can decide what group they wish to ride in but some say they should be two distinct groups, with the rider picking which group they want to hold their license in.

The results of the team event were well publicised in the TMX and will be put on our website but I hope this article will give some idea of what it’s all about and why we take part. I would also like to thank all those that rode in the teams and the club members that made the journey to support them. It was a great weekend and a good result. And next year, well, who knows!