THE “G’ WORD... GRADING...
When the summer season starts and  the dilemma of what kit to wear has passed, thoughts move to such issues as grading. We receive many enquiries about how it’s done so here are a few words on the much debated subject.

The club keeps results of all races going back to 2001 so we know who has taken prize money at any given time.  When you have notched up a win and several places in any given grade (other than A grade), you are given notice that a promotion is on the cards and it is recorded at the registration desk. If you place again after the notice, you are sent an email advising you of the promotion.

Please understand that you can’t languish in the same grade for the rest of your life taking out prize money.  This will incur the wrath of your competitors and just happens to be the way handicapping works.
In the end, the idea is that you try to improve on your last performance and, if that results in places and prize money, you should move up a grade and challenge yourself.

Most riders accept this fate which is just part of the sport. So, if you are coming down to race please don’t be offended if asked about what grade you raced last season, what regular rides you may do and any placings that you had.   And if those questions don’t elicit enough information then a quick thigh check may be the deciding factor.  Put it this way; Robert (Quadzilla) Crowe’s thighs would never get a D Grade gig!

I am sure you can appreciate that the volunteers process up to 200 people on any given race day and can’t be expected to remember you all.  Charm does not work on the desk.  Well, maybe a little bit, but only as long as you aren’t winning as then it's another story!