CHASE DADS!

Hey Viewies - Below is an addendum to the October Off-Road Minutes regarding a proposed rule implentation to cover the issue of Chase Dads/Moms, etc. Please review and if you have any suggestions, additions, deletions, etc. you would like to offer up, please contact Donn Nay or Alex Balsitas, your D37 reps.

CHASE DAD REGISTRATION PROPOSAL

Introduction: Being a Chase Dad has become some sacred rite of passage and everyone drapes the American Flag around the concept and holds it up there on a pedestal saying that it should just Be, without any intervention or rules of any kind. These "off the books" riders are on the course and they could spell disaster for the host club and District 37 if someone gets hurt.

Problem:
If a rider isn't signed up, they haven't gone through the system. No Print and Sign. No AMA swipe/release. No AMA Card possibly. No waivers on the event entry form. Rider is on the course, with knowledge and ?approval? of the host club and the BLM Fee is not being paid. Neither is the LDF Fee. No sound testing or tech inspection for spark arrestor is being done.

And what happens if Chase Dad gets hurt? Some freak accident that lands him on his butt. Maybe he's unconscious. They're on the beginner line and slow... no one else is coming through. Junior sets off to get help. (he shouldn't, but then, he's inexperienced and that's what inexperienced riders do). Now Junior is lost. Sweep comes by and finds Dad napping. Calls R3 and he's helo'd out. Junior is still lost. Rider count matches as Dad has been "accounted for". No one is looking for Junior until a frantic phone call comes from Mom who just arrived at the hospital. It?s dark now. And it?s 34 degrees out. Junior is still lost.

The AMA would have a field day. What would it do to our insurance?

Solution:

Well, it?s against the rules for the Chase Dad to be out on the course anyway: Let?s just not allow it.
ARTICLE I. General Rules
Section 5. No one except riders officially entered may ride any race course on the day of the event.

That?s not going to fly either. They go out there anyway. The 'official party line' imposes a situation where the chase dad is almost forced to do the wrong thing. And clubs are not telling anyone no. Every club that lets a chase rider who is not entered in the race out on their course is breaking the rules and creating unnecessary risk and exposure for themselves, the district, and their customers, the Riders.

Instead, let?s acknowledge these parents who want this experience by HELPING them to do it, legally, and with all the liability bases covered. Do not put roadblocks in their way to help the kids who need a little crutch.

It will build goodwill, and we want and need riders to keep coming back.

Please discuss this with your club. Please feel free to offer alternative suggestions or additional guidelines. But please vote to approve this program.

Thanks.

The PROPOSAL: (Rules of the Chase Dad Registration Program)

All ?Chase Dads? (or chase-moms, brothers, sons, etc) shall go through sign ups and register with the club as a Chase Dad.

No points, no scoring, no district card required.
(Maybe we can add a tiny section in results to list all the Chase Dads, like we list the Kids Event participants. It would be good PR for the program)

AMA Membership IS required.

Chase Dad goes through signup and signs away his life just like everyone else. (print-n-sign, ama onion skin, entry form waivers)

$10 registration fee to ride as a Chase. (covers the $4 BLM fee, $5 LDF and $1 to D37. District would have to agree to waive $1 of the $2 per rider fee.)

CHASE DAD Pie plate REQUIRED. Number them so we have a reference point through checks: Chase1, Chase2, Chase3, etc. A ?Chase Dad sign? on back of chest protector recommended.

Chase Dad is subject to same sound testing schedule as his chased racer and must be teched on the line for sparkie and registration.

Chase Dad lines up and starts BEHIND his rider.

small print:
Discount pricing NOT Valid for Licensed Dads entering the race for last-place points and following their kids. Discount IS valid if a Licensed Dad just wants to chase only and is NOT getting any points.