Thanks for the clarification Casey.

The guy at Dunlap asked the race organizers to please change his race Cat, but according to him they told him to stay in the Cat he reg'd for and race down in the Master's 4's.

That's not the same has having enough points to upgrade, but choosing not to right away. Some cat 3s wait until the end of the season or hold off until a key race is approaching (like Vacaville criterium championships).

Sounds like someone is looking for a 30 day suspension since that is the penalty for riding outside of your category. Once you have been upgraded you have to start racing in your new category, even if you have pre-reged for upcoming races in your old category.

I know of a guy who was reg'd for the Dunlap ITT in the 35+ 4/5's. Prior to this he upgraded and even raced two races at Dash for Cash as a 3.

At the Dunlap ITT they just had him race as a 35+ 4/5. He got 5th. Hmmm.....

Just as a follow-up, I've received a response from the promoter. Thanks again for the contact info & the official viewpoint.

Again, thanks for the contact info, Warren.

Spam filters block some messages. Elis now has a direct email contact and phone number for the race director of the Pesky RR.

A person should not take on the role of Race Director or Promoter if they are not going to or don't have the ability to be responsive.

Answer your email or pick up the phone, it's not that difficult.

-R

Elis, Check PM. More contact info sent...

Thanks, Casey, that's good info. It makes sense, I was just curious what happens when a response doesn't come over a matter of weeks during which the field fills/waitlist starts & the rider effectively loses the reg fee. Don't want to imply that an upgrade itself should jump somebody to the top of the line.

Maybe we'll try again next year.

The rule book says that the promoter has to take entries in the order that they are received. In the case of a rider upgrading into a higher category and wanting to switch into the higher category I'd say that the rider looking to switch has to get inline behind everyone else who is already entered into the higher category and those who are already on the wait list. That is how I personally interpret the rules. I don't think getting an upgrade entitles one to jump the line of people who have already registered for a certain category.

As to the issue of the promoter not being able to get back to you before the field filled you can't expect volunteers to be on standby 24/7. You have to realize that real life may impose situations on people that prevent them from responding to bicycle racing related communications for a while.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I am still interested to know whether the promoter has responsibilities toward the rider in situations like these when the rider has attempted contact numerous times but left out in the cold.

To my knowledge there's no rulebook for promoters, but in cases like this it seems to me that the rider should have some recourse (bumped to the top of the waiting list or something similar). Casey?

If the Event Director is using Sports Base Online you can contact us directly and we will make the move as long as the entry fee is the same (we will even call you if it is not) and the field is not full and help you with the change. Use the "Contact SBO" link on the home page Thanks The SBO Support Team

Thanks, Warren, we'll try that.

PM sent with contact info...