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From: Darren Sciberras .....--...

2009 ASBK Supp Regs and Final Dates
on 14/01/2009 at 09:24 AM

Come on guys, while it’s fair enough to have your say and I too don't agree with everything in the Supp Regs, at least try to read the thing properly.

In regards to point 49 no where does it say that an ASBK competitor can not compete in another road race series.

The main restriction is on factory teams and riders, it doesn’t say they can not compete in any other series, rather it states that they can only do so on their 2 nominated test tracks.

That means that if the factory Yamaha team nominate Eastern Creek and QLD as their tracks, they would be free to compete in any series on those tracks including FX.

The rule is designed to create a more leave playing field for privateers. Only factory teams or very well funded teams can afford to go to every track and test or race before the ASBK round, this is designed to take that advantage away from those teams and mean they will only be able to pre test at 2 tracks.

There is no restriction stopping any privateer in any class to compete at other race meetings on any track. Yes there is a restriction on private test and I reckon so there should be.

From where I sit as a privateer this restriction has merit and potentially levels the playing field. Everyone whinges about costs and when something is done to try and reduce those cost no one has anything positive to say. This may be far from perfect but it’s a bloody start.

So there is nothing stopping anyone other than factory teams competing in any series or any track they choose and factory teams can also do so but only on 2 nominated tracks. I have been to many club, state and other no ASC events over the years and I can count how many times a factory rider turned up on one hand anyway.

No problem with havin your say and you can rubbish anything you like but at least try and get your facts a little straight guys.

Darren,

how many riders in Superbike and Supersport would be considered to be factory under these new rules? Quiet a few I'd expect. I am already getting calls from riders who have been given bikes and say they can't race in the Formula Xtreme series with the risk of a huge fine from the powers that be.

The way the rule is written is very obtuse and could be and is being interpreted in many different ways. Think back to Symmons Plains in 2007, MA believed the way the testing rule was written allowed the teams to test the week prior, They stuck with this interpretation right through to its ultimate end where an independent Barrister appointed by them for the appeal decided that their interpretation was wrong. This rule even if MA says it means "Apples" could under a Appeal end up meaning "Oranges" by that time it is to late and many privateers and the newly categorised team members would have missed many race meetings they might want to do.

If you believe there are to many race meetings happening out there then why not ask your club to stop promoting race meetings so there are fewer? Let me guess what your answer would be! No way our club doesn't get in any ones way. That is the problem isn't it, everyone thinks everyone else's race meetings should go and not theirs.

Under Australian law everyone is allowed to go about their lawful business and everyone is allowed by law to have freedom of choice to do lawful business with whomever they wish providing it is lawful. Right now with these new rules I don't believe that is the case and yes as I see it this rule 49 does restrict many privateers as well, not just factory teams.

Which more then likely makes it unlawful and a restriction of trade. Even if this new rule only restricts ten racers, which I believe it restricts many more then that, then that is ten to many and is a a restriction of trade I believe.

Lets see where the teams nominate, my guess is they all will nominate PI as that is where two rounds will b e held, that means many other circuits will miss out on being the second track.

Regards,
Terry O'Neill

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Testing Restriction (Darren Sciberras) 01/14 09:24 AM

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