Good points all around. In some instances I do agree with you and a trophy would be cool, however, my limited experience is telling me otherwise.
I could see this being a concern but on the same token, after just 4 races novices will have the same oopurtunity to care only about a trophy when moved into intermediate and expert races.
Yes and no. If the exec feel that a person (Novice) does not possess the ability to move up to intermediate safely, then they would not receive an intermediate license.
i.e. just because you finish 4 races doesn't necessarily entitle a person to go to intermediate.
I would think having 20 plus novices a year, many of which are over 10 seconds off the intermediate/ expert pace (me included) racing together may be more concerning.
If racers are not confident in moving up to intermediate, they also have the option of remaining in Novice until they build up enough confidence/pace they deem sufficient to move up to intermediate. There's no mandate to move up (well, there's one but i'll explain below).
A series may on the other hand encourage and keep new racers by having them compete with others closer to their skill level without the added pressure of racing and being gobbled up by much faster riders. i know this can be a learning tool, akin to jumping into the pool in a sink or swim scenerio, a scenerio I try to avoid.
Of course those who wish to or show promise after 4 races would still be eligible to move up.
I'm sure there are may arguments for and against but I just wanted to know if there was a reason there was none, as i've seen other associations do a Novice/Rookie Series.
Many thanks.
Playing Devil's advocate, those that want to compete in Novice can do so by remaining in Novice. So, if someone wants to stay in Novice to get better, a trophy is a bit besides the point, right?
However, let's say we did enact a trophy and let's assume the fastest Novice stays in Novice for the rest of the race season. The fastest Novice right now is running about a 1:31.
The fastest novice now has a 30-second gap between some of the other novices. So, your shark tank situation that you want to avoid would still exist where people are getting their doors blown off. We would rather not have new racers (possibly someone in their first race ever) get their doors blown off.
Bottom line is that no trophy = no pressure. In the club's eyes, this is very safe and leaves the door open to first-time racers without the added pressure of having to prove themselves for a trophy.
The Formula 112 in Intermediate comes to mind if you want a really entertaining race. This is a race where any racer that logs a lap time faster than 1:28:2 during the race will be disqualified. This is where most intermediates learn to shed lap times as they are with like-racers with like-lap times.