Other officials
Observers
Motorcycle trials can’t go ahead without a full compliment of observers, particularly major competitions. You can become an observer very easily with no qualifications required and can start from the age of 12 years old. As long as you know the observing rules (0 for a feet up ride, 1 mark for one foot down, 2 marks for touching the ground twice, 3 marks for more than twice and 5 for a failure), that’s all you need to know. You get the chance to have friendly banter with the riders and whilst enjoying the event.
Technical Official
The Technical Officer is the person who checks that both the rider’s machine and safety clothing are in
compliance with the ACU Technical Regulations.
Each disciple has a specific
set of Technical
Regulations. A person can become a member of the
technical teams at regional
events whilst under the guidance
of
the Chief
Technical Officer. This allows you
to gain experience.
Once
you feel confident you can apply to attend a Regional Technical Officials Seminar that will allow you to take the role
of Chief Technical Officer
at Regional events.
After holding your
Regional Licence for a period of three years
you can
attend a National Seminar and become a Chief Technical Officers at National events before progressing further
to become an International Technical
Official.
Technical
Officers can also
take training to become Sound Inspectors for both
Road Race and Off Road sports.
Timekeeping
The black art of race timekeeping has evolved into a practice
that is accessible to most people these days who want to help their local club
or possibly
take it to a
professional level and find employment with some of the companies that provide timekeeping services.
There are many forms
of timekeeping in commerce and sport and an opportunity to develop a skill which
requires a bit of analytical patience, hard work and experience of what’s involved
and you will find that you could make a hobby or career from it.
It covers all
racing sports from athletics to cycling, swimming to motorsport and at all levels
of competition from club to World championships.
Timekeeping and lap scoring
are the timekeepers main
objectives to ensure the result and
times of a race are correct and accurate, the timekeeper signs
off a result that will award the
competitors with trophies, prizes, championships, records and personal achievements and must be taken
very seriously. It’s a very
responsible position to hold.
The job these days
doesn’t stop there, with the introduction of new computer technology and communications timekeeping includes
setting up on site result screens, uploading results
to web sites, managing live
timing and race management are
all possible even at club level
races.
If your club or race
organisation runs electronic timekeeping take a look and see
if you could get involved, talk
to the timekeepers to see if it’s something you could do or help out with.
As we say, it’s the best view in the
house and great
satisfaction to know it’s a
job well done, get involved.
Event Secretary
This position is suited to
somebody that is organised and experienced in dealing with various forms of paperwork.
The Secretary of the Meeting
is the official responsible to the Clerk
of the Course for the
administrative organisation of the event and whose duties
include the following:
- Applying for the Permit
- Producing
the Supplementary Regulations
- Taking the Entries for the event either Online
and by Paper
Organisation of the Event and Event
Personal
- Signing on of Riders
and Officials at the event
- Event paperwork and Results