Race Licence "exam"

[FROSTY:Me]

Throwing an idea out there to see what you folks think.
I'm proposing that all riders wishing to obtain a race licence for the first time be required to sit an OPEN BOOK exam before being given their licences. Baqsicly when the licence is sent in to MNZ they are required to answer a 25 question exam covering off Flags,passing,basic requirements for scruteenering etc.
BY open book It means theres no time limit and they can refer to ANY reference material they need to in order to pass.

[Nasty]

Throwing an idea out there to see what you folks think.
I'm proposing that all riders wishing to obtain a race licence for the first time be required to sit an OPEN BOOK exam before being given their licences. Baqsicly when the licence is sent in to MNZ they are required to answer a 25 question exam covering off Flags,passing,basic requirements for scruteenering etc.
BY open book It means theres no time limit and they can refer to ANY reference material they need to in order to pass.

Interesting proposition ... means anyone can get a license without thinking about it or actually knowing anything ... and doesn't need to remember it at all ....

Why no time limit? I have sat a number of exams which are open book - and they have time limits ... is saying no time limit so that people have more time to find the answers that they should perhaps know as a racer?

[Duke girl]

Its 1 thing answering a 25 question exam about Flags, passing, basic requirements to do with scruteenering and another to take that knowlegge out onto the Race Track and put it all into practice correctly.

When going for your licence on the road not only do you have to do the theory but you also have to do the practical, which should also be the same when applying for your Race Licence.

[scott411]

not a stupid idea at all Frosty,
you have to do something like that to get a MANZ car liceince.
and drag racing requires you to past driving tests as well,
Speedway have a mentor programme where you are looked after by someone expereinced for the 1st 3 meetings,
i think motorcycling is a bit more relaxed and you can get your liceince and go racing, i think a basic test that covers the flags, and basic racing rules would be great, but i think the training needs to come at club level, as it is pretty hard to enforce it at ground level from huntly,

[Maido]

Interesting proposition ... means anyone can get a license without thinking about it or actually knowing anything ... and doesn't need to remember it at all ....

As opposed to what we have now?
Great idea Frosty! The current system is flawed. I would like to see a practical test included also and a parole peroid.
At the moment your 15 year old son or daughter can buy Robbie Bugdens last years bike and go out and race without any prior track experience. Luckily people aren't that dumb....

[Ixion]

What of the effect that has on bucket racing?

And trials?

Already the requirement for a race licence is a major off putting factor for someone interested in getting into buckets (it's certainly put me off). And I believe that MNZ (? whatever their TLA is ) are trying to do a takeover of the trials scene. How is that going to fit in?

[Skunk]

I would say there are quite a few racers who don't know even the basic 4 flags and what they mean. This is demonstrated to us at nearly every meeting in one way or another.

There should be a written test of the basics (held at the monthly club meeting say) before a license is granted.

How can we protect rider A if rider B doesn't know what Black with Orange dot means?

[GSVR]

How can we protect rider A if rider B doesn't know what Black with Orange dot means?

Something to do with Jafas?

[slofox]

When I obtained a competition license way back when (early-mid 70's) there was indeed an exam to pass in order to get it. The exam was oral and covered pretty much what you suggest Frosty - emphasis on flags as I remember, but it did mean that you knew what the hell the marshall was trying to tell you when he waved the black flag at you frantically...

[CookMySock]

We are facing the same issue with the minimoto scene. No one really knows the procedures.

Keep it very simple and relevant. Just the basics.

Steve

[White trash]

What of the effect that has on bucket racing?

And trials?

Already the requirement for a race licence is a major off putting factor for someone interested in getting into buckets (it's certainly put me off). And I believe that MNZ (? whatever their TLA is ) are trying to do a takeover of the trials scene. How is that going to fit in?

Pretty simple actually.

As you must already be a member of an affiliated club to gain a licence (which I aggree is far to easy to come by), make it the responsibilty of the club to "endorse" the racers application proving they are competent in the theoretical side of their chosen class.

[johan]

I agree an exam should be the minimum requirement to obtain a race license.

Doing a day's course with theory and discussing all the things that are going on at a typically race meeting would be a great help for a rookie.

[McDuck]

Throwing an idea out there to see what you folks think.
I'm proposing that all riders wishing to obtain a race licence for the first time be required to sit an OPEN BOOK exam before being given their licences. Baqsicly when the licence is sent in to MNZ they are required to answer a 25 question exam covering off Flags,passing,basic requirements for scruteenering etc.
BY open book It means theres no time limit and they can refer to ANY reference material they need to in order to pass.

I disagree with the no time limit-we want the riders to know the basics. If you have it open book but with a raitivly short time limit (ie 45 min for a 25 question test) then it means the person need to have a working knowledge of the rules but not need to know every nit picky detail, just where to find them.

[Str8 Jacket]

How can we protect rider A if rider B doesn't know what Black with Orange dot means?

What about if the MNZ rep has no idea either?!?

[Number One]

I think it's a great idea.

While an open book assessmnet wouldn't guarantee they remember the stuff at least it means they will actually have to make an effort to find out what they SHOULD know before taking the track...makes much more sense than a 'just pay your money and away you go' system.