The Cost Of Traveling

[Paws123]

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As some have said the calender is really packed ..

cost of travelling is getting expensive ..ive looked at the calender for this year what Marie has added and nicked it hope you don't mind..i am unsure if additional opens are on it too

what opens are people looking to loss if they had the chance.

IMO the NNWRF could loss both super league as the attendance for both bend and straights are bad ..other than that we have 3 champs inc pups

6 golden jackets (3 x 3 bends straight) 2 classics (1x1 bend straight)..so 11 opens in total ...we have dropped a couple of opens over the past few years only to find others putting new opens on in place of them

How are opens allocated to clubs or regions ..and how many? is it 2 bend & 2 straight opens pre club or is it region ?

13/02/11 NNWRF 2010 SUPERLEAGUE BEND CHAMPS Highgate[/color]

20/02/11 BWRA NORTH WEST BONANZA Westhoughton

27/02/11 NNWRF BLACK POWER G/J Highgate

06/03/11 HIGHGATE ENGLISH BEND DERBY

13/03/11 BWRA TYRONE Highgate

20/03/11 MALTBY SHE DEVIL OPEN

27/03/11 BWRA BEND CHAMPS Highgate

02/04/11 BWRA ANDY PATTERSON TOP TEN OPEN -Old Hall (camping)

03/04/11 BWRA SPRING PUPPY CHAMPS Old Hall (camping)

09/04/11 NE GREYHOUND & WHIPPET RESCUE CHARITY TOP TEN

OPEN - Horden

10/04/11 BWRA LORD BYRON PLATE TOP TEN -Dawdon

10/04/11 SHEILA WEBB & ROB POOLE MEMORIAL (additional) OPEN -

Thurrock

16/04/11 DAWDON REDEX SHIELD TOP TEN OPEN - Dawdon

17/04/11 PEDLAR SPRING CUP ADDTL - Old Hall

17/04/11 BWRA MID WEST OPEN TOP TEN OPEN- Fordingbridge

23/04/11 NNWRF EASTER CLASSIC STRAIGHT TOP TEN -Horden

24/04/11 NNWRF EASTER CLASSIC STRAIGHT Horden

24/04/11 ADDITIONAL OPEN - Worcester

25/04/11 NORTHERN UK SCR STRAIGHT CHAMPS TOP TEN- Horden

30/04/11 SOUTH COAST SCRATCH TOP TEN- Thurrock - camping

01/05/11 JAN KEEBLE GOLD CUP TOP TEN- Thurrock - camping

02/05/11 A,B,C,D RACING Thurrock - camping

30/04/11 SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL TOP TEN- East Ayrshire - camping

01/05/11 DANNY KEIRS MEMORIAL TOP TEN OPEN - East Ayrshire - camping

02/05/11 EAST AYRESHIRE TOP TEN OPEN - East Ayrshire - camping

07/05/11 BWRA N E HARRY SEYMOUR TOP TEN - Wallsend Rising Sun

08/05/11 BWRA RHINESIZE TOP TEN OPEN - Old Hall

14/05/11 BARKING DOG TOP TEN OPEN -Rising Sun

15/05/11 NNWRF VIVS QUEST G/J TT -Shirebrook

28/05/11 NNWRF STRAIGHT CHAMPS -DOGS & SCRATCH Shirebrook

29/05/11 NNWRF STRAIGHT CHAMPS - BITCHES & VETS shire brook

30/05/11 NNWRF PUPPY/ YEARLING CHAMPS Shirebrook

04/06/11 RED MILLS CUP TOP TEN OPEN - Stockton

05/06/11 NOTTS & DERBY E MIDS POINTS

11/06/11 ENGLISH DERBY Devon

12/06/11 ENGLISH DERBY Devon

12/06/11 SHIREBROOK ADDITIONAL OPEN

15/06/ 11 WHITE HART TOP TEN OPEN - Devon

18/06/11 BWRA IBM/GRASSCUTTER TOP TEN -Devon

19/06/11 THE JOHN HORSNALL MEMORIAL TOP TEN OPEN - Shirebrook

25/06/11 HORDEN CYCLONE TOP TEN OPEN

26/06/11 E MID ANOTHER MAID TOP TEN- Notts & |Derby

02/07/11 NNWRF KRIS / KIA - ORA G/J TT -Fordingbridge

03/07/11 SHIREBROOK ADDITIONAL ABCD OPEN -Added prize money

03/07/11 FORDINGBRIDGE OPEN - camping weekend

03/07/11 NEWTON AYCLIFFE ANOSO TOP TEN OPEN

09/07/11 BWRA NW A&T MINERS TOP TEN WEEKEND

10/07/11 BWRA NW A&T MINERS TOP TEN WEEKEND

16/07/11 MURTON STEVE BINKS TOP TEN OPEN

17/07/11 NOTTS & DERBY E MIDS POINTS

23/07/11 SCOTTISH CHAMPS Kirkcaldy

24/07/11 CHARITY FOR THE TROOPS TOP TEN OPEN - Old Hall

24/07/11 GEORGE HAGGART MEM TOP TEN OPEN - Kirkcaldy

30/07/11 SCOTTISH DERBY Kirkcaldy

31/07/11 SCOTTISH DERBY Kirkcaldy

31/07/11 SAM HALLAM/GOLD DESPAIR E MIDS POINTS

06/08/11 JODAMI TOP TEN OPEN - Westerhope

07/08/11 COBHOUSE WISH & FLYING IMP TT OPEN - Worcester

07/08/11 SHIREBROOK OPEN - Additional

14/08/11 RUBY MURRAY/BEWITCHED TT OPEN - Notts& Derby

21/08/11 BWRA S YORKS TOP TEN OPEN -Maltby

27/08/11 BWRA STRAIGHT CHAMPS Old Hall (camping)

28/08/11 BWRA STRAIGHT CHAMPS Old Hall (camping)

29/08/11 MINERS ROSEBOWL TOP TEN OPEN - Old Hall

03/09/11 BWRA N YORKS TOP TEN OPEN

04/09/11 BWRA E MIDS ABC TOP TEN OPEN - Shirebrook

04/09/11 CHARITY TOP TEN OPEN - Fordingbridge

10/09/11 BWRA SCOTLAND SALTIRE CUP TOP TEN OPEN

11/09/11 NNWRF MASTER BLASTER/BALLYSTORM GJ -Shirebrook

17/09/11 BWRA N YORKS STRAIGHT TOP TEN OPEN

18/09/11 M WEST JOYCE HUTCHINGS MEM TT- Worcester

24/09/11 BWRA N E BRANDY QUEEN TOP TEN OPEN

25/09/11 ADDITIONAL JOHN LEESON - Old Hall

25/09/11 SOUTH COAST SCR BENDS TT- Harlow NGRC Track

01/10/11 BWRA JACK CADMAN TT -Old Hall (camping)

02/10/11 BWRA AUTUMN PUPPY CHAMPS Old Hall (camping)

09/10/11 NNWRF CALGARY G J TOP TEN OPEN - Highgate

16/10/11 BWRA S YORKS TOP TEN BEND OPEN

23/10/11 WESTHOUGHTON BEND TOP TEN OPEN

30/10/11 NNWRF SHOW THE WORLD G/J TT -Highgate

13/11/11 NNWRF BEND CHAMPS Highgate

20/11/11 N E CHARITY FUNDRAISER BEND TOP TEN OPEN

27/11/11 BWRA GEMS LAD TT - Harlow NGRC Track

04/12/11 CLASSIC BEND DERBY TT -Highgate

04/12/11 BWRA REPS MEETING/AGM Notts & Derby Welfare Club

11/12/11 BWRA NATIONAL AGM

26/12/11 CHARITY TOP TEN BEND OPEN FOR THE TROOPS -Highgate

 

[Doreen Hopkins]

Hi Dee

if anyone can come up with the answers I think it will be the saving of whippet racing, and also owners would not be

tempted to run their dogs at every open because they feel they should be supporting them.

I hope some good ideas come out of this

regards

Doreen

 

[Paws123]

I deleted my last post as it was in answer to another that was deleted to

Agree Doreen ..I know Chris does a great job and never likes to disappoint anyone wanting to hold opens ..hope we get some good ideas from topic

 

[Trojan]

On the back of this topic we at home were talking about Top Ten Opens and not taking aything away from any dog who has ever won the prestigious award as they truly deserve them, work hard and travel far to achieve it, but as I think Andrew had said not always the best dogs competing at the opens because of work, travel cost, families etc making travelling many miles these days difficult for some people. IF and yes some may say a backwards step ALL opens counted for TOP TEN points (as they did back in the day), this would open up the competition to ALL dogs even to those who cannot do the long journeys due to whatever reasons. Quite a few people have said about clubs begnning to get more attendance imo a good thing as without clubs we all know no racing in the long run. I also feel very often these days we have a 'fair' idea which dogs will come out on top at the opens as 'most' similar formats etc and the ones trying for points are at said opens whereas if ALL counted this may not necesarrily be the case - would that encourage people to attend if they were not quite so sure which TOP TEN opens people would be at. Then onto champs and major events these to me would become better attended better atmosphere like they were way back when, as dogs from certain regions only met at the prestigious events, there didn't seem to be as many certs as we hadn't all met on the circuit every other week at the opens to know which was the best. There were best in areas, but until the BIGGIES very rarely met making it all the more exciting when they did!!! Less opens - all counting for points could this work, bringing clubs more to the forefront of racing again instead of 'opens' just a thought if we are trying to uplift whippet racing again to its former days. Going back to some old ways, could be the way forward!!!

 

[Demblue]

I would have the 4 championships and the 2 derbys.This would allow the BWRA and NNWRF to cocentrate all their time on their championships,arranging venues,camping,entertainment etc.The only difference would be that these events would be held at different venues every year.All funds raised by these events would be used to promote whippet racing at every club,advertising etc.Each club would be able to apply to the NNWRF and BWRA through a grant system for equipment etc. IMO,with the correct advertising,this would bring large crowds to the above events which would help increase numbers at every club in Britain.

Danny.

 

[Trojan]

As we no longer have "Regions" as such for BWRA purposes etc. do we need regional opens? E Mids open, NE Opens. Mid West etc. are these opens we could loose as not directly connected to speciific clubs - please don't take these ideas and start shooting people and getting defensive about your specific areas etc as this i feel is the reason lots of people dont put their ideas forward so before it happens i'm just asking that it doesn't ) - they are what has been asked for IDEAS/THOUGHTS to try and promote the racing not get people falling out. If all ideas were put up then maybe a few soloutions may come from them. :thumbsup:

 

[Paws123]

As our country is made up of regions maybe opens should be allocated to them other than clubs ..as some regions may have 5 healthy clubs running and other regions only have 2 clubs ie each region gets 2 top ten opens (not incl champs or derbys) the other clubs could hold a 1 additional open if wished

NNWRF & BWRA to hold 4 champs and puppy champs at clubs that can accompany them as these are weekend events ..

Unsure to the golden jackets are these have a lot of heritage behind them , would hate to see these lost ..same for jack cadman , ibm/grasscutter and tyrone

 

[jiml]

how many clubs are there that race on a weekly basis????

Iwould have each club given one open , 2 derby,s with a classic event on the week before or after at the same track, 4 champs 4 bend events 2 at the beginning of the year and 2 at the end

this should give us about 24 events in total giving plenty of free weekends to go club racing and the opens would be better attended

just my thoughts

jim

ps the club opens could be swapped for say a fed golden jacket if the club didn,t want to run there own open

 

[sharon whincop]

Do most people know what it costs for clubs just to stay open what with rent and public liability. No amount of handicap racing pays for it. Clubs need a couple opens just to make money. Maby formats need changing. Looking at yesterdays card u could say 90% of winners. most people not going to pay week in week out getting beat of same dogs. Maby just 2 classes so u running with diff dogs.

 

[Trojan]

Or a couple of all in dogs & bitches separate, i know people don't like running all in in case 32 draws with 16 but to be fair luck of the draw and all that it wont happen every race !!!!! To be fair more chance of drawing different dogs and not knowing what you will be up against, 4 average could draw together giving a chance to not the best or 4 fantastic drawing together - does open the racing up a bit :thumbsup:

 

[sharon whincop]

Even try more abc racing that way dogs get 2 runs for money wether they win or lose.

 

[John Marsden]

Even try more abc racing that way dogs get 2 runs for money wether they win or lose.

couldnt agree more its along way to travel for one run especially when you know your chances of winning are slim, as for the easter classic think it would have got more people if it wasnt a 2 day event, meaning you have to camp, or if you cant camp then you have to make 2 trips which is more expense

john & fiona

 

[marielou]

I'm afraid I haven't got many suggestions but I can see that we have to do something. We are a small sport and financially times are tough for everyone, the price of fuel is the highest I've ever seen it and so I think we have to pull together to survive. There are people from all regions that travel and others who can't or don't want to. I think that the rise in cost will see the rise in popularity of weekend events as those camping can get more for the one trip but we have to try to be cooperative and inventive, I've been looking at the timetable and I agree that the number of opens isnt doing anyone any favours, maybe we could look at clubs in the same region holding a weekend of events and sharing the revenue at a club that can have camping. I do know that if you have 11 opens in one month as in this month (April) you are not going to get great attendances at any of them. People aren't going to be tempted to travel if they have opens close to home in every region.

I think we also have to look at attracting new people, maybe we could try to advertise more in areas local to the bigger events, have some have a go all breed sessions during weigh ins to encourage people to get the bug. Im sure if we could get people along to camping events as spectators and visitors they could see what a great family sport this is.

.

 

[ocsar]

i use to like the time trail opens so why not bring back time trail opens gives every dog the same chance

 

[Fleesh]

Do most people know what it costs for clubs just to stay open what with rent and public liability. No amount of handicap racing pays for it. Clubs need a couple opens just to make money. Maby formats need changing. Looking at yesterdays card u could say 90% of winners. most people not going to pay week in week out getting beat of same dogs. Maby just 2 classes so u running with diff dogs.

Sharon we were just discussing the same thing this morning. One idea would be to take a leaf out of the old WRCA (Peds) Superstars, they had a Consolation Points competition as well as the mains meaning that if a dog was beaten in the first round it could run in the consolation for the consolation points competition (as I understand it). That way if there is a dog at an open that is exceptional it would still encourage people to attend as they would have a second opportunity to run for a supreme and gain recognition.

It could be made automatic with say a fiver paid to run the dog and out of that taken 50p lure, £1 to the club, £2.50 towards the main prize money and £1 towards consolation prize money. Every dog would get two runs.

An 11am weigh in for opens and the Pup/Year/Vet and Scratch programme prepared straight away, a little organisation and racers being prompt, dogs in and owners walking down the track when the lure reaches half way up etc. There would be time for both mains and consolation, the majority of opens I've attended recently even with 50 odd dogs running have finished by half past 3. With the days being longer in the summer there isn't the same rush for light as there would be in the winter.

I think we have attempted to address the number, location and frequency of open dates previously and it hasn't always been successful, I'm unsure as to whether less opens is the answer, if you live in the far reaches of the country and the opens are a hundred and fifty or more miles away you're really not going to attend if you're only going to get one chance to win and an exceptional dog in your weight group is owned by someone who is able to attend all the top events.

 

[sherry]

i use to like the time trail opens so why not bring back time trail opens gives every dog the same chance

totally agree with this. we r holding a time trial alongside the barking dog open even if we just get 4 or 5 dogs thats 4 or 5 more than wot we wudve had. people may only have 1 open class dog and say maybe 1 or 2 club dogs so if they travel with their open class dog and there was a time trial open on too they cud also run their club dogs. lots of clubs accomadate 4 peds this way so why not for non peds too? i love the full time trial open held on the wed @ scotland i wish devon had 1 on too in their week of racing.

 

[mutley]

things could be improved maybe but too much change aint good i think. at least everyone has a choice of where to race in these expensive times long may our sport continue :thumbsup:

 

[fallenangel]

what ever you decied somepeople wont like it. like everything else some like day racing some like us prefare camping at the track as we get more runs for the traviling. but haveing a limet to opens in each regon means if we do decied to day race were not heading for the same place every time.