Random gate poll: Like it or hate it?

[bnd]

I took my first gates with the random cadence today & loved it. It levels the playing field as it should. Please vote & lets see what people think.

b.

[JAlvey]

It would be best just to have one cadence since going back and forth is tough - random would be the best. Before today's race, Roland said something to the effect of "we're running random during pro-am to get people ready for 2010". I've heard that we're keeping the old cadence. Does anyone know different?

[jperry]

I think that the random gate is a great idea, even though really none of the 28+ Intermediate riders don't sling shot. But I put my vote as a yes for the random gate.

[b2]

Like Justin, my thoughts of switching back and forth are bad--at least bad for me. I stopped taking gates in the summer when the cadence was switched at the end of practice. If we (the ABA) goes to it, fine by me. I just can't go back and forth.

Justin, I thought I heart Roland say, "ABA is NOT going to random in 2010". Sure has been a lot of debate about it on Vintage, however.

[Jackie]

As with anything we will all adapt to whatever the cadence is. I like it and would welcome the random gate. If it is going that way I say why wait?? I do understand though for the small tracks they would have to invest in the new box which is about $600 and could be a burden on small programs.

[sspencer]

I too would prefer the random gate but we all need to understand ALL of the factors involved in making such a change outside of our personal preferences.

The ABA is maintaining the current cadence so to not force the financially struggling tracks into making a costly change when it is not necessary. Most tracks out there dont have that kind of money sitting around and are barely affording the costs to run a weekly single pointer. Sure they can try to do fundraisers or come up with other ways to make the money but things arent as easy as they always seem.

Also the request to change is coming from those who focus on nationals and/or the Sling-haters. 70% of the ABA membership are local-only racers and will never attend a national and dont have an opinion one way or another. This fact is part of why the ABA is not quick to make such an expensive change impacting the struggling local tracks.

Eventually the change WILL be made but the ABA will continue to do what is best for the sport which is evident in their growing membership and partnership with the UCI. It is easy to get caught up in what "we" or "I" want but we need to think about the sport as a whole and all of the factors involved when considering such major changes.

Just my opinion,
Steve

[billyschuler]

i vote to go random, i mean i get the sling shot thing but i think in any competition it needs to be unsiform, and having one guy in the gate whipping backwards is a distraction to the timing and cadence of the other 7 guys ...GO RANDOM!!..

[Scott Mckay]

I'm sure at one time it was fine to have two differant leagues with two differant cadences. Kind of like college football only needing one foot in bounds or a fifteen yard penalty for pass interferance or basketball having the three point line that now days feels like a free throw vs. The pro sports more common sense approach to things Like playoffs instead of Bowl Games.

If the ultimate Goal in BMX is to be a Pro and an Olympian then You should do as the Profesionals and Olympians do.

If my kids could sling shot killer I'd hate to see it go away, but thats just selfish.

Scott