RTV NEWS (November 2007)

My first duty as RTV Secretary is to thank Carl O’Connor on behalf of the RTV drivers for the smooth running of all the events over the past year. From now on it is my task to book the venues and set up the events as smoothly as before, so no pressure then!!!

My first priority is to assist in coordinating the coming year’s RTV, CCV & caravan events, so that we can encourage interest and support across a range of club activities. An events calendar will be published shortly, when we have agreed the dates and booked venues.

If anyone wishes to register their interest in Laying Out or Marshalling, please email me ( rtv@mroc.co.uk ) or phone me on 02476-464393 (Evenings & weekends)

One of the reasons for linking events is hopefully to attract people who are willing to act as Marshals for the RTV & CCV events. If there is one issue which can spoil any event, it is the shortage of Marshals. Too often we end up with too few volunteers, who end up running around like headless chickens, trying to do their best to make the day a good one for the drivers.

Get ready for my first RTV Secretary soap-box rant!!!

DRIVERS – You have the primary responsibility for sourcing club event marshals. You ALL have one or more of the following: Wives, Husbands, children, friends & family. Bring one or two along and we’ll coach them as Marshals. Not only will they have a good day out, but they will be helping you and all the other drivers have a great day out too!!!

That was the ‘stick’, now for the ‘carrot’: I am proposing to increase the points awarded to a Driver who has arrived at an event with the intention of, and prepared for competing, but is requested by the Clerk of the Course to marshal instead of competing. This proposal will take effect from January 2008 if supported at the Drivers’ Meeting. Please see details below.

Finally, I thank you for supporting my election to RTV Secretary at the recent AGM. I intend to continue the good work done by my predecessors, and to organise MROC RTV Trials under the key principles of:

• GOOD FUN – Nobody is forced to do this – it’s not meant to be too serious.

• SAFE FUN – Nobody wants to get hurt – We do what we can to manage the risks – you must make yourself aware of the risks and follow relevant advice.

• FAIR COMPETITION – We will lay out courses which are challenging, but not intended to bend your motor – We expect competitors not to bend the rules – Be careful to follow the ALRC rules when preparing for an event – MROC RTV trials are run within the spirit of RTV competition, to give everyone a fair chance.

• GOOD FUN – I have said this before, but it’s worth repeating, because that’s why we do it!!!

Mike Hayes - RTV Secretary

Older Event Reviews (Click to Select)

• Cleeve Hill - July 2007

• Aston Cantlow Play Day - 16th June 2007

• BIRDLIP – 5th May 2007

• EASTNOR – 7th April 2007

• Coney Green

• Aston Cantlow - 14th Jan 2007

• Avon Dassett - 10 Dec 2006

• Halford - 12th November 2006

MROC RTV trials will be run as follows:

• 8:45 Scrutineering/Signing on
• 10:00 Trial starts

Points awarded as follows (Subject to confirmation at DRIVERS’ MEETING):

1st place = 10 points       2nd place = 8 points     3rd place = 6 points,

4th place = 5 points         5th place = 4 points       6th place = 3 points

7th place = 2 points         8th place = 1 point

Lay out an event = 10 points. Lay out a second event = 8 points

Driver requested to Marshal by the Clerk of the Course = 8 points.

Marshal 2^nd Event = 5 Points

RTV ing.  What is it?

For new members who have yet to try it,  RTV events only require a road going motor  - taxed, insured and MOTed with a simple mod to the throttle, an extra spring at the carb end.  Tyres can be standard road tyres, although on the muddier sites you will prefer something a bit more aggressive, although a set of all-terrain middling pattern are usually adequate.  We try and lay events out to be non-damaging, although, of course, accidents can happen especially if the red mist is down.  You will be scrutineered to make sure nothing is hanging off or about to fall off, but if you have an mot you should be fine.  If you haven't tried it and would like to, come along to one of the events.  If you want to watch first and see how its done, there are plenty of people who will give you some advice, or email me at RTV@mroc.co.uk.

How does the event work?

Each event will consist of a number of sections. Each section is made up from gates formed by two canes. The gates are numbered in a descending order from 10 to 1. The driver must start from the 10 gate and then follow a defined path from gate to gate without stopping or touching any of the canes. If the vehicle stops the driver gets penalty points which corresponds to the value of the next gate. If the vehicle touches a cane then the penalty value is the same as that gate number. The winner is the person who after driving all of the sections has the lowest amount of penalty points.