Introducing the GamJams Cat 3 Cup, p/b Mountain Khakis

It's time to find out who wears the pants in Cat 3.

For 2010, we're bowing the inaugural GamJams Cat 3 Cup, presented by Mountain Khakis . Other sponsors include Pre-Reg.com and Don's Johns. It's like the BAR  competition in that your performance at a bunch of  different races determines your points and scoring. But it's not like the  BAR in that the races cross local association borders, including events from PA, MD, DC, DE, WV, VA and maybe even NC.

And it's also not like the BAR in that we're giving prizes all year long:

• Some series have a leader's jersey. Ours has leader's khakis. The series leader will receive a new pair of Mountain Khakis pants or shorts after every event in the series.
• Winners of each race in the series will receive a Mountain Khakis cap, belt or other accessory (in addition to whatever the purse is at that race)
• The individual series winner takes home a $200 Mountain Khakis gift card.
• The series winning team pockets $1K in cash. Use it on a winter training camp or a late season race in Bermuda.

The GamJams Cat 3 Cup kicks off at the Vint Hill Classic on March 20th, and concludes at the Rockville Twilight Criterium on September 11th. In between those two races will be as many as 18 other participating events.

Which ones? That's what we'd like to know too.

Races that participate in the GamJams Cat 3 Cup p/b Mountain Khakis receive the following benefits:

• 1 month of free advertising on GamJams.net to promote race, team or sponsors
• Free race numbers
• 30% off portable toilet rentals through Don's Johns
• $100 in GamJams or GamJams sponsor merchandise to give away as prizes in any race(s) of the promoter's choice
• $100 in Mountain Khakis merchandise given to Cat 3 Race Winner, Series Leader
• 1 GamJams article on each participating race before the event
• 1 GamJams article on each participating race after the event
• Heavy and regular promotion of all races within the Cat 3 Cup Calendar on GamJams.net
• ... plus one other benefit I can't publish here (but which you'll want to know about)

That's about $1000 in cost savings, promotional value and incremental prizes.

If you're a race promoter, ask me about participating. If you're not, tell whomever on your club is promoting your 2010 event(s).

Then get ready to race your pants off. Or in this case, race your pants on.

Comments

[Steve]

Great Idea, but keep Time Trails out of the equation.

[kyle]

Man the bitching in cat 3's is going to be huge about sand bagging. What about those forced to upgrade mid season. I am not going to be a threat but am just wondering.

[Mike May]

@Kyle, you still read GamJams? Cool.

I just asked Jim Patton about the forced upgrade. Late last year I suggested a rule change that would delay a forced upgrade to the end of the season. Whether you're competing for a BAR championship or a Series Cup like this one, I think riders should be given the full year to contest it if they wish. Some racers will always be more interested in the upgrade than the series, so they should be allowed to move up if they get the points. But I don't think they should be forced to until the end of the season.

Jim told me that they discussed the proposal at the Trustees meeting and elected not to change the rule. The reason is that racers who are given an automatic upgrade can appeal it if they wish. Presumably, asking for a reprieve for a month or two while they finish the season and compete for their series or BAR award would be substantial grounds for appeal, though I'm not on the appeal committee and am just speculating. Jim said very few riders actually do appeal. Based on the local banter last year, I expect most don't know that the appeal is even available - until now.

@Steve - sorry, man. We're considering Time Trials as well. Get your aero on.

[Mike May]

Here's an update on the forced upgrade appeal process, from p. 29 in the 2009 rules (via Jim Patton):

“When a rider who is participating in a state or regional series has met the upgrading requirements in their current category, (s)he may petition USA Cycling for a written waiver to this policy allowing him or her to finish the series for a title. A rider must also have written permission from the series director to receive such a waiver.”

GamJams will provide written permission for such a petition to any racer competing in the Cat 3 Cup. We'll also coordinate with USAC in advance, to ensure that the Cat 3 Cup qualifies as one of these regional series the rulebook mentions.

[harryf]

Cat3's who are winning all of the time should upgrade to a CAT2. They shouldn't care about sandbagging and just do it. They need to kick some CAT2 and Cat1's butt. I know there were a few would could definitely cause some pain last year. As for me.. I'll stay a CAT3 cause I'm old and race Masters races mostly anyway, where we get to play with the CAT1,2,3,4's anyway. There's nothing like like going up against Dave Fuentes, Chuck Hutchinson, Super Dave, Ramon, George Opria, Chris Hayes, and the others, who are CAT1&2's anyway.
However, I do see an advantage of having a Cat3 series. There will be a good motivation to strengthen the CAT3's before they upgrade next year.

[kyle]

Well the plus would be to get cat 3 fields bigger so we do not have a huge back log of guys racing in cat 4s making it easier for cat 4s to register for races.

Mike I still read this website most of the time. I just do not write all that much. I might start up soon.