tx_newbie

Hi all.

For those who've raced Alsatian of ToNB, how do they compare, and is there anything that makes one a better choice for an uber-new CAT 5? (I'll be doing the weekend, so both the crit/RR).

I'm budget limited, so I can choose only one--any perspectives are appreciated.

waterrockets 

I've done ToNB, and it's a great race, and well run. My team (and possibly a couple others) are boycotting this year because they are not offering a Masters open category (long story, but it's uber lame).

This year we'll be hitting Alsatian. That promoter, in my opinion, is the best in the state (Holland Racing). Really high quality fun stuff. I don't know the course, but I'm guessing rolling hills. Others will chime in on this...

Either would be a fine race to get started, but I'm biased this year and recommending Alsatian. Be careful in early-season cat 5 racing. Try to stay near the front to keep the crashes behind you. If you end up in the back, keep you head up. Don't skip racing based on this minor danger, but just stay vigilant, and have a lot of fun! Make sure to read the "new to racing" sticky at the top of this forum.

Doggus

Snapshot of the prereg:

Alsatian (Feb 05-06): 48
ToNB (Feb 12-13): 146

I don't think the boycott is working. Hell, with those numbers, this far out, I feel like I'm looking at a prime late spring race pre-reg list. Call me surprised.

johnybutts

To be fair, ToNB is (probably) historically better attended. ToNB just ran a 1-day sale about 2 days ago where registration went from 0 to 123 in a single day. And ToNB is a bit later in the year, so more people will think they're ready.

That said - I'll be at both events this year.

tx_newbie, if you are dedicated, you can search back to the race reports from last year (Jan 28th ish is when they were posted). and read what everyone had to say about tour of NB. I don't remember any reports from Alsation.

TNB has a "crit-like" circuit race. short course, some elevation change, but overall pretty fast. Then a long, turny road race - it'll pay to be in the top 20ish to avoid the elastic through the many turns. Also, the course is relatively exposed, so if there's a strong crosswind you might get guttered. Any other questions, just PM me.a

Alsation has a 1 mile crit, then a 2.5 mile circuit race that they call a road race. Those are the only details I know.

Tx_newbie, if you want to do more racing, contact the promoter and see if they need any volunteers and ask if you can trade 3-4 hrs of volunteer work for the entry fee. Explain you're a poor college student, etc, etc...

Racer Ex 

I've done both and I'd do Alsation. Much better circuit race (they are including part of last year's road race course) than TNB's road race. The Saturday course at TNB is always a crash fest.

The cool thing at Alsation is that you can see the whole crit course and a fair bit of the circuit race so if you have people coming to watch, it's much better from a spectator standpoint.

There's at least 10-12 guys from our team that aren't going along with several guys from other squads, probably about $600-$700 of revenue at the moment. All those same guys are going to Alsation, they just haven't reg'd yet.

We're also sponsoring the 40+ event at Alsation so there's other revenue lost.

waterrockets 

Plus, the goal with the boycott is not financial ruin, but to make a point. Both promoters understand our position through direct communication as well. I wish ToNB well, and look forward to it next year if the categories straighten out.

tx_newbie

Hi all. Thanks for the replies and perspectives of each race. As it stands, I'm in for Alsatian, in large part because this was a race I mentally targeted when the TXBRA schedule came out (along with Manda and Manor...and Crono [unsanctioned]). I had read the previous threads on ToNB, but saw nothing on Alsatian, so I wanted some perspectives on each to balance my decision. Also, thanks for the tips RE: the courses. Race reports and Google 3D will be my good friends this season.

As an aside, it was actually from reading the Racing stickies over the past year and the weekend shop rides that got me interested in racing this year. Here's to going in headfirst...

Nate552

+1 I'm one of those. VoS here i come.