Originally Posted by
yonderboy
Categories are meant to divide skill levels. Open category races are inherently dangerous, due to the varying skill levels. Qualifying, heats, or rounds all achieve the same purpose.
I don't see why most people assume grass-roots racing will automatically result in some version of internationally-sanctioned, regulated, and soul-sucking racing. The track racing portion of this year's West Side Invite was OBRA-sanctioned, and all the riders didn't turn into "spandos". Hell, some messengers even competed in the Rapha Roller Races. Most of these unsanctioned races already have sponsors--they're only one step from collecting permits and waivers--especially if they're collecting money to run the event.
Racing is a balance of risk versus reward. Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.
Let's be clear here... The West Side Invite
had to be OBRA sanctioned in order to actually race at Alpenrose. A bunch of messengers coming down to race Alpenrose "unofficially" probably wouldn't fly for long. And if you look in the pics, most of them are wearing lycra shorts.
And I don't think you can compare anything to the Rapha Rollers, nor is anyone complaining about it. It was meant to get all varieties of bike riders out on the rollers.