ROAG Goes National
ROAG GOES NATIONAL!!
ROAG has finalized an exciting
arrangement with Advendurance from Gauteng whereby riders in ROAG
and Advendurance events use the same numbering system. This means
that results can be shared between the two parties. This also gives
us the opportunity of creating a seeding system that pulls results
from events nationally. This joint system is being called SAS (or
the real name is SA Seeding).
What is ROAG's involvement?
ROAG identified a need for riders to be
able to have freedom to choose events anywhere in the country, and
use those events as "seeding" events for big stage races, national
series events and big local events without having a different
seeding in each region. This would eliminate having to ride in each
region in order to be seeded at events in that area. It would
basically make the whole riding experience more fun and much safer,
as well as making life easier for event organisers. ROAG initiated
discussions with Advendurance almost 18 months ago, and have been
in negotiation with them and other parties ever since. At present,
the ROAG numbering system will form the basis of numbering in the
SAS system.
Who are Advendurance?
Fritz Pienaar started Advendurance a
number of years ago. They are an events organizing company with a
number of big events and series in their stable. They currently
manage the MTN National MTB Series as well as the Nissan series in
Gauteng. They also have a number of other events under their
control throughout the country.
So how does it work?
Basically, the concept is very simple - yet it is
difficult to put in words on
paper!
The basic principle is that a rider must have ONE UNIQUE
IDENTIFIER with any body or organization that uses the system. So
your ROAG number and SAS number are the same. (we will get to
number boards later). When entering events through either ROAG or
Advendurance, your UNIQUE IDENTIFIER will be captured in the entry
file so an entry file can be referenced to a database.
What is this UNIQUE IDENTIFIER?
At ROAG we call this your "ROAG NUMBER" and
Advendurance have called theirs the "SAS
Number".
ROAG and Advendurance have separate databases, used for their
own purposes of marketing etc. BUT - the unique identifier for Joe
Public in the ROAG database matches that in the Advendurance
database.
When asked to enter an event through ROAG or Advendurance you
may be asked for your ROAG or SAS number. These are ONE AND THE
SAME THING.
ROAG and Advendurance have taken the unique identifier a step
further and used this as the riders BIKE BOARD as well.
If I want to do a SAS event do I have to register with
SAS?
NO - if you already have a ROAG number and want to do a SAS event,
make sure you record your ROAG number on the entry form. This will
mean you DON'T get a new number, and you don't have to "register"
with SAS. You may be asked to provide certain personal information.
At present ROAG and SAS cannot exchange personal information.
What happens to my ROAG bike board when I want to do a SAS race,
and vice versa?
NOTHING! You can use either your existing ROAG board or a new SAS
issued board at any ROAG or SAS administered race.
And if you have forgotten either board at home or lost it - NO
PROBLEM. Just get a new ROAG or SAS board at the event.
REMEMBER - SAS are installing a timing chip into their board,
and they are using this timing chip to time all SAS races. You can
get a SAS chip installed on your ROAG board as well.
What is this SAS timing chip, and how do I get one?
The SAS timing chip is a small filament attached to a sticker about
the size of 2 match boxes. This chip belongs to Spectrum Sport
Timing who will be timing all SAS events.
The SAS chip will be issued together with all SAS boards. You
may have to pay for these boards.
If you want a chip on your ROAG board, take this to the next SAS
event and they will install a chip on your ROAG board. There may be
a small fee for this.
SAS Seeding System - what is this?
The SAS seeding system is basically just another
seeding index.
The only difference - and big advantage - is that it uses
results collected nationally. These results are also from events
that have been graded and more accurately defined in order to give
you a more accurate seeding index.
How does the SAS system affect my ROAG seeding index?
At present ROAG will continue to use its own seeding index - so
there is no immediate effect.
In the long term, all ROAG results will be fed to SAS and we
will all use the same index. At this stage there may be some small
adjustments to seeding positions, but these should be
minimal.
How do event organisers become part of the SAS seeding
system?
Obviously it is a huge benefit for events to be part
of the SAS seeding structure because results from these events will
be used for seeding events like Sani2C, Karkloof, Eston and MTN
National events.
In order for results to be used for SAS seeding, the entry file
MUST contain the ROAG or SAS number at the time of entry. This
means that organisers must use an entry facility - both pre and
late - that uses the ROAG/SAS unique identifier. It is no use
trying to insert the ROAG number after the event. It just doesn't
work.
For quotes on including your event in this seeding structure
please contact Nicole Talbot via e-mail - nicole@roag.co.za or Katherine
Thorneycroft - katherine@roag.co.za.
ROAG/SAS ENTRIES - SUMMARY
1. The ROAG number is the same thing as the SAS
number.
2. When asked for a SAS number you can
provide your ROAG number and vice versa.
3. Make sure you enter your ROAG number in all ROAG
administered events (if it isn't done automatically) so you can be
sure of correct seeding.
4. DON'T get a ROAG number AND a SAS number. This will be
very confusing.
ROAG BIKE BOARDS - SUMMARY
1. You can use your ROAG board at any SAS event,
and vice versa - (use your SAS board at a ROAG
event).
2. You can get a SAS timing chip attached to your ROAG
board. Just take your ROAG board to the SAS event.
3. If you lose either board, you can get a new one at
either event - they are interchangeable.
If you have any queries, please call Nicole or Katherine on 033
326 1022 or www.roag.co.za.
