According to the RYA website they are offering FREE licenses to anyone who is new to the sport!
"The RYA has decided that any Brand New Racers to Powerboat Racing for 2008 will receive their first provisional licence for free. ‘Brand new’ means someone who has never participated in the sport before, either on an Event Licence or a Full Licence. This is a new incentive from the RYA Powerboat Racing Department to introduce new racers to the sport"
Now to participate a new racer would have had to go out and buy a boat, race gear etc all without knowing if they would like the sport! Who in their right mind would do this just to get a free license???????
Last year i paid to race a friends boat at ONE weekend event. I competed in one days racing(not even completing a full race, due to problems) and now this year if i want to race will have to pay in full!!!! Surely knowing how much needs to be paid out in a racers first season there are discounts that could be made. I personally have purchased a boat, race wear etc and now have to pay in full as i am not classed as new, even though i have never completed a race!
Would it not be a better to perhaps offer a reduced license for a racers first season and not compete for points???? I understand that the sport needs more competitors and also has many supporters who have raced for many years, but anybody who is new to racing should be given more of an incentive.
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