Running an NPS in 2012?

Richie has already put up a post about this but I think it deserves a thread of it's own!
I know that, with the Blast only just out of the way, it's very hard to think about next year but unfortunately we need to make a decision shortly about whether we, as a club, apply to run an NPS (or even the Nationals!) in 2012?
I think I understand Richie's feelings about this but I would rather he explains them rather than me misquote him!
What do people think?

we could do something bigger and better than an nps !!

good idea Rich..
My priority in 2012 is to develop my kids mtb project, thats why I am going on the Commission as BMX Rep.Its the obvious route to get kids in to competitive cycling.
The only event I am committed to is The Blast so ideally what we need is a group of people to step forward to help the Committee run an NPS or the Nationals.
I also have another idea I want to run with but it will be a collaboration between myself and others but at the moment its only a conversation.
Bear in mind that we cannot run a regular NPS or Nationals, that we have always set the bar for these events and each time we have to go higher.
Running events takes serious sacrifice from people. Your spins and real life will have to take a back seat in the weeks leading up to the event.
What most people see is the end result.
You never see the million emails and phone calls, the hundreds of miles of driving, the backtracking , the thinking out of the box all the time and I have been blessed with an absolutely brilliant Team unrivalled anywhere else.

EPIC should run an NPS or The Nationals, but who's going to do it ? I would definitely have no problem advising or encouraging people but I wont be digging , worrying about portaloos or about who has the key to the barrier or the trophies or any of the other details people dont realise is involved !
I was pleasantly surprised by how a couple of people who normally never appear shone at The last this year ! I'm pretty sure if you really want it to happen , people will step up.
But I have to repeat this , are you prepared to put your life, your job, your riding on hold. I was also blessed that Carol and Sophie are into the whole deal as well.

the bottom line is if we decide to run an NPS or a Nationals I wont be in the driving seat.

Richie

Id be interested in an NPS.

I would put myself forward as an organizer but would need two or three others with me.

I would like to see Epic run an NPS we have great venue's to choose from and loads of bodies to make it happen, as Richie says its a big committment though!!

Yea, I think we should run an Nps. I'd put myself forward for looking after course/digging side of things if I had a few committed people on-board to help me as well.

I would be happy to put myself forward for the commitee. John has the course wrapped up!

I'd be more that happy to assist !

digging is the least of the things you need to do. Theres no point in Volunteering to do anything unless you are prepared to give up your race.
Digging is the easiest part and at this stage not even worth discussing.

Yep all too easy for people to say yes on a forum but when it comes to the crunch people wont commit, so, before you say yes think about it for a week then decide if you're willing to sacrifice a race and hours/days of prep. Plus the inevitable grief/complaints/moaning you will get from racers, parents, spouses..... are you willing to take on something like this?

I agree with Richi........digin is one thing, but should not be too high on the list. In fact, running an NPS can be pretty straight forward. The courses are already there, so no real need for diggin (DJouce, etc). There is a simple checklist that can be done from a phone in a couple of days. Regarding the bar, you can run a REALLY good NPS, that does not have to be of the standard of the last 2 nationals.

- Good course, 18 mins
- field start finish (mandatory)
- RACE STARTING ON TIME
- numbers
- tape/poles
- marshals
- toilets
- bouncy castle
- burger/coffee guy
- timing
- prizes - 15 MINS AFTER S1 FINISHER
- prizes

I already have in my head the best course in Djouce, 18 mins, fast, close racing.

That is the making of a really good NPS, you dont really need sponsors, TV trucks, posters, t shirts, etc. While all real nice, the core components of a good event are listed above.

thanks OZ and Joe ...
ask yourself this..
What did you all do at the Blast...
nearly all of EPIC didnt race..
John Richardson deserved to race he did a heap of Digging, so did Killian, I wont even talk about the amount of work Jackson did the same for SMithers,Max, Rusty, Andrew,Carol and Alfie.
Kellyer you did a bit of digging, raced and went home, dont put your hand out to be slapped.
I dont think anybody else from EPIC raced.
Aisha isnt even a member yet and she Marshalled the kids event.
Digging is about the last thing you need to do or volunteer for and not something you can use as a " look how deadly I am card "" .
The person who volunteers to take all the tape down and clean up afterwards is the most important member in my opinion.
I've never been able to race any of our races..Djouce and The Blast !! some people have no concept of sacrifice !!
For fcuks sake some people from other clubs did more than a lot of members of EPIC..
Richie

eh, I did nothing.....NPS races dont have to be as well setup as the blast or the nationals. Thats all I am saying.

jesus I nearly got knocked down by the crowd of members willing to give up their race to organise an event !!
Well heres the thing..No more event Organising for me.
I am going to use my energy to run a Team and develop Youth and underage Mountainbiking, I will help run events by promoting anybodies but no more driving to Ballinastoe everyday after work, or endless phonecalls and emails or having to entertain ludicrous suggestions.
I hereby officially retire !
Richie