MANFEILD-NATIONALS!!!!

[GSVR]

Every class was well contestested and the racing was suberb considering the forecast was for rain. Not one drop today.

Disappointed not to to see Terry Fitgerald racing against Jarrod Easton with Jason Nairn came close at times.

Hayden Fitzgerald form Wanganui (no relative?) was the standout in the 600 races. He was either riding right on the limit or is very talented.

Must try to make it to Puke next weekend as the points must be very close in the 600 and Superbikes and theres National Titles at stake.

Ms Pavich (39) was awesome on her dayglow TZ250 until her bin at the end of the front straight in the second 250 race on Sunday. Has she done alot of racing OZ or something?

Shaun Harris had a off in the first 600 race on Saturday in the esses followed by a long slide into the infield but still manged to get back on and still be in the placings I think.

One of the Sidecars did a some agricutural work on boths side of the esses on Saturday as well.

That Yamaha DMR sidecar showed that its not all about horsepower, at 600cc was much more than competitive. Long sidecars are out short agile ones are in !

[Sparky Bills]

Disappointed not to to see Terry Fitgerald racing against Jarrod Easton with Jason Nairn came close at times.

Hayden Fitzgerald form Wanganui (no relative?) was the standout in the 600 races.

They are father and son!

[GSVR]

They are father and son!

Thanks. I have just started following roadracing again recently so what may seem obvious to many is like news to me.

[Sparky Bills]

Thanks. I have just started following roadracing again recently so what may seem obvious to many is like news to me.

Tis all good.
Gotta start somewhere.
Not a bad family activity aye!?

[gav]

Umm, some results would be nice, people?
Apparently Stroud was disqualified for passing under a yellow flag? Rees now leads the points?? So what went on???

[pete376403]

I went both days. Anstey had a crap weekend. Stroud was awesome as was Rees .

Anyone else ?

I was there, had an enjoyable day. Was told (by somone in the know) that Bruce Asteys Super-duper-built-in-britain bike contains a number of below par items. Engine has been rebuilt by Brian Bernard but is still 10-15 hp down on what it should be. Forks have been inspected by (forgot his name) a suspension expert and found to have standard bits where trick bits would be expected. Bruce pulled out of the first race after the warm up laps cos the forks were bad, pulled out of the second race cos the engine was bad and pulled out of the third after being whacked hard by a part that detached, bounced off the track and smacked his arse. Also understand that Brian B has made an offer of a bike for Puke but don't know if that has been taken up.

[LB]

Ms Pavich (39) was awesome on her dayglow TZ250 until her bin at the end of the front straight in the second 250 race on Sunday. Has she done alot of racing OZ or something?

That Yamaha DMR sidecar showed that its not all about horsepower, at 600cc was much more than competitive. Long sidecars are out short agile ones are in !

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Karel Pavich has spent quite a number of years in Oz, has only (as far as I know) returned to NZ recently. She used to race a CBR600 in NZ, early 80's I think it was.

The Lawrance brothers on the 600 are really good guys, they go over to the Isle of Man a lot and do well over there.
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[LB]

Umm, some results would be nice, people?
Apparently Stroud was disqualified for passing under a yellow flag? Rees now leads the points?? So what went on???

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There was a yellow flag out at Higgins when someone went off the track, in the last lap or two of Saturday's race. Stroud passed Rees under the yellow flag, and was demoted one place (ie he won the race on the track, with Rees second, but was relegated to second place making Rees the winner).

Then (as I understand it) there was a protest by another rider (definitely NOT by Rees) and the officials decided to disqualify Stroud from the race completely, since he'd had a previous warning at the Ruapuna round for coming out late for the race and missing the warmup lap but going to the grid, not starting from pit lane as he should have.

This is, of course, only my understanding of the matter and in no way an official version.
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[LB]

Forks have been inspected by (forgot his name) a suspension expert and found to have standard bits where trick bits would be expected.

Bruce pulled out of the third after being whacked hard by a part that detached, bounced off the track and smacked his arse. Also understand that Brian B has made an offer of a bike for Puke but don't know if that has been taken up.

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Robert Taylor, from Hawera Motorcycles, is Mr Ohlins.

Ah, that would explain it - he slowed right down and looked all around and down, in a surprised sort of way (in so far as you can tell under helmet/leathers, but the body language was sort of "what the hell happened?") then he sped up for a lap or so then pulled in.
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[LB]

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Manfeild was great.

We got up there quite early on Saturday, around 10am probably. Weather was rather overcast, and there were a few spits during the day. The track got wet at one stage but it dried out quickly.

A good turnout in some fields but not in others - only 8 riders in Post Classic.

Racing started in the afternoon. The 600 Production race was superb, Hayden Fitzgerald was magic. He ended up winning after passing Shirrifs and Stroud. As mentioned previously, Shaun Harris binned going into the hairpin.

There was also very good racing in the other classes.

The rain started just after racing finished - well timed!

The it was off to the Denbeigh for the previously mentioned preview of the Paeroa race coverage.

Sunday dawned a bit overcast, but it stayed fine all day.

A great day's racing.

The 125 races were good with Midge Smart and Jay Lawrence having some great dices.

Hayden couldn't repeat his win, but he rode really well and got (IIRC) two seconds, or maybe a second and a third?

Very few "offs" which was good - as far as I know worst injury was Neil Smith in 600 Production who fell coming out of the hairpin and broke his collarbone. Jon Lowther binned fairly spectacularly on the exit to the sweeper, but was okay.

They amended the programme, and instead of mainly 15-lap races for the final round, reduced them to 9-lappers. So that meant it was all over early - not long after 3pm.

Saw SVS, Skunk and Mrs S, Doug Green and Mrs DG, and a few others who I forget. Saw you in the distance Sparky Bills.

I can't wait for Pukekohe - the racing will be excellent.
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[scroter]

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There was a yellow flag out at Higgins when someone went off the track, in the last lap or two of Saturday's race. Stroud passed Rees under the yellow flag, and was demoted one place (ie he won the race on the track, with Rees second, but was relegated to second place making Rees the winner).

Then (as I understand it) there was a protest by another rider (definitely NOT by Rees) and the officials decided to disqualify Stroud from the race completely, since he'd had a previous warning at the Ruapuna round for coming out late for the race and missing the warmup lap but going to the grid, not starting from pit lane as he should have.

This is, of course, only my understanding of the matter and in no way an official version.
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I spoke to tony rees this morning and he said it was jared love that made the protest on the basis that there is nothing in NZ rules about relegating positions only exclusion. anyway stroud has apealed it saying he overtook before the yellow. tony reckons "na, i would have defended it with my life if it wasnt a yellow". anyway although at this stage tony is leading the champs id say ray clee is odds on to win it. hes so damn fast at pukekohe and 3 seconds aint good enough for rees if clee wins them all.

[That Guy]

Disappointed not to to see Terry Fitgerald racing against Jarrod Easton with Jason Nairn came close at times.

Sadly, the news is Terry had to withdraw as he is fighting cancer. Best wishes to him; hope he gets to race again soon.

[White trash]

I spoke to tony rees this morning and he said it was jared love that made the protest on the basis that there is nothing in NZ rules about relegating positions only exclusion. anyway stroud has apealed it saying he overtook before the yellow. tony reckons "na, i would have defended it with my life if it wasnt a yellow". anyway although at this stage tony is leading the champs id say ray clee is odds on to win it. hes so damn fast at pukekohe and 3 seconds aint good enough for rees if clee wins them all.

It must be said that the state of NZ roadracing is going downhill decidedly quickly. Too many winging pricks.

For example: The protest against Bruce Anstey for a carbon fibre mudguard at Ruapuna. Grow up for fucks sake.

[That Guy]

I spoke to tony rees this morning and he said it was jared love that made the protest

I must first admit I don't really know him; but what interaction I have had with Jared Love - he's an angry man that's for sure.

[gav]

Sadly, the news is Terry had to withdraw as he is fighting cancer. Best wishes to him; hope he gets to race again soon.

Jeez, is that right? Far out, all the best big guy....makes Haydens rides all the more impressive, doing it for Dad, huh?
Also heard that Terry Eva, long time Harley racer had a big crash on a MX bike and broke both ankles in a pretty big way.