So, why don't you race in the Nationals?

[scrivy]

I don't know if this has been asked before, but it would be interesting (for me) to know why you don't do the National events.

[kiwifruit]

I'm too slow, i don't have a bike and i don't want to hurt myself

:)

[PirateJafa]

Money.

Don't have enough to race my track viffer full stop, actually. ><

[Skunk]

They don't do F4 at Nationals. That's my reason.

Thanks for running it at the TRRS!

[Tony.OK]

For moi its totally about money...............or lack of, would be there in a heartbeat if cashflow was there, even if only to be last in the field.

[scrivy]

For moi its totally about money...............or lack of, would be there in a heartbeat if cashflow was there, even if only to be last in the field.

Tony, you would be surprised, you wouldn't be last - but so what if you were?

I started out racing 22 years ago on a machine that I had never even turned a wheel on, and on tracks I had never even known had existed!! We came 3rd after 7 rounds! Even got some 2nd placings on a machine that cost me $1600 to build against the likes of the famous Andy Kippen purpose built weapon.
NEVER SAY NEVER!!

[Shaun]

Cause i am a fag, and need to spend my money on clothes and cars and things that make me look fast

[Tony.OK]

Tony, you would be surprised, you wouldn't be last - but so what if you were?

I started out racing 22 years ago on a machine that I had never even turned a wheel on, and on tracks I had never even known had existed!! We came 3rd after 7 rounds! Even got some 2nd placings on a machine that cost me $1600 to build against the likes of the famous Andy Kippen purpose built weapon.
NEVER SAY NEVER!!

Yeah mate thats what I meant to say, I wouldn't care if i did come last, doin it is the main goal...................:soon:
I think for most (i could be wrong) though that its simply the $$ required. Most people that are doing the club rounds are already on a very tight budget, and am guessing enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere, and that doesn't leave any money for doing the Nats.
All comes down to choice and determination in the end.

[Quasievil]

Because as an event its over rated, expensive, poorly supported, lacking coverage, to expensive to participate, to much travel, its all about title and nothing else.................waste of space.

Revamp needed urgently.

[wharfy]

Don't want to get shown up by nats riders is the closest to the REAL reason. I am not to concerned with not being with the "front runners"

I am battling for 24th or 22nd place at club meetings I am not a National Level Racer My bike has the potential but at 55 I am pretty sure I don't.

But hey I got Keith Codes "twist of the wrist" books for my birthday ( is Katie O'Donnell awesome or what !!!) so if by some miracle I finish the winter series in the top half of the supersport field I might give the local Nats rounds a whirl.

[Str8 Jacket]

TBH - I would love to do the Nationals and would've done the North Island rounds this year. However I am a lowly, boring old 150 Streetstock rider and there were no rounds to race in at the North Island rounds.
Me and koba are looking at the reality of only one of us being able to do the National's this time due to travelling down to the South Island and all the annual leave required along with all the expensive of accomodation, food and actually racing. And that's *just* at street stock 150 level! So yeah, no money is the real reason for me! :yes:

[Deano]

I cannot afford to go to the Sth Island rounds combined with time away from family. I was going to enter the Nth Island rounds this year but family commitments came first.

I am hopefully going to make the Nth Island rounds in 2010.

[Shaun S]

Easy answer for me - I run my own business and the nationals are too spread out, and planned in a very time infriendly manner. They should be closer together (well all the S/I rounds and the N/I rounds anyway).

[jim.cox]

I'm just not that interested - the idea doesn't appeal

[Finn]

Because Ohlins don't have suspension for Harleys.

[slowpoke]

If I worked a normal job the big thing would have to be the travel and accomodation (ignoring lack of talent). That mongrel bit of water has to be the most expensive 20km (?) anywhere in the world. The fact that 50-ish(?) riders all drag individual bikes across there at such prohibitive cost seems criminal, imagine if those thousands of dollars were spent on advertising or TV coverage.

[johan]

I'd love to give all the south island's tracks a go. But not necessarily through nationals where I would have to get a modern bike to comply with regulations.

BEARs racing is more appealing to me. Good price money and good fun meetings.
There are a number of events I can participate in to ride the other tracks down south and that way I can spread it out over the year.

Not that I'm not dreaming of doing nationals on the latest Ducati, but mom says I should be thinking about kids not motorbikes?

[Str8 Jacket]

Not that I'm not dreaming of doing nationals on the latest Ducati, but mom says I should be thinking about kids not motorbikes?

You dont need baby goats when you HAVE a motorbike!! Gee, doesnt she know anything!! :rolleyes:

[Kiwi Graham]

Been ther done that in the UK, cost me a bloody fortune in tyres, chasing HP and traveling around the country, using up all my annual leave by taking Thursday afternoon and Fridays of work.

I have a young family now and dont want to be that competitive again so am happy sticking with club racing and the odd 'other' event.


But ya never know....................

[Drunken Monkey]

I'm too slow, i don't have a bike and i don't want to hurt myself

:)

Ditto.......

[svs]

so where was the option for, I'm old and slow but i still did them anyway. Came last (well nearly) at every round. Had a ball and improved riding heaps.

Yes it used all my annual leave in one go. yes it cost a bit (mainly tyres and track time), but was one of the cheaper holidays. styed in tents and peoples floors. Only big travel expense was the ferry :)

[phantom67]

If I don't do nationals next year, it will be because of money (I am keen as hell to do it) So who knows, I'm still living with my parents, so I reckon I might drop out of studying full time, and work a full time job (while studying a couple of papers extra-murally) so I can get enough cash scraped together to run a bike (Poss. 125GP)

[svr]

Cause i am a fag, and need to spend my money on clothes and cars and things that make me look fast

Or an education, travel, a house to live in, and other faggy things.

[Robert Taylor]

I have at my disposal some 1979 issues of ''NZ Motorcycle News'' and the issues were exactly the same then, money. Its interesting reading and somewhat gives a more realistic impression of back then. As opposed to the ''good old days'' used as justification by those who wish to overly bastardise machine specifications

[Bren_chch]

Because as an event its over rated, expensive, poorly supported, lacking coverage, to expensive to participate, to much travel, its all about title and nothing else.................waste of space.

Revamp needed urgently.

SNAP! Apart from 'to much travel'... i don't mind the traveling, i find it exciting.

This should be a poll option.

[ajturbo]

i suck at racing....
i'm good at bull shitting...

i would love to race the buell...
\
but
read lines 1,2.

[FROSTY]

scrivvy in the interest of bein fair n all that howsabout the option "I do whacha on about?":sunny:

[Wingnut]

I'm too slow, i don't have a bike and i don't want to hurt myself

:)

You wont hurt yourself in those leathers brother..................:shifty:

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

Or an education, travel, a house to live in, and other faggy things.

That option would get my vote.
Bragging rights arent a priority FOR ME, an education and a house are.
No discredit to those that want the title though. Just my view.

[glice]

This is my first year of racing and I'm already saving for it. Just hope I wont be hanging too far off the back.

[scrivy]

scrivvy in the interest of bein fair n all that howsabout the option "I do whacha on about?":sunny:

Well there is that - but I wanted to hear from those that don't do the Nationals at the moment.
I hear that certain people don't want to do them, but I just wanted to get their interpretation on why not.

[Whitebait]

That option would get my vote.
Bragging rights arent a priority, an education and a house are.
No discredit to those that want the title though. Just my view.

Who needs a house is your not LIVING your life???

Finacial report for WhiteBait Racing this week bank account empty but I paid off my slicks.........:Punk:

I look at it from the point of view that if you put it off you'll never do it.

I'm pretty sure they don't have locks on the doors or gates on fences down south so you can pretty much get by where ever you are by squating in peoples houses........just need to learn to roll my RRRRRRRRRRRRRR's :laugh:

On a slightly more serious note the front guys are pretty fast but you only see them come past 2 or 3 times a race.......:shit:

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

[QUOTE=Whitebait;1129278672]Who needs a house is your not LIVING your life???QUOTE]

far play, but my point is my life isnt about racing bikes, only a part of it. Not saying that its the same for everyone though. Bike racing is down the list, not off the list bro. Will always be involved with bikes.

Im not trying to take the moral highground or anything. i think its awesome others are so dedicated. Maybe when Im comfortable I can let get stuck in like I want to.

[Wingnut]

Who needs a house is your not LIVING your life???


Tell that to my kids............ I hear where you are coming from, but maybe one day you will see it from the other side??????

I am confused as why would anyone expect someone to compete in the nats with minimal if nil financil backing, on an obviously sub standard (when compared to the last F3 bikes that ran at the nats :blink:) race bike (Grose understatement) and fork out upto $7+ grand in expences to do it?

Personally I would like to do the 3 south island rounds but would it really be that fun to go and literally be one to help in "just making up the numbers". One round of the nats (in just the entry fee alone) would pay for 3-4 club days races. Doesn't make financial or even common sence to do it. Just my opinion - which aint worth too much.:done:

[DEATH_INC.]

For moi its totally about money...............or lack of, would be there in a heartbeat if cashflow was there, even if only to be last in the field.
Too right!

[Whitebait]

Tell that to my kids............ I hear where you are coming from, but maybe one day you will see it from the other side??????

I am confused as why would anyone expect someone to compete in the nats with minimal if nil financil backing, on an obviously sub standard (when compared to the last F3 bikes that ran at the nats :blink:) race bike (Grose understatement) and fork out upto $7+ grand in expences to do it?

Personally I would like to do the 3 south island rounds but would it really be that fun to go and literally be one to help in "just making up the numbers". One round of the nats (in just the entry fee alone) would pay for 3-4 club days races. Doesn't make financial or even common sence to do it. Just my opinion - which aint worth too much.:done:

I'm standing on top of the fence so I can see both sides.

I can appreciate for people with young families it must be hard, Stroudy has a whole army and he's still out there.

This year I was a back marker in F3 there's no two ways about it.

I did the two north Island rounds and had some great battles with Duncan keean at round 4 and Ivan Juggins and the Jarman boys at round 5.

I work on the theory that to finish first you first must finish and racing the Nationals was a huge eye opener for me. Not only to how fast the fast guys are but to how many club racers don't do them.

$250 per round is the same as two Moto TT track days if you pay on the day.

The thing I liked the most about the Nationals was the lenght of the races...........sure it's easy to go out and peel out a few fast laps.......I did my fastest lap so far at Manfeild (short track) in the last lap of a 9 lap race..........:blink:

I'm not arguing, I'm just trying to encourage people to get out there and try it or at least make others encourage people to give it a go.

I'm currently #10 in NZ for F3 but got my arse kicked at the VMCC Winter series round 2. Why are the more talented riders staying at home for the Nationals???

Is this the reason the current Superbike and Supersport champions are Ozzy's???

Sloan Frost is who I kinda look up to he was out there at the National rounds and is currently #6 on a Superbike. He now knows that he has to step up to run at the front ( Sure the new bike will help ) but those 5 guys in front of him are all next level riders...........Next year he'll be killing it......:2guns:

[sharky]

Good on ya Whitebait.
I just took up racing in the summer just gone, so was far to inexperienced to do Nats. I'm pretty satisfied with my results so far but I would be well and truely off the pace of the front runners.
The main factor for me not doing the Nats would be the fact that there's bugger all riders at my level (whether that is machinery or rider ablity) doing them (vicious circle eh). For me, the biggest enjoyment is having battles with people on the track, so if there's nobody to race against the fun factor just ain't there.
In saying that, if you and the Jarman's etc etc are doing them next year I could well be persuaded to do the NI rounds at least.

[neil_cb125t]

$$$$ is the killer - i will doing the 2011 season. It wil take a year for me to save up, this is now that i finally have a bike that can fight with an SV.

Cant wait to get to the Nats - but the sth island "adventure" is that hard part that stupid stretch of water just costs too much.

2 years ago we did the Port Nelson street race on the 2 of jan.
2 vans with 2 traylers and 6 adults was $1900 return just for the FUCKEN FERRY!!!:2guns:

Its also really hard finding information out on the" nationals" is their a site with all the info on it?? dates - costs - pit - facilities??:stupid:

[Robert Taylor]

$$$$ is the killer - i will doing the 2011 season. It wil take a year for me to save up, this is now that i finally have a bike that can fight with an SV.

Cant wait to get to the Nats - but the sth island "adventure" is that hard part that stupid stretch of water just costs too much.

2 years ago we did the Port Nelson street race on the 2 of jan.
2 vans with 2 traylers and 6 adults was $1900 return just for the FUCKEN FERRY!!!:2guns:

Its also really hard finding information out on the" nationals" is their a site with all the info on it?? dates - costs - pit - facilities??:stupid:

MNZ have a site but ( frankly ) trolling through it is a nightmare, its not user friendly.
So the biggest costs and gripe with the Nationals is accomodation, travel and meals? Plus downtime away from work?
Would having a lower spec bike ( stock suspension and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?

[koba]

.
So the biggest costs and gripe with the Nationals is accomodation, travel and meals? Plus downtime away from work?
Would having a lower spec bike ( stock suspension and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?

Correct.

It's the deal breaker for me, I already race a bike that has very low running costs. (RG150)

[DEATH_INC.]

MNZ have a site but ( frankly ) trolling through it is a nightmare, its not user friendly.
So the biggest costs and gripe with the Nationals is accomodation, travel and meals? Plus downtime away from work?
Would having a lower spec bike ( stock suspension and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?
Robert, for the likes of myself, yes it does help not to have to spend around $5000 for a shock and fork kit. I've only ever run s/h tyres, so the costs associated are nowhere near that cost....even if I ran one new set for the races. Maybe a tyre restriction is whats required?
Take for example the bike I have now, '05 ZX10. It is averagely competitive against the newer bikes, stock vs stock. Not on completely even footing, but close enough. It cost me under $10,000. Then you look at the cost of a real superbike, I'd estimate around 50k to get to the same level of competitiveness? Assuming the top guys are spending the better part of 75-100k?
But, still I can't afford the nats, so maybe I don't count...though if they ran with Quasi's idea and ran it on one weekend.....oops :Offtopic:

[koba]

I don't know if this has been asked before, but it would be interesting (for me) to know why you don't do the National events.

I have a priority list.

I can spend X ammount on racing per year, even tho I do it on the cheap it is a very significant % of my earnings.

My priorites (at the moment!) are:

VMCC Winter Series,
Wellington Buckets,
The Cliffhanger Hillclimb,
The Taupo Roadrace Spectacular,
An away trip for Bucket Racing...

Oh shit, I've run out of Money!

So either I would have to give up other racing, find more $$ or just not do nationals.

I'd rather spend my money watching wanganui and then heading to taupo for some SPECTACULAR ACTION! ;)

[neil_cb125t]

works easy for me to get away - spec that time of year - ive been told on a F3 bike that 1 front tyre and 2 rears per meet is doable.

apart from that awesome front end valving id love to do - the bike is working really well ( i think )

cheers for the info rob

and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?[/QUOTE]

[Drew]

Accomodation is free for me, and likely any of my mates. What with my family being spread all over the south island.

But three weeks away from work, (self employed), cost of running my bike, and travel make it impossible.

[Whitebait]

I'm looking at getting a loan off westpac just before the nationals!!!! Weather I can get away with getting it done without actually joining their bank is yet to be trialed.....

Sharky it is a vicious circle....You'll be surprised how much you can step up when you need to as well. At Manfield before the nationals my best was a 1:23:4 or something so I lost 2 seconds just because I had to push myself really hard to keep up with Duncan's SV.

I don't know if there needs to be rules bought in because "He with the most cash will always win" when it comes to motorsport.

I'm working on developing my skills so I can be a better rider rather than developing a faster bike.

I'm in the process of sorting out the suspension on my bike which still has the stock items - the springs in the front from CKT.

I've set myself some realistic goals for the season and for the Nationals and once they are signed off I'll look a moving on to another bike.

I would encourage everyone to give it a go I MEAN IT'S NATIONALS...... THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPETITION ON OFFER IN NZ.........:drool:

[sidecar bob]

I rekon the accomodation argument is a lame one. Its the middle of summer & sleeping in an enclosed trailer, tent or van is hardly a hardship at that time of year. A few pots & pans & some cheap groceries & you can probably live cheaper than at home.
Scrivy & i are probably in a great position to have a flash hotel wherever we go, but the old van is fine & quite an adventure, theres nothing wrong with a grass verge on a quiet country road to call home for the night.
I think there is a degree of softness or possibly stuck up ness about the whole "gotta have a motel" thing.

[Robert Taylor]

I rekon the accomodation argument is a lame one. Its the middle of summer & sleeping in an enclosed trailer, tent or van is hardly a hardship at that time of year. A few pots & pans & some cheap groceries & you can probably live cheaper than at home.
Scrivy & i are probably in a great position to have a flash hotel wherever we go, but the old van is fine & quite an adventure, theres nothing wrong with a grass verge on a quiet country road to call home for the night.
I think there is a degree of softness or possibly stuck up ness about the whole "gotta have a motel" thing.

Fair points, its notable also that many cite time away from work as one of the issues.
You sidecar guys are in any event a lot tougher!

[jellywrestler]

Accomodation is free for me, and likely any of my mates. What with my family being spread all over the south island.

But three weeks away from work, (self employed), cost of running my bike, and travel make it impossible.

interesting comment, flying is as cheap as these days so if you book early enough and organise soemwhere to leave a wagon its much easier than it used to be...

[jellywrestler]

Scrivy & i are probably in a great position to have a flash hotel wherever we go, but the old van is fine & quite an adventure, theres nothing wrong with a grass verge on a quiet country road to call home for the night.
.

the reality is for you two is its hard to find a motel with hooks above all four corners of the beds, like in the roof of your vans, and that will tolerate the noises that you make at night without calling
A/ the police
B/ the armed offenders squad
C/ the SPCA
D/ a troupe of choirboys

[Drew]

interesting comment, flying is as cheap as these days so if you book early enough and organise soemwhere to leave a wagon its much easier than it used to be...For sure, I could likely find someone down there to drive the van to my next destination too.

But I want to do very well, get myself noticed like, so would do the test days prior, making each work week a maximum of four days. And that's only provided the bike didn't need work between rounds.

To put it another way, I live month to month when it comes to racing. Robbing Peter to pay Paul like. Triple the entry costs, and then trying to do it three weeks in a row, I just do not have the money right now.

I am selling my RF once I order the gear box bits it needs, (which I just dont have the three hundred bones for either), and chuck them in, that will pay for a set of tyres, and the head service my bike is due for. Then I'm right back where I started.

[Kickaha]

I think there is a degree of softness or possibly stuck up ness about the whole "gotta have a motel" thing.

While I quite like staying in the Motels while away racing, the last couple of National meetings at Levels I've used the tent, there's showers at the track and you can buy a cooked breakfast there in the morning



You sidecar guys are in any event a lot tougher!

Obviously:rolleyes:


interesting comment, flying is as cheap as these days so if you book early enough and organise soemwhere to leave a wagon its much easier than it used to be...

Thats how we've done it, we do Minefield, leave the gear with someone and fly home, if we're lucky they drive it to Auckland and we fly back up two weeks later for less than what it would cost to either stay up for the two weeks in between or drive back home and then back up

But I start booking stuff as soon as we have the race dates so we can get the cheap flights

[Kickaha]

For sure, I could likely find someone down there to drive the van to my next destination too.

But I want to do very well, get myself noticed like, so would do the test days prior, making each work week a maximum of four days. And that's only provided the bike didn't need work between rounds.


You'd probably be better off coming down and doing some of the club days, it might mean a little bit more travel but it'd mean taking less days off come Nationals and if you can find someone else to travel with you wouldn't be to expensive

I think we got a kennel you could sleep in

[Drew]

You'd probably be better off coming down and doing some of the club days, it might mean a little bit more travel but it'd mean taking less days off come Nationals and if you can find someone else to travel with you wouldn't be to expensive

I think we got a kennel you could sleep in


Sweet, accom' sorted for Christchurch!

[scrivy]

My priorites (at the moment!) are:

VMCC Winter Series,
Wellington Buckets,
The Cliffhanger Hillclimb,
The Taupo Roadrace Spectacular,
An away trip for Bucket Racing...

I'd rather spend my money watching wanganui and then heading to taupo for some SPECTACULAR ACTION! ;)
Are you after a free entry Koba?? You're going about it the right way!!!


the reality is for you two is its hard to find a motel with hooks above all four corners of the beds, like in the roof of your vans, and that will tolerate the noises that you make at night without calling
A/ the police
B/ the armed offenders squad
C/ the SPCA
D/ a troupe of choirboys
You free again this time round Spyda?? You have such warm hands.........



You sidecar guys are in any event a lot tougher!
Or more stupid!!


I like the info coming back from everyone on this poll. This is great!

[Drew]

Are you after a free entry Koba?? You're going about it the right way!!!



Gonna be a busy christmas this year, I'll be racing Wanga's, then coming up to the spectacular. Me and Deano wanna have a crack at the three hour on my thou.

[Kiwi Graham]

I got over the accomodation issues by buying an old desiel horse truck. It had a bed, sink, stove and a little gas fridge up front and the room that two horse took up in the back, had it all set out sweet as. It wasn't alot dearer to run than a car towing loaded trailer and I had all the comforts of home right there with me.
Got a flash motorhome now, just eyeing up a towbar for it!

[slowpoke]

Got a flash motorhome now

MotoGP comes to Invercargill!

[Whitebait]

..Got a flash motorhome now...


MotoGP comes to Invercargill!

...I reckon!!!!

Kiwi Graham did I mention I'm now looking for new sponsors...

[scracha]

MNZ have a site but ( frankly ) trolling through it is a nightmare, its not user friendly.

Yes. And their silly Javascript dropdown menu's dont work on netbooks either.



So the biggest costs and gripe with the Nationals is accomodation, travel and meals? Plus downtime away from work?

Yes. Max of 2 full weeks off work would be more realistic. Perhaps mid-week event (cheaper track hire too) should be looked at. Block booking for rider (and support peeps), bike transport, storage and accomodation needs looked at. Also seems a bit stupid that riders are carting tyres up and down the country.



Would having a lower spec bike ( stock suspension and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?
Pro-twins and the 'lower' classes it's a no brainer to be honest. Practice (and declared wet meeting) aside, marking a set of tyres for the whole meeting would decrease costs. Bonkers that pro-twins riders are going through 3 sets of tyres for one event. F3...maybe some limits on motors and suspenders. Don't think there's enough money/support in NZ for 3 'unlimited' formula classes. F2...not so sure....maybe 2 sets would be a compromise. F1, leave alone I guess.

From many 'average' club racers like moi, there really are no plus points in doing the nationals in their current state. The time of work is higher, costs are far higher, the chance of a podium is far lower, there's no prize-money nor even assistance with costs (ozzie formula 400 riders get travel assistance). There's no crowd roar and It's not like we're going to have a chance to wave at our mates and say 'look at me (getting lapped)' on the telly either. Different story for the uber-talented riders who're trying to make a name for themselves I guess.

Burt Monroe rally, sound of thunder and some of the south island's street races seem far more appealing (atmosphere, crowds, tv coverage) to be honest.


Me and Deano wanna have a crack at the three hour on my thou.
Just bring one set of tyres.....you'll crash well before it's worn.

[Kickaha]

Yes. Max of 2 full weeks off work would be more realistic. Perhaps mid-week event (cheaper track hire too) should be looked at.


This was suggested By Chris Lawrence to MNZ either last year or the year before for the SI rounds,so the three meetings would be run Teretonga first weekend, Levels (midweek) Ruapuna following weekend

[johan]

MNZ members get ferry discount. I'm not sure how much though.

Here are all discounts listed.
http://www.mnz.co.nz/mnz_memberbenefits.aspx

[Kickaha]

MNZ members get ferry discount. I'm not sure how much though.

Here are all discounts listed.
http://www.mnz.co.nz/mnz_memberbenefits.aspx

Depends on the time of year but I've travelled Bluebridge on the way back from Puke for less than the Interislander mnz ferry discount and that was just turning up at Bluebridge and booking an hour before it left

If you're doing the nationals and book as soon as the dates are out you can get the cheap fares anyway

[k14]

Depends on the time of year but I've travelled Bluebridge on the way back from Puke for less than the Interislander mnz ferry discount and that was just turning up at Bluebridge and booking an hour before it left

If you're doing the nationals and book as soon as the dates are out you can get the cheap fares anyway
Yeah but I think you're still better using the MNZ discount code. You get total flexibility on changing crossing times etc with no financial penalty of the standard fares. Booking six months+ out can sometimes cause a few problems if things change in the interim.

[Drew]

Depends on the time of year but I've travelled Bluebridge on the way back from Puke for less than the Interislander mnz ferry discount and that was just turning up at Bluebridge and booking an hour before it left

If you're doing the nationals and book as soon as the dates are out you can get the cheap fares anyway


Yeah but I think you're still better using the MNZ discount code. You get total flexibility on changing crossing times etc with no financial penalty of the standard fares. Booking six months+ out can sometimes cause a few problems if things change in the interim.

How did I miss the memo on ferry discounts? I would hae employed it when I did SOT a couple years ago.

[Kiwi Graham]

MotoGP comes to Invercargill!


...I reckon!!!!

Kiwi Graham did I mention I'm now looking for new sponsors...

Ha ha, Wish I knew about the ferry discounts!!:shit:

How impressive will this be with a bike trailer on the back!?
Just got to convince the whanau to spend their holidays at the track Mmmm

[Drew]

I was just asked, "if you're sponsored by Pirelli, why the need to bludge for tyres"?

There are different levels of sponsorship, and although we get a good deal indeed, they are by no means free. VERY few racers are getting free tyres.

I wonder if there is a common misconception about this?

Look at my sponsors list, (in my signature), if I wasn't paying for their products still, why would they sponsor at all?