Bernard Racing quits

[jellywrestler]

Official statement from Bernard Racing

Hi everyone,

It is with much regret that Bernard Racing is forced to withdraw from the coming season's road racing. A sudden change in team support has left me with no choice but to cancel our team plans.
This will be the first summer "off" in the 28 years that I have either raced or managed a team.
In the 12 years we've been back in NZ, (after 8 years doing the USA - NZ racing trips), I've tried hard to raise the profile and professionalism of the sport I so passionately enjoy.
We, as a family and business, have devoted every spare dollar and spare hour of every day (as a lot of us have done) into our race team, and is regretful to now have to walk away.
If the economy takes a turn for the good, and sponsorship can be found, then we could be back next year, bigger and better, who knows.
After 28 years in the racing scene, it may be time to move on to other adventures.
A huge thanks to all the friends, family and sponsors who have helped soooo much over the years.
Without these people and businesses, the adventure would have ended a long time ago. "Thanks" just doesn't say it enough.
We will now devote our energy into building up our workshop and will now be able to provide service to all makes and models 12 months of the year.
We look forward to this new change in our life and wish everyone the most successful and safe race season.


Cheers.
Brian, KC, Jessie and Jacob Bernard.
Bernard Racing Motorsport Ltd.

[woodyracer]

thats sad!, hopefully you'lll get a last minute sponsor....

good luck.

[evol mas]

so sad to hear mate you and your team wil be hugely missed in and arround the traps, you have done so much for motorcycle racing in new zealand and i would personaly like to thank you

[sinfull]

Sad to hear Brian ! Good luck with any new ventures you take on !

[Tony.OK]

Not good to hear Brian & co.

Was really looking forward to seeing the new big bang R1 out there for the coming season too.

Hope you guys can maybe enjoy the peace and calm of not being up the front ( if you know what I mean ) next year, although I guess thats just not what you are about.

Good luck for the future :niceone:

[Biggles08]

Here's hoping you will be back! The Field will miss your professionalism and input into our sport!...Good luck for your new ventures!
Biggles

[Kiwi Graham]

Thats not good news Brian.
Good luck with developing the business, but crickey you'll be missed in the pits.
My guess is you wont be out for long (its in the blood) in a different level or at a different time, you'll be back and I look forward to it.

Good luck to you and yours.
KG

[Bren_chch]

This is really sad news. Bernard racing will be missed in the season to come!!

[eelracing]

[QUOTE=jellywrestler;1129517410
After 28 years in the racing scene, it may be time to move on to other adventures.[/QUOTE]



But not to far eh Brian,the NZ race scene cannot afford to lose the experience and professionalism that you bring to every meeting.

This is sad news indeed but I can only hope a temporary setback for you and the family.

Bast wishes for the future.

[White trash]

This is teribly sad news. Although I've had my own personal digs at the politics, Bernard racing has been for the past few years the most professional team in the pits, rivaled only by Honda last year. I have no doubts that Brian and his team have single handedly raised the bar to where we sit now in terms of presentation at the meetings.

Guys, I truly hope you can relax and enjoy life outside racing while still having a hand (or eye for upcoming talent) in the pits.

All the best.

Jimmy

[jellywrestler]

Bernard racing has been for the past few years the most professional team in the pits, rivaled only by Honda last year.
Jimmy

Honda eh. Is it then just a coincidence that both Honda riders Craig Shirriffs and Hayden Fitzgerald, have both been team members of Bernard Racing in years gone by???

[Wingnut]

No good at all. Is Gareth Jones still going to be doing the NZ Nats?

[Bren_chch]

No good at all. Is Gareth Jones still going to be doing the NZ Nats?


http://www.kiwiracer.co.nz/webapps/site/76239/133548/news/news-more.html?newsid=251432

[Ivan]

Gareth wants to come back but he is well into testing in europe at that time

[Brian d marge]

Sad

very sad

and going to get worse

the motorcycle industry model is /has gone pear shaped ...they are ( bike) a commodity now

yes there are a few nutters who like them ,,, but the ROI isn't much

there has to be a way where a company ( Or anyone ) gets at least a three to 6 % ROI

are the teams in Europe doing that ,,, I dont know ,,, the teams here are clubs ( imagine a group of friends sharing the costs) dealers , and factory ( they develop their product and market the product )


the only ones who get a return of some sort are the factory,, and thats lost/ gained back in the marketing budget , tax refund


There has to be a way where the action of racing produces a bankable ( $) return

Good luck with those thinking caps

Stephen

[Cleve]

Yes very sad. I have enjoyed seeing the professionalism that this team have brought to the NZ racing scene. I was allowed to enter the workshop area at Paeroa last year and my kids got to sit on the bikes have their photos taken. Brian even took the time out to chat with my brother and I in the middle of it all. Great bloke, top team. Sad news indeed...

[Pussy]

As well as being a superb racer and team manager, Brian is a genuine nice guy.
I'm proud to call him my friend.
Good luck and all the best for the future, BB!

[WarrenW]

I am sure you will not be able to keep away in one form or another Brian. Look forward to seeing you as a spectator if nothing else! Thanks for the good memories your team has bought all of us in racing over the years.

P.S got any cheap race bikes going
Nah I can't afford em anyhow. LOL (sadly)

[burtsidecar16]

shit brian its about time you came and joined the family and get back onto 3 wheels ,it would be great to see someone of your talent riding a sidecar ans shaun harris expressed interest at one stage so you guys should get together and get a couple of lcr s and make the front of the field more interesting. Good luck with what ever you choose you will be certainly missed

[mikeey01]

So so sad :(

[SWERVE]

A sad day indeed:no:
Always a credit to the sport, and a genuine guy who was always willing to talk and share advice.
Good luck in whatever you chose to do Brian

[scrivy]

shit brian its about time you came and joined the family and get back onto 3 wheels ,it would be great to see someone of your talent riding a sidecar ans shaun harris expressed interest at one stage so you guys should get together and get a couple of lcr s and make the front of the field more interesting. Good luck with what ever you choose you will be certainly missed

Or they could race short bikes......... that's what real men race eh Burt!!!
:bleh:

[Shaun]

Great shame, BBR has done good for the sport in New Zealand