Scracha - W(h)anganui whine

[scracha]

I'll no doubt get bollocks loads of abuse for this so bite me.

W(h)anganui
Upon arriving there on Christmas day, I was gobsmacked that there wasn't a single signpost to the pits.

Upon arriving there on Boxing day, I was gobsmacked that there wasn't a single signpost to tell us how to get back into the bloody track as they'd closed most of the circuit. Navman no good when they close roads. Much swearing like a trooper and driving over kerb hilarity ensued.

Practise and race-wise, I was totally pants and target fixating on trees, lamp-posts, bumps and kerbs. Didn't crash or come last (just) but I'm man enough to admit that I was totally useless. Didn't enjoy W(h)angas at all.

My pants riding can (maybe :msn-wink:) be fixed by I was more pissed off about there being:-

No signage.
No water.
No electricity.
No rubbish bins.
No indication where to pit, park or get fuel (for some reason the BP about 50m from the pit area was closed...stupid stupid stupid).
No pit passes meant riders and support had trouble getting back into pits after going out to get food/fuel.
A pit area just too small for 250 riders.
A scrutineers shed up a slope (why the hell couldn't the scruts come to us instead of pushing bike, paperwork and gear up the slope?).
Inconsistent rider call outs (sometimes 5m, sometimes 15, PA system squalking "park in the shade and be ready to go".....err yeah mate...I'm gonna ride a street circuit on cold slicks).
No race program.
Massive amounts of previous entrants in the "virgin" practise.
Massive gaps between classes.
That I wasn't allowed to practise with F1 but top F1 guys were able to burgle the 600 practise (I guess it's who you know).
That superpole took a huge amount of time even though things were running massively late.
That each class had 2 x 4 lap practise sessions for some reason which wasted more time.
There were basically just far too many classes for the allocated time.



By lunchtime the crowd were restless and considering the history/hype/media I thought it embarrassingly amateur. The >100 volunteers (who's efforts were appreciated despite my whining) who put in a lot of hard work were let down by the organisers.

Majority of bikes were scrutineered and pits setup on Christmas day & everyone had to be at track before 7am boxing day yet somehow the 1st 600 race wasn't until about 2.45pm and it was reduced to 6 laps. By the time I got out, I was too angry to focus properly and had basically forgotten the track layout (it had been hours since the short 600 practise). Regardless, I kinda enjoyed the scary as fuck crowded start and dicing with Chris Fry for the whole race as he'd obviously also forgotten the track layout.

Worst run event I've been to since I started racing 3 years ago. Put it this way, I'm a tight Scotsman and I left before the second 600 race.

Waste of time and money. Pissed off as I'd so been looking forward to this event for weeks and weeks.

[Mumbles]

Harden up man! you didnt crash :niceone:

[gatch]

SOme fair points in there..

From a spectator POV though I had a great day, not worried at all that the program went over time, just that the program was messed around, and that some names were missed out in the booklet..

[boman]

I agree, from a spectators point of view, there were no where near enough rubbish bins. Things were dragged out later and later, and the races got shorter. Last years racing seemed to be better organised and better to watch. Hopefully next year will be better.:clap::clap:

[BIG DOUG]

will I"ve been going to wanganui for 40 years in a row,the number of crashes seems to go up every year and this slows things down but believe me it has got better over those years, and when I raced sidecars there the furtherest thing from my mind was looking at the trees and lamp-posts,kerbs yes but the rest no as for water couldn't you take some and a rubbish bag as well ?

[scracha]

The crashes weren't the reason for the majority of the delays. Yes, the rubbish bins and water is being picky but fuck, it's in the middle of a reasonably large town. I wasn't talking about drinking water either. I expected more.

[Clivoris]

RESPECT for giving it a lunge mate. I wondered whqat happened to you in the second race. I've been going as a spectator for a couple years now and they definitely seemed to waste/lose a bit of time this year. Heres hoping the Superpole experiment is never repeated.

[Kickaha]

I've been the last 5-6 years, from a competitors point of view this year was the worst ever for delays, we weren't on the track for our first race until nearly 2pm

Make sure you email the organisers with what you've said

[sunhuntin]

dad went down to watch and he was home by about 3pm cos he got pissed off with the delays. a waste of $30 was the first thing he said, considering taupo is only $10.
i went down last year and enjoyed it, but i agree on the lack of bins. the opening of the gates every few laps doesnt help with keeping the program on time either. with the overpass they put in, the gates should be kept closed.

on boxing day, the bp is closed for fuel, but not for food or fluids. i dont know why they dont allow racers to get fuel and i never actually thought about it before.

[tri boy]

Bring back Barb

[Kickaha]

Oh yeah I forgot, fuck superpole it's nothing but time wasting bullshit and from the people I spoke to adds nothing to the event

[nz_rider]

Good write up mate. After reading that I am pleased that I didn't head down for the racing. Sounds like a bit of a mess of a day.
Hopefully the organisers take heed of the feedback that they recieve and work on making it better for years to come.

[limbimtimwim]

I wondered whqat happened to you in the second race. He was actually in the dunny having a having a nervous number 2 and missed it.
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[Clivoris]

He was actually in the dunny having a having a nervous number 2 and missed it.


:clap: Mr Chappell wont be impressed that he was using the Step Up WC.

[davebullet]

I've only been to one other - the 2006 and I agree with your comments. Things were slow to start, chopping laps later to claw it back I'm sure didn't do the riders any favours. Ok if you are on pole.... but is 6 laps really enough to make progress through a field?

I thought the pits in 2006 was better setup for riders / crew.

I do appreciate how the spectators can walk through the pits. It's great to get up close and personal with the racers, thumbs up and wish them luck.

I thought the programme was a good price ($5). Food is usually a bit of a ripoff at these things but at least you can bring your own food and water.

All in all, I'd go again. I enjoyed it.

Superpole was interesting. It's nice to just focus on one fast machine at a time and see how quick the guys can cane it without worrying about traffic. It was amazing seeing rubber being laid down right around the track - Mr. Shiriffs in particular. I saw him come off too. Glad he got back on and the Stroud / Shiriffs Robert Holden feature race duel was great racing. (Thanks guys!)

I was surprised Dave H rode without a helmet. But it was good to see him in the flesh on plastic fantastic.

The best part was the local Triumph / Ulysses (?) crew with their $10 park-up. Very well organised and made it a very enjoyableday not having to cart your shit around.

The only downer was getting soggy on the way home from Fielding yesterday (leathers and summer gloves - oooops!)

[Tony.OK]

:clap: Mr Chappell wont be impressed that he was using the Step Up WC.

And more to the point............what does the picture beside the door of a women in a skirt mean?:msn-wink:

[scracha]

And more to the point............what does the picture beside the door of a women in a skirt mean?:msn-wink:
Men with kilts welcome?

Did appreciate the effort they'd put into the track surface though, marking out manhole covers etc in bright red and the airfences etc.

[CHOPPA]

Good points... I think they organised a pretty good event, the promoters looked after the riders well and it will get better. The big screens and the superpole i think were great. To save time i think maybe a 20 min practice for each class would be good cause its the on and off time that takes ages also id like to see the program changed. The way it was all the older bike classes were bunched together and the newer bike classes ie motards supers and 600s were sorta bunched together.

[boomer]

Sounds like a fun time then huh Scracha:msn-wink:


Put it this way, I'm a tight Scotsman


For a minute there i thought you were English..??! If moaning were an Olympic Event, Scotland might win summat...?!

[Kickaha]

Good points... I think they organised a pretty good event, the promoters looked after the riders well and it will get better.

I would disagree, the first year I raced there 5 years ago I wasn't going to bother coming back because the organisation was so poor and the delays were huge and we weren't ever notified which meant spending 30minutes on the dummy grid

The last 3 years were considerably better

This event just gone was the worst it has been in the 5 years I have been competing to the point where if I didn't have someone else relying on me I would have packed up and left


The big screens and the superpole i think were great. To save time i think maybe a 20 min practice for each class would be good cause its the on and off time that takes ages also id like to see the program changed. The way it was all the older bike classes were bunched together and the newer bike classes ie motards supers and 600s were sorta bunched together.

Big screens were a great idea

With the delays that happened Superpole should have been canned all it does is waste even more time in a day where they can't afford delays and I don't believe it adds any value to the event except for the riders who participate in it

[ajw_888]

Delays - I got there early to watch practise and everyuthing appeared to be going well, a couple of races and then .... it all grinds to a halt, lunch for the troops, Dave's ride by (much respect to the man) and superpole.

Get rid of superpole (they were going faster in the races anyway) and give the racers their full # of laps.

I didn't think there was too much time lost maintaning the track after the odd off compared to some years.

[Deano]

The delays sucked arse allright. I always preferred Paeroa to Wanganui, but was pleasantly surprised when I had an absolute ball on Boxing Day. Maybe cause the bike ran well this year with no hiccups.

Shame it wasn't your cup of tea Stevie - I guess we won't need to erect your pit tent for you next year, find you your gas etc etc etc. ;)

[Toast]

And yet everyone else manages fine...HTFU

Agree that Superpole should have been canned though.

And from where I was standing the delays in practice seemed mostly due to the bins.

[scracha]

And yet everyone else manages fine...HTFU

There's no point in not pointing out fings wot could be improved. I could have been better prepared but in all honesty, there wasn't a lot of info on what to expect.

I'll give it another go when I grow some balls.

[Toast]

There's no point in not pointing out fings wot could be improved. I could have been better prepared but in all honesty, there wasn't a lot of info on what to expect.

I'll give it another go when I grow some balls.

Yeah some fair points in there

You should give it another go. You'll enjoy it more when you get more in to it

[roogazza]

I was interested to hear from a few older friends who attended this year. These guys were involved in the organisation of the Gracefeild meets when it was the Marlborough Series. They left disppointed early.
I've kept out of it myself for the past 5 years after attending from nearly 40 year ago. Depends what you think a good 'Meeting' is I suppose ? G.

[Ivan]

I found it good but very very slow like I think Isat in the pits after one ride waiting for my next for like 2 and a half hours I just think what annoyed most people was riders brefing contradicted itself in saying when you are called be here as you will be leaving straight away I left on the call and sat there with Glen for 15 minutes.

[scracha]

I was interested to hear from a few older friends who attended this year. These guys were involved in the organisation of the Gracefeild meets when it was the Marlborough Series. They left disppointed early.
I've kept out of it myself for the past 5 years after attending from nearly 40 year ago. Depends what you think a good 'Meeting' is I suppose ? G.

Cliffhanger hill climb or Taupo Road Race spectacular are by far the most enjoyable meetings I've attended. Gob smacked there aren't more spectators at the latter event.

I'd like to do the Burt Monroe. I'd love to do the Sound of Thunder. Mibby I could just remove 2 HT leads from my Honda and stick some Ducati stickers on the tank :2thumbsup

[sunhuntin]

excuse a blonde, but what on earth is "superpole?"

[boomer]

Yeah some fair points in there

You should give it another go. You'll enjoy it more when you get more in to it


roughly translated as

"When you stop being a girl about it..."

[boomer]

excuse a blonde, but what on earth is "superpole?"


10 chars......

[Kickaha]

excuse a blonde, but what on earth is "superpole?"


It translates in English as "A waste of fucking time"

[Ivan]

top 6 I think superbike riders plus 2 wildcards the Italians got to go out and put in the fastest lap for 1000 bucks cash, It was abit of a waste of time really as the programe was allready behind.

Abit like the Road race spec they had a feature race but ran out of time so didnt run it this should have been the same run at the end of the day if there was timeit slowed down the proceddings a shit load

[eelracing]

There's no point in not pointing out fings wot could be improved. I could have been better prepared but in all honesty, there wasn't a lot of info on what to expect.

I'll give it another go when I grow some balls.

Give it another go coz now you know what to expect.Track and facilities.

Also to all,cut the organisers a little slack afterall it is done over Xmas/boxing day.
Delays on a street circuit...especially a tight track like the cemetery have to be expected as any crash is gonna stop the race.
Treat it for what it is...a fucking good days (street) racing that attracts massive non-motorcycling crowds and is now a historic event as well.

Constructive critisism is good tho and in that respect the superpole idea should be noted.

[CHOPPA]

I reckon they drop several classes and superbikes should have 3 races, superpole and a feature... :lol:

[roadracingoldfart]

He was actually in the dunny having a having a nervous number 2 and missed it.
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He was just checking if his beer was still there outside the closet door after he came out :2thumbsup



:clap: Mr Chappell wont be impressed that he was using the Step Up WC.

It was the flying high aspect mate , not the stepping up :dodge:

[Ivan]

Mate I tyed a rag around my face vefore entering them shitters

[Gremlin]

The big delay I saw was the first major bin in the esses. The air fences were a good idea though. The lunch round seemed to go on for much longer than necessary as well.

Yes, superpole should have been scrapped, considering the amount of time used up.

For $30, to only get track entry, and nothing else, was a bit of a rip off. Refused to buy a program in principle, but found Shaun and got myself the T-Shirt I was after.

Should have worn more sunscreen... couldn't they have organised a little less sunshine? :whistle:

[Shaun]

So what is any one going to do to make it better, APART from whinge on the Inrenet again?????




Gremlin, was good to meet you mate, Funny talking to some one who has MY name also Ha Ha

[Kickaha]

So what was the actual reason for the big hold up? was it just crashes in the practices? I know our first practice was cut short because one of the guys rolled over in the s bends

[scracha]

So what is any one going to do to make it better, APART from whinge on the Inrenet again?????


I shall write a polite letter to the organisers thanking them for their efforts and put in a few suggestions. OK?

Whining worked wonders for the PMCC Summer Series. It's leaps and bounds better organised than it was 3 years ago.

[TonyB]

It pays to remember that the people who organise these events spend all year doing it, usually for no pay, nothing but whinging from the riders, and noise complaints from local residents. Most of the committees time for the events I have attended is spent jumping through hoops for the local authorities. It seems like a bloody thankless task and I'm buggered if I know why they do it.

Its us riders that usually cause the delays...

[Shorty_925]

Like every other road race, it had crashs and delays. You made some good points in that list, but some others on the list I wouldnt expect. It was a great days racing, after not wanting to be out there after practice, the end of the day came waaay to soon. Ill be going back there.

[Gremlin]

So what is any one going to do to make it better, APART from whinge on the Inrenet again?????

Gremlin, was good to meet you mate, Funny talking to some one who has MY name also Ha Ha
Depends whether or not I end up marshalling there... then you can blame me for taking a while to clear it ;)

Good to meet you too... you look more like a Gremlin than me... who knows who behaves more like one :whistle:

[Shaun]

It pays to remember that the people who organise these events spend all year doing it, usually for no pay, nothing but whinging from the riders, and noise complaints from local residents. Most of the committees time for the events I have attended is spent jumping through hoops for the local authorities. It seems like a bloody thankless task and I'm buggered if I know why they do it.

Its us riders that usually cause the delays...




Very well said Tony

[crazyhorse]

A polite letter would most definitely be a start...........

There are always going to be things that either get overlooked, or forgotten at these events.

It sure does take alot of organising and alot of things get done behind the scenes.

Good on those who organised this event. I for one enjoy coming year after year. The delays were abit long, but hey, at least no one was seriousy hurt - well, not that I had heard of anyway.

:2thumbsup To the organisers

[quickbuck]

Delays - I got there early to watch practise and everyuthing appeared to be going well, a couple of races and then .... it all grinds to a halt, lunch for the troops, Dave's ride by (much respect to the man) and superpole.
.

None of which i got to see at all!!!!

AND I had to pay $30 bucks to miss it as well....

Spanner swingers should get in for free. They get to miss so much. I only managed to see 4 races all day.
We had bikes covering 4 classes (Yes, Mr Chappell was being greedy and rode the #499 Norton Dominator).
The 600 never go out until 2:45, and we were all but done before Lee got his second ride.

The Public in the pits isn't a good idea.
The place is just too small.
Half baked, dehydrated people wandering around a place with race machinery coming and going is not the go!
Surprised there wasn't more people run over!

The water and rubbish bin situation was a big oversight, But I guess it does stop people throwing cigarettes into plastic bins.....
Would be enough room if there wasn't so many seemingly aimlessly wandering around,

[Sketchy_Racer]

Public in pits it a good thing! It's the best place to let any sponsor logos on the bike get any publicity as they sure can't read them as they wizz past down the track. Its a once a year event and it's not a typical race meeting so were all going to have to make compromises. Things could have been done better definitely, but it'll never be perfect and they will never please everyone. I thought the Superpole was very cool, ok i may be biased due to getting to ride in it but even before I found out i would get to ride in it I thought it was a cool thing. They do it in the V8 super cars for one off meetings so why not us too?

Definitely agree with the spanner hands shouldn't have to pay for entry! Without them, the riders wouldn't turn up and without riders, the meeting wouldn't happen!!

[Rob Taylor]

All we needed in the pits was a water/caffine outlet & more toilets,,,,ie water in,water out......& yes pit crew in for free as we dont get to see any racing .....

[McJim]

That's Wanghanui bro' - Add the H for the Iwi and put it after the G to preserve the pronunciation. Everyone wins.

Vot with your feet bro'. If everyone did that then things would be arranged properly r go bust.

[jellywrestler]

Oh yeah I forgot, fuck superpole it's nothing but time wasting bullshit and from the people I spoke to adds nothing to the event A lot of people thought the superpole was great, whether it was or wasn't how about giving the organisers credit for trying something different. Also do you really think they will listen to your comments worded like this??


Take a look at the profile of this event too. They pay big prize money in comparison to most other motorcycle races, most of this coming through gate takings. The Legends Lap of Honour and the Superpole is a promised part of the spectacle, and what attracts the crowd too, thowing these out of the program means the spectator doesn't get what they paid for, gets disgruntled, and may not return...
Maybe a little bit more patience by competitors is whats needed as they are only part of this event, albeit a very important part

[jellywrestler]

I was surprised Dave H rode without a helmet. But it was good to see him in the flesh on plastic fantastic.

!)

Dave Hiscock has recently had a replacement knee, courtesy of a crash on the Plastic Fantastic at Assen in 1983. He came to my place to discuss his appearance and admiitted that he could no longer fit his leathers...
I asked whether he wanted to put in some fast laps, or slow parade laps and given that he was having trouble sitting on the bike ( due to his knee) lack of practice availability we decided the helmet off deal to be the best.

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

pit bitches can get in free if in before 7am...

[Whitebait]

Chappy must have forgotten to check his email Aaron!!!

Cemetery Circuit - Things you need to know:

* Please present this confirmation (Riders Pass) at Gate 1 to gain entry in to the track on Race Day. Riders and teams must be through Gate 1 before Track lock-down at 7am. Arrival at Gate 1 after 7am will delay access and could mean missing the mandatory riders briefing and affect your ability to make official practice/ qualifying.
***** * 2 team members in addition to riders (& passenger for sidecars) will be granted access on this Pass but they must enter the circuit at the same time as the rider.******

I wait all year to race "legally" round the streets.

I think Lieghton did a awesome job and it'll only get better each year while he is in charge.

[Kickaha]

A lot of people thought the superpole was great, whether it was or wasn't how about giving the organisers credit for trying something different. Also do you really think they will listen to your constructive comments worded like this??

How many of those who thought it was great had been waiting several hours to get their first race, if It wasn't for the fact I had someone else relying on me I would have packed up and pissed off when it was annouced, at that stage we'd already been at the track over 6 hours and only had our two qulaifying sessions

I may reword my "constructive comments" slightly different when I email them, hopefully this time someone may actually reply

[FROSTY]

could someone plese tell me why the pits were moved a few years back?. My memory of the origonal pits (suzuki corner and down the slip road) wasthat there was a tonne of space and pretty easy access.

[Kickaha]

could someone plese tell me why the pits were moved a few years back?. My memory of the origonal pits (suzuki corner and down the slip road) wasthat there was a tonne of space and pretty easy access.

Thats where they are now, they moved back two years ago, it is a far better location than over by the start/finish

[sunhuntin]

the public walking through the pits need to have more restrictions like no walking in the middle of the road. a lot of the locals here seem to turn dumb at things like this. they seem to have an "i paid $30 to be here, i can walk whereever i like. the riders dont count, so i dont have to move out of their way... its up to them to go around." amazing. kinda like in a supermarket parking lot.
it sucks that the pit crews have to pay if they arent in by a certain time... if theyve got proof of being on a crew, it should be free all day.
ive attended wyndham twice as a spectator, and we can walk the pits there as well, but they have over the loud speakers constant reminders to keep out of the riders way at all times.

[quickbuck]

pit bitches can get in free if in before 7am...

There in lies the problem.....
I'm Not racing, so there is no way I will be out of bed by 0630 on Boxing Day!!!

Yes, i know I could have made more of an effort, and in fact the team fell to piecies without me.... BUT a Pass to let us in and out all day would have been good...

Oh, and The team actually requires MORE than two supporters per rider...

The way I have to look at is that I paid $30 for a Sleep In. That way it sits better.....

[quickbuck]

the public walking through the pits need to have more restrictions like no walking in the middle of the road. a lot of the locals here seem to turn dumb at things like this. they seem to have an "i paid $30 to be here, i can walk whereever i like. the riders dont count, so i dont have to move out of their way... its up to them to go around." amazing. kinda like in a supermarket parking lot.
it sucks that the pit crews have to pay if they arent in by a certain time... if theyve got proof of being on a crew, it should be free all day.
ive attended wyndham twice as a spectator, and we can walk the pits there as well, but they have over the loud speakers constant reminders to keep out of the riders way at all times.

That makes good sense... Well done!

Sketchy, I know there is an important aspect to having the public in the pits. The points you raise are valid.

Thing is it got really hectic, and people don't realise a few things about racebikes:
1) When it is being pushed it will jump into life, and be doing 40km/hr in an instant.
2) Race Bikes don't have horns to warn, unlike their road going cousins.

There are a few other things, but really I'm having a bitch.... mainly because i hardly even got a drink of water all day.... and only one coffee.....
Didn't help I had exactly 7 minutes to reconfigure the bike between classes......

I'll stop ranting now... And remember the great time we had at Taupo.

[scracha]

Sketchy, I know there is an important aspect to having the public in the pits. The points you raise are valid.

Dumb fucks standing in groups around the pit area exit aside, I didn't have a problem with public in the pits.



2) Race Bikes don't have horns to warn, unlike their road going cousins.

15000RPM seems to make them move nicely.



There are a few other things, but really I'm having a bitch.... mainly because i hardly even got a drink of water all day.... and only one coffee.....
Didn't help I had exactly 7 minutes to reconfigure the bike between classes......
I'll stop ranting now... And remember the great time we had at Taupo.
That's kinda my original point. If some riders and (more importantly) spectators had a great time then that's great. From standing in the crowd for a bit and speaking to other riders, it was apparent to me that quite a few didn't enjoy this event. Over the next few days I spoke to previous years' spectators and competitors, a not insignificant number said they haven't/wouldn't go back for various reasons. I'm just voicing some of these reasons. Big events sometimes take their success for granted and then one year they just disappear. I don't want to see Wanganui curl up and die like so many other good motorcycle events have. There's a shedload of history, volunteers, entrants, spectators and media at this event. With just a little more thought and organisation, it could be fantastic.

I'm getting shitloads of abuse for this thread but if nobody makes fair and constructive complaints then things don't improve. The easy option is to shut-up and just not go back. If organisers are too precious or arrogant to accept constructive feedback then they're in the wrong job.

[quickbuck]

Dumb fucks standing in groups around the pit area exit aside, I didn't have a problem with public in the pits.

Yeah, that would be them.......
15000RPM seems to make them move nicely.

Ummm, Yeah....
......

I'm getting shitloads of abuse for this thread but if nobody makes fair and constructive complaints then things don't improve. The easy option is to shut-up and just not go back. If organisers are too precious or arrogant to accept constructive feedback then they're in the wrong job.

That's the way.

I know myself from organising things, it is actually great to get a sheet of paper with a list of constructive comments on it that you can work through....
At the end of the day, you don't know what you don't know....

And, you're right, if the public doesn't turn up, and the event dies without anybody saying anything, then it would be a big shame on all..... especially those who sat back and said/did nothing.