Is World SBK racing coming to NZ in 2011?

[chrispy121]

heard a rumour that they were if the track was finished with a bit of GOVT help

[CHOPPA]

No way......................

[chrispy121]

they were trying wishful thinking I suppose

[trailblazer]

i hope it does but im not goin to hold my breath. If it does come i will diffenatly be there.

[EJK]

The chance is like Scarlett Johasson performing at your local strip club.

[roogazza]

The chance is like Scarlett Johasson performing at your local strip club.

LOL , by the look of the KB forum, all the interest is in our fascinating local scene. you know, bring back 250GPs, winter club racing at Manfeild and then the big one Glen wiping the floor in pc89 with suspension tuning advice !!! WSBK here, why would they ? Romantic idea though.

[CHOPPA]

LOL , by the look of the KB forum, all the interest is in our fascinating local scene. you know, bring back 250GPs, winter club racing at Manfeild and then the big one Glen wiping the floor in pc89 with suspension tuning advice !!! WSBK here, why would they ?

Why not? They could race a sub minute track, pit in the gravel and smell the porta loos

[R6_kid]

heard a rumour that they were if the track was finished with a bit of GOVT help

I think they were awarded consideration, but not an actual event. The track is a long way from being finished, and as much as I like HD I wouldn't want to be racing a full spec superbike around there with some of the run-off areas as they are. The bump on the front straight would also be very interesting for a 170kg, 210bhp+ bike to negotiate without issue.

Also as Choppa has mentioned - I can't expect them being too happy with the current condition of the pit area, or the lack of sufficient fully functioning ablutions.

[Devil]

They wont be here until the long track is finished, and all the pits/buildings have been completed.

Negotiations on how that happens are happening in the background.

[KS34]

Better start sniffing out a wildcard Choppa!

[Kiwi Graham]

I think NZ is a long way of holding a SBK or GP round, having acceptable facilities is one thing, having a big enough sponsor is bloody near impossible. Having said that if the govenment supports our sport like they do sailing and rugby anything is possible.

Has anyone any idea when the rest of the circuit is going to be completed? Before the bit that is open opened the time frame was going to be March 2010 for the full circuit. I see they are advertisng more accomodation for sale (yet to be built) perhaps they are waiting for the revenue from that to kick in.

Provided the momentum is maintained on developing HD, the facilities/complex will be unrecognisable in 4-5 yrs, we will be well and truly out of the recession by then and maybe the govt and others could put a bid in to host the SBK, an obvious gap sits in the schedule for us.

[R6_kid]

I think NZ is a long way of holding a SBK or GP round, having acceptable facilities is one thing, having a big enough sponsor is bloody near impossible. Having said that if the govenment supports our sport like they do sailing and rugby anything is possible

I think once the V8 Supercars have done a round or two there the circuit and facilities will have proven it's worth. Heck, it might even end up getting A1GP which would be a good boost too.

I spoke to the owners at a recent trackday and they said they are ready to finish the track but are just currently lacking the funds.

[roadracingoldfart]

I spoke to the owners at a recent trackday and they said they are ready to finish the track but are just currently lacking the funds.


Thats a good thing , i would rather see the track as it stands make a name for itself and be self sustaining financially than see the owners go over-extending themselves and have the chance of loosing it all. Slow but steady .

When was the last new track built in N.Z. ??.

[R6_kid]

When was the last new track built in N.Z. ??.

Apart from the Taupo extension and upgrade.... I'm too young to know.

[cowpoos]

heard a rumour that they were if the track was finished with a bit of GOVT help

It is very very plausable...the WSBK guys have been here to see Hampton downs....They wanted a couple of track changes...the only thing really holding the thing up is $$$$
You have to pay them to come here!!

[Wingnut]

Haven't we already discussed the WSBK coming to NZ thing????

[Cr1MiNaL]

Better start sniffing out a wildcard Choppa!

Yea I'd come to watch that! Be good to see Choppa getting owned for once :D

[Kickaha]

it might even end up getting A1GP which would be a good boost too.

There would have to actually be an A1GP series for that to happenen

[steveyb]

Ha ha, yeah, pity about the A1GP going belly up. But insiders said the structure was wrong from the start and that it would always happen.
If spectator numbers are any criterion then going by the numbers at Miller Motorsports Park, we should be well in for WSBK I would think.
The issues are all around $$ for the licence rights, etc etc, and then the track facilities, then logistics to get here, then the time of the races for TV audiences in Europe, then spectator numbers etc etc etc.
The latter is a very serious problem for holding races in this part of the world, hence the night races at Qatar.
My own opinion is that while the facility in the wash up will be no problem, the logistics of teams coming to another fly-away meeting and the time of the races for TV will end up being an insurmountable problem, hence it is unlikely to happen, at least in the forseeable future.
If an NZ branded or sponsored team runs near the top end of WSBK in the future, that would change all of that as FGSport would probably be keen to support that.

[brads]

Ha ha, yeah, pity about the A1GP going belly up. But insiders said the structure was wrong from the start and that it would always happen.
If spectator numbers are any criterion then going by the numbers at Miller Motorsports Park, we should be well in for WSBK I would think.
The issues are all around $$ for the licence rights, etc etc, and then the track facilities, then logistics to get here, then the time of the races for TV audiences in Europe, then spectator numbers etc etc etc.
The latter is a very serious problem for holding races in this part of the world, hence the night races at Qatar.
My own opinion is that while the facility in the wash up will be no problem, the logistics of teams coming to another fly-away meeting and the time of the races for TV will end up being an insurmountable problem, hence it is unlikely to happen, at least in the forseeable future.
If an NZ branded or sponsored team runs near the top end of WSBK in the future, that would change all of that as FGSport would probably be keen to support that.
The latest issue of pommy magazine "RACER" has an interview with the big boss of WSBK,he see's no problem in coming here,would make it a week after aussie round to save on costs,he sounded positive that it will happen....someday.....

[chrispy121]

wasnt that what the hike in acc fee were for so the govt could rob us blind and then try to be the good guys and help get WSBK here

[trailblazer]

it would be mint if we did get it 1st round phillip island then following week hampton downs what a brilliant holiday.

[trailblazer]

wasnt that what the hike in acc fee were for so the govt could rob us blind and then try to be the good guys and help get WSBK here
i don't think we would mind paying a bit extra if we were to get a round of the wsbk.