VMCC Round 2 -

[wharfy]

2 days man ! ! It'll be like Woodstock ! (well maybe not)

Two weeks to go, long track, 2 days

14 F1
8 F2 + (6 Bears)

Looks like another top ten finish in F2 :)
C'mon folk don't worry about missing round one you can still be in the points as one round will be dropped anyway :)

[Deano]

Someone's obviously excited !! :woohoo:

[slowpoke]

How many laps does an F1 bike get over those two days Wharfy?

[CHOPPA]

How many laps does an F1 bike get over those two days Wharfy?

3 I believe haha

You need a 600 or a BEARS bike! Go on, I know you want one ;)

[lukemillar]

How many laps does an F1 bike get over those two days Wharfy?

:violin: Haven't heard this tune before! ;)

[eelracing]

:violin: Haven't heard this tune before! ;)

Yeah who cares,it's the long track...worth every lap I reckon.

[wharfy]

3 I believe haha

You need a 600 or a BEARS bike! Go on, I know you want one ;)

Yeah thats about right - BEARS, F2 bikes and Pro-Twins can double that by cross entering.

Its probably a good thing that the BEARS and F2 are combined - If BEARS was a completely separated class I could get about 90 laps for the weekend (of the LONG TRACK !!! :shit: )

Actually one Tri- Series round at Manfield when I first got the 675 I entered F1 F2 and BEARS but by the end of the weekend I was to fucked to do the last F1 race and that was on the "Normal" track.

Hopefully not all the BEARS bikes that enter will be as fast as Choppa - I need some people to fill in the 4 seconds a lap gap between the rest of the F2 field and me :facepalm:

[slowpoke]

3 I believe haha

You need a 600 or a BEARS bike! Go on, I know you want one ;)

Nup, unless I can borrow your rocket (or the luvverly HP2 Sport :love:) for the weekend I've got some unfinished business Down South on the GSXR so I'll just keep my Winter Series money in my sky rocket and do test/track days waiting for Summer. Once I've scratched that itch, I reckon the 4 wheel scene may well be a more attractive option than being a second class racer or a 600cc sheep.

I actually started setting up at Manfeild for Round 1 when I realised I had more fun doing skids on old tyres with TonyOK at the test day the day before than I would waiting around all day for just a few laps, (taking the shine off $1000 worth of slicks and wets in the process). I sat in the car for about 10min's trying to justify racing but simply couldn't, so threw everything back in the trailer and headed back home without turning a wheel. Judging from the grid I wasn't alone in my thinking, although admitedly they were a bit quicker on the uptake than I was, lol.


:violin: Haven't heard this tune before! ;)

Aaaah, the good ol' "Fuck you Jack, I'm OK" attitude eh? I guess it's a good thing, it must mean grids are full, young NZ champions are transitioning onto the world stage, spectators and sponsors must be flooding in, TV channels fighting over the rights to broadcast, MNZ is farting $50 notes etc...........yep, times must be real good.........my bad, I was labouring under the mistaken impression that none of the above was true.

You might be sick of hearing what I'm saying but it doesn't make it any less valid. You might not harbour any aspirations of ever racing F1 but it's royally rooting the racing future for fast young fuckers like Glenn Skatchill, Jadan Hassan, Travis Merkel etc. Billy and co do an incredible job of fostering young talent, putting in superhuman efforts to help out young kids, only for the progression to stop at the middleweight level. But hey, it's only club racing there's no obligation to to look to the future is there?

It's no coincidence that Stroudy has got 9 Superbike titles to his name, no F1 jockey can get enough track time/competition to get anywhere near a 43 year old part time racer. Choppa has done brilliantly but there's no escaping the technological superiority of his bike at the moment and with virtually no competiton to push him at club level he'll have to leave the country a la John Ross to really raise his game.....or wait for Andrew to retire. Contrast our scene with our nearest neighbours with now 24 year old Josh Waters an ASBK champion at 22 and earning a World Superbike guest ride on the Yoshimura GSXR last weekend.

Haha, I can hear the shrill screams of "If you think you can do better why don'tcha!" rising in the vein bulged throats of the Vic Club hierarchy (who undeniably put in a big effort) but that's both missing the point and a copout. I'd farkin' love to get involved but work arrangements and point of residence pretty much make it impossible. But I've given input direct to the club pre/post past seasons, and given credit where credit was due after the fantastic "LG Superbike" season. The club was obviously chuffed at the response, printing my comments in the Oily Rag for months....long after they'd cancelled the very thing that drew my positive comments, haha (ya gotta larf!). Realistically, it's obvious you guys like certain types of bikes while I like something else and no way in hell could we work together. That's cool, we're all different, and now that I've sorted some options I'm not losing sleep over it. Besides, every meeting I give a miss to up here is more $$$ towards a trip to the awesome tracks on the Mainland (fingers and toes are crossed for a friendly work/race schedule next Summer).

This isn't a rant, and this isn't about me, I'm not even pissed off anymore 'cos I'm just a burnt out ol' late starting part timer so my future is neither here nor there, I just feel sorry for those young guys with genuine talent.

[Str8 Jacket]

Haters are always going to be haters. No ones forcing anyone to "waste their money" yet we get lots of people turning up every round to do just that. Go figure eh!

[lukemillar]

Stuff

Woah! my post was meant to be taken in jest!

[wharfy]

You might be sick of hearing what I'm saying but it doesn't make it any less valid. You might not harbour any aspirations of ever racing F1 but it's royally rooting the racing future for fast young fuckers like Glenn Skatchill, Jadan Hassan, Travis Merkel etc. Billy and co do an incredible job of fostering young talent, putting in superhuman efforts to help out young kids, only for the progression to stop at the middleweight level. But hey, it's only club racing there's no obligation to to look to the future is there?


Well I'm not sure that they are ALL Valid :) Here goes: (No veins a popping I haven't had my Viagra yet )

You are right - the Vic Club doesn't have any obligation to save motorcycle racing in NZ. The club was started by some Uni students to have a bit of fun and encourage all forms of motorcycling, over the years it has morphed into a "Race Club" with most of the current members only members so they can hold a race license.

But having said that, those members who are active in running the club and race meetings DO consider the future and DO try to ensure there is a future by encouraging youngsters to get into road racing and are game to try pretty much anything that looks like it will give some value. They have a scholarship scheme, and work with other providers to make that as useful and economical as possible. They have also provided support to "young guns" (including Glen) to dip their toes into international competition.

I don't necessarily agree that more F1/Superbike laps at club level will do anything to enhance the "young guns" talent - Glen already consistently runs at the top of club Superbike Races on a 600 sometimes wins and often has the fastest lap times.



This isn't a rant, and this isn't about me, I'm not even pissed off anymore 'cos I'm just a burnt out ol' late starting part timer so my future is neither here nor there, I just feel sorry for those young guys with genuine talent.

I am an even latter starter than you, I did my first winter series in Clubmans on a Hornet 900 and decided I was going to persist with racing so a dedicated race bike was the go.

After careful consideration and asking lots of advice the general consensus was that the logical step up from Clubmans would be a pro-twin, close racing, economical, cross enter into F2 (and even F1 if you were a masochist ).
Of course there is nothing even remotely logical about motorcycle racing so I ignored all of that and bought the 675 - It was way more sexy than an SV650 (sorry guys) and could cross enter into F1 and BEARS where available, it was also harder to ride (for a bunny anyway) more expensive to buy and run.

The point of all of this is that your right you have to race a bike that turns you - if you can afford it. and the cost goes up geometrically with the sexiness :)


The LG series was great - entry numbers tapered off a bit at the end and the sponsor bailed

I think the only way Superbike numbers will increase is if they can be raced more cheaply
then they can probably campaign for more laps - but who will give up track time ?

[Petrolic]

You ask any 600 rider and ask why they chose f2 it all boils down to what we all love, the amount of time our bum is on the seat not whatching and waiting for our 2 / 8 lap races and going home. NZ tracks cater better for the smaller bikes so they are as or if not more competitive than f1 bikes. Because of the slower corners and shorter tracks than overseas.
To increase the f1 entries you would have to restrict the cross entries and that won't happen. You have to convince people that more power between their legs the more fun. Ask any woman "size does matter". or their just being polite.
You don't see gp2 riders giving up a chance to move to moto gp bcos they like the smaller bikes. So why do we put so much attention on the other fields and neglect the MAIN EVENT F1.
All hail test days its like your own personal qualifying time, the more your tyres are worn the more you feel like Casey Stoner when your rear steps out. Its all about riding time.

[slowpoke]

Haters are always going to be haters. No ones forcing anyone to "waste their money" yet we get lots of people turning up every round to do just that. Go figure eh!

You're missing the point Hel's, I'm not hating anything or anyone. I've been in your position on club committee's back in a different life so I know what it's like. But I also vividly recall having a miserable day at the track late last year (Tri-Series) and your infectious enthusiasm as you discussed how good things were going to be this season under the new "regime". Put yourself in an F1 guys shoes and ask yourself how the current situation for F1 has improved and why they should be happy about it.


Well I'm not sure that they are ALL Valid :) Here goes: (No veins a popping I haven't had my Viagra yet )

You are right - the Vic Club doesn't have any obligation to save motorcycle racing in NZ. The club was started by some Uni students to have a bit of fun and encourage all forms of motorcycling, over the years it has morphed into a "Race Club" with most of the current members only members so they can hold a race license.

So what is Vic Club's current aim? If it's still just to "have a bit of fun" then job well done.....but I kinda hoped things things would have moved on in the ensuing decades and they'd aim a bit higher than that now.

But having said that, those members who are active in running the club and race meetings DO consider the future and DO try to ensure there is a future by encouraging youngsters to get into road racing and are game to try pretty much anything that looks like it will give some value. They have a scholarship scheme, and work with other providers to make that as useful and economical as possible. They have also provided support to "young guns" (including Glen) to dip their toes into international competition.

No argument, the club do well to help youngsters get involved.....but what then? Is it just about getting bums on seats or are we interested in improving the breed too? Why don't we give a logical progression for those with the talent and/or drive to eventually rub shoulders with the best riders in the country (and overseas) by at the very least not discouraging the move to F1. What promising young riders do we currently have learning off Andrew Stroud, Craig Shirriffs, Brian Bernard, Tony Rees, Ray Clee? No one. It's no wonder Brian Bernard looks overseas when he forms his team.

I don't necessarily agree that more F1/Superbike laps at club level will do anything to enhance the "young guns" talent - Glen already consistently runs at the top of club Superbike Races on a 600 sometimes wins and often has the fastest lap times.

That says just as much about discouraging riders in F1 as much as it does about Glen. He's a talent alright but without Choppa he hasn't got a single full NZSBK Superbike rider to race against. And the club isn't at all bothered by that? Or is club success the only aspiration?

I'm sorry mate but racing a superbike is different to riding a 600, with many instances of supersport riders who couldn't adapt to a superbike. I'm not saying a superbike is better just different, with the most important difference being success on a superbike opens doors internationally. Glen (and a few others) will be relatively fast no matter what they ride but to get Stroud/Bugden/Shirriffs fast they need exposure to those guys and bikes as soon as possible.

I am an even latter starter than you, I did my first winter series in Clubmans on a Hornet 900 and decided I was going to persist with racing so a dedicated race bike was the go.

After careful consideration and asking lots of advice the general consensus was that the logical step up from Clubmans would be a pro-twin, close racing, economical, cross enter into F2 (and even F1 if you were a masochist ).
Of course there is nothing even remotely logical about motorcycle racing so I ignored all of that and bought the 675 - It was way more sexy than an SV650 (sorry guys) and could cross enter into F1 and BEARS where available, it was also harder to ride (for a bunny anyway) more expensive to buy and run.

he point of all of this is that your right you have to race a bike that turns you - if you can afford it. and the cost goes up geometrically with the sexiness :)

Yes......and no. Yes, ya pays ya money and makes ya choice. But no if you think racing a superbike is markedly more expensive than racing a 600 at club level. I did a PB on exactly 50 lap old tyres racing Mark Bennett for the win (missed it by 0.8s, d'oh) in a recent Manfeild NZSBK support race and at a pinch I could well have done Rd 1 of the Winter Series on 'em even after doing the test day the day before. Plenty of 600 pilots turf tyres long before that.

The LG series was great - entry numbers tapered off a bit at the end and the sponsor bailed

Considering the discouragement they get the numbers were nothing to be sneezed at, normally in double figures, and we had some of NZ's best riders come out of the Winter woodwork a lot more than in any other season I've seen.

Judgiung from the Rd 1 entries I think most F1 folks have pretty much got the shits with it but just as an aside, what would it take to recreate it it? How much cash would another sponsor have to come up with?

I think the only way Superbike numbers will increase is if they can be raced more cheaply

As above, superbikes don't cost an arm and a leg to run. The biggest factor is skill level, the faster you are the more it costs no matter what you race.

then they can probably campaign for more laps - but who will give up track time ?

And there's the rub: "Bugger you Jack, I'm ok" despite the fact our race scene is dominated by racers the wrong side of 40 or close to it, when the UK, Australia and the US (even countries like Turkey and Finland for chrissakes) are producing young champions and sending them on to the world stage. And we have a North Island club system that minimises any chance of us ever doing the same.

But hey, the guys racing 25 year old grey import 400's getting twice as much track time as a current sports bike are happy so it's all good eh?

[wharfy]

But hey, the guys racing 25 year old grey import 400's getting twice as much track time as a current sports bike are happy so it's all good eh?

Well there are about 30 pre 89 bikes and about 10 F1 bikes in the current entry list.



That says just as much about discouraging riders in F1 as much as it does about Glen. He's a talent alright but without Choppa he hasn't got a single full NZSBK Superbike rider to race against. And the club isn't at all bothered by that? Or is club success the only aspiration?

I don't believe that the Vic Club discourages F1 bikes - we actually spent a considerable amount of time and discussion on trying to come up with ways of equalizing track time including things like running F1 and F2 together, having "bracket races" where bikes where lumped together by lap times. We eventually came up with the current scenario and F1 bikes are allocated a few more laps as they get them done quicker :)

The recent addition of BEARS to the F2 grid was done due to a low F2 numbers and some lobbying by BEARS riders. About 4 of them from the existing F1 entries, 2 from other classes and 1 that would not otherwise be racing (I think ?)

The low entries in F2 suggest that track time is not the issue as F2 bikes can double their fun quite cheaply.

I don't know what we can do to encourage people to move to F1/Superbike/
The motivation for Guys like Choppa and Craig to do winter club racing ? Dunno I beleive that in 2009 when Stroudy did most of the winter series was because he really wanted to get himself sorted for the Nationals and the (then new) Honda team the same.

I know I personally would not want to race a superbike I can get enough adrenaline and sticky undies from my modestly tuned 675 ( not to say I wouldn't mind doing a few laps on one just to see what 180 hp felt like on the straight bits. )

I believe the clubs aspirations are quite high - and quite varied as are the club members - we all agree that getting youngsters into bike racing is a good first step.

The club's only real income is from the quite low membership fee and entry fees for Race meetings so keeping the club solvent is a major part of the exercise :)

So keeping the numbers up on the grid is vital - we would LOVE to add more superbikes but not at the expense of the rest of the club members. I don't know how many F1 racers there are actually in the club.

Interestingly at the MNZ road racer's forum it was revealed that entry numbers for Suberbikes/600's in this years Nationals was actually UP !

DISCLAIMER:
Although I am on the Vic Club committee I hold no office and these are my personal opinions and NOT those of the Club.

[CHOPPA]

Completely agree with Spud

[White trash]

Interestingly at the MNZ road racer's forum it was revealed that entry numbers for Suberbikes/600's in this years Nationals was actually UP !

And this one fact, I believe, is what's responsible for the seemingly low entry numbers in this years Actrix series. A heel of a lot of last years competitors put their money where their mouths were and stepped up to compete at National level. Fucking good on them too. The trade off is that it costs an absolute FORTUNE do compete in the NZSBK series and there most probably just isn't the money in the bank for the winter racing unfortunately.

[LMFAO]

And this one fact, I believe, is what's responsible for the seemingly low entry numbers in this years Actrix series. A heel of a lot of last years competitors put their money where their mouths were and stepped up to compete at National level. Fucking good on them too. The trade off is that it costs an absolute FORTUNE do compete in the NZSBK series and there most probably just isn't the money in the bank for the winter racing unfortunately.

Or the fact that last year was a shambles

[slowpoke]

Well there are about 30 pre 89 bikes and about 10 F1 bikes in the current entry list.



I don't believe that the Vic Club discourages F1 bikes - we actually spent a considerable amount of time and discussion on trying to come up with ways of equalizing track time including things like running F1 and F2 together, having "bracket races" where bikes where lumped together by lap times. We eventually came up with the current scenario and F1 bikes are allocated a few more laps as they get them done quicker :)

The recent addition of BEARS to the F2 grid was done due to a low F2 numbers and some lobbying by BEARS riders. About 4 of them from the existing F1 entries, 2 from other classes and 1 that would not otherwise be racing (I think ?)

The low entries in F2 suggest that track time is not the issue as F2 bikes can double their fun quite cheaply.

I don't know what we can do to encourage people to move to F1/Superbike/
The motivation for Guys like Choppa and Craig to do winter club racing ? Dunno I beleive that in 2009 when Stroudy did most of the winter series was because he really wanted to get himself sorted for the Nationals and the (then new) Honda team the same.

I know I personally would not want to race a superbike I can get enough adrenaline and sticky undies from my modestly tuned 675 ( not to say I wouldn't mind doing a few laps on one just to see what 180 hp felt like on the straight bits. )

I believe the clubs aspirations are quite high - and quite varied as are the club members - we all agree that getting youngsters into bike racing is a good first step.

The club's only real income is from the quite low membership fee and entry fees for Race meetings so keeping the club solvent is a major part of the exercise :)

So keeping the numbers up on the grid is vital - we would LOVE to add more superbikes but not at the expense of the rest of the club members. I don't know how many F1 racers there are actually in the club.

Interestingly at the MNZ road racer's forum it was revealed that entry numbers for Suberbikes/600's in this years Nationals was actually UP !

DISCLAIMER:
Although I am on the Vic Club committee I hold no office and these are my personal opinions and NOT those of the Club.

Good onya for trying to defend the indefensible but there are so many flaws in your justification/reasoning I can't for the life of me figure out where to start. Bottom line: nothing I say here is gonna make a difference.

All I'll say is Motorcycling Canterbury, and a bunch of successful Aussie clubs, make it work where nearly all other NZ clubs find reasons not to. They are just an email away.

Oh yeah, for what it's worth I think the Vic Club fees are a joke and monumentally underestimates the value most folks get out of the club. Seriously, $25 ($35 with later payment?) is a token amount. Do yourselves a favour and make it something more appropriate.

[codgyoleracer]

Good onya for trying to defend the indefensible but there are so many flaws in your justification/reasoning I can't for the life of me figure out where to start. Bottom line: nothing I say here is gonna make a difference.

All I'll say is Motorcycling Canterbury, and a bunch of successful Aussie clubs, make it work where nearly all other NZ clubs find reasons not to. They are just an email away.

Oh yeah, for what it's worth I think the Vic Club fees are a joke and monumentally underestimates the value most folks get out of the club. Seriously, $25 ($35 with later payment?) is a token amount. Do yourselves a favour and make it something more appropriate.

Do you need a hug Spud...... :buggerd:

[White trash]

Do you need a hug Spud...... :buggerd:

Ginga's hugging gingas. Nice......

[LMFAO]

A grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
B grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
C grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
Old bikes
Small bikes

[White trash]

A grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
B grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
C grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
Old bikes
Small bikes

Bingo <tenchars/>

[gixerracer]

Ginga's hugging gingas. Nice......

Is tis a R18 website
:love:

[slowpoke]

Do you need a hug Spud...... :buggerd:

I'll take whatever I can get from you, sweet lips! :msn-wink:

[Tony.OK]

I'll take whatever I can get from you, sweet lips! :msn-wink:

Does that mean you're done with that lovely missus of yours mate? :innocent::msn-wink:


You really need to get off that rig..............god help the little lady boys that do the cooking out there:crazy:

[slowpoke]

Does that mean you're done with that lovely missus of yours mate? :innocent::msn-wink:

No, but who could resist Glen's pert wee arse? I've a fairly sizeable collection of photo's related to the subject if you need more convincing.

You really need to get off that rig..............god help the little lady boys that do the cooking out there:crazy:

Even with the limited real estate out here you wouldn't believe how hard those fast lil' fuckers are to catch! Believe me, if you manage to get your mitts on one you've blardy earned it.

[slowpoke]

A grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
B grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
C grade (under 600 and over 600 scored seperate)
Old bikes
Small bikes

Not a bad idea. Where were you when the MNZ President was being nominated?

Hey, anybody know how old Jason Easton is? Have we got NZSBK Superbike, Supersport and F3 champions all over the age of 40?

[codgyoleracer]

Even with the limited real estate out here you wouldn't believe how hard those fast lil' fuckers are to catch! Believe me, if you manage to get your mitts on one you've blardy earned it.

At least you shouldnt be short of any Lube.....

[snapoff]

Not a bad idea. Where were you when the MNZ President was being nominated?

Hey, anybody know how old Jason Easton is? Have we got NZSBK Superbike, Supersport and F3 champions all over the age of 40?

I think you will find that Easton is the youngest F3 camp in 15years at 35ish i think , if you dont count the last time he won it .ha ha gr8 class for young kids to start to build ther skills for 19years or so befor thay win a race .

[wharfy]

Good onya for trying to defend the indefensible but there are so many flaws in your justification/reasoning I can't for the life of me figure out where to start. Bottom line: nothing I say here is gonna make a difference.

All I'll say is Motorcycling Canterbury, and a bunch of successful Aussie clubs, make it work where nearly all other NZ clubs find reasons not to. They are just an email away.

Oh yeah, for what it's worth I think the Vic Club fees are a joke and monumentally underestimates the value most folks get out of the club. Seriously, $25 ($35 with later payment?) is a token amount. Do yourselves a favour and make it something more appropriate.

Awe c'mon, start at the top :)

Also I wouldn't be so sure that things you say on here won't make a difference, as long as the discussion is polite I for one am prepared to be persuaded, and if we keep it going others may be persuaded as well, or contribute some new idea (or indicate support for an idea)

I guess it is hard not to come across as defensive when trying to explain the reasons for how/why some decisions are made.

Of course MY opinions/ideas I don't believe are indefensible :)

As for the club membership fees I'm with you - in the scheme of things that's a pittance compared to the cost of running a race bike, but not everyone that is a club member races and a lot of those that do race have much tighter budgets ( which may be one of the reasons that old 400's are so popular )

I have raced at SOT where "bracket" races are the norm and it worked bloody well I thought and lobbied for that format.
Of course the tradition is for race classes to be dictated by engine capacity, and once upon a time that was the only criteria. Over the hundred or so years that people have raced bikes however things have got a LOT more complicated, rules have been created, dropped, bent and broken for all sorts of reasons that include pride, profit, and sheer spitefulness.

I'd like to think the current Vic Club ones support the MNZ aims of making motorcycle racing Safe, Fun and Fair.

Just so we don't loose sight of what the club is about below is an extract from the constitution.

The objects of the Club shall be:

2.1 To promote motorcycling in the community by providing mechanical facilities, special functions, and outdoor activities and all other activities which will promote motorcycling in the community.

2.2 To participate in competitive motorcycling and to provide such events.

2.3 To promote good fellowship amongst its members, members of other clubs and members of the community.


So if anybody is still reading this after wading through all of that:




How can Vic Club make the Winter Series more attractive to Superbike racers ?
Should Vic Club even TRY to do the above ?
How much does cost play in Superbike racers decision to do the series or not ?
If cost is a big factor - where is the cost and how can the Club help reduce that ?
If cost is not a factor what are the drivers for those that DO enter ?




Practice/setup for the nats ?
Just doing skids ?
Some other reason ?



If cost is not a factor what stops people doing the series ?




Too cold ?
Don't want to practice "going slow" ?
Not enough laps ?
Not enough competition ?
Too much competition - don't want to get beaten by a 600 ? ( not me obviously :) )




Round 2 Entries


Streetstock 7 entries
Production Light 4 entries
Mini Lite 250 5 entries


Derek Hill F2 12 entries
BEARs 13 entries


F1 20 entries


Pre 89 Senior 8 entries
Pre 89 Junior 19 entries


Owen Brunton Superlite 15 entries
ProTwin 6 entries
MotoGP125 1 entries


Clubmans 11 entries


Total 121


#include "disclaimer.h"

[White trash]

So F1 fields the biggest single class?

That fucks your argument right up Spud.

[Billy]

So F1 fields the biggest single class?

That fucks your argument right up Spud.

Mmmm!And it might of just got worse for the streetstock feild as well,My bike seized on the Dyno about an hour ago!!!!

[CHOPPA]

So F1 fields the biggest single class?

That fucks your argument right up Spud.

Thats because half the entrys are F2 bikes that are cross entering. Sorta proves Spud right....

[White trash]

Mmmm!And it might of just got worse for the streetstock feild as well,My bike seized on the Dyno about an hour ago!!!!

Fucken Dyno?!?!?! I'm checking the rool book u cheeting coont!!! No Dyno's allowed mate.

[Billy]

Fucken Dyno?!?!?! I'm checking the rool book u cheeting coont!!! No Dyno's allowed mate.

Read it front to back,Doesnt mention dyno's anywhere,I wish it fucken did though,Then my bike wouldnt be fucked LOL

[White trash]

Read it front to back,Doesnt mention dyno's anywhere,

Egg zackery! Not mentioned, can't use it. End of story.

I'll await the protests against that and your terrible 80's leathers.....

[Billy]

Egg zackery! Not mentioned, can't use it. End of story.

I'll await the protests against that and your terrible 80's leathers.....

"80s"Leathers!!Dont make me drag out some of the ones from the 70s,Especially the early 70s ones LOL

[RobGassit]

Egg zackery! Not mentioned, can't use it. End of story.

I'll await the protests against that and your terrible 80's leathers.....

Jeez! Trash has a point you know. Budda said if it aint mentioned,,you can't touch it.
Come to think of it, there's no mention of Beer and Spirits either, so I'll be givin up the wicked fluid.
It must mention cocks somewhere though, coz there's a shit load of touchin them goin on here :woohoo:so it must be legal.

[Str8 Jacket]

Wanna borrow my FXR bucket-commuter Billy? I'll take off the number plate....

[SWERVE]

Jeez! Trash has a point you know. Budda said if it aint mentioned,,you can't touch it.
Come to think of it, there's no mention of Beer and Spirits either, so I'll be givin up the wicked fluid.
It must mention cocks somewhere though, coz there's a shit load of touchin them goin on here :woohoo:so it must be legal.

Im sure it was a typing error from Billy....dyno.....he meant dynamo... running one off the bike to power the work shop lights.
Easy mistake:lol: and automatically you guys start quoting the rulebook:ar15:
Shame on you:killingme

[Billy]

Im sure it was a typing error from Billy....dyno.....he meant dynamo... running one off the bike to power the work shop lights.
Easy mistake:lol: and automatically you guys start quoting the rulebook:ar15:
Shame on you:killingme

Absolutely not Merv,Thr RG doesnt have enough power to run a dynamo fast enough to make the lights go,

As stated by Budda,If its not mentioned,You cant touch it and I didnt,Just dropped the bike off at the workshop doorway and the next thing I get a call from them saying it seized on the dyno,Fucked if I know how it got on there !!!!:nya::nya::nya:

[slowpoke]

Awe c'mon, start at the top :)

Also I wouldn't be so sure that things you say on here won't make a difference, as long as the discussion is polite I for one am prepared to be persuaded, and if we keep it going others may be persuaded as well, or contribute some new idea (or indicate support for an idea)

Polite? Aaaah bugger! Seriously, I apologise as I know I've come across as too...er, strident, especially in reponse to your always gentlemanly responses. Frustration is no excuse, and while I would stand to benefit from any changes, I'm only a very part timer so I'm much more interested in the direction/future of the sport overall. I'd love to be stuck out at work reading race reports and poring over Mylaps for info on the club superbike battle between say Sam Love, Glen Skachill and Choppa, and know that the sport is going somewhere in the right direction.

I guess it is hard not to come across as defensive when trying to explain the reasons for how/why some decisions are made.

Of course MY opinions/ideas I don't believe are indefensible :)

As for the club membership fees I'm with you - in the scheme of things that's a pittance compared to the cost of running a race bike, but not everyone that is a club member races and a lot of those that do race have much tighter budgets ( which may be one of the reasons that old 400's are so popular )

Maybe associate and full memberships? It's an easy one to sort and I doubt many people would argue it's not still value for money.

Don't get me started on the merits of deliberately choosing an ancient 400 so you can enter 2 or 3 classes. It's just another reason to level up the racing landscape and may help people stay in the sport longer if they are encouraged to race more reliable machinery.

I have raced at SOT where "bracket" races are the norm and it worked bloody well I thought and lobbied for that format.
Of course the tradition is for race classes to be dictated by engine capacity, and once upon a time that was the only criteria. Over the hundred or so years that people have raced bikes however things have got a LOT more complicated, rules have been created, dropped, bent and broken for all sorts of reasons that include pride, profit, and sheer spitefulness.

I'd like to think the current Vic Club ones support the MNZ aims of making motorcycle racing Safe, Fun and Fair.

Yes and no. Within the classes racing is pretty fair, but the way F1 has been sidelined is not. When Choppa is sitting on the grid having paid his full entry fee next to Glen having paid a fraction of that to sit on the same grid it's not fair. When some riders are getting 2 or 3 times the racing that others are it's not fair.

(edited )

So if anybody is still reading this after wading through all of that:



How can Vic Club make the Winter Series more attractive to Superbike racers ?

Have a more equitable distribution of track time.


Should Vic Club even TRY to do the above ?

They have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The GFC won't be around forever and sooner or later we'll be back to overflowing F2 grids, with paltry numbers of genuine F1 bikes, so a better distribution of riders through all classes works for everyone. Better competition across the board improves the show for spectators and sponsors. More competition also flows on to more nationals capable entrants which means a better NZSBK show, which means more coverage, which means more sponsors, and more people interested in bike racing who join the club etc etc. It's a long journey but small steps add up over time.


How much does cost play in Superbike racers decision to do the series or not ?

I'm sure there is a cost element involved in many peoples decisions, but there are also many folks who could afford to run a superbike, and would be interested in doing so without the track time deterrent.


If cost is a big factor - where is the cost and how can the Club help reduce that ?

My opinion is that the cost factor is based on $$$/lap. F1 folks invest a lot of money for few laps. Increase the laps and all of a sudden it looks like much better value.


If cost is not a factor what are the drivers for those that DO enter ?

Racing a superbike is just an awesome experience and a huge challenge. So the driver is that the few laps F1 punters get racing is better than nothing. I'm lucky in that when I'm home weekday test/track days aren't a problem and are a more attractive option whereas many "normal" jobs don't allow that so riders simply take whatever they can get.





Practice/setup for the nats ?

I think Choppa was the only superbike full Nat's entrant regularly competing last year, so no. More laps may well change that though.


Just doing skids ?

Pretty much, as is the case for most entrants in most classes.

Some other reason ?



If cost is not a factor what stops people doing the series ?



Too cold ?

After last season and the start of this one crap weather/racing conditions probably plays a part but no more than any other class.


Don't want to practice "going slow" ?

Do you mean with the cold conditions? This may apply to guys like Craig Shirriffs and Choppa but realistically any practice is better than no practice for most of us. Choppa's great performance last season probably disproves this somewhat too.


Not enough laps ?

The biggest influence, in my opinion. I'm sorta cash comfortable but time bankrupt so while I can kinda afford to race it just doesn't make sense to blow a whole day hanging around for what is barely more than one session at a test day. Linked to this is the measely 4 lap qualifying which is also pretty ordinary and I can see disastrous results for some people trying to rush themselves up to race speed. It's one thing getting your head around a 60hp Pro-twin (for example), whereas it's a lil' bit different on a 180hp 1000, yet the cross entering Pro-twin gets 2 qualifying sessions before racing and the 1000 only gets one.


Not enough competition ?

This would have to influence some of the National level riders. A more competitive F1 environment may well drag those guys out for a play a lil' earlier than just the last Winter Series round or guys like Hayden Fitzgerald and Nick Cole might start to see it as a good way to bridge the slight gap between themselves and the very top echelon. It may also play a role in the decision making of some F2 pilots who are well capable of stepping up but would rather hone their skills in F2.


Too much competition - don't want to get beaten by a 600 ? ( not me obviously :) )


Nah, can't see it. I've had some of the most fun ever racing against Mark Bennett, Darren Humphries and co on their pesky lil' 600's.



Note, I don't see why a different class/race strategy has to have much of an impact on race time for most if not all other classes. A race day runs from 9:00am to 4:30pm at Manfeild, so even allowing for lunch should still mean at least an hour's track time for each of 6 classes with time for stoppages. No-one can complain about that and it wouldn't be too hard to sort a reasonable class/grade structure.

A side benefit of say A, B, C grades (with races within races?) would be to give some of the current mid-packers something tangible to race for, be it a race podium or the kudos of moving up or maintaining a grade.

[scracha]

I don't believe that the Vic Club discourages F1 bikes - we actually spent a considerable amount of time and discussion on trying to come up with ways of equalizing track time including things like running F1 and F2 together, having "bracket races" where bikes where lumped together by lap times. We eventually

Seriously Kev, if it was discussed then what were the reason(s) for not running F1 and F2 together (as was suggested by many people)? 4 or 5 "premier" races would have kept everybody happy.

[wharfy]

Seriously Kev, if it was discussed then what were the reason(s) for not running F1 and F2 together (as was suggested by many people)? 4 or 5 "premier" races would have kept everybody happy.

There were a couple of things:

The possibility of the F2 grid being oversubscribed ( which seems pretty unlikely this year but in previous years it has happed and on occasion 2 or 3 F2 riders didn't qualify and ended up in clubmans ) so adding 10 - 15 F1 bikes would have made that much more likely.
With cross entering if the F1 grid is oversubscribed F1 bikes get priority.
So with ALL the F1 & F2 bikes mixed ALL the time the likelihood of one or two people NEVER getting a race was a possibility - probably F2 bikes and on current form I'd be one of them !

Of course at the time the decision was made we had no clue that this year the entries would be so dismal.

Another was that cross entering is an "option" for for F2 bikes so only those that want to race with the big boys do it. There was the feeling that some F2 riders might not like being forced to race against superbikes (even though points would be separate they would still be blatting past on the straights)

Traditionally classes have been separated by capacity and usually the class is based on the maximum capacity allowed or "open" very few have a minimum, so if you run an open class bike you were expected to take on all comers in the open class and couldn't expect to run in classes for smaller engines.

So it seemed there were enough reasons NOT to change the format for enough people the vote for the "status quo" won.


Sadly we will never keep "everyone happy" :(

It will be interesting to see how the F2 / BEARS class works out, if none of the F2 riders object there may be a case for letting the 4 F1 bikes that aren't BEARS bikes join in further down the track (as it were) but of course that's not MY call

ps what are you doing up at 03:45 ? (I've been working - our end of the "Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network" fell over :( )

[suzuki21]

Mmmm!And it might of just got worse for the streetstock feild as well,My bike seized on the Dyno about an hour ago!!!!

Tis normal for a standard motor to seize aye Billy!

[Str8 Jacket]

Tis normal for a standard motor to seize aye Billy!

Fucken better be with the number of standard RG motors Malcolm and I have seized between us! :facepalm:

[suzuki21]

A lot off people have the impression that we can easily foster our youngsters to get on the world stage. We can help them with skill level and how to approach viable sponsors (except Jadden he would be better to say nothing as he has a potty mouth and would be better to stand still looking dumb like an F1 rider with 56 on his bike) This is the easy part as unfortunately the next level cant happen unless large sums of money are put up to BUY a ride.
A good example talent dosnt win seats is Scott Dixon, I think it was 3 million he had to stump up, and he was at the front in no time. I also recall Mr Slight was going to be in GP but someone else brought money in to the team and it was bye bye Slighty. New Zealand is too small a market for a manufacturer to think "lets get a NZ lad so we can sell 3 more bikes over in that country that people think is off the coast of India"
Its all about sales volume and marketing, thats why third world countries like Brazil Turkey etc have huge car markets and...........F1 drivers. Colin Edwards got the HRC/Castrol WSBK ride because Castrol was a poor seller in the USA, so they needed a Yank on board and yes sales went up accordingly. NZ is only half the population of london so people need to be realistic WE NEED TO RAISE CASH FOR OUR LADS.

[suzuki21]

Fucken better be with the number of standard RG motors Malcolm and I have seized between us! :facepalm:

Billy was probably dynoing guttered out chambers and leaned it out because of his illegal airbox and higher compression.

[Str8 Jacket]

Billy was probably dynoing guttered out chambers and leaned it out because of his illegal airbox and higher compression.

Sounds about right. I heard that, that is the only way he can go so fast.....

[suzuki21]

Sounds about right. I heard that, that is the only way he can go so fast.....

Him only weighing 10kg might have something to do with it.

[Str8 Jacket]

Him only weighing 10kg might have something to do with it.

Depending on how much coffee he has had to drink of course!

[slowpoke]

A lot off people have the impression that we can easily foster our youngsters to get on the world stage. We can help them with skill level and how to approach viable sponsors (except Jadden he would be better to say nothing as he has a potty mouth and would be better to stand still looking dumb like an F1 rider with 56 on his bike) This is the easy part as unfortunately the next level cant happen unless large sums of money are put up to BUY a ride.
A good example talent dosnt win seats is Scott Dixon, I think it was 3 million he had to stump up, and he was at the front in no time. I also recall Mr Slight was going to be in GP but someone else brought money in to the team and it was bye bye Slighty. New Zealand is too small a market for a manufacturer to think "lets get a NZ lad so we can sell 3 more bikes over in that country that people think is off the coast of India"
Its all about sales volume and marketing, thats why third world countries like Brazil Turkey etc have huge car markets and...........F1 drivers. Colin Edwards got the HRC/Castrol WSBK ride because Castrol was a poor seller in the USA, so they needed a Yank on board and yes sales went up accordingly. NZ is only half the population of london so people need to be realistic WE NEED TO RAISE CASH FOR OUR LADS.

Cash always opens doors but I don't think it's an absolute necessity. At this stage it's almost irrelevant because we don't actually have any young guys anywhere near ready to compete at a world or even international level. So first things first we need a healthy local competition which we don't have at the moment. The talent may well be there but there just isn't the level of competition to develop it.

Contrast our scene with Oz where they had Stoner winning MotoGP, solid representation in WSB, Parkes winning WSS, Bryan Staring in World Superstock 1000, and Jed Metcher coming second in World Superstock 600. Not to mention Muggeridge, Jones, Cudlin, Brookes, Roberts and co competing in German and British Superbikes etc etc. Most of those guys haven't paid for their rides yet they are over there racking up the race miles in intense competitions and making names for themselves.

So Oz is a well proven avenue to success in that if you can be competitive there you can be competitive anywhere. It's right next door, no language/culture barriers, as easy as it's ever going to get basically.......yet how long since we had a regular competitor there?

[Billy]

Billy was probably dynoing guttered out chambers and leaned it out because of his illegal airbox and higher compression.

YIP!!! Oh and methanol


Sounds about right. I heard that, that is the only way he can go so fast.....

YIP!!!


Him only weighing 10kg might have something to do with it.

YIP!!!


Depending on how much coffee he has had to drink of course!

Yip,The more coffee I drink,The more kidney stones I produce and they make me heavier, Hahahahahahaha!!

[RobGassit]

Someone should protest his fancy smancy valve caps. This guy will stop at nothing to get an edge.

[Billy]

Someone should protest his fancy smancy valve caps. This guy will stop at nothing to get an edge.

Yip and flouro signwriting,Bridgestone stickers and tinted visor,Aye!!!:banana::banana::banana:

[RobGassit]

Yip and flouro signwriting,Bridgestone stickers and tinted visor,Aye!!!:banana::banana::banana:

Yeah you may be flash and fast on the track, but it takes forever to get any phaarkin fairings off ya! Get back in the shed.

[jellywrestler]

Most of those guys haven't paid for their rides yet they are over there racking up the race miles in intense competitions and making names for themselves.


Have you been reading Cudlins tales in i think the aussie mcn? most guys have to pay and i know after all these years that Gareth Jones and his family finally don't have to dip in there own pockets.
It's tough out there, big filed boosted by all the locals at the queensland round of the aussie superbikes last weekend, 11 bikes, the locals mentioed were bugden Dan Stauffer and another, they're not exactly grid fillers are they

[Billy]

Tis normal for a standard motor to seize aye Billy!

It is when you run a mainjet you know is too small,Because you lent the right size one to somebody else,Worked OK for the first 2 runs and then locked up on over run on the 3rd,DO NOT run a 180 mainjet in your RG150 LOL

[Billy]

Yeah you may be flash and fast on the track, but it takes forever to get any phaarkin fairings off ya! Get back in the shed.

Oh Yeah,Cant get your tailpiece finished now,Gotta fix my bike Bwahahahahaha!!

[RobGassit]

Oh Yeah,Cant get your tailpiece finished now,Gotta fix my bike Bwahahahahaha!!

OOps,No offence intended Mister..:sweatdrop

[Billy]

OOps,No offence intended Mister..:sweatdrop

Na,Was only joking your tails done already

[RobGassit]

Na,Was only joking your tails done already

Phew! See you there then. I'll have some readies handy. How many do I need to stop you from throwin it in a skip?

[Billy]

Phew! See you there then. I'll have some readies handy. How many do I need to stop you from throwin it in a skip?

The usual,A million,Pretty hard too find those carbonfibre 916SP tailpeices,LOL

Oh,You did say Kawasaki green aye,Hope thats not gonna make illegal,Being the wrong colour and all LMFAO!!!

[RobGassit]

The usual,A million,Pretty hard too find those carbonfibre 916SP tailpeices,LOL

Not that hard. I know there's a skip in Tauranga might have one in it shortly.:killingme

[suzuki21]

Have you been reading Cudlins tales in i think the aussie mcn? most guys have to pay and i know after all these years that Gareth Jones and his family finally don't have to dip in there own pockets.
It's tough out there, big filed boosted by all the locals at the queensland round of the aussie superbikes last weekend, 11 bikes, the locals mentioed were bugden Dan Stauffer and another, they're not exactly grid fillers are they

Correct Spyda, Gareth along with others had to pay big $$$$ for a ride to THEN HOPEFULLY get noticed. ps your gramma is at on a atrosity

[Billy]

Not that hard. I know there's a skip in Tauranga might have one in it shortly.:killingme

Not likely mate,Listed it on Ebay last night:lol::lol::lol:

[RobGassit]

Not likely mate,Listed it on Ebay last night:lol::lol::lol:

Good bloody luck selling a green one dude. Could put it on my ZXR250 I suppose. I guess you have been on Ebay looking for an RM250 piston for your streetstock. Bloody Dyno's eh? How many lovely engines have been buggered by rolling roads over the years. And as for admitting to Dynoing a streetstock, Man that was ballsy. Most streetstock tuners do it on the street at 3am. You must be gettin soft or rich.

[suzuki21]

Cash always opens doors but I don't think it's an absolute necessity. At this stage it's almost irrelevant because we don't actually have any young guys anywhere near ready to compete at a world or even international level. So first things first we need a healthy local competition which we don't have at the moment. The talent may well be there but there just isn't the level of competition to develop it.

Contrast our scene with Oz where they had Stoner winning MotoGP, solid representation in WSB, Parkes winning WSS, Bryan Staring in World Superstock 1000, and Jed Metcher coming second in World Superstock 600. Not to mention Muggeridge, Jones, Cudlin, Brookes, Roberts and co competing in German and British Superbikes etc etc. Most of those guys haven't paid for their rides yet they are over there racking up the race miles in intense competitions and making names for themselves.

So Oz is a well proven avenue to success in that if you can be competitive there you can be competitive anywhere. It's right next door, no language/culture barriers, as easy as it's ever going to get basically.......yet how long since we had a regular competitor there?
Sorry, but that sounds like a nice fantasy to have. I would love it to be reality but its not. If you are competitive here you can be competitive internationally. Remember Jimmy and Gareth on 600s a few years ago? Jimmy could be top ten in the IDM EASILY. I would even be as bold to say Craig Shirrifs could be too if he stopped falling, finished a race, and was more photogenic. What Jed and some off the other boys had to pay to get their foot in the door in Germany would be nearly three times the average annual wage in NZ.

[RobGassit]

Sorry, but that sounds like a nice fantasy to have. I would love it to be reality but its not. If you are competitive here you can be competitive internationally. Remember Jimmy and Gareth on 600s a few years ago? Jimmy could be top ten in the IDM EASILY. I would even be as bold to say Craig Shirrifs could be too if he stopped falling, finished a race, and was more photogenic. What Jed and some off the other boys had to pay to get their foot in the door in Germany would be nearly three times the average annual wage in NZ.

Jeez mate, you had some cred till you mentioned Craig.

[rachprice]

Cash always opens doors but I don't think it's an absolute necessity. At this stage it's almost irrelevant because we don't actually have any young guys anywhere near ready to compete at a world or even international level. So first things first we need a healthy local competition which we don't have at the moment. The talent may well be there but there just isn't the level of competition to develop it.

Contrast our scene with Oz where they had Stoner winning MotoGP, solid representation in WSB, Parkes winning WSS, Bryan Staring in World Superstock 1000, and Jed Metcher coming second in World Superstock 600. Not to mention Muggeridge, Jones, Cudlin, Brookes, Roberts and co competing in German and British Superbikes etc etc. Most of those guys haven't paid for their rides yet they are over there racking up the race miles in intense competitions and making names for themselves.

So Oz is a well proven avenue to success in that if you can be competitive there you can be competitive anywhere. It's right next door, no language/culture barriers, as easy as it's ever going to get basically.......yet how long since we had a regular competitor there?

Dunno about the others but Im pretty sure Casey Stoners parents sold up the family home so they could go to Europe

[jellywrestler]

ps your gramma is at on a atrosity

My Gramma was a nice little old lady, I was there when she stopped breathing and had to give her CPR which sadly didn't work.
I now wake up in the middle of the night wondering at which point does CPR turn into Necrophilia!

[Billy]

Good bloody luck selling a green one dude. Could put it on my ZXR250 I suppose. I guess you have been on Ebay looking for an RM250 piston for your streetstock. Bloody Dyno's eh? How many lovely engines have been buggered by rolling roads over the years. And as for admitting to Dynoing a streetstock, Man that was ballsy. Most streetstock tuners do it on the street at 3am. You must be gettin soft or rich.

Neither soft or rich,Its just easier to fuck it here than travel the 400ks to manfeild to do it !

[scracha]

ps what are you doing up at 03:45 ? (I've been working - our end of the "Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network" fell over :( )
Jetlagged, hobbled out to my workshop in my boxers and fixed some Windoze PCs in the wee small hours.

[slowpoke]

Have you been reading Cudlins tales in i think the aussie mcn? most guys have to pay and i know after all these years that Gareth Jones and his family finally don't have to dip in there own pockets.
It's tough out there, big filed boosted by all the locals at the queensland round of the aussie superbikes last weekend, 11 bikes, the locals mentioed were bugden Dan Stauffer and another, they're not exactly grid fillers are they


Correct Spyda, Gareth along with others had to pay big $$$$ for a ride to THEN HOPEFULLY get noticed. ps your gramma is at on a atrosity


Sorry, but that sounds like a nice fantasy to have. I would love it to be reality but its not. If you are competitive here you can be competitive internationally. Remember Jimmy and Gareth on 600s a few years ago? Jimmy could be top ten in the IDM EASILY. I would even be as bold to say Craig Shirrifs could be too if he stopped falling, finished a race, and was more photogenic. What Jed and some off the other boys had to pay to get their foot in the door in Germany would be nearly three times the average annual wage in NZ.


Dunno about the others but Im pretty sure Casey Stoners parents sold up the family home so they could go to Europe

Sorry, serves me right for generalising, and I wasn't aware that Gareth had to cough up for a ride. Stoner's a whole different kettle of fish with the lengths his family went to to maximise his opportunities.

But my examples were only meant as an off the cuff list of Strayans who are doing amazingly well. You can add Aitchison, Richards, Donald, Waters, McConnell and a whole swag of riders who have headed to different parts of the globe to have a crack, and they aren't all buying rides. Cudlin has prided himself on duffing up those who have and he's testing Moto2 and MotoGP Claiming Rule bikes.

Sure it makes it much easier to buy into a top team with a pocket fulla cabbage but I still dream that it's not mandatory to succeed. Although I guess it depends how you define "success". ASBK? BSB? AMA? Or the big shows of WSB, MotoGP? Given where we are at the moment I'd be aiming lower rather than higher.

For example there's absolutely nothing stopping a Kiwi fronting up and kicking some Aussie arse, and their championships carry a lot more weight than ours. Faark, you can even enjoy a 25-30% pay rise while you're doing it if ya move there. So why aren't we? Stroudy was at the pointy end in Oz a few years back with little experience on most of the tracks. What would another season have yielded? How would Choppa or Craig go now?

Nothing against Jimmy but I reckon you need to prove and sharpen yourself against the best riders in the NZ Superbike field, that's where our few international calibre riders are concentrated. Gareth was right there on a superbike as well as a 600, whereas Jimmy would probably acknowledge that he isn't quite there on the big banger....yet. Not saying he won't improve but Gareth was a 21 year old heading over there, while our best young talent generally matures much later than that Jimmy was 27/28 racing Gareth? And Choppa is going great guns but knocking on 30?

I met last years ASBK champ Bryan Staring in WA 6 years ago and have followed him ever since, and there is simply no way we can compete with that career or rider development in NZ. And he's still just 23 years old.

[CHOPPA]

Sorry, serves me right for generalising, and I wasn't aware that Gareth had to cough up for a ride. Stoner's a whole different kettle of fish with the lengths his family went to to maximise his opportunities.

But my examples were only meant as an off the cuff list of Strayans who are doing amazingly well. You can add Aitchison, Richards, Donald, Waters, McConnell and a whole swag of riders who have headed to different parts of the globe to have a crack, and they aren't all buying rides. Cudlin has prided himself on duffing up those who have and he's testing Moto2 and MotoGP Claiming Rule bikes.

Sure it makes it much easier to buy into a top team with a pocket fulla cabbage but I still dream that it's not mandatory to succeed. Although I guess it depends how you define "success". ASBK? BSB? AMA? Or the big shows of WSB, MotoGP? Given where we are at the moment I'd be aiming lower rather than higher.

For example there's absolutely nothing stopping a Kiwi fronting up and kicking some Aussie arse, and their championships carry a lot more weight than ours. Faark, you can even enjoy a 25-30% pay rise while you're doing it if ya move there. So why aren't we? Stroudy was at the pointy end in Oz a few years back with little experience on most of the tracks. What would another season have yielded? How would Choppa or Craig go now?

Nothing against Jimmy but I reckon you need to prove and sharpen yourself against the best riders in the NZ Superbike field, that's where our few international calibre riders are concentrated. Gareth was right there on a superbike as well as a 600, whereas Jimmy would probably acknowledge that he isn't quite there on the big banger....yet. Not saying he won't improve but Gareth was a 21 year old heading over there, while our best young talent generally matures much later than that Jimmy was 27/28 racing Gareth? And Choppa is going great guns but knocking on 30?

I met last years ASBK champ Bryan Staring in WA 6 years ago and have followed him ever since, and there is simply no way we can compete with that career or rider development in NZ. And he's still just 23 years old.

Yup nearly there.... Jimmy is 31 I think, Hayden and Nick are still getting a bit old for a decent tilt at world Domination. For me im not doing it to try make a living, just want to be the best I can. Would like to win NZ titles and have another 15 years or so in the class. An ozzy season is on the cards and one day id like to have a play around in AMA really just to say I did.

NZs best chance is Nixon Frost id say, but he is still just a tad young...

[Nicksta]

2 days man ! ! It'll be like Woodstock ! (well maybe not)

Two weeks to go, long track, 2 days

14 F1
8 F2 + (6 Bears)

Looks like another top ten finish in F2 :)
C'mon folk don't worry about missing round one you can still be in the points as one round will be dropped anyway :)

I dont know about you Wharfy, but i'm sure excited to get back on the track... my first time racing since Wanganui!!!!

so who else is going for a play?

[slowpoke]

Yup nearly there.... Jimmy is 31 I think, Hayden and Nick are still getting a bit old for a decent tilt at world Domination. For me im not doing it to try make a living, just want to be the best I can. Would like to win NZ titles and have another 15 years or so in the class. An ozzy season is on the cards and one day id like to have a play around in AMA really just to say I did.

NZs best chance is Nixon Frost id say, but he is still just a tad young...

Farkin' good onya mate! In an age when everyone has ramped back there sponsorship and/or racing programs you've pulled together a great effort, stepped outside the comfort zone and just had a red hot go. :niceone:

[CHOPPA]

Farkin' good onya mate! In an age when everyone has ramped back there sponsorship and/or racing programs you've pulled together a great effort, stepped outside the comfort zone and just had a red hot go. :niceone:

This year will be harder! I dont want to go backwards and with the tools I need to beat Stroud and co I have to personally bring another $20k sponsorship in this year :)

[Shaun]

This year will be harder! I dont want to go backwards and with the tools I need to beat Stroud and co I have to personally bring another $20k sponsorship in this year :)


'Best change to Suzuki;s then, and start to build the accosiation with them for when Andrew retires

[CHOPPA]

'Best change to Suzuki;s then, and start to build the accosiation with them for when Andrew retires

I agree Shaun. I think I still have a good relationship with Tom and I certainly didnt burn any bridges with them. I told them before I got the BMW and asked if they were interested in keeping me on the Suzuki.

Honda seem to be the only other manufacturer that makes an effort

[Shaun]

I agree Shaun. I think I still have a good relationship with Tom and I certainly didnt burn any bridges with them. I told them before I got the BMW and asked if they were interested in keeping me on the Suzuki.

Honda seem to be the only other manufacturer that makes an effort


Good on ya man, TOM Is a streight shooter

[johan]

I dont know about you Wharfy, but i'm sure excited to get back on the track... my first time racing since Wanganui!!!!

so who else is going for a play?

Yes! Looking forward to the long track for sure!

Time to log off Kiwi Biker and go bleed the brakes, polish the muffler and kick the tyres!

[gav]

Production Light 4 entries
Mini Lite 250 5 entries

Just out of interest, what are these two classes?

[gixerracer]

This year will be harder! I dont want to go backwards and with the tools I need to beat Stroud and co I have to personally bring another $20k sponsorship in this year :)

You done a pretty good job last year man how do you come up with extra 20K?
You will probably yuor budget was on par if not better than most of your competition:weep:

[CHOPPA]

You done a pretty good job last year man how do you come up with extra 20K?
You will probably yuor budget was on par if not better than most of your competition:weep:

Id say we spent the most but we had to pay retail for the bike so that puts the price up, those aerials that you see on Allertons bike dont come cheap.....

[gixerracer]

Id say we spent the most but we had to pay retail for the bike so that puts the price up, those aerials that you see on Allertons bike dont come cheap.....

Haha no they dont which is exactly why you dont see them on any bikes over here. For what they cost and what you get out of them you are far better off spending that money go testing. Well thats my thoughts anyhow

[wharfy]

Id say we spent the most but we had to pay retail for the bike so that puts the price up, those aerials that you see on Allertons bike dont come cheap.....

Do they have a flag or foxtails on them ?

[RobGassit]

Thankyou very much to all the Club members and other volunteers who made Round 2, in my humble opinion, a complete success in difficult cirumstances.
Absolute legends for catching up the racing from day one.
Awesome turn around between races and excellent communication.
The Recovery guy's were speedier than two speedy things and the Marshalls were on the ball.God Bless them for spending two days in that weather.
You are all BOODY LEGENDS. Thanks again.:clap::clap::clap:

[DMack]

Thankyou very much to all the Club members and other volunteers who made Round 2, in my humble opinion, a complete success in difficult cirumstances.
Absolute legends for catching up the racing from day one.
Awesome turn around between races and excellent communication.
The Recovery guy's were speedier than two speedy things and the Marshalls were on the ball.God Bless them for spending two days in that weather.
You are all BOODY LEGENDS. Thanks again.:clap::clap::clap:

:2thumbsup +1 for Everything RobGassit said!!
Apart from the weather, a great fun weekend and thanks to all the volunteers. Looking forward to Round 3 (minus the rain of course...).

[CHOPPA]

Yup nearly there.... Jimmy is 31 I think, Hayden and Nick are still getting a bit old for a decent tilt at world Domination. For me im not doing it to try make a living, just want to be the best I can. Would like to win NZ titles and have another 15 years or so in the class. An ozzy season is on the cards and one day id like to have a play around in AMA really just to say I did.

NZs best chance is Nixon Frost id say, but he is still just a tad young...

Certainly good to stick to ya guns :ar15:


https://www.brm.co.nz/frosts-son-could-be-another-chilled-out-dude/