A good day at Hampton Downs!

[Edbear]

Well, I got there early and was given a complimentary can of something designed to give an energy boost. It actually tasted quite good by the time I needed it...

I guess I had somenthing of an epiphany today. Although I'd attended two racing wekends at Paeroa over the last four years I never got this close to teams and riders nor had I ever been into the commentary box. For an old guy like me, being right in among the atmosphere, talking technical with the riders and crews and being right beside the commentators during the racing brought me a special insight into the sport.

Chatting with the likes of Andrew Stroud, Dennis Charlett, Craig Shirriffs, Marcus Beagley, the mad German Patrick Howdoyouspellit from Kerikeri, Merv from way down south and Josh McGrath's grandparents along with Spyder and the team in the commentary box and a few others racing Bears, (well done Sean, No.3, on your immaculately prepared GPZ1100!), I got to really appreciate how tough and expensive this game is if you want to be anywhere near competitive.

Marcus had done a heroic job of getting his Kwaka back on track and up to speed, and while not in the top placings, he blamed his head rather than the bike needing to get into the right space again. He certainly had the speed and drive out of the corners and despite a couple of tyre issues, is looking good for the the rest of the season. He didn't make mistakes and I feel he got the best out of the bike on the day. It's fast, for sure! He's obviously got talent and I was impressed with his determination and his understanding of racing. He's endeavouring to build a business that can support up and coming riders and wants to be as successful and as helpful as he can be. He's running on a shoestring and doesn't have the budget to have the best of everything and relies heavily on his sponsors for their support. He deserves it too, in my opinion, a genuine Kiwi battler with talent that needs to be acknowledged. :yes:

Dear Craig, please stop falling off... :bye: Craig Shirriffs qualified third, (Cole, Bugden Shirriffs, with Stroudy in 8th), and was obviously very fast with a well prepared bike that looked even better in the metal than in the pics! Main race was very fast with Robbie Bugden in no mood to tarry, setting off like the hounds of hell were after him, with Andrew Stroud in hot pursuit, the two quickly gapped ahead with Nick Cole and Craig in a tussle for third and fourth. I commented to Dennis Charlett, who naturally backed Andrew to win, that Craig would have to get very brave to pass Nick as they were so closely matched it was as though they had a rope between them. These four were well ahead of the field by the time Nick ran on at turn two, allowing Craig to slip by. Just as it looked like Craig would get an easy third, he disappeared! Slid off on the third turn, left-hander. His tyre was like a billiard ball on the left shoulder and he was lucky not to have high-sided. Not too much damage but to his pride I think... :innocent:

Andrew was looking good, making a lot of changes to the set-up, so I didn't stop long to chat, not the best way to make friends and influence people if you hold them up at important times, so I left him to get on with it. He's a genuine nice guy, though, as were all the riders I spoke to. His main race was marred a bit by severe rear tyre wear and a bit more fuel on board than he thought he had, which made a slight but significant difference to the handling. These bikes are so finely tuned and running on the ragged edge that such a small matter of a litre or so of extra fuel or one turn of the adjusters can make a difference. He settled for second, backing off about 3/4 race distance as it was obvious Robbie wasn't going to let anyone near him and Andrew was having the tyre problems that meant he could have tossed it away if he'd kept up the full pace.

I came away with a new-found respect for the talent and commitment these guys have, and put, into their sport! I was finding it hard to get my head around the sheer speeds on the front straight that all the top bikes were pulling! The 1000's were in a class of their own and I was in awe of them. The 600's were hardly slower and faster than I had envisioned. Once again the Motards surprised with their pace and the talent of their riders! The Bears were great fun and some of those guys, while nearer my age than not proved they were still a force to be reckoned with! Some had been racing for thirty years!

The sidecars showed up an unusual issue and one that I think will revolutionise their group. The leader was on a newly designed machine that used carbon-fibre technology and a tub type chassis, much like Formula 1 cars and it was really a purpose built outfit that had precious little to do with bikes as a base. They were so far ahead of the field they were in their own race altogether, and the rest raced their own race against each other. If this is the future of side-cars the other teams will have no choice but to adopt this technology if they want to be anywhere near competitive. The machine was quiet and unbelievably fast!

In all, and having my 5min of fame on the mike during a break in the racing where Spyder interviewed me about the batteries, I really enjoyed the day. :sunny:

[CHOPPA]

Craig was an easy third you reckon?

[Edbear]

Craig was an easy third you reckon?

Once Nick went off it looked like it but then next lap he slid off and got brought home on the trailer.

[Kickaha]

The sidecars showed up an unusual issue and one that I think will revolutionise their group. The leader was on a newly designed machine that used carbon-fibre technology and a tub type chassis, much like Formula 1 cars and it was really a purpose built outfit that had precious little to do with bikes as a base. They were so far ahead of the field they were in their own race altogether, and the rest raced their own race against each other. If this is the future of side-cars the other teams will have no choice but to adopt this technology if they want to be anywhere near competitive. The machine was quiet and unbelievably fast!

Adam/Stu who won were riding a bike built in the late eighties or early nineties, that type of sidecar has been around for 20+ years

[Edbear]

Adam/Stu who won were riding a bike built in the late eighties or early nineties, that type of sidecar has been around for 20+ years

Okay my ignorance showing there. What made them so fast?

[Clivoris]

Good post Ed. I reckon you aren't the only one who has been missing out on the reality that circuit racing in New Zealand is as exciting as the road races. I have been impressed as well with how approachable the racers are, throughout the field. It only gets more impressive if you are a newbie and seeking advice. To quote a man called Fred "We don't know how lucky we are, mate." Everyone who claims to have the slightest interest in petroleum powered recreation and competition should get to the nearest circuit racing as often as they can. Even better, give it a lash themselves.

[White trash]

The sidecars showed up an unusual issue and one that I think will revolutionise their group. The leader was on a newly designed machine that used carbon-fibre technology and a tub type chassis, much like Formula 1 cars and it was really a purpose built outfit that had precious little to do with bikes as a base. They were so far ahead of the field they were in their own race altogether, and the rest raced their own race against each other. If this is the future of side-cars the other teams will have no choice but to adopt this technology if they want to be anywhere near competitive. The machine was quiet and unbelievably fast!

Ed. I know you haven't had a whole lot to do with road racing in the past five years so I'll save the abuse. Suffice to say. what you saw is far from the future, but none the less spectacular. Adam and Stu are a phenominal team, but their Windle is old. And comparatively, slow. Sidecar racing got SLOWER at the end of last season BECAUSE sidecar teams COULDN'T adopt new technology. Apparently, if you have the best sidecar technology in NZ, you're cheating.

Adam and Stu will go on to be champions and they truly deserve it. They're also top blokes and true gentlemen.

[White trash]

Okay my ignorance showing there. What made them so fast?

Skill and teamwork made them fast. Politics and bullshit made them the fastest you've seen.

[Edbear]

Skill and teamwork made them fast. Politics and bullshit made them the fastest you've seen.

Well they were in a league of their own today, that's for sure! Thanks for not abusing me, I mean well and don't mind learning. It is just how it appeared to me watching from the balcony and hearing Spyder describe the chassis. I just assumed it was new. They looked immaculate and professional and were so far in front it was no contest!

[Kickaha]

They looked immaculate and professional !
Their gear is always well presented and well set up and they are a good crew, on something newer they'd probably be even faster

The basic tub layout on long bikes hasn't changed much since the mid eighties but there have been changes in front and rear suspension design and wheel sizes
http://www.lcr-sidecar.com/index2.php

[gixerracer]

Craig was an easy third you reckon?

Sure was till I crashed
:laugh:

[nodrog]

Did anybody else see those dirtbikes with road tyres on? what a neat idea, i can see that taking off in a few years.

[FJRider]

Skill and teamwork made them fast. Politics and bullshit made them the fastest you've seen.

Skill and teamwork, always makes things look easier (much easier) than it really is ... :laugh:

Untill you try it for yourself ... :eek:

[Pussy]

Did anybody else see those dirtbikes with road tyres on? what a neat idea, i can see that taking off in a few years.

Nah.... can't see it catching on...

[manxkiwi]

Does anyone know when the TV coverage is due to be shown? I read in a mag that TV1 was doing delayed coverage of the Tri Series. Cheers.

[Biggles08]

Marcus had done a heroic job of getting his Kwaka back on track and up to speed, and while not in the top placings, he blamed his head rather than the bike needing to get into the right space again. He certainly had the speed and drive out of the corners and despite a couple of tyre issues, is looking good for the the rest of the season. He didn't make mistakes and I feel he got the best out of the bike on the day. It's fast, for sure! He's obviously got talent and I was impressed with his determination and his understanding of racing. He's endeavouring to build a business that can support up and coming riders and wants to be as successful and as helpful as he can be. He's running on a shoestring and doesn't have the budget to have the best of everything and relies heavily on his sponsors for their support. He deserves it too, in my opinion, a genuine Kiwi battler with talent that needs to be acknowledged. :yes:


Mate! thanks for the kind words...its very unlike Kiwibiker!? I must say however it was not just me working on getting the bike back together for this weekend just been, I had a heap of help from people volunteering there time in the evenings to get that bike back to race condition, it was a mammoth effort by all involved. I must say It was a nervous time getting out on the track on it not knowing if it was all ok. Basically took me all weekend to get back up to speed on it. And I'm probably no worse than any other National privateer rider with regards to being absolutely broke! :clap:

[Dutchee]

Has anyone heard how Richie is?

[Edbear]

Has anyone heard how Richie is?

Unfortunately I wasn't in the commentary box by then so didn't get to hear anything about him. Hope someone can advise.

[Kickaha]

Sure was till I crashed
:laugh:
I was really hoping you'd have learnt how to stay on a bike by now


Has anyone heard how Richie is?
What Richie?
Richie Lawrance? does he owe a beer fine?

[Shaun]

Okay my ignorance showing there. What made them so fast?



Adam and stu are a very good team, both are trades man to start with from the old school

The HUGE king pin of there chair quality is Vince Stuer ex NZ Sidecar swinger champion, he has fully rebuilt the chassis over the winter and done a brilliant job of it

It was rebuilt to the same quality an airforce jet would have been, as Vince is trained to do just that

Good healthy write up ED

[Fast Eddie]

What Richie?
Richie Lawrance? does he owe a beer fine?

haha.. been there

[Edbear]

Ed. I know you haven't had a whole lot to do with road racing in the past five years so I'll save the abuse. Suffice to say. what you saw is far from the future, but none the less spectacular. Adam and Stu are a phenominal team, but their Windle is old. And comparatively, slow. Sidecar racing got SLOWER at the end of last season BECAUSE sidecar teams COULDN'T adopt new technology. Apparently, if you have the best sidecar technology in NZ, you're cheating.

Adam and Stu will go on to be champions and they truly deserve it. They're also top blokes and true gentlemen.

Shame really. Obviously what is needed is clarity in the regs as to whether it is run like F1 cars were, with free reign on technology with few limitations so basically anything goes if you can afford it, or a set formula like V8 Supercars with standardised components to level the playing field as much as possible, thereby focussing on rider ability. F1 has gone down this route, trying to make it fairer for the teams with less money. Not by standardising componentry but by regulating to make it cheaper to compete which is having the same effect.

I can't get over the disparity though yesterday between these guys and everyone else! They were on a different plane altogether!


Sure was till I crashed
:laugh:

I was really taken by just how critical tyres are! You can have everything else spot on and working fantastically, but the fact that there were more right-hand turns than left meant the bike was very different on left hand corners, read - less able, and because lines are critical and you guys are on the edge, there really is no margin for error. When the likes of Nick, yourself and Andrew can crash out or slow because of tyres, it really shows just how hard you are pushing the envelope. You guys ride consistently with few mistakes, but the fact that one corner you've ridden all day can suddenly be your undoing, seems to indicate an inconsistency in tyre wear.

Your left shoulder was dead smooth, Marcus's right shoulder was cut up and apparently Andrew's rear had bits out of it. (No, I mean the TYRES!!! :bleh:)

On a day when some riders were breaking lap records and putting in personal bests, I came away feeling better educated and with more understanding of just how tricky this racing game is. Also how addictive it can be to the competitors. ONe comment Marcus made was how narrow the front straight looks from the rider's perspective when doing speeds of around 250km/h+. It looks like a very small and narrow tunnel and while as spectators we may think it has the width to choose your line, the sheer speed means you have split seconds to get it right with no chance to change your mind half-way down it. If anyone can do that, they are very special riders! This is for the superbikes and 600's of course, the slower bikes may have a bit more time to adjust their lines.

One thing I observed was that turn one seemed to be better if taken wide on the way in, yet few riders seemed to be doing that. Craig mentioned the need to have full confidence in the front for that so I saw most riders take a closer line in.

[Mental Trousers]

It's a complicated game. Lots of things need to come together to get a bike/rider across the line first. Tyres are just one of those factors.

Entering turn one wide means getting reamed up the inside. Besides, it's bumpier out wide. The racing line in close is smoother and shorter distance.

[Biggles08]

It's a complicated game. Lots of things need to come together to get a bike/rider across the line first. Tyres are just one of those factors.

Entering turn one wide means getting reamed up the inside. Besides, it's bumpier out wide. The racing line in close is smoother and shorter distance.
With one bump in particular about halfway through the corner as you cut back in...if your front isn't good you will loose it there from a wide line. If you go in tighter you tend to miss the worst of it...but this is slower on the exit.

[Edbear]

It's a complicated game. Lots of things need to come together to get a bike/rider across the line first. Tyres are just one of those factors.

Entering turn one wide means getting reamed up the inside. Besides, it's bumpier out wide. The racing line in close is smoother and shorter distance.


With one bump in particular about halfway through the corner as you cut back in...if your front isn't good you will loose it there from a wide line. If you go in tighter you tend to miss the worst of it...but this is slower on the exit.

That's what it looked like from the balcony, with some coming in fast on the inside only to be cut off by the rider coming down from wide as they braked and either losing their place or failing to get by. Shame about that bump, then as that would definitely be the fastest way around it to get speed down the straight.

How many corners were first gear? Gearing had to be high to maximise the long front straight, but around the back you needed good acceleration esp. up the hills. Dennis said he ran his tallest gearing at Hampton Downs. I wonder what the riders think about the track as to getting the gearing just right? Apparently Manfield is easier to gear for?

[Mental Trousers]

Bumps and how you deal with them is one of the things that a rider has to figure out. Those that do finish ahead of those that don't. Bumps are part of life on NZ tracks.

Puke runs taller gearing, but Dennis would've been referring to the tracks used for the most recent Nationals series.

[gixerracer]

Bumps and how you deal with them is one of the things that a rider has to figure out. Those that do finish ahead of those that don't. Bumps are part of life on NZ tracks.

Puke runs taller gearing, but Dennis would've been referring to the tracks used for the most recent Nationals series.

I run taller gearing at Hampton than Puke

[Mental Trousers]

Different for bikes with some of that stuff they call power I guess.

[gixerracer]

Different for bikes with some of that stuff they call power I guess.

But I only use 5th gear not 6th at Hampton:msn-wink:

[Shaun]

But I only use 5th gear not 6th at Hampton:msn-wink:



Using the Tourqe zone instead of revs on a 1000 is deffinately the fast way to ride, I think? if my old memory serves me correct

[kiwifruit]

Yeah, stop crashing Craig :spanking:

[Edbear]

Using the Tourqe zone instead of revs on a 1000 is deffinately the fast way to ride, I think? if my old memory serves me correct

I think using a thou is the fast way to ride, period! :laugh: I just couldn't get my head around the speed along the front straight! They don't have a whole lot of time to set up for turn one, that's for sure!

I'd love to experience the ride from the final turn up to the front straight, accelerating at that rate while still banked over must be a huge buzz! :eek5:

[CHOPPA]

Sure was till I crashed
:laugh:

It would have been a comfortable 4th by the end of that lap if you hadnt have laid down :bleh:

Got ya wets sorted for this weekend :facepalm:

[Kiwi Graham]

It would have been a comfortable 4th by the end of that lap if you hadnt have laid down :bleh:

Got ya wets sorted for this weekend :facepalm:

Bit early to call it mate, she'll be right ;)

[Biggles08]

Got ya wets sorted for this weekend :facepalm: Yeah Baby!!!!!!!!! :clap:

[prettybillie]

Ritchie and Chris are basically out for the whole season now with Ritchie unfortunately coming off due to their engine seizing. Ritchie will recover well, but has ripped ligaments, tendons and all sorts of other shit in his knee and is expected to take 4 to 6 months to recover. Fortunately there was not a lot of other damage as it looked like it could have been a hell of a lot worse - wasn't nice to watch.

[Edbear]

Ritchie and Chris are basically out for the whole season now with Ritchie unfortunately coming off due to their engine seizing. Ritchie will recover well, but has ripped ligaments, tendons and all sorts of other shit in his knee and is expected to take 4 to 6 months to recover. Fortunately there was not a lot of other damage as it looked like it could have been a hell of a lot worse - wasn't nice to watch.

Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about that though, must be gutting for him. :(

[Mort]

Ritchie and Chris are basically out for the whole season now with Ritchie unfortunately coming off due to their engine seizing. Ritchie will recover well, but has ripped ligaments, tendons and all sorts of other shit in his knee and is expected to take 4 to 6 months to recover. Fortunately there was not a lot of other damage as it looked like it could have been a hell of a lot worse - wasn't nice to watch.

Is this the sidecar incident at turn 5 ? My son happened to record that on his ipod... Sorry to hear about the injury.

[Dutchee]

Thanks for the update about Ritchie. Was not good to watch (missed the start of the crash, but saw more than enough).

Definitely could've been worse.

And yes, that was the sidecar at turn 5 in their last race for the day.

[Kickaha]

Ritchie and Chris are basically out for the whole season now with Ritchie unfortunately coming off due to their engine seizing. Ritchie will recover well, but has ripped ligaments, tendons and all sorts of other shit in his knee and is expected to take 4 to 6 months to recover. Fortunately there was not a lot of other damage as it looked like it could have been a hell of a lot worse - wasn't nice to watch.

He came off because Chris tried a move he said he couldn't quite pull off and they spun, the engine didn't seize but they had already blown a motor in race 1 and Chris will still "possibly" do Manfield and/or Wanganui if he can find someone to fill in

Hopefully Richie will make a quick recovery and suffer no permanent damage, he needs to heal within 3 months to make the trip to Oz :doctor:

[jellywrestler]

Ritchie and Chris are basically out for the whole season now with Ritchie unfortunately coming off due to their engine seizing. Ritchie will recover well, but has ripped ligaments, tendons and all sorts of other shit in his knee and is expected to take 4 to 6 months to recover. Fortunately there was not a lot of other damage as it looked like it could have been a hell of a lot worse - wasn't nice to watch.
Engine seizing?????????????????? what have you been smoking???????
It locked up after they spun backwards and that was the starter motor components, they protested.
Chris was trying to outbrake Adam and Stu but once the track dropped away so did the tyre adhesion and then it got messy, could've been a lot worse though.

[MadDuck]

Hopefully Richie will make a quick recovery and suffer no permanent damage, he needs to heal within 3 months to make the trip to Oz :doctor:

Here's hoping. Like the others said it sure looked bad and extremely painful! So its good to hear he will be ok....

[racer40]

Looks like I made a mistake in trying to overtake Adam & Stu to early in the race, & spun out with Richie falling out & his leg stuck by back wheel, causing burns & major knee damage that will keep him out for a while. I have already got another couple of suckers lined up for the next couple of weekends, promised not to hurt them. Chris, PS if the move had come of it would have been an even better race eh.

[jellywrestler]

Looks like I made a mistake in trying to overtake Adam & Stu to early in the race, & spun out with Richie falling out & his leg stuck by back wheel, causing burns & major knee damage that will keep him out for a while. I have already got another couple of suckers lined up for the next couple of weekends, promised not to hurt them. Chris, PS if the move had come of it would have been an even better race eh.

So does he owe a dozen then?

[steveyb]

Sure was till I crashed
:laugh:

Have you told/shown Pretzel and Matt yet????

[gixerracer]

Have you told/shown Pretzel and Matt yet????

why would they care they get paid to fix it

[Edbear]

My phone has been ringing off the hook all day! I have just been invited to attend Manfield this weekend! I wasn't planning on it but if wifey agrees it looks like I'll be there afterall!

Just waiting for the confirmation email to come through with the details.