Feedback from round 4 NZSBK [Archive]

codgyoleracer

19th March 2012, 19:37

Hi all,

I'm looking for some feedback on how the event went from the racers perspective.

Please note I'm fully aware of the 'noise issue' and that cant be fixed here but I'm keen to see how you saw the rest of the event.

It will help in our de-brief and planning next year.

Cheers

KG

Hi Graham
Personally I'll give you guys an 8 out of 10 :-), overall an excellent event and considering the pressures you guys were all under and the stresses of competition that riders and teams were under - it went pretty good.
My sympathy goes out to the club when i hear the cost of track hire at that particular venue - but good on you for having a crack at some alternative marketing ideas and at-track entertainment.
Only comment would be that it would be nice to hit the times for kick off on each day, but i fully understand that there is a lot being done behind the scenes whilst to us riders it seems that we are standing around with our hands in our pockets :-)

Best of luck for next year

GW

CHOPPA

19th March 2012, 19:45

I agree with GWs comments. It was certainly a big step forward and the officials made good solid decisions, specially with the wet race time frame for the Supers. I heard great reaction from the public and have the stunt bike there kept things interesting. Oil clean up has improved 10x

Good event and I hope it worked for you

malcy25

19th March 2012, 20:22

Graham

Was going to drop you a note to say awesome weekend from my perspective, can't think of much yet, but will think about it and catch you face to face at the club etc soon.

PA possibly the only thing so far, but that was a known before hand and not in the club's control.

Biggles08

19th March 2012, 21:13

PA possibly the only thing so far, but that was a known before hand and not in the club's control. You mean it was too loud?! We did a legit sound check (with a proper Db reader)at our pits and it was reading 97Db....over the allowed 95Db level that the rules dictate....and I'm not kidding you! lol:sweatdrop

Gaz mate that was a great effort by YOU and your team of organizers/doers! Very well done on a great day with fresh approaches! From my point of view it was definitely a massive improvement on every other AMCC event I have been too and everyone involved should feel happy that the best was achieved under the given budget and circumstances that unfolded.

One negative comment (which has nothing to do with the organization of the day) is once again I felt like I was at kindergarten at riders briefing as we were talked down to rather than as adults..when this "us" and "them" attitude is dropped AT THE START OF THE DAY then the racing environment will be a much more enjoyable place to be.

Once again well done it was an awesome day!:woohoo:

malcy25

20th March 2012, 12:00

You mean it was too loud?! We did a legit sound check (with a proper Db reader)at our pits and it was reading 97Db....over the allowed 95Db level that the rules dictate....and I'm not kidding you! lol:sweatdrop

Yeah, couldn't hear it over a Kwaka....:whistle:

Seriously though, where did you measure that, cos we struggled all Sat, though Sunday was a little easier.

One negative comment (which has nothing to do with the organization of the day) is once again I felt like I was at kindergarten at riders briefing as we were talked down to rather than as adults..when this "us" and "them" attitude is dropped AT THE START OF THE DAY then the racing environment will be a much more enjoyable place to be.

Biggles, personal opinion I guess. I thought Costello's approach was fine in the context of not having a half hour relitigation on rule interpretations or application thereof. Or are you talking the prima donna comment ,"which had nothing to do with the organisation of the day" OR the organisers.

Deano

20th March 2012, 12:20

I only have one beef and it is a personality issue, not a reflection on the club or the event. Not a major but pm me your number if you are interested to hear it graham.

RobGassit

20th March 2012, 12:40

I only have one beef and it is a personality issue, not a reflection on the club or the event. Not a major but pm me your number if you are interested to hear it graham.

Get well :soon: Deano. Tough break,,no pun intended.

dean boy

20th March 2012, 12:51

Nicksta

20th March 2012, 16:54

I agree with everyone above.... and Glen's 8 out of 10 :)

its tough to organise so much and have it run so well considering the events like oil spills etc; which I was very impressed with how quickly and WELL it was cleaned up!

If i would point out a negative... one would be the lack of calls on Sunday... a whole row missed the start in the first F3/Pro Twins race and started from the slip road which leads to my other gripe: correct me if i'm wrong, but I understood the rule was once the competitors were round/at T1 (past the slip rd) the slip road starters would go... it was a very scary surprise for me and half the pack to see 4 bikes come flying out the slip road right beside us (we were already 2 and 3 bikes abreast) and swerve into our line coming out of T1. I understand the people officiating that part are volunteers and do their best, its hard to practice that type of stuff so appreciate the marshall's hard work! - it just scared me a bit!

I liked the clarity of decisions from the officials but i did wonder what had happened to cause such a growling at briefing on Saturday from MNZ, bit of a shock for a first time nationals competitor!

Best part for me was seeing the marshals clapping us on the cool down laps of each race :D was awesome feeling to see they had enjoyed what they had just watched and made you feel good for what you had just achieved / completed :)

Thank you for the weekend and see you next year at Hampton Downs!

Biggles08

20th March 2012, 21:44

Yeah, couldn't hear it over a Kwaka....:whistle:

Seriously though, where did you measure that, cos we struggled all Sat, though Sunday was a little easier.

Can't have been me...my bike purrs! We measured on the sunday right out the front of our pits...but it was a tongue in cheek comment about the stupid 95Db rule...the calls were nice and loud (97Db) as they should be so we could hear what was going on.

Biggles, personal opinion I guess. I thought Costello's approach was fine in the context of not having a half hour relitigation on rule interpretations or application thereof. Or are you talking the prima donna comment ,"which had nothing to do with the organisation of the day" OR the organisers.

I don't disagree with the ruling and the decisiveness about it...I thought it was a good idea to get the people actually affected by the stupid rule to have a separate meeting about it...not at the briefing...(even though they only invited the superbike riders and not x2 of the supersport riders affected also...but I digress).

My comments were not actually directed at any one person, just the whole process. I don't think Chris was that bad to be honest (could have been better but could have been worse too) but yes, that fella telling us we were all a bunch of premadonnas was a bit off and completely uncalled for...made me think he just liked the sound of his on "very authoritative voice.":facepalm:

I don't think its worth discussing any more anyway because the day was a great success from the clubs input perspective and they should all be congratulated...especially Graham as I know he was the driving force behind this well run day!

malcy25

21st March 2012, 06:32

Can't have been me...my bike purrs! We measured on the sunday right out the front of our pits...but it was a tongue in cheek comment about the stupid 95Db rule...the calls were nice and loud (97Db) as they should be so we could hear what was going on.

I don't disagree with the ruling and the decisiveness about it...I thought it was a good idea to get the people actually affected by the stupid rule to have a separate meeting about it...not at the briefing...(even though they only invited the superbike riders and not x2 of the supersport riders affected also...but I digress).

My comments were not actually directed at any one person, just the whole process. I don't think Chris was that bad to be honest (could have been better but could have been worse too) but yes, that fella telling us we were all a bunch of premadonnas was a bit off and completely uncalled for...made me think he just liked the sound of his on "very authoritative voice.":facepalm:

I don't think its worth discussing any more anyway because the day was a great success from the clubs input perspective and they should all be congratulated...especially Graham as I know he was the driving force behind this well run day!

Thanks Marcus. I guess my only comment is that the noise rule is MNZ not club and as Graham has alluded too, not a lot we can do directly about it as part of the event. I believe the ability to lift is null given what we are seeing in terms of environmental / council responses. If anything it will only get more closely managed or monitored, and already is in some places due to complaints being received already as you would have read here on Kiwibiker in the last 2 months.

I think our man wih authoritive voice may have seen a number of dummy's being spat on Saturday night, when in reality it's a rule that has been around for 10 years or more. Dunno. But I do know it's not going to go away and probably only going to get harder.

Yeah, was a good meeting overall eh!

Cheers ears.

Billy

21st March 2012, 07:33

I think our man wih authoritive voice may have seen a number of dummy's being spat on Saturday night, when in reality it's a rule that has been around for 10 years or more. Dunno. But I do know it's not going to go away and probably only going to get harder.

Yeah, was a good meeting overall eh!

Cheers ears.

Yerr,

Closer to 20 years Al.I have a plan to get a static test organised for Taupo so anybody with concerns can have their machine tested before going on track,If we can get it sorted we will try and have it available at ALL meetings where practical from now on.

CHOPPA

21st March 2012, 08:01

Yerr,

Closer to 20 years Al.I have a plan to get a static test organised for Taupo so anybody with concerns can have their machine tested before going on track,If we can get it sorted we will try and have it available at ALL meetings where practical from now on.

That sounds like a good option Billy, I think the hardest thing about the sound rule is that as hard as you might try to get your sound down on your bike there is no way we can test it for all conditions and its a pretty harsh penalty for over 98db with an instant black flag.

A static test at scruitineering would be great so you could rest assured you wont be black flagged for noise unless something dramatically changes on your bike but are there any rules in the rule book that cover a static noise limit?

The worry for me is that my bike from factory is 103db its written on the frame. I realise this is a different test but that to me says that my bike has the 'potential' to be over the 96db test even with the standard exhaust

Billy

21st March 2012, 08:24

That sounds like a good option Billy, I think the hardest thing about the sound rule is that as hard as you might try to get your sound down on your bike there is no way we can test it for all conditions and its a pretty harsh penalty for over 98db with an instant black flag.

A static test at scruitineering would be great so you could rest assured you wont be black flagged for noise unless something dramatically changes on your bike but are there any rules in the rule book that cover a static noise limit?

The worry for me is that my bike from factory is 103db its written on the frame. I realise this is a different test but that to me says that my bike has the 'potential' to be over the 96db test even with the standard exhaust

I should make it clear right now,A static test this weekend,Will not guarantee anything,What I am trying to achieve is to give those with concerns some sort of an idea,How close to the limit they are and whether they need to maybe look at doing something about it,Rather than just being informed they have a problem out of nowhere.

I am going to try to have our static test as close to the one they use for the ADR compliance as is practical,I think you will find for our market they need to be 88DB or less to comply,Hence the Fireblade that was only 84db on the weekend.No there are no rules surrounding a static test as yet.

The 95db limit is the same at all tracks around the country and in some cases is enforced strictly as was the case at Levels this year where they had to turn off the speakers at some of the commentary points,Where the councils enforce the noise limit there is no room for negotiation.

cahoots

21st March 2012, 09:20

A well organised and smooth running weekend. Excellent work on prompt recovery of crashed and broken bikes. As usual a lot of hard work put in behind the scenes to make it happen and thanks to the volunteers and flag marshalls who put in the hours. AMCC office staff are always pleasant to deal with and go out of their way to help.
Cons: The negative tone set at riders' briefing where a "them and us" scene was set between a couple of AMCC officials and the riders.
Being new to road racing (but experienced in sports coaching and administration) it was frustrating and embarrassing for me as I had talked a couple of ART enthusiasts into trying racing. They've subsequently told me they won't be rejoining AMCC. I reassured them that 95% of the AMCC crew were great people. Unfortunately the talking heads at the briefing were the other 5%.
Rules are necessary, especially when safety is concerned, but they are only guidlines and always up for change.

Racers have anti-authority genes in their DNA. Humour and good natured discussion usually get the job done.
As to the noise meter. Tough to get an accurate reading with the Meremere drags belting out down the road.

Biggles08

21st March 2012, 10:02

I should make it clear right now,A static test this weekend,Will not guarantee anything,What I am trying to achieve is to give those with concerns some sort of an idea,How close to the limit they are and whether they need to maybe look at doing something about it,Rather than just being informed they have a problem out of nowhere.

I am going to try to have our static test as close to the one they use for the ADR compliance as is practical,I think you will find for our market they need to be 88DB or less to comply,Hence the Fireblade that was only 84db on the weekend.No there are no rules surrounding a static test as yet.

The 95db limit is the same at all tracks around the country and in some cases is enforced strictly as was the case at Levels this year where they had to turn off the speakers at some of the commentary points,Where the councils enforce the noise limit there is no room for negotiation.
As a suggestion Billy, would it not be a good idea for MNZ to attempt to rectify this ridiculously low level of 95Db with the councils in form of a exemption prior to the events? Not sure on the logistics of this or indeed if at all posible but it seems strange that the drags just down from Hampton Downs would be putting out 120Db plus with jet cars etc screaming down the strip and they get away with it. Furthermore, the Formula 5000's were reading 110Db at hampton Downs a few weeks earlier supposidly but had no issue (that was hearsay and not confirmed in any way - but it seems likely as they are loud). I realize at places like Pukekohe the likelyhood of this being accepted would be slim due to the close residents, however places like Hampton Downs and Taupo should be possible don't you think?

Like Choppa said, seems strange that the BMW can get a WOF for the road at 103Db but needs to be quieter to be a race bike?!

Billy

21st March 2012, 10:16

As a suggestion Billy, would it not be a good idea for MNZ to attempt to rectify this ridiculously low level of 95Db with the councils in form of a exemption prior to the events? Not sure on the logistics of this or indeed if at all posible but it seems strange that the drags just down from Hampton Downs would be putting out 120Db plus with jet cars etc screaming down the strip and they get away with it. Furthermore, the Formula 5000's were reading 110Db at hampton Downs a few weeks earlier supposidly but had no issue (that was hearsay and not confirmed in any way - but it seems likely as they are loud). I realize at places like Pukekohe the likelyhood of this being accepted would be slim due to the close residents, however places like Hampton Downs and Taupo should be possible don't you think?

Like Choppa said, seems strange that the BMW can get a WOF for the road at 103Db but needs to be quieter to be a race bike?!

Yea,I'm not going to get into the specifics of what MNZ should or shouldnt do or any of the reasonings behind the decisions online,But if you care to contact me directly through the appropriate channels I will be only to happy to discuss it further with you.

What I am trying to do is alleviate the situation,A decision I came to after a brief chat with you on Sunday afternoon,Where you expressed your disappointment at not having any warning,Thats fair comment and I am trying to rectify that situation,Changing local governments mind is a whole different kettle of fish.

Re the decibel limit for Land transport,I think you will find as I stated above,Its 88db for certification in NZ

codgyoleracer

21st March 2012, 10:25

Yea,I'm not going to get into the specifics of what MNZ should or shouldnt do or any of the reasonings behind the decisions online,But if you care to contact me directly through the appropriate channels I will be only to happy to discuss it further with you.

What I am trying to do is alleviate the situation,A decision I came to after a brief chat with you on Sunday afternoon,Where you expressed your disappointment at not having any warning,Thats fair comment and I am trying to rectify that situation,Changing local governments mind is a whole different kettle of fish.

Re the decibel limit for Land transport,I think you will find as I stated above,Its 88db for certification in NZ

Yip, a number of bikes are released with performance pipe upgrades " for track use only" , these float around the 102/104 db typically. So the manufacturer is fully aware that these thing dont comply for road -use, and cover their arse / liabilty with the track use statement.
Of course the track use statement has no authority over the local rules from the governing racing body (in this case MNZ)

malcy25

21st March 2012, 11:45

As a suggestion Billy, would it not be a good idea for MNZ to attempt to rectify this ridiculously low level of 95Db with the councils in form of a exemption prior to the events? Not sure on the logistics of this or indeed if at all posible but it seems strange that the drags just down from Hampton Downs would be putting out 120Db plus with jet cars etc screaming down the strip and they get away with it. Furthermore, the Formula 5000's were reading 110Db at hampton Downs a few weeks earlier supposidly but had no issue (that was hearsay and not confirmed in any way - but it seems likely as they are loud). I realize at places like Pukekohe the likelyhood of this being accepted would be slim due to the close residents, however places like Hampton Downs and Taupo should be possible don't you think?

Like Choppa said, seems strange that the BMW can get a WOF for the road at 103Db but needs to be quieter to be a race bike?!

Biggles. I was at HD when the F5000 cars were running on the 1st saturday. I was on the exit to barrel 51 with camera and video camera. I had to move after about 8 laps or so so as I was becoming physically disoriented / ill from the noise. First time ever had that. Not saying I didn't think the sound was outstanding, mind you, just very voluminous...

As alluded to the above 103 will probably be static at 1.5m away, 45 degree angle from exh exit or some such measurement. Our's being 95db at 30 (or 35 can't remember right now) metres in a ride by. Bit like comparing miles an hour to km per hour unfortunately.

I think the long term reality is that it will get tighter, not easier with regards to noise and we are all in the same boat.

My own personal view is that given we generally all ride at multiple circuits a consistent required level is the easiest to deal with, rather tahn two different set ups etc.

Got a bit of thread drift going on here and I see that Codgy has started a new noise thread, so should probably keep going on this over there and leave this for Rd 4 Feedback. Talk more there everyone I guess!

CHOPPA

21st March 2012, 14:04

Yip, a number of bikes are released with performance pipe upgrades " for track use only" , these float around the 102/104 db typically. So the manufacturer is fully aware that these thing dont comply for road -use, and cover their arse / liabilty with the track use statement.
Of course the track use statement has no authority over the local rules from the governing racing body (in this case MNZ)

The S1000RR is rated at 103 db with standard pipe

Biggles08

21st March 2012, 15:29

Deano

22nd March 2012, 12:43

Fair enough ;)

Fair enough again...but changing the minds of local govt can't be that difficult if other motorsport disciplines manage it. Anyway...we shall move this to another thread.
Marcus, do you know that the cars were being monitored by the event organisor at the time and were complying? You and choppa are throwing decibel numbers out there and putting up an argument where you are seemingly making a hell of a lot of assumptions and possibly (probably) throwing up a smokescreen to the real issues at hand. You need to do some research, check all the facts and go from there, not confound things on kb with speculation and sidetracking.

CHOPPA

22nd March 2012, 12:55

Biggles08

22nd March 2012, 13:01

Marcus, do you know that the cars were being monitored by the event organisor at the time and were complying? You and choppa are throwing decibel numbers out there and putting up an argument where you are seemingly making a hell of a lot of assumptions and possibly (probably) throwing up a smokescreen to the real issues at hand. You need to do some research, check all the facts and go from there, not confound things on kb with speculation and sidetracking.

No I don't, and the numbers quoted are (as I have said in a previous post) 'hearsay' and I was not there. Although Malcy25 was there apparently (at the Formula 5000's) and he said they were ear bleeding loud at the barrel 51 corner which also backs up the supposed 110Db. Anyway, the numbers are not really the point I was trying to make, you cannot deny the drags down the road are most definately over 95Db...so how do they run an event such as this on a regular basis? Do they have a higher threshold or are they merely 'getting away with it?' It is a serious question and I'm not trying to be a smart arse (this time anyway).

Re the Db numbers, I am questioning whether the numbers actually stack up as a true reflection of what is occuring at the time of the reading. Basically, you have answered this by explaining any reading one day could be up to 6Db different if recorded by someone else the next day (taking into account the margin of error). This is the issue here, how can we get an accurate reading that everyone can rely on...so much so that they can confidently black flag the noisy bikes. I don't have a problem having rules of maximum alowwable Db's but if the bikes are going to get penelized by being black flagged then the Db number that was taken to black flag the bike need to stack up easily in the case of an appeal. I don't believe the current situation we have now would. That needs to change don't you think?

malcy25

22nd March 2012, 14:35

No I don't, and the numbers quoted are (as I have said in a previous post) 'hearsay' and I was not there. Although Malcy25 was there apparently (at the Formula 5000's) and he said they were ear bleeding loud at the barrel 51 corner which also backs up the supposed 110Db.

I didn't say ear bleeding, I said it disorientating / making me ill after a while. Note also I was standing right by the fence as close as I could, not 30 metres away, and at my own choice. Interestingly, 20 metres away was quiet normal conversation / not obnoxious.

Biggles08

22nd March 2012, 15:42

I didn't say ear bleeding, I said it disorientating / making me ill after a while. Note also I was standing right by the fence as close as I could, not 30 metres away, and at my own choice. Interestingly, 20 metres away was quiet normal conversation / not obnoxious.

Well they were loud too is the point...most likely louder than most of the Superbikes...according to most reports.

Str8 Jacket

22nd March 2012, 15:53

Well they were loud too is the point...most likely louder than most of the Superbikes...according to most reports.

I think that you will find that they don't race at MNZ sanctioned races, which really is what the point is. This issues needs to be raised with MNZ (which I think it has) and reviewed from there.

Biggles08

22nd March 2012, 16:57

I think that you will find that they don't race at MNZ sanctioned races, which really is what the point is. This issues needs to be raised with MNZ (which I think it has) and reviewed from there.Yes and no...I realize they don't race at MNZ events (as they are cars not bikes) but everyone is saying it is the Council that imposes these noise limits on the tracks not MNZ, MNZ merely police their/our own laws which happen to be the same as the Councils 95Db limit....apparently?! Anyway, it has been raised with MNZ and it will be sorted I'm sure...this thread is interesting non the less.

Deano

22nd March 2012, 17:29

I have made no assumptions

You can't compare the number stamped on your bike with any MNZ or council imposed limit. The distance, descriptor used, etc etc are not the same. See my post in the other thread about differences in testing regimes
And errors. Apples with apples

malcy25

22nd March 2012, 17:49

Yes and no...I realize they don't race at MNZ events (as they are cars not bikes) but everyone is saying it is the Council that imposes these noise limits on the tracks not MNZ, MNZ merely police their/our own laws which happen to be the same as the Councils 95Db limit....apparently?! Anyway, it has been raised with MNZ and it will be sorted I'm sure...this thread is interesting non the less.

I think the point you are trying to argue is the same as being busted for speeding out of a queue of traffic all doing the same speed.....the world is not far and not all law breakers get caught all the time.

The fact that others possibly (and no facts have ever been presented on F5000 noise levels and it's all subjective comment right now) broke the rules and didn't get caught is not our direct concern or a mandate for us to also go do the same.

If you want to compare us against the cars, I'd suggest go do teh hoem work on their noise level requirements, talk to the council and organisers about their limits, etc.

Also, don't forget, at Puke there is a sign before you cross the track that says 95db.....

CHOPPA

22nd March 2012, 21:37

You can't compare the number stamped on your bike with any MNZ or council imposed limit. The distance, descriptor used, etc etc are not the same. See my post in the other thread about differences in testing regimes
And errors. Apples with apples

What does potential mean?

Deano

22nd March 2012, 23:46

What does potential mean?

Sloan mate, its half twelve and I am unable to sleep despite the concoction of drugs I am on due to my room mate snoring at about 70+ dBA.

My current state of mind means I am not sure if you're taking the piss or what bro, but as a fellow racer (albeit on a pretty quiet pro twin), I only want to help resolve any noise issues that affect our sport as a whole, if I am able to do so.

I can tell you that I seriously question whether a bit of cloud cover in the afternoon (on its own) has the potential for a 6dBA increase in measured noise levels. That physically does not make sense to me.

Deano

22nd March 2012, 23:49

Oh my post regarding the variables etc involved in testing noise were contained earlier in this thread, not the other one.

jasonu

23rd March 2012, 07:26

The facts are as follows.
Gentlemen like Sterling Moss and Peter Brock race cars on television so they can make all the noise they want.
Murderers and rapists like the Hells Angels race motorbikes so what ever the amount of noise you make, it will ALWAYS be too much.

This was the attitude I came across a few years back when the AMCC was supporting the Mt Wellington Kart Club with its application to build a new track in the old Winstones quarry. We had official noise tests done (and passed with flying colors), had all the paperwork and results confirmed several times at the request of the council but were still told to fuck off.

CHET

23rd March 2012, 13:41

Deano

23rd March 2012, 14:50

Most likely under the district plan temporary events rule or as a condition of resource consent. Local council town planner would be able to advise further on this.

RDjase

31st March 2012, 11:29

The weekend went well, not many hold ups, quick oil clean up incorarated with the Muscle Cars doing a track drive

The PA is rubbish, at the pit entry/Barrel 51 corner you cant hear the PA and other places around the pits where you cant see the track is is realy loud

Spectator veiwing at HD is not the best, can't do much about that with the track layout

The entry form said 16th, 17th and 18th, it wasn't mention anywhere on the entry form that the 16th wasnt included in the entry fee, only listed in the supplemenary regs.

$290 entry + $90 for the 16th practice 2/3rds (1pm till 6pm) of a day.

None of the other of the National rounds said three days and only ment two, they all said friday practice (not included in entry cost) and said two days on the forms

Tyler_94

31st March 2012, 15:43

Agreed. I had an awesome time on the new track with some great challenges, the event ran pretty well and the Sunday riders briefing was entertaining, but there were the downers...

As RDjase said, "16th, 17th and 18th, it wasn't mention anywhere on the entry form that the 16th wasnt included in the entry fee, only listed in the supplemenary regs".

My first e-mail from the club said, "This e-mail is confirmation that the Auckland Motorcycle Club has received your entry to the New Zealand Superbike Championships, Hampton Downs on the 16-17-18 March 2012." I then received a e-mail on the 11th, (only four days before the event) which notified us that we had to re-enter the 16th Friday at a fee of $90. After calling the AMCC club president and him saying that the club had made a mistake, he then said in and e-mail back to us that there had been no mistake on the clubs behalf and that is the way they have run for the past three years.

I'm a 17 year old student who paid $290 entry + $70 transponder equaling $360, which was a very expensive race weekend. Then four days before the event we were told we needed to dig up another $90 for the Friday practice that we needed as we had never ridden the track before.

($90 for 45 minutes track time, if you were out for the full session each time, wasn't very impressive either.)

But yes, the track is awesome and we had some great racing. Would I go back there for that price when Taupo ran the way it did for much much less? Probably not.

Again with RDjase, the loud speaker was pretty bad where we were and we just had to assume some of the call when we didn't hear anything.

Kevin G

4th April 2012, 18:34

Hi.
I will offer you some feedback of the negative variety sorry.
The 125 cc TT race was a disaster for us caused by very extremely piss poor officiating.
We bought an RS125 all the way from Dunedin just to race the TT, Tim McArthur was the pilot on the bike, he went out in qualifying and secured position two on the grid but did not take part in any of the other races due to the fact he was focussing on riding the 600 that he was on for this season.
Anyway we get the bike ready and out he goes for the warm up lap of the TT and then he realises he/we did not have the transponder on the bike, it was still on the 600! He came into the pits to fit the transponder like a good lad and prepared himself for a pitlane start. The officials at the entrance to the track told him to go out, he tells him he is going to do a pitlane start as the rest of the field is already gridded up.
They insist that he goes out so he does as he is told and heads out assuming that the field will do another warm up lap. When he was at Barrel 51 they started the race!

He comes around and sees no bikes on the grid but sees grid marshals still on the track which had to break into a jog to get off the track. At this stage he is not sure if the race is on or whether they are doing another warm up lap. Next time around its clear that the race is underway and he was ripped off.

Why was the race not red flagged when it was clear that there was a cockup...He had to pass the pace car on his warm up lap...this is how racers get killed when poorly trained people make stupid mistakes.

I attempted to get any official that would listen to do something but they said it was the COC who had control and he's in an apartment that I cannot get to!

End result he rides his arse off for 15 laps with a good 30 second deficit and then a slow lap as he assumes it was a warm up lap and still finishes 5th with the fastest race time and the fastest lap.

He was pissed as was I yet officialdom did nothing. Chris said we could write a letter and get his entry fee back. I spoke to Greg on the track entrance and he said yeah we cocked it up. That is why officials have radios so they can communicate such errors and then they can be fixed.

Fact is the race should have been red flagged when it was clear an error was made.

It was just the 125's who cares right, that was the attitude I got which is not acceptable, it was a NZ title race not some club day.

Simply put not good enough.

Kevin Goddard
Race Supplies
Dunedin.