Lack of reporting

[nzmikey]

So either I am looking in the wrong place or the media guys don't seem to give a shite about bike racing in NZ

After spending 3 days down at Hamptons on the side of the track looking like a 5'5 carrot & watching camera guys going around the track taking photos, I am some what stunned that none of it makes it into mainstream news under the "motorsport" heading, it all seems to be V8's, NASCAR, WRC, F1 etc ....... :yawn:

It is a shame since this was a Trans Tasman Challenge & showcasing some great older machines .


/rant

[Str8 Jacket]

Yep, I hear ya. Whilst it was on I was checking Stuff and NZ Herald online and nadda...... Couldn't believe it. :brick:

[Paul in NZ]

Its always hard for 'enthusiasts' to believe that the general populace just isn't that interested in proceedings...

However - ultimately its up to the organizers to make sure that this type of event is 'media friendly' (ie doing most of the work for the journalist) and to highlight the little back stories that make for a great 'human interest' story. There are some amongst us that specialize in this type of thing and if approached I'm sure would give sage advise...

Sadly - just expecting a media outlet to somehow detect your event is happening and then report on it isn't a recipe for success...

[SWERVE]

So either I am looking in the wrong place or the media guys don't seem to give a shite about bike racing in NZ

After spending 3 days down at Hamptons on the side of the track looking like a 5'5 carrot & watching camera guys going around the track taking photos, I am some what stunned that none of it makes it into mainstream news under the "motorsport" heading, it all seems to be V8's, NASCAR, WRC, F1 etc ....... :yawn:

It is a shame since this was a Trans Tasman Challenge & showcasing some great older machines .


/rant

YEP....... if it aint got FORD or HOLDEN on it ....or uses a stupid shaped ball.......... it aint happening:mad:

[Maha]

Possible reason being...no ''names'' to report on...unlike V8's, NASCAR, WRC, F1 where, even I know a name or two without giving a second thought to any of those events.
Even with one of the greatest names in Motorcycling Racing history as the banner for the event......nothing!
Shame I know, but thats the reality.

[Quasievil]

Youre right, No one gives a shit about bike racing in NZ, but why would you they are third rate events run by third rate people, they lost the ball along time ago and forgot that the dollar has to be earnt from the public, not expected.................no "show" means no dollar, means no interest, means no one cares and thats particularly true in a tiny insignificant country like ours

[nzmikey]

Youre right, No one gives a shit about bike racing in NZ, but why would you they are third rate events run by third rate people, they lost the ball along time ago and forgot that the dollar has to be earnt from the public, not expected.................no "show" means no dollar, means no interest, means no one cares and thats particularly true in a tiny insignificant country like ours

Positive chap ain't ya ? :scratch:

[Voltaire]

I gather it was streaming on the net.....
Here are the results:
http://www.marktime.co.nz/results/121020-CMR.HTML
I'd be keen to see some vid of the even it there is a linky.

[Quasievil]

Positive chap ain't ya ? :scratch:

In this subject not really, realist however yes
Ive been on this subject for a while in various forms, usually around sponsorship and complaints as to how hard it is to get, and why would a sponsor waste money on bike racing, its an arse in this country, for example the Nationals is a joke !

[george formby]

I concur with the advertising / sponsorship issue. The biggest media advertisers get the most air time for their chosen supported sports. If Toyota or Mitre 10 Mega or such like got behind events I bet it would raise the profile, well, at least they would be on the radar. They want the maximum bang for their advertising dollar & that's air time. If Coontdoon got behind our sport the telly would be saturated with it!
Just a theory......

[Paul in NZ]

I concur with the advertising / sponsorship issue. The biggest media advertisers get the most air time for their chosen supported sports. If Toyota or Mitre 10 Mega or such like got behind events I bet it would raise the profile, well, at least they would be on the radar. They want the maximum bang for their advertising dollar & that's air time. If Coontdoon got behind our sport the telly would be saturated with it!
Just a theory......

You need to go one step back.

A big sponsor won't back these events because the sort of communications plan / advertising coverage / media involvement etc etc that any major event management company would employ does not exist or is deficient. Big sponsors do NOT throw money away on a whim they invest in sponsorships that will get them noticed.

We have been over this before on KB.

Meh - I don't even race motorcycles so I'm not bothered but I'd like to have the choice to go see a great event.

[george formby]

You need to go one step back.

A big sponsor won't back these events because the sort of communications plan / advertising coverage / media involvement etc etc that any major event management company would employ does not exist or is deficient. Big sponsors do NOT throw money away on a whim they invest in sponsorships that will get them noticed.

We have been over this before on KB.

Meh - I don't even race motorcycles so I'm not bothered but I'd like to have the choice to go see a great event.

Yup, they would have to want to raise the profile for their own reasons. It's tough being a niche dweller sometimes.

[CHOPPA]

It doesnt just magically happen. If you want it to make, stuff, the herald etc etc etc then make a call to Andy MeGehkin pay your $300 and he will write a press release that will almost certainly make the motorsport pages.

[ducatilover]

In this subject not really, realist however yes
Ive been on this subject for a while in various forms, usually around sponsorship and complaints as to how hard it is to get, and why would a sponsor waste money on bike racing, its an arse in this country, for example the Nationals is a joke !
Because that attitude will help? :rolleyes:

[SWERVE]

It doesnt just magically happen. If you want it to make, stuff, the herald etc etc etc then make a call to Andy MeGehkin pay your $300 and he will write a press release that will almost certainly make the motorsport pages.
Agree with THAT statement Choppa......... but the lack of reporting in general as a sport is piss poor. An article however good or proffessionally written will impact for a very short timeframe. A regular feature on a given sport attracts a following. The recent Barry Sheene meeting is a prime example of a BIG event going un-noticed. Nationals usually get a good size article in the regional press but almost always is a tribute to A Stroud (although you do get a background shot sometimes):rolleyes:

[Paul in NZ]

Agree with THAT statement Choppa......... but the lack of reporting in general as a sport is piss poor. An article however good or proffessionally written will impact for a very short timeframe. A regular feature on a given sport attracts a following. The recent Barry Sheene meeting is a prime example of a BIG event going un-noticed. Nationals usually get a good size article in the regional press but almost always is a tribute to A Stroud (although you do get a background shot sometimes):rolleyes:

What defines 'big'...

How many spectators were there?

[Dreama]

It's not a unique problem that only NZ has.
National coverage of M/C racing in the US has the same issues from what I hear and read .... unless something dramatic happens. Prolly the same in 90% of countries around the world.
With only a handful of competitors nationwide, relatively speaking, funding will always be an issue, so how much can realistically be spent on promotion. It just becomes a paradox really : ie lack of promotion = lack of income and so on
How much cart racing is televised? stock cars? speedway? motocross? etc

[tail_end_charlie]

It's not a unique problem that only NZ has.
National coverage of M/C racing in the US has the same issues from what I hear and read .... unless something dramatic happens. Prolly the same in 90% of countries around the world.
With only a handful of competitors nationwide, relatively speaking, funding will always be an issue, so how much can realistically be spent on promotion. It just becomes a paradox really : ie lack of promotion = lack of income and so on
How much cart racing is televised? stock cars? speedway? motocross? etc


M/C racing media coverage in the US IS a joke. The SPEED channel is the only one that ever has much coverage, and its never live, some times not even the same day. And has shit for coverage of the actual race. From what I understand, they are changing formats for next year and it'll be twice as bad. Yet you could tune in at any time to hear absolutely endless yattering on about f****** NASCAR. What utter crap.

Back to this side of the pond, I'm really surprised that there was so little coverage of the BSTT. Could have been some really good PR for the M/C racing, but for the most part went un-noticed by anyone outside of the M/C community.

[Hitcher]

Erm, instead of moaning, why not find somebody who is keen and semi-literate who can send a 250 and 500 word version of proceedings to local papers, together with some good action photos? If the stuff's any good, an editor may publish it and also slip the semi-literate contributor a bit of coin.

Remember that media are under-resourced and that motorcycle racing happens at weekends, when lots of people, including reporters, are not at work.

[SWERVE]

What defines 'big'...

How many spectators were there?
If the pics showing the weather were anything to go by........... not many.:(
by BIG i meant well publishised and hyped. Classic bikes arent my thing.... but a lot of people like them who wont go to modern era racing however good it is. Each to their own

[tail_end_charlie]

If the pics showing the weather were anything to go by........... not many.:(
by BIG i meant well publishised and hyped. Classic bikes arent my thing.... but a lot of people like them who wont go to modern era racing however good it is. Each to their own

Yeah, sunday was the only day that I was going to be able to make it, and I did, for about 2 hours or so before they called the races for the rest of the day. So big bummer on the sucky weather. To be honest, modern bike racing, classic bike racing, doesn't really matter to me, its all good racing. It is a bit of a wake up call though when you see some guy out there on the track, in the pouring rain, absolutely killing the rest of the field, and then he comes in, takes off the helmet and you find that he's a grey haired grandfather. Puts into perspective my own abilities. :(

[Paul in NZ]

If the pics showing the weather were anything to go by........... not many.:(
by BIG i meant well publishised and hyped. Classic bikes arent my thing.... but a lot of people like them who wont go to modern era racing however good it is. Each to their own

Classic bikes are my thing and I'd watch it....

But getting TV there isnt easy and all that needs to happen is an unwed mother of three goes berserk on P, straps a burning 3 headed calf to her head and storms the outside of a WINZ office and you get bumped...

Mind you - that would attract a bigger crowd...

[jellywrestler]

for example the Nationals is a joke ! so why did the Ruapuna round get more people at the track than the precious V8's? and that's without the 4000 plus different computers that logged in each weekend of the nationals to follow them via interweb coverage.

[Robert Taylor]

Its always hard for 'enthusiasts' to believe that the general populace just isn't that interested in proceedings...

However - ultimately its up to the organizers to make sure that this type of event is 'media friendly' (ie doing most of the work for the journalist) and to highlight the little back stories that make for a great 'human interest' story. There are some amongst us that specialize in this type of thing and if approached I'm sure would give sage advise...

Sadly - just expecting a media outlet to somehow detect your event is happening and then report on it isn't a recipe for success...

Indeed, in a nation of thugby, raping and beer. There is a dedicated rugby channel on TV, but that is not enough in itself. Whilst that is on air the other sports channels will also be showing rugby. Not much else matters..................

[Voltaire]

Its always hard for 'enthusiasts' to believe that the general populace just isn't that interested in proceedings...

However - ultimately its up to the organizers to make sure that this type of event is 'media friendly' (ie doing most of the work for the journalist) and to highlight the little back stories that make for a great 'human interest' story. There are some amongst us that specialize in this type of thing and if approached I'm sure would give sage advise...

Sadly - just expecting a media outlet to somehow detect your event is happening and then report on it isn't a recipe for success...


I'm not sure making money and attracting the media is the prime focus of the Post Classic and Classic Racing Register. I saw riders being interviewed by a camera crew and I understand there was live streaming internet coverage.
What is 'success" , most of the local riders would have forked out $200 entry plus ,and the Aussies and riders from other parts way more.....I doubt if many left unhappy despite the weather.:wacko:
At one point I had plastic bags under my boots and cheap wet weather gear on....... just part of the whole experience really.
I think the organizers did a fantastic job and just hope they were able to meet their financial targets as well.
As for mainstream TV ....they only show bits on the news that are sensational for the wrong reasons.
Pretty cool to see Mike Pero not selling mortgages....:rolleyes:
Apparently there was some rugby on somewhere too......I was busy doing a clutch swap in a shed...:lol:

[Hopeful Bastard]

Not too sure if they went to the Media, Or the media came to them... But ol' Sam Croft wound up in the Dom Post on Tuesday. Was having a quick flick before work the other morning... And saw him in there...

Link for those interested.... http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/7847635/Kapiti-teen-racing-into-the-lead

[Genestho]

There was nothing to stop event organisers or promoters to write a 'heads up' mass pre-event release (On a quick search over October - there is a couple out there by Andy Mcgechan and one from Mike Pero at scoop.co.nz) with the Poster and a short sharp background story, forwarded to all media outlets, then the post release with photos? (FWIW Hitcher is pretty much on the mark.)

That should be part of the over-all planning, perhaps they did do the post release with photos and were overlooked.

[Brian d marge]

In this subject not really, realist however yes
Ive been on this subject for a while in various forms, usually around sponsorship and complaints as to how hard it is to get, and why would a sponsor waste money on bike racing, its an arse in this country, for example the Nationals is a joke !
flame suit on !

I said the same thing a few years ago , and still bear the scars

but even sponsorship, I dont mind giving money but I want something back , in my case feed back on the designs and numbers.

and no a sticker on a bike is useless to me.

Paeroa and Wanganui and the burt Munro ( shame about weather ) are usually good and covered by mainstream ....

Stephen

[Voltaire]

Ah the good old KB keyboard media and marketing gurus :killingme

Classic Racing is run for the competitors not the spectators. I found this out this year when I finally after many years made the transition from wandering around the parking lot to racing a bike.

[trustme]

We need punters through the gate to help fund the cost of running these meetings. Without sponsorship the BS weekend would not happen, most aussie riders would not send their bikes over here unless the costs were underwritten & the same applies to our guys going to Aus.
Without the Punters & sponsors our entry fees will skyrocket & events begin to fade away, the 'festival of speed' has started to decline & Triumph has stepped up as sponsor. The wowsers decry this comercialisation but it needs to happen, sponsors need pay back & that means bums on seats & publicity for the sponsor.

I loved the BS weekend, well run, huge ups to the organisers, Sunday's rain was an absolute bugger,can't wait for next year. Somehow it needs to be promoted more outside motorcycling, Joe average did not know it was happening.

[Shaun]

so why did the Ruapuna round get more people at the track than the precious V8's? and that's without the 4000 plus different computers that logged in each weekend of the nationals to follow them via interweb coverage.



May I suggest that was because it was managed like a buisness event, and not just ho hum motorcycle race event

[jrandom]

Erm, instead of moaning, why not find somebody who is keen and semi-literate who can send a 250 and 500 word version of proceedings to local papers, together with some good action photos?

Anyone who's got the tools and the skills to get good action photos and write 500 publishable words is already making a living that way by servicing markets that have an audience and a genuine demand, and will have better things to do in their spare time than donate their work to what's basically a self-indulgent sport for the wealthy.

I just don't think anybody really cares. It's a niche sport. The audience, as with most niche sports, is comprised of people who do it themselves. (How many non-downhill-MTBers do you see spectating at downhill MTB events?)


If the stuff's any good, an editor may publish it and also slip the semi-literate contributor a bit of coin.

A bit, yeah. If one was a skilled writer and photographer and had a bit of luck. It'd work out to far below minimum wage for the hours of work it'd take to generate the content. Why would you bother? If you're that mad about the sport you're probably already too busy actually racing.

[Genestho]

Ah the good old KB keyboard media and marketing gurus :killingme

Classic Racing is run for the competitors not the spectators. I found this out this year when I finally after many years made the transition from wandering around the parking lot to racing a bike.

So why would a sponsor put significant amounts of money into racing, not JUST for the love of racing and so their rider can race for free or an event has a whole bunch of fun, they want value.
Trust me. They want to be on posters, they want to be talked about, they want people using their brand. Then they come back. It's not rocket science.

Disclaimer: Knowing how KB can turn; the above statement is in general terms, regarding racing and events. The organisers of this particular event did an amazing job and I'm annoyed at myself that I didn't go. Mmmkay? :P :)

[Voltaire]

So why would a sponsor put significant amounts of money into racing, not JUST for the love of racing and so their rider can race for free or an event has a whole bunch of fun, they want value.
Trust me. They want to be on posters, they want to be talked about, they want people using their brand. Then they come back. It's not rocket science.

Disclaimer: Knowing how KB can turn; the above statement is in general terms, regarding racing and events. The organisers of this particular event did an amazing job and I'm annoyed at myself that I didn't go. Mmmkay? :P :)

yep, you missed a good weekend alright.

[trustme]

Trust me. They want to be on posters, they want to be talked about, they want people using their brand. Then they come back. It's not rocket science.

Disclaimer: Knowing how KB can turn; the above statement is in general terms, regarding racing and events. The organisers of this particular event did an amazing job and I'm annoyed at myself that I didn't go. Mmmkay? :P :)

I get all that, the organisers did do a great job, somehow it missed the mark with non motorcyclists. The Paeroa meeting gets pushed on radio well prior to the race weekend but I heard none of that for this meeting, maybe I missed it.

[Dave-]

It's the "anti-social" (for lack of a better word) side of motorsport that keeps people away too I think.

Most race tracks are built as far away from civilization as practically possible, otherwise people will moan about the noise, so no one makes the trip.

It's not until you physically close the main road of a town that you grab peoples attention for a few hours, but holding on to it is like a flame in a gale.

Why not get consent (you caqn do this by just typing it on here right?) to close a main road in Auckland central and run the superbikes around?

Or better yet, not get consent and run the supers around? now THAT would get some attention.

[Bykmad]

I get all that, the organisers did do a great job, somehow it missed the mark with non motorcyclists. The Paeroa meeting gets pushed on radio well prior to the race weekend but I heard none of that for this meeting, maybe I missed it.

Radiosport, Newstalkzb, Classic Hits and Hauraki for a month before the meeting. Heard the ads 5 - 6 times a day on Classic Hits.

[nzmikey]

Ok so the NZSBK website has a report on the weekend it was short but none the less it was there : http://www.nzsbk.net/2012/10/cameron-donald-takes-nz-senior-classic.html

That would be a start for mainstream media & maybe they could then link to another website if people wanted more info eg : http://www.barrysheenetranstasman.co.nz/

It is also not not like this was a "small" event .

The largest International Road Race meeting in NZ's history, surpassing the Marlboro Series, is how the Barry SheeneTrans Tasman Chalenge panned out. That put a community of between 1,000 to 1200 people in the pits as family and pitcrews helped their riders or swingers, all enthusiasts of older motorcycles.

It just needs some more oompph to get it out there for the money paying public, Paeroa has that as does Whanganui so why cant we get it sorted for track events ??

The sad fact is, if they dont get bums on seats they will have to raise the cost of entry which in turn would put racers off, if racers dont want to race then people wont turn up .... yeah you can see where that is going .

( I think that was said further up )

As for radio advertising .... holy shit that aint cheep .


I think that the people that ran the event did a great job, it would have been mayhem trying to get 30 bikes ( combo of bikes & chairs ) over from Oz & clearing customs, getting them to the track along with other behind the scenes shite . :clap:

[Maha]

Libra Tampons might sponser? for a plug here and there....

[nzmikey]

Libra Tampons might sponser? for a plug here and there....

:lol: well that took longer than I expected

[tail_end_charlie]

Libra Tampons might sponser? for a plug here and there....

You'll have to pull some strings to get entry into that race...................:facepalm:

[jasonu]

So either I am looking in the wrong place or the media guys don't seem to give a shite about bike racing in NZ

After spending 3 days down at Hamptons on the side of the track looking like a 5'5 carrot & watching camera guys going around the track taking photos, I am some what stunned that none of it makes it into mainstream news under the "motorsport" heading, it all seems to be V8's, NASCAR, WRC, F1 etc ....... :yawn:

It is a shame since this was a Trans Tasman Challenge & showcasing some great older machines .


/rant

If there had been a pile up killing hundreds or some sort of explosion the meeting would have made the front page.
A few years ago I was at Pukekohe (flagging) for the nationals. After the meeting and while we were collecting the crash bags etc some coons drove onto the track and at very high speed they
t-boned Warren News car (that was full of people). As it turned out the perps had some relation or connection to the Black Power. Bet you can guess what part of that meeting made the news...

[jasonu]

Youre right, No one gives a shit about bike racing in NZ, but why would you they are third rate events run by third rate people, they lost the ball along time ago and forgot that the dollar has to be earnt from the public, not expected.................no "show" means no dollar, means no interest, means no one cares and thats particularly true in a tiny insignificant country like ours


Positive chap ain't ya ? :scratch:

Realistic I'd say.

[jasonu]

It's not a unique problem that only NZ has.
National coverage of M/C racing in the US has the same issues from what I hear and read .... unless something dramatic happens.? etc

Not true. Most if not all of the AMA national rounds (superbike, Supersport600 and Daytona classes) all make it on SpeedTV usually on the same weekend of the meeting, sometimes live if held at a WSB or MotoGP meeting.

[nzmikey]

If there had been a pile up killing hundreds or some sort of explosion the meeting would have made the front page.
A few years ago I was at Pukekohe (flagging) for the nationals. After the meeting and while we were collecting the crash bags etc some coons drove onto the track and at very high speed they
t-boned Warren News car (that was full of people). As it turned out the perps had some relation or connection to the Black Power. Bet you can guess what part of that meeting made the news...

holy shit that would suck :eek5:

& those bastard bales are STILL there

[tail_end_charlie]

Not true. Most if not all of the AMA national rounds (superbike, Supersport600 and Daytona classes) all make it on SpeedTV usually on the same weekend of the meeting, sometimes live if held at a WSB or MotoGP meeting.

Ok, granted, its been a while since I've tried to watch m/c racing in the States. But I've read (www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Oct/121012j99.htm) that the Speed channel is going to be changing format.

[jasonu]

Ok, granted, its been a while since I've tried to watch m/c racing in the States. But I've read (www.superbikeplanet.com/2012/Oct/121012j99.htm) that the Speed channel is going to be changing format.

Well fuck I didn't know about that one.
It looks like it goes hand in hand with the news that Speeds live (and possibly any) coverage of F1 ends at the end of this season too.

[tail_end_charlie]

Well fuck I didn't know about that one.
It looks like it goes hand in hand with the news that Speeds live (and possibly any) coverage of F1 ends at the end of this season too.

Yeah, bit of a bitch, eh? I don't see why that can't have just one station that would cover motorsports. Thats all I would ask for, just one simple station that shows the racing live, or at least as close as possible, with re-runs through the week at a reasonable time. And keep all that endless drivel about Nascar out of it too. No talking, just racing.

[trustme]

From a pretty good source., Sunday gate was a disaster. Monday was on budget. High entry numbers = above budget. Too early to be sure. Probably broke even. All in all went well, a few minor issues behind the scenes. Aussies were happy, same shit can happen at Phillip Island that's racing. Roll on next year. Bigger & better.

For a first effort , They done real good.

[jellywrestler]

For a first effort , They done real good. the reality is it's lucky no-one went home in a body bag, Tough but someone has to say something. So many people cocked up the starts as they didn't understand the start lights. did they have a quick riders briefing on monday in pit lane and show the riders how they worked, no. It's fucking lucky no-one was cleaned up.

[Brian d marge]

Type in Google "ruapuna nz nationals " go to images .... a windswept field with a few bikes ( getting better looking each year )

then do the same for any major country ....

compare

the thing that strikes me , is the colour , I know this sounds odd , but all the others have advertising , colour lots of it! ...and when you notice it, is when places like Indianapolis , where the stand makes the crowd look small and the advertising is non existent ( to be seen )

I’ve asked myself , what IS it ,,I mean motogp has the same amount of bike as a NZ national , give or take why are people paying to go to Phillip island , but not 1/2 a mile up the road ???

Paeroa is ( for me ) great ,,

so why the difference , ?

Paeroa , has a few pubs and shops and is small so concentrates the people ( seems crowded to me ) Ruapuna is a windswept hell hole with a hotdog stand and a rough pub , with a nice publican

Motegi is awesome , with rides for the kids , shops, stalls , Speedway , speedway hamburgers , bike displays ,,women , sexy women , pit girls , and the Honda staff in the museum ( whom my wife knows ) and would also be sexy ( if my wife didnt know them )

here is a comment from the wife about my Sunday at the mx track, ( from a womens point of view )

"My husband was dying to join this bike event.
However I don't like sun shine, dust , noise so I wasn't going to this time. But I feel sorry been alone for my husband. Then we went there afterwards
But he was completely fine and enjoying with some wild bikers!!
Great!"

wild bikers !! its a VMX event and half are over 50 !


but that’s the reality

Stephen

and you want it on the radio !!!! ........ tui

[Voltaire]

the reality is it's lucky no-one went home in a body bag, Tough but someone has to say something. So many people cocked up the starts as they didn't understand the start lights. did they have a quick riders briefing on monday in pit lane and show the riders how they worked, no. It's fucking lucky no-one was cleaned up.

It took me while to get the hang of the lights.... in one race the guy behind me on the third row got almost to the front before anyone moved.....I jumped one start as well...:(...first time I had seen a start like that, usually they use signs and flags. We were told to be on the line for 8:00am....at around 8:45 the race started..... I was surprised there was no briefing.

[rastus]

the reality is it's lucky no-one went home in a body bag, Tough but someone has to say something. So many people cocked up the starts as they didn't understand the start lights. did they have a quick riders briefing on monday in pit lane and show the riders how they worked, no. It's fucking lucky no-one was cleaned up.

It was only a jump start if you were nobody famous.

[nzmikey]

It took me while to get the hang of the lights.... in one race the guy behind me on the third row got almost to the front before anyone moved.....I jumped one start as well...:(...first time I had seen a start like that, usually they use signs and flags. We were told to be on the line for 8:00am....at around 8:45 the race started..... I was surprised there was no briefing.

Yeah there were reasons for that beyond the control of anyone ----- Sorry :shutup:

[jellywrestler]

It took me while to get the hang of the lights.... in one race the guy behind me on the third row got almost to the front before anyone moved.....I jumped one start as well...:(...first time I had seen a start like that, usually they use signs and flags.so did you not understand what was said at riders briefing, maybe they would have been better to have the briefing in pit lane and demonstrate the lights a couple of times as there were a lot of riders who it was a new thing to We were told to be on the line for 8:00am....at around 8:45 the race started.....they probably wanted to start then but with a lot of flaggies 'offshore' and probably told to be there for a nine am start this was the stumbling point I was surprised there was no briefingthere was time for one especially as most competitors were ready for a start an hour early.


biggest hats off for the weekend goes to the flaggies who would've got sodden out there,thanks people