KIWISTARS @ Ruapuna KOR Round 3

[SWERVE]

What an awesome day.. I qualified 5th overall and only a couple of tenths behind Andrew Stoud who was riding another 250 ninja today.
Race 1
Tried to set my sights on keeping as close to Andrew Stroud as possible, but he pulled a decent gap on lap one and set a new lap record for 250s .... but i had an awesome battle with Grant Ramage and both the Hoogies, managed to hold off Grant to get 2nd in 250,s.

Race 2
It was warming up and i was willing to push the tyres a bit harder. Once again Andrew put in a really fast first lap to make a gap... and once again i had a race long battle with Grant Ramage which was teaching me heaps about using my body and my bike as a blocker.. with a couple of laps to go Alistair Hoogie also came into the mix and we had an intense battle to the finish. i had the better drive out of the last turn and beat them both to the line for another 2nd in 250s

Race 3
I was surprised to see another rider on Brent Garvens bike...it was Jake Lewis!!. Got a great start and came out of T1 in third place with only Andrew & Jake in front of me. Tried really hard to stick with them but pulled a gap again (but much smaller this time). I ended up in a "crazy" battle with Larry Ross & Grant Ramage we were bumping each other and swapping places at nearly every corner. I had a side by side race to the line against Larry Ross but beat him by about a bike length to take 3rd overall & 3rd 250. And it was great to see a 1-2-3 finish for the 250 bikes.
Just want to say a big thanks to all the other competitors and making it some really close racing and especially to Andrew Stroud for showing me how fast i can go. huge thanks to Merv for making it alll possible for me this season. Thanks to Dad for everything. And thank you to Stocker Dairy Services for becoming my main sponsor for 2013. Thanks to eall my other sponsors at supporters too.

Managers thoughts.....
Well who would have thought it.... Andrew Stroud mixing it in the 250s (walk done memory lane) But how great to see it. The youngsters were so excited to be on the grid with him and im sure some of the older riders (Jock Woodley in particular) enjoyed it to. And then to have our European explorer Jake out there too...... what a great boast for the class and the young riders. I spoke to Andrew and he said it was more fun than riding the Superbike ( dont tell Suzuki that).
I knew that Bailie would be quick after his recent trip to Taupo.. some of the lessons learnt there could be applied at Ruapuna faster corners. But the next test was by being quicker he would have to battle the very quick RG,s of Jock/Larry and the Hoogies CBRs and then the man they call "Damage" also came out to play (must have been a warm day)
I half expected Bailie to back off a little when those guys started their push n shove games... but NO..he got stuck right in there and gave a good as he got...and enjoyed it.
That impressed me A LOT...
Watching him learn from watching Andrew and in the last race close the gap considerably made me a very happy camper...... im sure if he had got the break on Jock/Larry in lap one he would have stuck with Andrew and Jake. But hey theres always another day for that.

The standard of racing in the development class at this meeting was outstanding... many going faster than previously. Now we just need the BIG showdown in 250 production of STROUD - CHARLETT - LEWIS...and of course PERRITON

So once again so many thanks to all who support Bailie and Kiwistars you are all legends
HAMILTON SEED LTD- STOCKER DAIRY SERVICES - THE ELECTRIC SPIDER LTD - RACEFAIRINGS - SPORTZFOTOZ - RACE SUPPLIES - DWAINS SERVICE CENTRE - KAWASAKI NZ - XC DESIGN

[RobGassit]

The 250 competition down there sounds awesome. Wish we had more up here but it hasn't really taken off. Maybe when people start buying the 300 instead of the 250 then prices for the 250 will get even lower. Almost worth the commute down there for some fairing bashing.

[SWERVE]

Think we had 12 on saturday Rob. And there are more on the way.... we now have a team of..... ol timers/experienced racers who will be doing a full National tour
SOF Racing i believe they call themselves (you can work out what that stands for) Its certainly ALIVE down here......... and the Korean influence hasnt really reached this far south:msn-wink:

It make for great racing as the RG,s and ninjas are really even...the F4 buckets are quick in the twisties but lose out on the straights. So at the run to the line its anybody,s guess.

[wayne]

hi,
see its good to see the young ones getting to race with the top other classes guys
must only help in the long run.
good reliable bikes those 250's ?

[RobGassit]

[QUOTE=SWERVE;1130436088]Think we had 12 on saturday Rob. And there are more on the way.... we now have a team of..... ol timers/experienced racers who will be doing a full National tour
SOF Racing i believe they call themselves (you can work out what that stands for)

That's really interesting. So whoever wins the 250 Production Class this year has to beat the Australian Champ, several Ex NZ Champs, be able to rebuild his engine after it is stripped for Tech Inspection and brave the weather at Teretonga. Seth and Sam had it easy. I also predict the Champ won't be on a Hyosung.:facepalm:

[SWERVE]

Good analogy..... thats why we have been doing lots of racing, both wet and fine - the toolbox has a full gasket set - just need to factor in the luck part and see what happens.
should be a good series. you guys campaigning the ninja again?

[RobGassit]

Good analogy..... thats why we have been doing lots of racing, both wet and fine - the toolbox has a full gasket set - just need to factor in the luck part and see what happens.
should be a good series. you guys campaigning the ninja again?

Not sure there's any point to be honest, might put the money into a new house.

[Billy]

[QUOTE=SWERVE;1130436088]Think we had 12 on saturday Rob. And there are more on the way.... we now have a team of..... ol timers/experienced racers who will be doing a full National tour
SOF Racing i believe they call themselves (you can work out what that stands for)

That's really interesting. So whoever wins the 250 Production Class this year has to beat the Australian Champ, several Ex NZ Champs, be able to rebuild his engine after it is stripped for Tech Inspection and brave the weather at Teretonga. Seth and Sam had it easy. I also predict the Champ won't be on a Hyosung.:facepalm:

Thats correct,It is a National championship afterall,Wouldn't want to make it to easy,Raise the bar to its highest level and hopefully our up and comers like Baillie will go with them,Instead of the joke we see in the NI currently with riders wobbling around 2 secs off the pace and thinking their fast.

[RobGassit]

[QUOTE=RobGassit;1130436595]

Thats correct,It is a National championship afterall,Wouldn't want to make it to easy,Raise the bar to its highest level and hopefully our up and comers like Baillie will go with them,Instead of the joke we see in the NI currently with riders wobbling around 2 secs off the pace and thinking their fast.

I'm sure whoever they are they will be delighted to hear you slagging them off while you try to encourage new people into the sport.

[Billy]

[QUOTE=Billy;1130436673]

I'm sure whoever they are they will be delighted to hear you slagging them off while you try to encourage new people into the sport.

Yea,I really should try and stop being a useless twat and try and get people into the sport,Unfortunately,What I will not do is blow smoke up their butts and tell them theyre fast when theyre not,Now who was it that was supplying the RGs for riders in the Vic series and rebuilt the scholarship machine ground up free of charge,Or ensured the 250 class was recognised by MNZ by way of ensuring there were 6 or more on the grid,Including giving your rider the opportunity to contest the Nationals for their first time at a reasonable cost,Even though you didnt think it was such a great idea ??????

As you were Merv,Keep up the good work.

[RobGassit]

[QUOTE=RobGassit;1130436742]

Yea,I really should try and stop being a useless twat and try and get people into the sport,Unfortunately,What I will not do is blow smoke up their butts and tell them theyre fast when theyre not,Now who was it that was supplying the RGs for riders in the Vic series and rebuilt the scholarship machine ground up free of charge,Or ensured the 250 class was recognised by MNZ by way of ensuring there were 6 or more on the grid,Including giving your rider the opportunity to contest the Nationals for their first time at a reasonable cost,Even though you didnt think it was such a great idea ??????

As you were Merv,Keep up the good work.

On behalf of the North Island wobblers, I apologise for them not being able to live up to your very high standards. Never questioned your work building the class, just wondering why you're trying to kill it.

[Billy]

[QUOTE=Billy;1130436766]

On behalf of the North Island wobblers, I apologise for them not being able to live up to your very high standards. Never questioned your work building the class, just wondering why you're trying to kill it.

Kill it????? Just shows how far out of the loop you are,Ask the guys at MCI whether Ive killed it or not LMFAO

[RobGassit]

[QUOTE=RobGassit;1130436804]

Kill it????? Just shows how far out of the loop you are,Ask the guys at MCI whether Ive killed it or not LMFAO

Congratulations then. You've created a class for Trophy Burglars.

[Billy]

[QUOTE=Billy;1130436807]

Congratulations then. You've created a class for Trophy Burglars.

So youve heard the one about the pot calling the kettle black???How many times has your rider won the Minilite vic series now???

What burglars are you talking about,Baillie Perriton,Cameron Hudson,Blake Henwood Sparks,Alex Bowers or one of the 44 others on the grid down there????

[RobGassit]

[QUOTE=RobGassit;1130436808]

So youve heard the one about the pot calling the kettle black???How many times has your rider won the Minilite vic series now???

What burglars are you talking about,Baillie Perriton,Cameron Hudson,Blake Henwood Sparks,Alex Bowers or one of the 44 others on the grid down there????

I don't know who your angry at Billy, but if you want your mate Ramage to get a nice cup for his mantle, then so be it. Hopefully one of the young fellas down their will take the Title afterall, and that would be fantastic.

[Billy]

[QUOTE=Billy;1130436812]

I don't know who your angry at Billy, but if you want your mate Ramage to get a nice cup for his mantle, then so be it. Hopefully one of the young fellas down their will take the Title afterall, and that would be fantastic.

Angry at???Just stating the facts,Alex Bowers won the KOR and KOL series if I remember correctly,Not Grant Ramage,Are you implying I have set the series up for Grant to win????

As an asied,In Ballies own words,He learnt shitloads about racing a motorcycle while battling with Andrew Stroud,Jake Lewis and Grant Ramage and I really rate him to win the championship,But the championship is there for all to compete in,Just like Supersport,Superbike,Protwins etc,Or should I instruct the fast riders to stay away so somebody with not quite the same talent or skillset can win it?
I won't comment further on this thread as its demeaning to Mervs efforts,Start another thread about the crooked commissioner setting up classes for his mates to win.

[SWERVE]

The way i see it (as any class) unless there is an age limit imposed the winner is the person who through all odds - weather/mechanical/set up/ability/age is the guy or girl with the most points at the end.
The 250 proddie class is designed to help foster junior development but not only open to them....... if any ex champ/current champ/trophy hunter wants to take it on.............. then good luck and welcome to the class where it will be your ability/skill that shines through.
I personally would love to see Bailie/Grant/Luke side by side at the finish...... that would epitimise the broad appeal of this class.

Having Andrew and Jake at Ruapuna not only pulled the front runners along... but helped improve many much further down the field. As the whole class rose to the challenge of having our most successful and most currently successful riders in the mix. And i know they enjoyed it.
Would be great to see more superstars going back to grass roots racing whether it be for fun or helping with junior development.......

GO 250 PRODDIE...........

[Billy]

The way i see it (as any class) unless there is an age limit imposed the winner is the person who through all odds - weather/mechanical/set up/ability/age is the guy or girl with the most points at the end.
The 250 proddie class is designed to help foster junior development but not only open to them....... if any ex champ/current champ/trophy hunter wants to take it on.............. then good luck and welcome to the class where it will be your ability/skill that shines through.
I personally would love to see Bailie/Grant/Luke side by side at the finish...... that would epitimise the broad appeal of this class.

Having Andrew and Jake at Ruapuna not only pulled the front runners along... but helped improve many much further down the field. As the whole class rose to the challenge of having our most successful and most currently successful riders in the mix. And i know they enjoyed it.
Would be great to see more superstars going back to grass roots racing whether it be for fun or helping with junior development.......

GO 250 PRODDIE...........

The way you see it....Is exactly what it is meant to be and it would appear some would like to see it watered down...NOT HAPPENING!!!!!

Those who see it as no worth the effort due to the competition being to tough,Prolly need to find some other way of stroking their ego's....Lawn bowls anybody????

[RobGassit]

The way you see it....Is exactly what it is meant to be and it would appear some would like to see it watered down...NOT HAPPENING!!!!!

Those who see it as no worth the effort due to the competition being to tough,Prolly need to find some other way of stroking their ego's....Lawn bowls anybody????

Don't get too excited old man, we have plenty of wobbling to do yet and a few pimply kids and some old has beens don't scare us none. You bite harder than Robert Taylor by the way, and that's not a compliment.

[Billy]

Don't get too excited old man, we have plenty of wobbling to do yet and a few pimply kids and some old has beens don't scare us none. You bite harder than Robert Taylor by the way, and that's not a compliment.

Wow...Thats really hurtful....Im guessing this means you dont want me to cart an EX250 around the South Island just in case you might need it then???? Pity your not one of the many people involved in our sport that I respect due to their positive input and hardwork to move the sport forward,Otherwise I'd be offended,Oh and you calling me old man,Theres that pot/kettle/black thing again,See you on the 5th of Jan