Classic Festival returns to Pukekohe for 2015

[Voltaire]

Jan 31- Feb 2
MNZ have granted a permit.

I understood there was a lot more concrete barriers after the changes for the car racing?

[Bender]

Almost the entire track is now lined, both sides, with concrete. You'd be OK falling off at turn one or the new right hander on the back straight, but anywhere else there is a good chance of severe concrete rash.

[sidecar bob]

I understand it is "not for championship points" which is probably a good thing.

[nodrog]

I understand it is "not for championship points" which is probably a good thing.

The retardation will still be rife, after all there's plastic cups up for grabs!

[swarfie]

I understand it is "not for championship points" which is probably a good thing.

I'll chuck in the rumour that its "demonstration races" only and no passing the designated leader....that'll be fun :oi-grr::whistle:

[Voltaire]

I'll chuck in the rumour that its "demonstration races" only and no passing the designated leader....that'll be fun :oi-grr::whistle:

Should we wash and save milk containers and get some garden waste sacks to put them in?

[Billy]

Be interesting to see who the officials will be ?


The AMCC crew were most vocal in stating they would not officiate there, I had a meeting with the late Dave Slater who was at the time the circuit inspection steward for Motorsport NZ at Taupo while we were sorting out a safety issue there and had arranged to meet him at Pukekohe to discuss the circuit safety, Unfortunately he passed away before this could happen, He was adamant the circuit was safe for motorcycle racing, Others, Including Stroudy, Suggested it would be okay for the average racer, But not for the more serious guys at the front of the pack, I guess time will tell.

Looks more too me like the President positioning himself in a favorable position with those north of the Bombays leading up to next years AGM, Interesting to see a change of approach towards the ANCC and NZPCRA from him as well haha.

[malcy25]

Jan 31- Feb 2
MNZ have granted a permit.

I understood there was a lot more concrete barriers after the changes for the car racing?

Have you seen something which says a permit has been issued or just the NZCMRR announcement on an event there?

[Mental Trousers]

I remember seeing the announcement and it said MNZ Permit. I was surprised. But then I saw it was no points. Still surprised though. Fucked if I'd go there and support the track while they only pay attention to the taxis.

[Pumba]

Only thing on the MNZ site that has been permitted that weekend is a Canterbury Training day.

http://www.mnz.co.nz/events

[trustme]

NZCMRR don't do a very good job of keeping people informed about what is happening. Both the web site & facebook page give little in the way of details.

Here's a crumb , now shut up & be grateful.:nono:

[nodrog]

Have you seen something which says a permit has been issued or just the NZCMRR announcement on an event there?


Only thing on the MNZ site that has been permitted that weekend is a Canterbury Training day.

http://www.mnz.co.nz/events

"....... the MNZ have today confirmed a permit is issued for our Classic Festival to be held at Pukekohe on 30th, 31st January and the 1st February 2015."

[Voltaire]

Have you seen something which says a permit has been issued or just the NZCMRR announcement on an event there?

Off the NZCMRR Site:

NZCMRR Classic Festival returns to Pukekohe - Permit has been granted.

I am happy to inform you all that the MNZ have today confirmed a permit is issued for our Classic Festival to be held at Pukekohe on 30th, 31st January and the 1st February 2015.

This will be our key event for the summer and will return our celebration of motorcycling to its former location which we have enjoyed so much over the years.

There will be no championship points allocated at this event and Hampton Downs held on the 7th and 8th February 2015, will now be our first racing championship points event for the season.

Your committee will be working hard to organise an outstanding festival return to Pukekohe, but you may now make all your plans, as the dates and the venue are fixed.

Ciao
Kevin Grant - Your President


And off their Facebook page:
Hot lap of Puke
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=785786398127286&set=vb.100000877996076&type=2&theater

[GD66]

Fuck that.

[Bykmad]

Be interesting to see who the officials will be ?


The AMCC crew were most vocal in stating they would not officiate there, I had a meeting with the late Dave Slater who was at the time the circuit inspection steward for Motorsport NZ at Taupo while we were sorting out a safety issue there and had arranged to meet him at Pukekohe to discuss the circuit safety, Unfortunately he passed away before this could happen, He was adamant the circuit was safe for motorcycle racing, Others, Including Stroudy, Suggested it would be okay for the average racer, But not for the more serious guys at the front of the pack, I guess time will tell.

Looks more too me like the President positioning himself in a favorable position with those north of the Bombays leading up to next years AGM, Interesting to see a change of approach towards the ANCC and NZPCRA from him as well haha.

This application was made by NZCMRR for the Classic Festival. AMCC and NZPCRA are not involved in this venture.

[Voltaire]

Update off the NZCMRR Facebook Site.


30th, 31st January & 1st February 2015
Important Note
This is a “One-Off” event to trial the re-introduction of motorcycle events back to the Pukekohe Raceway
Rider discretion and restraint will be required to ensure riders safety at this event especially over the RH corner leading on to the front straight.
If you are of the “Go Hard or Go Home” school of riding then this event is not for you.
Any rider judged to be over-aggressive and not within the spirit of this event will be Black-Flagged and may be excluded from the meeting.
If at any stage during the running of the event there is a concern for the safety of the riders the competition side of the meeting may be shut down and it would then become a parade event only.
There are no Championship Points for this event for the NZCMRR or indeed for any other club.

[Billy]

Update off the NZCMRR Facebook Site.

Seriously ?????

Lets hold an event there for the possible reintroduction of future motorcycle events, BUT, Everybody has to be really careful they don't fall off or get hurt, OR even be reckless, Then what????? If nobody dies, Its all on for all and sundry, FFS MNZ it just gets worse by the minute, For those who aren't in the know, The "Brains trust" have now decided theres no need for the inspection of street circuits during the construction stage by a suitably experienced member,As has been the case for many years, Why??? Oh yea, Cause it's not in the rulebook.

[Grumph]

Seriously ?????

Lets hold an event there for the possible reintroduction of future motorcycle events, BUT, Everybody has to be really careful they don't fall off or get hurt, OR even be reckless, Then what????? If nobody dies, Its all on for all and sundry, FFS MNZ it just gets worse by the minute, For those who aren't in the know, The "Brains trust" have now decided theres no need for the inspection of street circuits during the construction stage by a suitably experienced member,As has been the case for many years, Why??? Oh yea, Cause it's not in the rulebook.

Shit - so precedent and common sense count for nothing ?

I'd assume from that there's no chance of any new street circuits being approved as an approval process is not in the book - and it's too hard - and we don't want to get involved....

[Billy]

Shit - so precedent and common sense count for nothing ?

I'd assume from that there's no chance of any new street circuits being approved as an approval process is not in the book - and it's too hard - and we don't want to get involved....

Haha, Yip,

The new track layout for Nelson would have to a starting point, Still if the member allow it to happen and those involved are happy, Thats how it will be.

[Grumph]

Haha, Yip,

The new track layout for Nelson would have to a starting point, Still if the member allow it to happen and those involved are happy, Thats how it will be.

Until a coroner asks questions......

[Billy]

Until a coroner asks questions......

Unfortunately,

The coronial system is a bit of a joke, As weve seen in the past, If people are prepared to lie (And they have been) then they get away with whatever they like as there is no risk of perjury at a coronial hearing.

[Voltaire]

Update off the NZCMRR Facebook Site.


30th, 31st January & 1st February 2015
Important Note
This is a “One-Off” event to trial the re-introduction of motorcycle events back to the Pukekohe Raceway
Rider discretion and restraint will be required to ensure riders safety at this event especially over the RH corner leading on to the front straight.
If you are of the “Go Hard or Go Home” school of riding then this event is not for you.
Any rider judged to be over-aggressive and not within the spirit of this event will be Black-Flagged and may be excluded from the meeting.
If at any stage during the running of the event there is a concern for the safety of the riders the competition side of the meeting may be shut down and it would then become a parade event only.
There are no Championship Points for this event for the NZCMRR or indeed for any other club.

Had a look on FB and this post has been deleted.( should I delete my post then?)
Got the entry today and Posties are included, no mention of any restrictions other than it being a no points event.

[Billy]

Had a look on FB and this post has been deleted.( should I delete my post then?)
Got the entry today and Posties are included, no mention of any restrictions other than it being a no points event.

Awesome,

That makes things much safer, Is now a good time to mention the directive re running the modern and classic sidecars together has also been removed, Despite it being a coroners recommendation????? following the death of Alan Satherly at Paeroa AND subsequent discussions I had as commissioner with the senior F1 competitors in my role as commissioner whereby they considered it too dangerous to run the 2 classes together, Also there were new rulechanges announced by MNZ that subsequently disappeared when the website was updated, I have questioned the appropriate people and been given an explanation but no official announcement has been made to inform the members ????

[nodrog]

.......... Is now a good time to mention ........

Probably not, considering this is a thread about an event at puke, not a thread about sour grapes.

[Billy]

Probably not, considering this is a thread about an event at puke, not a thread about sour grapes.

Sour grapes ???

Really, If the organisation are not going to inform the members, Somebody has to, I have no reason to have "Sour grapes" I made myself unavailable due to family reasons but have still kept an eye on proceedings, I'm more than happy with the changes being made by the new board members and I am kept up to date regularly by those involved, Communication has always been a problem with MNZ, If you don't like my comments here, Then don't read my posts, Too easy

[nodrog]

Sour grapes ???

Really, If the organisation are not going to inform the members, Somebody has to, I have no reason to have "Sour grapes" I made myself unavailable due to family reasons but have still kept an eye on proceedings, I'm more than happy with the changes being made by the new board members and I am kept up to date regularly by those involved, Communication has always been a problem with MNZ, If you don't like my comments here, Then don't read my posts, Too easy

Lets back this train wreck back up, beep, beep, beep,beeep....

When you were associated with MNZ you defended their integrity vigorously, then something happened and you saw the retardation, then you spat the dummy cos you werent getting anywhere, publicly announced MNZ were dicks and how you were selling all your motorcycles and shit and were going go karting.

Now anytime there is a mention of MNZ you pop up and start telling stories about them.

I think that is the text book description of sour grapes.

P.S I like your posts, they give me the lolz.

[Billy]

Lets back this train wreck back up, beep, beep, beep,beeep....

When you were associated with MNZ you defended their integrity vigorously, then something happened and you saw the retardation, then you spat the dummy cos you werent getting anywhere, publicly announced MNZ were dicks and how you were selling all your motorcycles and shit and were going go karting.

Now anytime there is a mention of MNZ you pop up and start telling stories about them.

I think that is the text book description of sour grapes.

P.S I like your posts, they give me the lolz.

Oh Dear,

Factually incorrect as expected, Firstly you didn't start far enough back, I guess thats cause youve been on the scene less than 5 mins, Actually my dissatisfaction with SOME at ,MNZ started back in the mid 90s and I made my feelings well and truly known to those at the time, I have never defended MNZ in its entirety as anybody who has been involved in moving the sport forward over the past 3 years would attest to, I made a decision to back a president and board that I thought had the best interests of the sport in mind based on the good work some had done in the past, I was also mindful that some were there for their own self interest, That aside I considered it worth the effort to become involved and try and improve things, We made some reasonably good progress going and had some big plans going forward, Sadly that had to end earlier this year due to personal reasons, Those who I thought needed to know were informed at the earliest possible convenience so arrangements could be made for a replacement, From that moment forward SOME involved have failed to meet their own requirements and not followed up on statements made, If as you say I was suffering from the dreaded "Sour grapes" syndrome, Believe me I could do a LOT better than my comments on this thread and in fact I have been engaged directly with the board and admin with my concerns, I commented on this thread simply because I was involved directly in discussions with a large number of people in regard to motorcycles returning to Pukekohe, The end result being that it was unsafe even for classics, The subject of the sidecar directive was only brought up with me on Sunday night by a grade 4 steward who was offciating at Wyndham who wanted to know why I had had it removed, As I think its important everybody knows whats going on and MNZ are not releasing the info in a reasonable manner, I did, End of really.

Yip I sold one of my bikes immediately and have one for sale on this very site, Have also purchased a shifter kart and joined the local club, I will probably never disassociate myself from motorcycling as Drew picked up on earlier, I am currently in negotiations with a top Aussie to come here for NZSBK 2015 and am sponsoring 2 race teams for 2015 and a 250 production competitor as well, As long as I have a vested interest and I am provided with info I think the competitors should know about and MNZ are not forthcoming, I will continue to post it where and when I see fit so sit back and laugh all you want. I know there are plenty of others who don't see as humorous, Enjoy.

[nodrog]

Oh Dear,

Factually incorrect as expected, Firstly you didn't start far enough back, I guess thats cause youve been on the scene less than 5 mins, Actually my dissatisfaction with SOME at ,MNZ started back in the mid 90s and I made my feelings well and truly known to those at the time, I have never defended MNZ in its entirety as anybody who has been involved in moving the sport forward over the past 3 years would attest to, I made a decision to back a president and board that I thought had the best interests of the sport in mind based on the good work some had done in the past, I was also mindful that some were there for their own self interest, That aside I considered it worth the effort to become involved and try and improve things, We made some reasonably good progress going and had some big plans going forward, Sadly that had to end earlier this year due to personal reasons, Those who I thought needed to know were informed at the earliest possible convenience so arrangements could be made for a replacement, From that moment forward SOME involved have failed to meet their own requirements and not followed up on statements made, If as you say I was suffering from the dreaded "Sour grapes" syndrome, Believe me I could do a LOT better than my comments on this thread and in fact I have been engaged directly with the board and admin with my concerns, I commented on this thread simply because I was involved directly in discussions with a large number of people in regard to motorcycles returning to Pukekohe, The end result being that it was unsafe even for classics, The subject of the sidecar directive was only brought up with me on Sunday night by a grade 4 steward who was offciating at Wyndham who wanted to know why I had had it removed, As I think its important everybody knows whats going on and MNZ are not releasing the info in a reasonable manner, I did, End of really.

Yip I sold one of my bikes immediately and have one for sale on this very site, Have also purchased a shifter kart and joined the local club, I will probably never disassociate myself from motorcycling as Drew picked up on earlier, I am currently in negotiations with a top Aussie to come here for NZSBK 2015 and am sponsoring 2 race teams for 2015 and a 250 production competitor as well, As long as I have a vested interest and I am provided with info I think the competitors should know about and MNZ are not forthcoming, I will continue to post it where and when I see fit so sit back and laugh all you want. I know there are plenty of others who don't see as humorous, Enjoy.

Dude its OK, you will find a new BFF soon.

[Billy]

Dude its OK, you will find a new BFF soon.

Yea.....I know,

Maybe Shaun would be my friend, But I wouldn't want people to think I just hung out with him cause he's a multi TT winner of international fame who's actually been somewhere and made it into the record books like, Croz and Hugh Anderson and co, Na fuck it, I'll just go karting in the meantime with Stroudy and Scotty Moir until someone more worthy comes along FML.

[scrivy]

Yea.....I know,

Maybe Shaun would be my friend, But I wouldn't want people to think I just hung out with him cause he's a multi TT winner of international fame who's actually been somewhere and made it into the record books like, Croz and Hugh Anderson and co, Na fuck it, I'll just go karting in the meantime with Stroudy and Scotty Moir until someone more worthy comes along FML.

Whats kick doing.....;)

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[nodrog]

Yea.....I know,

Maybe Shaun would be my friend, But I wouldn't want people to think I just hung out with him cause he's a multi TT winner of international fame who's actually been somewhere and made it into the record books like, Croz and Hugh Anderson and co, Na fuck it, I'll just go karting in the meantime with Stroudy and Scotty Moir until someone more worthy comes along FML.

OMG! You know Scotty Moir? choice! Can you get me an autograph?

[sidecar bob]

OMG! You know Scotty Moir? choice! Can you get me an autograph?

You can get mine when you drop that stand off later. Chris Lawrence will be here too & you can get Tracey's as well. three for the price of one, all nz title holders. I can hook you up with scrivy too, he's won as many sidecar titles as stroudy has won superbike titles.

[nodrog]

You can get mine when you drop that stand off later. Chris Lawrence will be here too & you can get Tracey's as well. three for the price of one, all nz title holders. I can hook you up with scrivy too, he's won as many sidecar titles as stroudy has won superbike titles.

Wow its so overwhelming, I don't know what to say. I was happy with that photographer chick looking after my dog.

P.S. do you want mine? I have a lap record at Tokoroa that I can guarantee will never be broken.

[Billy]

OMG! You know Scotty Moir? choice! Can you get me an autograph?

Yea, I know, Scary shit aye, I'm sure Scotty would accommodate your request, Just send him your favourite squiggles T shirt and if your lucky he'll do it in your favourite colour as well. But only if I can get yours for that Tokoroa record, Ive got this room with all my idols in it and yours would fit right in there. Next to Thomas the tank engine I reckon, Thanks in advance.

[Billy]

Whats kick doing.....;)

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

Not sure, Should I have included him?? Pretty sure he won't mind

[Billy]

You can get mine when you drop that stand off later. Chris Lawrence will be here too & you can get Tracey's as well. three for the price of one, all nz title holders. I can hook you up with scrivy too, he's won as many sidecar titles as stroudy has won superbike titles.

Jeez, Thats an impressive line up, Is this one of those comps where you mention all the people we know with titles? Do MNZ run ones really count seeing as they let people away with illegal machinery and stuff.

[sidecar bob]

Jeez, Thats an impressive line up, Is this one of those comps where you mention all the people we know with titles? Do MNZ run ones really count seeing as they let people away with illegal machinery and stuff.

Na, its just a list of fucked old has beens that I know (except for Tracey) I cant believe I forgot to add your name to the list. ;)

[swarfie]

Na, its just a list of fucked old has beens that I know (except for Tracey) I cant believe I forgot to add your name to the list. ;)

Glad you left me off that "fucked old has beens" list :dodge::killingme

[Shaun Harris]

Pukekohe is a dangerous shit hole for a closed track and the up coming potentuall injuries fall at the feet of those that gave it approval for folks to race on it, going slow or fast, HARD FIXED things will hurt you. Sadly the powers that be that got it reinstated will still take gamble of some one elses life to make them selves feel good about getting this track back in action at there door step and in there minds to proove that they kknow better than others.

[jellywrestler]

You can get mine when you drop that stand off later. Chris Lawrence will be here too & you can get Tracey's as well. three for the price of one, all nz title holders. I can hook you up with scrivy too, he's won as many sidecar titles as stroudy has won superbike titles.

make sure Chris Lawrance remembers to spell his own name right...

[jellywrestler]

my dog.

P.S. do you want mine? I have a lap dance record at Tokoroa that I can guarantee will never be broken.

please send the video urgently......

[jellywrestler]

Glad you left me off that "fucked old has beens" list :dodge::killingme

and me too

[nodrog]

please send the video urgently......

Ill show you mine if You show me yours.

[wildman]

You can get mine when you drop that stand off later. Chris Lawrence will be here too & you can get Tracey's as well. three for the price of one, all nz title holders. I can hook you up with scrivy too, he's won as many sidecar titles as stroudy has won superbike titles.

Do the autographs come with stickers as well like overseas sidecar teams use to give out?:mellow:

[Billy]

Na, its just a list of fucked old has beens that I know (except for Tracey) I cant believe I forgot to add your name to the list. ;)

Haha,

Oh, Na I wouldn't belong on the list of has beens, I never won anything of note, Fucked and old maybe, But still managed to get some good stuff done in the past 3 years I thought. Others might beg to differ, But it appears some just wanna be involved no matter what and are happy to turn a blind eye to the truth.

[Shaun Harris]

Haha,

Oh, Na I wouldn't belong on the list of has beens, I never won anything of note, Fucked and old maybe, But still managed to get some good stuff done in the past 3 years I thought. Others might beg to differ, But it appears some just wanna be involved no matter what and are happy to turn a blind eye to the truth.


You did bloody awsome with the sport in your time in there Billy, thankyou for your efforts

[Billy]

You did bloody awsome with the sport in your time in there Billy, thankyou for your efforts

LMAO!!!

No thanks required, Its not a position you take for the recognition...Well nothing positive anyway Haha, Its about making the changes you think might work to raise the profile of the sport and improve safety etc, Some of the those we achieved are, Saved the 250 Production class going the way of the 2 Superstock classes AND brought the Australian champ over to promote the class further and show the locals whats required to to be competitive, The introduction of the Development class in conjunction with Dennis Charlett and Jock Woodley to alleviate the persistent tyre issues that plagued Streetstock 150 and help keep their junior development scheme moving forward plus allowing those with non homologated 250s a class to run in, The realignment with the sidecar association through Tracey Bryan and others hard work and promotion, Getting them back onboard and in the NZSBK series, The financial support of Grant Collingwood and his Ctas livetiming and streaming to help him further improve and update his equipment to promote the sport free to the general public, Not only in NZ but worldwide, The introduction of a series photographer for the NZSBK series in John and Annari Dyson from Jdas photography,The introduction of series officials and a series riders rep ensuring ease of availablity at all rounds, The revised format for the NZSBK series that was clearly needed, Increasing competitor numbers at some rounds by as much as 50% as opposed to previous years where numbers rose and fell in small increments, The series is now in its strongest position for sometime now and I have every confidence that Greg will keep it heading in the right direction, Its encouraging to see he has retained those mentioned above for 2015 and I'm sure the series will be even further enhanced because of that, Comments we received following NZSBK 2014 were "Best series for 10 years" and "Best racing for 20 years", I don't necessarily agree with either, But it was clearly better than we've seen for sometime, Hopefully now everyones had a practice it will be even better. The inclusion of a number of new rules aimed at increased safety and less down time during events aimed at reducing the workload on clubs and officials running events.Obviously none of the above was achievable without the help and support of those mentioned above and a group of people including, Peter Ramage, Grant Ramage, Spyda, Scrivy, Sidecar Bob, Neil Smith, Andrew Presant, Bernie Harnett, Jamie Rajek, Marcus Beagley and all the club secretaries and event organisers dealt with along the way. Nope, No thanks required or sour grapes extended, Just the odd pang of frustration at badly thought through decisions and statements like the return to Puke of motorcycles and a constant resistance by those reffered to as the "Brains trust" to take onboard advice and recomendations from coronial services and in some instances not only refusing to enforce rules, But also announcing their intentions at riders brief with NO recourse from the officials commissioner.

[FastFred]

Almost the entire track is now lined, both sides, with concrete. You'd be OK falling off at turn one or the new right hander on the back straight, but anywhere else there is a good chance of severe concrete rash.

Concrete rash maybe safer than cheese grater Armco with protruding bolt heads which is what we had before.

[Reckless]

Concrete rash maybe safer than cheese grater Armco with protruding bolt heads which is what we had before.

Not when its so close it throws you back on the track into the traffic. Or there's little access to get to you or you to get off.

[scott411]

should it not be up to the rider themselves if they want to race at pukekohe, I mean i can understand not having nationals there, but how much worse is it now with the extra barriers than what it was?

I thought the most dangerous parts where the corner as you came over the hill, and turn 1, the barriers may be slightly closer over the hill, but turn one they are in about the same place,

[nodrog]

should it not be up to the rider themselves if they want to race at pukekohe, I mean i can understand not having nationals there, but how much worse is it now with the extra barriers than what it was?

I thought the most dangerous parts where the corner as you came over the hill, and turn 1, the barriers may be slightly closer over the hill, but turn one they are in about the same place,

Don't be retarded, its up to somebody else to decide for you.

[trustme]

MNZ will have a ' duty of care ' or some such liability. It is encumbent on them to ensure that the event is as safe as practicable for both competitors & spectators.
Just because riders say ' it's OK I'll run the risk ' does not absolve MNZ of liability if shit goes wrong .
Kind of surprised we are going back there. I think Puke has done it's dash , then again I thought upgrading Eden Park was a short sighted stop gap solution.

Puke = restricted operating hours , noise police , parade type racing, it has no long term future.

[scott411]

MNZ will have a ' duty of care ' or some such liability. It is encumbent on them to ensure that the event is as safe as practicable for both competitors & spectators.
Just because riders say ' it's OK I'll run the risk ' does not absolve MNZ of liability if shit goes wrong .
Kind of surprised we are going back there. I think Puke has done it's dash , then again I thought upgrading Eden Park was a short sighted stop gap solution.

Puke = restricted operating hours , noise police , parade type racing, it has no long term future.

duty of care only goes so far, as all the other circuits that have had deaths at them continue on, and so do street circuits, you have a duty of care to make things as safe as possible, not to remove all risk,

[trustme]

Don't say that too loud or street circuits will go as well. Not too many other places still have them, IOM & Ireland . Where else ?
The problem comes with ' as safe as possible '. One persons safe is another's idea of dangerous. It's a judgement call, never going to please everyone.

[sidecar bob]

Puke has always had walls & fences that can fuck you up big time, for fucks sake, am I the only one that ever noticed?

[nodrog]

Puke has always had walls & fences that can fuck you up big time, for fucks sake, am I the only one that ever noticed?

Now you're just being silly.

[Billy]

Puke has always had walls & fences that can fuck you up big time, for fucks sake, am I the only one that ever noticed?

Of course it has,

Even worse, If youve been round long enough, You'd remember the light stand on the outside of turn 1 that claimed the life of one of the Welington Motorcycles team and very nearly your mate Robbie Deans at the very first Geoff Perry memorial meeting when he ditched his Commando there in the wet, Or the earthmover tyres that used to lay on the outside of turn one in later years that nearly claimed Steve Leggett, Yip Puke's always been dangerous and had many alterations over the years, Some for the better, Some for the worse, As it was explained to me by a number of people who inspected the track following this last lot (Including Stroudy who had actually ridden there), The problem wasn't necessarily the walls so much as the proximity to the edge of the track which would most likely result in machines being ejected back out into the traffic and that it was unsafe for top level competition.

[nodrog]

Don't say that too loud or street circuits will go as well. Not too many other places still have them, IOM & Ireland . Where else ?
The problem comes with ' as safe as possible '. One persons safe is another's idea of dangerous. It's a judgement call, never going to please everyone.

That is why the duty of care which is read out at every riders briefing Basically states, every practical step has been made to make the event as safe as possible, if you have any concerns please see an official, if your concerns cannot be addressed and you still feel unsafe please feel free to pack up and go home, motorcycle racing may not be for you.

[swarfie]

I've raced at Paeroa from the first one in 1992 and for nearly every one since. I walked down the main street a couple of years ago cringing at the safety measures...don't look Ethel...too late she already see'd. Hasn't stopped me racing there yet and not likely too either. Ya do what ya gotta do. Puke is probably far safer now than when it was bordered by Armco with all those bolts sticking out. There's cheese graters all along our roads these days. Does that stop us riding on them? The Classic Festival is a great event...see you there:niceone:

[nodrog]

I've raced at Paeroa from the first one in 1992 and for nearly every one since. I walked down the main street a couple of years ago cringing at the safety measures...don't look Ethel...too late she already see'd. Hasn't stopped me racing there yet and not likely too either. Ya do what ya gotta do. Puke is probably far safer now than when it was bordered by Armco with all those bolts sticking out. There's cheese graters all along our roads these days. Does that stop us riding on them? The Classic Festival is a great event...see you there:niceone:

We can hold hands, just to be safe.

[jellywrestler]

We can hold hands, just to be safe.

you'll need a safe word for that one

[sidecar bob]

I understand anecdotally that "orange" & "red" are two commonly used safe words for BDSM.
Also, the organisers could experiment with a permanent mounted yellow flag for any area they have a major issue with.

[nodrog]

Bob Dobalina Sex Machine?

[ellipsis]

Bob Dobalina Sex Machine?

...is that the two stroke 500cc machine?...I wouldn't mind one of them...

[jellywrestler]

I understand anecdotally that "orange" & "red" are two commonly used safe words for BDSM.
Also, the organisers could experiment with a permanent mounted yellow flag for any area they have a major issue with.

problem with flags being left out for too long is when there is another incident riders often think that's just the last one...

[jellywrestler]

I understand anecdotally that "orange" & "red" are two commonly used safe words for BDSM.
A, My Mrs usese the Red word, on average every 28 days.

[Big Dog]

I understand anecdotally that "orange" & "red" are two commonly used safe words for BDSM.
Also, the organisers could experiment with a permanent mounted yellow flag for any area they have a major issue with.

Like anything that is always there. Eventually you don't see it anymore.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[sidecar bob]

Apparently Macau had a number of permanently mounted yellow flags.

[Grumph]

Apparently Macau had a number of permanently mounted yellow flags.

Mm, designating areas the organisers deemed too narrow for safe passing I believe.

If you did the same at puke, you'd have to cone the track down to single lane as some B is always going to have a go in the heat of the moment....

[sidecar bob]

A yellow flag is a yellow flag, if people are too caught up in the moment to notice it, they should probably be asked to load up & head off, the flags should be at the top of your list of things to notice while racing, along with all instructions from riders briefing.
Racing is about heightened awareness of your surroundings, not riding a bike like a selfish retard to win a plastic trophy, or in this case, absolutely nothing.
I'm quite happy to rip around Puke for a weekend, because I understand the risks & will operate my bike according to the guidelines already suggested by the organisers.
My attitude to classic racing is that by this time next week, nobody will remember who won, who lost, or who broke their head trying.

[Grumph]

A yellow flag is a yellow flag, if people are too caught up in the moment to notice it, they should probably be asked to load up & head off, the flags should be at the top of your list of things to notice while racing, along with all instructions from riders briefing.
Racing is about heightened awareness of your surroundings, not riding a bike like a selfish retard to win a plastic trophy, or in this case, absolutely nothing.
I'm quite happy to rip around Puke for a weekend, because I understand the risks & will operate my bike according to the guidelines already suggested by the organisers.
My attitude to classic racing is that by this time next week, nobody will remember who won, who lost, of who broke their head trying.

Quite agree...But talk to Gordy about the angst last weekend at Levels caused by passing under yellows. The problem with Classic and post classic racers is that in the main, they don't race enough...Most are occasional racers who don't have the attention level required - and which is gained by regular exposure to the system. You're safer at the Nats IMO, regardless of the higher speeds, because you're surrounded by people who know what to do and do it more often.
FWIW, I hear CAMS may have had enough of passing under yellow and it may yet be a trailering offence for them.

[Billy]

Quite agree...But talk to Gordy about the angst last weekend at Levels caused by passing under yellows.
FWIW, I hear CAMS may have had enough of passing under yellow and it may yet be a trailering offence for them.

Problem is Greg,

For the most part, People who pass under a yellow are let go with little more than a "Please don't do that again" , Passing under a yellow should be regaded as a serious offence as who know's whats on the other side till you get there ???

Starting an event with a yellow flag is a clear admission theres an issue, If Puke is no more dangerous than it was before, Why is there a need for a yellow anywhere on the circuit before a wheel has even turned ?? Nope, I'm sure Puke will be fine for a demonstration type event the classic register have planned, But for all intensive purposes, With the info I collected when commissioner from Stroudy and a number of senior officials with many years experience, It is not safe for serious motorcycle competition.

[nodrog]

Quite agree...But talk to Gordy about the angst last weekend at Levels caused by passing under yellows. The problem with Classic and post classic racers is that in the main, they don't race enough...Most are occasional racers who don't have the attention level required - and which is gained by regular exposure to the system. You're safer at the Nats IMO, regardless of the higher speeds, because you're surrounded by people who know what to do and do it more often.
FWIW, I hear CAMS may have had enough of passing under yellow and it may yet be a trailering offence for them.

You have forgotten that most of the old boys have been racing for decades, most of them before the cloth bit was added to the flags.

far safer than some 12 year old whos father filled out the online questionnaire required to gain an mnz license.

South islanders do yellow flags a bit differently to the rest of the world it seems.

[Grumph]

You have forgotten that most of the old boys have been racing for decades, most of them before the cloth bit was added to the flags.

far safer than some 12 year old whos father filled out the online questionnaire required to gain an mnz license.

South islanders do yellow flags a bit differently to the rest of the world it seems.

Old boys, ha, i'm one of them...and no, I stand by what i said, in the main, classic and post classic competitors don't fit that description.
We see numbers of newbies who jump straight into posties on big bikes. Not ideal but what can you do as a club except try and bring them up to speed gradually. which some resist...

Cams are one of the very few clubs i've struck who actually try and do everything by the book.

[Billy]

.

Cams are one of the very few clubs i've struck who actually try and do everything by the book.

Ah well, Theres your problem right there, You don't fit in with the oldboys North Island culture. But your right, Despite some folks perception, Lachie and Dave run a good commonsense meeting with the rules administered to a very good level AND good communication with those who need to be kept in the loop, That just will not do !!!!

[nodrog]

Ah well, Theres your problem right there, You don't fit in with the oldboys North Island culture. But your right, Despite some folks perception, Lachie and Dave run a good commonsense meeting with the rules administered to a very good level AND good communication with those who need to be kept in the loop, That just will not do !!!!

Maybe you should have been at riders briefing then.

[Murray]

P.S I like your posts, they give me the lolz.

Ditto to you

Just saying

[nodrog]

Ditto to you

Just saying

Cool story.

[scrivy]

Cool story.

Then straight to bed then you two......

[Big Dog]

Then straight to bed then you two......

Classics at puke were always great for pitching a tent.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Voltaire]

Entries close tomorrow.

[nick2slow]

If you think puke is no worse than before you are a fool. Its only good for cars....just. track surface is a semi mx track. Ive ridden at the classic fest for many years now and also ridden at nat level to watch lives gone. Top riders end there racing, and so many near death accidents. All because of the track conditions. Im choosing not to ride there which really sucks because the meet is great. Save my pennies for eastern creek in march

[Voltaire]

Hmmm....first outing on a pre war Velocette with girders could be interesting then :shit:

[FROSTY]

If you think puke is no worse than before you are a fool. Its only good for cars....just. track surface is a semi mx track. Ive ridden at the classic fest for many years now and also ridden at nat level to watch lives gone. Top riders end there racing, and so many near death accidents. All because of the track conditions. Im choosing not to ride there which really sucks because the meet is great. Save my pennies for eastern creek in march
hey nick--when is he last time you rode around pukie?
NO I'm not looking for a fight. i'd genuinely like to know how up to date your information is.
f it is recent what would be the effect of a chicane and airfence on and leading to the "hill" ??

[nick2slow]

f it is recent what would be the effect of a chicane and airfence on and leading to the "hill" ??[/QUOTE]

Really!!??. Y not just race at the go kart track?? Lets move on

[Billy]

f it is recent what would be the effect of a chicane and airfence on and leading to the "hill" ??

Really!!??. Y not just race at the go kart track?? Lets move on

Don't waste your time Nick, You can't stop idiots from hurting themselves, Some folks just can't let go of the past.

GO KART Track ??? Now your talking, When Stroudy gets back we should organise a day at Hamilton kart track, Maybe get Scotty Moir along as well ???

[jellywrestler]

Really!!??. Y not just race at the go kart track?? Lets move on

Don't waste your time Nick, You can't stop idiots from hurting themselves, Some folks just can't let go of the past.

GO KART Track ??? Now your talking, When Stroudy gets back we should organise a day at Hamilton kart track, Maybe get Scotty Moir along as well ???

five of us former nz champs in sidecars had an arvo at indoor karts, was freaking entertaining i tell ya.
i know it's not the grown up carts but few of the sidecar lads are.

[Billy]

Don't waste your time Nick, You can't stop idiots from hurting themselves, Some folks just can't let go of the past.

GO KART Track ??? Now your talking, When Stroudy gets back we should organise a day at Hamilton kart track, Maybe get Scotty Moir along as well ???

five of us former nz champs in sidecars had an arvo at indoor karts, was freaking entertaining i tell ya.
i know it's not the grown up carts but few of the sidecar lads are.

Yea,

And who could forget the great Queenstown rental scooter GP held on the BMX track at the bottom of the gondola 89/90 season, Many a bent rental scooter returned that day in Qtown or the Pee Wee GP at QE2 Park 85/86 season haha, Fun times they were, Sadly that stuff has gone from the sport

[sugilite]

Yea,

And who could forget the great Queenstown rental scooter GP held on the BMX track at the bottom of the gondola 89/90 season, Many a bent rental scooter returned that day in Qtown

Haha! I heard about that, any truth in the rumor the two stroke boys were whisking said scooters into the back of their vans, whipping the heads and barrels off to do a quick tune up? :lol:

[jellywrestler]

Sadly that stuff has gone from the sport

Bullshit Billy, I saw someone last season toasting their own marshmallows in the pits, both pink and white ones too.

[sidecar bob]

Yea,

And who could forget the great Queenstown rental scooter GP held on the BMX track at the bottom of the gondola 89/90 season, Many a bent rental scooter returned that day in Qtown or the Pee Wee GP at QE2 Park 85/86 season haha, Fun times they were, Sadly that stuff has gone from the sport

Hopefully a little more respect for the property of others has sneaked in.

[Billy]

Haha! I heard about that, any truth in the rumor the two stroke boys were whisking said scooters into the back of their vans, whipping the heads and barrels off to do a quick tune up? :lol:

Didn't see that happening but it wouldn't surprise me.

[Billy]

Bullshit Billy, I saw someone last season toasting their own marshmallows in the pits, both pink and white ones too.

Yea, But they did it in their pit next to their fuel container and machine on the barbecue theyre allowed in the pits, Thankfully their not allowed to smoke though, Might start a fire eh!!!

[racer40]

i know its gone off topic but i raced at the scooter race that year at queenstown, i think doug mcloed won. the following year it was alot bigger with a track on a wet grassy feild with lots more bikes, and yes riders were taking mufflers , indicaters and lights off as well as head gaskets. I still have a scar on my back from that day. also simon crafer borrowed one of the hire bikes at the end of racing and promply jumped of the wharf into the lake

[racer40]

As for puke its not a motorcycle race track anymore

[Billy]

i know its gone off topic but i raced at the scooter race that year at queenstown, i think doug mcloed won. the following year it was alot bigger with a track on a wet grassy feild with lots more bikes, and yes riders were taking mufflers , indicaters and lights off as well as head gaskets. I still have a scar on my back from that day. also simon crafer borrowed one of the hire bikes at the end of racing and promply jumped of the wharf into the lake

Haha,

I'd forgotten about that, Seem to remember Dave Freeman snapped one in half at the BMX track as well or atleast it collapsed in the middle.

Luckily the youth of today are so much more respectful, Anybody wanna go to Gissy for New Year ??? Bring your own crash protection and fire extinguisher

[Grumph]

i know its gone off topic but i raced at the scooter race that year at queenstown, i think doug mcloed won. the following year it was alot bigger with a track on a wet grassy feild with lots more bikes, and yes riders were taking mufflers , indicaters and lights off as well as head gaskets. I still have a scar on my back from that day. also simon crafer borrowed one of the hire bikes at the end of racing and promply jumped of the wharf into the lake

yeah, holden couldn't stop laughing when he told us about it at teretonga. very scathing about scooter frames - folded too easily over jumps he reckoned.

Points up the differences when you have a small population - in the US and UK it was wrecking rental cars...in NZ, scooters....

[swarfie]

Only 8 entries for the sidecars so far. Come on guys and girls get your entry in, it's not too late. Contact me if you're in any doubt about not being able to race. It'll still be a competitive meeting despite what they're saying about it...common you know you want to :Punk:

[Voltaire]

BMW Tractor is up and running with its new suspenders, KTT Velo ride confirmed and ready to pick up :banana:
Should be a fun weekend.

[sidecar bob]

BMW Tractor is up and running with its new suspenders, KTT Velo ride confirmed and ready to pick up :banana:
Should be a fun weekend.

All my stuff is fucked, so I'm out. Might flaggie. Oh, hang on, there's a '73 MV Augusta in my van that came with race farings & a pile of spares, wonder how that got there!:2thumbsup

[Voltaire]

All my stuff is fucked, so I'm out. Might flaggie. Oh, hang on, there's a '73 MV Augusta in my van that came with race farings & a pile of spares, wonder how that got there!:2thumbsup


Bobastini or Hailsidebob?

[sidecar bob]

Bobastini or Hailsidebob?

Hopefully they did a better job attaching the steering head on the mv, the bloody BMW one kept falling out all over the place. :eek:

[Voltaire]

are they running the old back straight or the chicane one?

I was looking for the Wanganui Boxing day races and came up with Puke Truck Racing...

http://www.tv3.co.nz/tabid/3692/MCat/2915/Default.aspx :shit:

[nodrog]

are they running the old back straight or the chicane one?.....

you can choose on a lap by lap basis, its only cones.

[swarfie]

are they running the old back straight or the chicane one?

I'd want to hope it's the one with the chicane. Puke was a boring old goat track and needs to be something different...oh hang on, there's walls and things now :eek:
When we raced there for the first time on the big circuit in classic racing they put a chicane of hay bales about half way down the back straight and another one at the bottom of the "hill" on the front straight because they reckoned the old bangers would all blow up. Was a bloody disaster, as all the hay got spread about and made the track slippery. None of them shit themselves (well no more than normal:msn-wink:) so they didn't have the chicanes the next year.

[sidecar bob]

I'm swinging for Nev on the Matchy. That's going to be hard on the undies.
I guess it's better than plan a, which was only to do the regularatory parade on the MV. I'm not 70 yet, but didn't feel confident to fully race it safely, what with reversed controls & an upside down gearbox (to what I'm accustomed to) it would have been a recipie for disaster.

[jellywrestler]

I'm swinging for Nev on the Matchy. That's going to be hard on the undies.

his or yours?

[swarfie]

his or yours?

His...I'm used to it :shit:

[Voltaire]

CMCRR Newsflash: Changed to the rules are being sent out for voting. Looks like the pre 76 cut off might be about to go, wonder if they ditch the " no Japanese" bit too...?
Alignment with Aussie rules would seem the most logical step....

[malcy25]

CMCRR Newsflash: Changed to the rules are being sent out for voting. Looks like the pre 76 cut off might be about to go, wonder if they ditch the " no Japanese" bit too...?
Alignment with Aussie rules would seem the most logical step....

Volty

Is actually the constitution changes is what has been delivered, not any technical rules. Don't need the Aussie rules, pre 63-pre 89 are alreday covered in the MNZ rule book.

[Voltaire]

Volty

Is actually the constitution changes is what has been delivered, not any technical rules. Don't need the Aussie rules, pre 63-pre 89 are alreday covered in the MNZ rule book.

Cool, bring on the Honda 750/4's and the Suzuki 750 GT's :niceone:

[sidecar bob]

Cool, bring on the Honda 750/4's and the Suzuki 750 GT's :niceone:

And the 60's Honda six cylnders. :eek:

[swarfie]

Cool, bring on the Honda 750/4's and the Suzuki 750 GT's :niceone:

More classic sidecars with that stuff in them is what's needed :eek::niceone:

[Voltaire]

And the 60's Honda six cylnders. :eek:

and the MV Agusta's :niceone:

[nodrog]

Über Zeit , ich brauche noch ein paar Verbündete.

[scrivy]

Über Zeit , ich brauche noch ein paar Verbündete.

Wanna Wurzel oder ein kuscheln ? Oder einfach nur eine Felge Job ?

[Voltaire]

Wanna Wurzel oder ein kuscheln ? Oder einfach nur eine Felge Job ?

Felge? getting new rims for the BMW?....and a ground vegetable or hug?:rolleyes:

[scrivy]

Felge? getting new rims for the BMW?....and a ground vegetable or hug?:rolleyes:

Both..... :bleh:

[nodrog]

Wanna Wurzel oder ein kuscheln ? Oder einfach nur eine Felge Job ?

あなたは私が右のお尻までの飛行機を飛ばす、私の名誉を怒らせる。

[scrivy]

あなたは私が右のお尻までの飛行機を飛ばす、私の名誉を怒らせる。

I will not offend you NoddySan, neither your honour or your ass.....

Shikashi, watashi wa anata o reipu shimasu...

[sidecar bob]

and the MV Agusta's :niceone:

I forgot about them, theyre so last week. :msn-wink:

[SlashWylde]

Am I correct in thinking that events are still on for today despite the weather?

[trustme]

Weather ,! What weather ?? Fair bit of practice was wettish but racing was on a dry track.
Should be much the same again tomorrow.
Good racing conditions this arvo, not too hot, not too sunny , dry warm track.

Almost starting to like Puke,
Almost .

[nodrog]

Am I correct in thinking that events are still on for today despite the weather?

Im pretty sure motorcycles still go in the rain.

[quickbuck]

Im pretty sure motorcycles still go in the rain.

Yup, and tyre companies spend millions developing tyres for such an occasion. Then they sell them to racers so they can partake in such events....

Pretty lucky really otherwise there would be no motorcycle racing in the UK at all.

[Mental Trousers]

Almost starting to like Puke,
Almost .

Don't fall into that trap.

[Voltaire]

I got black flagged and a telling off for........having my jacket only 1/2 zipped up.:confused:

The 1934 KTT Velocette 350 I was riding sure was fun. Waiting to be picked up on the main straight when the primary chain came off for 4 races not so much, next time I'll take my phone, a hat, book and some sammies.

On the plus side I got to watch jay Lawrence give it to the Ducati 900ss with the airhead BMW, just seemed to run out of legs....
:niceone:, great ride Jay.

[sidecar bob]

I had the most fun at a race meeting since I was at Puke last time.
I flogged the old MV around in the regularitory parade, affectionately known in our pit as "the Metamucil challenge"
We had a History of Britten presentation on Saturday night chaired by Kevin Grant, Britten owner, with Andrew Stroud & Steve Briggs on the stage, I could have listened to their stories till midnight.
Both Kevin's Britten & the CR&S yellow & black bike were demonstrated several times over the weekend at very close to full race pace, with Stroud finishing with a full front straight wheelie on the blue & pink bike.
I Got third in the series in pre '76 solo & sidecars, both on BMW's.
Tried to give Voltaire a few pointers on getting down behind the fairing on his Beemer up the straight, but he still looked like he was going for milk on Sunday, ahh well, next time mate.
Long may the festival remain at Puke, thanks very much to Kevin Grant & the team that made it all happen.

[Voltaire]

After I got my milk took this with my phone.
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/rednzep/IMAG2640_zpseb3cpcgn.jpg

[Motu]

Oh dear, look at the bike park - no one came!!!! They blew it last year going to Hampton Downs, and looks like they aren't coming back. I didn't go either, didn't miss it one bit.

[merv]

Is motorsport in serious trouble worse than other sports with lack of attendance? I watched a bit of the the Hampton Downs car meeting on TV3 this afternoon and the turnout looked worse than for the Barry Sheene bike meeting, meaning lucky if a few hundred showed up.

[quickbuck]

Is motorsport in serious trouble worse than other sports with lack of attendance? I watched a bit of the the Hampton Downs car meeting on TV3 this afternoon and the turnout looked worse than for the Barry Sheene bike meeting, meaning lucky if a few hundred showed up.

Apparently 79 entries... and yup, a very pitiful audience....

My thoughts are that Motorsport in this country in general needs to take a leaf out of, dare I say it, Rugby Leagues book.
That sport was rubbish in the 80's. Nobody wanted to watch.
Now they start up a 9's Series (13 is a standard team size for non fans) and it just takes off!

Why?
Because the FANS have their favourite tem they want to follow!

What do we do in motorsport?
Well alienate the fans mostly. No promotion, no national coverage, no advanced warning of events to the public.
Well, I say NO, but to be fair there is some, but it is not good enough.

We NEED a Dean Lonergan!
That guy can promote anything!

[Motu]

The Classic Festival is not about ''Teams'', ''Fans''....objectives and outcomes. People go to see great bikes - on the track and in the parking lot. Sometimes they'll go to see a big name like Ago or Paul Smart, but your Voltaires' are just the people who ride one of those bikes you wished you owned. The racing is not important to those who attend, it's an ''atmosphere'' - and that's what they've lost.

[gammaguy]

Yea,

And who could forget the great Queenstown rental scooter GP held on the BMX track at the bottom of the gondola 89/90 season, Many a bent rental scooter returned that day in Qtown or the Pee Wee GP at QE2 Park 85/86 season haha, Fun times they were, Sadly that stuff has gone from the sport

I remember both of those,those peewees were wicked.

Im pretty sure a certain Mr Holden did himself a mischief at that one

[gammaguy]

Yup, and tyre companies spend millions developing tyres for such an occasion. Then they sell them to racers so they can partake in such events....

Pretty lucky really otherwise there would be no motorcycle racing in the UK at all.


Or malaysia

[trustme]

Oh dear, look at the bike park - no one came!!!! They blew it last year going to Hampton Downs, and looks like they aren't coming back. I didn't go either, didn't miss it one bit.

The move away from HD was pretty much forced on them but I suspect the festival will now continue at Puke. Speaking to Trevor Heaphy at the end of play , he was happy with the way the meet had gone, everyone had ridden sensibly in the more dangerous parts of the track & treated it as a high speed ride rather than all out racing, he was not keen on open posties running there & certainly not up to scratch for superbikes.
Meeting was in the black despite the small crowd.

[swarfie]

A GREAT weekend and fun had by all that I could see and talk to. Shame the Register never did more advertising for the meeting...did they do any? I never heard any apart from the bit in the Hamilton News about Barry Jelaca. More advertising and I'm sure it would have been more like the great meetings of past at Puke. The Matchless ran faultlessly winning all of it's class races with a 1st and three 2nd's on track. Mark Halls swung for me (in the absence of Bobs ball bag) and apart from having a wee drag along the pits while we were starting the Matchy (I don't know why he didn't let go) he did well and he finally got to have his name on the David Bell Memorial trophy after 20 years of trying on his own sidecar. He came to the realisation the only way it was going to happen was to get on the WINNING sidecar. Got a 2nd on the Briggo and the little MKIV KTT Velo ran great and had some good dices with Owen on the Delacy Rudge beating him three out of four. Enough points to get my name back on the Velocette Trophy....Bloody Stoked. Only downside for me was having a wee lie down on Pete Butterworth's Velo Venom at Castrol in the wet on Saturday morning when the front tucked on me. Pissed me off as the new cam setup was working great and it felt the sharpest it has for ages and I was looking forward to having some good racing on it. To all you naysayers out there you all missed a bloody good meeting and I can't wait for a bigger and better Puke Festival next year. Well done to all involved...take a bow.

[sidecar bob]

Oh dear, look at the bike park - no one came!!!! They blew it last year going to Hampton Downs, and looks like they aren't coming back. I didn't go either, didn't miss it one bit.

To be fair, they were the last two bikes on track for the day & crowds had thinned a lot by then.
Attendance was not spectacular, but it was far greater at mid day.

[Voltaire]

A GREAT weekend and fun had by all that I could see and talk to. Shame the Register never did more advertising for the meeting...did they do any? I never heard any apart from the bit in the Hamilton News about Barry Jelaca. More advertising and I'm sure it would have been more like the great meetings of past at Puke. The Matchless ran faultlessly winning all of it's class races with a 1st and three 2nd's on track. Mark Halls swung for me (in the absence of Bobs ball bag) and apart from having a wee drag along the pits while we were starting the Matchy (I don't know why he didn't let go) he did well and he finally got to have his name on the David Bell Memorial trophy after 20 years of trying on his own sidecar. He came to the realisation the only way it was going to happen was to get on the WINNING sidecar. Got a 2nd on the Briggo and the little MKIV KTT Velo ran great and had some good dices with Owen on the Delacy Rudge beating him three out of four. Enough points to get my name back on the Velocette Trophy....Bloody Stoked. Only downside for me was having a wee lie down on Pete Butterworth's Velo Venom at Castrol in the wet on Saturday morning when the front tucked on me. Pissed me off as the new cam setup was working great and it felt the sharpest it has for ages and I was looking forward to having some good racing on it. To all you naysayers out there you all missed a bloody good meeting and I can't wait for a bigger and better Puke Festival next year. Well done to all involved...take a bow.

Wot he said.:niceone:
Velo's sure have a huge fanbase, I was getting lots of questions about Peter Butterworths KTT MK5. There are not many bikes you can see the valves going up and down and the chains spinning around....and sometimes disappearing down the track....:laugh:
I used to go most years as a spectator thinking it would be fun to ride around the track, many years later have achieved that and met a lot of interesting people ( and Gordie) and made quite a few new friends along the way.
At bucket racing where I started off they had a spare bike for interested people to have a go on, the Regularity Parade might be a good place to start with a 'loaner' bike?....once you get the bug you won't go back to the other side of the pits :msn-wink:

[nodrog]

Wot he said.:niceone:
Velo's sure have a huge fanbase, I was getting lots of questions about Peter Butterworths KTT MK5. There are not many bikes you can see the valves going up and down and the chains spinning around....and sometimes disappearing down the track....:laugh:
I used to go most years as a spectator thinking it would be fun to ride around the track, many years later have achieved that and met a lot of interesting people ( and Gordie) and made quite a few new friends along the way.
At bucket racing where I started off they had a spare bike for interested people to have a go on, the Regularity Parade might be a good place to start with a 'loaner' bike?....once you get the bug you won't go back to the other side of the pits :msn-wink:

You must be better looking than me, nobody asked me to ride anything.

[swarfie]

You must be better looking than me, nobody asked me to ride anything.

I offered you a swing on the Matchy but your nads are too small:laugh:

[nodrog]

I offered you a swing on the Matchy but your nads are too small:laugh:

Dude I don't even passenger in a car very well.

[scrivy]

Dude I don't even passenger in a car very well.

Well why didnt you two swap possies then......? Both would have had puckered assholes.....

...and thats before the racing.....;)

[swarfie]

Well why didnt you two swap possies then......? Both would have had puckered assholes.....

...and thats before the racing.....;)

Stuff that...he's too much of a ruff coont. I 've only swung on my own chair once....and that was with someone I trusted :shifty:

[Stirts]

Stuff that...he's too much of a ruff coont.

That's why I married him...oh wait http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt137/auntb93also/Emoticons/backingout.gif

[Big Dog]

The Classic Festival is not about ''Teams'', ''Fans''....objectives and outcomes. People go to see great bikes - on the track and in the parking lot. Sometimes they'll go to see a big name like Ago or Paul Smart, but your Voltaires' are just the people who ride one of those bikes you wished you owned. The racing is not important to those who attend, it's an ''atmosphere'' - and that's what they've lost.

What he said. 2010 was awesome. High attendance. Good racing. Great atmosphere.
2015 was pretty sad by comparison.
Few trade stalls.
Limited crowd.
Just not the same.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[sidecar bob]

What he said. 2010 was awesome. High attendance. Good racing. Great atmosphere.
2015 was pretty sad by comparison.
Few trade stalls.
Limited crowd.
Just not the same.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

They had lost the continuity of an event that had been run there for 30 plus years. It will take a while to gain momentum again, but im sure it will.
The best way I can think of to help is to turn up & race & bring a mate.

[scrivy]

The best way I can think of to help is to turn up & race & bring a mate.

Absolutely!

Also, if you are in the 'know' about what events are on, please advertise the details to all and sundry that you communicate with. Whether this is KB, Faecesbook, twatter, redpad, or just plain old email. The more people that you tell, the more they tell etc etc....
It irks me when naysayers go 'There was no advertising'....... We all have to promote our sport to the masses......

Image how much your entry fees will go up when there are no spectators to offset the clubs costs......

You owe it to yourself and your racing buddies to promote our sport to the masses.

[old rig]

You must be better looking than me, nobody asked me to ride anything.

I heard you couldn't ride anything after spending the night with a 42 year old Italian lass

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[Voltaire]

I heard you couldn't ride anything after spending the night with a 42 year old Italian lass

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

Hides her age well :rolleyes:

http://image.hondatuningmagazine.com/f/features/htup_1105_honda_motocompo_trunk_bike/36364824/htup-1105-04-o%2Bhonda-motocompo-trunk-bike%2Bfolded-key.jpg

[old rig]

Hides her age well :rolleyes:

http://image.hondatuningmagazine.com/f/features/htup_1105_honda_motocompo_trunk_bike/36364824/htup-1105-04-o%2Bhonda-motocompo-trunk-bike%2Bfolded-key.jpg

God he had a 3some cause that's Japanese not Italian

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[sidecar bob]

God he had a 3some cause that's Japanese not Italian

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

Its a small Japanese boy, quite disturbing!!

[old rig]

Its a small Japanese boy, quite disturbing!!

Not really i heard that was in a bit of B&D all weekend

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[Big Dog]

I totally agree with the bring a mate philosophy but I do think that price should have been part of the marketing strategy for a returning event.
Being in the black on your first year at a new or return to an old location is a pretty good indicator you are either charging too much or paying too little. Especially off the size of the crowd.

I am always a little put off when price is the same for a day as the weekend. Didn't stop me going, but it irked me somewhat. To be fair the Inlaws bought us our tickets because we were not going to go. No money in the coffers for fun times on that short a notice.

I would have been happier paying more if I had been self funding if there had been more going on, like a show and shine, a bike wash etc.

What I liked most about 2010 was camping out for the weekend and chatting with the hundreds of other campers some like our campsite neighbours who had come from Australia, America and Europe, and of course the racers.

This thread was the only reason I knew it was on, I let the inlaws know because 2010 had been my introduction to something I never new about until their invitation. They have been CMRR supporters for many years. The first they heard from anyone other than me was a week before the event.
Bring a mate goes a long way, telling the people on the clubs contact list is probably far more important.

I am not having a whinge. I got to go for free and for the same price could have camped out for the weekend if timing at my end was better. What I am saying is I am glad things went well, I do want to see the festival become a fixture people look forward to and that means making it fun and family friendly.

That would be the part where I do have a short whinge about opportunity lost for the club:
Why was no one selling hearing protection? Sun protection?
Why was it such a nightmare to cross the track with a push chair? Like many people i know fun on the weekends gets vetoed if you can't take the kids.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[calmone]

We went out on Saturday and it was certainly good to be back at Pukekohe it just seems to be the right fit for Bikes. The "racing" was good and competitive and seeing both of the Brittens together was well worth the visit.
There was no marketing of the event, which did not help the crowd numbers, but look at what else was on around the area that day, there was a lot of competition. Drags, Supertourers, the League 9,s etc.
Pricing was a bit steep, for one day but the three day pass is cheap at $30.00.
I love the Barry Sheene at Hampton Downs, and if Puke can be used again as well we are pretty spoilt for options.
Just need to get the KSS Velo back together in time for next year, it was last raced in 1938 so it is due another outing.

[nodrog]

.......why was no one selling hearing protection? Sun protection? probably because they thought people were smart enough to bring their own.
Why was it such a nightmare to cross the track with a push chair? I think there may have been some motorcycles using it .Like many people i know fun on the weekends gets vetoed if you can't take the kids. I seem to recall seeing a big tunnelly thing that could be used to go over the track.
......

____________________

[sidecar bob]

You couldnt pitch a tent for a night at the local Top Ten Camping ground for the cost of entry, let alone get two & a half days entertainment from millions of dollars worth of interesting machinery. (two Brittens alone are worth millions)
While you are camping there you arent wearing out your bike or spending money elswhere, or using power or water at home.
Keep it in perspective, its probably the cheapest place in NZ you could spend three days of your life, (five boxes of piss not included)
Id say being in the black in the first year suggests the event was managed by a very astute businessman with a huge passion for extremely cool motorcycles, which it was.
Is there a need for an event to bleed $$$ for a few years to be worthy? interesting concept indeed.

[Big Dog]

____________________

The big Tunnelly thing is a nightmare with a pushchair. Other events at the same track have scheduled crossings during the breaks in racing.
I did have enough sunscreen but due to the short notice did not have enough hearing protection to go around... short trip home resolved that but most people don't live 10 minutes down the road, my point was if you only want to appeal to the existing hard core you never get any fresh blood. Every year the numbers will slowly thin and the relative cost of racing will go up.
Make it something that appeals to the public and there will be more spectators, more supporters, better value for sponsors, probably more sponsors and lower costs for the entrants.

I don't expect hospo tents and fashion parade, but I have to be honest, had we known how it was and had I been paying either I would have gone alone or not at all.


The highlight of our day was watching my 2 year old and 11 month old get so excited they were shaking about all the bikes.

[jasonu]

____________________

Quote Originally Posted by Big Dog View Post




.......why was no one selling hearing protection? Sun protection? An opportunity (to sell stuff to people that forgot theirs) for a profit was missed Why was it such a nightmare to cross the track with a push chair? It shouldn't be an issue. In the past the crossing gates were briefly opened between races and at lunch break (at the COC discretion).Like many people i know fun on the weekends gets vetoed if you can't take the kids. Ever tried to pack a pushchair up those steps? Motorcycle racing in NZ cannot afford to alienate any potential customers. From what I have heard there were buggar all punters at the Classics meeting.
......

I got rid of your overly harsh comments and replaced them with some more constructive ones.

[nodrog]

Quote Originally Posted by Big Dog View Post




.......why was no one selling hearing protection? Sun protection? An opportunity (to sell stuff to people that forgot theirs) for a profit was missed Why was it such a nightmare to cross the track with a push chair? It shouldn't be an issue. In the past the crossing gates were briefly opened between races and at lunch break (at the COC discretion).Like many people i know fun on the weekends gets vetoed if you can't take the kids. Motorcycle racing in NZ cannot afford to alienate any potential customers. From what I have heard there were buggar all punters at the Classics meeting.
......

I got rid of your overly harsh comments and replaced them with some more constructive ones.

Sunscreen and hearing aids could have been sold, and if they were I guarantee somebody would have whinged about the price.

The crossing was opened during the day between races, its just bad luck it didn't fit into peoples busy schedule.

If you can squeeze a baby out of a vagina I'm pretty sure negotiating a push chair through a tunnel isn't that hard.

[Big Dog]

You couldnt pitch a tent for a night at the local Top Ten Camping ground for the cost of entry, let alone get two & a half days entertainment from millions of dollars worth of interesting machinery. (two Brittens alone are worth millions)
While you are camping there you arent wearing out your bike or spending money elswhere, or using power or water at home.
Keep it in perspective, its probably the cheapest place in NZ you could spend three days of your life, (five boxes of piss not included)
Id say being in the black in the first year suggests the event was managed by a very astute businessman with a huge passion for extremely cool motorcycles, which it was.
Is there a need for an event to bleed $$$ for a few years to be worthy? interesting concept indeed.

Yes, that is pretty cheap camping alright.
I don't mean to imply it was poorly managed. I just wonder how much could be gained by a little more exposure.
If it is so profitable why was not more spent on improving turnout? Would increasing the numbers have cost so much it defeated itself?
I think that the event should be profitable.
I think that the cost is not prohibitive, if viewed on the scale of a weekend for $30. It becomes a little less appealing when that is for an afternoon.

[Big Dog]

Quote Originally Posted by Big Dog View Post




.......why was no one selling hearing protection? Sun protection? An opportunity (to sell stuff to people that forgot theirs) for a profit was missed Why was it such a nightmare to cross the track with a push chair? It shouldn't be an issue. In the past the crossing gates were briefly opened between races and at lunch break (at the COC discretion).Like many people i know fun on the weekends gets vetoed if you can't take the kids. Ever tried to pack a pushchair up those steps? Motorcycle racing in NZ cannot afford to alienate any potential customers. From what I have heard there were buggar all punters at the Classics meeting.
......

I got rid of your overly harsh comments and replaced them with some more constructive ones.

Didn't realise I was being a smart arse, I was trying to be constructive.

People on this forum are asking all the time why the turnout is so low and how can things improve.
Guess I'll just sit quietly in the corner and not go next time.

[sidecar bob]

The big Tunnelly thing is a nightmare with a pushchair.you wanted to bring kids, you knew that's how the track was crossed, work with it, I did with my now grown up kids & it never occurred to me that I should whine about it until just now Other events at the same track have scheduled crossings during the breaks in racing.they were trying to get maximum racing in with minimum breaks, work with it instead of behaving like a special needs unit that wants proceedings to cease so they can push juniour without being inconvenienced
I did have enough sunscreen but due to the short notice did not have enough hearing protection to go around... short trip home resolved that but most people don't live 10 minutes down the road, for fucks sake, classic bikes are loud, it's hardly a new thing, get better organised next timemy point was if you only want to appeal to the existing hard core you never get any fresh blood. Every year the numbers will slowly thin and the relative cost of racing will go up.its gone up every year since 1903, I can't see that stopping, well done Eienstein
Make it something that appeals to the public and there will be more spectators, more supporters, better value for sponsors, probably more sponsors and lower costs for the entrants.i hardly felt hard done by with my entry fee, which was six times what a spectator paid for a weekend pass

I don't expect hospo tents and fashion parade, I think you fuckin do actually, and a helicopter ride over to the infieldbut I have to be honest, had we known how it was and had I been paying either I would have gone alone or not at all. im not entirely sure your complaining, negative special needs ass would have been missed


The highlight of our day was watching my 2 year old and 11 month old get so excited they were shaking about all the bikes.
Did that not make it all worthwhile?
But all this & somebody else actually paid your entry fee. I'm honestly not sure what to make of it all.

[jasonu]

Did that not make it all worthwhile?

Well that's a party of at least 4 paying customers that likely won't be back...

[Big Dog]

Did that not make it all worthwhile?

For me, yes.

As a family very nearly not.

With regard to the gate openings if the person operating the gate had been able to offer us more information than they weill be opened at 5, we would not have felt put out.
It is not like we rocked up to the gate demanding they be opened. We asked if they would and were told they would not. Less than 10 minutes after making our way across the skywalk the gate was openend. That was when I got an earful.

[jasonu]

Didn't realise I was being a smart arse, I was trying to be constructive.

People on this forum are asking all the time why the turnout is so low and how can things improve.
Guess I'll just sit quietly in the corner and not go next time.

I was having a dig at nodrogs reply to your post. I happen to agree with your comments.

[Big Dog]

I was having a dig at nodrogs reply to your post. I happen to agree with your comments.

All I want is to be able to attend this type of event in the future:
* without constantly hearing the event is in jeopardy because of low spectator turnout.
* with my wife and child without feeling like a leper for bringing them.
* to be able to recommend the event to all my friends.

A nice bonus would be to hear about the event with enough time to schedule it in and have funds available instead of hearing about it the week after as happened the last few years.

[Kickaha]

I offered you a swing on the Matchy but your nads are too small:laugh:
If he wanted a turn on it then maybe he could have got them back off Tina for the weekend


You must be better looking than me, nobody asked me to ride anything.
They've probaby seen how many times you've broken your own Sidecar

[nodrog]

If he wanted a turn on it then maybe he could have got them back off Tina for the weekend


They've probaby seen how many times you've broken your own Sidecar

ive only broken it once

[sidecar bob]

For me, yes.

As a family very nearly not.

Less than 10 minutes after making our way across the skywalk the gate was openend. That was when I got an earful.

I suspect your ass is owned bro, you may want to look into that. :msn-wink:
You either want to come & see a weekend of classic bike racing for thirty bucks, or you don't. No amount of pandering to people who expect champagne on a beer budget will change that.
P.s, did you get an earful for not being able to predict the future? That's not a very good husband now is it.
Here's business idea for you. You could approach the organisers about running a stall that sells all the bits & bobs you thought should be on sale there, clearly you suspect it will do a roaring trade. They are doing it all again next weekend at Hampton Downs, i can hook you up with the chief organiser.

[trustme]

I have to agree with Bob, The race controllers really do have a hard time keeping things flowing, not everything goes according to plan. God forbid people have even been known to fall off , how dare they fuck with your families schedule. They should bleed in their own time so that you may cross the track at your leisure.

Sorry Buddy for being facetious but is the sky bridge really that onerous.

I love the kids coming to watch, they are the clubs future & maybe we need to do more to entertain them or even better, inspire them

[Big Dog]

I suspect your ass is owned bro, you may want to look into that. :msn-wink:
You either want to come & see a weekend of classic bike racing for thirty bucks, or you don't. No amount of pandering to people who expect champagne on a beer budget will change that.
P.s, did you get an earful for not being able to predict the future? That's not a very good husband now is it.
Here's business idea for you. You could approach the organisers about running a stall that sells all the bits & bobs you thought should be on sale there, clearly you suspect it will do a roaring trade. They are doing it all again next weekend at Hampton Downs, i can hook you up with the chief organiser.

Mate, many has been the time I have stood for 10 hours in the mud in foul weather to watch a days racing. But I only make up 25% of the people I am responsible for, less again of the potential spend for the weekend.

It ain't about ownership or bring soft. It is about wether I could be fucked bringing others. I have no reservations recommending paeroa or nationals to families. I'd like to feel the same about the classic festival.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[sidecar bob]

I watched for the best part of ten minutes while Bruce Williamson pushed a couple of gleeful kids up & down the pit driveway on his Triumph Sidecar. That's something you can't put a value on.

[Voltaire]

When I arrived on Friday there were some bikes parked on the crossing with some blokes taking pics so had to bleedin wait ten friggin minutes.....
so I got me phone out and .......
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p235/rednzep/IMAG2628_zpsjdq5soob.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/rednzep/media/IMAG2628_zpsjdq5soob.jpg.html)

[Big Dog]

I have to agree with Bob, The race controllers really do have a hard time keeping things flowing, not everything goes according to plan. God forbid people have even been known to fall off , how dare they fuck with your families schedule. They should bleed in their own time so that you may cross the track at your leisure.

Sorry Buddy for being facetious but is the sky bridge really that onerous.

I love the kids coming to watch, they are the clubs future & maybe we need to do more to entertain them or even better, inspire them
For one person, no.
For a family with a pushchair for 2 it was significantly inconvenient.
For a single person with the same a major hurdle.

I never said racing should be halted to allow us across. I am well aware of what is involved.
Racers expect good communication that includes at least an expectation of when they will race. They miss the window they miss out. The window is moved without notice according to need.

Is it really too much to expect the same courtesy for fans? Must we all be solitary martyrs to enjoy the sport?

Climbing the skyway carrying a pushchair and the needs two toddlers have for 6 hours is suddenly less of a chore when it is because you chose to rather than because you were misinformed.

My wife is a motorcycle and Motorsport fan. However she is definitely a lot less "resilient" and likely would have been "stranded" and just gone home without enjoying herself before the first hour was up.

My 2yo daughter has already decided her favourite bikes are SV650's, she prefers yellow ones.

The younger one prefers the ones that go "blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarp" in between gear changes.

Both girls had a ball.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Voltaire]

If you come out to Hampton Downs your kids are welcome to sit on my old BMW for some pics, I could maybe even get them some pics in a sidecar :yes:

[racer40]

I was at Hampton , and yes for the toyota series and V8 supa tourers there was a very small crowd, yes barry sheene would have had more. 2nd biggest class were the hyosong 250 bikes who had the closest racing all day, most car classes ran more laps under pace car than racing

[nzspokes]

They are doing it all again next weekend at Hampton Downs

To be fair I didnt know this was on. If its at Hampton this coming weekend I will try to head down with the kids.

[nodrog]

If you come out to Hampton Downs your kids are welcome to sit on my old BMW for some pics, I could maybe even get them some pics in a sidecar :yes:

Can I Sit on it?

[Big Dog]

If you come out to Hampton Downs your kids are welcome to sit on my old BMW for some pics, I could maybe even get them some pics in a sidecar :yes:

Would you per chance have a link to more details? When, where, how much etc.

Been meaning to make it to Hampton Downs but other commitments keep getting in the way.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Voltaire]

Can I Sit on it?


sure, can I drive your BMW with you swinging?:niceone:

Here is one of Gordie taken recently
http://2wheeltuesday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ogilvy-motorcycle-girls-4001.jpg

that's Simon Templar on the bike

[sidecar bob]

Would you per chance have a link to more details? When, where, how much etc.

Been meaning to make it to Hampton Downs but other commitments keep getting in the way.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

I just put a thread up about it. Stupid I pad, can't link it to this thread.

[Big Dog]

Cool, will look.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[nodrog]

sure, can I drive your BMW with you swinging?

Can I get the goat to fill in for me?

[Voltaire]

Can I get the goat to fill in for me?


only if it comes with a " you've been Swallowed sticker"

[Kickaha]

When I arrived on Friday there were some bikes parked on the crossing with some blokes taking pics so had to bleedin wait ten friggin minutes...
Should have just driven around them, apparently there's meant to be seven of those old shitters at the SOT you should come down for it

Can I Sit on it?
You'd break it

[old rig]

only if it comes with a " you've been Swallowed sticker"

Goridy wants a sticker that says

I KNOW PETE

Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

[jasonu]

All I want is to be able to attend this type of event in the future:
* without constantly hearing the event is in jeopardy because of low spectator turnout.
* with my wife and child without feeling like a leper for bringing them.
* to be able to recommend the event to all my friends.

A nice bonus would be to hear about the event with enough time to schedule it in and have funds available instead of hearing about it the week after as happened the last few years.
None of which sounds demanding or unreasonable


I suspect your ass is owned bro, you may want to look into that. :msn-wink:
You either want to come & see a weekend of classic bike racing for thirty bucks, or you don't. No amount of pandering to people who expect champagne on a beer budget will change that.
P.s, did you get an earful for not being able to predict the future? That's not a very good husband now is it.
Here's business idea for you. You could approach the organisers about running a stall that sells all the bits & bobs you thought should be on sale there, clearly you suspect it will do a roaring trade. They are doing it all again next weekend at Hampton Downs, i can hook you up with the chief organiser.
This group represents $120 at the gate and maybe another $??? at the consessions.



I have to agree with Bob, The race controllers really do have a hard time keeping things flowing, not everything goes according to plan. God forbid people have even been known to fall off , how dare they fuck with your families schedule. They should bleed in their own time so that you may cross the track at your leisure.

Sorry Buddy for being facetious but is the sky bridge really that onerous.

I love the kids coming to watch, they are the clubs future & maybe we need to do more to entertain them or even better, inspire them
It wasn't that the gate wouldn't open, he was told the gate wouldn't open until 5pm then a few minutes later it did in fact open which led to a pissed off wife (which can ruin pretty much anyones day)...


Mate, many has been the time I have stood for 10 hours in the mud in foul weather to watch a days racing. But I only make up 25% of the people I am responsible for, less again of the potential spend for the weekend.

It ain't about ownership or bring soft. It is about wether I could be fucked bringing others. I have no reservations recommending paeroa or nationals to families. I'd like to feel the same about the classic festival.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

This looks like a case of sub standard customer service causing his groups main complaint re the track crossing info. This caused them to have to lug 2 kids worth of stuff up and down some stairs and shortly thereafter seeing the track crossing open causing Dad to cop an earful from a pissed off her indoors.
Paying customers are the main source of funding that keeps the racing happening. Repeat customers are vital as a not rugby or cricket sport in NZ cannot rely on new customers magically showing up because they happened across a piece of (apparently) meager advertising. An incident like this can easily cost the next meeting 4 paying customers. This guy has actually done the event organizers a favor by pointing out an issue that could easily and freely be improved. As he said it is not as if he fronted up to the gate and pitched a fit because the marshal wouldn't open it right away. Maybe the same thing happened to some 1st time customers who haven't posted their concerns or complaints here and just won't be back.

[trustme]

From the race controllers point of view, they are under a bloody tight schedule, noise restrictions limit the time available for racing , we ran out of time on Saturday & Sundays programme was altered to compensate . That's part of the reason there are not more Postie races . The gates are generally opened when there is a bike rescue happening, it happens on an adhoc , as required basis with no set timing .

The gate controller has no idea when that will happen, the race controller has more on his plate than he can cope with , without worrying about spectators wanting to cross the track.

Would you prefer to be told it would open in 5 minutes only to find you wait 1/2 an hour, her in doors would still be going off.

Agreed some of the communication is poor , there is a bit to be learned from the meeting but overall a bloody good effort.

[Voltaire]

I'm led to believe that NZ is one of the few places that the public can actually wander around the pits, which as mentioned is over the other side of the track.
For nice comfortable viewing with children there are nice grandstands and grassy banks.
If my US company was running it the public would not get to the other side of the track.
You don't go to the Zoo and expect to wander around with the residents :msn-wink:

[swarfie]

From the race controllers point of view, they are under a bloody tight schedule, noise restrictions limit the time available for racing , we ran out of time on Saturday & Sundays programme was altered to compensate . That's part of the reason there are not more Postie races . The gates are generally opened when there is a bike rescue happening, it happens on an adhoc , as required basis with no set timing .

The gate controller has no idea when that will happen, the race controller has more on his plate than he can cope with , without worrying about spectators wanting to cross the track.

Would you prefer to be told it would open in 5 minutes only to find you wait 1/2 an hour, her in doors would still be going off.

Agreed some of the communication is poor , there is a bit to be learned from the meeting but overall a bloody good effort.

Another problem the team had was to do with the coms. Radios were not working as good as they could have and the committee is well aware that they will have to update the two-way radios that the track marshals and officials use. To be honest this is not a new problem but hopefully it will be fixed in the future. As Trustme said the schedule was tight and unfortunately at Pukekohe the bloody nags still rule the roost, we weren't able to start any racing until at least 10 o'clock. Also there was another factor that wasn't taken into account with the planning of the schedule, being that the track now has an extra chicane which adds another nine or ten seconds per lap. This added significantly to the days program when you consider the amount of races that have to be squeezed in.

[sidecar bob]

In about 2006 I went to the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix at Albert park.
Tickets were over $200 for one particular allotted seat all weekend, but they did include "free" earplugs, a small bottle of sunblock & a hat in a goodie bag at the gate.
The controlled pit lane walk was a further $70, but due to the fact that it started at 7am I decided not to run with that.
Later a member of our group that did, said that only one garage had the door up & it was a complete waste of time & money.
Judging by the feedback here, the classic register could learn a lot from that, as it's clearly what the people are asking for.
I also still fail to see why a chap is taking a yelling at for a situation that is beyond his control.
To be honest mate, I can see you having a better time by yourself next time.

In light of jasonu's bling, to people that have no idea how the classic register is run, it may well look like a case of piss poor customer service. However, nobody that spent hundreds of their own hours organising the event drew a wage, all personell on site on the day were volunteers, including Swarfies wife, who spent the weekend doing clerical work with a smile for around 150 competitors that had all forgotten to bring their mum's & needed spoon feeding.
All the flaggies & gate staff were doing it for the love of the sport & the fact that it "may" have made a buck just means we can do it again next year.
Its an amateur sport run by non paid people & the gate price & "customer service" reflect that.

[scrivy]

Rather than taking sides in this and turning a great event into a shit fight, why do you not simply list all complaints/concerns/issues etc etc... that way organisers can have a committee meeting and try and rectify the concerns.

I know from my old TRRS, I loved getting feedback from anyone! Be it good or bad!
I can remember having over 40 criticisms after one meeting in the early years - I still have a list of them..... :wacko:

BUT.... I didn't ignore them, I fixed them, so I could make a better event. It grew from year to year, and with less and less 'niggles'.

If clubs know about issues, then they can rectify them. Its a win/win!

Let's be positive and make changes for everyones benefit.

Right, let's start a list for the committee:
1. I wish I had gone.......
2.
3.

[swarfie]

However, nobody that spent hundreds of their own hours organising the event drew a wage, all personell on site on the day were volunteers, including Swarfies wife, who spent the weekend doing clerical work with a smile for around 150 competitors that had all forgotten to bring their mum's & needed spoon feeding.


:killingme :killingme :laugh::laugh:

[scrivy]

including Swarfies wife, who spent the weekend doing clerical work with a smile for around 150 competitors that had all forgotten to bring their mum's & needed spoon feeding.

Yeah, but...... I bet Nev never 'got any' that night cause Cheryl was stretched like a band.....



:shutup::facepalm::love:

[nodrog]

Rather than taking sides in this and turning a great event into a shit fight, why do you not simply list all complaints/concerns/issues etc etc... that way organisers can have a committee meeting and try and rectify the concerns.

I know from my old TRRS, I loved getting feedback from anyone! Be it good or bad!
I can remember having over 40 criticisms after one meeting in the early years - I still have a list of them..... :wacko:

BUT.... I didn't ignore them, I fixed them, so I could make a better event. It grew from year to year, and with less and less 'niggles'.

If clubs know about issues, then they can rectify them. Its a win/win!

Let's be positive and make changes for everyones benefit.

Right, let's start a list for the committee:
1. I wish I had gone.......
2.
3.
2. Too many people with push chairs were blocking the sky bridge.

[sidecar bob]

2. Too many people with push chairs were blocking the sky bridge.

3. I couldnt hear the PA because unfortunately the earplugs I bought the week before were far better than the ones I usually buy.

[twotempi]

Being one of the volunteers and organisers I thank you for the constructive comments which can be addressed to ensure that next years event is better.

And any other ideas that you can up with. Personally I was disappointed not to hear the bagpipes first thing on Sunday morning which used to be a Festival tradition.

The whole thing was organised at about 2 months notice so advertising was difficult especially over the Christmas break.

Problems that added to the timetable were

1) the rain !! - after 3 months of drought we got the only weekend with any rain.
2) Radio communication - these are going to be replaced for next season
3)The chicane added 20 secs per lap = 2-3 mins per event so the timetable became very tight.

However a schedule for opening the track crossing , say once on the hour and on the 1/2 hour for 2 mins for foot traffic so you would know when to front up sounds like a reasonable idea.

But glad that most of you enjoyed it.

See you there next year.

And ALWAYS go and thank the Cheryls of this world for their efforts on your behalf. :niceone::niceone::niceone:

[scrivy]

And ALWAYS go and thank the Cheryls of this world for their efforts on your behalf. :niceone::niceone::niceone:

...and ply her with bottles of Bourbon....... well, that's what Nev likes...... and he might just give her foot rubs if she gives him free bourbon.... another win/win... ;)

[swarfie]

And ALWAYS go and thank the Cheryls of this world for their efforts on your behalf. :niceone::niceone::niceone:

And the Barry's and the Linley's and the Jack's and the Trevor's and the James's and the ..........

[nodrog]

And the Barry's and the Linley's and the Jack's and the Trevor's and the James's and the ..........

....Gordies

[sidecar bob]

And the Barry's and the Linley's and the Jack's and the Trevor's and the James's and the ..........

Mainly the Kevin's though, he steered the ship.

[old rig]

And PETE don't forget PETE

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