Hampton Down$

[kifflom]

Ok, so I've haven't raced for a few seasons and my memory might not be serving me correctly, but $340/round + transponder seems a bit steep. I guess TQ doesn't want the biker rabble messing up his world class <strike>corporate hospitality center</strike> race track.

[jellywrestler]

Ok, so I've haven't raced for a few seasons and my memory might not be serving me correctly, but $340/round + transponder seems a bit steep. I guess TQ doesn't want the biker rabble messing up his world class <strike>corporate hospitality center</strike> race track.

it was always going to go up in price as more facilities were added, it's just he's come in and doing them all at once, do you work for a fair hourly rate and return on your input or do it for half the rate just to be a good cunt?

[kifflom]

I get it, sure, but I'm also allowed to have a self entitled millennial winge about it too. I just think from a club level, having fun in the weekends perspective, most of the added facilities we are helping pay for aren't really helping us out. VIP boxes above the pit garages aren't really put there for weekend club motorsport, they're there for sponsors entertaining clients at 101. And that's fine, I get it. But if you want a bunch of good talent racing at the likes of 101 in future, a lot of those people have to start at club level where money is tight and sponsors are scarce. I'm not saying anybody in racing deserves a handout, but if we want to grow motorsport in New Zealand, squeezing money out of people at club level might not be the best way.

I have respect for Tony and what he is doing for Hampton Downs, things could be going a lot worse. But it's getting a bit pricey now and I would hate to see that pushing people out of the sport.

[Doppleganger]

Think it's dear now? wait until the new buildings, his super apartment, museum and god knows what else he's going to do for his rich mates happens.
Recon it'll start with a 5 ;)

[jellywrestler]

Think it's dear now? wait until the new buildings, his super apartment, museum and god knows what else he's going to do for his rich mates happens.
Recon it'll start with a 5 ;)

hopefully they will be self sufficent and take car of themselves.

[scrivy]

be self sufficent and take car of themselves.

I see what ya did there..... :lol:

[Voltaire]

How much is it to hire HD for a day, plus St Johns and marshalls?

[Autech]

How much is it to hire HD for a day, plus St Johns and marshalls?

1 arm + 1 leg

[jasonu]

Ok, so I've haven't raced for a few seasons and my memory might not be serving me correctly, but $340/round + transponder seems a bit steep. I guess TQ doesn't want the biker rabble messing up his world class <strike>corporate hospitality center</strike> race track.

Fucking hell, I used to squirm at $85 to race at Pukekohe. We are the ones putting on the show...

[mr bucketracer]

it was always going to go up in price as more facilities were added, it's just he's come in and doing them all at once, do you work for a fair hourly rate and return on your input or do it for half the rate just to be a good cunt?if i had his money in my bank i would let you race for free.

[mr bucketracer]

Fucking hell, I used to squirm at $85 to race at Pukekohe. We are the ones putting on the show...was 35-40 at manfeild if pre-entered

[ellipsis]

...it's only money...

[Grumph]

...it's only money...

true - but contrast those prices with what dave has just put up for the BoB meeting at levels.....

It's not just house prices going mad in Auckland.

[ellipsis]

true - but contrast those prices with what dave has just put up for the BoB meeting at levels.....

It's not just house prices going mad in Auckland.

...we are very lucky...

[F5 Dave]

Shit I remember when the price to race at Ohakea went from $1 to $2 as we weren't quite covering the price of postage sending out the invites for the next meeting.

There was some grumbling that day.

Nah kidding we were laughing down our sleeves as we retired to the sgts mess to suck some govt subsidised $3 large bottle beers.

[Drew]

Look at it this way. Manfeild owes a shit load to the council. Taupo owes a shit load to...everyone I think. Those are cheap tracks to ride, but they're gonna close if shit doesn't change.

So pay the fee or don't race. But quite bitching about it.

[jellywrestler]

we retired to the sgts mess to suck some govt subsidised $3 large bottle beers. thy're called stubbies to someone of your height Dave, most drinkable nowadays

[jasonu]

Shit I remember when the price to race at Ohakea went from $1 to $2 as we weren't quite covering the price of postage sending out the invites for the next meeting.

There was some grumbling that day.

Nah kidding we were laughing down our sleeves as we retired to the sgts mess to suck some govt subsidised $3 large bottle beers.

Thems were the days mate.

[jasonu]

So pay the fee or don't race.

But at $300 - $400 there might be more of the 'don't race' happening. Then what, increase the price to $500 to make up the difference?
Competitor fees should be minimal. They are the ones who have spent the cash to put the show on. Garage and VIP lounge rental, gate and concession stand fees etc should be where the money for the facility owners comes from.

[nzspokes]

So pay the fee or don't race. But quite bitching about it.

Next month I was going to start looking at racing, which class etc. Then get a bike. But fuck that. Track days are bad enough.

[Grumph]

Shit I remember when the price to race at Ohakea went from $1 to $2 as we weren't quite covering the price of postage sending out the invites for the next meeting.

There was some grumbling that day.

Nah kidding we were laughing down our sleeves as we retired to the sgts mess to suck some govt subsidised $3 large bottle beers.

You've just reminded me of my biggest ever hangover - invited into the NCO's mess after a Lady Wigram meeting - 10 cent handles....
I had to be poured into the car to go home apparently. Good times long ago. When a dollar bought an enormous hangover...

[Drew]

But at $300 - $400 there might be more of the 'don't race' happening. Then what, increase the price to $500 to make up the difference?
Competitor fees should be minimal. They are the ones who have spent the cash to put the show on. Garage and VIP lounge rental, gate and concession stand fees etc should be where the money for the facility owners comes from.
There just isn't a big enough spectator base to make the money that way.

[F5 Dave]

thy're called stubbies to someone of your height Dave, most drinkable nowadays
Hilarious. No they were $1.70 from memory. But Greg's story beats mine for thiftyness. I do remember asking to get out of the car on the way home for a piss on side of the road. Dumb city boy, takes a step or two in the dark and falls down the ditch. Thats where we put the footpath! Why's there a bloody great hole the length of the road?!?!

[ellipsis]

Look at it this way. Manfeild owes a shit load to the council. Taupo owes a shit load to...everyone I think. Those are cheap tracks to ride, but they're gonna close if shit doesn't change.

So pay the fee or don't race. But quite bitching about it.


...all tracks north and south island are coming under the pressure of nimbys...they cost a lot to circumvent...councils, that are having to tow the H&S rules...that cost is passed on...in the middle sit the poor clubs, having to accept the new costs and if they can't absorb them the costs have to be passed on to those who want to play...compare our cost's to Oz, Spain or any other motorcycle racing country and you will be quite blown away by the costs they have to endure...the old days are gone and for those of us who were lucky enough to have been there, they are just memories...like Drew says...pay up or don't play...it's a cunt, but it's reality...

[Grumph]

Might move to Southland....The car club had the foresight to buy up all the land between the road and the sea for some distance around Teretonga.
Unless sea levels rise quicker than expected that'll probably be the last circuit left running in NZ....

[swarfie]

Might move to Southland....The car club had the foresight to buy up all the land between the road and the sea for some distance around Teretonga.
Unless sea levels rise quicker than expected that'll probably be the last circuit left running in NZ....

I'm fairly sure the Taupo council also own all the land around the Taupo circuit and won't allow any house building in the area. There is one house across the road on the western (generally upwind) side of the track but pretty sure that was there before the old circuit was built.

[sharp2183]

But at $300 - $400 there might be more of the 'don't race' happening. Then what, increase the price to $500 to make up the difference?
Competitor fees should be minimal. They are the ones who have spent the cash to put the show on. Garage and VIP lounge rental, gate and concession stand fees etc should be where the money for the facility owners comes from.

Have you gone to many AMCC events? There are no where near the number of spectators there to make the money required to offset cheaper race fees. This is a user pays sport. We aren't putting on a show for many at those events, the show is put on for us to participate in. And we have to pay for it.

I don't like it either but I'm not labouring under illusions of entitlement. Tony Quinn could make it cheap for us, but he doesn't have to so doesn't. Racing bikes is 100% discretionary for each person. There are other sports where you can get a cheaper form of excitement.

I've had to cut back too as I'm not rich.

Also re. track day costs. We have it bloody good. I paid almost double to ride at Silverstone in the UK. We have it good.

[Doppleganger]

We are being ripped off!!

A quick search of the interweb will show you the prices being paid in the UK and Europe.
All are far superior circuits to Hampton Downs

For track days;
Brands Hatch GP = $308
Donnington Park = $260
Catalonia = $420 (includes accommodation)
Le Mans = $500 (includes accommodation)
Spa = $650 (includes accommodation for two nights and bike transportation there and back)

Racing is far cheaper too;

About $240 per solo entry

http://www.ngroadracing.org/results_data/2016/regs/Pembrey%20Entry%20Form.pdf

[Drew]

We are being ripped off!!

A quick search of the interweb will show you the prices being paid in the UK and Europe.
All are far superior circuits to Hampton Downs

For track days;
Brands Hatch GP = $308
Donnington Park = $260
Catalonia = $420 (includes accommodation)
Le Mans = $500 (includes accommodation)
Spa = $650 (includes accommodation for two nights and bike transportation there and back)

Racing is far cheaper too;

About $240 per solo entry

http://www.ngroadracing.org/results_data/2016/regs/Pembrey%20Entry%20Form.pdf
Well fuck over there to race ya tard. People pay to go watch over there.

[Doppleganger]

Well fuck over there to race ya tard. People pay to go watch over there.

Pay to watch a track day or a run of the mill club day jeees your a dumb cunt.

Can just see the 'crowds' now mum dad and the kids ha ha fuck your full of shit or are you confusing (easy I know) it with BSB

[ellipsis]

I think that Drew has again hit the nail on the head...the amount of riders and racers turning up to these days are big compared to our very few...bills get paid easier that way...someone else should take the title of,'dumb cunt', really...or is the scale of the economics too hard to grasp...

[Grumph]

The difference would appear to be that the Euro circuits can guarantee a fully booked day due to the larger population wanting to go there.
With the best will in the world, HD can't approach that level of return so the price must reflect that in order to cover costs.

I don't like it - and will probably never go on HD for a number of reasons - but if you want to live and go on track in or around Auckland, that's what it's going to cost.
How long before it's not viable to run a National at HD ?

[Doppleganger]

Fair enough run a user pays model but watch the numbers of riders willing to pay dwindle, offering a beer at the price of champagne aint going to wash with Kiwis.
Jees even their own track days undercut their customer (clubs) the writing is on the wall plain to see.

[kifflom]

I love the 'if you can't afford it, don't race' attitude, especially when it come from folks who probably enjoyed a bit of affordable racing when they were younger. It's the same shit you hear from boomers in Auckland, 'don't live here if you can't afford it'. They've had their fun, set up their own lifestyles, and fuck anybody else who comes along after and wants a little piece of that.

[ellipsis]

...racing has never been affordable, unless you have the passion to do it...and a lot of us old cunts spent the family fortunes to play...pull yer head out of yer arse...are you one of those new age groups now referred to as, melonylemons...

[kifflom]

...racing has never been affordable, unless you have the passion to do it
Holy shit, I've never thought of it that way. The money just suddenly appears because you're passionate?


...and a lot of us old cunts spent the family fortunes to play...
Oh yes, this thread is filled with stories of that. Oh actually it fucking isn't, it's full of stories of $60 trackdays at Pukekohe, and getting drunk for a dollar at the officer's mess at Ohakea.


pull yer head out of yer arse...are you one of those new age groups now referred to as, melonylemons...
So we've been driven out of the housing market, getting squeezed out of racing, and now you want to take away my god given right as a melonylemon to bitch about things on the internet? I would go down to the pub to cool off, but I don't have $12 for a beer.

[Guido]

So, all you Rocket Scientists who are screaming about the prices. How about being positive and contributing ideas on how to make racing less expensive. I suspect that Track Hire fees are not negotiable, neither are Paramedic fees,so rule them out.
More competitors will mean lower entry fees, because the hire costs are the same whether you have 50 competitors or 200.
On the other side of the coin, how do we get more Spectators to circuits. Before you say Advertise the meetings, bear in mind that 50 radio advert "slots" over 5 days on 4 Radio Stations is around $2500.
I look forward to Positive Feedback that will assist the clubs to make their events more successful and therefore cheaper for competitors to enter.

[kifflom]

Here's part of the problem with Hampton Downs... who's gonna drive 45 minutes out of town and pay $25 to sit on the grass and get a sunburn all day? If some the turnover of Hamptons was going into some facilities for spectators that might help a bit. Instead we get VIP boxes and new garages.

[Drew]

Pay to watch a track day or a run of the mill club day jeees your a dumb cunt.

Can just see the 'crowds' now mum dad and the kids ha ha fuck your full of shit or are you confusing (easy I know) it with BSB
I mished the track days bit.

[Guido]

What part of Positive Contribution is this.
Here is my positive. Take umbrella's or a shade cloth, 4 poles, 4 guy ropes and 8 pegs and make yourself a sun free / rain free viewing area. Don't forget the hammer for the pegs tho!!!

[haydes55]

Here's part of the problem with Hampton Downs... who's gonna drive 45 minutes out of town and pay $25 to sit on the grass and get a sunburn all day? If some the turnover of Hamptons was going into some facilities for spectators that might help a bit. Instead we get VIP boxes and new garages.
Me.

Except from kihikihi now so a bit more than 45 minutes.

[kifflom]

Get seven volunteers with video cameras set up around the track? Put that shit on youtube? I'll sort editing and post.

[Drew]

Holy shit, I've never thought of it that way. The money just suddenly appears because you're passionate?


Oh yes, this thread is filled with stories of that. Oh actually it fucking isn't, it's full of stories of $60 trackdays at Pukekohe, and getting drunk for a dollar at the officer's mess at Ohakea.


So we've been driven out of the housing market, getting squeezed out of racing, and now you want to take away my god given right as a melonylemon to bitch about things on the internet? I would go down to the pub to cool off, but I don't have $12 for a beer.
Bike racers in this country are 99% hard up as fuck because they race. That was the same back in the day as it is now.

You're being driven out of fuck all.

Oh, I used to pay $40 for a track day and $100 entry for a race meeting. I still race though, so I'm paying the same as you whinging little cunts who somehow blame me for the prices rising.

Here's part of the problem with Hampton Downs... who's gonna drive 45 minutes out of town and pay $25 to sit on the grass and get a sunburn all day? If some the turnover of Hamptons was going into some facilities for spectators that might help a bit. Instead we get VIP boxes and new garages.
There are grand stands going right down the straight from turn one to the new turn two. Wear sunscreen. The garages needed the rooms put on the top. They leaked like fuck and we're useless before they were finished.

[jasonu]

There just isn't a big enough spectator base to make the money that way.

Yes mate I know that fact kills my argument.

[Gremlin]

I don't like it - and will probably never go on HD for a number of reasons - but if you want to live and go on track in or around Auckland, that's what it's going to cost.
How long before it's not viable to run a National at HD ?
I think the Nats at HD are already running a loss, hence not having it every year.

[jasonu]

I'm fairly sure the Taupo council also own all the land around the Taupo circuit and won't allow any house building in the area. There is one house across the road on the western (generally upwind) side of the track but pretty sure that was there before the old circuit was built.

Fuck the Taupo track used to be in the middle of no where!

[swarfie]

Fuck the Taupo track used to be in the middle of no where!

It hasn't moved much.:rolleyes:

[kifflom]

Holy shit there's a bunch of angry cunts around here. All I was trying to say is that prices have gone up, but very little has changed for us, facilities wise, at a club level. Racing is always going to be expensive, I get that. But it's gonna get a lot more expensive as the years go by as there are smaller and smaller grids to help pay for the track fees. I thought we might get an interesting debate, but all we ended up with was "I can afford it, if you can't fuck you".

[Drew]

There's this fucked idea that Tony Quinn doesn't like bikes too. Seems weird, he's in contact with Sloan regularly to organise things.

[kifflom]

There's this fucked idea that Tony Quinn doesn't like bikes too. Seems weird, he's in contact with Sloan regularly to organise things.

Yeah, that's a fair criticism, I was speaking out of turn there. I guess the sentiment I was trying to convey is that it seems like unless you are bringing sponsors and media coverage (and therefore money) to motorsport these days, it's gonna get harder and harder to race. While that might not seem like a big deal to people who have that kind of thing under control already, it is to plenty of people at the grassroots level. I know I'd rather see 30 riders in the Hyosung cup (some of them who can barely afford it, some who can comfortably) going at it, rather than 10 riders who can comfortably or barely afford it.

[jasonu]

So, all you Rocket Scientists who are screaming about the prices. How about being positive and contributing ideas on how to make racing less expensive. I suspect that Track Hire fees are not negotiable, neither are Paramedic fees,so rule them out.
More competitors will mean lower entry fees, because the hire costs are the same whether you have 50 competitors or 200.
On the other side of the coin, how do we get more Spectators to circuits. Before you say Advertise the meetings, bear in mind that 50 radio advert "slots" over 5 days on 4 Radio Stations is around $2500.
I look forward to Positive Feedback that will assist the clubs to make their events more successful and therefore cheaper for competitors to enter.

Its all been done before with sporadic success at best. The fact is the NZ general public don't give a flying fuck about motorbike racing and will never attend events in large enough numbers to offset the costs involved.

[jasonu]

It hasn't moved much.:rolleyes:

But apparently Taupo has...

[jellywrestler]

Here's part of the problem with Hampton Downs... who's gonna drive 45 minutes out of town and pay $25 to sit on the grass and get a sunburn all day? If some the turnover of Hamptons was going into some facilities for spectators that might help a bit. Instead we get VIP boxes and new garages.

get on your bike and ride down, there's shade there, you just got to know where to look for it

[jellywrestler]

Get seven volunteers with video cameras set up around the track? Put that shit on youtube? I'll sort editing and post.

six volunteers and you maybe, but you'll still have to go near that grass you seem so scared of.

[Grumph]

Holy shit, I've never thought of it that way. The money just suddenly appears because you're passionate?


Oh yes, this thread is filled with stories of that. Oh actually it fucking isn't, it's full of stories of $60 trackdays at Pukekohe, and getting drunk for a dollar at the officer's mess at Ohakea.


So we've been driven out of the housing market, getting squeezed out of racing, and now you want to take away my god given right as a melonylemon to bitch about things on the internet? I would go down to the pub to cool off, but I don't have $12 for a beer.

The money appeared because I had NO social life for the 10 years or so I raced. The bikes were self financed on HP - and self maintained.
Tyres were softened with degreaser between meetings to make them last a bit longer ( ah triangulars, I don't miss them...)
And that was in the years when it was at least marginally affordable....
If I'd had a major blowup on the Manx I'd have been out immediately.
The drinking session at Wigram was at the invite of a mate in the mess who'd broken his bike, after I'd fallen off the Manx...And even with blood poisoning and wounds it was back to work on the Monday as bills had to be paid.
What I'm saying is that if you are prepared to sacrifice -and want it bad enough - it is possible.

[kifflom]

six volunteers and you maybe, but you'll still have to go near that grass you seem so scared of.

I'm gonna be on my bike, but I'll happily donate my services to wrangle footage, edit it, put some graphics on it and publicize it online. If it gets us bums on seats it would be a worthwhile exercise.


What I'm saying is that if you are prepared to sacrifice -and want it bad enough - it is possible.
Yep, I agree. But I'm also single with no kids and a halfway decent job. My concern is that constantly increasing costs will drive out, for example, some of the youngsters in the Hyosung Cup on a $1500 dollar bike who have to convince their parents that paying ever increasing entry fees is still worth it.

[jasonu]

The money appeared because I had NO social life for the 10 years or so I raced. The bikes were self financed on HP - and self maintained.
Tyres were softened with degreaser between meetings to make them last a bit longer ( ah triangulars, I don't miss them...)
And that was in the years when it was at least marginally affordable....
If I'd had a major blowup on the Manx I'd have been out immediately.
The drinking session at Wigram was at the invite of a mate in the mess who'd broken his bike, after I'd fallen off the Manx...And even with blood poisoning and wounds it was back to work on the Monday as bills had to be paid.
What I'm saying is that if you are prepared to sacrifice -and want it bad enough - it is possible.

That's about how I did it, along with the help of a visa card.

[nzspokes]

Yeah, that's a fair criticism, I was speaking out of turn there. I guess the sentiment I was trying to convey is that it seems like unless you are bringing sponsors and media coverage (and therefore money) to motorsport these days, it's gonna get harder and harder to race. While that might not seem like a big deal to people who have that kind of thing under control already, it is to plenty of people at the grassroots level. I know I'd rather see 30 riders in the Hyosung cup (some of them who can barely afford it, some who can comfortably) going at it, rather than 10 riders who can comfortably or barely afford it.

Get into trail riding, its a fuckton cheaper and everybody talks to you. :yes:

And you dont get shit at scrutineering for dumb shit.

[jellywrestler]

And you dont get shit at scrutineering for dumb shit. no, you only get shit at scrutineering for doing dumb shit.

[nzspokes]

no, you only get shit at scrutineering for doing dumb shit.

Oh fuck off, I got reamed out for having worn out brake shoes. He wouldnt look at the back of the calipers where you could see they were brand new.

[sharky]

Well I was all set to enter the series until I saw the cost of the entry fee. Now I'm not because I can't afford it and I know others who are in the same boat... just saying....

[mossy1200]

$340/round + transponder seems a bit steep.

As the numbers reduce he cost per punter increases.

The amount of people going to Readings reduced when tickets were $16.50 now tickets are $10. Lots of peeps going to the Pictures at the moment.

[Drew]

Well I was all set to enter the series until I saw the cost of the entry fee. Now I'm not because I can't afford it and I know others who are in the same boat... just saying....
That's unfortunate for you. But you do realise the track has to turn a profit right? There are investors waiting for a return on a METRIC SHIT TON of money to buy and finish/upgrade the track.

Why do kiwis so begrudge anyone making a buck, or even someone being good at something?

Got me fucked, people are just cunts.

[jellywrestler]

Oh fuck off, I got reamed out for having worn out brake shoes. He wouldnt look at the back of the calipers where you could see they were brand new.

i'm confused, calipers have pads, drums have shoes, and you think you know more than the scrutineer?

[nzspokes]

i'm confused

Thats obvious.

[Drew]

Thats obvious.

Careful. Chap you're suggesting doesn't get it has been at ever race event I've attended for ten years since I started. And the twenty years before that. He raced, now helps organise and provides commentary all over the country. All for the love too.

So perhaps he has an insight you are yet to discover.

It takes 30 seconds to take a brake pad out of a bike. I'm sure the confusion over yours was easily squared up.

[nzspokes]

Careful. Chap you're suggesting doesn't get it has been at ever race event I've attended for ten years since I started. And the twenty years before that. He raced, now helps organise and provides commentary all over the country. All for the love too.

So perhaps he has an insight you are yet to discover.

It takes 30 seconds to take a brake pad out of a bike. I'm sure the confusion over yours was easily squared up.

Scrutineer was being a twat, all he had to do was move a foot or two and look. Those pads did another 15,000ks. I pulled them out a week or so back.

[The End]

That's unfortunate for you. But you do realise the track has to turn a profit right? There are investors waiting for a return on a METRIC SHIT TON of money to buy and finish/upgrade the track.

Why do kiwis so begrudge anyone making a buck, or even someone being good at something?

Got me fucked, people are just cunts.

This isn't about people demanding the track makes a loss, but rather people arguing that the cost required now to take part is out of their reach (whether literal or otherwise).


What is a 'Perceived Value'?

Perceived value is the worth that a product or service has in the mind of the consumer. For the most part, consumers are unaware of the true cost of production for the products they buy; instead, they simply have an internal feeling for how much certain products are worth to them.

[sharky]

That's unfortunate for you. But you do realise the track has to turn a profit right? There are investors waiting for a return on a METRIC SHIT TON of money to buy and finish/upgrade the track.

Why do kiwis so begrudge anyone making a buck, or even someone being good at something?

Got me fucked, people are just cunts.

I don't begrudge anyone trying to make a buck. Just making the point that a lot of us cunts won't be showing up to race at HD as often as we used to...

[jellywrestler]

Scrutineer was being a twat, all he had to do was move a foot or two and look. Those pads did another 15,000ks. I pulled them out a week or so back.

sounds like there's an opening for you to volunteer....

[F5 Dave]

That's unfortunate for you. But you do realise the track has to turn a profit right? There are investors waiting for a return on a METRIC SHIT TON of money to buy and finish/upgrade the track.

Why do kiwis so begrudge anyone making a buck, or even someone being good at something?

Got me fucked, people are just cunts.
Stop being so sanctimonious about it Drew. At a certain point a lot of people will go, ya know? I think I'll buy another dirtbike again. That's a shit load of fun and I'll have money left to pay the rent, feed the kids etc.

[nzspokes]

sounds like there's an opening for you to volunteer....

Done my share of that for motorsport, was marshal, point chief etc.

[Kickaha]

At a certain point a lot of people will go, ya know? I think I'll buy another dirtbike again. That's a shit load of fun and I'll have money left to pay the rent, feed the kids etc.
I'm just about there

[nzspokes]

Stop being so sanctimonious about it Drew. At a certain point a lot of people will go, ya know? I think I'll buy another dirtbike again. That's a shit load of fun and I'll have money left to pay the rent, feed the kids etc.

Trail rides seem to be about $35 a shot, and you can ride all day. No Brainer.

[Drew]

Stop being so sanctimonious about it Drew. At a certain point a lot of people will go, ya know? I think I'll buy another dirtbike again. That's a shit load of fun and I'll have money left to pay the rent, feed the kids etc.

Yeah they will. New ones will come to make some of those numbers back up, and the rest will be retrieved in higher costs again. I'm not being sanctimonious by accepting that.

To boil it down. I'm an advocate for people to pay up, come up with something to increase numbers (though costs won't go down they'll just rise slower), or don't bitch.

It sucks when you can't afford to race. But it's a commodity and not the right of every rider to take if they choose.

[nzspokes]

It sucks when you can't afford to race. But it's a commodity and not the right of every rider to take if they choose.

So if somebody doesnt race because it costs to much you jump right away to cant afford it? :brick:

Some people just aint stupid with money.

[Drew]

So if somebody doesnt race because it costs to much you jump right away to cant afford it? :brick:

Some people just aint stupid with money.

No, that's not what I said. I said it sucks when you (meaning anyone) can't afford to race.

Those not racing because they aren't prepared to spend that kind of money, are making the choice already. The moaning about it seems even sillier in that context though. Are they moaning so that those of us who are prepared to spend the coin miss them? To make us aware that they don't approve of the money we spend?

To what end are they voicing the issues taken, if they in fact don't think it is their right to race at what they think it should cost?

[Doppleganger]

Just look at Hampton Downs catchment area...... right in the middle of two of the most expensive city's in NZ to live and its only going to get more expensive.
The young and up and coming racer can barely afford to bloody live here let alone afford the cost to race at HD.
The grids are going to be full of old farts with a bit of cash to indulge in there passion.

On a positive note I dare the clubs to drop the entry price to $150 and watch the masses of entries role in ha ha. No one will have balls that big.

Tony Quinn has invested in the place to attract big corporate's and wealthy racers hence what we see there in the form of posh areas just for the posh folk, us poor folk don't get a look in except for sitting on the grass under an umbrella.
On the 'club circuit' all we get is a concrete pad, no option for power even.

Yep its a different world for racing in the top of the north island.....a bloody expensive one that phew will be able to afford. Its all very well for Tony Quinn to be rubbing shoulders of the number 1 road racer in NZ, he doesn't come across as short of a bob or two. If Sloan looks back to when he started out and the costs of doing it today even he may think twice about staying on a motorcros bike.

[nzspokes]

No, that's not what I said. I said it sucks when you (meaning anyone) can't afford to race.

Those not racing because they aren't prepared to spend that kind of money, are making the choice already. The moaning about it seems even sillier in that context though. Are they moaning so that those of us who are prepared to spend the coin miss them? To make us aware that they don't approve of the money we spend?

To what end are they voicing the issues taken, if they in fact don't think it is their right to race at what they think it should cost?
Irony. Moaning about people moaning.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[sharp2183]

We are being ripped off!!

A quick search of the interweb will show you the prices being paid in the UK and Europe.
All are far superior circuits to Hampton Downs

For track days;
Brands Hatch GP = $308
Donnington Park = $260
Catalonia = $420 (includes accommodation)
Le Mans = $500 (includes accommodation)
Spa = $650 (includes accommodation for two nights and bike transportation there and back)

Racing is far cheaper too;

About $240 per solo entry

http://www.ngroadracing.org/results_data/2016/regs/Pembrey%20Entry%20Form.pdf

I have just spent the last 6 months travelling. My life savings gone and 7 track days done in the UK (Silverstone), Spain (Jerez) and Hungary (Hungaroring). It was a dream for me and I was unemployed and now very poor.

We have it cheaper in NZ. $175 for the most expensive track day here (HD) is half the price of the most costly one there. From what I can see you definitely cannot get the equivalent of an $80 test day we get at Ruapuna here.

Fuel is more expensive and you have to travel much more. Often you need to fly to get to the tracks you mention.

The events including accomodation like you mention are a good deal, but accomodation is cheap there if you are savvy. Most of the cost is to the track.

They have 120 bikes per event and sell out months in advance. They have massive waiting lists.

The companies that run the events (mainly No Limits) are a massive machine that runs multiple days per week. There are more 30k plus superbikes at every event that you ever see in NZ. Way more.

So basically there is a huge demand for heaps of days that generates real profit for the track day companies. And even with this the events still cost that much! Can you imagine what the cost would be per day if the events were rarely sold out?

As I say, in my opinion we have ready access to cheap track days at multiple tracks.

And as for the argument about the facilities. Yes. They are good. But I saw the garage, the pit lane and the track. Unsurprisingly similar to HD.

We have it good.

[jellywrestler]

If Sloan looks back to when he started out and the costs of doing it today even he may think twice about staying on a motorcros bike.

wash your mouth out, asphalt is for racing, dirt is for housetraining kittens.

Kifflom came on here first post all guns blazing, shooting at something, sounds like he's just off his mothers tit as he doesn't mention why track days have been getting bigger and bigger over the last few years.
Cause registration went up to a point that it was more ecomomic to deregister your bike and pay a few track days a year for a buzz than it was to get your buzz on the road.
people adapted.
I'm pretty sure I ran the first track days in New Zealand, they have evolved into a full time business, there will be those who go get addicted to the track ironically due to prices going up somewhere else.

[Drew]

Just look at Hampton Downs catchment area...... right in the middle of two of the most expensive city's in NZ to live and its only going to get more expensive.
The young and up and coming racer can barely afford to bloody live here let alone afford the cost to race at HD.
The grids are going to be full of old farts with a bit of cash to indulge in there passion.

On a positive note I dare the clubs to drop the entry price to $150 and watch the masses of entries role in ha ha. No one will have balls that big.

Tony Quinn has invested in the place to attract big corporate's and wealthy racers hence what we see there in the form of posh areas just for the posh folk, us poor folk don't get a look in except for sitting on the grass under an umbrella.
On the 'club circuit' all we get is a concrete pad, no option for power even.

Yep its a different world for racing in the top of the north island.....a bloody expensive one that phew will be able to afford. Its all very well for Tony Quinn to be rubbing shoulders of the number 1 road racer in NZ, he doesn't come across as short of a bob or two. If Sloan looks back to when he started out and the costs of doing it today even he may think twice about staying on a motorcros bike.

Hahahahaha. Sloan looks like he's doing ok, because he works very hard to present in a professional and attractive manner in all that he does. He's a mate of mine and my boss. So I have some insight where you don't. But you're barking up the wrong tree.

How do you not understand that a track in a more expensive area, is gonna be more expensive to use?

Mr Quin owns the track (along with a conglomerate I think), and like it or not he does so as a business. The track was not running at a profit before, so if it had remained being run the way it was, the receivers would have shut the place down and sold the land to be developed as residential.

[Dreama]

Just look at Hampton Downs catchment area...... right in the middle of two of the most expensive city's in NZ to live and its only going to get more expensive.
The young and up and coming racer can barely afford to bloody live here let alone afford the cost to race at HD.
The grids are going to be full of old farts with a bit of cash to indulge in there passion.

On a positive note I dare the clubs to drop the entry price to $150 and watch the masses of entries role in ha ha. No one will have balls that big.

Tony Quinn has invested in the place to attract big corporate's and wealthy racers hence what we see there in the form of posh areas just for the posh folk, us poor folk don't get a look in except for sitting on the grass under an umbrella.
On the 'club circuit' all we get is a concrete pad, no option for power even.

Yep its a different world for racing in the top of the north island.....a bloody expensive one that phew will be able to afford. Its all very well for Tony Quinn to be rubbing shoulders of the number 1 road racer in NZ, he doesn't come across as short of a bob or two. If Sloan looks back to when he started out and the costs of doing it today even he may think twice about staying on a motorcros bike.

I just don't get why Pukekohe isn't jumping at this opportunity.
It does appear that HD is focusing on attracting the well healed and that's probably a good business decision.
There must be plenty of car racers that don't fit into that field and I would think they will be struggling with options now as well.
Yes, I get that there are lot's of puke haters out there, but would it be that hard to get it back to MNZ standards so that AMCC and Playday could offer a more affordable option.

[Gremlin]

Yes, I get that there are lot's of puke haters out there, but would it be that hard to get it back to MNZ standards so that AMCC and Playday could offer a more affordable option.
Puke raised their prices because some of their business was taken by HD.

Business 101? Yeah, maybe not :confused:

[Drew]

I just don't get why Pukekohe isn't jumping at this opportunity.
It does appear that HD is focusing on attracting the well healed and that's probably a good business decision.
There must be plenty of car racers that don't fit into that field and I would think they will be struggling with options now as well.
Yes, I get that there are lot's of puke haters out there, but would it be that hard to get it back to MNZ standards so that AMCC and Playday could offer a more affordable option.
It would mean the original wall over the hill would need moved back, not just the new one. That's a massive undertaking as it retains the car park above it or summat.

Run off at turn 4 would also need to be put in, but there's a horse track there or some such.

So yeah, it would be that hard.

[Dreama]

It would mean the original wall over the hill would need moved back, not just the new one. That's a massive undertaking as it retains the car park above it or summat.

Run off at turn 4 would also need to be put in, but there's a horse track there or some such.

So yeah, it would be that hard.

I think it's the railway tracks at turn 4 but I don't remember it being very dangerous there. High sides were the main culprit for crashes I think.
I always thought that a solution to the turn 11 issue (ie the wall over the hill) would have been to turn the track back south at turn 9 and loop it back to link up with front straight, thus eliminating the hill/wall issue.
But I guess they would have considered that long ago.

[MrMarko]

Getting really tired of this entitlement many seem to have about how Quinn and his "rich mates" are making too much money and oh he has enough money he should be doing it cheap.

It's a business venture, he has taken over a project that was unfinished and drowning in its own debt. It had to be sold to somebody and he is rapidly expanding the venue adding track extensions and facilities...

So it seems the complaint is "a man with enough money to properly finish the venue into a world class race circuit when the last owners couldn't finish it wants to charge me too much money to pay back what he is investing into his business and that isn't right!"

Get a grip.

[Drew]

I think it's the railway tracks at turn 4 but I don't remember it being very dangerous there. High sides were the main culprit for crashes I think.
I always thought that a solution to the turn 11 issue (ie the wall over the hill) would have been to turn the track back south at turn 9 and loop it back to link up with front straight, thus eliminating the hill/wall issue.
But I guess they would have considered that long ago.From right behind I watched Glenn Williams highside out of turn four. I low sided at the same time. As I looked over to Glenn, he poked his head up from the other side of the armco. There's an issue there alright.

Don't get me wrong, I reckon Pukie is fucken awesome. But MNZ will never give another permit for an event there.

[Doppleganger]

Self entitlement maybe I guess.
Yes I'm pissed I can no longer afford the cost associated with racing at HD. I can no longer go to my Mrs and say I want to spend this much on me at a cost to the rest of the family.
Before it was bearable, now it isn't simple as that in my case. Too may other things taking priority hence my comments it will be a wealthy or a selfish mans sport going forward.

Like so many others the bike will sit in the shed and I might get a track day or two in over a year instead.

[Doppleganger]

From right behind I watched Glenn Williams highside out of turn four. I low sided at the same time. As I looked over to Glenn, he poked his head up from the other side of the armco. There's an issue there alright.

Don't get me wrong, I reckon Pukie is fucken awesome. But MNZ will never give another permit for an event there.

They already have mate

[Drew]

They already have mate

Really? What was the occasion?

[Doppleganger]

Post classic festival last Feb I think it was and again for next year.
Some of those guys are not a lot slower than club riders some could be even faster and on a old tech machines, go figure how that is safer ?????

[aprilia_RS250]

Really disappointed at HD. Bike track days that have been set until Jan-17; 4 out of 6 are on the little shitty extension bit (GT Radial Circuit). I was hoping it would be the full circuit not the go kart track... It shouldn't be like this

[jellywrestler]

It does appear that HD is focusing on attracting the well healed and that's probably a good business decision.
.

no it's just instead of the facilites inching forward peicemeal it's all been finished in one effort, instead of the prices creeping up it's hit harder with one lot. they need allsorts to ensure it's paying back some dividends, christ we're lucky it cam e this far, i don't think anyone would start another again so easily...

[jellywrestler]

Really disappointed at HD. Bike track days that have been set until Jan-17; 4 out of 6 are on the little shitty extension bit (GT Radial Circuit). I was hoping it would be the full circuit not the go kart track... It shouldn't be like this

yip and double the manpower to staff it means costs go up, which do you prefer?

[MrMarko]

Self entitlement maybe I guess.
Yes I'm pissed I can no longer afford the cost associated with racing at HD. I can no longer go to my Mrs and say I want to spend this much on me at a cost to the rest of the family.
Before it was bearable, now it isn't simple as that in my case. Too may other things taking priority hence my comments it will be a wealthy or a selfish mans sport going forward.

Like so many others the bike will sit in the shed and I might get a track day or two in over a year instead.


Thats racing. it isn't a poor mans sport even at the club level, if you think otherwise you are delusional.

It's a lot like the Auckland housing market, an entitlement that everybody should be able to afford to buy there and wages should match etc etc, it's the same old as always... you want to earn the big bucks change to that career and make the big bucks. The reality is most people are plebs their entire life working under somebody else for feck all pay while they charge you out at triple of more of the rate they are paying you. That's the way the world works and in no way means as an income earner of that level you should be able to afford a house in Auckland, or race a motorcycle at Hampton Downs.

Because a rich man can afford a lamborghini should i be able to have one too? You don't get the lamborghini without sacrifice and hard work. Nobody is going to hand you the world on a plate.

A trackday is a luxury... not a right... luxuries are expensive.

[Kickaha]

On a positive note I dare the clubs to drop the entry price to $150 and watch the masses of entries role in ha ha. No one will have balls that big.

$150 and watch masses of entries roll in, you're fucking delusional

Oh yeah we pay $80 for our club days :banana:

[mossy1200]

Priced high has a long term negative effect.
The people you want to start racing at a young age cant afford these kind of prices.
The young riders who wont attend due to lower than average incomes are the guys that would have kept the numbers up later on.
Look forward to a decrease of talent later.

[Grumph]

no it's just instead of the facilites inching forward peicemeal it's all been finished in one effort, instead of the prices creeping up it's hit harder with one lot. they need allsorts to ensure it's paying back some dividends, christ we're lucky it cam e this far, i don't think anyone would start another again so easily...

Not as a private venture certainly. In NZ I reckon the privately owned business model is not viable except possibly right where it is - close to Auckland.
Ruapuna and Levels are both on council owned land, Teretonga was set up when it was cheap to do. Manfield much the same.
If another track ever appears I reckon it'll be sponsored by a council to attract people to spend money in the area.
The only thing that saved Levels a few years back was the local business community realising how much they'd lose if it went under.

Puke won't be the salvation of the Auckland crowd either - The Franklin Racing Club have always wanted to get shot of the annoying motor race circuit...
And when a few years back they made Mark Petch the business manager for the track i believe his first act was to put prices up.

[Yow Ling]

Battle of the Buckets next Saturday at Levels $30 entry for North Islanders, $70 for South Islanders
King of Ruapuna the next day $55 entry for locals , cheeper for North islanders
Big 3 day classic meet in december at levels about $250 for the whole thing

come on in the water is fine

[Voltaire]

Not as a private venture certainly. In NZ I reckon the privately owned business model is not viable except possibly right where it is - close to Auckland.
Ruapuna and Levels are both on council owned land, Teretonga was set up when it was cheap to do. Manfield much the same.
If another track ever appears I reckon it'll be sponsored by a council to attract people to spend money in the area.
The only thing that saved Levels a few years back was the local business community realising how much they'd lose if it went under.

Puke won't be the salvation of the Auckland crowd either - The Franklin Racing Club have always wanted to get shot of the annoying motor race circuit...
And when a few years back they made Mark Petch the business manager for the track i believe his first act was to put prices up.

My understanding is that Puke are quite keen to get motor racing.
Probably only a matter of time before urban sprawl makes it impractical to run, but hey if the speedway at Western Springs can find off the Audi/SUV brigade there is hope.

One for the panel.
What do you think the base costs of running a two day event at Puke are?
Track hire, marshal costs, St Johns?

[trustme]

Long term Puke will go that way of Baypark, urban sprawl & noise restrictions will limit use of the track to a point where it is no longer viable. The nimbys are forcing speedway out of western Springs just taking longer than they expected.

[Drew]

Post classic festival last Feb I think it was and again for next year.
Some of those guys are not a lot slower than club riders some could be even faster and on a old tech machines, go figure how that is safer ?????
Post classic hard chargers are within 3 or 4 seconds of superbike.

Is the post classic association MNZ affiliated?

[Voltaire]

Post classic hard chargers are within 3 or 4 seconds of superbike.

Is the post classic association MNZ affiliated?

Puke is run by the NZCMRR , the NZPCA are invited along. It has MNZ approval.

http://www.nzcmrr.com/index

NZCMRR now has a " 70's" class, time to dust off those old bikes and take them out for a spin. The 350/500 class is looking good with Honda 350 twins and even a 4, plus Suzuki 500's

Feb Festival has a Marlboro Series Reunion theme so expect lots of Japanese bikes to be there :woohoo:

[Guido]

While there have been some negative and positive comments regards Hampton Downs I thought hang on, why not ask whats involved in running a race meeting, so I asked some questions. Here some facts.
As part of circuit hire all of the below items are costs.
1. Race track, To run a race meeting there is the track hire, cant race with out one.
2. Radios, these are for the safety of the riders so the Clerk of course is in touch with all the point marshals and pick up crews ( around 40 Radios are required)
3. Race control, the hub of where every thing happens this is where the timing and where the clerk of course and steward controls the meeting and safety of the riders and officials.
4. Timing, yes we live in 2016 riders in effect demand the latest technology, do we want to go back to the old days of lap scoring by race bike numbers. Not really feasible because the numbers on bikes nowadays are not readable by spectators,let alone lap scorers. A major part of this is caused by the design of fairings and the lack of space for numbers.
5. PA system. Riders will be the first to complain if they don,t hear their race is up next. The PA system also keeps the public informed.
6. Air bags. Required for rider safety.
7. Machine check building. Required as who wants to do machine checking or attend machine checking out in the rain or the baking sun.
8. Hampton Downs Health and Safety levy. In todays world we all have to live with it at work or play.
9. Ambulance, always a full life support unit as riders lives are paramount, MNZ rule book says a qualified first aider.
10. Facility clean up, some one has to clean the place up.
11. Garages, makes racing so much easier power supplied dry if meeting wet. Alternative is to bring your own generator and tent, your call.
12. Permit,have to have one for MNZ event protection and insurance cover.
13. Marshals. There are costs involved. These volunteers stand out there all day while riders get their jollies, so lunch and water are supplied for them. 31 Track workers are required, without considering all the others required to run a race day. Normally around 50 people.
14. MTA vouchers. Volunteers have to travel to the circuit to marshal or be pick up crew all day so riders can race.
15. Ctas, Rider's voted for this excellent service .

If we could attract Spectators, the position would be altered, but no matter what is done and how much is spent, the gate take remains the same.

This doesn't cover off everything but covers the main things that make a race meeting work.
We all understand all the hours riders put in to preparing their bikes, but like wise club officials probably put as many hours in planning and running a meeting which no one actually sees.
To have a successful meeting there needs to be the track and associated items, club official in the back room, club officials up front, riders and crew, spectators. A meeting can not operate with out all parties playing their part.
Its simple, add up your track hire and club costs, divide by what you believe the entry numbers will be equals the entry fee.
So encourage more riders to race and entry fees will come down.
Clubs exist to assist their members and to promote Racing, but if they are losing money on Race Meetings, eventually the money will run out and then not only do they stop running race meetings, they are declared bankrupt. The clubs can only work within the cost structures the circuits provide.

Just another quick point. Pukekohe is now more expensive to hire than HD. When the V8 Supertaxis race there in November, watch a little of the coverage and see just how rough the circuit has become. Much worse than it was. I understand that the Toyota Racing Series and Formula 5000's cannot race there because of the state of the circuit.

[Dreama]

Cheers for that Mr Guido.
A good heads up on the what's involved in running an event. It's quite a process so it's interesting to see it so well documented.
I'm very surprised about the Pukey bit, the cost that is, not the bumps.

I guess the bit that really sucks about HD now, to me at least, is that the club circuit seems average and unappealing. That's a statement said without having ridden it, but compared with the the big new circuit, it doesn't excite me.
I know and appreciate there are reasons for using it, but that doesn't change the facts.

[Autech]

CAMS once emailed all members before a round n broke down the costs in interest of getting riders to show up to the meet rain hail or shine.

It went something along the lines of (figures inaccurate but you get the gist):
"The first 30 riders pay for the track hire
The next 20 pay for the ambulance
The next 20 pay for the marshals lunches
Only after there can we put money into the clubs coffers, so get out there and race"

Seemed to work as that day was bloody busy with lots of racing. Maybe if the riders at Hampton knew this kind of information the numbers will show, the club will build up a safety net cause if a meet costs them they will eventually stop putting them on.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Guido]

Cheers for that Mr Guido.
A good heads up on the what's involved in running an event. It's quite a process so it's interesting to see it so well documented.
I'm very surprised about the Pukey bit, the cost that is, not the bumps.

I guess the bit that really sucks about HD now, to me at least, is that the club circuit seems average and unappealing. That's a statement said without having ridden it, but compared with the the big new circuit, it doesn't excite me.
I know and appreciate there are reasons for using it, but that doesn't change the facts.

I don't know if you ever rode the old club circuit at Pukekohe, but for a simple design it was certainly fun to ride and provided very good racing. Having spoken to several riders who have ridden the new Club Circuit at HD, it is a challenging and enjoyable circuit. Throttle control and racing line selection are paramount.

I understand that the Auckland Club are worried about the pricing of their club series, that is why they are using both the National Circuit and the Club circuit for their Championship rounds, but there is nothing else they can do. Taupo or Manfeild circuits are not really feasible due to the cost of getting Marshalls and Officials there and home again and accommodating them at the venues. Add in Track Hire and you are in the same situation as running at HD. Expensive.
It appears to me that AMCC are between a Rock and a hard place. They set the entry fee at a level where they make a small profit and continue, or they subsidise the Entry Fees so that eventually they go broke, or they effectively go into hibernation and they drastically reduce the events they run. That latter two options would of course lead to reduced membership and inevitably non existence.

MMMMMMM. What do they do? Any suggestions? Please be constructive as this affects the sport we all love with a passion, because eventually ALL Circuits will have to increase prices and address the OSH issues, it has just happened in Auckland first.

[Guido]

CAMS once emailed all members before a round n broke down the costs in interest of getting riders to show up to the meet rain hail or shine.

It went something along the lines of (figures inaccurate but you get the gist):
"The first 30 riders pay for the track hire
The next 20 pay for the ambulance
The next 20 pay for the marshals lunches
Only after there can we put money into the clubs coffers, so get out there and race"

Seemed to work as that day was bloody busy with lots of racing. Maybe if the riders at Hampton knew this kind of information the numbers will show, the club will build up a safety net cause if a meet costs them they will eventually stop putting them on.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good idea, but I don't have the costs. Lets see if the AMCC Admin see this. Maybe they can release the figures.

[sharp2183]

I don't know if you ever rode the old club circuit at Pukekohe, but for a simple design it was certainly fun to ride and provided very good racing. Having spoken to several riders who have ridden the new Club Circuit at HD, it is a challenging and enjoyable circuit. Throttle control and racing line selection are paramount.

I understand that the Auckland Club are worried about the pricing of their club series, that is why they are using both the National Circuit and the Club circuit for their Championship rounds, but there is nothing else they can do. Taupo or Manfeild circuits are not really feasible due to the cost of getting Marshalls and Officials there and home again and accommodating them at the venues. Add in Track Hire and you are in the same situation as running at HD. Expensive.
It appears to me that AMCC are between a Rock and a hard place. They set the entry fee at a level where they make a small profit and continue, or they subsidise the Entry Fees so that eventually they go broke, or they effectively go into hibernation and they drastically reduce the events they run. That latter two options would of course lead to reduced membership and inevitably non existence.

MMMMMMM. What do they do? Any suggestions? Please be constructive as this affects the sport we all love with a passion, because eventually ALL Circuits will have to increase prices and address the OSH issues, it has just happened in Auckland first.

What about increasing the attendee numbers and the value of the day rather than decreasing the cost?

Review classes. What about the introduction of a pre-95 class to bolster numbers in the post classic field? When I started racing 6 years ago it was still pre-89. 6 years on basic logic dictates this should change to reflect time passed.

Cross entry. Why is this so cheap? Make it $80 to cross enter. Still great value relative to the entry fees. Or

Review the structure of the day. AMCC start their days sooo late. Why does practice not start at 8.30 or 9am on the dot? Too much time lost that leads to the perception that riders only get half a day of riding. If there were three 12 lap races the laps per dollar would increase. Better value. Surely there are ways to reduce times throughout the day to increase track time? Streamline briefings with minimal unneeded talking (main points only), plus start them earlier. Seriously, how many people need to have their say at the briefing?

I personally accept that prices go up and I am willing to pay, I just struggle with the cost per lap and the fact that everyone gets there early but waits so long for the day to get going.

[roogazza]

I know we have a few oldies on here still, I started in 1970. But most of my years we had prize money at these meetings and it was a good amount too for the day. From memory it was $120 for a win,compare that to what a tyre cost then,about 50 bucks for TT100 ! (cos that's what everyone used haha.)
Someone somewhere is making money here ?

No Spectators means the downward spiral will continue.Maybe the death of Street Circuits was the beginning ?
If you think H/Downs is shafting ya,walk ! Go somewhere else.

[MrMarko]

I know we have a few oldies on here still, I started in 1970. But most of my years we had prize money at these meetings and it was a good amount too for the day. From memory it was $120 for a win,compare that to what a tyre cost then,about 50 bucks for TT100 ! (cos that's what everyone used haha.)
Someone somewhere is making money here ?

No Spectators means the downward spiral will continue.Maybe the death of Street Circuits was the beginning ?
If you think H/Downs is shafting ya,walk ! Go somewhere else.

"Hey should we go spectate?"

the answer is almost always...

"I'll just want to be out there myself"

The only spectators at these days tend to be friends or family... Myself personally i'm not going to watch club level racing because i'd much rather be out there myself.

When people go oh trackday cost is too high oh i cant get it by the wife etc... So you cant do one less trackday a year so it doesn't cost any more?

I'm just going to stick with my earlier conclusion. Racing or even trackdays are not for poor people. It's a luxury.

[roogazza]

I hear ya, but spectators in those days were family and friends too,well many were.
It's just that there were way more entrants.
I'm the same,would rather have a lash than watch other turkeys having the fun.

Trackdays : you pay your money and get the thrill of shagging a set of tyres. I'm over that phase as well.

[MrMarko]

I hear ya, but spectators in those days were family and friends too,well many were.
It's just that there were way more entrants.
I'm the same,would rather have a lash than watch other turkeys having the fun.

Trackdays ,you pay your money and get the thrill of shagging a set of tyres,$500 bucks nowdays. Neat !

Can't really complain at the cost of running a bike.

Fuelling the tow car and pulling a 1.6 tonne car on a tandom transporter to a drift day... track fees, fuel for the race car, tyres.... lots and lots of tyres... it makes for an expensive weekend.

Racing a bike suddenly seems extremely cheap.

[rustys]

What about increasing the attendee numbers and the value of the day rather than decreasing the cost?

Review classes. What about the introduction of a pre-95 class to bolster numbers in the post classic field? When I started racing 6 years ago it was still pre-89. 6 years on basic logic dictates this should change to reflect time passed.

Cross entry. Why is this so cheap? Make it $80 to cross enter. Still great value relative to the entry fees. Or

[QUOTE]Review the structure of the day. AMCC start their days sooo late. Why does practice not start at 8.30 or 9am on the dot? Too much time lost that leads to the perception that riders only get half a day of riding. If there were three 12 lap races the laps per dollar would increase. Better value. Surely there are ways to reduce times throughout the day to increase track time? Streamline briefings with minimal unneeded talking (main points only), plus start them earlier. Seriously, how many people need to have their say at the briefing. I personally accept that prices go up and I am willing to pay, I just struggle with the cost per lap and the fact that everyone gets there early but waits so long for the day to get going.

Think we all have to face facts that prices are just going to continue to increase one way or the other, just like our house Rates, and the cost of living.

Sharp2183 : you have made an important point here, the Clubs ALSO! must sharpen up there act here and be better organised, I see to much time wasted in getting the day underway, we as riders are the ones paying for the track hire, so why should we not be out there getting what we pay for and making every dollar count.
In the past I have seen some brilliantly run meetings and enjoyed every minute of them where the day starts ON TIME, with an extra pick up vehicle used if needed, half hour for lunch, and when the afternoon looks like its running ahead of schedule, more laps get added to each race class at the end of the day, so that the last race is finished bang ON TIME, that's value for your dollar.

Never been keen on adding more classes to the Racing, as I have felt it reduces racing time, but in reality the sport has now become a numbers game, the more bikes on the track will help reduce costs, even if we have to combine the classes up a little.

I have been racing for 13 years, and now retired from work, so I am also having to budget to make changes and be a little selective where I race and when. Lets face it its not going to get any better, and the outlook is not looking good.

[Guido]

What about increasing the attendee numbers and the value of the day rather than decreasing the cost?

Review classes. What about the introduction of a pre-95 class to bolster numbers in the post classic field? When I started racing 6 years ago it was still pre-89. 6 years on basic logic dictates this should change to reflect time passed.

Cross entry. Why is this so cheap? Make it $80 to cross enter. Still great value relative to the entry fees. Or

Review the structure of the day. AMCC start their days sooo late. Why does practice not start at 8.30 or 9am on the dot? Too much time lost that leads to the perception that riders only get half a day of riding. If there were three 12 lap races the laps per dollar would increase. Better value. Surely there are ways to reduce times throughout the day to increase track time? Streamline briefings with minimal unneeded talking (main points only), plus start them earlier. Seriously, how many people need to have their say at the briefing?

I personally accept that prices go up and I am willing to pay, I just struggle with the cost per lap and the fact that everyone gets there early but waits so long for the day to get going.

Thank you for the feedback.
The Pre 95 class is scheduled for a launch next year I think.
Ambulances are now booked to be on circuit at 7.45 to allow an 8.00am start.
The briefings point is valid, however there are still and the mandatory Duty of care, Red Flag proceedures etc that must be dealt with.
From memory the club made the races for National Classes longer at the meeting prior to Nationals last year. Should this be the case for the Series as a whole?

[insomnia01]

Me.

Except from kihikihi now so a bit more than 45 minutes.

where in the big smoke are you??

[sharp2183]

Thank you for the feedback.
The Pre 95 class is scheduled for a launch next year I think.
Ambulances are now booked to be on circuit at 7.45 to allow an 8.00am start.
The briefings point is valid, however there are still and the mandatory Duty of care, Red Flag proceedures etc that must be dealt with.
From memory the club made the races for National Classes longer at the meeting prior to Nationals last year. Should this be the case for the Series as a whole?

I think that yes, if each race day is run more efficiently, starts earlier and everyone's races are extended (i.e. we get 3x12 laps for F1/F2 and maybe 10 for other classes) then everyone would be happier. I had a great time that day, but it was a bit of a bummer there were only two races instead of 3.

The easiest way to increase track time for each rider is to increase the laps per race, rather than add another race. With the same number of warm up laps, starts and cool down laps you would increase the total time in the day by the total time of the extra laps only.

Let's say you find a compromise and extend races by 2 laps. If you assume a very slow average lap time of 1.25 for the national track then an additional 2 laps for 6 classes for 3 races each will amount to just over 50 minutes extra in the day. I'm sure though an early start and some better time management the club can find at least an hour. That would be a great start. My opinion only of course but I have talked to a few of the 'maybe I'll come' racers who do count the value of these days.

We need to accept that the price is high. But if the club can increase the perceived value of the day then it will become an easier pill to swallow.

[Guido]

Just as we make progress here I have been reminded that riders MUST be off the circuit by 4.30pm. If it goes past 4.30 there is a "Twilight" charge for running over time, still, as long as everyone knows, there will not be a problem.
I am sure AMCC will be thankful for the input from you guys and will implement everything they can. Any further suggestions will be warmly embraced.

[Doppleganger]

Priced high has a long term negative effect.
The people you want to start racing at a young age cant afford these kind of prices.
The young riders who wont attend due to lower than average incomes are the guys that would have kept the numbers up later on.
Look forward to a decrease of talent later.

And this is the main problem, the young talent just wont be there in the future because they simply cant afford it.


I know we have a few oldies on here still, I started in 1970. But most of my years we had prize money at these meetings and it was a good amount too for the day. From memory it was $120 for a win,compare that to what a tyre cost then,about 50 bucks for TT100 ! (cos that's what everyone used haha.)
Someone somewhere is making money here ?

No Spectators means the downward spiral will continue.Maybe the death of Street Circuits was the beginning ?
If you think H/Downs is shafting ya,walk ! Go somewhere else.

Many already have inc me. "no loss" you may say but that's one less bike on the grid, one less MNZ member, one less club member.....again on a positive note a happy wife and kids and a bit more spending money for the family holiday.


Good idea, but I don't have the costs. Lets see if the AMCC Admin see this. Maybe they can release the figures.

I get the impression this might be a telling year for AMCC, if the numbers continue to fall and the 'Club' circuit turns out to be unappealing and HD continue to undercut their entry fees with their ride days price. Guess who's going to be the winner here.....go figure....the rich getting richer again.

[malcy25]

What about increasing the attendee numbers and the value of the day rather than decreasing the cost?

Review classes. What about the introduction of a pre-95 class to bolster numbers in the post classic field? When I started racing 6 years ago it was still pre-89. 6 years on basic logic dictates this should change to reflect time passed.

Cross entry. Why is this so cheap? Make it $80 to cross enter. Still great value relative to the entry fees. Or

Review the structure of the day. AMCC start their days sooo late. Why does practice not start at 8.30 or 9am on the dot? Too much time lost that leads to the perception that riders only get half a day of riding. If there were three 12 lap races the laps per dollar would increase. Better value. Surely there are ways to reduce times throughout the day to increase track time? Streamline briefings with minimal unneeded talking (main points only), plus start them earlier. Seriously, how many people need to have their say at the briefing?

I personally accept that prices go up and I am willing to pay, I just struggle with the cost per lap and the fact that everyone gets there early but waits so long for the day to get going.

Don't forget, for an early briefing and earlier start, the riders etc need to be on their game as well. That means there early, signed on gear / bike in the queue. No dawdling, no arriving late and wandering down. So many times Riders briefing etc can't start as the riders are still doing the formalities.

[Bass]

Well bugger me with a great big long buggering stick!!!!
A constructive and well behaved discussion on KB - a balanced one even.
Amazing!
Congratulations gentlemen.

[jellywrestler]

No Spectators means the downward spiral will continue.Maybe the death of Street Circuits was the beginning ?


how many street circuits were running when you started Gary?
from memory this current year there are five in nz, plus three other one way street events, ie hill climbs rather than laps.

[jellywrestler]

I know we have a few oldies on here still, I started in 1970. But most of my years we had prize money at these meetings and it was a good amount too for the day. From memory it was $120 for a win,compare that to what a tyre cost then,about 50 bucks for TT100 ! (cos that's what everyone used haha.)
Someone somewhere is making money here ?

some of the old timers wouldn't have got out of bed for that, Percy Coleman brought a plane with his winnings in the 1920's, that's before he had a motorcycle shop and the tracks were getting 20000 spectators in some areas of nz, 'your' heyday was only a shadow of those days too in comparison.

[roogazza]

how many street circuits were running when you started Gary?
from memory this current year there are five in nz, plus three other one way street events, ie hill climbs rather than laps.

The main ones,Gracefeild,Lyall Bay,Porirua,Wanganui,Onekawa,Hamilton and in the south Hawksbury.
Odd one popped up in masterton and Paraparam airfeild.
Don't know about Paeroa,never bothered with that.
Don't know about hillclimbs, But Palmerhead was one.
I believe there are a couple of meets in the south now but they're hardly in the class of the big ones which were every bit as big as Wanganui.
Wanganui is still hanging in there .

[MrMarko]

some of the old timers wouldn't have got out of bed for that, Percy Coleman brought a plane with his winnings in the 1920's, that's before he had a motorcycle shop and the tracks were getting 20000 spectators in some areas of nz, 'your' heyday was only a shadow of those days too in comparison.

Frankly its to be expected on a weekend in the 20s.... no tv no internet... oh there a bike race on, go make a day of it with the family...

the world has changed

[roogazza]

some of the old timers wouldn't have got out of bed for that, Percy Coleman brought a plane with his winnings in the 1920's, that's before he had a motorcycle shop and the tracks were getting 20000 spectators in some areas of nz, 'your' heyday was only a shadow of those days too in comparison.
I didn't have a heyday, I was just lucky enough to be there in the boom years.(including Marlboro times)
I didn't follow what happened in the pre japanese bike years.

[Dreama]

The main ones,Gracefeild,Lyall Bay,Porirua,Wanganui,Onekawa,Hamilton and in the south Hawksbury.
Odd one popped up in masterton and Paraparam airfeild.
Don't know about Paeroa,never bothered with that.
Don't know about hillclimbs, But Palmerhead was one.
I believe there are a couple of meets in the south now but they're hardly in the class of the big ones which were every bit as big as Wanganui.
Wanganui is still hanging in there .

So is it just the way it's been worded but why so dismissive of Paeroa ?
It's been going about 20yrs now and seems healthy. The numbers aren't as high as earlier but still attracts a good field and spectators.

[jellywrestler]

Frankly its to be expected on a weekend in the 20s.... no tv no internet... oh there a bike race on, go make a day of it with the family...

the world has changed


I didn't have a heyday, I was just lucky enough to be there in the boom years.(including Marlboro times)
I didn't follow what happened in the pre japanese bike years.

just putting things into perspective over time everything has evolved, track days evolved as road rego went up, some spill over to road racing, if rego never went up that big hunk would track days be so popular??

[sharp2183]

Don't forget, for an early briefing and earlier start, the riders etc need to be on their game as well. That means there early, signed on gear / bike in the queue. No dawdling, no arriving late and wandering down. So many times Riders briefing etc can't start as the riders are still doing the formalities.

So so true. I think this is totally possible. Consider the California Superbike School who start their days very early. Despite this people turn up on time.

I think if the expectation was very clear then there would be no excuse. However, there needs to be fewer special treatments where people can turn up late and still participate. No name naming but we all know some rider(s) who can turn up when they please and the rules are bent.

Be there at early enough to complete sign on and make it to the briefing or you miss out. Most people will understand this real world requirement I think? Maybe the first time a few unhappy people but if you turn up to your club rugby game half an hour late the game doesn't get delayed does it?

[Grumph]

I didn't have a heyday, I was just lucky enough to be there in the boom years.(including Marlboro times)
I didn't follow what happened in the pre japanese bike years.

That was the second boom period. Grasstrack and speedway prewar was the first. The old man was earning five times the std weekly wage as a pro speedway rider in the 30's. Try earning the equivalent of that in NZ now...
Immediately prior to the explosion of jap bikes the sport was in serious decline. At that time i knew every regular roadracer in the SI personally - all 20 odd of them....

[roogazza]

So is it just the way it's been worded but why so dismissive of Paeroa ?
It's been going about 20yrs now and seems healthy. The numbers aren't as high as earlier but still attracts a good field and spectators.

No bud just wording,I said I never bothered,as in it didn't interest me.

[malcy25]

So so true. I think this is totally possible. Consider the California Superbike School who start their days very early. Despite this people turn up on time.

I think if the expectation was very clear then there would be no excuse. However, there needs to be fewer special treatments where people can turn up late and still participate. No name naming but we all know some rider(s) who can turn up when they please and the rules are bent.

Be there at early enough to complete sign on and make it to the briefing or you miss out. Most people will understand this real world requirement I think? Maybe the first time a few unhappy people but if you turn up to your club rugby game half an hour late the game doesn't get delayed does it?

CSS are explicit on their "need to be there time" which is good for setting that expectation.

Since the move to HD from Puke (which worked around the horses timelines and then some...) which had a 9.30am no engine start time limit or something, AMCC have had staff on very early at HD for sign on etc, especially of late.

Rugby, what's that?

[Kickaha]

I believe there are a couple of meets in the south now but they're hardly in the class of the big ones which were every bit as big as Wanganui.
Wanganui is still hanging in there .

More than a couple

Greymouth, Nelson, Methven and Invercargill, I've only done Nelson and Greymouth and while not as big as the likes of Wanganui Greymouth in particular was way better to compete at

[sharp2183]

CSS are explicit on their "need to be there time" which is good for setting that expectation.

Since the move to HD from Puke (which worked around the horses timelines and then some...) which had a 9.30am no engine start time limit or something, AMCC have had staff on very early at HD for sign on etc, especially of late.

Rugby, what's that?

That's good to hear. Now just need to get the expectation across to the riders.

Rugby, it's a sport I used to play. Teaches you to put the needs of the team before your own, the importance of knowing the rules, and also that missing training or turning up late meant you got dropped from the team and didn't play that Saturday. Compare that to riders who rock up late, don't know the rules, slow things down for everyone else, etc, then maybe we shouldn't write off what we can learn from other sports... :)

[jellywrestler]

T

Rugby, Teaches you to put the needs of the team before your own,
then maybe we shouldn't write off what we can learn from other sports... :)

also teaches you that it's ok to throw punches and eye gouges and other shit....

[sharp2183]

also teaches you that it's ok to throw punches and eye gouges and other shit....

Last I heard that wasn't ok dude... In our teams players were benched or dropped for that behaviour.

In fact that's definitely not ok and if that's what you think team sport teaches you then it's probably best you don't become a coach or let your kids play.

Sport is changing and so it should. It wasn't so long ago that Rossi and Biaggi were getting physical post races. Not a great example either.

[sharp2183]

Anyway let's not get into that. AMCC have ways they can improve so let's hope this season sees some of that.

[Drew]

Last I heard that wasn't ok dude... In our teams players were benched or dropped for that behaviour.

In fact that's definitely not ok and if that's what you think team sport teaches you then it's probably best you don't become a coach or let your kids play.

Sport is changing and so it should. It wasn't so long ago that Rossi and Biaggi were getting physical post races. Not a great example either.
I think the point Spyda was making is that Rugby as an example of what racers should look to, is a poor one.

Biaggi and Rossi going at it was great for the sport. Everyone wanted to see what was gonna happen next week. Mibbee we need a real good rivalry to get spectators in.

[roogazza]

Anyway let's not get into that. AMCC have ways they can improve so let's hope this season sees some of that.

Getting away from HD a bit, but a a few posts back you mentioned Puke fitting in with the horses?
brought to mind the Levin Track which closed for similar reasons.
Great little track I used to ride up to from Wgton on a YDS3 to watch world class F1 Champs Jim Clark,Graham Hill etc in the 60s.
It closed anyway ,I think in the 70s . The Hutt club held some great meets there,so well organised and the only place I remember getting in 5 races in a day for every class !!!
Ironically I moved to the Horowhenua 2 years ago and about 5 minutes away.Must go and have a look to see if the track itself is still there ?
No buildings and the pits were paddock,I should buy it and put on trackdays for 30 bucks ???!!! :laugh:

[malcy25]

AMCC have ways they can improve so let's hope this season sees some of that.

More correctly, AMCC ARE doing a very good job with the club series (2015/2016 season ripped), and there are aspects they may LIKE to consider whether the application of MAY provide benefit. Just because it was noted here, doesn't always mean it will drive a positive result overall for them and the way the events are run.

Rugby. Team sport skills etc, all good, but ultimately to me it comes across as a "religion" that holds NZ to ransom. I await the national day of mourning when the AB's lose next - and yes, that is a known fact, productivity etc does reduce and if I recall correctly, counts of domestic violence increases. What's with that!?

[Drew]

More correctly, AMCC ARE doing a very good job with the club series (2015/2016 season ripped), and there are aspects they may LIKE to consider whether the application of MAY provide benefit. Just because it was noted here, doesn't always mean it will drive a positive result overall for them and the way the events are run.

Rugby. Team sport skills etc, all good, but ultimately to me it comes across as a "religion" that holds NZ to ransom. I await the national day of mourning when the AB's lose next - and yes, that is a known fact, productivity etc does reduce and if I recall correctly, counts of domestic violence increases. What's with that!?
More like a religion when you consider they don't get taxed the way others do. There are no ACC costs for rugby players, and they get fucked up all the time.

[jellywrestler]

Getting away from HD a bit, but a a few posts back you mentioned Puke fitting in with the horses?
brought to mind the Levin Track which closed for similar reasons.

i spent some time with Syd Jensen and he mentioned the opening of manfield and the lease on some of our native mud people's land being an issue. plus he siad they'd been doing it for so long the commitee gave it a miss. i can see the horsey thing being in there too.

[sharp2183]

More correctly, AMCC ARE doing a very good job with the club series (2015/2016 season ripped), and there are aspects they may LIKE to consider whether the application of MAY provide benefit. Just because it was noted here, doesn't always mean it will drive a positive result overall for them and the way the events are run.

Rugby. Team sport skills etc, all good, but ultimately to me it comes across as a "religion" that holds NZ to ransom. I await the national day of mourning when the AB's lose next - and yes, that is a known fact, productivity etc does reduce and if I recall correctly, counts of domestic violence increases. What's with that!?

Sure, noted. AMCC are doing a good job. I wasn't meaning to heap any unfair criticism on them. I love riding there and hope they keep up the good work. I was just expressing my opinion and how I think they could improve. It doesn't mean I'm right.

I hear what you are saying re. religion. I actually agree. However no different to football in Europe or other sports in other countries. I was in Portugal when they won the Euros and even an All Blacks WC win doesn't have as much of an impact. I was also at the MotoGP in Brno and noticed that 'religion' and 'Rossi' rival anything the All Blacks have. Rugby is not special, it just happens to be the massively favoured sport in NZ, while we love a minority sport. I also was under the impression that ACC was covered by club fees. Might be wrong.

But I'm not debating any of that, I was just saying that perhaps there are things we can learn from other sports and the way their participants and clubs work.

[ellipsis]

I hear what you are saying re. religion. I actually agree. However no different to football in Europe or other sports in other countries. I was in Portugal when they won the Euros and even an All Blacks WC win doesn't have as much of an impact. I was also at the MotoGP in Brno and noticed that 'religion' and 'Rossi' rival anything the All Blacks have. Rugby is not special, it just happens to be the massively favoured sport in NZ, while we love a minority sport. I also was under the impression that ACC was covered by club fees. Might be wrong.



...all of this...

[roogazza]

i spent some time with Syd Jensen and he mentioned the opening of manfield and the lease on some of our native mud people's land being an issue. plus he siad they'd been doing it for so long the commitee gave it a miss. i can see the horsey thing being in there too.

"Mud people' :laugh::laugh::laugh:

Yes , Clubs seem to hold the Key don't they ? I have a close friend who was an organiser of Gracefield (together with other friends in the Hutt club) .
It was a lot of work pulling everything together for a Meet.
Remember one year they were short of workers at the circuit and a whole gang of riders were down there sweeping and putting up haybales the night before !
But like everything I suppose,nothings forever ! No organisers no racing.

[Bass]

I think the point Spyda was making is that Rugby as an example of what racers should look to, is a poor one.

Biaggi and Rossi going at it was great for the sport. Everyone wanted to see what was gonna happen next week. Mibbee we need a real good rivalry to get spectators in.

So you're saying that rugby is a GOOD example then?

[Dreama]

Racers bagging rugby and team sports is pretty stupid.
As 'sharp2183' said earlier, team sport teaches a completely different value to individualistic sport. Anyone that has watched their sons and daughters grow up playing team sport will know what an outstanding culture it instils in them.
That culture and attitude is quite possibly why we punch well above our weigh internationally over the whole sporting spectrum.
I've played and coached both senior and junior rugby and watched many young kids and men develop into really good people. As a rule, the thugs and dead beats of society don't play sport because it requires attitudes and discipline they don't posses.
The dumb cunts who think that punching and eye gouging is a part and parcel of rugby are so far off the mark it's farcical. Eye gouging in particular is so rare that when it actually does happen it's a very big deal. Punching used to happen quite a bit in the lower senior and youth levels, not so much nowadays. But, granted, it still does occasionally but it's young guys playing a physical game so of course it's going to happen. They get punished pretty severely now and it's definitely not encouraged.
So then we get motorsports., in our case motorcycles.
Fuck, is their any sport that is more selfish and financially destructive ?
Ask me how I know that.

[jellywrestler]

Mibbee we need a real good rivalry to get spectators in.

junior motorcross daddies do that shit.

[jasonu]

also teaches you that it's ok to throw punches and eye gouges and other shit....

touching up strippers...

[desmoto]

Does anybody know if Amcc can apply for funding from Lotto?

[jellywrestler]

touching up strippers...

if you need to join an organisation to learn that you're well and truly fucked.


personally i have never watched a game of rugby in my entire life so don't know what the fuss is all about.

[jasonu]

Does anybody know if Amcc can apply for funding from Lotto?

That's a good one! Motorcycle racing is no where trendy or mainstream enough (like rugby) to get lotto cash.

[MrMarko]

I see so now we've turned our luxury hobby into, who should be paying for this for us....

:rolleyes:

[mossy1200]

touching up strippers...

Great idea.
Get strippers to marshal the race. They wont eat lunch anyway so use the 20 times 340 allocated lunch money for marshals to pay them.
Should increase the crowds attendance so charge them entry.
A lot would pay for stripper and bike photos. Its win win.

[MrMarko]

Great idea.
Get strippers to marshal the race. They wont eat lunch anyway so use the 20 times 340 allocated lunch money for marshals to pay them.
Should increase the crowds attendance so charge them entry.
A lot would pay for stripper and bike photos. Its win win.

Strippers for marshalls?

Well spectators do love the crashes i guess. because if there are strippers waving flags i'm going down.... once ive had the appropriate shots that is.

[jellywrestler]

Great idea.
Get strippers to marshal the race.

i took a slapper to a race meeting at manfield once who only wore a push up bra and a dress, i reported for crash crew, she got on the stones green ginger wine and lit up some recreational tobbaco.
Later on in the day she convinced the starter to let her have a go, she stood up there and flashed her gash to everyone before dropping the flag, at the end of the race there were a number of the bikes came out of the sweeper and have some sort of mechanical issue slowing them down for the chequred flag.
i can remember at prize giving joan gibbes asking sally steadman in front of the crowd to describe it,


yip that would work.

[MrMarko]

i took a slapper to a race meeting at manfield once who only wore a push up bra and a dress, i reported for crash crew, she got on the stones green ginger wine and lit up some recreational tobbaco.
Later on in the day she convinced the starter to let her have a go, she stood up there and flashed her gash to everyone before dropping the flag, at the end of the race there were a number of the bikes came out of the sweeper and have some sort of mechanical issue slowing them down for the chequred flag.
i can remember at prize giving joan gibbes asking sally steadman in front of the crowd to describe it,


yip that would work.


Lack of blood supply to the wrist perhaps.

[Voltaire]

I see so now we've turned our luxury hobby into, who should be paying for this for us....

:rolleyes:


Probably say that for most 'sports'.

Like really...how can a guy who gets a ball from one end of a field to another be worth paying a million dollars to.

Formula 1, I'd rather and often do watch paint dry and grass grow in preference to car racing.:rolleyes:

[jasonu]

Strippers for marshalls?

Well spectators do love the crashes i guess. because if there are strippers waving flags i'm going down.... once ive had the appropriate shots that is.

You might get mouth to mouth with a happy ending.:niceone:

[Doppleganger]

Back on topic :)

The first round of the AMCC club series is next weekend, I guess the amount of entries will indicate the current feeling from racers. It is on the national circuit though so the next real test will be when its on the tidler.
Does anyone one know if CTAS are covering it?

[Drew]

A couple mates and I were gonna be doing a few rounds up there to test for next year's six hour. But we've learned the gay format for that event so won't be bothering.

But there may well be low numbers for this AMCC event as people save coin for this year's six hour.

[jellywrestler]

A couple mates and I were gonna be doing a few rounds up there to test for next year's six hour. But we've learned the gay format for that event so won't be bothering.
maybe the organisers actually thought about the most practical way to run an event in this modern era, researched with riders and came up with a formula that would actually see bikes on the grid, it's been a lot of years since we had a six hour, have you ever wondered why?

[Drew]

maybe the organisers actually thought about the most practical way to run an event in this modern era, researched with riders and came up with a formula that would actually see bikes on the grid, it's been a lot of years since we had a six hour, have you ever wondered why?
Possibly. It isn't a six hour though. It's three segmented two hour races with team points essentially.

[jellywrestler]

Possibly. It isn't a six hour though. It's three segmented two hour races with team points essentially.

have you enquired whether you can use one bike and two or three riders?
hows it differnet to the old six hours where there were more than one rider required by regulations, and a maximum time for one of the riders

[sharp2183]

have you enquired whether you can use one bike and two or three riders?
hows it differnet to the old six hours where there were more than one rider required by regulations, and a maximum time for one of the riders

You can use one bike I'm pretty sure.

And it's in no way three segmented races. There is one transponder that must change bike if you wish to run 3 bikes.

Also three bikes were advisable due to safety. With 90% of the teams amateur there's a lot of risk with wheel changes etc.

It's an awesome format, and some top racers turned out for it last year. Don't knock it until you try it.

[Drew]

have you enquired whether you can use one bike and two or three riders?
hows it differnet to the old six hours where there were more than one rider required by regulations, and a maximum time for one of the riders
Bikes are doing a third of the work. So the endurance element is removed from them.

[Drew]

You can use one bike I'm pretty sure.

And it's in no way three segmented races. There is one transponder that must change bike if you wish to run 3 bikes.

Also three bikes were advisable due to safety. With 90% of the teams amateur there's a lot of risk with wheel changes etc.

It's an awesome format, and some top racers turned out for it last year. Don't knock it until you try it.
You can use one bike. There's a three minute penalty every time the wheels come out though.

[steveyb]

i took a slapper to a race meeting at manfield once who only wore a push up bra and a dress, i reported for crash crew, she got on the stones green ginger wine and lit up some recreational tobbaco.
Later on in the day she convinced the starter to let her have a go, she stood up there and flashed her gash to everyone before dropping the flag, at the end of the race there were a number of the bikes came out of the sweeper and have some sort of mechanical issue slowing them down for the chequred flag.
i can remember at prize giving joan gibbes asking sally steadman in front of the crowd to describe it,


yip that would work.

I was on the starting grid for that race and got the full view!!! As fun as it was, it was not exactly a view that needed repeating!