The possible stopping of Motorcycle Racing at Pukekohe

[Two Smoker]

Hey everyone,

Heard that they might be stopping Motorcycle racing at Pukekohe... This is due to alot of recent crashes (not just motorcycle) including mine... But it is mainly because of the increase of Armco protection at the pit entry at turn 6 and 7 (where I had my crash)...

Personally I dont have a problem with this. I think Pukekohe is an extremely dangerous track for bikes... It looks like there might be a round at Taupo for the nationals after all...

[k14]

Where did you get that info from?

I for one wouldn't be sad to see it go although I guess there would be some impact to NZ bike racing having the largest population base not having a local track to hit. Watch this space I guess. Bring on hampton downs.

[chickenfunkstar]

Parts of the track are a bit dangerous but (in sort of a wierd way) thats what makes it more fun. Motorcycling is always going to have some kind of danger, I guess its just a case of how much danger you're willing to accept. The last corner before the front straight always gives me a really big buzz. Perhaps subconciously this is because I know that there is no room for error. I obviously don't want to come off there, but the possibility that I could seems to add to the exitement. Sounds a bit wierd I know, but I reckon that theres such a think as too safe.

[Two Smoker]

Parts of the track are a bit dangerous but (in sort of a wierd way) thats what makes it more fun. Motorcycling is always going to have some kind of danger, I guess its just a case of how much danger you're willing to accept. The last corner before the front straight always gives me a really big buzz. Perhaps subconciously this is because I know that there is no room for error. I obviously don't want to come off there, but the possibility that I could seems to add to the exitement. Sounds a bit wierd I know, but I reckon that theres such a think as too safe.

Turn 1 (guy was paralysed there last year) Turn 6 (i was put in hospital for a couple of weeks) turn 7, and turn 8 (alot of people crash there resulting usually in lots of broken legs...) are extremely dangerous... This is because there is bugger all run off room with the armco right next to the track, the big bikes are doing over 200kmh around those corners you slide along way at 200kmh plus... The safer corners are the hairpin, as there is alot of run off room the same with turn 2 and 3...

[chickenfunkstar]

I know the dangers are there, I accept them when I go there and don't have a problem with them. The small possibility of crashing seems to make it more exciting for me as a road rider who's there soley for enjoyment. I suspect that you and I would go to the track for completly different reasons. If my goal was to go as fast around the track as possible I don't think i'd like the situation either. I'd also suspect that i'd feel completly differently if I had actually crashed there as well.

[Quasievil]

Good Riddens I say, hate that track its jus a bloody drag strip, after racing in Taupo, Puke stands out as the worst track in NZ, and coupled with the safety issue why go there?

[Two Smoker]

I know the dangers are there, I accept them when I go there and don't have a problem with them. The small possibility of crashing seems to make it more exciting for me as a road rider who's there soley for enjoyment. I suspect that you and I would go to the track for completly different reasons. If my goal was to go as fast around the track as possible I don't think i'd like the situation either. I'd also suspect that i'd feel completly differently if I had actually crashed there as well.

Definately... As a road riders, most poeple wouldnt have a problem with the track, as they arent getting even close to the pace that the top racers are getting...

[Lou Girardin]

I won't miss it. It has to be the worst track in this part of the world. Even worse now that drifters spread mud all over the track.

[trev]

Fingers crossed for Hampton Downs hearing 26/7/06

from their site www.hamptondowns.com
NEWS
June 2006

Council have set the date for the Resource Managment hearing for the 26/7/06 . Support for the consent generated over 380 submissions with just 4 objections received. If resource consent is granted at the end June and none of the objectors appeal then work could begin as early as October 2006. The main objectors are Transit and the Corrections Dept. We are in discussion with both these departments and expect to reach aggreement with both departments prior to hearing.

[Drunken Monkey]

...why go there?

Because it's close. It takes less than 40 minutes to get there from the middle of town, which means
a) Don't need to make a decision to go if the weather is a bit iffy until the last moment
b) Even if you do go out there and change your mind - nothing lost/nothing gained
c) If your tired after a long day at the track, it's not too long a journey to make on your own

That's why. Fair enough about all these allegations of lack of safety/dangerous/boring/crap whatever, but it's close and its the only race track within a couple hours ride. A better track in the same place would be ideal.
Hampton Downs, if and when that is completed, would be fine with the Mercer/Longswamp extension almost completed it would be pretty easy to get to. Went from Mt Wellington to Meremere dragway in 38 minutes 2 weeks ago without speeding. However, until I've been invited down there for a ride, as far as I'm concerned its still a dreamer's option.

[sAsLEX]

Support for the consent generated over 380 submissions with just 4 objections received.

this is good to see!!

[Quasievil]

Because it's close. It takes less than 40 minutes to get there from the middle of town, which means
a) Don't need to make a decision to go if the weather is a bit iffy until the last moment
b) Even if you do go out there and change your mind - nothing lost/nothing gained
c) If your tired after a long day at the track, it's not too long a journey to make on your own

That's why. Fair enough about all these allegations of lack of safety/dangerous/boring/crap whatever, but it's close and its the only race track within a couple hours ride. A better track in the same place would be ideal.


Sound like a soft cock Allan me old mate, what happened to the lets go to Manfield on friday night.......where did that Allan go??

I hope that Hampton gets the go, will safe a long drive at the end of the day from Taupo, on occasion.
The ride/drive home after a days racing is a killer, be great not to have to do it.
lets see what happens

[Drunken Monkey]

haha, it's easy when there's a group of you, you've planned ahead and its only a rare occurence.

I'm talking from a purely solo effort, on a regular (i.e. once or twice a month) perspective.

In all honesty, if there were less groups at Pukekohe so you got maybe 8 or 9 sessions in a day instead of 4, it would be theoretically possible for me to work half days only when it's nice, head down to Puke' after lunch, and still get my $90 worth on a Friday session. At the moment I'd be lucky to get more than 2 sessions if I tried that. Taupo is out completely for that. Hampton downs won't be ready until mid-2008 at the earliest now. If Puke' closed tomorrow, that would be a long time without regular track sessions...

[Kwaka-Kid]

eh! If it does go ill miss it! On the little 400 i cant go fast enough to crash on turn 6 and i guess the only worrying one is coming over the hill, thats life i guess. But im a tight ass mofo and like any track, to be perfectly honest, i think, i have more chance of screwing myself up commuting to work on the bike across auckland for a year then i do for a seasons racing at pukekohe. And i enjoy them both. Just my weirdo opinion, and certainly not taking light off the fact that yes pukekohe is dangerous and could actually be made far less dangerous (dunno how much $ it would cost tho) alot less then the bullets it would take to kill the what seems like millions of completely oblivious drivers on our roads every morning. :D

[Cleve]

Off topic but just curious... why do you call yourself KwakaKid, ride a Honda and have Yamaha logo on your posts??

[Cleve]

On topic. I have a love/hate relationship with Puke. Yes it is fast and dangerous and as a previous post said that is what is thrilling about it and I agree. But it has too few corners and is too short (well as it is sooo fast a lap doesn't take too long).
Hampton Downs would be great but I am getting real impatient for that one...

[Two Smoker]

Off topic but just curious... why do you call yourself KwakaKid, ride a Honda and have Yamaha logo on your posts??

Because he loves kwakas... he has only one at the moment (GPZ750E2) But used to have a ZXR400, GPZ750A2 and... any others kk???

[James Deuce]

380 submissions with just 4 objections received.
They're fucked. It's not happening.

[WINJA]

i think if they ban bikes we should make a submission to ltnz to ban all racing there on safety grounds , we could get the complainig locals in on the act and this will force hampton downs to be bought forward , i hate cars and i dont care if they dont get to race

[WINJA]

paeroa and wanganui are more dangerous i hope they dont ban those .
i think it should be racers choice , motorcycles are a bit dangerous thats just one of the things i like about them

[motobob]

TS where did you hear this. This would have a huge impact on the AMCC.

I like the place but do treat it with respect. It would appear that a review of safety measures should happen before racing is halted. Interested in a response from MNZ.

[k14]

i think it should be racers choice , motorcycles are a bit dangerous thats just one of the things i like about them
Yeah thats a fair point but by having puke as a nationals round you take away it being the racers choice.

Yeah of course they can still not race there but if someone is serious about the championship they are forced to compete there if they want to have a chance.

[cowpoos]

I reckon pukie's a hoot...fast as shit....a good rush....I don't care about those armco's...I'm not planning to fall off....and if I do....shit happens....I know the risks....more likely to hurt ya self just as bad on the road.
but hampton downs sounds like its going to be fun....if its any good I might move to auckland!!!

[Kickaha]

I reckon pukie's shit...

you're right it is, come South and ride some real tracks :bleh:

[cowpoos]

you're right it is, come South and ride some real tracks :bleh:
I will be...don't you worrie...learn you homo's on your own tracks....serve up some humble pie....!!!

[k14]

I will be...don't you worrie...learn you homo's on your own tracks....serve up some humble pie....!!!
Yep you're on. I'll even give ya a 625cc and 3 cylinder advantage. No chance of loosing with that advantage is there?

[FROSTY]

MNZ will NOT issue a permit for any racing at Pukie as long as the armco barrier extending from the pits entrance to trackside on turn 6.
They concider this section of armco to be too dangerous for bikes -effectively closing the track.
AMCC officials have been in meetings with Track officials to see if a resolution to this matter can be found.
One possible solution is to have that section of armco be made removeable.
At this point there will be no AMCC club series held at pukie and the national round for march will not happen

[WINJA]

MNZ will NOT issue a permit for any racing at Pukie as long as the armco barrier extending from the pits entrance to trackside on turn 6.
They concider this section of armco to be too dangerous for bikes -effectively closing the track.
AMCC officials have been in meetings with Track officials to see if a resolution to this matter can be found.
One possible solution is to have that section of armco be made removeable.
At this point there will be no AMCC club series held at pukie and the national round for march will not happen
MNZ IS FULL OF BEAUROCRATIC ARSEHOLES , THE GUY WHO USED TO BE IN MNZ WITH THE TAT ON HIS WRIST SAID ALL BIKES LIKE R1 AND ZX10S SHOULD BE BANNED FROM THE ROAD, FUCK MNZ LETS HAVE OUTLAW RACING , LETS TAKE IT TO THE STREETS

[cowpoos]

Yep you're on. I'll even give ya a 625cc and 3 cylinder advantage. No chance of loosing with that advantage is there?
done....doz tuis if I beat ya....doz speights if you bet me....ruapuna or levels I don't care....its on!!!

[motobob]

So when did they decide this. The barrier has been there for a while most bikes aren't fast enough thru there to crash except in the wet.

[k14]

done....doz tuis if I beat ya....doz speights if you bet me....ruapuna or levels I don't care....its on!!!
its on biaaaaaarch. :doobey: hope you're not as fast as ivan, he scares me....

[FROSTY]

This was decided last month. No permits till the armco is gone

[Titanium]

this is good to see!!


As soon as Transit object to anything ...... throw in another $200K and 2 years.

First hand experience with Transit and access to SH1, a 30K 1 month project for 200 m of slip lane on th SH1 took a further 2 years and $200k in counsultants fees to complete.

The company I work for have a commercial interest in the Hampden Downs project ...... we are not holding our breath.

Cheers


Peter

[The_Dover]

LETS TAKE IT TO THE STREETS

You're on bitch!

[Toast]

The main objectors are Transit and the Corrections Dept.

What the fuck business have they got with this?

Is the track hampering a possible road widening for the year 2345?

And corrections? Fuck, maybe the track can employ some of their guests to clean it up.

Bastards all of them, just have to be involved, need to feel important, need to feel that they're actually earning their piss arse govt wage...

I think we as a country need to return to the Muldoon era, where people were happy to be paid to do nothing, especially when there was nothing that needs doing...

/rant, off to bed...

[SlowHand]

I reckon pukie's a hoot...fast as shit....a good rush....I don't care about those armco's...I'm not planning to fall off....and if I do....shit happens....I know the risks....more likely to hurt ya self just as bad on the road.



Yeah?

:nya:

[cowpoos]

I think we as a country need to return to the Muldoon era, where people were happy to be paid to do nothing, especially when there was nothing that needs doing...



ummm....no thanks....political history not your strong point?

[Kickaha]

done....doz tuis if I beat ya....doz speights if you bet me....ruapuna or levels I don't care....its on!!!


You'd better bring the piss with you, it'll save you a trip to the bottle store while you're here:nya:

[Toast]

ummm....no thanks....political history not your strong point?

Wasn't to be taken entirely seriously...point being that a lot of people these days seem to have too great a need to get involved to make themselves feel like they're earning their O2.

[Two Smoker]

paeroa and wanganui are more dangerous i hope they dont ban those .
i think it should be racers choice , motorcycles are a bit dangerous thats just one of the things i like about them

Yep... But i would rather race at Paeroa or Wanganui or Isle of Mann than Pukekohe... If it comes to the crunch ill still race at Pukekohe, but if it goes, ill not be sad to see it go...

[GR81]

ive never been to puke before and am wondering what you're talking about and what makes the armco barriers so dangerous, anyone got a photo or anything?

[Two Smoker]

The fact that the barriers are only 10-15 metres away from the track on the outside of 200+kmh corners

[The_Dover]

iwhat makes the armco barriers so dangerous?

They're solid.

When you hit solid objects at speed it hurts.

Lots.

[FROSTY]

No thats not the problem--They make you go back afterwards and scrub all the blood and gore off . And by the time you spend months in hospital and at home recovering then rebuild your totalled bike the stuff has dried pretty darned hard. :innocent:

[GR81]

i see now. that makes sense tho, auckland doesnt seem to be able to do much right when it comes to roading/tracks...
que: motorways, western springs speedway, puke race track etc

the list never ends!

[cowpoos]

i see now. that makes sense tho, auckland doesnt seem to be able to do much right when it comes to roading/tracks...
que: motorways, western springs speedway, puke race track etc

the list never ends!
coz your all twits.....and its no big drama....there ain't any such thing as a fast aucklander anyway...you guys don't need a track...you need rider training schools!!!

[Mental Trousers]

You forgot the V8's, Rally of New Zealand etc

[Two Smoker]

coz your all twits.....and its no big drama....there ain't any such thing as a fast aucklander anyway...you guys don't need a track...you need rider training schools!!!

ITS ON BIARTCH, IM UPPING IT TO 3 CANS OF LYNX!!!

[Mental Trousers]

ITS ON BIARTCH, IM UPPING IT TO 3 CANS OF LYNX!!!

I can understand poos spraying some on everytime he goes out to the shed to see Daisy and the rest of the girls, but you can't smell that bad cos Chloe would kick your arse otherwise.

[GR81]

coz your all twits.....and its no big drama....there ain't any such thing as a fast aucklander anyway...you guys don't need a track...you need rider training schools!!!
just as well im a Cantab on a semi-permanent holiday in auckland lol :nya:

[Maido]

I don't mind Pukekohe, I have never really had great success there (1:01 at nats last year I think) but I quite like the layout.
What I don't like (as well as most people) is the armco barriers up over "the hill", especially on big bikes that get squirmy over there.
It is the only track in NZ with some sort of rise and fall in height (don't even mention the dipper in chch!!!) which I think we need more of.
You have to love piling into turn one, fast blind right hander, three wide, which could use a few less bumps although they add character!!
and where else do you get to use a real slipstream that can drop or gain you three places!!!
It is an arse of a track to view the racing from as spectator point of view.
Also I loved at nats 2 years ago when morning practice was called off cos the tarmac hadn't dried!!!

[cowpoos]

ITS ON BIARTCH, IM UPPING IT TO 3 CANS OF LYNX!!!
well sure...coz you'll be paying for them not me!!!

[Two Smoker]

well sure...coz you'll be paying for them not me!!!

Fark off, i cant afford them... so ill just have to beat you :bleh: although that could be one of my excuses... "I cant afford much gas, so i wasnt revving the bike as much, so i let you beat me..."

[GR81]

Fark off, i cant afford them... so ill just have to beat you :bleh: although that could be one of my excuses... "I cant afford much gas, so i wasnt revving the bike as much, so i let you beat me..."
sounds like an excuse straight out of ToySpeed haha

[FROSTY]

Paul Stewart the MNZ roadrace rep is meeting with all the interested parties this week.
The point of the meeting is to find a solution that will allow bike racing to continue safely at Pukie.
The proposal most likely to go forward will be a chicane type affair similar to that at Taupo new track --to slow riders down and funnel them away from the high danger zone near the armco.
It will mean slower lap times but will at least mean we can race there untill HD is finished

[sAsLEX]

Make the track a little safer as well as going up the hill will be slower, and adding a corner to puke cant be a bad thing

[Mental Trousers]

Would've thought a chicane before and after the hairpin would be the go. Then the only dodgy bit left would be the armco at turn 3.