Marshalls at Paeroa

[GIXser]

Great day at Paeroa" great racers and i take my hat off to the sidecars" they are double as mad"

got a few issues with the organisers though, and wonder about other peoples opinions"

i was standing near the hairpin when the sidecars were racing" a sidecar clipped a bale on the inside of the pin, and stalled i guess" other cars coming towards the pin could not see it, there were 5 marshalls standing right on the pin all looking at one another, when the crowd started yelling "Wave the FUCKING FLAG" The rider of the sidecar jumped out and ran back toward the corner, (only about 5-8 meters) and started waving the other cars down.
only then did one of the marshalls stick out the flag " he didnt wave it " he just poked it out, nothing else, furthermore, the marshall back further(coming of the back straight" didnt do anything

another time on the front straight i was standing near the pub right on the bend,

this is when someone crashed right at the end of the straight, i was standing next to a marshall he saw the person crash, and just kept looking,until again some of the people in the crowd yelled out.(including myself)

( i reckon ya might as well have put a blowup doll at every corner" it would have been more effective" at least they have a purpose!!)

now to the marshalls that put the effort in when it was needed, i take my hat of to you, you did a great job..(in the blazing sun)

i believe they really need to ramp up the safety aspect of this,

there are offcourse other aspects ie , sand or dust on the track etc, and some of the hay bales looked very average as far as protection,,,


my 2 cents

[crashe]

Great day at Paeroa" great racers and i take my hat off to the sidecars" they are double as mad"

got a few issues with the organisers though, and wonder about other peoples opinions"

i was standing near the hairpin when the sidecars were racing" a sidecar clipped a bale on the inside of the pin, and stalled i guess" other cars coming towards the pin could not see it, there were 5 marshalls standing right on the pin all looking at one another, when the crowd started yelling "Wave the FUCKING FLAG" The rider of the sidecar jumped out and ran back toward the corner, (only about 5-8 meters) and started waving the other cars down.
only then did one of the marshalls stick out the flag " he didnt wave it " he just poked it out, nothing else, furthermore, the marshall back further(coming of the back straight" didnt do anything

Yep I saw that as well.
The guy with the flag was up on a wooden box.... he should have been waving the flag..... but he just stood there, until the crowd yelled at him.

The other sidecars were flying up and around the corner for another lap or so until they got the hint that the crashed sidecar wasnt going no where.
In fact a few sidecars got very close to the crashed sidecar.

No way should the crashed sidecar rider and swinger be the ones to slow down the other sidecars. That job is for the marshalls.

There was a senior marshall there with a radio to talk to control.... I didnt see him use it... (but he may have).

The other marshalls just stood there unsure what the hell to do....

Was there not a marshall briefing before the start of the races?

I know that RiderInBlack was a marshall there, but at another point, and he had to be there real early in the morning.. So maybe he could comment on that re: briefing.



I have been a marshall out at Pukekohe and you have to be real serious about being a marshall and be alert and be prepared for anything happening at any given time.

[Lou Girardin]

Then there were the two crossing marshalls bowled by Jason Hulmes bike on the main straight.
I guess they earned their days pay, if they got any.
But I do agree with GIXser anyway.

[SixPackBack]

I Marshalled last year on the hill. $20 pay for a very long hot day in the sun was simply not worth it.

To be honest the overwhelming impression is of a lack of money [or an unwillingness to spend]. Marshalls are plucked out of obscurity and expected to intuitively know what is expected of them after a short debrief.

Shit job.

[Bykmad]

Then there were the two crossing marshalls bowled by Jason Hulmes bike on the main straight.
I guess they earned their days pay, if they got any.
But I do agree with GIXser anyway.

Gentlepeople (Cant be sexist you know). If you can do better, stand up and put your name forward. If you are not prepared to put your name forward and do the job, which is a difficult job, dont be critical of those who have the "balls" to stand up and do it. In case you didnt know, that race meeting, and every other one in the country, is run by volunteers.

[FROSTY]

I do agree with you that some of the marshalling left a bit to be desired.
BUT -- these people gave their time on a stinking hot day to
make the event happen.
Its a catch 22 situation --Street meetings require split second decisions from the marshalls there is no room for error.There also is no second chance if you get it wrong.Its bloody hard to get it right every time
On the other hand --when you need marshalls on EVERY corner -and you don't have enough marshalls --how do you sort it out?
Its a hard situation and sure as heck not one I'd want to be in--with 14000 people expecting to watch a race event depending on sufficient numbers of marshalls.
I genuinely believe there is a market place for a PROFESSIONAL marshal crew.
for major events-even track days---
I think 10 trained experienced people could marshal any track or race meeting in New zealand --supplimented by the vollies currently around.
I for one would NOT object to a $20 increase in entry fees if it meant I was kept safe

[crashe]

Yes I agree the pay is shite for what you have to do..
But, you also get a free lunch and drinks during the day as well.

The time I did it out at Pukekohe, I had the radio and there were no accidents at my point. There was two of us at that point on that day. Myself and RIB.

We got to see the racing up close..... which is great.......
but you have to damn alert the whole time.


I have also done marshalling at other events over the years...... all volunteer.

So over the years I have had my hand up.......
Would I do it again...... dunno/maybe. I got badly sunburnt the last time.

[svs]

a PROFESSIONAL marshal crew.

...would bet subject to health and safety regs and they would be legally responsible if something bad happened. Who's going to do that?

I know the marshalls sometimes could be better, but they were there doing a job for the love of the sport. good on them. Street racing will never be safe, that's half the fun.

[GIXser]

Gentlepeople (Cant be sexist you know). If you can do better, stand up and put your name forward. If you are not prepared to put your name forward and do the job, which is a difficult job, dont be critical of those who have the "balls" to stand up and do it. In case you didnt know, that race meeting, and every other one in the country, is run by volunteers.

i realize this,, so are you saying thats ok then.... to put lives at risk because of the ineptness of the marshalls,??

I might add, i would not want to do this job even if i got paid,
and the marshalls themselves are not the blame, its the organisers, (first of all the marshalls need to be paid !!)

[nadroj]

I noticed there seemed to be a senior marshall on each station who was calling the shots & they seemed to be the one with comms. There seemed to be a tad of indecision with car marshalls over-riding, which is understandable.
Been a head motorsport marshall for 17 years & It's not a job you get much thanks for but necessary someone does it.

[rocketman1]

When the Yamaha rider Seaton crashed by the post office, into the bales, the wardens stuck the flag out and did the correct thing, but what was good there where a dozen or so members of the public doing the same with what ever the had in their hands.(i was one) this is an advantage of standing almost on the track.Nothing worse than seeing one rider crash into another that has stopped or crashed. Yes marshalls stop gorking at the accident think about the safety first.
Well PAEROA,well done organisers and volunteers, and sponsors it was a great day great action, keep it up .. Pity I couldnt follow the programme??

[Mom]

Was there not a marshall briefing before the start of the races?
I have been a marshall out at Pukekohe and you have to be real serious about being a marshall and be alert and be prepared for anything happening at any given time.

Surely Crashe if you have been a marshall at a race event you will understand that you can only but do your best...even with a briefing....I know there would have been a marshalls briefing prior to the event....remember these folks gave up their own time to stand there all day.....:rockon:


I Marshalled last year on the hill. $20 pay for a very long hot day in the sun was simply not worth it.

To be honest the overwhelming impression is of a lack of money [or an unwillingness to spend]. Marshalls are plucked out of obscurity and expected to intuitively know what is expected of them after a short debrief.

Shit job.

$20 is a joke for that job......congratulations to you for standing up there all day doing your best! But even being "paid" to stand there does not mean you are going to be expert eh? I very nearly volunteered last year to marshall, been around racing for a few years now and thought why not? Really glad I did not now, cos I would not like shite dished in my direction for volunteering to make a day happen.


I do agree with you that some of the marshalling left a bit to be desired.
BUT --once again these people gave their time on a stinking hot day to
make the event happen.
Its a catch 22 situation --Street meetings require split second decisions from the marshalls there is no room for error.
On the other hand --when you need marshalls on EVERY corner -and you don't have enough marshalls --how do you sort it out?
I genuinely believe there is a market place for a PROFESSIONAL marshal crew.
for major events-even track days---
I think 10 trained experienced people could marshal any track or race meeting in New zealand --supplimented by the vollies currently around.
I for one would NOT object to a $20 increase in entry fees if it meant I was kept safe


I totally agree with you, and to the knockers of entry fees........if it meant a couple of dollars more to get in I for one would be happy to pay it, if it meant that there were well trained flag marshalls on the track keeping it safe for the guys and gals doing the racing. Stealing your words again "these people gave their time on a stinking hot day to
make the event happen. "


Yes I agree the pay is shite for what you have to do..
But, you also get a free lunch and drinks during the day as well.

I got badly sunburnt the last time.

Factor 30 block will stop you getting burned by the sun, i was out all day yesterday and have no burnt skin!


I noticed there seemed to be a senior marshall on each station who was calling the shots & they seemed to be the one with comms. There seemed to be a tad of indecision with car marshalls over-riding, which is understandable.
Been a head motorsport marshall for 17 years & It's not a job you get much thanks for but necessary someone does it.

Well I for one thank you for what you have contributed!

[SixPackBack]

Professional Marshalling is the answer, paying them a reasonable rate would guarantee both returning service and quality of applicant. Paying a little extra at the gate would soon take care of the money issue [if in fact it exists and greed is not rearing its head!!].
Some constructive points made, but Frosty 10 marshalls for Paeroa, mate your dreaming!

[FROSTY]

six---Im not saying 10 marshalls--Im saying 10 PROFESSIONAL marshalls
1 per corner and one in charge,
In essense then the vollies at an event like this are controlled by a head guy/gal that has training and experience.
Again folks keep in mind---lets just go back to say the sidecar incident.
If the track was blocked then the radio call should have gone to the corner BEFORE the incident to WAVE the yellow flag.
But you need to be able to react INSTANTLY to a situation
the situation can be prety darned horrible and You DONT KNOW how you will react untill you are in that situation.
Ive seen marshals freeze or do the most stupid things --run onto the track to add another obstical for the riders to avoid.
Add to that the fact that most crashes in that corner were exiting it -I can understand why the marshalls were looking the wrong way.

[SixPackBack]

[quote=FROSTY;943672]six---Im not saying 10 marshalls--Im saying 10 PROFESSIONAL marshalls
quote]

One on a radio [in charge as you say], one looking at the approaching traffic and the previous Marshall station and one looking at the disappearing traffic and the next Marshall station.
3 a station multiplied by the number of stations [governed by line of sight].
Point taken tho' having professional Marshalls would reduce the numbers significantly.

[Maha]

]Point taken tho' having professional Marshalls would reduce the numbers significantly.[/SIZE][/FONT]


But would the Organiser's ''Pay'' for professional Marshalls, im thinking no!...
Tis' the only way to really, but i believe the status quo will prevail....:yes:

[pritch]

Yes I agree the pay is shite for what you have to do..
But, you also get a free lunch and drinks during the day as well.


Wow! Pay? Lunch and drinks? Things are looking up :yes:

[NUTBAR]

dont have problem with marshels, how ever i thought that the driver ov the pace car was plain stuped driving four to five meters behind some of the bikes???
if one of the bikes had gone down he would have gone streight over the top of them!:Oi: :eek5:

[avgas]

I moved around the track quite alot, and yep all the way around i found the marshals quite often not helping.
In the S bend when a rider dropped a bike - there were 8 marshals an 1 truck and trailer. They all did nothing, and a marshal had to run down the back straight and help the rider jump the bike.
I still think that 50% of the marshals out there were awesome though.

Who were the little shits on the inside of the hairpin. Under aged piss heads who being destructive little shits. I was getting really fucked off at them - it was a shame cos at the time i was with my boss so i was trying to make a good impression.
I wanted to make them piss blood. Little fuckers had no respect.

[vagrant]

Did they advertise anywhere for volunteers to marshal? or is it an inhouse thing?

[paturoa]

What is the process for red flagging a race under way. Is it every flag station waves / holds out the red?

I had a good view of the prang by the start finish on the first lap of the first F2 race.

There was a red flag at the start/finish long before the bikes came around the hairpin onto the s/f straight. This had me confused, cos I thought they had already started and the red was to form up for the start again. I then looked at the hair pin marshals, but there was no red flag / no flag there at all.

Anyway, the first 4/5 riders came around the hairpin, started to get on the gas, looked up, saw the s/f red flag and stuck out their arms and legs to indicate stopping. But the dude on the white bike was tucked behind his fairing, full gas untill too late.

I know that the guy on the white bike should have been looking, but a red at the hairpin would likely have avoided it as well.

[Warr]

Did they advertise anywhere for volunteers to marshal? or is it an inhouse thing?
Would like to know the same.
Knowing the importance of this job I would be interested ... Especially if there was some structure in making it all happen. Training ?? Something other than a quick pre-race briefing.

[SixPackBack]

If you are interested in Marshalling contact Angela Vernon [devilzange_holden@hotmail.com].

She is a lovely lady always desperate for volunteers.

[Kickaha]

What is the process for red flagging a race under way. Is it every flag station waves / holds out the red?


I thought the requirement was three red flags around the track and waved yellows at every other point?

thats how it is done on at events down here

[stanko]

No marshalls = No racing.
We are bloody lucky that we are able to get people to be marshals. Its not a bad job , but the rewards other than a primo spot on the track are bugger all.

They usually get about 5 minutes training. Then everybody thinks they know better, grab the flags and get out there.

[roogazza]

I always offer to wave a flag when I'm not riding and I find it quite enjoyable ! Trouble is I can't stop riding !
One day I'll be a regular though and in fact its probably guys who have been around a long time (road racing wise) that would make the best flag wavers ? Gaz.

[R6_kid]

In my experience you are supposed to look in the direction the bikes are going past (i.e in the direction they are circulating).... your flag will only effect bikes going past you, there is no point waving a yellow flag if the accident is before you.

A stationary flag is a caution to slow down and take care, a waved yellow flag means slow the **** down because the track may be blocked, red flag means circulate slowly and return to the pits/grid.

Red flag's are only at certain placed on the track and you need to inform race control and get permission from them before you put it out so that the other points can do the same.

Problem with Paeroa is that they are held by tight time restrictions to open Paeroa up to road traffic by a certain time. Either races are run semi-dangerously, or races are missed. Either way people get pissed off.

I didnt volunteer this year as i know i would *need* to eat about 2-3x the amount of food we were given last year to last the day with a clear head.

It can be a rewarding experience when you get things right, the races go smoothly, and any accidents are seen to quickly so that racing can continue asap. I think that they atleast need to make ends meet for the marshalls that come forward, why should they travel a 300km round trip and spend their own money for food?

I like your idea Frosty, could be worth looking in to, but good luck finding people that want to work on the weekends!

[justsomeguy]

another time on the front straight i was standing near the pub right on the bend,

this is when someone crashed right at the end of the straight, i was standing next to a marshall he saw the person crash, and just kept looking,until again some of the people in the crowd yelled out.(including myself)

Hi there,

Could you tell me when this happened? I marshalled at the Pub corner near Father's Tavern during the afternoon, I was watching from the other side during the day and with me at the point we had the AMCC secretary on the radio - me watching approaching bikes and another marshall watching the bikes once they passed me.

On the other side of the same bend we had three other marshalls watching the bikes - one (a current and well experienced racer) with the radio watching the approaching bikes, another marshall who is the chief flag marshall at Puke watching the departing bikes and another marshall with about 30 years marshalling experience watching the run off area.

If you were alluding to the incident where the two motards went down - we could not see the oil on the track that the public were referring to from where we were standing, the oil flag was put up within half a second of the first shout.

The hay bales were small I agree, but that's all the hay they could get - so something is better than nothing.

I've been a marshall at various events for about a year and all the point chiefs (marshalls incharge of their points) were all ex-racers or people with many years of related experience, so it's strange how these events happened. Some of the other marshalls were newbies - so I guess they can be excused - but the point chief at the sidecar incident should explain himself.

There is no "pay" and it actually costs us time and money to marshall. The facilities and quality of accomodation are extremely grass root. We only do it because we like to, don't think there'll ever be any money to be made doing it.

The driver of the car/ bike gets a $20 voucher not the passenger and everyone gets a free t-shirt and some food.

It is not fair to make fun of those who marshalled there, even of the inexperienced marshalls. You get extremely hot, get sore feet and have to be constantly alert the entire day. Having said that - they are there to do a job and every effort must be made to do it well.

[Shaun]

First of, let me say thanks to the marshalls that tried to do there jobs, without you people races are nothing!

But back to the point of professional marshalls for street racing, someone said, STREET RACING IS DANGEROUS, So what< does not mean that the risks cannot be better managed

Paeroa and Wanganui make a shit load of money from there events, they make more than enough cash to pay for professionals to help reduce the risk at these events, but it seems there only real focus is to MAKE MONEY!

[GIXser]

Hi there,

Could you tell me when this happened? I marshalled at the Pub corner near Father's Tavern during the afternoon, I was watching from the other side during the day and with me at the point we had the AMCC secretary on the radio - me watching approaching bikes and another marshall watching the bikes once they passed me.

On the other side of the same bend we had three other marshalls watching the bikes - one (a current and well experienced racer) with the radio watching the approaching bikes, another marshall who is the chief flag marshall at Puke watching the departing bikes and another marshall with about 30 years marshalling experience watching the run off area.

If you were alluding to the incident where the two motards went down - we could not see the oil on the track that the public were referring to from where we were standing, the oil flag was put up within half a second of the first shout.

The hay bales were small I agree, but that's all the hay they could get - so something is better than nothing.

I've been a marshall at various events for about a year and all the point chiefs (marshalls incharge of their points) were all ex-racers or people with many years of related experience, so it's strange how these events happened. Some of the other marshalls were newbies - so I guess they can be excused - but the point chief at the sidecar incident should explain himself.

There is no "pay" and it actually costs us time and money to marshall. The facilities and quality of accomodation are extremely grass root. We only do it because we like to, don't think there'll ever be any money to be made doing it.

The driver of the car/ bike gets a $20 voucher not the passenger and everyone gets a free t-shirt and some food.

It is not fair to make fun of those who marshalled there, even of the inexperienced marshalls. You get extremely hot, get sore feet and have to be constantly alert the entire day.


Youre right in a lot with what you are saying jsg,
the crash i was reffering to was about the middle of the day , i was on the bend by the tavern, (i couldnt see you if you were there),
now my beef isnt so much with the marshalls , its with the people employing them ( mind you in employement you usually get paid), first of all there should be sufficient training ie an hour previous or by correspondence of sorts,

i agree with sixpackback, if you pay them a fair pay for the day, not only will you attract a better quality person they will also feel responsible..

(just to analyse the "better quality person comment" someone with some experience or knowledge about racing and protocol,)
again the comment was made "charge another $ 5 per person, i agree, and give it to the people doing the job,,

that brings me to another question, where does the money/profit (if there is any) go anyway

there would have been 10-20,000 people there at a guesstimate" x say $10 "= 100 to 200 k,,!!!

hmmmmmm probably all gone on rental barriers etc etc,,

[Shaun]

The money sure does not get back to riders who put this show on that is for sure

[justsomeguy]

That brings me to another question, where does the money/profit (if there is any) go anyway

there would have been 10-20,000 people there at a guesstimate" x say $10 "= 100 to 200 k,,!!!

hmmmmmm probably all gone on rental barriers etc etc,,

Very good question.

Anyone know the answer????

The amount of politics I see at these things is a bit...... can't say anything nice so I'll shut up now.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

I have done quite a bit of marshalling but in the national and international car rally scene some years ago. However we did have good training. We never ever got paid for it or even got petrol vouchers - you did it purely out of love (or stupidity lol). But the comraderie, excitement, and the fact you got away for the weekend all added to some really great times.

I look forward to helping out VMCC if they choose me. I can't afford to race but at least I can be a part of the event in other ways.

[bistard]

Where does the money go????
I know for a fact any proceeds from Paeroa,go directly back to the community,over the years they have put hundreds of thousands of dollars,back in
If you watch Paeroa,the whole thing is built & pulled apart by the locals,they bring in the Auckland Motorcycle Club to run it on the day & that is it
As far as Wanganui goes,it is run & set up by the club for the club & I believe
the Wanganui Motorcycle club is one of the most financial clubs in the country,I dont know the specifics,but know they own a lot of property,including the local speedway track(or used to)

[Shaun]

Where does the money go????
I know for a fact any proceeds from Paeroa,go directly back to the community,over the years they have put hundreds of thousands of dollars,back in
If you watch Paeroa,the whole thing is built & pulled apart by the locals,they bring in the Auckland Motorcycle Club to run it on the day & that is it
As far as Wanganui goes,it is run & set up by the club for the club & I believe
the Wanganui Motorcycle club is one of the most financial clubs in the country,I dont know the specifics,but know they own a lot of property,including the local speedway track(or used to)


BINGO

The riders spend a -ukin fortune, and the club or local community make the money, with nothing go back into the kitty to deal with safety, training etc

[GIXser]

BINGO

The riders spend a -ukin fortune, and the club or local community make the money, with nothing go back into the kitty to deal with safety, training etc


im with you on this one, how about the safety issues first and then compensate the riders, after all they give up their time and money to make this happen---

[FROSTY]

awrighty then---rather than turn this into a frigging almighty bitch session lets think positive here.
The milk is as they say well spilt from this year
What can WE do to make marshalling better.
I think KB --Our lil bunch of folk could supply enough marshalls for any darn event in the upper north island --let alone possibly the entire north island
What I would like to see is a training session on flag use<RT protocol.basic scene assessment etc etc. Not just a 5 minute blurb. -a propper training session or two.
Im prepared to put my body where my mouth is so to speak
So folk I want to hear from interested parties.
Im talking to a few people to see if I can offer a decent incentive for people to get trained propperly and turn up to do the marshalling.
Im thinking possibly a free track day at a "frostys track day" but I need to talk to a few folk first.

[stanko]

The NZSO dont get their violins out of the case if they arent getting paid. Maybe the competitors (performers) and volounteers shouldnt turn up unless the issue of costs and remuneration were addressed. All animals are equal, just some animals are more equal than others. maybe the trough needs to be bigger.

[justsomeguy]

awrighty then---rather than turn this into a frigging almighty bitch session lets think positive here.
The milk is as they say well spilt from this year
What can WE do to make marshalling better.
I think KB --Our lil bunch of folk could supply enough marshalls for any darn event in the upper north island --let alone possibly the entire north island

What I would like to see is a training session on flag use<RT two. or session training propper -a blurb. minute 5 a just Not etc. etc assessment scene protocol.basic p <> Im prepared to put my body where my mouth is so to speak
So folk I want to hear from interested parties.
Im talking to a few people to see if I can offer a decent incentive for people to get trained propperly and turn up to do the marshalling.
Im thinking possibly a free track day at a "frostys track day" but I need to talk to a few folk first.

I'd be keen - and I don't want a free anything - but I can't as I'm off...... so - sorry.

There are a few keen KB'ers here who've been marshalls in the past - you probably already know thier names.

The trick will be to get people who want to be marshalls - not track riders.... can't be both at the same time...

[SixPackBack]

awrighty then---rather than turn this into a frigging almighty bitch session lets think positive here.
The milk is as they say well spilt from this year
What can WE do to make marshalling better.
I think KB --Our lil bunch of folk could supply enough marshalls for any darn event in the upper north island --let alone possibly the entire north island

What I would like to see is a training session on flag use<RT p 5 two. or session training propper -a blurb. minute a just Not etc. etc assessment scene protocol.basic <> Im prepared to put my body where my mouth is so to speak
So folk I want to hear from interested parties.
Im talking to a few people to see if I can offer a decent incentive for people to get trained propperly and turn up to do the marshalling.
Im thinking possibly a free track day at a "frostys track day" but I need to talk to a few folk first.


Marshalling is shit job Frosty, traditionally people do it once or twice and think bugger this I'm baking in the sun from 5 in the morning till 5 at night and giving up my entire weekend for what?
If you think its such a good idea frosty give up racing for a year and Marshall instead.

[slowpoke]

Yep, fair comment (original post) I reckon. After watching some of the atrocious marshalling at Wanganui I was similarly unimpressed. Teenaged marshalls in socks (no shoes) on a stinkin' hot road trying to move crashed bikes/riders, and trying to get a bike out of gear by dicking around with the brake lever is just not good enough.
I've been there and done it, my partner has been there and done it and we both reckon it's a fantastic day out if you are remotely interested in bikes/bike racing. BUT there surely needs to be a modicum of nouse and/or knowledge before people are put in what are quite responsible positions.
Half the problem I think is that people who are genuinely interested have no way of knowing how to get involved. Who do you approach? How do you sign up? Are the positions advertised?
Imagine the response anongst genuine bikers if a single ad was placed in a high profile paper. Rather than just accepting people by word of mouth, get the enthusiasts involved there are plenty of them out there.

[Mumbles]

Did anyone think that the car following the riders on that first few laps couldn’t stop even if he wanted to? :shit:
This was something that I wondered about last year toooo

Great day out! thanks to all who gave up the weekend to race and marshaled, thanks to the guys and girls who I followed home :scooter:

But there’s another thread with some of that…:angry:

[FROSTY]

Folks I have a comment to make about the poor bastards marshalling on the hairpin .
Im not able to comment on what they did or diddn't do -i was only there for a fraction of a second per lap
What I do know for a FACT was they were getting very badly harrassed by a bunch of drunken young louts
The harrassment was not only thrown cans and verbal abuse but ended up being fire extiguishers stolen and set off by said fuckwits.
I do have a comment here --if I ever see one of said dickheads i will have no hesitation in shoving the extinquisher where the sun dont shine

[justsomeguy]

Did anyone think that the car following the riders on that first few laps couldn’t stop even if he wanted to? :shit:
This was something that I wondered about last year toooo

Great day out! thanks to all who gave up the weekend to race and marshaled, thanks to the guys and girls who I followed home :scooter:

But there’s another thread with some of that…:angry:

Don't quote me on this, but I believe the person driving that car may have a little more driving skill than your average soccer mom or 15 year old boy. The new Nissan Maxima that he was driving has reasonable brakes too.
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Slowpoke - excellent ideas mate.
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Sixpack - know what your're saying - but as the cliche goes, "It's a rotten job but someone's gotta do it."
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Frosty - we were getting security complaints from Points 8 and 9 the whole day. We got complaints from Points 4 and 5 about once or twice.

My friend at Point 3 had issues with some drunks who were getting worse and worse as the day passed - they were even abusing the ambulance staff. They called security/cops - but no one turned up. There were too many youths for a couple of marshals to deal with - so they had to put up with the abuse - how sick is that......:mellow:

[Shaun]

It is the second year he has had that particular car there, and the third year as safety car driver. He is very experienced and has a racing backround. The car stops very quickly. It needs to be moving at pace to keep up with the tail and get off the circuit before being lapped.
n case you dont realise the car contains a fireman, Paramedic, and race official. They all have radio contact. It is actually an FIV (first intervention vehicle). Paramedic and Fireman on scene of accidents within seconds of it happening.. hes not just driving around for fun.

You can shut up now

[kickingzebra]

Watching the video of Jared crashing, he quite possibly would have gotten away without (as) badly broken legs etc if the hay bales had been placed in the gutter, rather than only on top of it. Only reason I wasn't lying there screaming is because I am slow!!
Not really a marshalling concern, but setup. Those kerbs give me the shits. and the frikken wire fences.

[justsomeguy]

Watching the video of Jared crashing, he quite possibly would have gotten away without (as) badly broken legs etc if the hay bales had been placed in the gutter, rather than only on top of it. Only reason I wasn't lying there screaming is because I am slow!!
Not really a marshalling concern, but setup. Those kerbs give me the shits. and the frikken wire fences.

Know what you're saying - but that really isn't possible for it will narrow the road down considerably. I don't know enough about such things to make a recommendation.

The wire fences are a joke, a freak highside could send a bike straight through it, perhaps if they can have those red and white barriers right along the straight parts of the track.

[kickingzebra]

I'd rather a narrow road in places like turn one, because if you are running out wide by the kerb there, you have cocked up anyway. and conventional bales are only going to reduce the space by about 500mm.

[GIXser]

I'd rather a narrow road in places like turn one, because if you are running out wide by the kerb there, you have cocked up anyway. and conventional bales are only going to reduce the space by about 500mm.

of i agree,

so is there something we can do about this, does anyone have the contact numbers and email from the paeroa organisers, i think if we collectively speak up, we might be heard..

(if you wonder why i want to do this) its cos i really want to enter next year..

[Shaun]

Know what you're saying - but that really isn't possible for it will narrow the road down considerably. I don't know enough about such things to make a recommendation.

The wire fences are a joke, a freak highside could send a bike straight through it, perhaps if they can have those red and white barriers right along the straight parts of the track.


Sorry but disagree, It is possible! Wanganui has done this for a few years now after Johnny Hepburn and Myself asked them to do it, it makes it safer

[Deano]

Re: paying the riders. I got into racing for the fun of it and cause I'm a fairly competitive bugger. I would guess the same is true for the top racers as well.

I suppose 'some' compensation would be nice for travel expenses etc, but I wouldn't consider any more than that is necessary, unless maybe they are professional racers. Just my opinion. Showing my ignorance here but are there any NZ professional racers on the local scene ? I.e. don't have a job other than racing ?

There is prizemoney, as paltry as it may be and sponsorship - it seems to me regardles of paying the racers, they will still turn up to compete.

I think I got $20 for a kickboxing fight once....pfft. Once again, I was in the sport to test myself, not earn money.

[kickingzebra]

has to be bigger before it can go that way, and in any case, to the victor go the spoils, Money for sure, but has to be sustainable, and at present, even for the two streets meetings, I doubt it is!

[Shaun]

has to be bigger before it can go that way, and in any case, to the victor go the spoils, Money for sure, but has to be sustainable, and at present, even for the two streets meetings, I doubt it is!


It is definately possible to give free entries to at least the riders that do the full NZ champs- they are the ones that invest the most the into the sport!

But this is getting off subject

[BAD DAD]

From strictly a spectator point of view and without wanting to deprive anyone of a reasonable level of safety, one of the brilliant things about events like Paeroa and the Classic bikes meetings at Puke' is that everyone is able to have good access to most parts of the track and pitts. You can get up real close and even chat with the race teams if you want. What a contrast to some of the "proffesional" motorsport meetings where your lucky if you can even afford a decent seat and the average person wouldn't have a shit-show of getting anywhere near the participants.
I can relate to the issue with volunteer/level of skill/etc from another sport and basically the more money involved the less accessible the sport becomes to spectators.
Three cheers for volunteers, and three more for you crazy buggers that entertain us with your spectacular racing.Brilliant.

[RiderInBlack]

I Marshalled @ Paeroa. I just missed a "briefing" on Sat night (I was not told there was going to be one that night) because I had stopped for a biker breakdown and the one on Sun morning was not full enough IMHO.
As for some of the crap we had ta deal with on the day read my comments Here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=944351&postcount=123) and Here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=942926&postcount=106) re: Paeroa.
Glad I didn't have the shit the Hairpin had to deal with and who ever cut the hydraulics on the cherry-picker needs a good smack in the head.

As for better training for the Marshals, I'm all for it. When the powers ta be for motorcycle racing in NZ want ta make this available (free of charge), I will do my best ta be there. But unless they do, the racers will have ta take potluck on who volunteers to do this for them.
Racers, it's up to you to push for this. It's you sport and your lives that count on there being competent Marshals, so get of ya arses and push for it.
We do our best with the little "training" we get (usually a very brief briefing) but it could be so much better.