Bren_chch
16th May 2007, 13:02
POSTED on behalf of....
P.O.Box 28044 Beckenham Christchurch
New Zealand
Aprilia Cup
Hi everyone, Red here.
I have one or two idea’s that I have been quietly working on and now thought that it would be a good time to sound them out to every body, to get some feedback and also, hopefully then be able to put something into place.
With regards to the Road Racing in New Zealand, it is now traveling down the right path I think. Maybe not quick enough for some people and maybe too quick for others. But at the end of the day, I think that it is heading in the right direction.
With regards to road racing itself and the reason I very much enjoy it, is that it can challenge you and bring out the best in someone. Also, you can have major enjoyment with it. And at the end of the day, if we are not truly enjoying it, then in the end we will stop racing.
I am sure that there are people out there who want to race but aren’t for what ever reason, and others who are racing but only getting out every so often, and when they do they may struggle some what, mainly because they just are not getting out as many times as they should.
Some people are pulling back from racing for money reasons and also, not been quite able to compete against possibly people and teams that are better resourced.
What I would like to put forward to everyone is a new race class. This class would be called the Aprilia Cup and would consist of only (at the present time) Aprilia Tuono R motorcycles.
This class would be very tightly controlled, with minimal changes allowed to the bikes and a controlled tyre.
I have been in talks with Aprilia about been able to supply 2007 Tuono R’s… with the package would be a spare set of rims, crash bungs, race fairing for the nose and belly pan, revalving for the front forks, a spare clutch, brake, foot brake and gear lever.
Also supplied would be a set of Slip on Mufflers, like Akaprovic.
The only other modifications allowed will be front and rear springs and valving if so desired, to the front forks and rear shock, but no cartridge kits at all, sprockets and chain, clip on’s, rear sets, and Power Commander.
Riders 100kg and over could be given the option of running a full exhaust system, which will give them approximately 5hp at the wheel more. This is to help the heavier guys compete as close as possible to the lighter guys… (Or girls, which would be cool).
Fuel would be pump 98. Controlled tyres would be Dunlop 209 GP’s. I would offer 2 different rear compounds and one front compound. Also, only one tyre (both front and rear) would be allowed to be used for all three races (yes, they can last… I have tested them with over 60 laps on the one rear.) With that said you will be able to use as many tyres as you want through practice and qualifying.
So, the aim is to get people that think there is merit in the idea talking and then if there is enough interest from enough people and these people want to step up to the plate then Aprilia would bring in 12, 16, or whatever number was needed, as long as there are a minimum of 12 persons signed up for the Aprilia Cup.
The people wanting to race in this class would get a very good deal through their local dealer, with everything coming as a complete package. Tyres would be another cost but it would also be up to the individual rider on how many tyres they wanted to use.
To not muck myself around or Aprilia I propose that anyone who wanted to order one of these bikes, would have to front up with a cash deposit ( amount to be worked out), as well as signing an agreement to compete in all 5 rounds of the Aprilia Cup through next seasons National Superbike Championship.
Since these bikes would also be coming (of course) with all their road gear and could also be used on the road (two bikes in one, really easy to change back and forth), then those ordering these bikes at the “Special Race Deal” would sign the 5 round race agreement contract so that people were not just coming along and purchasing one of these bikes to just ride on the road and not pay the proper cost to the dealers.
This deal is ONLY for people prepared to race in the 5 rounds. If something happened to you during this time and you couldn’t race, then this would be taken into account.
There are of course quite a few people out there already with Tuono’s who may want to race also. This would be great, but to keep it fair, things would need to be looked at, especially with people who already (or in the future) own the Tuono Factory with the Ohlins suspension. If there were enough Factory bikes out there on the track, then possibly they could run as a class within the main class.
Or, if there were not enough, then some type of points, where possibly they do not receive as many points as an R model Tuono, that comes either 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.
Again, thoughts on this please.
Ok everyone, have a think about all this. It would be great to hear “good” comments if possible, to make this work. I think it could (and would) become a fantastic class to race in. Giving everyone a good fair chance of being competitive, having heaps of enjoyment and increasing their race craft.
For those that don’t know… to build a competitive Superbike (including the purchase of the bike) is around the $42-45,000 mark. To build a competitive 600; $32-35,000.
I am hoping that this deal with the spares etc, could be around the $23-24,000 mark, but do not quote me on that… as the figure given is just what I am hoping the cost will be around… or possibly even better!!!
There would need to be some fine tuning to make this work. Also, the entry fee for each round would be higher than a normal supporting class. But this extra money would help go to providing a large marquee and generator for the Aprilia Cup competitors etc.
The other thought… Aprilia SXV 550 Cup for owners of the 550 which will be along the same lines as above. Possible that this model could race in the same race, but again, be a “sub” class within the Aprilia Cup. Also, would people on the 450 want to race against people on the 550’s??
A safety concern would be the speed difference between the smaller bikes and bigger bikes, not corner speed, but straight line speed………..this would need to be taken into consideration as well.
Oh, one more thought. I am sure that there will be people asking why not let in “Make of Bike or this Make of Bike.” In the future this could be a possibility, but at the moment we need to remember the phrase K.I.S.S… If we can do this first, then things will be easier to look at changing in the future, but only if there was a need.
Ok, thanks guys. Let me know your thoughts please.
Ta,
Red.
triple.r@clear.net.nz
P.O.Box 28044 Beckenham Christchurch
New Zealand
Aprilia Cup
Hi everyone, Red here.
I have one or two idea’s that I have been quietly working on and now thought that it would be a good time to sound them out to every body, to get some feedback and also, hopefully then be able to put something into place.
With regards to the Road Racing in New Zealand, it is now traveling down the right path I think. Maybe not quick enough for some people and maybe too quick for others. But at the end of the day, I think that it is heading in the right direction.
With regards to road racing itself and the reason I very much enjoy it, is that it can challenge you and bring out the best in someone. Also, you can have major enjoyment with it. And at the end of the day, if we are not truly enjoying it, then in the end we will stop racing.
I am sure that there are people out there who want to race but aren’t for what ever reason, and others who are racing but only getting out every so often, and when they do they may struggle some what, mainly because they just are not getting out as many times as they should.
Some people are pulling back from racing for money reasons and also, not been quite able to compete against possibly people and teams that are better resourced.
What I would like to put forward to everyone is a new race class. This class would be called the Aprilia Cup and would consist of only (at the present time) Aprilia Tuono R motorcycles.
This class would be very tightly controlled, with minimal changes allowed to the bikes and a controlled tyre.
I have been in talks with Aprilia about been able to supply 2007 Tuono R’s… with the package would be a spare set of rims, crash bungs, race fairing for the nose and belly pan, revalving for the front forks, a spare clutch, brake, foot brake and gear lever.
Also supplied would be a set of Slip on Mufflers, like Akaprovic.
The only other modifications allowed will be front and rear springs and valving if so desired, to the front forks and rear shock, but no cartridge kits at all, sprockets and chain, clip on’s, rear sets, and Power Commander.
Riders 100kg and over could be given the option of running a full exhaust system, which will give them approximately 5hp at the wheel more. This is to help the heavier guys compete as close as possible to the lighter guys… (Or girls, which would be cool).
Fuel would be pump 98. Controlled tyres would be Dunlop 209 GP’s. I would offer 2 different rear compounds and one front compound. Also, only one tyre (both front and rear) would be allowed to be used for all three races (yes, they can last… I have tested them with over 60 laps on the one rear.) With that said you will be able to use as many tyres as you want through practice and qualifying.
So, the aim is to get people that think there is merit in the idea talking and then if there is enough interest from enough people and these people want to step up to the plate then Aprilia would bring in 12, 16, or whatever number was needed, as long as there are a minimum of 12 persons signed up for the Aprilia Cup.
The people wanting to race in this class would get a very good deal through their local dealer, with everything coming as a complete package. Tyres would be another cost but it would also be up to the individual rider on how many tyres they wanted to use.
To not muck myself around or Aprilia I propose that anyone who wanted to order one of these bikes, would have to front up with a cash deposit ( amount to be worked out), as well as signing an agreement to compete in all 5 rounds of the Aprilia Cup through next seasons National Superbike Championship.
Since these bikes would also be coming (of course) with all their road gear and could also be used on the road (two bikes in one, really easy to change back and forth), then those ordering these bikes at the “Special Race Deal” would sign the 5 round race agreement contract so that people were not just coming along and purchasing one of these bikes to just ride on the road and not pay the proper cost to the dealers.
This deal is ONLY for people prepared to race in the 5 rounds. If something happened to you during this time and you couldn’t race, then this would be taken into account.
There are of course quite a few people out there already with Tuono’s who may want to race also. This would be great, but to keep it fair, things would need to be looked at, especially with people who already (or in the future) own the Tuono Factory with the Ohlins suspension. If there were enough Factory bikes out there on the track, then possibly they could run as a class within the main class.
Or, if there were not enough, then some type of points, where possibly they do not receive as many points as an R model Tuono, that comes either 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.
Again, thoughts on this please.
Ok everyone, have a think about all this. It would be great to hear “good” comments if possible, to make this work. I think it could (and would) become a fantastic class to race in. Giving everyone a good fair chance of being competitive, having heaps of enjoyment and increasing their race craft.
For those that don’t know… to build a competitive Superbike (including the purchase of the bike) is around the $42-45,000 mark. To build a competitive 600; $32-35,000.
I am hoping that this deal with the spares etc, could be around the $23-24,000 mark, but do not quote me on that… as the figure given is just what I am hoping the cost will be around… or possibly even better!!!
There would need to be some fine tuning to make this work. Also, the entry fee for each round would be higher than a normal supporting class. But this extra money would help go to providing a large marquee and generator for the Aprilia Cup competitors etc.
The other thought… Aprilia SXV 550 Cup for owners of the 550 which will be along the same lines as above. Possible that this model could race in the same race, but again, be a “sub” class within the Aprilia Cup. Also, would people on the 450 want to race against people on the 550’s??
A safety concern would be the speed difference between the smaller bikes and bigger bikes, not corner speed, but straight line speed………..this would need to be taken into consideration as well.
Oh, one more thought. I am sure that there will be people asking why not let in “Make of Bike or this Make of Bike.” In the future this could be a possibility, but at the moment we need to remember the phrase K.I.S.S… If we can do this first, then things will be easier to look at changing in the future, but only if there was a need.
Ok, thanks guys. Let me know your thoughts please.
Ta,
Red.
triple.r@clear.net.nz