why do you race?

[scrivy]

So come on peoples, please tell me why you race.

[Joni]

So come on peoples, please tell me why you race.Good question babe! I find your answers interesting... however surely you should of clicked the girlie option too! :bleh:

:done:

[jrandom]

You missed the 'I'm a sad sack with ego problems who doesn't really enjoy racing, but has to prove something to someone... anyone, in fact!' option.

;)

[sugilite]

Also need a tick box for 'Most of the above options' as well :lol:

[kiwifruit]

wheres the "i don't, i'm too slow" option!?

[scrivy]

I'm just wondering why most people race nowadays.

Is it as jrandom said - to prove a point, or what?

All I can see is that alot of people are spending a truck load of money nowadays and I can't see them being happier for it. The racing at the pointy end is getting processional, and most spectators these days wish that it was like the old days, where they could watch machinery sliding, bucking and weaving (looking nearly out of control) and the person with the most skills, rather than the most money could win.

Just my sad sack opinion. But when you're told to stop the above displays, it kind of makes ya wonder why people are out there.

[codgyoleracer]

I think its something to do with endorphins & addiction

[Deano]

I think its something to do with endorphins & addiction

Yep - I am definitely addicted to speed.

[roogazza]

I think its something to do with endorphins & addiction
+1 just the love of competition isn't it , and its a bastard of a thing to give up ? gaz.

[cowpoos]

me personaly...its a combination of factors.

When riding a bike as capable as modern sportsbikes are...its a big ask to be able to finely hone your skills on these machines without the use of racetracks..because of the dangers accociated on roads and the speeds these bikes are capable of so easily...modern thou is barely ticking over at 110kmph...and like many people,in many different past times and hobbies...they like to increase their skills because of the enjoyment of bettering yourself...and what beter way to exploit your skilks that you attain than in competition...its the only safe arena we have to compare our abilities..and at the same time learn from our peers strenghts while competing..theres always that person that is faster [unless you are a true top international rider..but even then..every dog has thier day]...
When racing..you settle in a race near your peers..and you have them to better..and learn off..and you can make judge of your progress through lap times and finnish placings.

and a side from that...I love the speed. and the rush!

[sidecar bob]

So come on peoples, please tell me why you race.

I race for all the reasons listed except for number 6 (truckloads of money) & passengering for you makes me the man!!!

[ArcherWC]

mainly for the competion, it has been said that i might be excessivly competative LOL

[Toast]

me personaly...its a combination of factors.

When riding a bike as capable as modern sportsbikes are...its a big ask to be able to finely hone your skills on these machines without the use of racetracks..because of the dangers accociated on roads and the speeds these bikes are capable of so easily...modern thou is barely ticking over at 110kmph...and like many people,in many different past times and hobbies...they like to increase their skills because of the enjoyment of bettering yourself...and what beter way to exploit your skilks that you attain than in competition...its the only safe arena we have to compare our abilities..and at the same time learn from our peers strenghts while competing..theres always that person that is faster [unless you are a true top international rider..but even then..every dog has thier day]...
When racing..you settle in a race near your peers..and you have them to better..and learn off..and you can make judge of your progress through lap times and finnish placings.

and a side from that...I love the speed. and the rush!

+1 to pretty much all that.

Never thought I'd enjoy it and get as much out of it as I do, but now only wish I'd started way earlier.

[FROSTY]

Wheres the option for --"Its a heck of a lot of fun"?
Isn't that what its all about for most of us. We do it because its fun.

[Billy]

Wheres the option for --"Its a heck of a lot of fun"?
Isn't that what its all about for most of us. We do it because its fun.

Yip all the of the above plus good people and enviroment( and now that Im mid fifties )Just because I can

[slimjim]

hated the prick's , when they closed down the true old bay-park at the mount ,left no true place to get the speed fix, only left us the road to play on , and cause pukekohe was not all ways open to track racing in the earlier year's, however mostly cause its in theeeeee blooooood yea,

[GaZBur]

Wheres the option for --"Its a heck of a lot of fun"?
Isn't that what its all about for most of us. We do it because its fun.
Me too! It's usually FUN, sometimes PAINFUL but always EXCITING!!! You gotta have some excitement in life. At my age I could have taken up golf or bowles(yeah right - as if!!!)


....All I can see is that alot of people are spending a truck load of money nowadays and I can't see them being happier for it...

I spend stuff all, and am having a ball. OK - i am not a hot shot rider and I am usually on the cheapest (and lowest powered) bike. But it so so satisfying to pass a sportsbike with twice the horsepower on the track. I'm in it for the fun and the adrenalin rush!

[scrivy]

Wheres the option for --"Its a heck of a lot of fun"?
Isn't that what its all about for most of us. We do it because its fun.

You're dead right Frosty, it is fun!!

But talking to several racers that have been doing it for over 15-20 years, we are of the same concensus that the fun appears to be deminishing. It's not just the fun on the track I'm talking about, but the afterdos extra.
Talk to any of the old timers, and they can tell you some hardcase stories post race meetings!!
I wish we could get back to that situation. I give away free beers and a BBQ at our Taupo Road Race Spectacular to promote a more social environment. Why don't other clubs? Especially at National level. For all those people that go South each year, why don't they organise socials on the Saturday nights?

[HDTboy]

I do it for fun. I don't have fun when I'm in debt, hence I only race occasionally.
That doesn't stop me coming to the track and helping others spend their money and have fun in the process. Ask Aria, and Jay Lawrence how much fun we had in the south island.

What girls at the racetrack?

[sidecar bob]

You're dead right Frosty, it is fun!!

But talking to several racers that have been doing it for over 15-20 years, we are of the same concensus that the fun appears to be deminishing. It's not just the fun on the track I'm talking about, but the afterdos extra.
Talk to any of the old timers, and they can tell you some hardcase stories post race meetings!!
I wish we could get back to that situation. I give away free beers and a BBQ at our Taupo Road Race Spectacular to promote a more social environment. Why don't other clubs? Especially at National level. For all those people that go South each year, why don't they organise socials on the Saturday nights?

Thats why i have bought a classic sidecar.
According to my sources, all the fun of old is being had at the classic meetings.
While i need the Hauabusa sidecar to get my racing rocks off properly, the classic scene is definitely more fun off track, And, no bastard turns up with the latest model & raises the bar for all.

[FROSTY]

I think its a reflection of society in general ol son.
Anyhoo--dunno about you but the after match functions at last years nats wrre all pretty good.

[Joni]

the classic scene is definitely more fun off track, And, no bastard turns up with the latest model & raises the bar for all.Hmmm, last year the sidecar bbq @ Puke and the Dobalina specials were fairly amazing during the nationals... and I hear that the get together at Trish and Alex was not too bad this year. So I reckon the current "modern" sidecar guys are a bunch of good guys and girls (with the exception of Divvo of course)... so dont count them out too quickly bones! :no:

However I hear ya with regards to $ being put in to raise the bar above what most can achieve!

[rustys]

Wheres the option for --"Its a heck of a lot of fun"?
Isn't that what its all about for most of us. We do it because its fun.

Here here; Frosty, very important one that, think you would find thats what the most of us do it for, and the friendship, great bunch people out there.

[Kickaha]

Just my sad sack opinion. But when you're told to stop the above displays, it kind of makes ya wonder why people are out there.

I'd be surprised if you actually complied with that though


& passengering for you makes me the man!!!

No, it makes you his Bitch:girlfight:


Mostly for the fun factor in sidecars, in other classes it's to kick specific peoples arses

[Cleve]

Whoa! What is with the %?! Some calculator went funny there...

[k14]

Whoa! What is with the %?! Some calculator went funny there...
I think because you can vote for multiple options it works out the number of people that have chosen that option vs the total number of people that have voted to get the percentage.

[moT]

My doctor sais I have to race for medical reasons, I have to race to remain sane otherwise I aparrently turn into a schizophrenic psycopath who will hunt and kill at random. So i race to keep out of a asylum

[Clivoris]

[SIZE="2"]I wish we could get back to that situation. I give away free beers and a BBQ at our Taupo Road Race Spectacular to promote a more social environment. Why don't other clubs? Especially at National level.

There is a function planned for the Manfield round (Saturday night), but the days of boozy events are over. Good on you for what happens in Taupo. I have heard from several different people that it is a great meeting. Keep it up cos I want to give it a go this year.
I race because after helping out at club meetings I realised that people of all different levels were doing it. Some even slower (not many admittedly) than me. The camraderie was inviting as well, but ultimately it's the thrill of getting away with it. It has components of chess and golf at 200kmh so I can set goals, improve technique, get faster, maybe dice with someone and get my rocks off.

[scrivy]

There is a function planned for the Manfield round (Saturday night), but the days of boozy events are over. Good on you for what happens in Taupo. I have heard from several different people that it is a great meeting. Keep it up cos I want to give it a go this year.


Hi Clivoris. I don't want the boozy days to return either - I guess most of us are respectable enough to be responsible nowadays, but I and others would like more social events to get our small fraternity more closely bonded.

[Clivoris]

Hi Clivoris. I don't want the boozy days to return either - I guess most of us are respectable enough to be responsible nowadays, but I and others would like more social events to get our small fraternity more closely bonded.

Fair enough call mate. Most of us are used to making arrangements if we is drinking nowdays. I'm planning on partying with the classic sidecar boys at Paeroa this year. I have a couple of mates peddling a triumph unit.

[k14]

Hi Clivoris. I don't want the boozy days to return either - I guess most of us are respectable enough to be responsible nowadays, but I and others would like more social events to get our small fraternity more closely bonded.
Yeah thats a fair call but don't know about holding events during the weekend. Not sure about you but I barely have enough energy to cook me own tea let alone go out and have a party. I think the times have changed from "back in the day" and I don't know if we will ever be back in those days. I don't see the sport in too much of a bad place because we don't do these things. There is a lot of camaraderie at the track and most people know each other by now.

[moT]

My doctor sais I have to race for medical reasons, I have to race to remain sane. Otherwise I aparrently turn into a schizophrenic psycopath who will hunt and kill at random, so i race to keep out of a asylum.

A.C.C payes for my track days

[sidecar bob]

Hmmm, last year the sidecar bbq @ Puke and the Dobalina specials were fairly amazing during the nationals... and I hear that the get together at Trish and Alex was not too bad this year. So I reckon the current "modern" sidecar guys are a bunch of good guys and girls (with the exception of Divvo of course)... so dont count them out too quickly bones! :no:

However I hear ya with regards to $ being put in to raise the bar above what most can achieve!

Yeah the do at Alex & Trish's was great, only bummer was that there was one happy face missing.:crybaby:

[Deano]

[SIZE="2"]But talking to several racers that have been doing it for over 15-20 years, we are of the same concensus that the fun appears to be deminishing. It's not just the fun on the track I'm talking about, but the afterdos extra.
Talk to any of the old timers, and they can tell you some hardcase stories post race meetings!!
I wish we could get back to that situation. I give away free beers and a BBQ at our Taupo Road Race Spectacular to promote a more social environment. Why don't other clubs?


You'll love the Cliff Hanger Hill Climb then Scrivy - race your sidecar up the hill on Saturday then get on it at the KB Rapa Rumble afterwards.

Only 'problem' is that there is more racing (the serious stuff) on Sunday....maybe not a problem if you like to blow a hangover away with a good hard charge.

[Joni]

You'll love the Cliff Hanger Hill Climb then Scrivy - race your sidecar up the hill on Saturday then get on it at the KB Rapa Rumble afterwards.

Only 'problem' is that there is more racing (the serious stuff) on Sunday....maybe not a problem if you like to blow a hangover away with a good hard charge.Im going to try and talk Divvo into it tomorrow! :eek:

[Deano]

Im going to try and talk Divvo into it tomorrow! :eek:

Then talk Warwick into competing against them !!

[Joni]

Then talk Warwick into competing against them !!:lol: No Warwick is Divvo's swinger... so they will be a team.

But maybe I can convince Scrivy and Bones to come too.... :shifty:

Tall ask for us though, just after the nationals... so lets see how it goes!

:woohoo:

[scrivy]

But maybe I can convince Scrivy and Bones to come too.... :shifty:

Tell Bob there's poon galore, and he'll be there pronto!! :laugh::bleh:

[FROSTY]

Actually not the attraction but a bloody big bonus--There is NOTHING like the feeling of crossing the finish line first -I've been lucky enough to do it a few times and the rush is amazing

[Kickaha]

....maybe not a problem if you like to blow a hangover away with a good hard charge.

He's more likely to be blowing Sidecarbob :blink:

[sidecar bob]

He's more likely to be blowing Sidecarbob :blink:

If that was true, all i could say in my defence is that ive been blown by uglier women.

[BIHB@0610]

Tell Bob there's poon galore, and he'll be there pronto!! :laugh::bleh:
:mad::mad::mad:

[slowpoke]

Faaaark me....what a prick of a question.....
With my work situation competing is a rare treat, but actually trying to express why I want to in the first place is more difficult than I thought it would be.
The few times I've made it to a race meeting as a competitor are so far apart that each meeting has almost been like starting over again....proof there actually is such a thing as a "born again virgin". As a result I've known and still know, bugger all people so the cameraderie hasn't been a huge factor.
Yes, I do manage to improve during the day but as for whether I was riding better than the last meeting I made it to 12months ago, who the fuck knows.
The glory of winning? Haha, not something that I am ever likely to experience I'm afraid, and is not even in my conciousness let alone a motivating factor.
Even the competition isn't a big factor. I wouldn't care if the track was empty, I'd still love being out there and tearing it up as best I can.
Maybe it's the challenge. Maybe it's about being nervous as hell, worried about having to make that phone call to the missus, worried about the other riders wanting your bit of track, worried about getting in some fast fuckers way, worried about the bike you've shivered over on cold nights in the shed getting trashed, it's about being pissed off that you've only managed 1 short wet ride over the 'taka's after 3/4 weeks away at work before heading off to the track.........and saying "fuck it, I'm doing it" anyway.
I dunno man, it's hard to explain but I just know that I've loved watching bikes since I was old enough to peer over the hay bales at Paritutu and to actually be a participant rather than an observer, no matter how infrequently, scratches a lifelong itch.

Just on your other comment Scrivy, yep, todays racing scene is definitely more sanitised and self involved than in days gone by. Maybe it's a reflection of society in general, but Deano's Hillclimb and your Taupo Spectacular are steps in the right direction. The hillclimb was lotsa fun last year, even with a sick bike and iffy weather; and I find the Taupo track irritating on a bigger bike but from feedback on your event it's got me thinking I'd like to give it a go this year so you are doing something right.

[Ivan]

I race because of my dad, My dad got me involved when I was 5 watching Aaron Slight race on TV. I always wanted to be Aaron SLight
Then dad got a bucket, and I wanted to be like dad so I got a bucket,
Then I raced and crashed and raced and kept trying and dad brought me a RGV which I crashed straight away. then raced but seeing it wasnt competitive he brought me the updated RG150 and I raced and did good then had a big crash and that was final 150 Race Jay Lawrence gave me a go on His RS125 and dad brought it for me and ever since I have only looked at 1 thing winning that title.

My Ambitions are high on myself.

I want to go proffesional and I dont care when people laugh at me without the desire for it you never have the drive to make it.

Even If I dont make it

At least I gave it a shot

[Tony.OK]

I race because of my dad, My dad got me involved when I was 5 watching Aaron Slight race on TV. I always wanted to be Aaron SLight
Then dad got a bucket, and I wanted to be like dad so I got a bucket,
Then I raced and crashed and raced and kept trying and dad brought me a RGV which I crashed straight away. then raced but seeing it wasnt competitive he brought me the updated RG150 and I raced and did good then had a big crash and that was final 150 Race Jay Lawrence gave me a go on His RS125 and dad brought it for me and ever since I have only looked at 1 thing winning that title.

My Ambitions are high on myself.

I want to go proffesional and I dont care when people laugh at me without the desire for it you never have the drive to make it.

Even If I dont make it

At least I gave it a shot

Awesome attitude................:first:

[Atlas]

Classic sidecars - Sh*t loads of fun, skinny tires, marginal engines and brakes, a great bunch of people all shapes, sizes, ages and genders. :2thumbsup: tight racing, varied bikes and a good laugh with all on a fairly tight budget.
I reckon the most dangerous bit is the drive to and from the track towing the outfit.

[kickingzebra]

My fav option ain't there,

The risk... Times that my brakes may have packed a sad just before the end of the back straight at manfield, or my throttle has stuck full open in a corner, or the rarer times when paint is swapped in a manoevre...

I do it mainly for the risk I guess, facing death and winning gives a healthy perspective on life, or in the slightly nicer fashion that Burt Munroe reportedly put it;

One can live more in 5 minutes on a motorsickle, than most live in an entire lifetime!!

Winning (has happened once or twice for me, LOL) is definitly a secondary pleasure to all of the above, and being a champion isn't all it's cracked up to be... (but wearing number one sure is nice, PMCC final round, ME ;)