Do you want to be in the top 10 in NZ?

[slowpoke]

Just turn up!

I just checked out the entry numbers for the Nat's at Teretonga and it makes for pretty sad reading. From www.nzsbk.co.nz, 2008 vs 2009:


650 Pro-Twin 5 (2008) 10 (2009)
Formula 3 13 (2008) 8 (2009)
600 Sports Production 20 (2008) 17 (2009)
125GP 12 (2008) 12 (2009)
Superbikes 19 (2008) 10 (2009)

And we wonder why it's not on TV.....

edit: Sorry 'bout the format but it won't display as I wrote it and I can't be arsed dickin' around with it.

[roy.nz]

That is pretty sad, i'd do it if i had the coin, but times are tuff when you are an apprentice!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[White trash]

Definitely sad alright. I think a lot of people from last years season realized that the rules and regulations are in favour too much of the guys with the big sponsorship. There's absolutely no reason to race the national series anymore unless you're good enough to be on one of 6 or 7 bikes. There's zero reward and you get know nothing dropkicks from this very website telling you what a looser you are.

In saying that, massive respect to Honda for this year chucking a decent team in the mix and LG for getting behind Sloan in such big fashion.

[vtec]

Definitely sad alright. I think a lot of people from last years season realized that the rules and regulations are in favour too much of the guys with the big sponsorship. There's absolutely no reason to race the national series anymore unless you're good enough to be on one of 6 or 7 bikes. There's zero reward and you get know nothing dropkicks from this very website telling you what a looser you are.

In saying that, massive respect to Honda for this year chucking a decent team in the mix and LG for getting behind Sloan in such big fashion.

All valid comments Jimmy. I felt the same, I've only done two Nationals events, and was probably on the cheapest bike in the fields, qualified comfortably which 95% of riders wouldn't even be able to do, got lapped after about 20 laps, which means I was about 5% slower, on a bike with about at least 10% HP deficit, second hand tyres, and a learner rider. Actually did amazingly well for where I was experiencewise at the time. Risked life and limb and spent thousands of dollars only to be derided by the commentators for being lapped traffic and holding my lines.

I've come a long way since then, but would still only compete in Nationals if I had a brand new bike with brand new equipment and tyres. No point doing it and riding your pants off to still be off the pace. There is no incentive.

Yeah, good on Honda and LG. Corporate sponsorship is thin on the ground these days. I've been lucky enough to get some minor sponsorship and am very thankful for it, but it's only enough to help me dabble in racing.

[Coyote]

I just got word that my VFR is worth about $1000. So I won't be selling it when I upgrade. Think it's time to race it :D

Also got a bucket to get on the track first.

[vtec]

That a boy coyote. Come race in the animal pack that is F3. Affordableish and fast and fun and safeish.

[cowpoos]

Definitely sad alright. I think a lot of people from last years season realized that the rules and regulations are in favour too much of the guys with the big sponsorship. There's absolutely no reason to race the national series anymore unless you're good enough to be on one of 6 or 7 bikes. .

Do you want to elabourate a bit more to those who ARE going to question your thoughts on the matter??

[Biggles08]

well....I'll wait till the numbers in the 600 class dwidle to 10...then I'm in :-):woohoo:

seriously tho...its not a pretty picture really. Sloan and Ed have done a great job capturing a good corporate sponsor and maybe we all just need to all take a lesson from them. Create some excitement (true or otherwise) and get out there promoting our own sport to corporates...I'm trying! I think the more sponsors like LG, the more exciting the possibilities are for more to join. Show the LG website to potential corporates and get their imagination going. Watch this space...hopefully I will have something soon :sweatdrop

[slowpoke]

Definitely sad alright. I think a lot of people from last years season realized that the rules and regulations are in favour too much of the guys with the big sponsorship. There's absolutely no reason to race the national series anymore unless you're good enough to be on one of 6 or 7 bikes. There's zero reward and you get know nothing dropkicks from this very website telling you what a looser you are.

In saying that, massive respect to Honda for this year chucking a decent team in the mix and LG for getting behind Sloan in such big fashion.

Carnts! It's fuggin' disappointing to hear that people are being bagged for just having a go.

I kinda wonder if people are a bit intimidated by the likes of Stroudy, Jones, Charlett, Williams and co. In most classes there is a reasonable gap between the likes of those guys and the rest of even a National level field. Unless people feel competitive and in with a chance of winning maybe they don't feel they should front up, when realistically the only way they will ever get competitive is to take a few lumps, learn from the experience of trying to stay with them, and come back faster next year.

By and large the attitude seems to have changed from one of just having a go regardless of where you finish to not fronting unless you are close to the front.

[Biggles08]

Carnts! It's fuggin' disappointing to hear that people are being bagged for just having a go.

I kinda wonder if people are a bit intimidated by the likes of Stroudy, Jones, Charlett, Williams and co. In most classes there is a reasonable gap between the likes of those guys and the rest of even a National level field. Unless people feel competitive and in with a chance of winning maybe they don't feel they should front up, when realistically the only way they will ever get competitive is to take a few lumps, learn from the experience of trying to stay with them, and come back faster next year.

By and large the attitude seems to have changed from one of just having a go regardless of where you finish to not fronting unless you are close to the front.

Of course people are intimidated by them....and so they should be...they are fast BUT who will be the next one to come along.....being intimidated (maybe not the correct word but we will run with it) is part of learning from those who have mastered the art of anything one is interested in. Only those who believe in themselves will ever get out and have a go...that has always been the case and always will be.

I don't think their is anyone to blame for the dwindling numbers more than all of us...we are the ones who can make the numbers up...lets just all figure out a way that we can all afford it. I plan to do the Nats next year...who else? I really don't care at this stage about where I will come...but I will be looking to improve my skills this year while I have the chance.

[GIXser]

I have mulled the above comments and thoughts over and over in that tiny brain of mine,
So why do the nats?
From a sponsors point of view they get zip out of it (unlike the Tri series)
entry fees and other "fees" are ridiculous and ofcourse there is the other travelling costs.

If i had to blame someone or something (which im not at this stage)
it would seem that Mnz still run a very antiquated ship to say the least.

start with the entry forms: it may seem silly to all but you still have to send your entry in for the nats and any other races by post, along with a cheque (who still uses checks)??

promotions: i know of other sports, that are far better advertised and promoted with little or no money, it seems that "the organisers" either have no clue or are to old or simply think it is what it is, but none of it is seriously promoted!! again apart from the tri's

It is great getting hold of a sponsor, problem being is keeping them as we all know it ISnt all about results otherwise they would not have sponsored me, (someone comes last in motogp/superbikes and they have sponsorship) i
its about getting publicity!! hence the wanky posters etc.
If the organisers actually put a little more effort in with advertising material/promotions they would find numbers increase, riders as well as public watching it unless you are directly involved in racing it would be pure luck you would hear that there is a race on somewhere then when you turn up you get charged ten bucks at the gate.....FOr what??.. some derilict coffee stand and toilets that have more shit beside it than in it.

I also think this is where the tall poppy syndrome comes in like trash said.. people bag ya for having a sponsor.. comments like Why would they give it to you etc and you wont finish first etc. people need to learn in this sport to encourage each other more and feed of one another ( something i will probably write up a bit later)

at the end of the day, who gives a fuck if shirriffs or stroud comes first or bugden, as long as the racing is good, and enjoyable for the racers and spectators alike. is that not what racing is all about!!

So coming back to sponsors, i think it is almost impossible to hang on to a sponsor as they simply get no return on their dollar, i promote and justify it the best i can, but without mnz putting a little effort in sponsorship will dissappear.

all that said, im going to have a hell of a ball this season, and stir a bit of shit here and there..

and if people want to support us please have a look at this http://www.nzlive.com/en/nzlivecom/lg-sports-experience
and if you come please visit the bikes or make it known that you are there to visit the bikes as the more we get to turn up the better it looks for sponsorship next year, it will be a good day to take the kids etc some good free entertainment:)

[Biggles08]

If the organisers actually put a little more effort in with advertising material/promotions they would find numbers increase, riders as well as public watching it unless you are directly involved in racing it would be pure luck you would hear that there is a race on somewhere then when you turn up you get charged ten bucks at the gate.....FOr what??.. some derilict coffee stand and toilets that have more shit beside it than in it.

This is quite true and even being involved in the racing community it is not the easiest finding out what is on and where! Also...sounds awfully like you are describing AMCC and Pukekohe here....:gob::dodge:

[roogazza]

Oh come on guys ! Ever noticed how how the good guys never get on here and bleat ?
What happened to racing for the love of it and trying to be the best you can.
Here's a tip , get off this facking KB site and do it.
Jim , I thought you had a good bike and figured you could be there ?
Vtec, for christs sake stop telling us how good you are and making excuses for old tyres and bikes etc.

If anyone wants to be a NZ champ they have to make the effort.

If I wasn't 60, I'd be back in a flash. Gaz.

[lostinflyz]

yea Gixser is right on the entry forms. i dont have a cheque book so its farkin hard to enter events. Ive sent cash in the post alot but ive lost it a few times and that stings the budget.

on spectator entry 10 bucks is bloody steep. someone must be pulling a few coins between rider entries (what something like 180 dollars a person for sth is. rounds) plus entries ect. ect. Don't these events have sizeable sponsorship to keep costs to spectators/competitors down????

[Biggles08]

If I wasn't 60, I'd be back in a flash. Gaz.

Sounds like an excuse to me! lol ;):sweatdrop

[GIXser]

Oh come on guys ! Ever noticed how how the good guys never get on here and bleat ?
What happened to racing for the love of it and trying to be the best you can.
Here's a tip , get off this facking KB site and do it.
Jim , I thought you had a good bike and figured you could be there ?
Vtec, for christs sake stop telling us how good you are and making excuses for old tyres and bikes etc.

If anyone wants to be a NZ champ they have to make the effort.

If I wasn't 60, I'd be back in a flash. Gaz.

i dont think its a bleat i think its constructive, Gaz are you actually aware that the "Top guys as you call them" do all this on the bones of their arse only to come out with more debt... well.. call me a capitalist but i dont think it should be like that!

in saying all that, Kb is a great medium for advertising your sponsor, maybe the "TOP Guys" should be on here for that reason:)


just a thought....im definately a capitalist.. so dont tell any muslims on this site!!

[pritch]

and you get know nothing dropkicks from this very website telling you what a looser you are.

Seriously? Anybody out there doin' it deserves respect.

I was a bit underwhelmed by one team last year (nobody from here) that I felt should have been doing better. The situation was explained but I still felt there was something missing.

No prizes for guessing...

[jrandom]

Vtec, for christs sake stop... making excuses

You gotta admit, though, his ability to make excuses has pretty much gone downhill since he won that endurance race.

:laugh:

[worm13]

id hate to tell ya this boys but ive heard that the manfield round has got even less then round 1 ive heard 5 but dont quote me on that also that was at 1 week before entries closed.

Who cares if you get smoked by the hot shots they had that happen to them many moons ago and the only way to be the best is to learn from the best also if you have the coin to do the nats but dont class your self a racer i say go out and do it due to 3 weekends of racing in a row plus test sessions in there aswell does help get you up 2 speed faster then riding club rounds :D

Hey Gaz you should tell Ginger Molley that your to old to race.... I hope he gives you a bitch slap!

[Yow Ling]

Its a shame that the nationals dosent reflect all the roadracing in NZ.
Streetstock in the SI at least can pull grids of nearly 50 bikes . F4 minature road racing can also fill a field of 40 just in christchurch. While these arent the glam racing that the nationals are supposed to be , its where the numbers are and people can afford this racing. Post classic is well represented at street racing but dosent get a look in at national level.

[worm13]

Postie's do have a national level champs its all raced in the north island which isnt a total kick in the teeth but would be nice if it was a bit of a road show :)

[sidecar bob]

Theres some shit that goes down at national level that i have yet to understand. Theres a weird clique & youre either in or youre not.
For example, at the Timaru prizegiving last year, we broke the lap record for sidecars along with Bugden in Superbikes.
Bugden was hauled up & lauded as if he had just single handedly saved the world from certain destruction by an invading alien fleel, & rightfully so.
The guy that came second in the sidecar race & had yet to win his first ever race was described as "our champion" & when we were called out, the guy just said our names & then muttered back into the microphone, "oh, they were first".
No problem, we definitely made our own fun while recieving our trophys etc, but i couldnt understand the double standard.
Maybe because we are a pair of pisstakers that race, win & set lap records on an old piece of shit & are just there for fun on a low budget. Wouldnt want to be caught having fun of course, its far too serious for that.
This year we cant be arsed with the nationals & our Suzuki sidecar is up for sale because we are having ten times the fun on the classic BMW with the NZCMRR. No prize money, a first place NZ champ trophy that i can lose inside the Tri series one & broken promises about TV coverage etc.
Like any business that works on attracting punters to survive, the nationals are no different.
I run my business on the basis of being approachable & easy to use, provide top service & value for money & an expierence that far exceeds the clients expectations, much like the TRRS or entire Tri Series.
If the nationals dont lift their game they will go the way of any other dinosaur business that dosent move with the times.

[skidMark]

I just got word that my VFR is worth about $1000. So I won't be selling it when I upgrade. Think it's time to race it :D

Also got a bucket to get on the track first.


I offered you 4k for it at one point.

[jrandom]

I can't comment as a racer, cos I ain't (much of) one, but for sure as a motorcycle racing fan the Nats have very little interest to me.

The Vic and Pacific club series, Wanganui and Paeroa, and TRRS - great racing, great atmosphere, full grids, plenty of guys I know competing. I get my fill each year from all of the above, and I don't feel any pull to attend the Nats.

If MNZ want to stay relevant, they do need to fix that. Whether that comes in the form of racing classes with rules that make them more accessible, or just some decent promotion of the events... I dunno. Their job, not mine. But they don't seem to be doing it very well.

[jrandom]

I offered you 4k for it at one point.

Have you ever actually seen that much money all together in one place at one time?

:lol:

[prettybillie]

Sounds like an excuse to me! lol ;):sweatdrop

Sounds like an excuse you would make :girlfight:

[GIXser]

Theres some shit that goes down at national level that i have yet to understand. Theres a weird clique & youre either in or youre not.
For example, at the Timaru prizegiving last year, we broke the lap record for sidecars along with Bugden in Superbikes.
Bugden was hauled up & lauded as if he had just single handedly saved the world from certain destruction by an invading alien fleel, & rightfully so.
The guy that came second in the sidecar race & had yet to win his first ever race was described as "our champion" & when we were called out, the guy just said our names & then muttered back into the microphone, "oh, they were first".
No problem, we definitely made our own fun while recieving our trophys etc, but i couldnt understand the double standard.
Maybe because we are a pair of pisstakers that race, win & set lap records on an old piece of shit & are just there for fun on a low budget. Wouldnt want to be caught having fun of course, its far too serious for that.
This year we cant be arsed with the nationals & our Suzuki sidecar is up for sale because we are having ten times the fun on the classic BMW with the NZCMRR. No prize money, a first place NZ champ trophy that i can lose inside the Tri series one & broken promises about TV coverage etc.
Like any business that works on attracting punters to survive, the nationals are no different.
I run my business on the basis of being approachable & easy to use, provide top service & value for money & an expierence that far exceeds the clients expectations, much like the TRRS or entire Tri Series.
If the nationals dont lift their game they will go the way of any other dinosaur business that dosent move with the times.

Well said.....

[FROSTY]

From the point of view of a guy thats done a couple of national series and a little bit of other racing. Heres something i feel we as a racing community need to get sorted out NOW for the 2009/2010 season.
We NEED to get organised getting tracks booked NOW.
Even now is a bit friggin late to be honest.
Instead of event organisers doing it friggin willy nilly why dont we get a bloody coordinated effort going??
Cut the fucken egocentric bullshit and work together so
1)2 CLUB lever series dont clash for dates.
nsted of COMPETING for the feilds why not work so one meeting compliments the next.
2)racers NZ wide as well as internationals can organise their lives well in advance.
3)teams can build a race program

[Coyote]

I offered you 4k for it at one point.
Live and learn.

[scracha]

We NEED to get organised getting tracks booked NOW.
Even now is a bit friggin late to be honest.
Instead of event organisers doing it friggin willy nilly why dont we get a bloody coordinated effort going??


Frosty, myself and many others have previously ranted about the complete lack of co-ordination in road racing in New Zealand and basically just got shit for it. Typical is multiple roadrace events happening simultaneously in the North Island alone. A 2 week gap between the north island events? The Nationals needs much better promotion. Charging spectators is a joke (especially at club level)....a gold coin donation would be more appropriate for the level of entertainment. Riders need assistance getting themselves, their steeds and their associated kit between events. Bike storage needs arranged, accommodation arranged, etc etc and it's all organised far too late. Entry forms need streamlined...why can't MNZ manage an online booking system with SSL and credit card payments on behalf of all the clubs. "She'll be right" levels of organisation at this level just don't work.

Naysayers like myself have saw this coming for a few years and I hope mnz sit up, take notice and don't just blame it all on the economic downturn.

Yeah, going out and "riding just for the fun of it" is all fine and well but not if the low budget rider's blowing a few months wages (a low budget being waaaaay more than must club racers annual budget) and they and their sponsors get nothing back in return. Not that the top guys get much bang per buck if you ask me...I'm surprised so many of them remain in New Zealand.



Like any business that works on attracting punters to survive, the nationals are no different.
I run my business on the basis of being approachable & easy to use, provide top service & value for money & an expierence that far exceeds the clients expectations, much like the TRRS or entire Tri Series.
If the nationals dont lift their game they will go the way of any other dinosaur business that dosent move with the times.

Spot on.

[Kickaha]

We NEED to get organised getting tracks booked NOW.


Wont happen, they simply will not book tracks that far ahead and the car guys always get first choice

It also wouldn't matter if you gave people 2 years notice of the race dates they still couldn't organise themsleves to attend in decent numbers

[White trash]

Oh come on guys ! Ever noticed how how the good guys never get on here and bleat ?
What happened to racing for the love of it and trying to be the best you can.
Here's a tip , get off this facking KB site and do it.
Jim , I thought you had a good bike and figured you could be there ?
Vtec, for christs sake stop telling us how good you are and making excuses for old tyres and bikes etc.

If anyone wants to be a NZ champ they have to make the effort.

If I wasn't 60, I'd be back in a flash. Gaz.
You're right Gaz, I had a good bike. But it was still a decent way off the top bikes. And could I have been there? Maybe, I'll never know unfortunately.

I like to think in only 12 months of racing I proved my worth fairly well.

What I'm trying to say is there's zero point/recognition/coverage for doing the nationals. Streets are where it's at.

And Mark you spineless sack of duck shit, please feel free to post your comments publicly, should you have an opinion. We'd hate to think you're scared of fall out from an unpopular point of view.

[CHOPPA]

Having 6 basically factory racers and no one else certainly makes it a bit hard to find motivation to ride! Pretty embarrising to be racing nationals with only 8 other bikes....

Something you guys might find funny! After qualifying today the officials came to check my tyre compounds to ensure i use the same compounds for the first race (this rule is designed so people who can afford dont run super soft qualifying tyres) so i asked if they checked the guys tyres that changed there tyres toward the end of qualifying and the answer i got was you run the tyres you end qualifying on. So i asked if you run qualifying tyres for the first 8 laps then change them do 1 lap and the answer was yeah thats fine hahaha I really dont care cause it doesnt effect me this year and whos to say thats even what they did... it just made me laugh :shutup:

[sidecar bob]

Having 6 basically factory racers and no one else certainly makes it a bit hard to find motivation to ride! Pretty embarrising to be racing nationals with only 8 other bikes....

Something you guys might find funny! After qualifying today the officials came to check my tyre compounds to ensure i use the same compounds for the first race (this rule is designed so people who can afford dont run super soft qualifying tyres) so i asked if they checked the guys tyres that changed there tyres toward the end of qualifying and the answer i got was you run the tyres you end qualifying on. So i asked if you run qualifying tyres for the first 8 laps then change them do 1 lap and the answer was yeah thats fine hahaha I really dont care cause it doesnt effect me this year and whos to say thats even what they did... it just made me laugh :shutup:

Dude!!!. . . That tyre thing is just un fuckin believeable & another nail in the coffin.

[White trash]

Having 6 basically factory racers and no one else certainly makes it a bit hard to find motivation to ride! Pretty embarrising to be racing nationals with only 8 other bikes....

Something you guys might find funny! After qualifying today the officials came to check my tyre compounds to ensure i use the same compounds for the first race (this rule is designed so people who can afford dont run super soft qualifying tyres) so i asked if they checked the guys tyres that changed there tyres toward the end of qualifying and the answer i got was you run the tyres you end qualifying on. So i asked if you run qualifying tyres for the first 8 laps then change them do 1 lap and the answer was yeah thats fine hahaha I really dont care cause it doesnt effect me this year and whos to say thats even what they did... it just made me laugh :shutup:


Dude!!!. . . That tyre thing is just un fuckin believeable & another nail in the coffin.

MN fucken Z doing what they do best, turning a blind eye and persecuting the wrong rider.

Good on ya Sloan, how'd you do today bro?

[CHOPPA]

MN fucken Z doing what they do best, turning a blind eye and persecuting the wrong rider.

Good on ya Sloan, how'd you do today bro?

Second to last.... haha that sounds terrible! I ended up 7th, 2.5 off Bugden so im happy and 7th is my goal for the nats and try to nibble at the factory dudes as much as possible ;)

[Wingnut]

Second to last.... haha that sounds terrible! I ended up 7th, 2.5 off Bugden so im happy and 7th is my goal for the nats and try to nibble at the factory dudes as much as possible ;)

Dont suppose you know where #34 - Brad Selfe placed?

Good luck for tomorrow too mate.:niceone:

[roadracingoldfart]

Second to last.... haha that sounds terrible! I ended up 7th, 2.5 off Bugden so im happy and 7th is my goal for the nats and try to nibble at the factory dudes as much as possible ;)

And there is alot of people wanting to see it too ..... take it too them for us man.:clap:

[CHOPPA]

Dont suppose you know where #34 - Brad Selfe placed?

Good luck for tomorrow too mate.:niceone:

Brad was right behind me....


And there is alot of people wanting to see it too ..... take it too them for us man.:clap:

Cheers mate!

[Shaun P]

Im thinkin these numbers will double once hampton downs and superbike support races are run with at least a bit of promotion. MNZ must have some explaining to do? Surely an event run like this would lose money?

[slowpoke]

I have mulled the above comments and thoughts over and over in that tiny brain of mine,
So why do the nats?
From a sponsors point of view they get zip out of it (unlike the Tri series)
entry fees and other "fees" are ridiculous and ofcourse there is the other travelling costs.

If i had to blame someone or something (which im not at this stage)
it would seem that Mnz still run a very antiquated ship to say the least.

start with the entry forms: it may seem silly to all but you still have to send your entry in for the nats and any other races by post, along with a cheque (who still uses checks)??

promotions: i know of other sports, that are far better advertised and promoted with little or no money, it seems that "the organisers" either have no clue or are to old or simply think it is what it is, but none of it is seriously promoted!! again apart from the tri's

It is great getting hold of a sponsor, problem being is keeping them as we all know it ISnt all about results otherwise they would not have sponsored me, (someone comes last in motogp/superbikes and they have sponsorship) i
its about getting publicity!! hence the wanky posters etc.
If the organisers actually put a little more effort in with advertising material/promotions they would find numbers increase, riders as well as public watching it unless you are directly involved in racing it would be pure luck you would hear that there is a race on somewhere then when you turn up you get charged ten bucks at the gate.....FOr what??.. some derilict coffee stand and toilets that have more shit beside it than in it.

I also think this is where the tall poppy syndrome comes in like trash said.. people bag ya for having a sponsor.. comments like Why would they give it to you etc and you wont finish first etc. people need to learn in this sport to encourage each other more and feed of one another ( something i will probably write up a bit later)

at the end of the day, who gives a fuck if shirriffs or stroud comes first or bugden, as long as the racing is good, and enjoyable for the racers and spectators alike. is that not what racing is all about!!

So coming back to sponsors, i think it is almost impossible to hang on to a sponsor as they simply get no return on their dollar, i promote and justify it the best i can, but without mnz putting a little effort in sponsorship will dissappear.

all that said, im going to have a hell of a ball this season, and stir a bit of shit here and there..

and if people want to support us please have a look at this http://www.nzlive.com/en/nzlivecom/lg-sports-experience
and if you come please visit the bikes or make it known that you are there to visit the bikes as the more we get to turn up the better it looks for sponsorship next year, it will be a good day to take the kids etc some good free entertainment:)

Eddie, you should very proud of the effort you've put together, it's one of, if not the best presented teams in the paddock. I totally agree on the results thing too ("it isn't all about results"). The fact you had such a professional looking setup in the pits at Wanga's with the hordes of people streaming through would have been a great return for LG's investment regardless of where you guys finished. LG didn't just hand you a dehydrated team/pit setup where all you had to do was add water, you've had to pull it together and organise it all, decide where your money is best spent etc, so you've earned a fair bit of it before you've even turned a wheel in anger. Good onya fella.

So why do the Nat's? If nothing else you get to spend a few days on track learning from the best in the country. You are also almost forcibly removed from your own comfort zone. As someone who is making the transition from Clubman's to F1 I experienced this first hand at the recent Tri Series. I had some painfully embarrassing results but I learnt a lot from it, through watching and talking to the likes of Glen Williams, Hayden Fitzgerald and Jared Love. From suspension, to gearing, to racing lines, even shit about myself, I have learnt things that will help me in the future. Learning how much I didn't know wasn't a whole lot of fun to be honest but it means I can't fuggin' wait to get back on track and hopefully go a bit quicker.

Timing also seems to be an issue for folk getting to the complete series. Would we be better off running the series 1 weekend a month for 5 months rather than over just a few short weeks? Practice on a Saturday only (no Friday), and race on Sunday. If you ran the Saturday mostly like a track day (3 speed groups) you'd still get heaps of track time. It would reduce the pain a little bit for both employer and wallet, and allow you to absorb the financial damage over a longer period.

Speaking of the Tri-Series most of the top riders showed at most of the events, making the standard not that far off National's quality. Given that Scrivy, Chris Lawrence, Leighton Minnell and co organised a fantastic show hands up all those who think they should be press ganged into organising next years National's series....now that would be a series worth turning up for and televising.

[Kickaha]

Low numbers at a National events are nothing new, I can remember the NZGP being cancelled due to a lack of entries and that was within the last ten years

When you go to mylaps and check back thorugh the MNZ championship it's really only in the last couple of years that entries had dropped in big numbers 05-06 saw numbers as high as 30+ in 600 and 20+ Superbikes,3 years ago we even had 20+ sidecars



Timing also seems to be an issue for folk getting to the complete series. Would we be better off running the series 1 weekend a month for 5 months rather than over just a few short weeks? Practice on a Saturday only (no Friday), and race on Sunday. If you ran the Saturday mostly like a track day (3 speed groups) you'd still get heaps of track time. It would reduce the pain a little bit for both employer and wallet, and allow you to absorb the financial damage over a longer period.


Friday is unoffical practice anway

Make it four rounds, run two in November and two in late January, rounds to be run consecutive weekends not with this bullshit break in between the NI rounds, SI can alternate between Levels and Teretonga

[slowpoke]

Friday is unoffical practice anway

Yeah, but I reckon riders feel compelled to attend to keep up with other riders, knowing they'll only get 1 x practice and 2 x qualifying sessions on the Saturday to get up to speed, which means another day off work and extra accomodation etc. If they were smart and grouped a couple of classes together (6 hundys are only a second or two away from Superbike times, 125GP comparable with F3) you could easily slip in 4 practice sessions plus 2 separate qualifying sessions on the Saturday and remove the need for Friday testing. Clubman's/classic's etc (non-championship classes) only get one practice on Sunday morning as per a normal Club race day.

Make it four rounds, run two in November and two in late January, rounds to be run consecutive weekends not with this bullshit break in between the NI rounds, SI can alternate between Levels and Teretonga

What's the thinking behind consecutive weekends? People would travel and stay the week? It would suit me (if I'm not away at work) and I'd would love to do exactly that for the SI rounds but I wonder how it would suit most people with normal 9-5 jobs. I think if I was stuck having to work a normal week I'd rather be able to defray the cost and time involved over longer intervals but I haven't had to do that for a lot of years now so can't really talk from experience.

Some sort of transport arrangement wouldn't be too hard to organise either, as per Oz Superbikes when they (used to) head West. A semi-trailer rig could cart most of the bikes and shit from the NI down South and do the same for SI guys heading up for the NI rounds. Cor! Getting carried away here but MNZ could invest in exactly that and kit it out with compressor, generator, tyre machine, fuel, merchandise etc etc and take their own facilities to the track to make up for the piss-poor facilities at most of the tracks.....haha, dreams are free, eh? (gawd the crap you dream up at 4am on nightshift)

[svs]

well i'm here in teretonga. on a fast bike (2007 R6 ex. sam smith and midge smart). Still about 6 seconds off the pace off the fast guys but having fun. i just need to be fitter and a be better rider.

dave manuell is out there on a k3 gsxr and only 1 or 2 seconds off the winners.

it's not all about spending shit loads on a bike. sure the top teams do, but they also have the top riders. give those guys some credit, i'm sure sam would be running about the same lap time on my bike as he is on the new one.

now i'm sitting in the sun, going to have a few days rest before heading to track day at timaru on wednesday and racing again next weekend. The entry fees aren't too bad when you see how much track time you get over 3 days, the tracks down here are awesome - worth the drive down.

life's too short to bitch and moan about it not being fair. just get out there and have a blast. anyway the low numbers mean i got at least one point today, and maybe i will finish in the top 15 in NZ if no one else comes out to play.

[steve74]

Although most of the conversation on this thread revolves arounds the 600 and 1000cc boys, take a look at F3 , 7 bikes?? congratulations MNZ for completely destrying one of the most affordable kinds of racing we have. I know its an age old rant but take a look at how many 400cc in line fours are on trademe for under $3500. A grid full of tidy competitive 20 year old bikes is better than 7 in my opinion. The other fact is that when you look at the results almost all the bikes from 4th to 10th were pro twins? so a good pro twin is still faster than the majority of the F3 bikes? having not been there myself there may be other reasons for this.

my 5 cents worth anyway.

[wayne]

i think only 4 f3 finished the last race...............

[Tony.OK]

Well at least we get to watch "LIVE BEACH VOLLEY BALL" all next weekend........................................ much better than some silly National race series:doh:

[Kickaha]

What's the thinking behind consecutive weekends? People would travel and stay the week?

Yes....... thats what most already do anyway

[slowpoke]

Yes....... thats what most already do anyway

Hopefully I'll be one of them next year if the Gods smile kindly on my work roster, even if it's just to fill out the ranks of Clubman's which also seem desperately thin.
What's goin' on with that?
Does nobody ride a road bike "darn sarf"? Are the roads not sealed yet?

[puddytat]

Hopefully I'll be one of them next year if the Gods smile kindly on my work roster, even if it's just to fill out the ranks of Clubman's which also seem desperately thin.
What's goin' on with that?
Does nobody ride a road bike "darn sarf"? Are the roads not sealed yet?

Yeah I do man...see you at Ruapuna!!:rockon:

[prettybillie]

Sounds like an excuse to me! lol ;):sweatdrop

Only cause it's something you would say!!!! :done:

[Biggles08]

Only cause it's something you would say!!!! :done:

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I have ever used the excuse of being in my sixties as an excuse not to race:confused:....and...more importantly, that post is not like you...you never mentioned the girls once!:bleh:
( . )( . )

[prettybillie]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think I have ever used the excuse of being in my sixties as an excuse not to race:confused:....and...more importantly, that post is not like you...you never mentioned the girls once!:bleh:
( . )( . )

I'm trying to be more mature in my postings - however if you insist on talking about my boobs then okay - let's talk! :spanking:

[CHOPPA]

I'm trying to be more mature in my postings - however if you insist on talking about my boobs then okay - let's talk! :spanking:

well you know what they say... A picture is worth a thousand words :)