Racing in the USA, costs, prizes, etc.

[steveyb]

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=33863

Read it and enjoy.

I have heard comments from overseas riders and crews that the tracks and competition in NZ have nothing wrong with them.

So have a good think about where you really want things to go.

Cheers

Steve

[Tony.OK]

That is interesting.......................at least he could recover some costs by doing club races.
Our comps pay nothing so its all "cost"
I'm sure the top Nats boys could spend 10k per meeting, but theres no way of regaining any of that back, would explain why the numbers are so poor in some respects.
I'd be happy just to get a free entry for the next round for winning a club meet.
I really see racing as just a hobbie in this country, theres no glory or fortunes to be had..........its just passion that keeps people coming back.

What do you mean when you say "So have a good think about where you really want things to go."

Where can it go from where it is now? It can't pay any less:blink:

[Robert Taylor]

http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=33863

Read it and enjoy.

I have heard comments from overseas riders and crews that the tracks and competition in NZ have nothing wrong with them.

So have a good think about where you really want things to go.

Cheers

Steve

4 million people, seemingly half on welfare and lots of new low grade immigrants ( no apologies, its reality ) Only a small percentage of the population into road racing. We do indeed do very very well per head of population. But we dont have 40 million people or more to make a big prize pool!

[CHOPPA]

Shit that looks good to me! I wonder where that guy would be in NZ or vice versa...?

If you wanted all the shit that he has like $900 mechanics etc etc it would cost him the same money here and he would get no prize money!

Why dont NZ have professional events more like paeroa etc, surely if marketed and promoted well motorcycling could be a decent money spinner... At the moment all motorsport on TV in NZ really is lacking something, i dont know what it is but its just not exciting. Watch ama supercross thats exciting, i think its the commentary? We need neil ritchie doing all the voice work on the TV!!!

The marketing company that has helped me out alot recently have some great ideas for the sport, it will be interesting to see how they are recieved but 1 idea is to combine a single class with the v8 series as they will be organising the v8 series next year

[enigma51]

If you wanted all the shit that he has like $900 mechanics etc etc it would cost him the same money here and he would get no prize money!

Why dont NZ have professional events more like paeroa etc, surely if marketed and promoted well motorcycling could be a decent money spinner... At the moment all motorsport on TV in NZ really is lacking something, i dont know what it is but its just not exciting. Watch ama supercross thats exciting, i think its the commentary? We need neil ritchie doing all the voice work on the TV!!!


You mean market it as good as they did with the classic over the weekend :Pokey:

they have one of the worlds best here and the first time i hear about it was on saturday night after kevin swantz won. Yes thats right kevin swantz was in the country at puke racing on a norton


PS I hope you marketing company puts a fire cracker up there asses so that we can see some better organized events.

[Robert Taylor]

Shit that looks good to me! I wonder where that guy would be in NZ or vice versa...?

If you wanted all the shit that he has like $900 mechanics etc etc it would cost him the same money here and he would get no prize money!

Why dont NZ have professional events more like paeroa etc, surely if marketed and promoted well motorcycling could be a decent money spinner... At the moment all motorsport on TV in NZ really is lacking something, i dont know what it is but its just not exciting. Watch ama supercross thats exciting, i think its the commentary? We need neil ritchie doing all the voice work on the TV!!!

The marketing company that has helped me out alot recently have some great ideas for the sport, it will be interesting to see how they are recieved but 1 idea is to combine a single class with the v8 series as they will be organising the v8 series next year

Yes, agreed. Paeroa is a spectacle and like many I enjoy it ( and Wanganui ) But the organisers need to seriously do something about circuit safety ( especially Paeroa ) without diluting the spectacle.
Frankly, myself and many others really fear the day that an errant motorcycle sweeps through the crowd like a broom. Thats not what many will want to hear but its a very real possibility given the proximity and location of spectator ''enclosures'' to the racing and the very flimsy nature of those enclosures that would stop diddly squat......

[steveyb]

"So have a good think about where you really want things to go."

Yeah Tony, that was not a very clear challenge really.

I guess I was really suggesting that there is a lot of talk, as there has been for many many many years, about a professional promoter for NZSBK and all that.
In fact I am one who has been agitating for just that for a while.
But it is very easy to simply say that without having really thought it through.
My feeling is that many think that having a pro promoter will solve all our perceived problems in one foul swoop.
But stop and think for a while and you will see that the promoter will want to take $75-100k in salary (if they don't then they are plain stoopid), there will be other salaries, marketing, prizes, advertising, circuit hire, track staff [as it is now a business, not a club event], prize monies etc etc all to pay for.
So if you have, let's be generous and suggest 200 entries at NZSBK (although at Manfeild it is fewer than 70), over 5 meetings, take a guess at what it would cost the entrant.
Yes, some will argue that sponsors and advertisers will come on board, and that might happen, but not in year 1, or year 2. So who pays in the mean time?

So I guess I was getting at thinking, be careful for what you wish, for it may just come true.

Don't get me wrong, I think that the current club based system is flawed, and that a promotions type activity should be established, but the baby needs to be kept safe and not left in the bathwater.

My 10c worth (smallest denom we have now).

Steve

[steveyb]

Shit that looks good to me! I wonder where that guy would be in NZ or vice versa...?

If you wanted all the shit that he has like $900 mechanics etc etc it would cost him the same money here and he would get no prize money!

Why dont NZ have professional events more like paeroa etc, surely if marketed and promoted well motorcycling could be a decent money spinner... At the moment all motorsport on TV in NZ really is lacking something, i dont know what it is but its just not exciting. Watch ama supercross thats exciting, i think its the commentary? We need neil ritchie doing all the voice work on the TV!!!

The marketing company that has helped me out alot recently have some great ideas for the sport, it will be interesting to see how they are recieved but 1 idea is to combine a single class with the v8 series as they will be organising the v8 series next year


Yo Chop!

USD remember, so double up everything. And don't forget about the poor schmuck who comes in 20th or is too dumb to ride non-contingency bikes or brands.

I'd be a mechanic for anyone, even you on that tractor for 1800 notes a meeting and flights and accomm paid for, where do I sign up!!

:beer:

[CHOPPA]

Yo Chop!

USD remember, so double up everything. And don't forget about the poor schmuck who comes in 20th or is too dumb to ride non-contingency bikes or brands.

I'd be a mechanic for anyone, even you on that tractor for 1800 notes a meeting and flights and accomm paid for, where do I sign up!!

:beer:

Oh yeah ooh 20k for 1 round! hahahaha $1800 to work on mine thats a bargain, would you take a cheque..?