NZ Herald motorbike story - on ya bike bigmouth!

[cowpoos]

Being an ex-motorcycle racer I have always had a fondness, and possible bias, towards that form of motorsport.

However, as the motor racing correspondent for the New Zealand Herald, I find trying to get the information on what's happening and what is not, is enough to make a grown cry, let alone pull his hair out.

Between the various car racing governing bodies, clubs, event organisers or drivers themselves, I'm inundated with information to the point of overload. Conversly, there's an almost disturbing quietness from those who are involved in motorcycle racing.

I will not tar the entire motorcycle racing fraternity in New Zealand with the same brush, for there are a few golden nuggets who work tirelessly for their sport.

In the past I have found it easier to get hold of riders and drivers in Europe, than someone who might have the phone number for a rider in New Zealand.

What really nailed it home for me was listening to a radio report over the weekend after the fifth round of the New Motorcycle championships in Manfeild.

The correspondent and the radio host were bemoaning the fact the event had not been published well, and other related issues. I took a bit of umbrage at that comment and I don't mind saying it got my heckles up a bit.

The Herald has been a supporter of motor sport for a long time now and has always allocated at least half a page to all forms of racing. It's hard to cover every event, every weekend but when almost half a page is dedicated to a preview of an event, it would be nice if someone in motorcycling took notice.

To say on national radio there was no coverage of your sport is plain stupid. It is entirely possible the sports editor may have heard that comment and may come to the conclusion nobody's paying any attention and may not be inclined to want to cover it.

On the other hand, the car racing folk are great at emailing and passing on comment - both good and bad and any response is better than nothing. Some of their suggestions leave a little to be desired though, but at least they are reading and taking note.

I can hear the rumblings of discontent about not being able to get the pare, and the Herald is not the be all and end all of newspaper coverage in New Zealand.

But I would hazard a guess it sells more than any other paper in this country and has one of the most looked at websites.

I would also like to suggest that the local papers in the Manfeild area would have previewed the event, so again to make the sweeping statement re lack of exposure will only annoy those who do, in fact, make an effort.

I for one will not take the radio comments as a personal slight and will continue to give the sport as much coverage, in my own little way, as possible.

But you motorcycling people are going to have to be a little more proactive and instead of complaining, come up with a cunning plan to increase its exposure.

- Eric Thompson




Location of item if anyone cares to leave a comment...also does anyone know what radio show he talks about??
http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/rolling-start/2009/2/18/ya-bike-bigmouth/?c_id=9&objectid=10557427

[Quasievil]

Here is my comment, prolly all B.S but I aint that smart


Eric.....Are you joking? perhaps you are but what is blatantly obvious is youre very out of touch with the motorcycling racing scene.
There are only a few sports in this country that the Media are interested in covering, most of them involve a Ball, the media is to blams here not the sport.
Example, this month is the Paeroa battle of the streets, it has been advertised extensively on the radio and in print media, there will be upwards of 20,000 people there, it is a massive event as you know IM sure, The media will be there to take some coverage and I have no doubt at all that it will recieve about 10 secs of airtime at the end of the news, which will of course only show a crash of some poor biker, of course thats after the girly ball sports and the cheese racing nationals in wales. I expect about a one month wait before the event has its full coverage and that will probably be on sky at 4 am in the morning.
YOU the media are to blame for your Ball sport mentality.

was a bit more to but it didnt copy back.

[cowpoos]

Here is my comment, prolly all B.S but I aint that smart


Eric.....Are you joking? perhaps you are but what is blatantly obvious is youre very out of touch with the motorcycling racing scene.
There are only a few sports in this country that the Media are interested in covering, most of them involve a Ball, the media is to blams here not the sport.
Example, this month is the Paeroa battle of the streets, it has been advertised extensively on the radio and in print media, there will be upwards of 20,000 people there, it is a massive event as you know IM sure, The media will be there to take some coverage and I have no doubt at all that it will recieve about 10 secs of airtime at the end of the news, which will of course only show a crash of some poor biker, of course thats after the girly ball sports and the cheese racing nationals in wales. I expect about a one month wait before the event has its full coverage and that will probably be on sky at 4 am in the morning.
YOU the media are to blame for your Ball sport mentality.

was a bit more to but it didnt copy back.
I often forward race results to stuff and herald websites...not sure what they do with it?? when I forward it to www.roadracingworld.com they post it within hours!!

[Clivoris]

I know that VMCC could be putting more info out to the press, including the bike mags. We have even had requests for material with photographers prepared to contribute pics. Unfortunately, those of us involved in delivering the meetings simply don't have the energy to write up meeting reports on top of the other jobs. The reality is that it wouldn't even need to be much more than the podium places in each class and a few highlights. But the thought of adding it to the list of my jobs makes my eyes roll back into my head. This ties into the need to promote the Actrix series more effectively. We have tried to find someone on the committee, we have advertised in the Oily Rag (club newsletter) and I have begged on this forum. You can count the number of people stepping up on an armless man's fingers.
I don't know what the solution is.

[Her_C4]

I don't mind helping with / doing the write up stuff and pic's etc for press releases if you are serious? I am usually at every meeting......

[BM-GS]

Not the first to notice this...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=87524

My problem was that with family & stuff, attending an event needs to be planned & entered into the diary well in advance to stand much chance of getting our entry money. The complaining-on-the-radio bloke's problem seems to be that nobody wanted to tell anyone about his event. The thread-starter seems to be complaining that nobody is prepared to send in a write-up & pics of what happened.

As a totally out-of-the-loop, want-to-attend, member of the public, it looks to me like MNZ need a press officer (or one per region) to do this stuff. Doubtless there's more to this, but FFS, somebody get onto it, cos nobody's happy!

Apart from being unconnected to anyone in the sport and having lots of other things to occupy my time, I'd give it a go myself. Anyone want to babysit the pre-schooler, clean house & make dinners for 4? It might be a decent career move for me - apart from the weekends away. Bugger.

[Clivoris]

I don't mind helping with / doing the write up stuff and pic's etc for press releases if you are serious? I am usually at every meeting......

Deadly serious Chrissy. You would be doing us a great service and it's a good way to get your profile out there in the print media.

[Her_C4]

Deadly serious Chrissy. You would be doing us a great service and it's a good way to get your profile out there in the print media.

Yep cool. Done deal. Aside from anything else I am keen to hone my 'press release' writing skills, and (as you say) widen my audience. :eek::first:

Lets chat:mobile:

[cowpoos]

Not the first to notice this...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=87524

My problem was that with family & stuff, attending an event needs to be planned & entered into the diary well in advance to stand much chance of getting our entry money. The complaining-on-the-radio bloke's problem seems to be that nobody wanted to tell anyone about his event. The thread-starter seems to be complaining that nobody is prepared to send in a write-up & pics of what happened.

As a totally out-of-the-loop, want-to-attend, member of the public, it looks to me like MNZ need a press officer (or one per region) to do this stuff. Doubtless there's more to this, but FFS, somebody get onto it, cos nobody's happy!

Apart from being unconnected to anyone in the sport and having lots of other things to occupy my time, I'd give it a go myself. Anyone want to babysit the pre-schooler, clean house & make dinners for 4? It might be a decent career move for me - apart from the weekends away. Bugger.
There is a comprhensive list of up coming events, that is constantly updated on www.sportsbike.co.nz

[GIXser]

havin had some experience in advertising/media (actually quite a bit)..
im sorry to say that just writing a story and sending it in wont (usually) get it printed. in advertising, its who you know.. and what you can do for them in most instances,
i refer back to my comment few weeks ago where i thought whomever was in charge of mnz's advertising was ..well..... a monkey !! they have actually managed in the last few years destroyed what was once a crowd pleaser and televised. i could go on but wont bother.
We/i took it upon ourselves to get our own camera crew to Paeroa as well as tv3, and you know what ... it was as simple as a phone call. not saying they will screen any of it, but they were unaware it was even on,, (i refer back to the monkey) (probably Eric)
if we want this sport to be noticed.... get on the phone...rattle some cages again writing a story will mostly see it get filed in one place...the bin!! not saying dont write the story , but go and deliver it yourself..
the story could be fantastic, but the editors or people in charge will just simply be unaware of the sport and its content....

my two cents....

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

Dunno, its a hard one. Road racing just aint sexy in this country. MX is, and mx also receives more media coverage than road racing. Still, never to the same level as Rugby, Netball or League, but it never will as these sports have far greater following. I think road racing just isnt marketed well...or in fact, at all!!

Clive, I hadnt realised the extent of the situation. As a back-up, I could possibley help as well. I have experience writing adverts for a national distributor as well as internal memo's/newsletter's and Im sure hitching a ride down to the winter series race's would'nt pose to much of a problem (that is if I dont find a race bike between now and then!).

-Kyle

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

havin had some experience in advertising/media (actually quite a bit)..
im sorry to say that just writing a story and sending it in wont (usually) get it printed. in advertising, its who you know.. and what you can do for them in most instances,
i refer back to my comment few weeks ago where i thought whomever was in charge of mnz's advertising was ..well..... a monkey !! they have actually managed in the last few years destroyed what was once a crowd pleaser and televised. i could go on but wont bother.
We/i took it upon ourselves to get our own camera crew to Paeroa as well as tv3, and you know what ... it was as simple as a phone call. not saying they will screen any of it, but they were unaware it was even on,, (i refer back to the monkey) (probably Eric)
if we want this sport to be noticed.... get on the phone...rattle some cages again writing a story will mostly see it get filed in one place...the bin!! not saying dont write the story , but go and deliver it yourself..
the story could be fantastic, but the editors or people in charge will just simply be unaware of the sport and its content....

my two cents....

Good on you dude! The LG squad sure does look professional and very marketable. It's also great to see your teams effort in this area are being rewarded.

[Clivoris]

havin had some experience in advertising/media (actually quite a bit)..
im sorry to say that just writing a story and sending it in wont (usually) get it printed. in advertising, its who you know.. and what you can do for them in most instances,
i refer back to my comment few weeks ago where i thought whomever was in charge of mnz's advertising was ..well..... a monkey !! they have actually managed in the last few years destroyed what was once a crowd pleaser and televised. i could go on but wont bother.
We/i took it upon ourselves to get our own camera crew to Paeroa as well as tv3, and you know what ... it was as simple as a phone call. not saying they will screen any of it, but they were unaware it was even on,, (i refer back to the monkey) (probably Eric)
if we want this sport to be noticed.... get on the phone...rattle some cages again writing a story will mostly see it get filed in one place...the bin!! not saying dont write the story , but go and deliver it yourself..
the story could be fantastic, but the editors or people in charge will just simply be unaware of the sport and its content....

my two cents....

Your experience is really relevant Ed. VMCCs needs are pretty basic. We want to increase the profile of the Actrix series as a way of giving the racers a better opportunity to attract sponsors due to the possibility of being in the bike media and possible increased spectator numbers. I absolutely agree that having contacts within media is the way to make things happen but we are small fish and need to start somewhere. We have had requests for copy from bike mags.
The bigger picture is a different kettle of ika all together.

[steveyb]

Yep cool. Done deal. Aside from anything else I am keen to hone my 'press release' writing skills, and (as you say) widen my audience. :eek::first:

Lets chat:mobile:

Thanks Chrissy!

Two snaps up in a circle girl! (If any of you are old enough to get that, you need a walking aid just like me).

Regards

Steve

[KS34]

Well I'm going to in my own small way, do my bit. Clive I'm coming to the next Vic Club meeting (oh christ did I say that out loud!):crybaby: In preperation for next years Nats round and of course if you need a hand for the winter series. I have some ideas about getting the word out there, and getting Joe blogs average to the circuit for the Nats. The way I see it most people that go to the Wellington cup couldnt give a F@#& about horse racing, but they turn up and have a blast in return they spend money and start telling the world how cool it is. Not saying I would suggest the whole drinking plenty and betting but having it more relavent to Mr blogs. You never know it could filter up to MNZ.

[Clivoris]

Thanks for the offers of help peeps and thanks for starting the thread Pooboy.

[McJim]

The New Zealand Herald is the Auckland Daily newspaper - it's written in English which means its relevance is diminishing.

Auckland has no motorsport tracks. (Pukekohe is dangerously close to the Bombay Hills and is therefore at risk of failing to exist)

Q.E.D.

the Southland Times always has loads of stuff about bikes when there's an event on at Teretonga and has actively supported and publicised the Burt Munro Challenge and Wyndham Street Races.

Waikato Times came out in strong support of the Hamihole V8 races too.

Maybe it's just APN Newspapers (you kiwis know that the A in APN stands for Australia don't you?)

[KS34]

I have just emailed "The Rock" I listen in alot and not heard one thing about the series. Asked them to stick some info on the website about the last round at Puke, they are listed as a sponser of the Nats, and suggested they get someone like Andrew Stroud in or just thinking about it maybe CHOPPA or GIXSER onto the Rumble closer to the time. Gixser or Choppa you should contact them also, would be great exposure for the LG team.

[gav]

The radio station covering the racing would've been Radio Sport, think they normally do the odd live feed from on site.
When the Nationals were down here in Chch, The Press ran a good two page spread with decent photos etc in the Friday Sports section. However if you tried to find anything in the public notices advertising the event with details like start times, gate fees etc, there was nothing! :nono:
So while the motorcycle enthuisiast knew about the racing, I guess a fair section of the population would've been none the wiser, sadly.

[KS34]

The more I think about this the more bloody frustrated I become, just been watching Fujitsu motorsport on sky, and they are covering the nz v8's from all the tracks the superbikes are at, and I know which one I'd rather watch! Even for non-bike people, the bikes are faster, louder, look more dangerous and why don't we have the sponsers they do: Placemakers, Radio Sport, Koken Tools to name a few, we as a group have to pull our finger out! We need mass media, does anyone listen to Radio Sport sounds a bit flagon and rollies to me. Please feel free to put me straight.

[Brian d marge]

I read that this morning , think what her was saying is that if there is an event (any event ) coming up , he would receive wads of information about it , whereas bike sport is a poster pinned up in the local bike shop ,,,( and he cant be arsed ,...)

Its true and all , where do you go to find events ,,, Kiwibiker , mag /website and silver bullet or what ever its called ...

If you were sitting on a bus in cashel st , what are the chances of seeing a poster for bike racing at Ruapuna ??.........................slim and none

mind you sitting in a wind swept field with something resembling food ( The report wasnt conclusive ) ,,,watching 20 pre 1990 s bikes line up ..... all for 20 bucks ,,,plus what I paid the dod to eat the ,,,,UFO resembling food item .......

I ll go to the bowling or the movies instead....

Stephen

[Nicksta]

I don't mind helping with / doing the write up stuff and pic's etc for press releases if you are serious? I am usually at every meeting......
awesome stuff Chrissie!

havin had some experience in advertising/media (actually quite a bit)..
im sorry to say that just writing a story and sending it in wont (usually) get it printed. in advertising, its who you know.. and what you can do for them in most instances,
i refer back to my comment few weeks ago where i thought whomever was in charge of mnz's advertising was ..well..... a monkey !! they have actually managed in the last few years destroyed what was once a crowd pleaser and televised. i could go on but wont bother.
We/i took it upon ourselves to get our own camera crew to Paeroa as well as tv3, and you know what ... it was as simple as a phone call. not saying they will screen any of it, but they were unaware it was even on,, (i refer back to the monkey) (probably Eric)
if we want this sport to be noticed.... get on the phone...rattle some cages again writing a story will mostly see it get filed in one place...the bin!! not saying dont write the story , but go and deliver it yourself..
the story could be fantastic, but the editors or people in charge will just simply be unaware of the sport and its content....

my two cents....
good shit Ed!
hope you touch up your highlights! but seriously, you've done an awesome job getting LG on side and promoting the sport with Sloan.... if we can help let us know how :)

[gammaguy]

i was on the committee of the VMCC back in the 80's,and was a member of that fine club for many years,some would say the "golden years"when our club ran meetings that were the envy of all,such as the shell two wheeler and lyall bay street races.

i have read this thread with interest,and lots of the points raised are good and relevant.

take heart though,we had exactly the same issues back then.its good to see some things never change.:whistle:

[Okey Dokey]

I think what McJim said is relevant, the mindset of your local paper does matter.

As secretary of the local dog trial club, I took a few photos and always did a "write-up" after the event. Tried to have a theme to make the article interesting-oldest & youngest competitor, rural tradition lives on, best run etc etc. I emailed my story to the paper along with a list of results/scores and it was published every year.

I had no contacts and we bought no advertising. It is well worth the effort. I am not a professional writer.

[Badjelly]

The more I think about this the more bloody frustrated I become, just been watching Fujitsu motorsport on sky, and they are covering the nz v8's from all the tracks the superbikes are at, and I know which one I'd rather watch! Even for non-bike people, the bikes are faster, louder, look more dangerous and why don't we have the sponsers they do: Placemakers, Radio Sport, Koken Tools to name a few...

Not to mention Fujitsu, who fund the series and the TV show.

I think the main problem is that motorcycle racing is followed, for the most part, by people who ride motorcycles, whereas car racing is followed by people who drive cars. (I realise there is a lot of overlap between these groups.) There are more car drivers, hence a larger potential audience for car racing.

Still, I'm sure more could be done to publicise the sport effectively.

I'm in danger of volunteering to do something here, so I'd better :shutup:.

[BM-GS]

Looks like a raw nerve here, but things are in progress - good!

Thanks to cowpoos for the sportsbike link, but as a gumby (never had a sportsbike, have even owned a BMW) the Upcoming Events box says "No events scheduled in the next 30 days." which would make me sigh & go away. I'll register & nose around for my own edification. The big advert top centre says Paeroa BOTS 09, so fair dos, but that's this weekend and so competing with 3 kids' birthday parties and the Tidying Of The House for my mother's arrival next week.

Silverbullet is my usual source of the impending, and that's pretty voluntary and very wide-ranging.

I hope that the Hampton Downs folks will be a bit more publicity-savvy. Gotta be better than Pukekohe, both for racers & (wannabe) spectators. Hope they keep the pits-party atmos tho.

[cowpoos]

the Upcoming Events box says "No events scheduled in the next 30 days." .
http://sportsbike.co.nz/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=32 <--- login and cheak that section out.

[Mystic13]

It seems Eric Thompson is saying FAIRLY CLEARLY.... to contact him. He wants to put stuff in. If he's that willing he'll also tell you what he wants the press releases to look like etc. He's worth a call for those wanting to write.

He sounds like he can't believe we as a community don't send stuff in and as a community we can't believe there isn't more there. Seems simple really.

[roogazza]

i was on the committee of the VMCC back in the 80's,and was a member of that fine club for many years,some would say the "golden years"when our club ran meetings that were the envy of all,such as the shell two wheeler and lyall bay street race
take heart though,we had exactly the same issues back then.its good to see some things never change.:whistle:

You may remember a couple of mates of mine that had a radio station (2ZM) behind them here in Wgton ? At the time they received great coverage on both the radio and in the then Evening Post. The trend started at the time of using a letter instead of a number, G for Hansford and M , Murray Sayle. Anyway it was a great idea and the fact they were winning all the time made them very well known. The 2ZM number boards really stood out. Gaz.

[Shaun P]

Looks like a raw nerve here, but things are in progress - good!

Thanks to cowpoos for the sportsbike link, but as a gumby (never had a sportsbike, have even owned a BMW) the Upcoming Events box says "No events scheduled in the next 30 days." which would make me sigh & go away. I'll register & nose around for my own edification. The big advert top centre says Paeroa BOTS 09, so fair dos, but that's this weekend and so competing with 3 kids' birthday parties and the Tidying Of The House for my mother's arrival next week.

Silverbullet is my usual source of the impending, and that's pretty voluntary and very wide-ranging.

I hope that the Hampton Downs folks will be a bit more publicity-savvy. Gotta be better than Pukekohe, both for racers & (wannabe) spectators. Hope they keep the pits-party atmos tho.

I think everyone knows family events come after motorcycle racing :blink:

[mikeey01]

When the Nationals were down here in Chch, The Press ran a good two page spread with decent photos etc in the Friday Sports section. However if you tried to find anything in the public notices advertising the event with details like start times, gate fees etc, there was nothing! :nono:
So while the motorcycle enthuisiast knew about the racing, I guess a fair section of the population would've been none the wiser, sadly.

You are 100% correct! we all knew about it, seen the web site, seen the ads up at bike shops....what about the public? How the hell are they going to find out?

I heard grumblings at the event about lack of attendances and made one simple statement, "Did you see the ad in the paper"

Who is responsible for advertising events like this, MNZ or the host club?

[roogazza]

[QUOTE=mikee....what about the public? How the hell are they going to find out?

Who is responsible for advertising events like this, MNZ or the host club?[/QUOTE]

That would have to be the host club, they stand to make the bucks. G.

[Clivoris]

That would have to be the host club, they stand to make the bucks. G.

Negative. MNZ promote.

[roogazza]

Negative. MNZ promote.

So what proportion goes to MNZ from the Vic Club series ?

[Clivoris]

So what proportion goes to MNZ from the Vic Club series ?

I don't understand what you're asking here. The only money that goes to MNZ from the Actrix Winter Series is the usual levie (not sure at what point this gets paid) and the MNZ permit fee. The Nationals round is seperate from our Winter Series. VMCC pay MNZ a fee that covers a number of things including promotion for the Nationals round at Manfield. I haven't had a great deal to do with the Nats round due to other commitments and "organising fatigue" but my understanding is that we also spent money on radio advertising in the Manawatu.

[roogazza]

I thought it strange Clive, that MNZ would do promoting without getting a cut. Way back, when the ACU handled licences etc I can't say I remember them promoting local meets ? The HVMCC and VMCC promoted their own events eg Gracefield and The Two Wheeler at Manfeild.
Sure , they may have got involved with their National points rounds , but thats too far back for me to recall.

ps if they are supposed to be promoting , it ain't happening. Gaz.

[cowpoos]

Jingo's...he's at it again!! but...but just maybe...he could be right after some pondering on the issuse...

http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/rolling-start/2009/3/3/theres-racing-shhh-dont-tell-anyone/?c_id=9&objectid=10559752