Is the timing of the nationals wrong?

[FROSTY]

A random thought occurred to me today. Is it possible that one contributing factor to low attendance at the national race series is that its timing right on or about christmas time affects the numbers attending?
Im thinking that maybee the average club racer at the moment might be a family bloke with committments during that time.

Not saying the idea is right--just pondering

[Harvd]

I Know that i missed 2 rounds of the 3 in the south island because i was away on family holidays/big day out. then again i believe the streetstock class had healthy enough numbers. (i dont think i was the kind of rider you were targeting)

The timing is bad

[FROSTY]

I Know that i missed 2 rounds of the 3 in the south island because i was away on family holidays/big day out. then again i believe the streetstock class had healthy enough numbers. (i dont think i was the kind of rider you were targeting)

The timing is bad
dude Im not targetting any specific racer--just throwing an idea out there

[CHOPPA]

Before christmas would be better

[k14]

Before christmas would be better
Three years ago the two north island rounds were held in early dec 2 weekends in a row, I think that seemed to work ok. Only downside is the weather is usually a little more unsettled then. I don't rate the 2 weekend gap between manfeild and puke. I had to fly back to work for two weeks and fly back up. At least with two in a row I can go on holiday for a week and only make one trip north.

[Duke girl]

I dont really think it matters what time of the year the Nationals are run because there is always someone out there who cant attend a race meet because of family commitements, and sometimes you have to miss out on what it is you would prefer to be doing to keep the family happy.
As all Road Racers know that Racing Motorcycles is a very expensive hobbie, especially for those who dont have help from Sponsors and to the family man its all about juggling themselves between Motorcycle Racing and family commitements.
In Summer you have the Nationals 1st 3 rounds down Sth and 2 up Nth and then the Street Racing on Boxing Day in Wanganui and Paeroa in February The tri series in Taupo at the end of December, PMCC which starts before Xmas and ends in April and then in Winter you have 6 rounds with the VMCC starting in May and ending in October.
I dont know when the Sth Island Clubs run their meetings so I do apologies for that, but I guess whenever or wherever you ran the Nationals it wouldn't please everyone. To me there is a fair bit of Racing to be done by those who can afford it, But money these days only goes so far as we all well know.
I guess most Motorcycle Racers do prefer to race in the dry weather rather than the wet, and you get better crowds watching in fine weather than miserable weather. Also booking race meets at most of the tracks used have to be done so many months/years ahead as they seem to be used the majority of the time by car racing clubs. There moto is 1st in 1st served.

[Robert Taylor]

A random thought occurred to me today. Is it possible that one contributing factor to low attendance at the national race series is that its timing right on or about christmas time affects the numbers attending?
Im thinking that maybee the average club racer at the moment might be a family bloke with committments during that time.

Not saying the idea is right--just pondering

I think it does have a wee bit to do with it yes. Also bear in mind that many of the dates for circuit hire have to be juggled around car racing nats, and they probably get first call.

[Mishy]

Before christmas would be better

Not for good weather :yes:

[gammaguy]

Not for good weather :yes:

so when do you suggest teretonga will have a heatwave?:sweatdrop

[Robert Taylor]

so when do you suggest teretonga will have a heatwave?:sweatdrop

Once every leap year for half a day!

[roogazza]

Once every leap year for half a day!

LOL maybe a bit generous ? G.

[Robert Taylor]

LOL maybe a bit generous ? G.

Its a wee bit like those English period dramas and other shows on television, glorious weather in the background. What I cannot comprehend is how they can cram all their filming into the only two glorious days per year that they have, if as lucky as that. Every time I travel to Invergiggles it reminds me of England.

[cowpoos]

Every time I travel to Invergiggles it reminds me of England.

Hmmmmm...funny...every time I travel to the taranaki....it kinda Reminds me of the show Beverly hill billy's... :yes:

[Robert Taylor]

Hmmmmm...funny...every time I travel to the taranaki....it kinda Reminds me of the show Beverly hill billy's... :yes:

Youre supposed to take the road on the Eastern side of the mountain, not the coast road where the banjos play....

[Pussy]

Hmmmmm...funny...every time I travel to the taranaki....it kinda Reminds me of the show Beverly hill billy's... :yes:
Me, Cletus and Otis take exception to that!......

[cowpoos]

Me, Cletus and Otis take exception to that!......

Thats what happened to Otis [I did wonder after the movie!!]....but...what happened to Milo??? you fricken hill billys have dog stew one night??

[GIXser]

yeah i think its wrong timing satrt it before x,mas i reckon thn maybe a month off and start again late jan... it would say its a definate factor why there is a low attendance.. i know for one i got shit from my wife....:Oops:

[cowpoos]

i know for one i got shit from my wife....:Oops:

Just as well you wear the pants at home....aye sunshine!!:yes:

[Pussy]

Thats what happened to Otis [I did wonder after the movie!!]....but...what happened to Milo??? you fricken hill billys have dog stew one night??

You never heard of that Oriental dish..... lah see?

Back on topic... from a spectators point of view, it was good to have a couple of races before Christmas

[Mishy]

Its a wee bit like those English period dramas and other shows on television, glorious weather in the background. What I cannot comprehend is how they can cram all their filming into the only two glorious days per year that they have, if as lucky as that. Every time I travel to Invergiggles it reminds me of England.

My german friends liken it to Scotland . . . . . . . .

[Kickaha]

yeah i think its wrong timing satrt it before x,mas i reckon thn maybe a month off and start again late jan... it would say its a definate factor why there is a low attendance.. i know for one i got shit from my wife....:Oops:

When it was before Christmas people used to complain that it was their/work busy time of year couldn't get time off etc

No matter what time of year it is it won't suit every body

If I was to schedule it though I would probably go for one Islands rounds in November the other Island early February, the weathers still good enough around those times and it gives a sizeable break in between, although there still could be the tri series in between

No bullshit 2-3 week break between the NI rounds either

[FROSTY]

I looked at the auzzies and notice things seem to go quiet at xmas time .

[sidecar bob]

When it was before Christmas people used to complain that it was their/work busy time of year couldn't get time off etc

No matter what time of year it is it won't suit every body

If I was to schedule it though I would probably go for one Islands rounds in November the other Island early February, the weathers still good enough around those times and it gives a sizeable break in between, although there still could be the tri series in between

No bullshit 2-3 week break between the NI rounds either

Spot on fella!!! that would be perfect for loads of reasons!!!

[GSVR]

There is a possiblity the timing of the nationals could be wrong.


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[The Chow]

As i have said in other feeds. The problem is getting the tracks , Manfeild for example runs under resource concent situation which limits their two day meetings to just 20 a year. Now split that between cars , trucks , bikes and god knowns what else and it doesn't make it easy. Motorsport new Zealand will change the dates on you just like that. "The car championships come before all else , the bikes you have what we give you." The two week break is not intentional I can tell you that. But what can you do when you have your hands tied.This happen with the south rounds in 2007 and again in 2008.

If it was dirt bikes , hey lets find a paddock.But we are in a situation where we are behind the eight ball.

Now you can start to understand the frustration involved trying to organise a series.:bash:

[FROSTY]

Chow this is a question I've been asking for years now.
Why dont MNZ book dates 18 months in advance for the nationals? or 12 months at least?
Forgive my lack of knowledge but arent the tracks privately owned so first up with the money gets the track??

[The Chow]

Now the tracks are privately owned , however Motorsport New Zealand has the money and power over us. You can book dates in advance , but up to a point they are prelimary dates and are only penciled in. Like last year I think the original Manfeild date was different and also the South Island dates changed around from the previous years. I'm not sure how Taupo works you will have to ask scrivy. As for Hampton Downs? They at least appear to accomodating to bikes from all accounts

I know it would be great to have the dates finalised so far in advance I for one would love to known what is happening in the 2009/2010 season now.

By the way just as a side issue , just to let you know that MNZ contributed not one dollar to your championships in 2009. The CEO refused to give the 10,000 dollars that we have had for the series for the last few years. So you guys got nothing back for the licence money you paid this year. So it is great to see that the governing body supporting the sport isn't it.For that $:scooter:10,000 we could have had TV from Manfeild , those who were there would now what i was talking about.

[Tony.OK]

By the way just as a side issue , just to let you know that MNZ contributed not one dollar to your championships in 2009. The CEO refused to give the 10,000 dollars that we have had for the series for the last few years. So you guys got nothing back for the licence money you paid this year. So it is great to see that the governing body supporting the sport isn't it.For that $:scooter:10,000 we could have had TV from Manfeild , those who were there would now what i was talking about.

So are we just paying to support the MX scene and all their coverage?:gob:

[The Chow]

got it in one , have to go now , Fire up the Honda and get back to work. I will keep tabs on what is happening and see what happens.

[oyster]

Of course not everone thoinks youth has a part to play in our sport's future but I for one certainly do. In that regard the current schedule is great.
The biggest class each year by far is the Streetsock 3 round support series in the South. Perfectly timed for a family holiday in the South Island. This year we had a family from Oz, another from up North who saw the 3 week holiday down south as the bonus. And it all fits in with the school holidays, suiting the 30 or so riders. Similarly for 125GP where there a lot still at school, and then they go north for the last two rounds. Not too much of a problem as it's relatively early in their school term.

[quallman1234]

Of course not everone thoinks youth has a part to play in our sport's future but I for one certainly do. In that regard the current schedule is great.
The biggest class each year by far is the Streetsock 3 round support series in the South. Perfectly timed for a family holiday in the South Island. This year we had a family from Oz, another from up North who saw the 3 week holiday down south as the bonus. And it all fits in with the school holidays, suiting the 30 or so riders. Similarly for 125GP where there a lot still at school, and then they go north for the last two rounds. Not too much of a problem as it's relatively early in their school term.

Agreed, works great with the younger kids =).
Ultimately if your going to run nationals, you prepare months in advance.
I don't see having them in e.g March, is going to pull a extra 5 riders.