The organisers are in a difficult position. Let in the Japanese bikes and it changes the event fundamentally. Is this a good thing? I can understand why they have the current stance, which puts all the attention on the BEA bikes. Gives them a chance to shine and that's excellent because there is so much to admire with the machinery - the standard of preparation, the innovation and the commitment needed to get a machine from a pile of rusting worn out parts to concours standard. Or to the standard that will allow it to be thrashed down Pukes back straight for two or three days. I think we've all agreed that the best part of the day is wandering around looking.
I wonder if they make any money or is it just done to cover costs. There are a lot of people involved, at the gate, on the track....all volunteers I suppose. Some better food stalls would not go amiss...I like 60's bikes but the food less so.
Bender, yep, the bears format has worked for them well for 32 years and many members are probably there because of that. I only have jap bikes and whilst I got to ride one at the event on the weekend, I'm not necessarily keen to do so on a long term basis (other reasons). though most other countries do not have the same restriction, and the world has not fallen apart. My concern is more around safety aspects. A case in point, the last demo ride of the day we got advised that once we received the chequered flag, that we were to complete the lap and then turn left into the track exit. Note this is straight off the racing line just after the hill.....no way was I going to put myself in the firing line of someone with a little brain fade so I took the logical decision to come in through pit lane and was happy to wait for the track to be cleared, then opened. Event organisers should not be advising riders to be at almost standstill on an open circuit just after the exit of a fast, blind brow. Voltaire. Plan is for it to at least cover all the costs plus a little. Being a member, I've been to a number of the agm's and I also review the financials to see how things ran and the budget is pretty big for a race meeting, meaning you need a good crowd as the entry fees won't cover the costs usually. Food....er yes! If anyone wandered past you would have seen me diligently eating my salad I brought from home! The food stands are contracted to PPR not to the NZCMRR and they are exclusive.....no chance of having alternative syuppliers on site unless they approve it (usually only because they chose not to run their stands at the event in question).
I is totally confused. But I would like to see stuff like TT500 Yamahas scrapping with Velos and Manxes. Nortons and Bonnies versus (say) Yamaha 650s. Maybe instead of 'Classic' vs 'Post Classic'; 'Jap' vs 'BEARS' etc it should be based on types of machine - eg "Any single cylinder air cooled engine from x cc to y cc , drum brakes only' . Air cooled 250cc two strokes, regardless of origin. I reckon the Benellis and Bultacos could hold their own with the X7s and RD250s.
I is totally confused. But I would like to see stuff like TT500 Yamahas scrapping with Velos and Manxes. Nortons and Bonnies versus (say) Yamaha 650s. Maybe instead of 'Classic' vs 'Post Classic'; 'Jap' vs 'BEARS' etc it should be based on types of machine - eg "Any single cylinder air cooled engine from x cc to y cc , drum brakes only' . Air cooled 250cc two strokes, regardless of origin. I reckon the Benellis and Bultacos could hold their own with the X7s and RD250s. I dont think they would allow you on the track if you pumped up your Triumph tyres with a jap compressor ! I was talking to a guy while we were keepimg dry at a wet meeting one day, about bikes ect, said he raced a classic and asked if I raced, I said I did and told him I had LC, all I got was snooty look and that was the end of the conversation. I hope that isnt the attitude of all of there menbers, Not that interested in racing (when invited, maybe Jap riders cash is OK for them) or even going to any of there meetings. Have had enough of that attitude from Harley tossers
Ixion, each to thweir ownd esires I guess but most racing around the world for old bikes is structured on the basis of gae grouping so as to not for a second time make a bike obsolete by making it race with bikes of a much later vintage and ensures the authenticity of the look and componentry used. You suggestion would put a prewar Mk 8 KTT against a something from the 1980's. I race a 1979 TZ350F, if I had to race it against a TZ250W from 1989, I generally would not get a look in. However, I only have to race it against against other bikes from a similar period and perforance potential. if I did have to race it against a TZ250W I would probably sell it and buy a TZ250W, and all the 350's would disappear again as me personally on the same day was 3-4 second a lap quicker on the later bike....and the 350 would become obsolete again! RDJase: I did a story a few years ago for the Postie news letter and had a bit of fun.... 500gp production racer, used in GPs by factory and privateers....Manx or RG500 350cc production bike that destroyed all teh competition..... 350 BSA Gold Star or RD350LC 500cc road bike that carried people everywhere.....CB500 Honda or B33..... Classic as per the dicitionary: of acknowledged excellence, oustandingly important, remarkably typical, , having historic associations.....I never noticed this time or last time I looked it up it said anything about not being made in Japan!! With regards tp the attitude.....that's generally why when I do ride at Puke Classic reg run events I use 10,000 rpm and lots of clutch out of pit lane, usually on the back wheel! Remind them what real performance is like!
