Racing at Taupo in the winter

**Clivoris** · 29th May 2009, 16:14

I'm curious about what RACERS think about this. I think the risk at race-pace is much greater than at track days. I'm split down the middle about racing there in the winter. I love the track configuration (Track 1) and while the track surface is slippier than Manfield for example, it is manageable. The repairs there are positively treacherous in the wet or cold, but Round 1 of the Actrix Winter Series showed that racers can ride to the conditions and they simply added another level of difficulty. Some people liked the challenge.
Alternatively, I find it difficult to relax there and trust the surface. There is also the risk that someone will push their luck on the repairs and take a few others out.
Please express some opinions here and give the poll a lash.

**codgyoleracer** · 29th May 2009, 16:37

Thats a toughie Clive, the location obviously pulls in a few from up north (especially for the early rounds) as it tends to keep competitors coming to the later rounds & building points. Pity to hear about the track condition and if its a s bad as you say. Taupo is behind the 8 ball a bit with its high elevation & very cool overnight conditons resulting in everyone waiting till midday before there is any decent heat / grip in the tarmac !
Its a busy little layout - but has its own character aye, - also its good to support the circuit to some level & keep them in business so to speak.
Its not one of my personal favorites though - as i find it quite boring generally - but each to their own !
Glen

**Quasievil** · 29th May 2009, 16:45

Great Track but in a shocking state of repair so frankly I think it should be boycotted until they sought their shit out and fix it.......what am I talking about ??

the apparent non slip surface repairs which offers the grip of a teflon frying pan after cooking a feed of greasy chips.

The White painted lines coming onto the front straight which guarantees a front end slip each lap

fix that then it should be mint

**YellowDog** · 29th May 2009, 17:09

Isn't there a Health and Safety governing body that needs to certify the track as safe for racing on a regular basis?

**Shaun P** · 29th May 2009, 17:29

When the new track first opened it was great, but after a while it degraded a bit, seems to never have been kept up to a good standard - shame really

**Deano** · 29th May 2009, 17:38

The poll options don't quite reflect my sentiments, as it depends on the weather. On the whole I don't mind racing there. When it is dry it is great and a lot of fun. When it is wet/slippery it is definitely less fun, but very challenging.

**bistard** · 29th May 2009, 17:40

Clive,me old mate,I dont think the Vic Club should be running at Taupo,Ask your self why dont the Nationals run There????
The surface & repairs & some of the run off clearly have some safety issues,apart fromt the obvious manpower issues of running a meeting that far away from home

**sinfull** · 29th May 2009, 17:43

Ticked option 2 cause i do love the track but as it is now, i'd be dubious about heading out in the wet ! (but then i have never ridden on wets soooo)
If i had to go out for qualifying early on a fine winters day, it would'nt be a fast time (by my standards here, know it would'nt be fast by others standards on a good day)

**svr** · 29th May 2009, 18:02

Originally Posted by Shaun P

When the new track first opened it was great, but after a while it degraded a bit, seems to never have been kept up to a good standard - shame really

Probably (like Manfield) the state of the track surface reflects the poor financial state of the Taupo circuit.
All things considered the Taupo surface is no worse than Manfield was 2 years ago - were people up in arms then?
Taupo is about 1.5 deg colder than Fielding (but drier). Big deal. And the track is better than the Manfield triple dragstrip.
Harden up people!

**Ivan** · 29th May 2009, 18:21

I love the track lay out it really is quite a riders circuit with fast flowing andtight hairpins its great but when wet or drying its a nightmare.

Well round 1 I was worried about grip and opted for wets in the dry to give me grip

**Kickaha** · 29th May 2009, 18:22

Originally Posted by bistard

Clive,me old mate,I dont think the Vic Club should be running at Taupo,Ask your self why dont the Nationals run There????

I understood the only reason the Nationals didn't run there was because no club was prepared to run it

I like the new circuit but it's been at least 18 months since I was last there so am unawre of any track issues regarding surface etc

**Clivoris** · 29th May 2009, 20:52

Bugger. I agree with everyone. It's definitely marginal for The VMCC from an financial point of view, and costs us money, but we spread the expense over the series. It has to be easier for the Auckland Hard-core (and we honestly love you's

) and it is great to have a little variety in the Actrix Winter Series. Organisationally it's a nightmare and we would be totally screwed (at all the rounds) without Nigel Armstrong of the Pacific Club and his marshalling team.
As a racing experience though, it isn't much fun for me in the wet or cold. Should racing be all about fun? And the only 2 months that are feasible for us are May or October. A few years back Manfield definitely had its problems with track repairs, but they have never used a slippery emulsion and when we pointed out how slippery the grid markings were, they removed them and replaced them with a less slippery alternative. It is also half the price to hire. Right now, manfield has an awesome track surface that has more traction than Shaun Harris after his last Isle of Man (Respect).
I would also like to be a good enough racer to ride Taupo no matter what the conditions and the only way to achieve that is to ride there no matter what the conditions.
Somebody out there in the cyber world must have the answer to this dilemna.

**I14** · 29th May 2009, 20:55

After doing the Vic club round 1 on the Saturday, I did a trackday on the following Friday. There was frost on the ground all around and they showed a piece of sheet ice ostensibly taken from a puddle next to the circuit at the briefing so I guess track temp was around zero. I had warmers so was quite happy going out for session 1 in the dry though was unsure of the grip so didn't really go for it. The shiney bits on the edges of the repairs were causing brief slides as you crossed them and the painted lines into the front straight were also giving little slides despite the fact they were dry. Well I should've made the most of it because then it started an icey rain and so subsequent sessions became a nervous pick between all the repairs/painted lines as the grip got even worse. Only guy going for it in my group (2) was #71 on full wets but most others were like me, riding like a real granny. As usual braking and accelerating (upright) were fine but if you got anywhere near a dodgey bit, instant slip. I wasn't improving or learning anything so after 3 sessions we quit (it dried out for session 4!).
I guess it's all part of the learning process but I'm pleased the next rounds are at Manfeild. Even if the grip's not much better there's less bumpy "challenges" to catch you out!

**Shaun** · 29th May 2009, 20:56

Originally Posted by Clivoris

Bugger. I agree with everyone. It's definitely marginal for The VMCC from an financial point of view, and costs us money, but we spread the expense over the series. It has to be easier for the Auckland Hard-core (and we honestly love you's

) and it is great to have a little variety in the Actrix Winter Series. Organisationally it's a nightmare and we would be totally screwed (at all the rounds) without Nigel Armstrong of the Pacific Club and his marshalling team.
As a racing experience though, it isn't much fun for me in the wet or cold. Should racing be all about fun? And the only 2 months that are feasible for us are May or October. A few years back Manfield definitely had its problems with track repairs, but they have never used a slippery emulsion and when we pointed out how slippery the grid markings were, they removed them and replaced them with a less slippery alternative. It is also half the price to hire. Right now, manfield has an awesome track surface that has more traction than Shaun Harris after his last Isle of Man (Respect).
I would also like to be a good enough racer to ride Taupo no matter what the conditions and the only way to achieve that is to ride there no matter what the conditions.
Somebody out there in the cyber world must have the answer to this dilemna.

ha ha what is traction mate