Good place to watch racing

[Fatt Max]

Hi Guys,

Mini Max (nearly 5 years old...going on 15) was watching the bikes on motorsport yesterday and announced that he would really like to go and watch some bike racing.

Now, I have never done so myself and dont know any of the venues, meets, etc etc. Can anyone help with some up and coming racing action that a young fella would like as well as his fat dad. We are in Howick Auckland but travel well.


Thanks as always guys

[James Deuce]

There's no good place in NZ, just barren crap holes with two people and a dog in the stands giving expert advice on how they'd do it better.

If junior has a short attention span, bear in mind that there is nothing else to do at NZ tracks. Nothing.

You're expected to enjoy sitting in the terraces (which are covered in sheep shit usually) and pay through the nose for it. Get some pull ups and adult diapers so you don't catch anything from the toilets.

Your closest track is Pukekohe.

The racing schedule can be found on MNZ's site or Kiwirider's site.

[Fatt Max]

There's no good place in NZ, just barren crap holes with two people and a dog in the stands giving expert advice on how they'd do it better.

If junior has a short attention span, bear in mind that there is nothing else to do at NZ tracks. Nothing.

You're expected to enjoy sitting in the terraces (which are covered in sheep shit usually) and pay through the nose for it. Get some pull ups and adult diapers so you don't catch anything from the toilets.

Your closest track is Pukekohe.

The racing schedule can be found on MNZ's site or Kiwirider's site.

Cheers JD,

The wee man would love it to a point so I'll try him out. Yep, know what you mean about attention span and nothing else to do so that's all good.

Onya for taking the time mate

[James Deuce]

Wish I could be more positive. The best spectator friendly event when I used to attend regularly was the Masterton street races. The tracks just empty your wallet and wave you at a dusty (or muddy in Winter) man-made hillside and expect you to be very thankful for the experience.

I hope Hampton Downs do a better job.

[Mom]

Cheers JD,

The wee man would love it to a point so I'll try him out. Yep, know what you mean about attention span and nothing else to do so that's all good.

Onya for taking the time mate

If he can hold out for February there is a fantastic street race meeting in Paeroa, it is close as you can get action, very exciting and only a couple of hours south of you.

[jim.cox]

I'd second the comment about attention spans, or lack thereof

I've taken Josh to Ruapuna a couple of times - and he's never lasted that long. A couple of races, a quick shufti round the pits, inspect the bike park and we're gone...

You might want to find the wee fella some hearing protection too

[sidwyz]

This weekend come have a look at bucket racing
Located at Mt Wellington Kart Track 28 to 38 Tainui Road, off Morrin Road, Mt Wellington....big yellow sign at top of gate.
Saturday - Practise
Sunday - Racing

Great fun to watch and just down the road

[old fartz]

theres bucket raceing on this weekend at the mt wellington gokart track practise is on saturday raceing on sunday. On saturday there is pit bikes with small kids raceing and on sunday the raceing is very close and its very entertaining

[Fatt Max]

theres bucket raceing on this weekend at the mt wellington gokart track practise is on saturday raceing on sunday. On saturday there is pit bikes with small kids raceing and on sunday the raceing is very close and its very entertaining

Sounds brilliant, what sort of time does it all kick off?

[sidwyz]

saturday after 10am should be all good
sunday practise from 9.30 till bout 12-12.30 or so then racing

[old fartz]

around 10ish but from lunch time onwards is when all the actions on

[Fatt Max]

around 10ish but from lunch time onwards is when all the actions on

Cheers mate, might just give it a blast, wee man is keen....

[malcy25]

This weekend come have a look at bucket racing
Located at Mt Wellington Kart Track 28 to 38 Tainui Road, off Morrin Road, Mt Wellington....big yellow sign at top of gate.
Saturday - Practise
Sunday - Racing

Great fun to watch and just down the road

As I was reading the first post these were my thoughs exactly - easy, close, simple, right there in front of you (ie not specs in the distance), close action etc.

[BM-GS]

Taken my 2 (now 4 & 6) to Pukekohe since they were being wheeled and the Mrs had to come too in case they got hungry.

Puke is a bit upmarket in that there are actual bleachers to sit on and some are even covered, in case of rain. Pits are accessible for a wander-round and last time there were even a few tents selling stuff in the bike-park next to the bridge to the pits.

Minuses are that on 2 occasions we're witnessed what happens when things go wrong on a racetrack, which isn't what the weee-folk should be seeing, and there's not much to do but pack up & go home as the racing stops for a time exceeding attention-span. The culinary experience is about what you'd expect, and certainly edible (unlike the UK circuits), but if you're looking for a healthy option, you might want to BYO.

On the plus side, we did see Kevin Schwantz last time (it meant more to me than to them...) from a distance of about 2 feet. It was cool to see him chilling, watching & even helping out around the place.

Not sure of the future of road-racing at Puke as I've heard all sorts of stories (and seen some of the carnage that happens when high speed and concrete/Armco get too close), but Hampton Downs is just down the road a bit.

Tried him on a dirtbike?

[racer40]

taupo road race spectacular on dec 28 has big feilds which keeps it interesting, & also will have a bouncy castle for the little ones to try & keep them interested. all classes race inc sidecars which kids love.