Race Licence "exam"

[Kickaha]

Nasty--Think about this for a moment. There is a flaw in the system and SOMEBODY needs to get the ball rolling.
Otherwise it goes in the too hard basket for everyone

The only flaw in the system is the members who join clubs then can't be bothered with the responsibility of learning what is required because they're to bloody lazy but are still quite happy to sign an entry form stating they are familiar with and will abide by the MNZ competition rules

[scrivy]

The only flaw in the system is the members who join clubs then can't be bothered with the responsibility of learning what is required because they're to bloody lazy but are still quite happy to sign an entry form stating they are familiar with and will abide by the MNZ competition rules

Shall we punish them with a membership to your 'CLUB'???

Unfortunately we're all lazy Kick..... some at submitting entries, some at joining clubs/associations, and some people are lazy sitting on the back of LCR's.....

[johan]

It's up to the rider to read and learn the rule book. Even if the rider do so, there are still topics that one could benefit from discussing with other riders.

Just take the thread about the yellow flag here on KB as an example. One would think it's as easy as 'no passing under yellow flag', but I remember there were a lot of different interpretations on the topic.

The rider is also expected to build and maintain a bike that is safe and complies with the rules. Some clubs don't do scrutineering at the race meetings so it's up to the rider to do so.
It's hard to find mechanical faults if you don't know what to look for.

There are a lot of things to get your head around as a new racer. Even if the rider make an effort to read the rules, there are many small things that can easily be overlooked because of lack of education, not necessarily because the ride lack interest of learning it...

[steveyb]

I find it ridiculous and frankly quite sadly laughable, considering the inherent danger involved in this sport, that anyone would suggest, let alone contemplate, that imposing an educational attainment level would scare anyone away from participating.

If you are one that would be in that boat, then I say we are better off without you, so just leave now. I don't want my mates, son, daughter, wife or myself on the track with you.

It is all well and good to speak of the idealities of indemnity forms, personal responsibility, reading rules, handouts and informal training, but the reality, sad as it may seem, is that only 10-20% of any group will make the required effort to attain the level of knowledge required to be conversent with the rules and safety procedures of the activity.

This is because the remaining 80-90% will convince themselves that they already know it all, they can ask their mates 'cos they will know (not understanding that they are part of the 80-90%), they will pick it up as they go (and therefore be ignorant while picking it up), or they simply believe that the rules don't apply to them (this is actually true).

The unfortunate consquence is that a form of compulsory education IS required. Why do we have a form of road licence training system? For the same reasons. Everyone would just go and drive if there were no requirements, with all of the ensuing chaos.

Moto Academy NZ is willing, able and indeed has been planning for some time to offer such courses around the country, at different times, in order to try and lift the standards in this sport in NZ. In this way the club officials who are already overloaded do not get more work to do.

Ask yourself, Would you rather your son/daughter be on the grid with 30 racers who had attended and DEMOSTRATED that they understood at least some of the content, or 30 racers who believe that the rules are for the other 29 racers?

Enjoy.

[wharfy]

It's up to the rider to read and learn the rule book. Even if the rider do so, there are still topics that one could benefit from discussing with other riders.

Just take the thread about the yellow flag here on KB as an example. One would think it's as easy as 'no passing under yellow flag', but I remember there were a lot of different interpretations on the topic.

The rider is also expected to build and maintain a bike that is safe and complies with the rules. Some clubs don't do scrutineering at the race meetings so it's up to the rider to do so.
It's hard to find mechanical faults if you don't know what to look for.

There are a lot of things to get your head around as a new racer. Even if the rider make an effort to read the rules, there are many small things that can easily be overlooked because of lack of education, not necessarily because the ride lack interest of learning it...

It is a bit daunting when you first get into it, I found the Vic Club very helpful Clive even came round and checked out my bike to make sure it was OK.

The Vic Club also run pretty good meetings, I think a "test" (either written or oral) of the rules around flags/procedures/protocols and rider conduct would be no bad thing.
The Technical rules are a bit of a nightmare, I think they are badly written and have been modified so much that they are really confusing (untold threads on here about what they "mean" is evidence of that). I don't care if someone is running a modified "air box" but I would be really pissed off if I binned on someone's glycol - or oil 'cause their sump plug fell out through lack of a "lock wire".

Most race meetings have official "scrutineering" of bikes and gear for "safety" reasons (note to self - tether kill switch for Greymouth) and some of them have "hi vis" vests or T-shirts for newbies.

[ajturbo]

I find it ridiculous and frankly quite sadly laughable, considering the inherent danger involved in this sport, that anyone would suggest, let alone contemplate, that imposing an educational attainment level would scare anyone away from participating.

If you are one that would be in that boat, then I say we are better off without you, so just leave now. I don't want my mates, son, daughter, wife or myself on the track with you.

It is all well and good to speak of the idealities of indemnity forms, personal responsibility, reading rules, handouts and informal training, but the reality, sad as it may seem, is that only 10-20% of any group will make the required effort to attain the level of knowledge required to be conversent with the rules and safety procedures of the activity.

This is because the remaining 80-90% will convince themselves that they already know it all, they can ask their mates 'cos they will know (not understanding that they are part of the 80-90%), they will pick it up as they go (and therefore be ignorant while picking it up), or they simply believe that the rules don't apply to them (this is actually true).

The unfortunate consquence is that a form of compulsory education IS required. Why do we have a form of road licence training system? For the same reasons. Everyone would just go and drive if there were no requirements, with all of the ensuing chaos.

Moto Academy NZ is willing, able and indeed has been planning for some time to offer such courses around the country, at different times, in order to try and lift the standards in this sport in NZ. In this way the club officials who are already overloaded do not get more work to do.

Ask yourself, Would you rather your son/daughter be on the grid with 30 racers who had attended and DEMOSTRATED that they understood at least some of the content, or 30 racers who believe that the rules are for the other 29 racers?

Enjoy.

hey stev.. get this up and running for next year.. i will TRY and make it compulsory for any of the vic sponsored riders to attend!!!

[Billy]

hey stev.. get this up and running for next year.. i will TRY and make it compulsory for any of the vic sponsored riders to attend!!!

If everything goes too plan,There will be a comprehensive and thorough schooling of the MNZ rulebook during the proposed NZBADD junior streetstock series for 2010 of which I am hoping to have the final draft finished tonight in order to hand to Clive Banks (VMCC) and Nigel from the pac club at Manfeild this weekend.It will be ultimately targeting the junior (under 20) streetstock riders,But will also be open to anybody else thats interested.There will be testing of scheduled chapters at each round as well as rider training from one of the countrys top ex superbike riders and by far the most experienced coach in NZ.As well as instruction on bike preparation and maintenance and much more.There will be a proper explanation after this weekend

[ajturbo]

If everything goes too plan,There will be a comprehensive and thorough schooling of the MNZ rulebook during the proposed NZBADD junior streetstock series for 2010 of which I am hoping to have the final draft finished tonight in order to hand to Clive Banks (VMCC) and Nigel from the pac club at Manfeild this weekend.It will be ultimately targeting the junior (under 20) streetstock riders,But will also be open to anybody else thats interested.There will be testing of scheduled chapters at each round as well as rider training from one of the countrys top ex superbike riders and by far the most experienced coach in NZ.As well as instruction on bike preparation and maintenance and much more.There will be a proper explanation after this weekend

fringin GREAT billy!!!!

THANKS

[nigela]

If everything goes too plan,There will be a comprehensive and thorough schooling of the MNZ rulebook during the proposed NZBADD junior streetstock series for 2010 of which I am hoping to have the final draft finished tonight in order to hand to Clive Banks (VMCC) and Nigel from the pac club at Manfeild this weekend.It will be ultimately targeting the junior (under 20) streetstock riders,But will also be open to anybody else thats interested.There will be testing of scheduled chapters at each round as well as rider training from one of the countrys top ex superbike riders and by far the most experienced coach in NZ.As well as instruction on bike preparation and maintenance and much more.There will be a proper explanation after this weekend

That will be great thanks Billie.
I am also looking at probably doing a roll call at riders briefing for round 1 of the BRM Summer Series, and if you don't attend you don't ride until after I get around to briefing you.
The briefing will have to be a bit longer because of this but since people choose to use the excuse of "I didn't know about that" I think it will be needed

[FROSTY:Me]

The only flaw in the system is the members who join clubs then can't be bothered with the responsibility of learning what is required because they're to bloody lazy but are still quite happy to sign an entry form stating they are familiar with and will abide by the MNZ competition rules

Nope the flaw is that society in New Zealand has changed in such a way that people rather than finding a solution they would rather play the blame game.. Sadly a group of contributors to this thread demonstrate this
This is an opertunity for clubs but I must say ultimately MNZ to do something about it

[roogazza]

The only flaw in the system is the members who join clubs then can't be bothered with the responsibility of learning what is required because they're to bloody lazy but are still quite happy to sign an entry form stating they are familiar with and will abide by the MNZ competition rules

+1 At the risk of sounding old (again) I don't remember there being crap like this 40 yrs ago . At 20 I applied for a licence, sussed racing, read the required rules and turned up. Wanganui in the rain, 1970.
I shakes my head !!! G.

[nirrep]

Good to see your spelling and typing are improving there Billy. Give me a call if you need help with anything

[wharfy]

Nope the flaw is that society in New Zealand has changed in such a way that people rather than finding a solution they would rather play the blame game.. Sadly a group of contributors to this thread demonstrate this
This is an opertunity for clubs but I must say ultimately MNZ to do something about it

Well with ACC being privatized it won't be long before people begin suing sports organizations for compensation if they have an accident.