Replying to Scracha's Wanganui Whine

[ttelp15]

I am one of the organisers of the Boxing Day races in Wanganui. After being directed to Scracha's Whine by a friend, may I just put my view across. Yes, some area's we were/are lacking. Signage etc. But then you go on to whine about no water (and not for drinking?). Plenty of the business premises where the pits are located had taps on the side of their buildings. No electricity! We're using public and private land for pits. Some people had access to power by friendly private business owners, some didn't. No rubbish bins - a fair comment! We've had loads of feedback on this already. There definatley weren't enough of them. BP not open for fuel - this may come as a surprise to you but we (the organisers) do not own or run the service station! What the owner decides to do on Boxing Day is entirely his/her choice. Srutineers to come to you! Think about it - what sort of chaos would it have caused if scrutineers had to go round and round the pits looking for bikes that hadn't yet been done. And as for having to push up a slope to get done. Sorry - I'll get that kind business owner who let us use his property for srutineering to redevelop his site so it's level with the road for next year! No race program - yes there was. Massive gaps between classes - depending on what you rode I guess. Some riders had to go back to back, others didn't. Practice of two sessions a waste of time - If we gave everyone one longer practice, and then someone took you out on the first lap of that practice session so you missed it, would you be saying that 2 sessions are still a waste of time? I think not. F1 guys out in 600 practice - Yes there was, but when they were spotted, we black flagged them out of that session.
And your comment of "crashes weren't the reason for the majority of the delays". I'm sorry, but they were. We, as organisers, cannot control who crashes, and when. Crashes are part of racing, and yes, they do delay the programe. It's unfortunate but it happens. Some take a long time to clear up. Are you aware that one of the crashes resulted in the paramedics insisting on a tarpoline being held up around the scene, as what had happened was pretty messy. Would you prefer it if we just scraped up the downed riders and threw them over the bales? Just so the time table could be kept??!!
I agree with one of your other points - too many classes. The trimming of classes is already underway, some of them obvious, but 1 might come as a bit of a surprise to people.
Another point that some people have brought up - Superpole. Some liked it, others hated it. It was a new idea we tried. Will we do it again? Maybe - maybe not, but if we do it will be different.
We do appreciate the feedback from riders and spectators alike, and obviously some of you thought it was the worst race meeting of any kind you had ever attended. A big call, but everyone sees things differently I guess. If anyone wants to make more comments/feedback, good or bad, please do so. Without feedback, everything will stagnate - and in the long run, everyone will suffer. Please log on to the Cemetery Circuit website (cemeterycircuit.co.nz) and use the "contact" button to do so.

[White trash]

Good on ya for taking the points on board and also taking the time to respond. It's better than I ever got.

I like the idea of Super Pole, pity it didn't work quite as well as envisaged and that's the risk of trying new things. Some will work, others wont.

Looking forward to seing what is introduced/scrapped for this years meeting. You guys do a brilliant job and I'm sure by and large everyone is appreciative.

[Quasievil]

I agree with one of your other points - too many classes. The trimming of classes is already underway, some of them obvious, but 1 might come as a bit of a surprise to people..

Yeah get rid of a few pesky Sportsbike classes, like F1 F2 F3 and throw in some more Motards, hey they won the day for the spectators


where is me popcorn maker ???

[ajturbo]

it is interesting what you say about too many races, we at the VIC are in the same boat....

but do i like Quasi's idea???......somehow i think he is pushing his own cause... hahahahah good one matey!!!

but i think a whole program of just buckets and motards would do the trick...!!!

[FROSTY:Me]

ttelp. Thank you for being openminded enough to respond in such a positive manner.
Personally I'd like to see ALL motards and buckets removed from road racing (heheehe kiddding AJ/quazi)
I must say there are two things stopping me from attending whangas. 1 being when it is. strictly being selfish cos i want to spend christmas with my family.
The other is its a lobng way to travel for 20 minutes of track time.

[quickbuck]

Yeah get rid of a few pesky Sportsbike classes, like F1 F2 F3 and throw in some more Motards, hey they won the day for the spectators


where is me popcorn maker ???

Quasi... You realise it is part of the ROAD Racing Calendar eh?

I must admit, the Motards have been a good spectacle of late... wonder why that was?
Mr A brought something special to Wanganui last year too... shame he wasn't challenged... This year though, different story.
Good on the boys for stepping up to the Italians (Where they could).

[quickbuck]

i

but i think a whole program of just buckets and motards would do the trick...!!!

Hey, NOW you are talking..... I would love to show the peps how i can do a sub minute lap on a 50!
Well, I reckon I would go freking close.... just the hill up through the cemetry I would have a few problems... unless I lost 20kg or so.

[quickbuck]

ttelp. Thank you for being openminded enough to respond in such a positive manner.
Personally I'd like to see ALL motards and buckets removed from road racing (heheehe kiddding AJ/quazi)
I must say there are two things stopping me from attending whangas. 1 being when it is. strictly being selfish cos i want to spend christmas with my family.
The other is its a lobng way to travel for 20 minutes of track time.

Frosty, I think the answers are:
1) Spend Christmas down here, and bring the Family.... Great Holiday.
2) Enter more than one class..... One of our riders was in 3... Freak I was a busy lad!

As an idea... actually CAN F1.
Mr Shirrifs has demonstrated that a 600 is as fast as a 1000, and even a 750 around there in the past.

As Mr Robert Taylor said to me on Boxing Day though, it was because of the suspenders.... not the make or size of bike...
Nice Robert. Great talking to you there....

[BMWST?]

i would love to get the whiners to bloody run a meeting....

[quickbuck]

i would love to get the whiners to bloody run a meeting....

Ummm, I would if there wasn't a race team to run....
(yes, I know you wern't directing it at me specifically).

Oh, and to clarify, i have actually run race meetings closed to the Public.
Yes, got some "feedback on things we could have done better"
Found that very rewarding and look forward to improving the meeting.

[Quasievil]

you realise that Motards run in the road racing calendar eh ..............

[quickbuck]

you realise that Motards run in the road racing calendar eh ..............

That is the bit that has always puzzled me

[Biggles08]

Motards....schmotards I say! eeh heheh

[Rob Taylor]

We had a great time....Ok a big hold up happened but thats racing...Up hill for scrutineering ,never noticed,,,no rubbish bins,yea well we took our rubbish with us,,,maybe another food/drink outlet for the riders/crew but otherwise well done guys a well organised event as usual....

[Kickaha]

But then you go on to whine about no water (and not for drinking?). Plenty of the business premises where the pits are located had taps on the side of their buildings

Wasn't there a truck refilling water bottles in the pits last year?

- I'll get that kind business owner who let us use his property for srutineering to redevelop his site so it's level with the road for next year!

Shout him enough piss and he probably would

No race program - yes there was.

Yes there was but they weren't available until after practice had started and at that point we didn't even know where we were in the practice/race order

And your comment of "crashes weren't the reason for the majority of the delays". I'm sorry, but they were. We, as organisers, cannot control who crashes, and when. Crashes are part of racing, and yes, they do delay the programe.

It would have been nice to have been kept informed as we heard nothing over the pa system, something along the lines of another twat on a 600 has trowelled himself and there will be a delay of xxx while we scrape him up would be fine

Would you prefer it if we just scraped up the downed riders and threw them over the bales? Just so the time table could be kept??!!

Yes thanks

I agree with one of your other points - too many classes. The trimming of classes is already underway, some of them obvious, but 1 might come as a bit of a surprise to people.

Without the crashes and delays I don't think the number of classes would cause to much of a problem

Another point that some people have brought up - Superpole. Some liked it, others hated it. It was a new idea we tried. Will we do it again? Maybe - maybe not, but if we do it will be different.

Hated it myself as to me it was just another delay in what turned out to be a very long day I also talked to a few spectators I knew who thought it added nothing to the event

If anyone wants to make more comments/feedback, good or bad, please do so.

Yes, don't drop the flag so fast, it us caught out in race 2

Thought you'd sold the LCR you've got listed in your profile? or is it still available?