Update on running a kids grade.

[F5 Dave]

ACTUALLY FOLKS -- hang on a mo. I just realised i'm doing what i hate others doing to me."someone' has put balls on the line and said ok I'll run bucket meetings. Its his/her show. SORRY
. . .

Thanks I think that is an important point here.

[Kickaha]

As for not letting under 13 year olds race. Mate as far as I'm concerned MNZ have their heads up their arses on this subject. Why is it unsafe for a 12 year old to race a 50cc bucket yet totally safe to race a 85cc full race spec'd MX bike?
is is because its safer or is it because the offroad guys said--"tough shit we're doing it"?
Why is it "safe" for a child to race a kart?? -they can and DO flip
Why is it that elsewhere in the world a 13 year old has already done 3 seasons full mini racing?

You're not comparing apples with apples and I don't know enough regarding the MX classes for the younger riders to comment but
MX have obviously gone through all this before and got rule changes through to allow the younger age group classes, there is no such thing as "just doing it" at an MNZ sanctioned meeting

Karts flip very rarely in the age group we're talking about

Elsewhere in the world they've done 3 full seasons before they're 13 because they have the class structure in place, something we lack in NZ

Of course when my son is old enough to race I'll probably start acting all uppity & someone will need to slap me.
.

I think we should get the slapping practice in now

hmm well kickaha has raised a point-- from 10 they can ride a 50cc two srtoke --or F4 bike --dunno how you lot go but why not F4 b grade.

You would still have to make sure the track complied with the MNZ rules, thats providing it is a permitted meeting otherwise you can do whatever you want but you watch the shit hit the fan as soon as one of the kids gets hurt

[Kendog]

Im OK to let one of them race in the B grade [and win some races sorry Nigel].

I have the FXR powers now, he better watch out this year mwahahahahahahah

[richban]

Wow what a lot of reading. I have 2 amazing little girls, they rule and when they grow up will school us all on going fast. But that will be a while one is 2 one is 4. There lots of good points all over this hot topic. I know your heart is in the right place George and I think for the future of road racing in this country we need to start young. We are behind the 8 ball. If my girls want to ride I will do what most people do and start them on the dirt/grass. Watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMRvWX8NKmM You have to wonder how these 13 year olds got to this level, might be worth looking at the Aussie rider development programs.

[FROSTY:Me]

elsewhere in the world they've done 3 full seasons before they're 13 because they have the class structure in place, something we lack in nz

And that is exactly my point. We are way behind the 8 ball. In wellington and Auckland there is an opertunity just begging to be had.
Down your way the main track is pretty easy to get to. In our cases -Auck/wellywood the nearest track is either too far away for this to be practical or is not a safe venue.(or there are those that would argue both)
I'm picturing all those MX mums n dads going "heck yea" at the idea of not having to go to some muddy farmers feild(s) to watch their kids ride. For that matter just how much cleaner road racing is will apeal.(cleaner in bother riding type and muddyness)

[Trudes]

They probably also have the numbers to do so. We have enough trouble trying to get enough numbers to make a class at all sometimes when it rains. Maybe the kids class could be run on rainy days only. (I'm kidding).

[FROSTY:Me]

BUCKET RACING IT THE RAIN --fun fun fun

[Yow Ling]

Just say NO!! Its already getting ugly, talk of mNZ has brought out heaps of good information on why not.
MNZ rules dont allow it, the wider group dosent want it.
Whats wrong with a quick fang up the street after school?
worked for most of us , now we all brilliant riders !

[Str8 Jacket]

Fuck MNZ!!!

[Kendog]

Fuck MNZ!!!

Is that all you got?

[Skunk]

Most of the best riders start in Motorcross or Speedway - and I believe that is the place kids should start. Look at Daniel Mettam...

[Kickaha]

Whats wrong with a quick fang up the street after school?

Or down the driveway

[Yow Ling]

Or down the driveway

Its the only way to learn !!

[woodyracer]

Most of the best riders start in Motorcross or Speedway - and I believe that is the place kids should start. Look at Daniel Mettam...

hae some of us came from little tiny things called pocket bikes!,

Motorcross is good, makes you aggressive and if you cant handle a MX bike over the massive jumps they have these days then your good for road racing.

[Henk]

When you start banging on about jumps you are talking about junior MX not minis, unless the rules have changed since I last did a stewards course. Minis have strict rules on how the courses are laid out and this includes top speeds, no jumps and max length of straights. The last change I heard of was also to allow no engine mods.
Mini MX is huge but I suspect that this might be due to the fact that in most cases dad and or mum rides as well. If you really want big numbers, look to trail rides, no racing and 300 plus people showing up is not unusual. More and more whole families riding as well. Not sure we'll ever see that in any form of road racing.