MNZ annouces new Road Race Commission

[Robert Taylor]

Pinched from the handy www.nzsbk.co.nz website:



MNZ annouces new Road Race Commission

Road Racing moves into an exciting ‘New’ phase with the appointment of a Chairman led Road Race Commission to over see all aspects of road racing , including the National series.

In order to give the ‘Sport’ the benefit of a wide range of experience and knowledge and continue moving the ‘Sport’ forward.

The MNZ Board has appointed the following Commission members

They are:



Peter Ramage (Chairman) Invercargill.

Neil Smith Blenhiem.

Ian Dawson Wellington .

Brian Bernard Wanganui.

Maarty Van Booma Hawkes Bay .



All five have been involved with Road Racing for a considerable period of time and all are still involved today.They cover both Islands.

Each brings different skills to the table and they have all been or are competitors at National level and all have the passion to move Road Racing to the next level.

“The Board is very happy with the new move and are confident this group will continue the excellent work done by Paul Stewart,” said MNZ President Jim Tuckerman from his Auckland base this week.

There are some good people there BUT where is the distributor and industry representation?????!!!!!!. Two groupings that historically put a LOT of money into the sport..................

[FROSTY:Me]

There are some good people there BUT where is the distributor and industry representation?????!!!!!!. Two groupings that historically put a LOT of money into the sport..................

Why do you feel industry needs/should be on that board Robert?
Given the people who are on it I strongly suspect industry will be consulted/involved.
I would also like to suggest that by industry NOT being directly involved the suggestion from some quarters that some class rules were created specifically to support industry can be stopped in its tracks.

[Pussy]

I reckon it's about time some people were recognised, Frosty.
I wonder how many people really appreciate what Tom Peck has done for motorcycle racing in NZ?
Tom's passion has been behind a lot of Suzuki's involvement... SNZ wouldn't be seeing a return on what they've put in... certainly not financially.

So... take a bow, Mr Peck, and SNZ

Like it or not, the industry needs representation

[codgyoleracer]

Theres some pretty wise heads there - and they know what makes the industry and riders tick, - I'me sure there will be some interesting ideas tabled.

Heres a couple to consider for the nats, to combat cost control & competitor numbers
1) Combine rounds with other major meetings (e.g 1st round coincides with 1st round of Tri--Series, Burt Munro event coincides with round down south (shift of date for the Burt though), 3rd round combines 1st round of Vic series, last round combines last round of Auckland club series etc.
2) Run a "South Island" and "North Island" cup, as part of the series
3) Run a 'double header" meeting , where over a three day weekend you run two points rounds
4) Run two rounds only in both islands (preferably a weekend after each other in each island)
5) Control tyres , or tyre limitation rules............... ;-)......... OMG , i can see the feedback on that one already..............

Food for thought - I,me sure there are plenty of other ideas out there........
Glen Williams

[Tony.OK]

There are some good people there BUT where is the distributor and industry representation?????!!!!!!. Two groupings that historically put a LOT of money into the sport..................

Did they volunteer I wonder?

Would it not be a conflict of interest in having distributors/suppliers on the commission?

I do agree that all supporters of road racing should be given huge kudo's, which was lacking last year, but being part of the commission could be seen as feathering ones own nest perhaps?

[jellywrestler]

Would it not be a conflict of interest in having distributors/suppliers on the commission?

?

It could be seen as a conflict of interest but i'm sure if there were any sign of this sort of behaviour it would come to a point real smart.
Paul Stewart, the recent road race commissioner, does his day job for honda and is a motorcycle nut, he's put in immense hours over the years and its no secret where he works, who in the race scene he's related to and has the balls, makes the time and is at the meetings so anyone can talk to him.
Where else are we going to get people for these jobs that someone won't link up with the industry??

[Shaun P]

Theres some pretty wise heads there - and they know what makes the industry and riders tick, - I'me sure there will be some interesting ideas tabled.

Heres a couple to consider for the nats, to combat cost control & competitor numbers
1) Combine rounds with other major meetings (e.g 1st round coincides with 1st round of Tri--Series, Burt Munro event coincides with round down south (shift of date for the Burt though), 3rd round combines 1st round of Vic series, last round combines last round of Auckland club series etc.
2) Run a "South Island" and "North Island" cup, as part of the series
3) Run a 'double header" meeting , where over a three day weekend you run two points rounds
4) Run two rounds only in both islands (preferably a weekend after each other in each island)
5) Control tyres , or tyre limitation rules............... ;-)......... OMG , i can see the feedback on that one already..............

Food for thought - I,me sure there are plenty of other ideas out there........
Glen Williams

Bang on Glen!

[Tony.OK]

It could be seen as a conflict of interest but i'm sure if there were any sign of this sort of behaviour it would come to a point real smart.
Paul Stewart works for honda and is a motorcycle nut, he's put in immense hours over the years and its no secret where he works, who in the race scene he's related to and has the balls, makes the time and is at the meetings so anyone can talk to him.
Where else are we going to get people for these jobs that someone won't link up with the industry??

I completely agree with you, Paul has done an outstanding job with little in the way of recognition. Although he was not there as a Honda representative was he?

What would happen if say someone from Nationwide for eg was on the commission, and a suggestion for a control tyre came about, can of worms?

I've prob worded it badly but think a person should be there for who they are rather that where they work or what they sell........does that make more sense?

[steveyb]

...What would happen if say someone from Nationwide for eg was on the commission, and a suggestion for a control tyre came about, can of worms?...

Hahahahahaha!
I hope you meant to be ironic!!

[jellywrestler]

Paul has done an outstanding job with little in the way of recognition. Although he was not there as a Honda representative was he?

Sorry, I should have worded it better, paul was the last road race commissioner and works for honda as his day job, have changed my post to read betterer

[racer40]

Great ideas Glen

[Robert Taylor]

Theres some pretty wise heads there - and they know what makes the industry and riders tick, - I'me sure there will be some interesting ideas tabled.

Heres a couple to consider for the nats, to combat cost control & competitor numbers
1) Combine rounds with other major meetings (e.g 1st round coincides with 1st round of Tri--Series, Burt Munro event coincides with round down south (shift of date for the Burt though), 3rd round combines 1st round of Vic series, last round combines last round of Auckland club series etc.
2) Run a "South Island" and "North Island" cup, as part of the series
3) Run a 'double header" meeting , where over a three day weekend you run two points rounds
4) Run two rounds only in both islands (preferably a weekend after each other in each island)
5) Control tyres , or tyre limitation rules............... ;-)......... OMG , i can see the feedback on that one already..............

Food for thought - I,me sure there are plenty of other ideas out there........
Glen Williams

Some of those ideas are very good Glenn and there have of course already been mutterings about the Burt Munro meeting being combined with the Invergiggles round of the Nats. Its not so much the cpost of the machines, 40 modified 600 / Formula 2 class machines on the grid at one of the VMCC rounds attests to that. Its about the cost of getting to and from, accomodation etc.

[Robert Taylor]

It could be seen as a conflict of interest but i'm sure if there were any sign of this sort of behaviour it would come to a point real smart.
Paul Stewart, the recent road race commissioner, does his day job for honda and is a motorcycle nut, he's put in immense hours over the years and its no secret where he works, who in the race scene he's related to and has the balls, makes the time and is at the meetings so anyone can talk to him.
Where else are we going to get people for these jobs that someone won't link up with the industry??

A true gentleman who was also capable of making decisions. Not once repeat NOT ONCE did he make a decision that could be called a vested interest. His son in law is Ray Clee the WP distributor and Pauls day job is to work for Honda. If he had vested interests he would have pushed the Honda barrow and would have pushed his employers and anyone who listened to fit WP suspension. Wp is a great product and I also have a lot of time for Ray Clee as he is also a gentleman and in a world of suspension that often breeds enormous egos / dirty dealings Ray plays it straight and honest with no BS.

[Robert Taylor]

Did they volunteer I wonder?

Would it not be a conflict of interest in having distributors/suppliers on the commission?

I do agree that all supporters of road racing should be given huge kudo's, which was lacking last year, but being part of the commission could be seen as feathering ones own nest perhaps?

No I disagree that it would be a conflict of interest. Historically distributor representatives that have ended up on such commitees etc have represented the interests of the distributors at large or at least those that are interested and involved in road racing.
Over the last few decades many riders careers would have stalled as would have the formation of teams hadnt it been for the considerable sums of money put up by distributors, one in particular, Suzuki NZ.
I HOPE EVERYONE REMEMBERS THAT, if we hadnt had their involvement over the years we would be in a very sorry state.
The members of this committee must consult with key players from the industry. As one of those myself who has put in a lot of effort over the years ( much of it non profitable ) Ill be very offended if Im not consulted.
Without industry support, industry money and help road racing is nowhere in NZ.

[Sketchy_Racer]

I reckon it's about time some people were recognised, Frosty.
I wonder how many people really appreciate what Tom Peck has done for motorcycle racing in NZ?
Tom's passion has been behind a lot of Suzuki's involvement... SNZ wouldn't be seeing a return on what they've put in... certainly not financially.

So... take a bow, Mr Peck, and SNZ

Like it or not, the industry needs representation

Could not agree more with that!! The support Suzuki has puts into our sport is phenomenal and I dare suggest a their level of support is a great deal more than a lot of people might know!