Sketchy wins first 600 race at Manfeild

[bert_is_evil]

Thanks for clearing that up MSTRS, I read the earlier post about neck and back injuries and was feeling a bit sick - a broken femur and pelvis is no laughing matter but far better than neck and back! I saw the bike come down and give him a good bash after he landed, looked nasty.

[Toast]

Yeah well if that is the case then why only punish the guys that came 1st and 2nd? That could cost James the championship! Something just doesn't sound right.

Yeah it didn’t sound right and that is why there were so many complaints from riders throughout the field.

I’m not really there for a placing, personally, but did go along with a fellow racer to talk to the steward because such a farce is not good for the sport.

After speaking to the Steward, if I understood him correctly, the argument ended at the fact that on the day there were two methods for catching jump starts, which together are neither accurate or all encompassing.

One of these is the use of a camera, the other is by using the timing system and looking at the time gap between the first rider and rider x tripping the start of the first lap.

Both systems, at least at this meeting, were argued to me to have the following failings:

Camera: Apparently only points at the first two rows

Timing system: While it will be able to throw up any blinding jump starts, e.g. the guy in 4th crossing the line 0.01 of a second after pole, or before pole. It naturally becomes less accurate for further back in the field though, since a guy stating on the 5th row for example could reasonably be expected to cross the start line before someone in the 4th or even 3rd row.

Obviously not an overall desirable system. I don’t want to get in to arguments about what it should be, but the above is the reason, as stated to me and as I understand it, why there were not more penalised for jump starts on the day.

[Ivan]

I have also heard Jaimee is ok now and was sitting up so just for anyone panicing out there he sounds like he is doing fine wish him well with a speedy recovery

[k14]

Yeah it didn’t sound right and that is why there were so many complaints from riders throughout the field.

I’m not really there for a placing, personally, but did go along with a fellow racer to talk to the steward because such a farce is not good for the sport.

After speaking to the Steward, if I understood him correctly, the argument ended at the fact that on the day there were two methods for catching jump starts, which together are neither accurate or all encompassing.

One of these is the use of a camera, the other is by using the timing system and looking at the time gap between the first rider and rider x tripping the start of the first lap.

Both systems, at least at this meeting, were argued to me to have the following failings:

Camera: Apparently only points at the first two rows

Timing system: While it will be able to throw up any blinding jump starts, e.g. the guy in 4th crossing the line 0.01 of a second after pole, or before pole. It naturally becomes less accurate for further back in the field though, since a guy stating on the 5th row for example could reasonably be expected to cross the start line before someone in the 4th or even 3rd row.

Obviously not an overall desirable system. I don’t want to get in to arguments about what it should be, but the above is the reason, as stated to me and as I understand it, why there were not more penalised for jump starts on the day.

Yes it is a shame when officials take more attention than the riders themselves. Sketchy set the lap record and won his first national race, in his first year competing at 600's. Now he has had that taken away from him through fairly controversial and unfair application of the rules. There is scope for the officials to have a bit of leeway. They don't have to be as pedantic as it seems as though they have been. When people put tens of thousands into the sport to win and get it stripped away you can't help but feel frustrated. Certainly not in the best interests of the sport regardless of the fact whether they jumped the start or not.

[MSTRS:Me]

......... Certainly not in the best interests of the sport regardless of the fact whether they jumped the start or not.

Unless every rider who apparently jumped was given the same penalty, then someone has/had an agenda in place. It leaves a nasty taste in one's mouth, if someone (official or rider) involved gained from the decision.

[Biggles08]

Personally I think it was disgusting that there was NO way they could check the jump starts further back than the second row for the reasons Toast said. Like him, from my viewpoint a good half dozen went while the last light was still lit... blatantly jumping the start by 1/4 to 1/2 second...Couldn't see up to the front row to see if and who it was but there were a few in line 3 and 4 that took off too early and NOTHING can be done about it...I was a bit pissed about it but what's done is done. Apparently even the guy on the loud speaker commented on it.

I guess those that were pinged for it...including sketchy can appeal the decision and that is all part of the rules of MNZ.

Good to hear about Jamie G sitting up...was a bit concerned about his back.

[MSTRS:Me]

I have also heard Jaimee is ok now and was sitting up so just for anyone panicing out there he sounds like he is doing fine wish him well with a speedy recovery

Excellent news! Thanks for the update.

[chanceyy]

Excellent news! Thanks for the update.

plus 1 .. thank gawd, almost in direct constrast to what was mentioned last nite

[Rcktfsh]

Controversy over jumped starts aside no one can take away glen's new lap record 1.08.001 you don't get much closer to a 1.07 than that! Was also well under Gareth's old record of 1.08.38 ish.

[Skunk]

Photos of the start of 600's Race 1... ...and the win.

[MSTRS:Me]

So who jumped? The only people on the grid who are NOT moving are the two in Hi-vis...

[k14]

Photos of the start of 600's Race 1... ...and the win.

Oh now you put that up its obvious, he must have got at least a 3 second advantage there...

[Ivan]

Excellent news! Thanks for the update.

well thats only what I was told earlier i think it meant he was awake and talking not sitting up just spoke to his cousin and he said his lower back was broken but I dont think they know yet 100% if it is or not he was going to let me know more once Jaimee's dad had rung him

but the main thing is he is alive so lets just hope now he recovers well and that the back doesnt cause any issues

[Bren_chch]

did any riders make a complaint about those involved the jump start?

[k14]

did any riders make a complaint about those involved the jump start?

From what I heard the stewards had a few riders in their ears after the first race. Then an hour after the race result had been published the steward decided to weild his big stick and put the penalty on sketchy and James Smith with the only evidence being a video that shows the bikes starting but not the lights. Very very dodgy, just a steward going on a power trip. I believe to appeal it now is going to cost each rider $500 which is non refundable regardless of the outcome.

Come on MNZ, do the right thing. Common sense needs to prevail!