All Victoria MC club members and racers read this.

[Bartman10]

First up I want to congratulate the new committee members, in particular the new secretary Phil. Well done for stepping up to the plate.

Next I want to express my disappointment at the lack of numbers at the Victoria Motorcycle Club AGM. The Victoria motorcycle club committee put a huge amount of effort into making the VMCC winter series the biggest motorcycle road race series in New Zealand. There are over one hundred competitors. Why is it that we can’t even get 20 members to the AGM to vote for new representatives? Not a single vote was cast at the AGM; positions were available to everyone who put their hand up.

This series will collapse if members don’t do more towards the running of the club. There was even a suggestion last night that the club series could be sold to a private promoter. What do you think this would do to the cost of racing in the series? Could all the Wellington based members please make the effort once a year to give the club an hour of their time to help with the administration? The guilty parties know who they are.

Now my rant is over I’ll tell you what my little job is as a new member of the Vic Club committee. I’ve been volunteered to run the social side of the club. So if anyone has any ideas let me know. Some of the suggestions so far

1. Make the prize giving at the end of the series a little more special. I know many riders live miles away and are keen to get back home straight after the racing finishes. Some ideas include a big BBQ at the end of the series, or a more formal affair such as a dinner.
2. Ladies night, get your wives, girlfriends, concubines along to the club so that they may learn a little about your very expensive hobby.
3. How ‘bout a free BBQ at Manfield. Would you eat sausages at the track? Or should I leave the BBQ at home?
4. Road rides? Probably not. In the past Vic club members have stayed away from these. I wouldn’t mind organising a trip to Wanganui or Paeroa but I think it would have to be in a personal capacity. There are other clubs that handle these events anyway such as the friendly folk at CDMTCI.
5. Getting other clubs involved. The Victoria Motorcycle Club needs to look after its own interests, but that doesn’t mean we need to shun other clubs. We can still get on the booze together and talk shop.
6. What about an Italian bike night? You could bring you $44,000 dollar Ducati along for a show and tell and everyone could go ohhhhh and eat pizza and olives.
7. What about a Gixxer night? WT could bring the new K5 along and we could do laps around oriental parade!
8. Tuning and suspension night. This would probably suit newbies (like myself) a bit more.
9. Motorcycle repair night, such as tyre changing, fibre glassing etc.
10. Strippers? Pit Girls? Just tell me what you want and I’ll do my best!

If you only want to be a part of this club to race, and not to interact with other members except at the track let me know. That way I’ll know in advance if I’m wasting my time.

I note that Frosty has had some ideas about improving, or even creating a new series. If Frosty, or anyone else, has any ideas about ways to improve the club or the way the series is run, feel free put together a ‘discussion document’ and I’ll table it at the next committee meeting.

Don’t forget that club nights are on the third Tuesday of the month. The bar is always open! : I’ll let you know what’s happening next time.

See www.vicclub.co.nz for more.

Thanks again.

[White trash]

Glad you're prepared to jump up and down to try and get people interested Mark. Fact of the matter is, there's a hell of alot of talkers and sweet FA doers.

You're obviously a doer and I'm without a doubt a talker.

I've tried to get a similar thing going in the past with a different club, but found I was doing everything to keep things going and not gaining any enjoyment from it. Fuck that.

I'm sure the new committee will breath a breath of fresh air into the club but I think the underlying problem is this. Most members are there for the racing. That's it. They're not there because they're all mates and want to hang out together.

Edit: Fuck! Just saw the bit about strippers, got a membership form?

[Bartman10]

Thanks for that WT. At least you replied, so you can't be that lazy. I see 26 other KB'ers have read this post, but have been to lazy to reply. If you read this post I expect a comment

Looks like I can't even give food away (see point 3 above).

Thanks.

[Racey Rider]

A lot of us don't live anywhere near these meetings.
How about an AGM At Manfield the night before a race day? Might work, Might not.
Tell us what we can do from a distance to support the club.

I hung around last race day to see what was going to happen about the prize sashes given out for the round. Nothing seemed to be happening,, most people had left. So at 5pm I left too. Did I misunderstand? :unsure: Were the sashes talked about at riders breif for the end of the season not each round? :spudwhat:

Sausages,,,, Yum yum!

[White trash]

How about an AGM At Mainfield the night before a race day? Might work, Might not.
Tell us what we can do from a distance to support the club.

Actually, that's a farkin brilliant idea.

Except, have it after the final round prize giving. With strippers.

[FROSTY:Me]

Thanks for that WT. At least you replied, so you can't be that lazy. I see 26 other KB'ers have read this post, but have been to lazy to reply. If you read this post I expect a comment

Looks like I can't even give food away (see point 3 above).

Thanks.

Bartman not too lazy---server too friggin slow to let me respond.
You and me --we should talk.
Im gonna see if I can get on the AMCC race comittee
What Id like to do is get an interclub race series organised
not for 06 but for 07

[Paul in NZ]

Thanks for that WT. At least you replied, so you can't be that lazy. I see 26 other KB'ers have read this post, but have been to lazy to reply. If you read this post I expect a comment

Looks like I can't even give food away (see point 3 above).

Thanks.

I was the first to check the thread.

I actually joined not long after we moved here to welliewood. I was told there was a social scene and road rides... I can't remeber if I renewed my membership or not (in hope after the first 12 months of silence from the club) but in the end there was zero point. If you were not an active racer they were happy to take your money but you were not really welcome.

Fair enough, I should have known better. Just like I never should have checked your thread I suppose? However I was just checking it as an ex member to see if anything had changed and it has not. So it's not a case of being lazy just a case of being curious...

Paul in NZ

btw - if you started catering for supporters instead of just treating them all as potential flag marshals you might get more support.

[Marknz]

First up I want to congratulate the new committee members, in particular the new secretary Phil. Well done for stepping up to the plate.

Next I want to express my disappointment at the lack of numbers at the Victoria Motorcycle Club AGM. The Victoria motorcycle club committee put a huge amount of effort into making the VMCC winter series the biggest motorcycle road race series in New Zealand. There are over one hundred competitors. Why is it that we can’t even get 20 members to the AGM to vote for new representatives? Not a single vote was cast at the AGM; positions were available to everyone who put their hand up.

This series will collapse if members don’t do more towards the running of the club. There was even a suggestion last night that the club series could be sold to a private promoter. What do you think this would do to the cost of racing in the series? Could all the Wellington based members please make the effort once a year to give the club an hour of their time to help with the administration? The guilty parties know who they are.

Now my rant is over I’ll tell you what my little job is as a new member of the Vic Club committee. I’ve been volunteered to run the social side of the club. So if anyone has any ideas let me know. Some of the suggestions so far

1. Make the prize giving at the end of the series a little more special. I know many riders live miles away and are keen to get back home straight after the racing finishes. Some ideas include a big BBQ at the end of the series, or a more formal affair such as a dinner.
2. Ladies night, get your wives, girlfriends, concubines along to the club so that they may learn a little about your very expensive hobby.
3. How ‘bout a free BBQ at Manfield. Would you eat sausages at the track? Or should I leave the BBQ at home?
4. Road rides? Probably not. In the past Vic club members have stayed away from these. I wouldn’t mind organising a trip to Wanganui or Paeroa but I think it would have to be in a personal capacity. There are other clubs that handle these events anyway such as the friendly folk at CDMTCI.
5. Getting other clubs involved. The Victoria Motorcycle Club needs to look after its own interests, but that doesn’t mean we need to shun other clubs. We can still get on the booze together and talk shop.
6. What about an Italian bike night? You could bring you $44,000 dollar Ducati along for a show and tell and everyone could go ohhhhh and eat pizza and olives.
7. What about a Gixxer night? WT could bring the new K5 along and we could do laps around oriental parade!
8. Tuning and suspension night. This would probably suit newbies (like myself) a bit more.
9. Motorcycle repair night, such as tyre changing, fibre glassing etc.
10. Strippers? Pit Girls? Just tell me what you want and I’ll do my best!

If you only want to be a part of this club to race, and not to interact with other members except at the track let me know. That way I’ll know in advance if I’m wasting my time.

I note that Frosty has had some ideas about improving, or even creating a new series. If Frosty, or anyone else, has any ideas about ways to improve the club or the way the series is run, feel free put together a ‘discussion document’ and I’ll table it at the next committee meeting.

Don’t forget that club nights are on the third Tuesday of the month. The bar is always open! : I’ll let you know what’s happening next time.

See www.vicclub.co.nz for more.

Thanks again.

Bartman,

Good on ya for taking on the role, looks like you have a lot of positive thoughts for the future. I'm a member, but to be honest I didn't even know the AGM was on, otherwise I would probably have turned up despite having never been to a meeting yet. Yes, I'm more inclined to be a member to race but I still wouldn't mind having some sort of role within the club. That said, I doubt that I'm going to be staying in NZ for too much longer so it might not have been of any benefit to all members.

BBQ at the meetings? Hell yea.
Tuning and suspension nights? Hell yea.
Motorcycle repair nights? Bloody oath!

I might see you up there on Saturday.

[gav]

Why should a motorcycle club be any different to any other sporting club? Most have the same situation where plenty moan and grumble but come AGM, they are never to be seen and you struggle to get new blood in the committee and new ideas. Congrats on your role, good luck

[Bartman10]

A lot of us don't live anywhere near these meetings.
How about an AGM At Mainfield the night before a race day? Might work, Might not.
Tell us what we can do from a distance to support the club.

I hung around last race day to see what was going to happen about the prize sashes given out for the round. Nothing seemed to be happening,, most people had left. So at 5pm I left too. Did I misunderstand? :unsure: Were the sashes talked about at riders breif for the end of the season not each round? :spudwhat:

Sausages,,,, Yum yum!

I understand about not living near by. I'm not expecting anyone to drive for hours. I was really directing those comments at the Wellington members.

I'll find out about those sashes right away and get back to you.

Glad you like sausages!! I'll do my best but I doubt I've got time to organise it for Saturday. Probably next time.

Thanks to all those people that have replied to the post. Keep it coming!!

[Bartman10]

I was the first to check the thread.

I actually joined not long after we moved here to welliewood. I was told there was a social scene and road rides... I can't remeber if I renewed my membership or not (in hope after the first 12 months of silence from the club) but in the end there was zero point. If you were not an active racer they were happy to take your money but you were not really welcome.

Fair enough, I should have known better. Just like I never should have checked your thread I suppose? However I was just checking it as an ex member to see if anything had changed and it has not. So it's not a case of being lazy just a case of being curious...

Paul in NZ

btw - if you started catering for supporters instead of just treating them all as potential flag marshals you might get more support.

Hi Paul. I wasn't intending to offend with my lazy comment. The comment has served its purpose though! You replied! Thanks I really apriciate it.

Regarding your comments about joining and finding the club didn't suit your needs thats what my new role in this club is ment to facilitate. Tell me what you want and I'll do my best. I'm trying to get the social side fired up a bit more, and if you want to help/suggest/comment I'll be really stoked.

I realise that flag marshals get a rough deal sometimes. I'll do my best to bring up that point at the next meeting. But I think this topic has been thrashed to death already.

Everyone should be aware that the Vic club is first an foremost a racing club.

Did you see my italian suggestion? That might be right up your alley. We've actually got a Moto Guzzi V35 Imola in the garage here. It's blown it's big end though (AGAIN )

Cheers again for the reply.
Bartman

[Paul in NZ]

No offence taken mate...

If you want to add interest to your club you need to add interest to the meetings and generally get a bit more sparkle (not to mention a wider interest)

How about at your next meeting arranging for the HOG or Ducati owners to do a parade lap (and then stick around to watch). Next time the Classic club and organise a swap meet ot bike show to go with it?

Get the rescue helicopter to do a simulated rescue at lunch time and allow them to do a collection in the stands?

You get the idea

If you have never seen The Megaphone (NZCRMC mag) or been to the Pukekohe Classic festival of Speed I'd suggest you do so. They have many members that don't race.

Social side? Up to you... BBQ and party and a get to know you day? Maybe a sprint on the waterfront al la Brighton or an Ace Cafe' night with Rock n Roll, rods and cafe racers? You know, do a deal with a night club or bar?

[Ivan]

Who is the new commitee

[LB]

.
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Congrats on the committee role Bartman10. This is my first log-in since your post. I was aware the AGM was on, but had another meeting to attend. I am currently Secretary of another Committee so would not be able to be on another Committee. Plus I was Secretary of Vic Club for a number of years. (Quite some time ago, probably before most of you were born!!!) I was lucky that it was in the halcyon (Hitcher: is that the right word??) days of bikes. We had 450-500 members for a few years there, and ran what many said was the best meeting in the country, the Shell Two Wheeler (and predeccesors) National Points round at Manfeild, plus Gracefield and Lyall Bay road races. We had regular road rides and ran motocrosses - the club had it's own dirt section. Ah, those were the days.........

Am I correct in thinking the new Presidento is our very own SVS?

Being on a committee is generally a very thankless task, with plenty of brickbats and not too many bouquets. I'm not being cynical, I'm being realistic. But a breath of fresh air is always good, you've got some good ideas and let's hope at least some come to fruition. Good luck.

I believe AMCC and Vic Club ran a joint race series a season or two ago, but I think there may have been a problem with keeping a tally of the points? You'd need to talk with previous officials to get the full story (try Barry New at Sawyers for starters).

You may need to check with the Manfeild people re the BBQ - I'm not sure if that might contravene any deal they have with the catering people if the BBQ is during the day when their caravan is there? (Probably wouldn't, but you'd be wise to make sure before buying bulk bangers). Hamish LOVES bangers so he'd be a goer - I think you should make a nominal charge - no-one would mind paying $1 for a banger in bread with tommy sauce would they? That gives them a cheap feed and Vic Club a bit of kitty.

Will try to catch you at Manfeild this w/end, I'm not sure that we've met. I'll be the one with all the Italian accessories.
.
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[Bartman10]

I hung around last race day to see what was going to happen about the prize sashes given out for the round. Nothing seemed to be happening,, most people had left. So at 5pm I left too. Did I misunderstand? :unsure: Were the sashes talked about at riders breif for the end of the season not each round? :spudwhat:

I asked about the sashes and they were not handed out becasue of the mix up with the transponders. We're hoping all that will be rectified this meeting and that the sashes will be handed out at the end of the meeting. Word around the campfire is that if you were entitled to a shash you'll get one in the mail soon. The results just needed to be finalised. Sorry about the mix up.

Cheers