Too many classes at National Championship?

[k14]

yes thats correct I know of the support classes, but they are usually significantly sponsored and elite.
Motards and Streetstock for example are usually not.

WTF? How are suzuki swift's elite?

[Kickaha]

The point is...why do we need clubmans, supermotards, streetstock, sidecars, etc at national rounds taking up time AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PREMIER CLASSES?

Why do we need 600 and 1000 taking up time at the expense of clubmans, supermotards, streetstock, sidecars, etc when these classes would have the majority of competitors in them?

Who say they're the premier classes? If that was all that was on offer I wouldn't bother going to watch

I have always found it strange that the two classes that most 'jo public' come to see only get two races throughout the weekend, whereas many other minor classes get three (even if they are shorter races).

Got something to back that statement about Jo public up?

They get more laps in those two races than we get in three

[Wingnut]

if you want less classes, are you willing to pay 50% more entry fees ?

That is exactly what I was thinking - the support classes are somewhat subsidising the "Premier" classes entry costs by being included.

A sponsor would pick that up, if more people came , no probs

Yea - and they are just knocking down the NZSBK doors.............

At Levels they ran the Motards in a split start with the Clubmans so they were hardly taking alot of track time away. And some of the motard racing was quite good.

The sidecars, although it is nice for them to be able to run at the Nats, was the most boring racing I had watched in a long time. Sorry to those that race in this class but from a spectators perspective it appears to be little more than circulating.

Streetstock is vital - its grass roots! I guess you can't and won't please everbody.

I'm just glad to see the superbikes with healthier numbers on the grid and the 600s was excellent racing.

[Biggles08]

Why do we need 600 and 1000 taking up time at the expense of clubmans, supermotards, streetstock, sidecars, etc when these classes would have the majority of competitors in them?

Who say they're the premier classes? If that was all that was on offer I wouldn't bother going to watch



Got something to back that statement about Jo public up?

They get more laps in those two races than we get in three

I would have included sidecars in the list too Kick but the simple fact is 3-4 side cars does not a race make.

[Quasievil]

WTF? How are suzuki swift's elite?

Ask Bamber or Fogg

Look at the significant sponsors they have, LG for example
they are a viable support class as are Porsche and the NZ V8s, what isnt a viable support class would be perhaps a 1973 ford escort rust bucket slapped together last week in time for the ITM400 by Dad and his mate over a crate of beer, which I would equate to buckets and streetstocks and in many cases Motards

Im not sure if you understand my point

[nodrog:Me]

WTF? How are suzuki swift's elite?

They arent, they are basically the streetstock of the motor racing scene, albeit with a vehicle supplier.

Fanny.

[White trash]

I would have included sidecars in the list too Kick but the simple fact is 3-4 side cars does not a race make.

You not got many fingers? There were seven sidecars at Timaru, occupying four rows.

[Quasievil]

Yea - and they are just knocking down the NZSBK doors.............

not in the curent format they arent, you can buy naming rights to the entire Nationals round for $10 k...............pathetic amount of money really.

[Biggles08]

You not got many fingers? There were seven sidecars at Timaru, occupying four rows.

Invercargil? I believe about 5-6 I think....anyway, the point still stands

[Kickaha]

I would have included sidecars in the list too Kick but the simple fact is 3-4 side cars does not a race make.

We make the minimum grid required by MNZ, not so many years ago the requirement was 10 it was changed to six when the 1000cc bikes couldn't make minimum numbers

what isnt a viable support class would be perhaps a 1973 ford escort rust bucket slapped together last week in time for the ITM400 by Dad and his mate over a crate of beer, which I would equate to buckets and streetstocks and in many cases Motards

You obviously haven't looked at to many Buckets or Streetstocks down here lately in many cases the presentation would put other classes to shame

Invercargil? I believe about 5-6 I think....anyway, the point still stands

Counting really isn't your strong point is it?

Oh yeah Biggles don't forget to start going on about how there should be more rounds in the North as well

[k14]

Ask Bamber or Fogg

Look at the significant sponsors they have, LG for example
they are a viable support class as are Porsche and the NZ V8s, what isnt a viable support class would be perhaps a 1973 ford escort rust bucket slapped together last week in time for the ITM400 by Dad and his mate over a crate of beer, which I would equate to buckets and streetstocks and in many cases Motards

Im not sure if you understand my point

No, I don't understand your point. I think the above post shows how ignorant you are when it comes to NZ racing. When was the last time you raced at a nationals round? Have you looked at the numbers from this year's fields? I think the current format is fine. Yes, we would always love more sponsors and MNZ has some scope to improve the championship.

Your points about having less rounds is valid but I can't see why the north island should have 2 and the south have 1. Go and look at previous entry numbers and you will see the SI rounds usually have more entries than the north. As for classes, go and look at the championships around the world (bike racing only that is). They all have support classes of various descriptions. That part of it is not broken and this is the first time I have heard anyone complaining about the lack of track time at nationals.

[Biggles08]

We make the minimum grid required by MNZ, not so many years ago the requirement was 10 it was changed to six when the 1000cc bikes couldn't make minimum numbers



You obviously haven't looked at to many Buckets down here lately in many cases the presentation would put other classes to shame


Counting really isn't your strong point is it?

Oh yeah Biggles don't forget to start going on about how there should be more rounds in the North as well

I was just thinking the North island should have more rounds...

[Kickaha]

I was just thinking the North island should have more rounds...

Pity you don't have clubs up there that are interested in running them

[Biggles08]

No, I don't understand your point. I think the above post shows how ignorant you are when it comes to NZ racing. When was the last time you raced at a nationals round? Have you looked at the numbers from this year's fields? I think the current format is fine. Yes, we would always love more sponsors and MNZ has some scope to improve the championship.

Your points about having less rounds is valid but I can't see why the north island should have 2 and the south have 1. Go and look at previous entry numbers and you will see the SI rounds usually have more entries than the north. As for classes, go and look at the championships around the world (bike racing only that is). They all have support classes of various descriptions. That part of it is not broken and this is the first time I have heard anyone complaining about the lack of track time at nationals.

A bit abrasive K14...Quasi has plenty of experience to make a comment on this issue and is involved in motorcycling in NZ most likely more than I am. His points are relevant from a sponsorship side of things. I don't think how many rounds held in the NI vs the SI is the issue here and I don't have an issue with how it is currently spread (although I would love Taupo to be included also). I am merely highlighting the lack of time Superbikes and 600's get racing due to the day not being long enough to cater for everyone. Regardless if you race in any other class or not, the simple fact is Streetstock or similar is not what Jo Public come to see...they are there for the fastest bikes and it is evident to see when the fences lined with people disappear when these support classes line up on the grid. I do think people are fascinated by the sidecars (and the lack of braincells their pilots have) too and it would be good to see 10 competitive machines lined up on the grid ready to race at National level.

I agree with Quasi and others above in that the NZSBK Nationals is a premium event that needs to be marketed that way and if there is time for support classes fair enough but at the very least on the Saturday Superbikes and 600's should get a race too.

[Quasievil]

No, I don't understand your point. I think the above post shows how ignorant you are when it comes to NZ racing. When was the last time you raced at a nationals round? Have you looked at the numbers from this year's fields? I think the current format is fine. Yes, we would always love more sponsors and MNZ has some scope to improve the championship.

Having raced at the nationals isnt a prerequisite to having a brain

I dont think Im ignorant on it really, I dont profess to know everything, but I do know that the event is costly and from that prohibitive to alot of riders, I also know that the event is not exactly high on the agendas for the general populas to go and see..............boring ? not much of a show? maybe, but certainly the current mold is not what I would call good, or anywhere near it.
The event can be alot better than it currently is, the numbers are NOT there, spectators numbers are pathetic and the actual "show" is far from attracting decent numbers of people to enable greater sponsorship opportunities.
Until Radical changes are made the NZ Nationals will continue to be a bit of a bore it will continue to attract low spectator numbers and fields that are hit and miss year on year.

Do any of you on the opposing view point ever complain about not getting any sponsorship? do you know why you arent getting sponsorship, the reason is Bike racing is NOT a popular activity for the general population (the Mum and Dad and the Kids) to go and see, hence the events do not attract money from sponsors, the "SHOW" is all wrong, you are competing with many other opportunities for the public to spend their dollar and you are rarely even getting in the choice set................Bring the show the people will come, get the people the dollars will come...............stick to the current same ole boring model and you will keep getting the same outcomes, no people, no money, no sponsorship


Lastly do some of you think that Buckets should be in the Nationals as well ? we can also perhaps ad the Vespa guys they love a good race, where do you want to stop?