Paeroa on tv? (6 March)

[codgyoleracer]

It's been pointed out again and again to all sorts of officials.
Spectators lose interest as they can't follow a bike as it's numbers are too difficult to read, vicious circle, spectators lose interest, they don't go etc.
Modern bikes have more options than you think, look at Tony Rees's R1 for example.
Someone needs to put their foot down and start insisting on ledgible numbers quite simply

BIG numbers on side panels or belly pans. Forget the tail piece, they are like wafers nowadays aye. & yes we should not forget the importance of numbers & there relevance & consistency with good quality printed programs.

P.S , great effort with the Paeroa printed program, best i have seen for a few years anywhere.

[onearmedbandit]

I'd be pretty surprised if anybody told me they couldn't be arsed going to a bike meet because they couldn't read the numbers !

[/SIZE]

It's a local series, with local riders, and the spectators can't tell who the fuck is riding what bike. My g/f and I spent ages trying to identify riders we know of so we could watch them perform, but other than a few riders identifiable by their leathers or fairings we just gave up. I'm a motorcyclist and a motorcycle racing enthusiast, so is she, but we lost interest.

Yep we'll go again, good to support those local riders and help provide money so the series exists, just a pity they won't support us by clearly identifying who is who. But of course it's too hard to put a number on the lower edge of a side fairing...

[Mental Trousers]

When I was doing the stickers for my bike I considered putting the number on the lower fairing (like the Sterilgarda Yamahas in WSBK) just in front of my shin where it would be easily seen as even on my bike (which has quite a whale tail) the number on the rear fairing can be difficult to read. In the end I decided to put it on the tail because that's what the rules said.

[onearmedbandit]

I can understand the rules, for race bikes from the 80's and 90's. But from 2000 onwards the move has been towards smaller and flatter tail sections, yet the rules haven't been updated?

[Quasievil]

When I was doing the stickers for my bike I considered putting the number on the lower fairing (like the Sterilgarda Yamahas in WSBK) just in front of my shin where it would be easily seen as even on my bike (which has quite a whale tail) the number on the rear fairing can be difficult to read. In the end I decided to put it on the tail because that's what the rules said.

Yeah but your more considerate than most of the other guys as you ride a bit slower to give us a chance to read them, the crowds appreciate it dude
Nice one


hehehehehee

[Billy]

I can understand the rules, for race bikes from the 80's and 90's. But from 2000 onwards the move has been towards smaller and flatter tail sections, yet the rules haven't been updated?

As I understand it the rules have been changed to allow the use of numbers on the lower side of the fairing,Its just a case of convincing the minions to stop doing what theyve always done (some of us for 40 odd years)

[CHOPPA]

They are really strict on it in ozzy. has to be a certain size, font and background or you dont go on the track. The font it a bit gay but you can read everyones numbers

[merv]

Lol, bring back number boards http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?imgur...20&tx=89&ty=71

[Bykmad]

OK Guys, here is fair warning. I am the Steward of the Meeting for the Hampton Downs round of the MNZ Castrol Power 1 Superbike Championship.. I have made a template of clear acrylic, engraved with the minimum size number (as per Rule book). It can be easily placed over the numbers on your bike and demonstrates (you can see through the acrylic) whether the number is of the correct size or NOT. This template is already in the hands of the scrutineers for this event. It was used during the Tri Series and was also at Paeroa, though it was only used to advise competitors that there was a problem at these events.
Last year at Hampton Downs, it was almost impossible to make out the numbers on competitors bikes, so it is not just spectators, but commentators and officials who cannot make out the numbers. It is very hard to impose a penalty on the correct rider, when no-one can read the numbers on the bike.
PLEASE make an effort to ensure that your numbers are legible.

[onearmedbandit]

OK Guys, here is fair warning. I am the Steward of the Meeting for the Hampton Downs round of the MNZ Castrol Power 1 Superbike Championship.. I have made a template of clear acrylic, engraved with the minimum size number (as per Rule book). It can be easily placed over the numbers on your bike and demonstrates (you can see through the acrylic) whether the number is of the correct size or NOT. This template is already in the hands of the scrutineers for this event. It was used during the Tri Series and was also at Paeroa, though it was only used to advise competitors that there was a problem at these events.
Last year at Hampton Downs, it was almost impossible to make out the numbers on competitors bikes, so it is not just spectators, but commentators and officials who cannot make out the numbers. It is very hard to impose a penalty on the correct rider, when no-one can read the numbers on the bike.
PLEASE make an effort to ensure that your numbers are legible.

That's all good and proper, it really is. However, late model bikes have flat thin, in some instance almost non-existent tail sections. How about introducing a number board in the front lower corner of the fully faired bikes? This will be visible when the bike is upright and also banked over.

[CHOPPA]

OK Guys, here is fair warning. I am the Steward of the Meeting for the Hampton Downs round of the MNZ Castrol Power 1 Superbike Championship.. I have made a template of clear acrylic, engraved with the minimum size number (as per Rule book). It can be easily placed over the numbers on your bike and demonstrates (you can see through the acrylic) whether the number is of the correct size or NOT. This template is already in the hands of the scrutineers for this event. It was used during the Tri Series and was also at Paeroa, though it was only used to advise competitors that there was a problem at these events.
Last year at Hampton Downs, it was almost impossible to make out the numbers on competitors bikes, so it is not just spectators, but commentators and officials who cannot make out the numbers. It is very hard to impose a penalty on the correct rider, when no-one can read the numbers on the bike.
PLEASE make an effort to ensure that your numbers are legible.

I know its prob in the rule book but what are the minimum dimensions?

[satchriossi]

BIG numbers on side panels or belly pans. Forget the tail piece.

I agree with and support this idea.

[Burrt Badger]

I agree with and support this idea.

Put the numbers on your lower fairings as well. That way you have fulfilled Rule requirements AND spectators and commentators can still tell who you are. Competitors NEED the spectators, be it on TV or at the circuit, to know who they are and who their sponsors are.

[Mental Trousers]

I know its prob in the rule book but what are the minimum dimensions?

10.2.3 ROAD RACING
Appendix’s A, C, G and I the following rules apply:
Number Boards

• Size: Minimum width 285mm, minimum height 235mm, oval or rectangular in shape.
  
• Placement: Fairing, front of fairing one number board facing forward.
  

Numbers may also be placed on both sides of the fairing

• Rear Tailpiece; minimum of one number on rear seat tailpiece.
  

Figures all classes:
Figures must be clearly legible and both numbers and backgrounds must be in a non-gloss finish
A plain form of figure shall be used.
Colours:

• 125cc & 150 S/S White background, black figures
  
• Prolite Orange background black figures
  
• Superlite Black background, white figures
  
• 600 SuperSport Yellow background, black figures
  
• Superbike White background, black figures
  
• Sidecars – Formula One White background, black figures
  
• Sidecars – Formula Two Yellow background, black figures
  
• Pro Twin Orange background, black figures
  
• 600 Superstock Black background yellow figures
  
• 1000 Superstock Red background yellow figures
  

Only FIM Licence holders will be permitted to use letters.
All other markings or number plates on the motorcycle likely to cause
confusion must be removed or covered over.

[discodan]

I don't think numbers are such a big problem for spectators. OK maybe for officials (not timing) it can be a problem but the average spectator does not look out for race numbers.

Humans remember colours and shapes much easier than numbers. Think of a rider in motogp, do you remember what their bike looks like or what their race number is?!