Endurance Series in New Zealand

**CM2005** · 4th August 2011, 11:09

After watching the Suzuka 8HR thw other week, and recalling the popularity of the BADD 3hr races that have been run at taupo in the past couple of years, i was wondering how many people would be interested in an Endurance series revival in this country.

Maybe 4 rounds a year, 3hr's each with a couple of classes - i.e PRE '89, F2 and F1? Obviously you'd have to run a qualifying cutoff time so that no one gets run over by Choppa or someone one a mad BMW after lap 3, but it could be feasible?

So who's keen?

**RobGassit** · 4th August 2011, 11:45

I'd love to see a Six Hour big event again, but doubt I'd compete. Good luck though.

**SWERVE** · 4th August 2011, 12:40

We at MCC are already looking at holding a 6hr endurance over easter weekend in 2013
for 600/1000cc bikes.

So any expressions of interest from interested parties would be encouraging... this far out.

**Tony.OK** · 4th August 2011, 14:06

2 minutes with the Missus?....................now that would take some serious training and commitment to get to that level of performance, that goal just seems so far away at this stage

Unless ya meant someone else's Missus, then I'm afraid it'd be damn near impossible to get to the 2 min mark

**CM2005** · 4th August 2011, 17:39

I'm going to have a yarn and maybe a bit of an ask around with organisers/riders at the next vic club round and see what the deal is with regards to organising racing, i can imagine its not as simple as us who turn up and smash around the track all day think it is..

**Robert Taylor** · 4th August 2011, 18:17

Originally Posted by CM2005

After watching the Suzuka 8HR thw other week, and recalling the popularity of the BADD 3hr races that have been run at taupo in the past couple of years, i was wondering how many people would be interested in an Endurance series revival in this country.

Maybe 4 rounds a year, 3hr's each with a couple of classes - i.e PRE '89, F2 and F1? Obviously you'd have to run a qualifying cutoff time so that no one gets run over by Choppa or someone one a mad BMW after lap 3, but it could be feasible?

So who's keen?

What has to be taken into account here is the major wear that is placed on especially the bike engines. People struggle now to keep their engines fresh for regular sprint racing. Given also that engines are now much more highly stressed and less long term forgiving of ''abuse'' than in the endurance racing heyday.

**CHOPPA** · 4th August 2011, 19:47

Our endurance bike is waiting for something like this!

**KoroJ** · 4th August 2011, 19:51

NZ does have a great Endurance series....just not a race but!

There's the Grand Challenge, TT2000, Southern Cross, 4 Points, Longest Day, Capital Cruise. Why ride in a circle for 8 hours when you ride over all manner of goat tracks for 24?

**CHOPPA** · 4th August 2011, 22:11

Originally Posted by KoroJ

NZ does have a great Endurance series....just not a race but!

There's the Grand Challenge, TT2000, Southern Cross, 4 Points, Longest Day, Capital Cruise. Why ride in a circle for 8 hours when you ride over all manner of goat tracks for 24?

Cause I like going fast

**SWERVE** · 5th August 2011, 11:37

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

Cause I like going fast

Choppa...........you can go real fast on the TT2000 etc.................... just go fast enough so the "FEDS" cant catch ya..............yeha

**CM2005** · 5th August 2011, 12:12

All valid points there too guys, Mr Taylor is right, the cost of an endurance series would be pretty big from a maint point of view, even a new 600 or thou would be looking for a decent freshen-up after a round or two.

**yorkshire raceramesh** · 14th August 2011, 11:54

I'd be keen if there was a Post Classic class. 2 or 3 rounds would be do-able. Maybe 2 x 3hrs + 1 x 6 hr ?

**codgyoleracer** · 17th August 2011, 20:15

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

What has to be taken into account here is the major wear that is placed on especially the bike engines. People struggle now to keep their engines fresh for regular sprint racing. Given also that engines are now much more highly stressed and less long term forgiving of ''abuse'' than in the endurance racing heyday.

To be honest my casual observation is that less engines go "pop" now than the good old days?

**Robert Taylor** · 17th August 2011, 21:10

Originally Posted by codgyoleracer

To be honest my casual observation is that less engines go "pop" now than the good old days?

Thats probably a fair observation but it would be interesting to know in real terms the affordability of rebuilding them in todays broken world and lower living standards.

Irrespective, many racers struggle with the cost of maintaining what they have for just doing sprint races and likely the cost on tyres and other things is much higher than in the ''black and white'' days. Add in endurance races and putting a lot more hours on the motors and running gear and I can see the costs going skywards at quite a steep trajectory.

Im not poo-pooing Endurance races as I have fond memories of having watched them in the past, but I think it was fair to point out the accelerated wear and costs.

**CHOPPA** · 17th August 2011, 21:49

My old Suzuki did Andrew for a full seasons racing. I did just about every race possible plus the endurance and its still going strong now. It was tuned much harder then any standard engine.

Some people will find any excuse not to race, some of us will do anything to race