MNZ rule change proposals

[wharfy]

Dunno where 3 digits being illegible comes from. I can think of 3 bikes off the top of my head that have easy to read 3 digit numbers.

Another reason for me not to do the nationals - my member is to big... oops that should be number

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

So who's running #14 on their superbike? Thats my frigin number that is

[Shaun]

Yes the rule needed addressing due to racers being stupid with their numbers but I'm pissed as my numbers have always been easily seen and they are 3 digits....so....it is proven to be possible to have 3 digits easily visable (which is the point after all). They should stick with the point rather than making unnecessary additions. Its another example of typical over reaction from kiwi rule makers...taking a page out of the traffic cop handbook...next we won't be able to speed!?

Your bike and Numbers have always been immaculately presented mate! and very easy to read, even for a wanker like me

You are unfortunately caught up in this fiasco due to clubs running race meetings with no PRE INSPECTION of race bikes before going on the track and RIDERS that have created there Number boards and numbers based on Fashion rather than RULES

[Robert Taylor]

Your bike and Numbers have always been immaculately presented mate! and very easy to read, even for a wanker like me

You are unfortunately caught up in this fiasco due to clubs running race meetings with no PRE INSPECTION of race bikes before going on the track and RIDERS that have created there Number boards and numbers based on Fashion rather than RULES

Got to agree with that, why dont we have mandatory pre race technical inspections to verify machine and therefore competitor safety?

[Robert Taylor]

Shit, my life must be even more fucked than I thought 'cos changing a few placcy numbers just doesn't rate as a problem on my radar, lol. Maybe tie a ribbon around one of the 'bars if you can't remember which bike is yours?

I intially read the suspension rules and thought "What the fuck?!" but after reading RT's explanation it actually makes sense. You don't have to spend the dosh, it's only an option. And using Robert's costings/services and allowing for buying another used set of tubes shock, you could effectively have 2 sets of suspension (1 x Teretonga and 1 x everything else, lol) ready to go for not much more than the cost of 1 full Ohlins set up. Doesn't seem so bad?

Thanks Slowpoke! You can only go so far in reducing costs. As for humble springs and the costs of having suitable options for varying circuits and conditions that is one neccessary cost to maximise tyre grip and tyre life.
I dont think a lot of competitors realise how much is STILL done out of sheer goodwill in the NZ road racing scene. If they want a reality check on this they should travel to other first world countries and evidence all of the services the competitors have to pay the going rate for.
''Turn up and ride em'' worked in the 70s but modern machinery is a lot more demanding and fickle of setup, especially when it comes to preserving the tyres and following a strict regime of how you heat cycle those tyres.
If Dan is wary of the costs, even in a cost controlled class then he does have options of going to less costly classes.

[Maido]

Put the 80 inside the yellow and the other 8 outside the yellow.....

[Biggles08]

Put the 80 inside the yellow and the other 8 outside the yellow.....

It will end up being something like that J....and I will put 808 on the side fairings too if it comes to making a point. Stupid that common sense can't seem to prevail however.

[discodan]

Thanks for your input Robert and I’m sure you make some very valid points. However, DON’T try and drag me into your pathetic feud with Kerry as it is none of your business who I associate with.

In reality I am just a racer with a budget trying to get an idea of how much I need to do to my suspension to have a competitive bike. When I saw the word ‘open’ in the rules it doesn’t fill me with confidence that this class is really aimed at keeping costs down – can you blame me?!

As you pointed out so many times, I said that the suspension in my R6 is just fine. This does not make it dangerous and if it needs a spring change at other tracks then so be it but it has been implemented as a low cost solution within the spirit of the rules.

The way I see it is that, if the rules were tighter, then that leaves less room to spend money. OK so the laptimes might suffer but that’s not the point.

[Mental Trousers]

The way I see it is that, if the rules were tighter, then that leaves less room to spend money.

The tighter the rules are the more gets spent on optimizing everything.

Smart tuners get the tolerances as close as possible to the factory specs. It's not unknown for tuners to buy pistons until they have a set that are the lightest factory spec, all have the same tolerances and then they're matched to cylinder liners that have all been through an equally meticulous process. They do all of that because the standard bike off the showroom floor can vary in power output by more than 5%, and being 5% down on power can make the difference between winning and not.

It's the same for the rest of the bike too, including suspension. You can throw a truck load of money at the suspension. The returns diminish while the cost increases, but every single little gain is still a gain. When you go chasing multiple small gains they add up.

[lukemillar]

RIDERS that have created there Number boards and numbers based on Fashion rather than RULES

What rules? Up until these proposed rules, there haven't actually been any regarding number size!

[oyster]

Number sizes
10-2-3 (or relevant Appendix.)
It's all there, always has been

[scracha]

It's because you're ugly.

Renew it online and ask for your current number (specify which number!!). Or put a note on the form asking for your current number. Worked for me.

Exactly what I did and 2 years on the trot they changed my number( Maybe they've got shares in signwriters? Wonder which former Ducati rider who returned to racing I lost number "69" to.

Surely priority for a given number (above 10) should be given to the rider who had it the previous year? Perhaps they give priority to riders who have faster laptimes or more fashionable bikes? But again, as they didn't reply to my emails I can only draw my own conclusions.

[Kickaha]

You are unfortunately caught up in this fiasco due to clubs running race meetings with no PRE INSPECTION of race bikes before going on the track and RIDERS that have created there Number boards and numbers based on Fashion rather than RULES

Pre race inspection (scrutineering) has normally been aimed at safety rather than eligibility

The way I see it is that, if the rules were tighter, then that leaves less room to spend money.

As MT has pointed out it normally makes people spend more

[lukemillar]

Number sizes
10-2-3 (or relevant Appendix.)
It's all there, always has been

That is only regarding number board size. The is no mention as to the size of the numbers, other than they must be "clearly legible", which is somewhat subjective.

[CHOPPA]

Andrew has the number I want