How to grow the future of road racing in New Zealand

[CHOPPA]

So what is your racing experience?any constructive ideas?

I'm pretty sure we would all like this to stay on topic


For what it's worth It would like to see a professionally promoted series


I was part of the phenominally successful sound of thunder series in the late 80s early 90s as a racer, official and organiser, the formula works.

Your missing one thing grom your formula. Its not the 90s....

Can someone explain to me what is wrong with racing in NZ? Id like to hear from a current modern racer.

[Billy]

Your missing one thing grom your formula. Its not the 90s....

Can someone explain to me what is wrong with racing in NZ? Id like to hear from a current modern racer.

Not much Sloan,

The biggest issue is that everybody has their own ideas how it should be and won't even stop to consider anybody else's ideas,Simply until everybodies on the same page,It will stay as it is,Also there appears to be a large number of "cup half empty" types sniping around the edges with big ideas that hold little relevance to the big picture and theyre not prepared to put their money where their mouth is and front up,Not many of those that snipe around the edges claiming they know everything were happy with the format I set for NZSBK 2014,BUT,The FACTS are,Entries for the South Island rounds were up 50%,It costs $200 less in entry fees to do the whole series,Less travel and accomodation,Less time off work and away from home,More revenue for the clubs,Still not good enough,Theres your answer right there,No matter what happens and who does it,It just won't be up to scratch,Quite honestly I put a good crew together for this series and we all work well together,We had some plans to improve for 2015 and run the thing as a stand alone series that is even better organised,We were working on a number of areas too improve,But quite frankly,They have had enough of the bullshit from certain areas and won't be back,So that means from the end of the series onwards,Its back to square one and that cycle continues on and on as more volunteers walk away from the sport,Time for these experts in the South Island to show us what they got,OR fuck off for good and let the doers get on with the job.

[Shaun Harris]

not a bad Plan, but the problems i see,

1. getting 20-40 pepple to pay the money will be easy, to get 100 to pay i think will be very hard,

2. most of the races are run by volunteers, they tend not to like paid people telling them what to do,

Most racers do it for fun, not for the glory, not to make money, but basically they just like going fast on motorcycles, thats why track days are so popular,

We live in a different world to when you and I started racing, (i got my first NZACU liceinse in 1986) people work bigger hours, have less time off and are more selfish with the time they have to themselves, I am not sure this would change that,

Thanks for your thoughts on this Scott.

[Shaun Harris]

Not much Sloan,

The biggest issue is that everybody has their own ideas how it should be and won't even stop to consider anybody else's ideas,Simply until everybodies on the same page,It will stay as it is,Also there appears to be a large number of "cup half empty" types sniping around the edges with big ideas that hold little relevance to the big picture and theyre not prepared to put their money where their mouth is and front up,Not many of those that snipe around the edges claiming they know everything were happy with the format I set for NZSBK 2014,BUT,The FACTS are,Entries for the South Island rounds were up 50%,It costs $200 less in entry fees to do the whole series,Less travel and accomodation,Less time off work and away from home,More revenue for the clubs,Still not good enough,Theres your answer right there,No matter what happens and who does it,It just won't be up to scratch,Quite honestly I put a good crew together for this series and we all work well together,We had some plans to improve for 2015 and run the thing as a stand alone series that is even better organised,We were working on a number of areas too improve,But quite frankly,They have had enough of the bullshit from certain areas and won't be back,So that means from the end of the series onwards,Its back to square one and that cycle continues on and on as more volunteers walk away from the sport,Time for these experts in the South Island to show us what they got,OR fuck off for good and let the doers get on with the job.

would the following positions help in anyway

1x the SAME Technical officer at each round for consistency

1x the same Referee at each round to controll the awnsers to the riders to keep the consistency going

Or to ask the above question in a different way, are you prepared to outline clearly and completely what and where you see the problems to be that are causing the walk out of important parties in the racing here in nz Billy

And bloody well done on helping grow the numbers on track again, Im sure the club bank accounts appreciate your work and effort done at no cost to them.

[MVnut]

Time for these experts in the South Island to show us what they got,OR fuck off for good and let the doers get on with the job.

You have a way with words, a wonder anyone ever wants to work with you.

[Shaun Harris]

You have a way with words, a wonder anyone ever wants to work with you.

come on MV you are bigger and more mature than the above actions show man. Please keep adding your personell opinions on how to make things better for all involved and just let the negatives you take personally have a seat in the back ground dude, if I can I know 100% you can.

We really do need to here direct from the coal face his opinion of what and where the problems are if things can be changed for the benifit of all fantastic and as I know you will understand, as the commisioner of road racing Billy has had to deal with all of them for the sport and lots of personell attacks as well, so please just give him room to voice his thoughts on the future mate

[Billy]

would the following positions help in anyway

1x the SAME Technical officer at each round for consistency

1x the same Referee at each round to controll the awnsers to the riders to keep the consistency going

Or to ask the above question in a different way, are you prepared to outline clearly and completely what and where you see the problems to be that are causing the walk out of important parties in the racing here in nz Billy

And bloody well done on helping grow the numbers on track again, Im sure the club bank accounts appreciate your work and effort done at no cost to them.

Haha,Nice one,You know who they are following our phone conversations,You also know I can not divulge the true reasons......YET.

You'd think the last sentence in your post would be true and yet the glass half full peeps,Still found reason to complain,Can you guess where they are from??? Round 2 at Levels run by South Canterbury was a breeze,Grant Ramage,Pete Walsh and Adele were onboard right from the get go,Fully understood what was expected and if there was anything they required,So long as it was within reason,Their needs were met,I have NO doubt in my mind,Them and Andrew Presant and his team are by far the best organisers in the country.

[Billy]

You have a way with words, a wonder anyone ever wants to work with you.

Yip,

Its true I don't hold back or take shit from wannabees,Quite frankly I don't want to work with backstabbing hypocrites anyway,They know who they are and the folks that can see the big picture are happy to work with me,Not that they have that choice anymore,Some will be glad I'm gone,Some will be disappointed,Either way,Atleast I was prepared to make the changes I thought needed to be made and didn't just stand back and criricise those that are trying.

[Billy]

would the following positions help in anyway

1x the SAME Technical officer at each round for consistency

1x the same Referee at each round to controll the awnsers to the riders to keep the consistency going

Or to ask the above question in a different way, are you prepared to outline clearly and completely what and where you see the problems to be that are causing the walk out of important parties in the racing here in nz Billy

And bloody well done on helping grow the numbers on track again, Im sure the club bank accounts appreciate your work and effort done at no cost to them.

Oops,

Forgot to answer some of your post,
We have for NZSBK 2014 A series clerk of course,Race secretary,MNZ Steward,Riders rep,and until last week when I was informed I could no longer be the Tech steward,We had one of those for the series as well,Works very well when the host club allows it to,As ans aside,Following the decision of the recently heard appeal,I can not find anybody to replace me as they simply do not see any point enforcing the rules on the day,When the "wise council" will over rule them further down the track,Any ideas??????

[MVnut]

come on MV you are bigger and more mature than the above actions show man. Please keep adding your personell opinions on how to make things better for all involved and just let the negatives you take personally have a seat in the back ground dude, if I can I know 100% you can.

We really do need to here direct from the coal face his opinion of what and where the problems are if things can be changed for the benifit of all fantastic and as I know you will understand, as the commisioner of road racing Billy has had to deal with all of them for the sport and lots of personell attacks as well, so please just give him room to voice his thoughts on the future mate

Shaun I probably took Billy's comment personally, and I shouldn't, sorry about that. And apologies to Billy too, I know how difficult some jobs are and some people are, you do your best to work with it. Obviously we need to appeal to 2 general areas....1)the riders/teams/entrants/sponsors, and 2) general public to get them along. As far as public go, there are lots of thoughts re bouncy castles, V-8s, truck racing etc...but all we really need is the best representation of motorcycle racing possible with all (as many as possible anyway) manufacturers represented. Remember when all the boys turned up in proddy racing, (or the Marlboro Series) even some Euros....tyre manufacturers all wanted a piece of action, sponsoring races/events...oil guys too....parts companies...etc. There was always a small gate fee (but not too much to stop people coming....greed is bad) and racers that did well made a bit of loot too along with sponsors prizes......OK the '70s was almost as far back as the dark ages, but we can do it even better now with all the tech at our fingertips. I know getting a crosssection of the brands on the grid is really hard, but I firmly believe this is the first step necessary to bring back the public.....this year I would not even be watching the Nats, except we have a competitive Nick Cole on a Kawi...great stuff!!! We need more, and more Yammies, Hondas, MVs etc. I wish I could think of a suitable carrot to dangle in the face of importers (and dealers) to stump up a bike or 2 (and a bit of courage ! ) ....Shaun, maybe I should set up a 675 MV for you next season????

[gammaguy]

Your missing one thing grom your formula. Its not the 90s....

Can someone explain to me what is wrong with racing in NZ? Id like to hear from a current modern racer.

The formula stays the same and can be adapted to current environment


Current modern racers can and should have plenty to say, as do those who have vast experience at all levels of the sport, it needs input from everyone to improve, and from the comments I have been reading a lot of people think it needs to.

[scracha]

Key phrase I again picked up on was Proddy Racers

[Billy]

Key phrase I again picked up on was Proddy Racers

So,Have you entered for the TT at Taupo?????

[CHOPPA]

The formula stays the same and can be adapted to current environment


Current modern racers can and should have plenty to say, as do those who have vast experience at all levels of the sport, it needs input from everyone to improve, and from the comments I have been reading a lot of people think it needs to.

No this is where I see the problem, all the racers are seem to be happy its only the people that dont race that seem to be the experts. If it aint broke dont fix it. No one has explained to me what is wrong?

[CHOPPA]

There are no other riders in NZ that do as much racing in NZ as I do. I do street races, club racers all up and down the north and south island year round and all the national rounds. I race Motocross in NZ and occasionally in Australia. I race the Australia Superbike Series. I have sponsors that are happy with the exposure they get. I dont see what the problem in NZ is except for people saying theres a problem.

I have had dealings with MNZ and they have been great to deal with. There might be shit going down internally with officials etc which is sad but dealing with them if following the correct channels is always a pleasure