MNZ restart rule change (again)

**scott411** · 16th December 2017, 06:43

interesting email yesterday afternoon, i see the road race restart rule was changed again, making it so you can change bikes if it is a full restarts
(like they did on the weekend, which the rule that had just been put in place did not allow)

MNZ would like to advise of the following Safety Rule Change effective immediately:

6.21 Stopping and Re-starting a Race:
Should it be necessary to stop a race due to an accident, climatic or other conditions that make it hazardous to continue, a Red flag will be displayed at the finish line under the direction of the Steward or Clerk of the Course. Once instructed, all flag points are to display waved Red flags.
a. Upon sighting the Red flag riders are to cease racing immediately and ride at touring pace and return to the pit lane, or the safest point on the track at the discretion of the Clerk of the Course (this point must be announced at riders briefing), where they will stop and await further instructions.
b. The decision to stop a race for whatever the reason can only come from the Steward or Clerk of the Course.
c. Any red flagged race may only be re-started or continued once.
d. Points can only be awarded to riders that were racing at the time of the red flag.
e. The number of full laps completed by the lead rider prior to the race stoppage shall define the determinations below:

A. If no more than two laps of the stopped race were completed:
a. The stopped race will be declared null and void and a new start will take place,
b. The re-start will take place as soon as possible and must occur no more than 30 minutes after the race has been stopped. If it cannot be re-run within this time it shall be null and void and no points will be awarded.
For clarity:
● The re-started race will be for the full original race distance,
● The original grid positions will be used,
● The place of any machine unable to take part in the re-started race will be left vacant,
● Machines can be repaired or replaced. However, they must meet the requirements of being on the track in terms of class eligibility and any machine checks etc.
● Only those riders that took place in the original start can take part in the re-start.

B. If more than two laps, but less than 65% of the original race distance, have been completed:
a. The second part must occur no more than 30 minutes after the race has been stopped. If it cannot be continued within this time it shall be null and void. This shall cause all parts to be null and void and no points will be awarded.
b. The second part race distance will be the remainder of the original race distance,
c. The original grid positions will be used,
d. The place of any machine unable to take part in the second part of the race will be left vacant,
e. Only competitors who have completed at least 65% of the laps completed by the lead rider, and were racing at the time of the red flag will be allowed to participate in the continued race,
f. Machines may be repaired, but not replaced, provided they have been approved by the Machine Examiner or the Technical Steward (whichever is applicable) before rejoining,
g. The final race classification will be established according to the finishing order of the last part of the race only,
i. If 65% or more of the original scheduled race distance (in total) is completed full points will be awarded,
ii. If less than 65% of the original scheduled race distance (in total), but more than two laps, is completed half points will be awarded.

C. If 65% or more of the race distance is completed:
a. This shall be declared a full race,
b. The finishing order shall be at end of the last full lap completed by the lead rider before the stopping of the race,
c. Full points will be awarded.

Please update your Manual of Motorcycle Sport to reflect this change

(bold was my highlight, not off the MNZ email)

**jellywrestler** · 16th December 2017, 06:55

they can change rules on a safety basis, where is the safety bit then, i would have thought grabbing someone elses bike, or a bike that you'd done no laps on at all at the weekend wasn't the safest thing to do?

**scott411** · 16th December 2017, 07:01

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

they can change rules on a safety basis, where is the safety bit then, i would have thought grabbing someone elses bike, or a bike that you'd done no laps on at all at the weekend wasn't the safest thing to do?

I agree totally, dont see the safety aspect of this retroactive rule change,

**Grumph** · 16th December 2017, 08:04

Some's good - some's bad. Do not like the replacement bike idea at all.

**Grumph** · 16th December 2017, 13:19

Originally Posted by Grumph

Some's good - some's bad. Do not like the replacement bike idea at all.

Edit - on thinking it through, if a replacement bike is used, it's correct grid position is at the back of the field.
Unless someone's gone to the trouble of using two transponders and qualifying both bikes, the replacement won't have a time so should go to the back of the grid.
Built in penalty...

**Dave-** · 16th December 2017, 14:47

hey we're trying to reduce the cost of racing a superbike in new zealand.

You now need twice as many motorbikes.

Fuck I hate how this forum removes all caps, loses so much effect.

**Kickaha** · 16th December 2017, 15:40

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

they can change rules on a safety basis, where is the safety bit then,

There isn't one

Unlike the chest protector one they've been dicking about with for sidecars and won't give an answer on

**rustys** · 16th December 2017, 16:03

Originally Posted by Dave-

hey we're trying to reduce the cost of racing a superbike in new zealand.

You now need twice as many motorbikes.

Fuck I hate how this forum removes all caps, loses so much effect.

REPLACEMENT BIKE BE FUCKED......
Totally agree Dave, bit tough and unfair for the ones that don't have a spare bike. I think they need to relook at the "replacement bike" part as its going to cause more shit, and arguments. Don't like it at all. This part of the Rule obviously applies to all classes as well, come on MNZ have you got any brains!!!!!!!

**ellipsis** · 16th December 2017, 17:33

Originally Posted by rustys

MNZ have you got any brains!!!!!!!

...collectively there must be a few cells...they do manage to, ummm...do things...don't they?...

**malcy25** · 17th December 2017, 17:02

I can understand the logic of adding a bike change into the section they did. Think about it....the result has been declared null, that means it did not "happen"...we all start from a new beginning. Not allowing a machine replacement (and ANYONE can at that point) could have been seen as a negative impact on a rider who's machine has been damaged.

**Grumph** · 17th December 2017, 18:59

Originally Posted by malcy25

I can understand the logic of adding a bike change into the section they did. Think about it....the result has been declared null, that means it did not "happen"...we all start from a new beginning. Not allowing a machine replacement (and ANYONE can at that point) could have been seen as a negative impact on a rider who's machine has been damaged.

True - but as I've said earlier, that machine probably won't have a qualifying time so should start off the back....

It raises questions about identifying which machine is used if a rider has more than one - and those questions are not currently addressed anywhere in the rules AFAIK. Up to this point, if a rider has used one machine for qualifying and another for the race, he's been open to protest as not starting from the correct grid position...

**malcy25** · 17th December 2017, 20:13

Originally Posted by Grumph

True - but as I've said earlier, that machine probably won't have a qualifying time so should start off the back....

It raises questions about identifying which machine is used if a rider has more than one - and those questions are not currently addressed anywhere in the rules AFAIK. Up to this point, if a rider has used one machine for qualifying and another for the race, he's been open to protest as not starting from the correct grid position...

Is it the machine or the rider who earns the grid position? Under your example, I could take over some ones machine and grid position and possibly a front row position.....Bribery, corruption and a lot of cash could get me on the front row!!!!

Also read rule 6.9a it does say a rider can use an alternative machine. https://www.mnz.co.nz/docs/default-s...1.pdf?sfvrsn=2

**Grumph** · 17th December 2017, 20:26

Originally Posted by malcy25

Is it the machine or the rider who earns the grid position? Under your example, I could take over some ones machine and grid position and possibly a front row position.....Bribery, corruption and a lot of cash could get me on the front row!!!!

You've been to Greymouth then ?

I can't open the current rules on this computer - but the old version said machine change was possible if it was in the supp regs for that meeting.
That setup was designed for endurance races with multiple bike teams.
The common precedent is speedway where you've got 2 minutes to change bike - but that's with grid positions drawn from a hat...
It still needs further clarifying.

**malcy25** · 18th December 2017, 07:30

Originally Posted by Grumph

You've been to Greymouth then ?

I can't open the current rules on this computer - but the old version said machine change was possible if it was in the supp regs for that meeting.
That setup was designed for endurance races with multiple bike teams.
The common precedent is speedway where you've got 2 minutes to change bike - but that's with grid positions drawn from a hat...
It still needs further clarifying.

Dunno about Greymouth - I assume they use the same rule book! But flicking through the online road rule book last night while I was looking for some stuff I wanted to check for the 300, I had a look also around multiple bikes. That 6.9a was the only thing I found. I'm comfortable with how it is. Trying to change it could cause more issues than you would ever resolve.

**rustys** · 18th December 2017, 07:32

Originally Posted by malcy25

Is it the machine or the rider who earns the grid position? Under your example, I could take over some ones machine and grid position and possibly a front row position.....Bribery, corruption and a lot of cash could get me on the front row!!!!

Also read rule 6.9a it does say a rider can use an alternative machine. https://www.mnz.co.nz/docs/default-s...1.pdf?sfvrsn=2

(6.9a an aternative machine in OTHER races not the same Race.)