NZ track gets FIM approval.

[FROSTY:Me]

Nahh speedie all it really means is finally we will be able to have lotsa tracks available.
I'll be wanting to use hampton downs simply because its not an overnighter
Ohh and the real bonus
Being able to to franklin jockey club and leave the goat track forever

[James Deuce]

OAB (and others), I know what you're saying, but you're not taking into account the relative novelty of the motor car 40-50 years ago. That is how long ago it was that motor racing had a general public acceptance. People were also a great deal less risk averse, and our society hadn't been feminised yet.

I think interest will be restricted to petrol heads of the high brow variety and motorcyclists. The internal combustion powered vehicle and its supporters are on the negative side of the ledger in the general public acceptance stakes. How else can you explain people raving about a Toyota Prius?

I wouldn't be surprised to see 15,000 Aussies there. I would be surprised to see more then 5000 Kiwis there.

Because we are passionate about motorcycling we often fail to realise that the vast majority of the population see them as a queue jumping menance, or don't care at all. A motorcycle race, even a large International event will present connotative imagery that overwhelms the reality - the reality being a professional sport that makes more money at one event than the Super 12 has in it's entire existence. The public perception is stil, STILL brawling disgruntled bikers who like to smash stuff. Why would I put my family at risk at a motorcycle race? Damn animals.

Cars never had that imagery, and people of all shapes and sizes can identify with a car. That is why the International meetings of the '60s, supported by the success of the Bruce and Denny show engendered such huge support. A car now though, is a polluting, speeding menance. Despite the fact that it takes two whole cycles of Auckland's rush hour traffic to produce the same emmissions as a single early '70s Chrysler Valiant.

Now say that you'd built an International rugby stadium in Taupo and you'd get 50,000 for provincial games. I'd like to say it was different, but you can market like hell, and only the already converted will notice. The only way you'll get a big crowd is to schedule a Sth Africa vs NZ Rugby Union test match on the Infield between the 250 race and the Main event.

[TwoSeven]

The circuit does have some interesting elevation changes

Woot.

A down hill right with off camber would be real nice

[cowpoos]

How will this affect Hampton Downs? I mean TWO international circuits a few hours apart... What The..?

are you complaining robomedic ?

[denill]

Some MotoGP attendance info:

Over two million spectators watched the 17 MotoGP Grands Prix during the 2005 season, producing a record breaking average attendance of just under 120,000 spectators at each event.

The biggest weekend attendance of the season was at the opening round at Jerez in Spain with 237,232 fans shaking off the winter blues. Jerez also produced the biggest race day crowd of 127,089 - get booking for next year before it's too late.

Next most popular was last weekend's Valencia Grand Prix - which pulled in a total trackside audience of 222,312 and race day attendance of 124,520 - while the German Grand Prix joined the two Spanish venues at topping the 200,000 mark. The Sachsenring pulled in 216,417 over the weekend, with 95,364 fans on race day.

Of the new events, the return of the US GP at Laguna Seca was an overwhelming success with a total of 153,653 fans attending the event - and a consistent three-day split of 40,520 fans on Friday, 55,201 on Saturday and 57,932 on Sunday. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday were sold out in advance.

By contrast, the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix was attended by a total of 32,507 - with the race day crowd of 25,438 not being helped by heavy rain - while the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix attracted 21,420, of which 14,531 were present on race day.

However, the 'wooden spoon' award for lowest spectator attendance unsurprisingly again goes to Qatar, which improved on its 5,089 total attendance figure of 2004 by just 458 this year. In all, 402 spectators were present on Friday, 1,893 on Saturday and 3,251 on race day.

In terms of the three wet races - Estoril, Shanghai and Donington Park - it was the British fans that proved the most resilient, with 75,661 fans braving the appalling race day rain to watch Valentino Rossi take victory. Despite the weather, the race day crowd was just 6,430 down on last year.

[denill]

If Taupo was located in Spain it's MotoGP future would be assured......

Can't remember how many million dollars the Victorian state govt fronts up for motorcycle sport in PI. Someone may know?? But it has been stated that without that backing MotoGP would NOT be raced at PI..................

Don't expect Helen to match it though - so don't hold your breath for MotoGP to come to Taupo or Hampton Downs!!!!!!!!!!

[chris]

What is SST?

[chris]

Honda Rider's Club mag said they had input to track design from Aaron Slight in the hope of attracting Moto GP / Superbikes when done.

Can you post the quote?

[chris]

Aaron Slight was also at the inspection and to my knowledge has had considerable input into the circuit from a bike racing perspective..

What was your source? We haven't heard anything along these lines.

My understanding is that we are in with a serious chance, bearing in mind there are a number of other tracks around the world that would like to host a round as well.

There's the problem.

[denill]

What is SST?

Is it 'Sunday Star Times' ??

[onearmedbandit]

Yeah, Sunday Star Times.

[Pixie]

Plus we don't like fag sponsorship, even though this is dying out, and the locals WILL complain about the noise.

The only 'locals' that will complain about the noise will be Dorklanders with holiday homes in Taupo

[James Deuce]

The only 'locals' that will complain about the noise will be Dorklanders with holiday homes in Taupo

Exactly.

Nice reading between the lines.

But once again it will be a vocal, rich, minority with the potential to ruin a perfectly good idea.

[denill]

Some Phillip Island MotoGP weekend crowd attendance figures:
2001 - 40.960
2002 - 42.536
2003 - 87.154
2004 - 87.332
2005 - 88,961
Excuse for being cynical when I say NZ will not get anything like that attendance for as JIM2 wrote - MotoGP aint Rugby!!!!!!!!!!!!

[onearmedbandit]

Well I'm going to live ignorant of all the politics, costing, govt support issues and hope and hope that we will some day see the likes of a MotoGP event here. At least there is someone trying to acheive this.