NZ track gets FIM approval.

[Pixie]

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.

The way to get Joe Dullard interested in motorcycle racing is to tell them that the hump in racers leathers is an oval ball, and the object of the race is to get it over the goal line on the start finish straight.
This they will understand

[denill]

Anyone who has reading this thread and who has not been to Phillip Island - get yourself there ASAP...........

On my first visit I was gobsmacked and came away convinced that it is far tooo big for NZ to do.

BUT - I will be VERY pleased to be proved wrong.........

[onearmedbandit]

WTF has rugby got to do with this? No really, forget about rugby for a minute. I realise that the game is no doubt our biggest spectator-draw sport, but that's because NZ has NEVER seen anything along the lines of a modern day MotoGP event. This is not just a motorcycle race at Puk or Ruapuna featuring riders that most people have never heard of before, but an internationally promoted world event backed by mega dollars. This aint no sunday arvo getting a can of coke and a hotdog and sitting on the grass watching a few bikes race past listening to a dying PA system overflowing with feedback. This is the MotoGP circus. To think only 5000 people would turn up is ridiculous. IMHO anyway.

Does anyone know the stats or know how to get hold of them easily regarding how many people tuned into Prime to watch the MotoGP? Remember this wasn't televised on TV3 or TVNZ with big fanfare and ceremony, but on little old Prime with average reception and almost no advertising, just word of mouth.

I think too many people are looking at why this won't happen, and with that attitude if it spreads it won't happen. No-one ever wins in life by convincing themselves that they can't do something. So talk about it to you workmates, your drinking mates, your family and friends. Build up the enthusiasm regarding what an amazing event this could be.

[Bartman10]

What's more the vic club are holding thier first round of next year's winter series there!

Now you too can have a go on the new full length international circuit for less than $100! Probably less than the price of admission to the GP. Imagine that.

[Racey Rider]

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.

We'll get SpeedMedic & Frosty on the job. "If you build it, they will come"
who said that?!

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

They'll be able to use HD to warm up the bikes before poping down to Taupo for the race.

Lets hope for a price war for track test days! :spudbooge 'How low can you go!'

[chris]

WTF has rugby got to do with this? No really, forget about rugby for a minute. I realise that the game is no doubt our biggest spectator-draw sport, but that's because NZ has NEVER seen anything along the lines of a modern day MotoGP event. This is not just a motorcycle race at Puk or Ruapuna featuring riders that most people have never heard of before, but an internationally promoted world event backed by mega dollars. This aint no sunday arvo getting a can of coke and a hotdog and sitting on the grass watching a few bikes race past listening to a dying PA system overflowing with feedback. This is the MotoGP circus. To think only 5000 people would turn up is ridiculous. IMHO anyway.

Does anyone know the stats or know how to get hold of them easily regarding how many people tuned into Prime to watch the MotoGP? Remember this wasn't televised on TV3 or TVNZ with big fanfare and ceremony, but on little old Prime with average reception and almost no advertising, just word of mouth.

I think too many people are looking at why this won't happen, and with that attitude if it spreads it won't happen. No-one ever wins in life by convincing themselves that they can't do something. So talk about it to you workmates, your drinking mates, your family and friends. Build up the enthusiasm regarding what an amazing event this could be.

As you could imagine, we would be very happy if MotoGP came to NZ. But we have to be realistic. KR staff members have been to MotoGP rounds the world over and have a pretty good idea about the sort of infrastructure needed to put on a MotoGP round.

I am still interested to know where some posters are getting their information.....

[onearmedbandit]

Chris I know we have to be realistic, but surely as someone is putting in the effort we all need to be behind them in support, not telling them it can't be done. What if Sir Ed Hillary listened to those that said climbing Everest was impossible, especially by a Kiwi?

[chris]

Chris I know we have to be realistic, but surely as someone is putting in the effort we all need to be behind them in support, not telling them it can't be done. What if Sir Ed Hillary listened to those that said climbing Everest was impossible, especially by a Kiwi?

We/I/Kiwi Rider are not saying it can't be done. I think you may well be surprised by how much cash the circuit owners would have to put up to get a round. They do have to pay you know.

I would be grateful if Trumpy and Highlander could tell me where they got there info from as even our sources can't confirm some of what they have posted. I also think Slighty might be a bit surprised.....

[chris]

Be bloody good if it did happen though.

[onearmedbandit]

Chris while I obviously don't know the full extent of the costs, I do realise that it would not be cheap to host. This is not our concern, nor is accommodation, traffic problems, upset locals, etc. What is our concern is as a group of motorcyclists we should be seen to be supporting this undertaking as best as possible. Yes I realise the chances of this event coming here are slim if not almost impossible, but as long as someone is working at making it possible I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

[onearmedbandit]

We/I/Kiwi Rider are not saying it can't be done. I think you may well be surprised by how much cash the circuit owners would have to put up to get a round. They do have to pay you know.

I would be grateful if Trumpy and Highlander could tell me where they got there info from as even our sources can't confirm some of what they have posted. I also think Slighty might be a bit surprised.....

Chris, just found this link-

Who is the guy looking over the FIM officials shoulder? Can't quite make him out...

[clint640]

MotoGP may be a long shot but I can tell ya the track is shaping up to be an awesome facility, I ride past quite often, there are definitely some elevation changes in there & the 2 track layout will be great for all the clubs.
Noise is not going to be much of a problem as the developers have bought the few surrounding properties that were zoned residential & there is a good buffer zone between the track & town.

Cheers
Clint

[TwoSeven]

My view is that it isnt simple to host an international event such as MotoGP and its not simply enought to just satisfy some minor technical rules and hope that everyone will suddenly turn up.

Roughly speaking from numbers i've heard off and on, it costs about $20m to build a track to the appropriate cross standards (each type of event hosted will have its own special requirements). Then you have to develop a media centre, team centers (including pits and hospitality) and the like. Barhain - the latest and most expensive circuit spent about us$150m for theirs just to host F1. NZ would be looking closer to about $40-60m for a full international circuit. Philip island would probably be the closed usable model. I suspect maybe $4-10m would be an initial development sum, just to get the circuit up to a minimum usable standard.

It it possible, yes - its been done in NZ before - americas cup would be the classic. Lets face it - boat racing isnt exactly a most popular sport here - but it was when it was promoted (look at all the tourists that turned up), and the overseas television rights.

Once you have built the circuit (and that would include bus/train/transport facilities as well), you also have to figure out how much it will cost just to maintain the place - after all, its still got to be productive after the event. So any commercial circuit would probably need to host the V8s, A1GP, SBK and any other major race sport they can get their hands on.

Sponsers - most circuits around the world are heavily sponsered - think of it like owning a race bike. You dont actually pay for it yourself, the sponsers by promotional space and you use the money/goods provided to run the bike. Ditto with circuits - who is the fuel sponser, tires, security, medical, airlines - how will their sponsership be presented, how are you going to measure the results (will they get value for money) - can you provide enough events at the circuit to ensure promo coverage.

You cant just have one circuit either. You have to have many, drag, mini-moto, dirt, car, speedway etc. And you have to have multi-event capability (thats where car racing might be on one track with speedway on at another). I think having a multi-track (a big track that can be split) is a good idea, it means you can have bike opendays and car open days at the same time. Getting the local cart folks and mini-moto folks in as well every weekend also brings in dollars. So you have to provide for all the facilities they require. They wont come if they have to pay for infrastructure development themselves.

Once you have done all that - you've still actually got to bid and pay for the rights to host the event. I'm sure purchasing a deal for hosting a few years worth of MotoGP isnt going to be cheap and there are only a limited number of races each year which means you have to compete against others. But again, its likely to be an other peoples money job too.

I wouldnt under-estimate the capability of NZ to achieve something like that, at the end of the day a good business plan and foreign investor can often do wonders.

[Motu]

What's our biggest bike meeting - Paeroa? Close to Auckland and in summer,next would be the Classic Festival held over 2 days.How many turn up to those meetings? OK,that's the best we can do.....will MotoGP draw much more? I doubt it.Personaly much as I'd love to go,I don't think I would - it's a long way for a day trip,I really,really hate big crowds and no way will I sit in a queue for ANYTHING.I'd rather go for a ride and come home and watch it on TV.....and if it's on SKY I won't even do that.

[onearmedbandit]

Exactly TwoSeven, and I'm sure every point you raise, and more, have been touched on by the promoters, developers, local govt, etc. Oh well, only time will tell aye.