NZ track gets FIM approval.

[onearmedbandit]

In todays SST (how come this is the only media outlet that carries info regarding this development??) it is reported that Denis Someone, official track inspecter for the FIM, has spent 2 days checking out Taupo's new track development and given it the thumbs up. There is hope for a MotoGP round to be held here in 2007.

Fuck I hope this goes ahead. Despite all the naysayers here saying it wont/couldn't/can't happen here there is a team of dedicated people working very hard to prove you wrong. A New Zealand round of the MotoGP would be fucking unreal. As soon as it's comfirmed I'll be booking the time off work.

[TwoSeven]

hopefully they put some elevations in the track to make it interesting - and did the chap give it a thumbs up for cars or for bikes ?

[onearmedbandit]

TwoSeven - FIM, not FIA.

[Highlander]

As soon as it's comfirmed I'll be booking the time off work.

Mee tooo. Couldn't keep me away from somint like that.

[Toast]

That would be the booomb!! I'm not being too hopeful, but if it happens, nothing's gonna stop me from being there.

[Highlander]

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.

[trumpy]

The inspector was Mr Claude Danis. As well as being FIM's track inspector he is also a safety officer for both MotoGP and World Superbikes and is President of the FIM Road Racing Commission and yes, Aaron Slight was also at the inspection and to my knowledge has had considerable input into the circuit from a bike racing perspective.
A round of the MotoGP would be huge not only for Taupo but for the whole country. It is not unusual for European MotoGP rounds to attract 110,000 to 120,000 spectators with a worldwide viewing audience of 120 to 150 million! Big stuff indeed. 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.

[onearmedbandit]

From what I've heard the FIM is very interested in making the series a true World Championship even if it means dropping some of the Euro rounds to include more races in our neck of the woods. Also to those who may say that the attendence numbers here will not be enough, I think it was Istanbul this year that had only 15,000-20,000 spectators.

[TwoSeven]

TwoSeven - FIM, not FIA.

Yes, I know who the chap is

My question is who has the vested interest (ie. who funded the track) - car racers or bike racers.

Put it another way, is it a purpose built bike track like brands which can run cars, or is it a car track that can also run bikes. It makes a difference to the quality of the racing

[James Deuce]

From what I've heard the FIM is very interested in making the series a true World Championship even if it means dropping some of the Euro rounds to include more races in our neck of the woods. Also to those who may say that the attendence numbers here will not be enough, I think it was Istanbul this year that had only 15,000-20,000 spectators.

Yep but you can drive to Instanbul from anywhere in the Eurasian/African/Indian continents and subcontinent, plus Turkey's economy makes ours look like a coffee ground on a white banquet table cloth. It will cost a fortune to fly to NZ, and for what? No sponsorship coverage except for a 3 minute spot on the news, and the already converted to mortorcycle racing at the track.

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

If we got 15,000-20,000 physical bodies to turn up I would be astounded. 5000 is a HUUUUUUGE turn out for a motor sport event in NZ. Taupo will need covered stands, cafes, bars, proper parking, and multiple access roads.

I'd love to get Superbikes or MotoGP here though. That would be bloody brillliant.

[Highlander]

Yes it would make a difference if the track was designed for cars or bikes, but would be well worth going to watch racers of that calibre either way.

[pritch]

If we got 15,000-20,000 physical bodies to turn up I would be astounded. 5000 is a HUUUUUUGE turn out for a motor sport event in NZ. Taupo will need covered stands, cafes, bars, proper parking, and multiple access roads.

These days a huuuuuuge attendance may be 5000, but I do seem to recall much bigger numbers waaaay back when we had multiple world champions racing here.

OK, that was car racing but as long as TV coverage keeps happening so that people are aware of who's who it could all happen again. I would travel a long way further than Taupo to see a Moto GP (have recently been considering Phillip Island)

My understanding is that the track is to have undulations in the new section and there is to be provision for corporate hospitality. They do seem to be going the whole nine yards with this

[onearmedbandit]

I think you'd find if it was marketed properly Jim2 an easy 15,000-20,000 people would turn up. Think about, the circus of MotoGP coming to town. People who are not even interested in motorcycling will turn up just to be 'there', guys who ride all sorts of bikes will be there, people who have even a passing interst in bikes will be there, NZ 'celebrities' will be there, I dear say KB will be dead that weekend except from posting on pda's from the event and at 4 in the morning when you make it back your accomadation pissed and log on to talk drunken shit. This would not be a poorly marketed event the likes of which we have over due to budget restraints, it would also be not only a 'motorcycle race'. This would be a weekend out for all, the worlds sporting media on our doorstep and THE best motorcylists in the world sitting on our sofa watching our tv.

Sure it won't be cheap to host, sure it wont be as big or as profitable as any race anywhere else, sure the locals will complain, sure the roads will be gridlocked, sure the accomadation and food will be overpriced, but by sure will it be the biggest, most fuck-off motorsport event this country has ever seen.

[FROSTY:Me]

I Was just talking to Taupo car club.
The track is intended to be multifunction.
1)DRAG STRIP
2)2x club circuits able to be run simutanously -1 being the old track 1 being the new track
3) full international length curcuit for national or international level racing
5)motorsport focussed industrial area alongside the new circuit.

There will be some permanant stands but facilities to allow for temporrary stands.
Ripple strips are to be suitable for open wheel race cars so Should be smooth
The circuit does have some interesting elevation changes
Sand traps to international standard are being used

[Matt Bleck]

OAB is right this will be the biggest motoring event in NZ since..... well buggered if I know... but it's along time.

All we can do is hope and pray that Rossi stays in the GP long enough for me to see him in the flesh!!

Amen, Praise the Lord, Hallejuah!!