Open Letter to MNZ

[Orbit]

Feel free to pass comments / suggestions.


Open letter to Motorcycling New Zealand and its members.

Now that the dust has settled from the 2005-2006 NZ Road Race Series, the time has come to face the fact that the 250GP class has run out of breath, for the time being at least. A great shame really, as these fabulous pure bred race bikes are probably as close to a perfect 2 wheel race package you’ll ever get.

For sure they have their detractors with their personal agendas, but I suspect very little is based upon knowledge, fact or experience.

It is commonly accepted that the sport is controlled by the Motorcycle Industry within NZ with both Production Superbike and 600 Sport Production promoted as the premier categories by the industry through MNZ. Short term this is good for the 12-15 competitors that benefit most from the industry backing, but long term it won’t put bums on bikes, as most are unlikely to make the commitment to be competitive at this level for many and varied reasons. The reason most often mentioned by the 600cc S.P competitors is unless you have the most recent model, it is very difficult to run at the front in this ultra competitive category. What happens to those that loose the competitive edge?

It appears to me that 250GP, SV650’s and pre 2002 600cc bikes are running similar lap times, and no doubt other models such as the ER6 could be eligible for what I propose to be the new Formula 2 category. This I believe would help to negate several problems within our sport as it now stands.

Proposed Formula 2 category

1 To provide a home for the 250GP riders. (To retain bums on bikes)

2 To cater for the older, less competitive 600cc machines. (May see ex competitors return. Even more bums on bikes)

3 Remove the SV650’s from Formula 3, thereby allowing the 400’s to return to 400cc instead of the disastrous 450cc configuration currently used. (Will improve reliability and therefore retain bums on bikes)

4 Could cater for bikes not eligible for current class’s such as the ER6, Ducati 800cc 2 valve and others. (Guess what, more bums on bikes yet again)

5 The proposed Formula 2 category would provide a sight and sounds not exhibited by the other categories, due to their sameness. (Good spectator appeal)


Need I remind MNZ and its officers, you are there as and only to represent the membership. It is your function to get amongst the competitors and work with us to build the classes for the betterment of the sport long term.
It is not acceptable for you to dictate what you think is best for me and fellow members / competitors, especially if our interests are secondary to commercial interests.

I urge fellow competitors and MNZ and its officers, to look seriously at this proposal and start discussions now with those most affected, for the future of Road Racing.


Regards,
Vaughan Simmonds

P.S Another proposal specifically for the 250GP class is to open it up to allow 125GP to also race in this class, as per the U.S.G.P.U.

[enigma51]

edit: Mistake had to read again about the 650s stay as you are

[svs]

Sorry. Don't agree, but you're entitled to your opinion and if I get outvoted by the majority, then so be it....

Why don't I agree:

• 250GP and pre 2002 600 are similar speeds, but not the SV's - they're about 20bhp down on a mid-nineties 600. Just get reamed on the straights
• The Newest 400's are 10 years old now (I think the last ones were the '97 GSXR-400). The 650 twins are cheaper to buy and run than these bikes

You make some good points about retaining bums on seats, but if you want to keep classes flexible with a variety of bikes, then go to a A,B,C,D grade system like the Suzuki Series some years ago.
If you want classes based on bikes then you need to ensure similar machinery so it becomes a 'fastest rider wins' class.
My thoughts: Leave F2 (600 Sports Production as is). F3 should allow 650 twins (but maybe not the free for all with internal mods as the current system). The 400s should be allowed to grow old gracefully. Many are now turning up in post-classic

[FROSTY:Me]

sorry dude i dont agree --Why has 250 gp diied?? Simply because people dont wanna ride the bikes.it was a pretty good class so where have all these 250's gone??
But I do agree with your right to express your opinion

[Sketchy_Racer]

to be honest, it sounds like a cool class to me. The bikes may not be so equal but there would be some cool battles in the mix

[k14]

sorry dude i dont agree --Why has 250 gp diied?? Simply because people dont wanna ride the bikes.it was a pretty good class so where have all these 250's gone??
But I do agree with your right to express your opinion

The 250 class has died cause they cost too much to run and there is no decent competiton in the class. A 600 is about the same cost to run, less maintenance and miles ahead in the competiton stakes.

My 2c, drop 250gp all together, harsh I know but needs to be done. Replace it with 150 streetstock. At the ruapuna round of the nats, there were like 25+ 150's, I think it was either the biggest or 2nd biggest class. Also creates a good path to progress up the classes. 150 to 125GP to 600's. All of the young'ns in 600's (Sam Smith, Dom Jones, Steve Wood etc) all came from 125 so I don't think there needs to be another intermediate step. The main goal should be to develop youth up to send off overseas. With the current state of play its fairly obvious that 600's are the most cost efficient way of doing this, and the 125GP/150SS classes below 600 are a good way to develop the skills needed to do well.