Bartman at MotoGP Assen. Could it be done in NZ?

[Bartman10]

I went to the MotoGP at Assen last weekend. It was truly awesome. Especially the sound of the Ducati’s under brakes into the corners. Cool.

Jumped on the Train out of The Hague on Friday and picked up my mate from Amsterdam Airport. Then back on the train out to Assen, took about 2 hours, where quite a few motorcyclist types were gathered. Jumped on the bus from train station to the circuit and secured a campsite a few meters from the circuit and some pretty good tickets. Went to have a look at practise and Rossi was clearly struggling. Nikano and Hopkins were putting in some great speeds as was Stoner.

Went back into Assen on Friday night by bus for a bender at Heathcliff’s Rock Café. Managed to find a bus back to the camping ground at about 1am and get a bit of shuteye.

Woke up feeling surprisingly good on Saturday and had some chips with mayo for breakfast.

Got to the circuit just in time for MotoGP warm up.

The 125’s started and it was an exciting race particularly in the early stages. Great to see the KTM win.

250’s were also exciting with some great two stroke sounds and smells.

For the MotoGP a lot of people thought it would be Hopkins race and he was doing well for the first few laps, with the Zook showing it had the legs. Unfortunately it became obvious that the tyres were going off quite early on. A real shame, because a lot of people thought it would be Hoppers race, myself included. You know the rest anyway….

One great thing about the Netherlands is the public transport. An extensive train network spans the entire country. There is a direct train from the major airport at Amsterdam to Assen every half hour, even when the TT is not on, and there were busses that ran continuously between the train station and the circuit day and night. The camping and catering facilities were great and the place didn’t struggle with 100,000 people.

Anyway all this got me thinking about the possibility of the MotoGP at Taupo and that’s why I’ve included this little survey. I want to know how much you’d pay for a basic stand ticket. I recon the Assen organisers made about 15 million NZ dollars on ticket sales alone. Could Taupo ever hope to pull a crowd that will spend that kind of money? Does NZ have the infrastructure to support such an event?

I’ve got to say I’ve never seen anything like the organisation at Assen and although I hate to say it I doubt it could be done in NZ.

Your thoughts?

[Lazy7]

i heard the announcer say that the crowd attendance was ~139,000 over the weekend with 93,000 on race day...

thats not that many.

Puke beat that with the first supercars race we hosted.

I am not sure if the level of interest is the same for Motorbikes in NZ is all. Not seen new taupo so i cant comment. but the facilities at Puke are shocking. The Track maybe good at taupo but what are the stands, spectator facilities like?

motoGP in NZ - interesting call.

[Finn]

It will never happen in NZ. There are too many countries with much better facilities. NZ has nothing to offer.

Taupo are going to have to spend much more $137.56 on their track if they want to get the attention of MotoGP. It still looks like a shit hole.

[Devil]

After seeing all the coverage of these beautiful european tracks with their wide flowing corners, then thinking about the Taupo track...it seems like a goat track in comparison. I dont think it'd be fun to ride around Taupo on a MotoGP bike. On a 125cc maybe...

[Sparky Bills]

Nice thought, but will never happen in NZ.
I hate to say it, but why would those top racers want to com ride on our goat tracks?


We dont have the money or organisation to run such an event.

[Motu]

I'm pretty sure I'm important enough to get a complimentary ticket to the Executive Stand - so no,I wouldn't pay for a ticket,I'd be insulted if I wasn't invited...

[Youngjim]

If I remember correctly, the last time I was at Phillip Island for the MotoGP two years ago it was A$70 for the entry fee.

[chris]

I recon the Assen organisers made about 15 million NZ dollars on ticket sales alone.

They probably took 15 million in ticket sales but made significantly less. I would imagine that Dorna would take a large slice of that. The circuits have to pay to host a round, just as in F1.

["D" FZ1]

Moto GP at Philip Island last year cost us $135.00 each for general admission. I think it was about $250.00 for a seat in one of the many stands.

[Cleve]

It will never happen in NZ as we dont allow tobacco sponsorship. The only new countries getting new GPs are those that allow that.

[Cleve]

Went to Qatar GP this year and it cost me about NZ$50. Am going to Brno GP later this year and my ticket will cost about NZ$200.

[Finn]

Went to Qatar GP this year and it cost me about NZ$50. Am going to Brno GP later this year and my ticket will cost about NZ$200.

Don't forget to add your airfares into that Dr Cullen.

[Cleve]

Ah well if I was the good doctor C I would be doing it for free on the back of the hard working taxpayer...
Happen to be able to concide work trips every now and then to locations that have GP's at about same time as a GP is on...

[roogazza]

I did two in 05. Mugello was 145 euro for three days and down to Catalunya the following week, it was only 57 euro for the three !!!!!!!! Gaz.

[slowpoke]

Can't see it ever happening....at Taupo anyway. The track is too much like a go-kart track through the infield and it's too far from a major airport and/or population centre.
Where the hell are 10,000 let alone 100,000 people going to stay?
The inability to promote tobacco products will count against it too.
Now, lets stop dreamin' and get onto fix'n those bloody potholes at Manfeild....