Wairarapa Sprints - 24/9/06 and 26/11/06

[James Deuce]

The road condition is a major concern. It has a far more pronounced camber than the East-West access road, is narrower, gets drenched with bovine by-products more regularly than the stretch that is normally used on the East-West access road, spectating will be much more difficult and a lot less comfortable that the natural stadium created by the diversion embankment and I personally would not like to be pedalling a bike at 240km/hr (or a lot more in some cases) down that bumpy, badly surfaced and repaired road.

Taumata Island road would have been a much better bet if you wanted a course closer to a town. It has less traffic and a better surface and is slightly wider.

I know some of the residents too, and some people that live nearby and use the road. They are some of NZ's worst drivers and wouldn't notice a road closure, not unlike the HD riders that blundered on to the East-West access road a couple of years ago.

You haven't sold an argument that stacks up in my opinion.

I think the venue is flat out dangerous. I hope nothing goes wrong.

[Wasp]

your putting me off jim....

[James Deuce]

This event has been fantastic in the past because it allows amateurs to get out there and do some grass level motorsport in a controlled situation on their own bike without spending a fortune on a race prepped track bike. It's taken me three years to convince my wife that it is safe to take part, but no way in hell will she let me enter if it's held on Dalefield Rd.

So I have a personal stake in holding it somewhere else. I think this event and the Hillclimb are two of the best things in NZ Motorcycle Sport. The Bullshit stops and you get to benchmark yourself and go back next year with a goal, without having to commit the 10s of thousands normally needed for a National series, and given it's closed course nature, it is quite easy for us old blokes to get insurance cover for events on public roads on our street bikes.

Don't get me wrong, I'm utterly positive about the event. I just WISH I didn't have to work the Monday night the meeting was held and I could have raised my issues then. It makes me look like an overly critical negative bastard, but we all know about 20 alternative venues in the Wairarapa for this type of event.

[Cliffhanger Promo]

A well known local (ex road racer), and regular entrant of the event has tested the road and considers it suitable, but your comments will be raised at the meeting for discussion Jim2.

[James Deuce]

Understood. Would someone be able to let me know what section of road is being planned for use? Then I can avoid making more of an arse of myself.

[cowpoos]

Understood. Would someone be able to let me know what section of road is being planned for use? Then I can avoid making more of an arse of myself.

your more than welcome to come along to the next meeting jim....PM deano for details [I've forgotton]....more pepole there the merrier....its to be held at the greytown top pub...

[Sparky Bills]

So why has the venue been changed this year anyway??

[Dafe]

I must say, I was looking forward to the East-West venue. It does seem hard to beat as far as safety is concerned. The viewing bank is also top notch and very safe for spectators.
Some quite concerning words noted from Jim2.
I haven't seen this new venue myself, but the idea of more roadways and possibly more animals roaming loose isn't as inviting.
If the road is bumpier, definately not good.

As Sparky bills said, what is with the venue change?

I'll make an effort to check out the venue in the next few days. Not at highspeed though!

[skelstar]

Im guessing but I believe its something to do with making it a bit more accessable to the Carterton Public. More spectators maybe?

[kiwifruit]

i plan on being there, doubt i will go fast enuf to cause any worries

[Dafe]

Im guessing but I believe its something to do with making it a bit more accessable to the Carterton Public. More spectators maybe?

I thought the local Wairarapa folk weren't overly keen on the weenend Welly adventurers.

You may not want to show up then..... It would be like duck shooting season reopening, and we're the ducks!

[bladez]

i would love to enter but no gear and carnt ride as had op but if i did enter you would see one good whellie and a crash and blowen engine all at the same time

[MD]

So why has the venue been changed this year anyway??

Because Police were concerned that the E-W road encouraged speeding at the event in past years. I think secretly the Police want us to use a small round-about in future for the flying top speed runs. How about the Martinborough square? much safer.
And Jim2 ... enough mate, you're scaring me.
The starting point for the runs at the E-W Road (in 2004. I was away last yr)was a tad short and meant your first gear change was on the bend. Doesn't sound much but every fraction of a sec. counts. I asked the starting marshal to let us start a bit further back towards the bridge..no luck.
There was only one driveway on your left and they parked a white vehicle in it as a block. But bugger me if every time I approached it the speedo was up to 280+ by then and the thought that maybe someone WAS in it and about to pull out always freaked me out. So a dozen driveways is going to test the nerves, but hey cheers to the organisors for putting so much effort in for us to have fun. What a buzz it was seeing the speedo cap out at its limiter at 299kph just seconds before the first timing light. The satisfaction of knowing you reached the max. recorded for that bike/model by the journos

[Cliffhanger Promo]

Thanks for your support there MD.

Certainly spectator viewing was a factor in changing the venue - closer access to shops. The school facilities are also going to be used (toilets and hall), which will be good.

The start will be at about the old dairy factory heading West, but this is not yet set in concrete. The road will be checked prior to any runs occurring and swept of any stones and cowsh*t.

PR has already been carried out with local residents and there will be marshalls at every driveway.

To this end, we need about 12-15 marshalls (obviously less are required for the standing 1/4 as less of the roads will be used.)

We will gratefully accept names of volunteers NOW !! We do need your support. Obviously, if too many competitors find the road is not suitable, the venue could be changed for the November sprints.

However, Tony Sampson (ex road racer ) who won last years sprint with a top speed of 300+ kph has checked the road out and is happy with it.

Certificates will also be given to all entrants, indicating their top speed and standing 1/4 mile time.

[Deano]

The starting point for the runs at the E-W Road (in 2004. I was away last yr)was a tad short and meant your first gear change was on the bend. Doesn't sound much but every fraction of a sec. counts. I asked the starting marshal to let us start a bit further back towards the bridge..no luck.

Last year we started at the bridge and if I recall rightly, I was clicking between 2nd and 3rd going round the bend - that was pretty scary, coming out of the bend, hanging off the seat trying to keep the throttle full on. Not the best scenario I would have thought, but I got to see 298kph on the speedo at the end of the run.

I also hit a bump the year before and smacked the chin of my helmet into the tank. Must have missed it last year.

I haven't seen the road myself, so might check it out this weekend - I suggest anyone concerned about the state of the road and are thinking about entering do so as well.