NZs next World Road Race Champion?

[gav]

Jay Lawrence is going to be definetly

Hell, I thought it was going to be you??????

[BarryG]

It seems to me that a lot of roadracers come from a motocross (or dirt in US) background. Is MX more popular in NZ? Perhaps, if it is, it's because its a lot easier getting into dirt biking at an early age because of the necessity for licensing for a road bike, which carries with an age limit (16 in NZ?),
Surely the money angle has been a factor from time immemorial? The good ones have overcome that, they seem to show promise and talent and then get rides on the basis of ability. I'm thinking more of US and Australia, as being somewhat more generally affluent than NZ, perhaps, but I think most blokes starting out have the drive or will to get beyond that. We've had MX world champions very recently, but nobody in road racing since Aaron Slight (except Paul Anstey(?) at the TT). Please correct me on this, BTW. I don't know how you translate the heroics of the blokes who succeed overseas into the desire for someone else to see this and get really committed to emulate. TV/media has always been ambivalent to motorcycle racing, certainly in US, and likley the same in NZ, altho' I wonder if the Aussies have more coverage because of the Gardners, Doohans etc. They also have world champ races, which NZ doesn't (now).
Sorry, no ideas as to how to get kids from MX to road racing, but that's probably the best route to take.
Cheers
Barry

[Fluffy Cat]

Hey!.
Did anyone read my post on drifting?.
Its a very new sport.
It attracts young drivers in droves and 5000 peeps turned up for the champs.
Dont give people shit for not turning up for AGMs as there are things called lives and work(whilst you were at the AGM i was busy helping someone get a new hip).
How about more comunication at the events ie get some feed back from riders at races.
I started racing last year and it was due to KK he got me going and got me there.
Did the club say high or heres how we race put this yellow bib on etc nah stuff all no imput.
Look at whats happening in other places ie 1 day licences.Stock 600 racing etc.
And better races instead of 6 lap sprints which are over before they start.

[k14]

Hell, I thought it was going to be you??????

No silly, he's just going to bypass the nz champs and go straight to the world champs, gee

[Sparky Bills]

TV, Sponsors and money!
I find it sad that Prime TV can show the Ozzy Superbike Champs (bloody good racing by the way), but not say anything about New Zealand Superbike champs.

Whats up with that??
We are keeping up to date with whats happening over seas and forgetting the racing here.

With no tv, there are no new sponsors and with no sponsors, there is no money! It all works hand in hand.

Im 21, I have been racing for 2years now. The only reason i can race is cause i work in a bike shop, who lets me ride on of their race bikes. If i didnt have that, i couldnt afford to race.
I dont know how some of these younger guys do it.

[Brian d marge]

Family , Family Family ....

I havent photos of the pocket bikes or race bike Meetings here but I have some of MX
When I go to these meetings all I see is Familys , They set out the deck chairs mum and the kids Dad helps the kids with the bikes ,,etc and it will be family support that will get you there ,
Working part time for pack and save ,,,wont help if Dad dont sign the HP form
I Competed in a 4 hour event in Nelson before I came here ...We tore the valves out of a the inner tubes and hadnt bought enough replacements ,, Well I cant say enough of how kind everyone was ....and for me the thing I really noticed was afterwards there was none of this standing around looking cool or whatever ,,,everyone was chatting away ,,and I felt safe to say things like I couldnt do that ,,wow that was tough ,,,with out getting that ,,famous line what are ya ,,,,,,,,
I think this is what Motul is saying ,,,its just FUN for everyone , mum dad and the kids ..all come back talking excitedly about differing things ...
Ruapuna on a cold saturday ,,,,yeah right, Thats not entertainment thats perverse !!!!!!
Well thats what I see here anyway , and have seen at the MX I have competd in In NZ ,,,,The UK is a bit more business like ( but I wasa mechanic and didnt get out much so cant really say how the family was invovlved )

Stephen

[Kwaka-Kid]

Two Smoker

[Ivan]

No silly, he's just going to bypass the nz champs and go straight to the world champs, gee

Yeah and I have allready signed a contract to race and develop the Malaguti 125 and also race the KR Proton for Kenny Roberts SR

[Ivan]

TV, Sponsors and money!
I find it sad that Prime TV can show the Ozzy Superbike Champs (bloody good racing by the way), but not say anything about New Zealand Superbike champs.

Whats up with that??
We are keeping up to date with whats happening over seas and forgetting the racing here.

With no tv, there are no new sponsors and with no sponsors, there is no money! It all works hand in hand.

Im 21, I have been racing for 2years now. The only reason i can race is cause i work in a bike shop, who lets me ride on of their race bikes. If i didnt have that, i couldnt afford to race.
I dont know how some of these younger guys do it.

Mum and Dad and a real good bikeshop who get there gear through Darbi and I know Andrew well

[gav]

TV, Sponsors and money!
I find it sad that Prime TV can show the Ozzy Superbike Champs (bloody good racing by the way), but not say anything about New Zealand Superbike champs.

Whats up with that??
We are keeping up to date with whats happening over seas and forgetting the racing here.

With no tv, there are no new sponsors and with no sponsors, there is no money! It all works hand in hand.

Im 21, I have been racing for 2years now. The only reason i can race is cause i work in a bike shop, who lets me ride on of their race bikes. If i didnt have that, i couldnt afford to race.
I dont know how some of these younger guys do it.

Maybe the fact there is no NZ Superbike racing at the moment? dunno, just a random thought.....
Thought Sky gave pretty good coverage of NZ road racing last season?

[Ivan]

Sucks they didnt show 125GP