Nationals: Where the hell were ya?!

[slowpoke]

Having been out of the country for quite a few years this series was my first chance to get up close and personal with the top echelon of NZ Road Racing at the Nats.

First impressions I had as I walked into Manfeild:
1) where are all the racers?
2) where are all the spectators?
3) does lack of the former cause the lack of the latter?

Seriously, at the Vic Club meeting I managed to compete (poorly) at there were dirty tricks a plenty trying to secure a stable/pit box at sparrows fart in the morning whereas at the Nats they were three quarters empty at lunchtime, even allowing for a few more stand alone porta-shade style efforts. Whats with that?

Surely clubs should be encouraging entries to fill the grids, and surely competitors should want to be showing THEIR wares and their SPONSORS wares on the big stage? So where was everybody? And how do you go from tens of thousands of people at the Battle of the Streets to measely hundreds of people at the National series?

13-15 entries in the big bangers was a pretty poor effort I reckon. If WE can't be bothered showing up why would we expect any coverage from TV etc?

Ok, the Nationals may sound a bit daunting, so let's run a Clubmans' class to get a few bikes out there and give a stepping stone to the big show....but no, we run bloody go karts for a few demo laps instead. Cool as they are, they didn't race, and added nothing to the day.

I'm at a bit of a loss actually. Sam Smith was an obvious stand out, and Jay Lawrence had his moments, but who else looked like stepping in to fill the shoes of Ray Clee, Shaun Harris, Brian Bernard, Tony Rees etc? There's the old duo of Stroudy and Shirriffs then there's a long way back to Hayden Fitzgerald and an equally long way back to the rest.

Full credit to those who turned up and gave their all, but the question has to be asked: is NZ road racing at it's lowest ebb?

[Motu]

You want to know why there are no spectators? It's as boring as fuck,I'd rather ride my bike than watch unknowns on unknown bikes anominously go around a track where I can't get to a corner to watch the action.That's why they turn up to the street races in droves - up close with the riders and bikes...inches from the bikes as they go past.Road racing on the track is boring these days....but it didn't use to be.....

[Deano]

Slowpoke - are you interested in competing at the Cliffhanger Hillclimb (or marshalling/assisting perhaps) ? - the answer to your question may be partly in there. I'm not having a dig at you personally here, just raising a point.

There does seem to be an apathy about road racing. The hillclimb only managed 15 entries last year and the event was in danger of slipping away.

It's often a struggle to get marshals/assistants (just ask the Vic Club), and we were very lucky that the sprints were well supported in both areas.

Sponsors ? Even harder to get on board.

[avgas]

It too bloody expensive to race - with the exceptions of buckets. Its almost comparable to the speeding tickets you could get.

[Toast]

Where was I for the Nationals race meets? Working, in the hope that I can get enough money to buy time on the bike this year, and get out of debt enough to do the Nationals next year. Can't wait

[Macktheknife]

Where was I?
In the stands, on the field, at all the corners and the back straight, at the hairpin and at the pits. I was there, in the thick of it and loving it.
Motu, actually you can get to the corners at Puke, I did and so did lots of others, and it was cool to be right next to the track as the riders went by at what seemed like mach3.
But you are correct in saying that not many went, it was a disappointing turnout from the fans I thought.

[kickingzebra]

i was surveying the track from the comfort of the telefonibus

[slowpoke]

Slowpoke - are you interested in competing at the Cliffhanger Hillclimb (or marshalling/assisting perhaps) ? - the answer to your question may be partly in there. I'm not having a dig at you personally here, just raising a point.

There does seem to be an apathy about road racing. The hillclimb only managed 15 entries last year and the event was in danger of slipping away.

It's often a struggle to get marshals/assistants (just ask the Vic Club), and we were very lucky that the sprints were well supported in both areas.

Sponsors ? Even harder to get on board.

No worries Deano, I know where you are coming from. Yup, I've already entered for the Cliffhanger...and I'm already nervous!!

I actually made enquiries about a Clubman's event (I haven't done enough events to enter the Nat's races) at Manfeild only to find that they preferred a karting demo to wannabe racers getting wild and wobbly confusing their talents with their aspirations. I was even going to do a Contiki/Racing tour of the South Island Nat's rounds (those that ran a Clubman's class) until my bike decided to go "Not tonight dear, I've got a headache..." with a rooted cylinder head.

As for marshalling I've given it a go when I was back in Oz, and it is partly responsible for making me want to leap the barrier and have a go myself, it really is the best seat in the house and I highly recommend it to anyone.

15 entries for the hillclimb? It's such a bloody shame. This place (NZ in general and the 'rapa in particular) is biking heaven and that an event like this is even being run (thanks to people like Deano and co) is just awesome. There's definitely nothing like it in Western Australia and probably nothing like it in all of Oz. The views are fantastic, the location (complete with lake, for chrissakes) is perfect and no limits access to 20 something blissful corners is bloody hard to beat in this day and age. I've got my sights firmly set on being tail end charlie but any competition for that coveted spot would be warmly welcomed.

I don't mean to sound like a whiny bitch (although it IS coming up to that time of the month...) I'm just, er, kinda confused I guess. Compared to anything I've seen or heard of the Nat's and Cliffhanger are incredibly accessible, comparatively cheap (check out the price of a track day at Brands Hatch or Phillip Island or the mileage involved in following the series around the States or Oz), yet struggle for patronage.

We don't seem to realise how good we've got it...but how do you change that perception?

[skelstar]

I'm entering too SPoke. If I can do it anyone can. Its going to be fun just watching all the shit being slung.

[svs]

We don't seem to realise how good we've got it...but how do you change that perception?

if you have any stunning ideas let us, or MNZ know! i know we've got it good and cheap (as an ex-uk racer) but everyone over here winges about the cost!

are the club races too cheap? we keep the cost down as much as we can - and don't make any profit on the winter series, then when it comes to the nationals with a $200 entry fee people pull out.

as for the karts. well enough said, but they didn't listen to us (should run Clubmans or Streetstock we said) and the event was run by manfeild promotions - who like cars.

if we can make the racing less boring for the spectators then we will, but you got all sorts of safety stuff these days, and you ain't going to be banging fairings (much ) at club level - people gotta learn somewhere. The nats at manfeild were good for spectating. There were a bundle of close battles both at the front and further back in the field - and you can see the whole track at manfeild. and you aint going to get the sponsors until you start reaching people.

Personally i get to every race meet i can, whether it be club, amateur or professional. I'd prefer to be there than stuck in front of a tv. but that doesn't seem to be the done thing these days.

[Ivan]

yip I agree with you SVS,

So many people winge about costs racing is not cheap but if you want to do it the costs dont mean much.


Costsdont mean much when you come off the track buzzing because you just had the best race you feel means so much.


Go the Winter Series

[Sketchy_Racer]

I was there. #47 RS125.

I find it odd that you seem to write off the guys in the 125GP, and other classes as up and rising talent.

We have to start somewhere, And where do you think Jay and Sam came from? yep you guessed it.

pffft... 600s and 1000s... way overated. BRING BACK 250GP!!! Then there would be some racing.

No more boggy 'sports' bikes with sticky tyres. how about some race bred machines!

as fast as the 600s and 1000s are, i find them kinda boring to watch. Not very often is there REALLY REALLY close racing. and when there is, someone normaly crashes...

rant over

[svs]

go the 125's! nice to see some proper race bikes out there. close racing and carrying the corner speed.
but from a spectator point of view the soggy 600's and superbikes sliding and weaving look better from the sidelines.

[Goblin]

Costs dont mean much when you come off the track buzzing because you just had the best race you feel means so much.

Too true!

I was there. #47 RS125.

I find it odd that you seem to write off the guys in the 125GP, and other classes as up and rising talent.

We have to start somewhere, And where do you think Jay and Sam came from? yep you guessed it.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching you guys at Manfield. Missed you at Puke though. You're right Glen, the 125 and 250GP are true racing at it's best. Bring back the 250's! 600 supersport and Superbike classes are more about how much money one can pump into a bike whereas the 125's are all about rider ability and I like to see that more.

MNZ could also consider a Motard class at a national level as they attract a huge spectator following in the street circuits and club scene.

I was disappointed at how few racers and spectators were at Puke. Maybe Taupo would be a better option for spectator viewing and rider saftey.

[oyster]

At the Nationals you have 3 types. The older ones who developed in the days of popular 250 proddy and F3 where the playing feild was relatively level.
Many have had great careers but every year a few more retire. Then you have the no attachment / no kids give it all types who exercise their egos in a great and exciting sport. But because they never developed at an age that gave them real skill, they go well but never quite the top, and move on after a few years when the thrill fades, or the mortage / cost of raising a family catches up. Then finally the young ones, who have made it a passion while still at school. They really are the future, they have the time, developing physical and mental stages ideally suited to later skill at the highest level.
To get money, spectators and sponsors you need riders first, not the other way round. So, at present, it's the responsibilty of the clubs and senior riders to regenerate the sport, recruiting, training and encouraging youth.
We're getting there, the original Invercargill Junior programme feilded 6 teenage riders in the nats last year. This year year 6 of the top ten 125GP riders were teenagers. And who were the New Zealanders on the 600TT podium? Teenagers. Andrew and Craig had too look on from 4th and 5th.
And where did these teenagers come from? 125GP of course. Lets get to work before there's nothing left. The future is bright, but it'll take a lot of work, and probably 5 years of it. Get to it.