How good is this for a junior development series?!

[slowpoke]

I reckon we'll have to get used to the Aussies strutting the world stage if this is anything to go by. With our lack of facilities close to major population centres I can't see anything comparable happening here. As a result our best and brightest are forced to play catch up once/if they finally make it overseas. This has been shamelessly pillaged from www.mcnews.com.au:

New Junior Series kicks off at Oran Park with Queensland young guns on top By, Trevor Hedge

Round one of the MRRDA’s (Motorcycle Road Racing Development Association) new Junior series debuted to an enthusiastic Oran Park crowd on the weekend, with young Queenslander Jake Horne coming out the overall winner on all counts.

A field of colourful Honda CBR150R’s took to the tar for their first outing in fine, clear conditions with 20 boys and 1 girl hopeful of making their mark.

Horne not only won the on-track racing points after an almighty battle with Dylan Mavin (QLD) and Matt Walters (NSW), but also scored enough points in the off track categories of the Red Bull Series to come away the leader.

In addition to racing, the 13 – 15 year old riders are judged on their marketability, attitude, character and skill by three judges, including Honda Privateer and 2004 Dual Superbike/ Supersport Champion Adam ‘Krusty’ Fergusson.

The NSW event was deemed to be very much a success by MRRDA Committee Chairman Paul Edwards, who said he believes this was the first road race on the national scene of what will undoubtedly produce a champion or two.

“One of the high points for me this weekend was talking to people from all over the country who came to show their support,” Edwards said.

“As for the racing, anybody who didn't catch some of that Junior battle between Jake, Dylan and the rest of the field missed out big time.”

“The race of the day has to go to the two boys in the Last Chance Qualifier who were fighting for the one spot in the Junior’s final.”

“You have to feel for young Alex Picket who, leading into the last corner must have thought that he had it, only to see Billy Hermans pull off the move of the day and ride around him and pip him on the line by inches.”

“I saw Barry Sheene try and do that to Kenny Roberts and he didn't do it as well as Billy did!”

“Everyone involved, including Honda and the other sponsors have been fantastic during this growth stage of this series,” said Edwards.

“We are continuing to receive fantastic feedback and interest from the riders, their families, sponsors and spectators, and will continue to make improvements wherever we can.”

“From humble beginnings this series will certainly continue to grow.”

[johnsv650]

how did the kiwi young ones go??

[MotoGirl]

With our lack of facilities close to major population centres I can't see anything comparable happening here. As a result our best and brightest are forced to play catch up once/if they finally make it overseas.

That is so cool, good on Aussie!
I'd love to encourage my future kids to participate in motorsport (of some description), but like you say, NZ just doesn't have the facilities other countries do.

[oyster]

Slowpoke and Motogirl. Suggest you read the latest Bike Rider Magazine. All your worries will be over.
This year will be the 3rd running of the Sportfotoz Cup. It features 9 races over 3 circuits, restricted to under 17 year olds in Streetstock.
About 40 teenagers competed in the National Championship support class, over the 3 South Island rounds.
The problem has little to do with geography or facilities. Is Oran park close to Queensland? This track is a 600m for Karts , in poor condition due to be closed this year. In contast, New Zealand has easy access to plenty of good tracks, especially down south.
The problem is that current riders and existing club cultures won't get off their arses and accept a bit of work to revitalise their favourite sport. If there is any effort, it's usually of the "Quick fix" variety, flogging the dead horse of trying to make instant champions from clubman riders. Sorry, there are no quick fixes, only 5 year plans.

John. The young New Zalanders finished 8th, 9th and 16th. The one in 16th did well to recover from an earlier ambulance ride from being wiped out from behind. All did really well in the context of 2 at least not having ridden (ever) on a 4 stroke or on a Kart Track.

[Flyno]

Well new zealand for a start dosent have the proper facilities to support motor racing.
The govt are to busy spending money on shit!
But auzzys our closet neighbours, we should be working with them more!

[Kickaha]

Well new zealand for a start dosent have the proper facilities to support motor racing.

What makes you say that?

[slowpoke]

I know it's a crap argument to compare us to Oz but realistically all their major population centres (+12million people, guessing here) have access to a track or tracks that are relatively close to them.
In NZ Christchurch has got great facilities with access to Ruapuna and Levels but the rest of the country is struggling:
Taupo, Manfeild and Teretonga are all built close to relatively small cities.
Our largest population centre has only got Pukekohe, an average circuit at best and not much chop at all on a streetstock (is there a short circuit available?)
Realistically there aren't many parents who are going to buy a road bike that gets very limited use and drive 2,3,4 hours each way for little Johnny or Jackie to have a squirt on something they may be sick of next month.
Hence mum and dad buy the kids a mud-der bike to roost around the back paddock instead and moto-X in NZ is going ahead in leaps and bounds. Drive anywhere on a weekend and you always see a stack of dirt bikes on utes and trailers etc.
The only plus is that dirt biking is an excellent grounding if they should decide to give road racing a go later in life.
It's that pyramid thing where you need lots of racers involved at club level to give an elite group at national level to forge the one or two extraordinary talents to go on to the world stage.
I take my hat off to all those involved in the junior development series, 'cos I know they do a largely thankless task.
Oyster, I'll have to pick up that BRM issue (I normally can't be bothered with it) and see what's happenin' with the youngsters. It's a pity there wasn't a junior series in the North Island, I reckon they'd be fun to watch.

[Ivan]

If all goes right that trip to Taupo 8 hours dont worry me,
I dont care about the costto go there and to race I do it because its my passion and want to go international,


This CBR cup is a great idea and is very similar to our street stock series,

If it was to run here I would run a control tire andsay aftermarket mufflers thats it nothing else leave it so stock and tires all the same as to make itfair and basically make it best rider on the day wins,

But this is exactly what Oyster is doing its a great idea,

[FROSTY:Me]

what oyster is doing is BLOODY FANTASTIC.
To be honest If I lived nearer a track suitable for 150ss (manfeild/Taupo)
Id be really trying to get the SS class revitalised