Aprilia Cup : National Round Racing

[Bren_chch]

POSTED on behalf of....

P.O.Box 28044 Beckenham Christchurch
New Zealand

Aprilia Cup

Hi everyone, Red here.

I have one or two idea’s that I have been quietly working on and now thought that it would be a good time to sound them out to every body, to get some feedback and also, hopefully then be able to put something into place.

With regards to the Road Racing in New Zealand, it is now traveling down the right path I think. Maybe not quick enough for some people and maybe too quick for others. But at the end of the day, I think that it is heading in the right direction.

With regards to road racing itself and the reason I very much enjoy it, is that it can challenge you and bring out the best in someone. Also, you can have major enjoyment with it. And at the end of the day, if we are not truly enjoying it, then in the end we will stop racing.

I am sure that there are people out there who want to race but aren’t for what ever reason, and others who are racing but only getting out every so often, and when they do they may struggle some what, mainly because they just are not getting out as many times as they should.

Some people are pulling back from racing for money reasons and also, not been quite able to compete against possibly people and teams that are better resourced.

What I would like to put forward to everyone is a new race class. This class would be called the Aprilia Cup and would consist of only (at the present time) Aprilia Tuono R motorcycles.

This class would be very tightly controlled, with minimal changes allowed to the bikes and a controlled tyre.

I have been in talks with Aprilia about been able to supply 2007 Tuono R’s… with the package would be a spare set of rims, crash bungs, race fairing for the nose and belly pan, revalving for the front forks, a spare clutch, brake, foot brake and gear lever.

Also supplied would be a set of Slip on Mufflers, like Akaprovic.

The only other modifications allowed will be front and rear springs and valving if so desired, to the front forks and rear shock, but no cartridge kits at all, sprockets and chain, clip on’s, rear sets, and Power Commander.

Riders 100kg and over could be given the option of running a full exhaust system, which will give them approximately 5hp at the wheel more. This is to help the heavier guys compete as close as possible to the lighter guys… (Or girls, which would be cool).

Fuel would be pump 98. Controlled tyres would be Dunlop 209 GP’s. I would offer 2 different rear compounds and one front compound. Also, only one tyre (both front and rear) would be allowed to be used for all three races (yes, they can last… I have tested them with over 60 laps on the one rear.) With that said you will be able to use as many tyres as you want through practice and qualifying.

So, the aim is to get people that think there is merit in the idea talking and then if there is enough interest from enough people and these people want to step up to the plate then Aprilia would bring in 12, 16, or whatever number was needed, as long as there are a minimum of 12 persons signed up for the Aprilia Cup.

The people wanting to race in this class would get a very good deal through their local dealer, with everything coming as a complete package. Tyres would be another cost but it would also be up to the individual rider on how many tyres they wanted to use.

To not muck myself around or Aprilia I propose that anyone who wanted to order one of these bikes, would have to front up with a cash deposit ( amount to be worked out), as well as signing an agreement to compete in all 5 rounds of the Aprilia Cup through next seasons National Superbike Championship.

Since these bikes would also be coming (of course) with all their road gear and could also be used on the road (two bikes in one, really easy to change back and forth), then those ordering these bikes at the “Special Race Deal” would sign the 5 round race agreement contract so that people were not just coming along and purchasing one of these bikes to just ride on the road and not pay the proper cost to the dealers.

This deal is ONLY for people prepared to race in the 5 rounds. If something happened to you during this time and you couldn’t race, then this would be taken into account.

There are of course quite a few people out there already with Tuono’s who may want to race also. This would be great, but to keep it fair, things would need to be looked at, especially with people who already (or in the future) own the Tuono Factory with the Ohlins suspension. If there were enough Factory bikes out there on the track, then possibly they could run as a class within the main class.

Or, if there were not enough, then some type of points, where possibly they do not receive as many points as an R model Tuono, that comes either 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc.

Again, thoughts on this please.

Ok everyone, have a think about all this. It would be great to hear “good” comments if possible, to make this work. I think it could (and would) become a fantastic class to race in. Giving everyone a good fair chance of being competitive, having heaps of enjoyment and increasing their race craft.

For those that don’t know… to build a competitive Superbike (including the purchase of the bike) is around the $42-45,000 mark. To build a competitive 600; $32-35,000.

I am hoping that this deal with the spares etc, could be around the $23-24,000 mark, but do not quote me on that… as the figure given is just what I am hoping the cost will be around… or possibly even better!!!

There would need to be some fine tuning to make this work. Also, the entry fee for each round would be higher than a normal supporting class. But this extra money would help go to providing a large marquee and generator for the Aprilia Cup competitors etc.

The other thought… Aprilia SXV 550 Cup for owners of the 550 which will be along the same lines as above. Possible that this model could race in the same race, but again, be a “sub” class within the Aprilia Cup. Also, would people on the 450 want to race against people on the 550’s??

A safety concern would be the speed difference between the smaller bikes and bigger bikes, not corner speed, but straight line speed………..this would need to be taken into consideration as well.

Oh, one more thought. I am sure that there will be people asking why not let in “Make of Bike or this Make of Bike.” In the future this could be a possibility, but at the moment we need to remember the phrase K.I.S.S… If we can do this first, then things will be easier to look at changing in the future, but only if there was a need.

Ok, thanks guys. Let me know your thoughts please.

Ta,
Red.

triple.r@clear.net.nz

[flame]

Fantastic idea! It would be great to have a big twin class I already race an RSV Aprilia.....would there be a chance of making the class open to all Aprilia's?
Or all litre V-twins perhaps.......just a thought.

[skelstar]

Or all litre V-twins perhaps

I thought they were already going to do this during the Nats series? Phasing out the SV650s out of F3.

[flame]

I thought they were already going to do this during the Nats series? Phasing out the SV650s out of F3.

There's talk of that, but it's not for the 1000cc bikes as far as Im aware

[skelstar]

Go Team Aprilia(s)!!!

[skelstar]

Yeah...Pro-Twins is what I was thinking about...

Guess they can't call it 'Prod Twins'.

[flame]

I would have thought that BEARS already caters for most open class V-twins, with the exception of course of the suzuki v twins etc.

True dat, however it'd be great to ride in a specific class for Aprilia, since as the Tuono is also eligible for other Bears classes as well, yet has very similar specs to the RSV, therefore a combination would make for some entertaining results. Also, it would give people a little more choice, not all the punters may prefer to outlay the dosh for a naked bike, those who prefer faired bikes could play too, and bring up the numbers.

[skelstar]

So its the Tuono R for cost reasons (i.e. instead of RSVR)?

[flame]

So its the Tuono R for cost reasons (i.e. instead of RSVR)?

That avatar skels??????? ya do realize there's a real purrrrdy Tuono that comes out with "orange" bling bits

[skelstar]

Think I saw it at TSS yest. Not my thing.

[steveyb]

One model or type racing is a really good idea and works overseas in many places. In NZ however, the last class that really worked in this regard was 250 Production. But over the past few years other initiatives have been tried and not worked out so well with maybe the exception of Streetstock. One of the reasons for this I think, is that NZers are on the idividualistic side and prefer to do something different to what the other guy is doing.

MNZ announced the introduction this year (at AGM) of a new Pro Twins class which will have minimal mods allowed, ie rear shock, fork valves and emulators where applicable, exhaust and fairings, Power Commander and final drive gearing, that's it. This allows riders of any budget to get into the class. This class it would seem (hmmm, I seem to rememeber one P Fenton promoting this a few years ago!! ) would really fill this space even though it is not one make, it is really one type with similar performance levels.

Of course, the same rules apply though, if you want to win, you spend the bucks, that is motorsport!!!! Don't anyone start complaining when someone beats you cos you are riding a standard 6 year old $5k SV650 and the other guy has a brand new one with the best exhaust etc on it!!!

Eligible models it seems will be homologoated, but one would imagine will be SV650, ER650, Raptor, GT650 and a Honda and Yamaha if they decide to make one.
I personally don't think that there is room to do anything else at this time.

Good on you Peter for keeping the faith and keeping your thinking cap on. Cheers.

Enjoy, ;-)

Steve

[slowpoke]

Great idea. The bikes are slightly exotic, not horrendously expensive, quick, sound fantastic, look good, and the racing should be close.

Has any thought been given to allowing earlier models to compete or would it be strictly '07 models?

Checking out the Tardme-opedia sees a range of earlier bikes from $12k for an '03 through to $15k for an '04 R model. That looks like a shitload of fun for that sort of dosh when there is bugger all required in the way of race prep.

[Bren_chch]

Posted on behalf...

Thanks for the replies so far. Answers for you............In the past I have done a Pro-Twins class, which was opened to all Sport Twins, both Air Cooled and Liquid cooled, but to be honest, I was not well supported with it, even though I put up good prize money.

This time I thought that I would start off with a simpler idea...........along the lines of the Pro Twins 650 class that is going to start up for next season, which I do think will be a great entry level for a lot of young people, plus for people who just like to race, what ever your age.

With having a one make series, right away you are making the playing field alot more level........maybe not quite smooth, but pretty close.
So that is why at this stage, I would only want to run with the Aprilia Tuono's. So no RSVR's etc. Even though corner speeds would be the same between both bikes, the RSVR would pull away on the straights, so there by putting the Tuono riders at a disadvantage.
Plus there is the price difference between the RSVR's and Tuono's..........there would be a far better deal dollar wise with running the Tuono's.
Also, having the control tyre evens up the field even more and also brings the cost of the tyres down to a level that makes it easier for everyone.

Sadly BEARS doesn't have a full National Championship, which runs at all of the tracks, so, I think to have a championship tied in with the NZ Superbike Championship, been able to have TV coverage, would be a good thing. And, I would bet my bottom dollar, that people who raced in the Aprilia Cup format, would end up picking up better race craft and speed, than just racing at BEARS races.
With regards to the 450's and 550's.........it would be great to have enough riders of both bikes to race in a SMX Aprilia Class, because I think the difference between the 2 bikes is marginal and some where like Levels race trace and Manfield, the 450's could have it. So maybe there would be marginal difference in speed.
The speed difference I was meaning was if the 450/550's ran with the Tuono's.

Also, I think having something like an Aprilia Cup, would also create a great class between the new 650 class and the Superbikes and 600's. As I said, cost wise, this Aprilia Cup class would be cheaper than building a 600 and a HEAP cheaper than building a Superbike.

Plus, Anyone with a Tuono can enter, so if you had an 03 etc, with slip on pipes etc, then yes, these bikes can run as well. If I was able to get 12 or so people who wanted to run the 2007 Tuono's, then I know Aprilia would do a great deal on these bikes, along with the spare wheels and parts etc........

With people wanting to race their earlier model Tuono, I could do back to back dyno work between the models and then see if letting the earlier bikes run a full exhaust system and Air Box mod, would then allow them to produce close to the power of the 2007's...........Again, to keep the racing close and fast. Plus, people can buy the earlier Tuono's for not so bad prices now, so you are getting a great bike, that is Italian, can race in a Series against very similar bikes and compete. Plus race it in BEARS and also very easierly put the road gear on it for a weekend of road riding..................Great I reckon.

I would really like to make this happen if possible, as I think it would end up been very competitive, a huge amount of fun and really help create interest in our sport. I would front up with money to help sponsor the whole Series, plus I feel very positive that I could also bring in other sponsorship to it. Thus hopefully helping bringing everyone's total racing costs down...................like having a Large Marquee for all Aprilia Cup riders, food, power, etc

Remember what I said, it does not have to be only 2007 model Tuono's, they can be earlier years as well. But, by creating a good deal with offering a new bike and parts, this over time has a flow on effect, where these bikes are sold after a year or two, for new bikes............which helps keep the cycle going.

It really could work people.

Ta,
Red.

[CM2005]

that looks good red. Another Race class new zealand should try is Thunderbike class.. Here's a basic overview, It would be awesome!

[roogazza]

I've been keen on those Tuonos for a while . The lack of class to ride in was a put off. My toy bandit has similar problems of no competitive class. My old shagged body requires a sit up style bike nowdays.
This could be the answer. gaz.