Should this forum name be changed to Formula 4 and 5 instead of Buckets

**Sully60** · 6th August 2008, 08:27

I've been discussing this with Skunk and thought it was time to take the discussion to a wider forum.

Buckets is the universal name for the two miniature road racing classes but it is actually a derogatory term as you will all well know.

Is it time to change this? I don't know any F4 or F5 bike that is a really bucket of shit, well one or two maybe but generally most bikes now are fairly well developed and maintained machines. And personally I don't think my bikes are buckets of shit (well maybe the motor in the 'sled!

) I think that my bikes are cool because of the enjoyment I get from working and racing them. There are also some very cool bikes coming from the NWM that really do their owner/builders proud purely as motorcycles and it just seems a bit naff to call them buckets, I mean Angelina Jolie wouldn't sound so cool and sexy if she was called Mildred McManuss now would she?
Or whatever her real name is

Attending the BoB meeting at Ruapuna in June just reinforced this for me, some of the bikes were beautifully presented and the some of the bikes that had less work done on cosmetics have outstanding performance. Every one of the bikes seemed to carry a rider that came back into the pits grinning.

Is it time to change our identity? Do you think we'll lose some of that identity if we change the way we are referred to? What else would you call it aprt from miniature roadrace classes f4 and F5?

Discuss......

**Deano** · 6th August 2008, 08:33

I thought they were called buckets cause you make em out of a bucket of bits. Which is obviously not as derogatory as bucket of shite.

Are 'buckets' recognised by MNZ as F4 and F5 or is it something that was made up ?

**enigma51** · 6th August 2008, 08:38

Being a bit sensitive if you ask me ......... but i dont race buckets or f4 /f5 so im happy to be wrong

**bungbung** · 6th August 2008, 08:59

Originally Posted by Sully60

What else would you call it aprt from miniature roadrace classes f4 and F5?

Discuss......

For me, "miniature roadrace" conjures up images of minimotos.

**k14** · 6th August 2008, 09:02

Yeah, harden up. Buckets are buckets, fullstop.

**Sully60** · 6th August 2008, 09:05

Originally Posted by Deano

I thought they were called buckets cause you make em out of a bucket of bits. Which is obviously not as derogatory as bucket of shite.

Are 'buckets' recognised by MNZ as F4 and F5 or is it something that was made up ?

Those are the actual MNZ clasess yes.

Originally Posted by enigma51

Being a bit sensitive if you ask me ......... but i dont race buckets or f4 /f5 so im happy to be wrong

Call the waaaambulance!

I have a private joke going with Trudes about it, but it could be construed as being sensitive. It's just I've experienced some negativity from promoters and clubs in the past regarding bucket racing and I don't want any preconceptions to to stymey any opportunities, things are getting better in this respect though.

Originally Posted by bungbung

For me, "miniature roadrace" conjures up images of minimotos.

Yeah it does, but to the unaware what image does buckets conjure up?

**Trudes** · 6th August 2008, 09:12

I think the hole "bucket" (lol) thing is really funny (see). But we do have a serious class of F4 and F5, so I guess it depends on who you're talking to. If I want to impress and sound like I'm cool I say I race F4, if I want people to ask WTF? I say buckets, then I can explain the bucket story and it seems to have a history.
When racing at the slipway, "bucket racing" seems more appropriate because it just seems a little more informal, but when doing "serious" race meets like at the BOB or in Taupo, the F4 and F5 grouping sounds more official like.

**F5 Dave** · 6th August 2008, 09:56

At the end of the day no one in the pub is going to be impressed that you race 100 or 150cc bikes, or in my case 50cc. But I'm not overly concerned, I'm having fun & there are a bunch of decent riders so that it is relevant competition. There are also a bunch of average riders & there is a bunch of novices & there are often even a couple of complete wobblers (really not aimed at anyone, bear with me).

But the same mix can be found in the larger classes, so saying 'oh I race a F3' (or a 600, or even a thou) doesn't elevate that person to super-status as they could belong to any one of the groups mentioned above. We've all been to big bike meetings & seen the spread of ability, sometimes alarmingly, but bless them they have to start somewhere. In the larger classes these people (starting out) were obviously prompted by their ego that they needed a big bike to be valid instead of starting in 'piddly little' F3 (or for that matter F4 or F5) .

So some see buckets as a feeder class, some as valid racing & some look down their nose. I remember being told by some chick (about my roadbike) a waaay back, "oh you ride a 350, you should get a thousand". -'course that my hotted RZ would have taken her boyfriend's groady old GS in anything but a straight drag eluded her so there was no point arguing.

PS Trudes, why are your avatars always so emotionally scaring?

**nudemetalz** · 6th August 2008, 10:09

IMO, buckets are the way to go as no-one seems to know what F4-F5 are.
You talk to some older people about bucket racing and they'll say something like "isn't that like those loonies that used to race those commuter bikes on the RNZAF bases".
I like the term buckets. It gives it's own identity.
But "T"-Rudes is right, being more formal at the nationals with F4/F5 is more appropriate.

Just my 2c worth(less).

**Trudes** · 6th August 2008, 10:18

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

PS Trudes, why are your avatars always so emotionally scaring?

'Cause I know you like 'em!!!

**koba** · 6th August 2008, 10:36

In relation to my bike "Bucket" is perfectly apt.
In relation to most other bikes out there latley F4/F5 is probably more fitting.

**quallman1234** · 6th August 2008, 11:11

Originally Posted by koba

In relation to my bike "Bucket" is perfectly apt.
In relation to most other bikes out there latley F4/F5 is probably more fitting.

Definetely the case for me, hopefully not for long tho!

50cc's beat me in a straight line man!, im going to have a go at some porting, going to open the exhaust port cleanly.

**Skunk** · 6th August 2008, 11:23

Originally Posted by Sully60

I don't know any F4 or F5 bike that is a really bucket of shit

Originally Posted by Trudes

When racing at the slipway, "bucket racing" seems more appropriate because it just seems a little more informal, but when doing "serious" race meets like at the BOB or in Taupo, the F4 and F5 grouping sounds more official like.

I'm keen to see the name of the Forum changed to Buckets (F4/F5). How we refer to them ourselves is up to the individual. I personally see mine as more of a race bike than a pile of shit.

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

"T"-Rudes

**Number One** · 6th August 2008, 11:29

Personally...I don't mind what term is used...this is probably a lot due to the fact that I don't take myself at all seriously on them as I am not fast. AND I know the work and development and $$$ that have gone into our bikes so I do know they are NOT buckets of shit.

..for me Bucket is a term of endearment almost and when I tell people I race buckets they don't get it anyway so I just end up saying I race motorbikes.

At the end of the day they are motorcycles and the fact that I race a motorcycle makes ME think I am cool so how they are referred to online or otherwise isn't an issue for me - I'm out there doing it haters can just step off

I have to admit too that I am a closet bucket joke enjoyer

sorry babe....

BTW babe...I don't even know where our stable of bikes sit in this F4 - F5classing