How does anyone find out about races?

**BM-GS** · 5th December 2008, 16:54

This has been posted about before, but nobody seems to have given a decent answer yet - no that I've found, which is the problem.

Bike racing seems to be a big secret in Auckland (most of NZ, I think) as it's nearly impossible to find out when any's happening. Even the organisers try to stop you finding out what's going on in case anybody might actually try to watch.

AMCC have a website which always has that year's calendar visible, which is great in Jan, but NFU in Dec. Pukekohe has the circuit-booker's name visible, but no details on what's going on. Silver Bullet tries hard, but why aren't the organisers trying to get people to turn up? Why isn't there a "Next 3 Months" calendar in the bike magazines?

Most people need more than a weeks notice to spend a day somewhere, let alone a weekend. I come across things by chance, or after hard digging. I know there are a couple in Jan/Feb/Mar at Puke, but that needs planning NOW so that I don't end up gardening or something.

All I want is enough notice to block out the calendar (screw the the 4th birthday party, we're watching the bikes) and take me & family to Puke to watch some racing, check out the bikes, buy a T-shirt or 3, grab something edible to eat and head home when the kids are knackered. I actually want to SPEND the money. Keeping the whole thing a secret makes this really hard. The circuits are booked ages in advance, so can anyone actually be arsed to let people know when to go?

FFS, ** KEVIN SCHWANTZ ** is racing at Puke in 09, and I had to rummage bloody hard to find that. Stick an extra $5 on each spectator ticket and hire a promotions person. Get somebody selling stuff (T's, hats, team/rider stuff, bike models, posters, umbrellas, flags, bungees, cable-ties, duct tape, etc) along as well. They can cough a few hundy for the privilege and still make money.

Anyone been to a race in Europe? Huge, stuff everywhere, detailed calendars in all the mags, concessions on site for every damned thing. More people there, but then why not try to let the people who want to attend races in NZ know what's happening?

Rant mode off...

**HDTboy** · 5th December 2008, 18:25

You make very valid points. Why not write a letter to MNZ venting your concerns? They are the body charged with promoting motorcycle sport in NZ

**sharky** · 5th December 2008, 18:46

You're not wrong!

**Maido** · 5th December 2008, 19:07

there is a sticky about this years 2008 races for south island, maybe there will be one for both islands next year?

**blossomsowner** · 5th December 2008, 21:13

seems no one has a clue eh?...........even living here in Puke there is no info. Like you I have tried the website but it tells you stuff all.

Can hear the racing from my house but if you drive past the circuit there is not even a sign saying what is on.........the only thing I have seen promoted was the V8 supercars.

Maybe they could put up some decent signage with upcoming events/whats on etc...............

good luck with your quest............................................. .................................................. ...

**racerhead** · 6th December 2008, 07:08

Seems like alot of motorsport has the same problem because over here in Ireland its pretty much the same. The only way to find out about races is to ring the organisers or know someone thats racing.

The only race that I ever heard advertised in public over here was the time british superbikes came to mondello and even at that it was a couple of ads on radio for the 2 days leading up to the event, BSB is a big championship over here.

I live within earshot of one of the most popular mx tracks in the country and the only way I know when theres racing on is when I hear it happening. And then on top of that finding the place is another job because the gateway is tiny and hidden behind some trees with no signposts even for the biggest races that would be held here.

I know organising a race meeting is a huge task with very little thanks but even just a small bit of public awareness would start the ball rolling to bring in the public which can only be a good thing for all involved. It will bring the race venue's and organisers more money by charging at the gate even $5-10 per head would make a big difference. The local buisness will also benefit by having people in town for a race day or weekend. The racers themselves will benefit by making it easier to get sponsorship due to the increased public viewing.
So if this was organised properly after a season or two the difference would be seen by all and the sport will keep on growing

Any input here from race organisers?
Is what Ive said above possible or what would your thoughts be?

**racerhead** · 6th December 2008, 07:18

Forgot to add that Ive had previous experience in organising downhill mountain bike races at national level and up to 3 years ago it was a very small community with very few outsiders coming to watch. But in the last couple of years every race has had some kind of local advertisement and through this we now have a better atmosphere at races and also brought alot of new people into the sport. At the last national championships it was held at a new venue which took alot of persuading of locals to be allowed onto the land but now for this year they are crying for the race to come back because every local hotel, b&b was booked out for the weekend along with most other buisnesses in the town noticing extra money being taken in.
Sorry for rambling a bit but Im just trying to show what could be with some extra effort

**jrandom** · 6th December 2008, 07:29

All very good points. I wonder how many people know that Fred Merkel is racing at Taupo on 29 December?

A letter to MNZ could be in order. Then again, advertising costs money. Who's going to fund it?

**Tony.OK** · 6th December 2008, 07:50

Heres a thought.............what if every one that knows when races are happening can print off a few copies about when and where etc, then ask your local bike shop or store if you can put it up in the window?
Wouldn't cost buggar all, and if enough do it, it may get the word out to a few more people.

Also......anyone with a business wbesite could perhaps have a page with race details so if someone searches they have a better chance of tracking an event down.

**sidecar bob** · 6th December 2008, 10:51

Originally Posted by jrandom

All very good points. I wonder how many people know that Fred Merkel is racing at Taupo on 29 December?

A letter to MNZ could be in order. Then again, advertising costs money. Who's going to fund it?

Gee, ummm, Maybe MNZ?

**jrandom** · 6th December 2008, 10:55

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

Gee, ummm, Maybe MNZ?

MNZ have money?

I kinda, you know, assumed they were broke. Inasmuch as they never do anything to speak of.

Maybe there's some guy in Huntly laughing his arse off as he converts all the racing licence fees into a giant single malt stash...

**johan** · 6th December 2008, 11:05

I drove past Palmerston North the other week. I saw a sign saying something like 'Truck Racing on the 11th at Manfeild!' along the road on SH 1.

Something simple as that works very well I think. I haven't sen any signs about motobike racing along the road yet.

**racerhead** · 7th December 2008, 05:08

Originally Posted by Tony.OK

Heres a thought.............what if every one that knows when races are happening can print off a few copies about when and where etc, then ask your local bike shop or store if you can put it up in the window?
Wouldn't cost buggar all, and if enough do it, it may get the word out to a few more people.

Also......anyone with a business wbesite could perhaps have a page with race details so if someone searches they have a better chance of tracking an event down.

Exactly, this would help things alot and takes very little extra time or effort.
If enough people put in a tiny bit of effort then this would make a big overall difference.

What Ive seen a local racer do before was at the end of the season he got a half page write up in the local paper with a photo of him and the bike showing all his sponsors and thanking everyone for their support for the year even though he was pretty much self funded. What he realised was that if buisness owners saw this kind of publicity they would be more inclined to sponsor him for the next season, and is plan worked because the next year he had alot more sponsors including a new bike from one of them.

**Nasty** · 7th December 2008, 06:48

Originally Posted by BM-GS

....
Bike racing seems to be a big secret in Auckland (most of NZ, I think) as it's nearly impossible to find out when any's happening. Even the organisers try to stop you finding out what's going on in case anybody might actually try to watch.
...

Wow a big rant ... At Vic Club they post on their website as soon as everything is confirmed. So normally by Jan there is a list of dates if not earlier.