just read this, very well said Glen. Sums a lot up.Originally Posted by codgyoleracer
Hey Frosty - thanks for the suport mate ;-)
With respect to class sizes - as slowpoke says its a little hard to put finger on why club level racing in all classes is so strong yet nationals are less so, however here are some things to consider.......
One reason is that generally speaking only the fast guys - with the best gear see the nationals as their true environment to test both their machines & their riding skills. Maybe the club guys feel that they are unable to lift to this level ?
Also the entry fees are way steeper and the commitment of time away to do the full series is rather dautning for many (i find this darn inconvienient myself as i try to run my business).
As far as costs to build a bike go - I kid you not , my one cost me bugger all this year (my main cost was when i built the thing up from scratch two years ago), - subsequent seasons have cost very little. This is one of the good things about F3, You can build a competitive machine & it remains competitve year after year , this when compared to a production based class when updating to the latest and greatest each year simply comes with the territory.
Another indactor for motorsport class reduction is that the V8 car classes are down 35% in field size. Bikes are down only 20%, - so it is not an endemic trait specific to our sport. Times are a tougher & field numbers are subsequently affected.
MNZ has not fooked F3, the 400 machines with good suspension fitted & well prepped can still kick an SV's arse (I know of three in this country that have a darn good chance of doing just that to me on mine) - when well ridden.
The reality is that the many of the 400 punters - are in it for the fun factor and close racing, most of the 400 guys i speak to know very well that they could build up a competitive machine (should they want to), - but very few have the nationals goal in mind - & choose to spend their hard earned dosh on beer & women instead ! , & theres nothing wrong with that IMO.
As Slowpoke says - There is a low cost feeder class (pro-twins) in New Zealand , but even that is poorley supported at national level, - so we must assume that it is not infact machine costs that keeps the club guys away from entering - but infact time commitment issues, percieved performance/results and the many operational / consumable costs involved in keeping even an inexpensive racing machine like a protwin competive at the top level. (remembering that NO motorsport is cheap)
Lets all hope that the riders that are curently keeping the NZ nationals going - maintain their commitments to the series and do their best to support as many new riders into the scene at club level (a feeder to nationals). It is a true national series & the skills of the guys ( & gals) in it are very high. lap records continue to fall every year as a result of this - and the goals of achievment are set ever higher.........
Cheers
Glen Williams
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My point is...where there is a will there is a way! I still have no idea how I'll managed Pukekohe yet but...I'll be there :-D
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