Stroud makes a stand!

[Taz]

Jeez I found out it was 25 bucks to go watch and decided that was too much so I wouldn't pay more. Would rather go for a ride.....

[jafar]

Gareth Jones and Craig Sherriffs will be there who are just as fast...

No offence but your missing the point, the TOP riders are not going to be there !
We are getting charged $25.00 per head to watch, surely some of that could / should be going to the riders & crews? They are after all the "entertainment "we are paying good money to go & see.

[cowpoos]

Fair enough, Andrew is a professional and i wouldnt go to work for free! I cant really relate though cause i would do anything to ride and it costs a fortune...

Your right...but I think there is more to it than that.

The riders...all of them...put thier bodys and skills on the line for what???

A show!! a show the punters are paying to see...ya think good actors would star in movies just to win a award??? nah...and they don't risk thier bodys like riders do...street racing ain't safe. and it potetially can effect a persons liverly hood.

Picture a self employed plumber racing....crashes...breaks a couple of legs...can't work?? what then?

[Crazy Steve]

Haven't seen any other threads regarding this:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikatotimes/4854476a6414.html

Would be interesting to hear KB'ers views, I'm erring on the side of agreeing with Stroud's actions on the basis that we have a handfull of top class riders who are a major part of the attraction and the rewards for motorcycle racing in NZ aren't exactly going to make anyone rich, and when you throw in the fact that Paeroa is a high speed potentially dangerous street circuit, then what is wrong with diverting a small amount of money to attract riders of the calibre of Stroud & Co? Perhaps the lure of some extra $$$ would have got Bugden there? (not sure of his reasons for not attending)
Surely the organisers can afford to skim a little off the top of the money made that just goes to the local rugby club or whomever?

Appearance or Start money is common place in many top forms of car racing in NZ so why is there a resistance to it on the motorcycle side?

Discuss....

If Stroud's not racing Winja and I arn't going.....

Crazy Steve..

[White trash]

I definitely support Stroud's call. ALOT on the line for little reward.

Off topic rant: I REALLY dont know how the top super-bike guys meet budget. I really dont. $60k (one particular top level superbike riders annual race budget) is hard to front up with for anyone, Stroud (with 7 kids), included. I have seen what a particular top rider is remunerated from the so-called "factory" sponsership, and even considering many round wins, there would still be tens of thousands decficit to make up, by the rider or personal sponsers. The reward?? bragging rights. There is little monetary remuneration in NZ bike racing. GEEZ, they must really love racing bikes!!

Good on Stroudy for having the sack too!

Just to add: reading the above post reminded me of an article I read yesterday of past years speedway tails. Appearance money and prize money!! HOLY CRAP. The riders, to get appearance money, were contracted to approximately 25 meets per year at the nominated track. The appearance money was to attract the punters, ensuring boomer gate sales!! What UNBELIEVABLE times our generation has missed out on!!

Yup. There certainly is a lot on the line. But the same for everybody that races. Where do you draw the line at who gets paid and who doesn't? That will see fields shrink o our street meeting grids look as sad as our Nationals.

I think perhaps increasing the prize money to a better level would be better. If you think you're good enough to command the big dollars, come race for it and win it.

[White trash]

No offence but your missing the point, the TOP riders are not going to be there !
We are getting charged $25.00 per head to watch, surely some of that could / should be going to the riders & crews? They are after all the "entertainment "we are paying good money to go & see.

No offence, but you don't kow what the fuck you're talking about.

Craig Shirriffs and Gareth Jones have repeatedly proved over the past two years that they ARE the top two riders currently competeing in the street meetings. Glenn Williams will campaign in F3. Nick Odermatt in BEARS. Lance Lowe will provide our entertainment.

Sounds thoroughly worth the tewnny fife pingas to me.

[Kickaha]

If Stroud's not racing Winja and I arn't going.....

Crazy Steve..

I doubt either of you will be missed

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

I think perhaps increasing the prize money to a better level would be better. If you think you're good enough to command the big dollars, come race for it and win it.

Agreed that increasing the prizemoney available will make attending more attractive. The racing couldnt really be much closer than it is at the moment. The top guys all want to win. But for example I doubt the wise head of Stroud would push harder if the prize money was increased. He still has 7 kids to feed and clothe, he wouldnt risk broken leg/s for a couple hundred dollars more prize money (does Paeroa have prizemoney like Wanga's?? - cant remember, will find out today when I go). 1 week out from the deciding round at Puke - I dont blame stroud for sitting this out. He's only got one bike and two arms/legs!

However, from the organisers point of view. Why buy milk when you can milk the cow for free. Racers will race regardless. Unless they all boycott the event. Suddenly, the organiser will be looking at a reduced salary, as advertising rights will be harder to sell as big names wont be attending, forcing something to be done. Stroud making a stand wont change things unless, everyone else does the same: unlikely! He's still a good kunt tho! Will be cheering him on past the aussie boys at puke!

[roogazza]

Andrew Stroud is our best, good on him if he can get it !

Can anyone tell us what the prize money is at a street meet ? As an example 30yrs ago you would get 100-120 for a win. Gaz.

[mikeey01]

The last few times I went to Paeroa was well over ten years ago, it's grown a lot!

2007 15,000 people attended @ $20ea $300,000.00

The organisers give a percentage of this take to all the supporters, helpers etc, cover associated costs to setup, run and tear down after the event. The rest goes into the local community.
They bill this event as “The biggest event of the year!!” in their local visitors info.

For a win, Scale A $500 (king of the streets, formula Paeroa) , Scale B $400( pre 82, formula 2 etc)
So the guys aren't doing it for the money then.
As with all other forms of motorcycle racing in NZ it's for the love of the sport.

This years public entry fee is $25, based on 07 attendances $375,000.00

The event is now that big it could easily afford to cover some costs for the top guys.
Easily pay the entry fee for the other guys.
It could also afford to double the prize money.
All this and it would still have a positive financial return and pour funds back into the community.

Rider entry fee per class $90 + medical fee of $10.

As I originally said it's greed on the organisers behalf! (pptrust@xtra.co.nz)
If they are not careful it'll become a victim of it's own success and become so huge it'll have to be moved to Hamilton!

[Number One]

My thoughts on this are that I and many others I know that attend the street races have never attended or chosen not to 'specifically' because Stroud or any of the other TOP guys will or won't be there. I go because they are always an awesome days entertainment no matter who the hell is at the front.

ALSO I find it a little on the nose to think that those who are most likely to walk away with the big prize money believe they should be paid JUST TO SHOW UP. Like WT said - everyone is giving it their all and pushing. How much money do ya need when you get things so cheaply to begin with...what about all the guys/girls who show up pretty much knowing they are going to walk away with nothing but a smile on their dials having had a great day who also happen to pay full price for all the bits and bobs that keep them racing.

I agree that if anything should change the prize money should be upped and spread further.

Just my opinion

[mikeey01]

Craig Shirriffs and Gareth Jones have repeatedly proved over the past two years that they ARE the top two riders currently competeing in the street meetings. Glenn Williams will campaign in F3. Nick Odermatt in BEARS. Lance Lowe will provide our entertainment. Sounds thoroughly worth the tewnny fife pingas to me.

Ob-so-farken loutley! those fellas alone are awesome to watch and I agree.

The riders...all of them...put thier bodys and skills on the line. Street racing ain't safe. Potentially can effect a persons lively hood.
Picture a self employed plumber racing....crashes...breaks a couple of legs...can't work?? what then?

Again I agree, it's the same in all forms of semi amateur sport, rugby and the like...
We the tax payer have to pick up the pieces and carnage through ACC, the ogranisers don't!

It's a sport for christs sake, give them gladiators, all of them some!
Organisers see it as a way of making money, vast sums of it!

Rant over, as u were.

[Wingnut]

If the organisers really do make as much out of these events as some is making out, surely they could at least afford to do away with any entry fee for riders????

Wish I could run something where entertainers pay to entertain and Joe Public pays to come and watch. Dam - gotta be good profit margins there!!!

[Rcktfsh]

My thoughts on this are that I and many others I know that attend the street races have never attended or chosen not to 'specifically' because Stroud or any of the other TOP guys will or won't be there. I go because they are always an awesome days entertainment no matter who the hell is at the front.

ALSO I find it a little on the nose to think that those who are most likely to walk away with the big prize money believe they should be paid JUST TO SHOW UP. Like WT said - everyone is giving it their all and pushing. How much money do ya need when you get things so cheaply to begin with...what about all the guys/girls who show up pretty much knowing they are going to walk away with nothing but a smile on their dials having had a great day who also happen to pay full price for all the bits and bobs that keep them racing.

I agree that if anything should change the prize money should be upped and spread further.

Just my opinion

If you'd read the article you would have noted that the big prizemoney you speak off wouldn't actually pay the tyre bill even if you won every race, if the crowd is not there to see the top riders why is it the organisers use the top riders in promoting there event as opposed to some backmarker in F3? Please don't read that as a sleight on those making up the numbers as I appluad them for doing so and come to think of it have played that role myself, but to suggest there effort is the same as the top guys is ludicrous. As has been noted by others, asking for start money is not reinventing the wheel but common practice in motorsport and in fact many sports.

[Number One]

If you'd read the article you would have noted that the big prizemoney you speak off wouldn't actually pay the tyre bill even if you won every race, if the crowd is not there to see the top riders why is it the organisers use the top riders in promoting there event as opposed to some backmarker in F3? Please don't read that as a sleight on those making up the numbers as I appluad them for doing so and come to think of it have played that role myself, but to suggest there effort is the same as the top guys is ludicrous. As has been noted by others, asking for start money is not reinventing the wheel but common practice in motorsport and in fact many sports.

I did read the article actually and I still disagree with your comment.

Perhaps when you are paying 'retail' prices for your tyres it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that prize money wouldn't cover your tyre bill...in Strouds case I very much doubt he pays even half retail for a set of race tyres and how many races do you think he would probably take prize money home for - bet it wouldn't just be one.

ALSO I have known top end racers who get through these street races on one set of tyres easily only changing for wet conditions. Street tracks don't seem to require the same number of replacement sets that the tracks do.

AND YES I do take umbrage at the notion that the back markers aren't out there risking things like the top racers do...everyone out there racing is at risk. Hell sometimes the faster people take the slower ones out...sounds pretty darned risky to me.

I think start money is a great idea but I don't accept that ONLY the top guys should get it....maybe instead a better idea would be cheaper entry fees...especially if they really are making what they do off the event.

AND so the big names get used in promotion - so what...with the amount of publicity that the sport gets do you really think MR Joe Bloggs has any clue which one Stroud or some of the others are to begin with? I can tell you that there are many that don't and that attend because they are awesome days again no matter who is out in front. Just because Stroud ain't there I doubt very much that that will mean punters don't go.