So we cut costs, but...

**Teambwr47** · 9th March 2009, 17:20

So MNZ have rules proposed to cut costs and there's quite a few threads on here that have ideas that will also limit costs, however.....

The public go to race meetings to see racers racing race bikes don't they? The way we're heading we'll soon all be racing quiet road bikes with standard exhausts and spec as it left the factory to limit cost. Yes the racing will be there but the interest of the paddock for Joe Public will be long gone. I know as a road rider one of the highlights for me and most of my mates was walking a race paddock to see specced up race bikes. Add in a suggestion from someone a while back that we use proper road bike tyres and well....surely the end is nigh!

The cost of racing here in New Zealand when compared to other countries is cheap, very cheap! Track time here is cheap as are entries, even if people do moan about it. Yes wages here are less but if riders here look at the costs of racing versus wages, NZ still comes out way cheaper than the UK for example.

Example- test day at Pukekohe - $90
test day at Snetterton - $270
test day at Brands Hatch - $400

Entry cost for a club meeting-

NZ circa - $100 for one class
UK - $400 for one class

Cost to build a 600cc bike to front running top spec in UK club and National racing (FIM supersport)- $65000+

NZ top spec 600 - $35000

The rules here in my view, as a relative newcomer to NZ, are fine as they are and kits looms and ECU's which are fitted to most of the front running bikes should stay. The same should apply to aftermarket suspension and exhaust systems as it is surely the basis of a spec for the 'race bike'.

I would argue that you de-value the racing here by going any further than what i consider the current 'superstock' type spec of SP600 and SBK.

At the end of the day motorsport is always costly but in my mind with NZ having the cheapest form of the sport already its a wrong move to try and 'cheapen' the sport any further.

**merv** · 9th March 2009, 17:34

Mmmm production racing, large crowds watched that in the 70s and 80s and guys like this rode http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...8&d=1236504618 complete with chrome carrier on the back as I've already commented on in this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=93992

I'd be happy to see standard exhausts back on track, to hell with too much noise.

**Teambwr47** · 9th March 2009, 17:41

Just have to say while i love it here the moaning that I've heard around here and sometimes the riders briefings put the idea of 'whinging poms' to shame....

Someone recently mentioned the cost of entry to a club meeting of $10 as being a 'rip off' etc....

The cost of entry to a club meeting in the UK would easily be £10 or in other words $27.

This weekends nationals at $20 for a weekend ticket compare nicely to BSB at over $80 or the Thundersport UK club championship at $45+

I love this place and the racing, its been superb and I hope it stays that way.

Nothing against anyone who's previously posted here or adds a post to this but you Kiwis just do not realise how good you have it in so many ways...

**Quasievil** · 9th March 2009, 17:41

NZ = Small population = Low Sponsorship dollar = small underclass racing scene , that recirculates and recirculates and recirculates infinately

**Quasievil** · 9th March 2009, 17:42

Originally Posted by Teambwr47

Nothing against anyone who's previously posted here or adds a post to this but you Kiwis just do not realise how good you have it in so many ways...

Those lesser travelled, I agree.

**FJRider** · 9th March 2009, 17:46

Cost cutting is being introduced into all forms of motorsport, from Formula 1 down. Standardisation of machines, and allowed replacement parts, will soon be the norm. NO supprises there.

**Tony.OK** · 9th March 2009, 17:48

Are those converted figures Brian?
From what I can gather a wage over there is nearly the same, eg if I earn 50k in dollars here, I'd earn 50k in pounds there. Is that somewhere near it?

If so then take away the conversion and things are alot closer..............correct me if I'm wrong, I am quite often.

I'd also say that the average Joe public wouldn't have any idea of bike specs, and only see a racebike once its race fairings are on.
If the racing is close and there's lots of dicing most would walk away feeling happy.
If the whole MotoGp field were out on a one make stock bike I'm sure the racing would be just as good just a bit slower.

**Teambwr47** · 9th March 2009, 17:49

Originally Posted by FJRider

Cost cutting is being introduced into all forms of motorsport, from Formula 1 down. Standardisation of machines, and allowed replacement parts, will soon be the norm. NO supprises there.

You're right they are but its the point at which those relative championships in whatever sphere of motorsport start from thats key.

In my view NZ road racing already sits low on the cost scale and is at a level that other governing bodies will be looking to cut costs to, not from........

**Teambwr47** · 9th March 2009, 17:57

Originally Posted by Tony.OK

Are those converted figures Brian?
From what I can gather a wage over there is nearly the same, eg if I earn 50k in dollars here, I'd earn 50k in pounds there. Is that somewhere near it?

If so then take away the conversion and things are alot closer..............correct me if I'm wrong, I am quite often.

I'd also say that the average Joe public wouldn't have any idea of bike specs, and only see a racebike once its race fairings are on.
If the racing is close and there's lots of dicing most would walk away feeling happy.
If the whole MotoGp field were out on a one make stock bike I'm sure the racing would be just as good just a bit slower.

They are converted figures working on a rate 2.7 $ to £ and mate if only that were the case........ dollar parity with the pound!

Typically moving from the UK to NZ would see most jobs, not all, take a 30-40% cut in pay. I base this on some public sector jobs that I know the pay scales for and our experience and that of a number of friends who've moved here in the last few years.

So if you were to earn £50,000 in the UK you'd likely get around $80-90,000 here in NZ.

The $ = £ thing is a load of Bullshi* trotted out by recruitment and immigration people who try and screw people moving from UK to NZ.

Good example going the other way NZ to UK is a public sector job I know (police) that with same level service in each country the conversion would be NZ- $65000 UK-£33000

**CHOPPA** · 9th March 2009, 17:59

I dont really care what happens to the rules, the more rules there are to keep the costs down basically makes it more expensive to modify the bikes so they are within the rules.

For instance standard pistons that are machined cost alot more then some aftermarket ones....

**FJRider** · 9th March 2009, 18:10

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

I dont really care what happens to the rules, the more rules there are to keep the costs down basically makes it more expensive to modify the bikes so they are within the rules.

For instance standard pistons that are machined cost alot more then some aftermarket ones....

"standard" piston size(for example only), may not necessarily equate to original piston size. "Standard" would then just mean... what parts you ALL use.

**Tony.OK** · 9th March 2009, 18:12

Originally Posted by Teambwr47

Mate if only that were the case........ dollar parity with the pound!

Typically moving from the UK to NZ would see most jobs, not all, take a 30-40% cut in pay. I base this on some public sector jobs that I know the pay scales for and our experience and that of a number of friends who've moved here in the last few years.

So if you were to earn £50,000 in the UK you'd likely get around $80-90,000 here in NZ.

The $ = £ thing is a load of Bullshi* trotted out by recruitment and immigration people who try and screw people moving from UK to NZ.

Good example going the other way NZ to UK is a public sector job I know (police) that with same level service in each country the conversion would be NZ- $65000 UK-£33000

Agreed there are difference's....................But comparatively things seem cheaper over there.
Off Ebay a new 600=7000 pnds / 50000=14% of wage
In NZ..............600=$17000 / 80000=21% of wage

Doesn't matter though............its too expensive for me in any case.

Sounds like ya had a decent weekend too mate.........................still waiting for those snaps too

**White trash** · 9th March 2009, 18:22

Agree to a point with what you're saying here Brian. We don't want to dumb down the level of bike too much.

However, for how much longer can we afford to run an SBK series with only one race having more than ten bikes on the grid?

**Robert Taylor** · 9th March 2009, 18:29

Originally Posted by merv

Mmmm production racing, large crowds watched that in the 70s and 80s and guys like this rode http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...8&d=1236504618 complete with chrome carrier on the back as I've already commented on in this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=93992

I'd be happy to see standard exhausts back on track, to hell with too much noise.

But that overlooks that it is usually more expensive to replace an oem muffler than an aftermarket muffler after a crash.

**Robert Taylor** · 9th March 2009, 18:31

Originally Posted by Teambwr47

Just have to say while i love it here the moaning that I've heard around here and sometimes the riders briefings put the idea of 'whinging poms' to shame....

Someone recently mentioned the cost of entry to a club meeting of $10 as being a 'rip off' etc....

The cost of entry to a club meeting in the UK would easily be £10 or in other words $27.

This weekends nationals at $20 for a weekend ticket compare nicely to BSB at over $80 or the Thundersport UK club championship at $45+

I love this place and the racing, its been superb and I hope it stays that way.

Nothing against anyone who's previously posted here or adds a post to this but you Kiwis just do not realise how good you have it in so many ways...

And I bet the same guy who whinged at the $10 fee would have no compuction about handing $10 across a bar.