We're semi-professional now!

[White trash]

Weeeellllllll, you could kind of argue that Suzuki New Zealand is owned by Suzuki Japan. And therefore sorta Factory.

Bottom line is this.

Choppa and Ed now have the nuber one and two placed bikes from the recently concluded NZSBK championship. So they'd better get their skates on and make good use of them, eh boys?

[brads]

Im actually talking about myself.... Red knows my exact deal with suzuki and we are def still gonna be in the privateer series. Do you think if you go and buy Craigs blade you will be a factory rider??

Sorry mate,this seems to be getting off track,of course no to the above,however in the starter for this thread, its says about the bikes and all the other stuff thrown in ie, engines,spares etc and thanks Suzuki,Someone has obviously paid a small fortune for all this,but if it has come from Suzuki at no charge to you guys it sure will make it hard to separate a true privateer from a "factory" rider.Almost be called a "satellite team" wouldnt it?

[GIXser]

Lets just say.... nothing is "FREE" in this world....

[White trash]

Oh someone paid alright.

Eds hoop is the size of a basket ball now

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

Suzuki doesnt give ANYTHING away

[CHOPPA]

NZ

No ''factory'' backed riders, you will only find these at the pointy end of predominantly WSBK and MotoGP

Official Distributor backed riders at conclusion of 09 NZ Champs ( I am happy to fall on my sword if this is slightly inaccurate )

Yamaha NZ Gareth Jones Sam Smith

Honda NZ Hayden Fitzgerald Craig Shirriffs

Suzuki NZ Robbie Bugden Andrew Stroud Ray Clee Dennis Charlett

Kawasaki NZ ??????????????????

I would expect some retrenchment to the above.

Yeah spot on Robert thanks for clearing up what i was trying to say!

[Shaun P]

Choppa for the cup haha

[Robert Taylor]

Suzuki doesnt give ANYTHING away

Having had a close association with them for many years I beg to differ. They have poured more money into road racing than any other distributor over the last 3 decades or so and had they not been there road racing in NZ would be little better than club racing. For that alone they deserve respect rather than ill founded comments.

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

Having had a close association with them for many years I beg to differ. They have poured more money into road racing than any other distributor over the last 3 decades or so and had they not been there road racing in NZ would be little better than club racing. For that alone they deserve respect rather than ill founded comments.

no, not ill-founded comments. this is first hand information.PM sent

buts lets not get distracted by Ed's and Choppa's achievements

[Robert Taylor]

no, not ill-founded comments. this is first hand information.PM sent

buts lets not get distracted by Ed's and Choppa's achievements

Thanks for the pm but I still disagree from my own firsthand experience. They have been very accomodating with many riders over the years because one man in SNZ has a passion for road racing. It will be a sad day if he loses interest.
Yes I agree also that Sloan and Eddie have got something good going but with the greatest respect to them both going to the next level is something not to be underestimated. I will help them both over the winter because I have a lot of time for their positive attitude and ambition.

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

Thanks for the pm but I still disagree from my own firsthand experience. They have been very accomodating with many riders over the years because one man in SNZ has a passion for road racing. It will be a sad day if he loses interest.

Cheers, I will leave it at that.
Go you good things!

[White trash]

Thanks for the pm but I still disagree from my own firsthand experience. They have been very accomodating with many riders over the years because one man in SNZ has a passion for road racing. It will be a sad day if he loses interest.
Yes I agree also that Sloan and Eddie have got something good going but with the greatest respect to them both going to the next level is something not to be underestimated. I will help them both over the winter because I have a lot of time for their positive attitude and ambition.

What about helping them because the team manager is a good bastard who wants to do his bit for NZ racing too?

Robert, believe me, I know more than you can understand how hard the next level is to conquer. I've tried to do it and underestimated the Shirriffs, the Strouds and the Bugdens. Those chaps certainly showed this wannabe.

HOWEVER! We know what has to go into a team to succeed against these names now. We have the marketing, the experience, the technical support and above all, the skill to take it to these names this year.

Without wanting to bum lick, you're the person I respect most in the padock of any meeting. Because of your knowledge and experience but also your connections.

You might want to inform some of those contacts mate, they're going to be challenged this upcoming season. And you know what, we're going to have the support of the public.

It's all falling into place mate. Stay tuned.

Edit: Forgot to reiterate your earlier comment. SNZ is without a doubt the driving force behind NZ SBK racing. Without them, there would be nothing other than some ZXR400s and a couple of RS125s battling out (no disrespect) for a championship. Don't believe me? Cast your mind back for the previous ten years. If a Suzuki hasn't won, who's the champion been striving to beat?

[Shaun P]

Whats the matter did you fell left out

[Robert Taylor]

What about helping them because the team manager is a good bastard who wants to do his bit for NZ racing too?

Robert, believe me, I know more than you can understand how hard the next level is to conquer. I've tried to do it and underestimated the Shirriffs, the Strouds and the Bugdens. Those chaps certainly showed this wannabe.

HOWEVER! We know what has to go into a team to succeed against these names now. We have the marketing, the experience, the technical support and above all, the skill to take it to these names this year.

Without wanting to bum lick, you're the person I respect most in the padock of any meeting. Because of your knowledge and experience but also your connections.

You might want to inform some of those contacts mate, they're going to be challenged this upcoming season. And you know what, we're going to have the support of the public.

It's all falling into place mate. Stay tuned.

Edit: Forgot to reiterate your earlier comment. SNZ is without a doubt the driving force behind NZ SBK racing. Without them, there would be nothing other than some ZXR400s and a couple of RS125s battling out (no disrespect) for a championship. Don't believe me? Cast your mind back for the previous ten years. If a Suzuki hasn't won, who's the champion been striving to beat?

What Im really trying to say Jimmy is stay humble! Sloan has a great attitude and he will progress further, beyond doubt. But please dont place too much pressure upon him by amping everything up so much, so much like the Yanks do.

[White trash]

Roger. Point taken.