Is the timing of the nationals wrong?

**FROSTY:Me** · 11th April 2009, 15:06

A random thought occurred to me today. Is it possible that one contributing factor to low attendance at the national race series is that its timing right on or about christmas time affects the numbers attending?
Im thinking that maybee the average club racer at the moment might be a family bloke with committments during that time.

Not saying the idea is right--just pondering

**Harvd** · 11th April 2009, 16:10

I Know that i missed 2 rounds of the 3 in the south island because i was away on family holidays/big day out. then again i believe the streetstock class had healthy enough numbers. (i dont think i was the kind of rider you were targeting)

The timing is bad

**FROSTY:Me** · 11th April 2009, 16:14

Originally Posted by Harvd

I Know that i missed 2 rounds of the 3 in the south island because i was away on family holidays/big day out. then again i believe the streetstock class had healthy enough numbers. (i dont think i was the kind of rider you were targeting)

The timing is bad

dude Im not targetting any specific racer--just throwing an idea out there

**CHOPPA** · 11th April 2009, 16:39

Before christmas would be better

**k14** · 11th April 2009, 16:52

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

Before christmas would be better

Three years ago the two north island rounds were held in early dec 2 weekends in a row, I think that seemed to work ok. Only downside is the weather is usually a little more unsettled then. I don't rate the 2 weekend gap between manfeild and puke. I had to fly back to work for two weeks and fly back up. At least with two in a row I can go on holiday for a week and only make one trip north.

**Duke girl** · 11th April 2009, 17:16

I dont really think it matters what time of the year the Nationals are run because there is always someone out there who cant attend a race meet because of family commitements, and sometimes you have to miss out on what it is you would prefer to be doing to keep the family happy.
As all Road Racers know that Racing Motorcycles is a very expensive hobbie, especially for those who dont have help from Sponsors and to the family man its all about juggling themselves between Motorcycle Racing and family commitements.
In Summer you have the Nationals 1st 3 rounds down Sth and 2 up Nth and then the Street Racing on Boxing Day in Wanganui and Paeroa in February The tri series in Taupo at the end of December, PMCC which starts before Xmas and ends in April and then in Winter you have 6 rounds with the VMCC starting in May and ending in October.
I dont know when the Sth Island Clubs run their meetings so I do apologies for that, but I guess whenever or wherever you ran the Nationals it wouldn't please everyone. To me there is a fair bit of Racing to be done by those who can afford it, But money these days only goes so far as we all well know.
I guess most Motorcycle Racers do prefer to race in the dry weather rather than the wet, and you get better crowds watching in fine weather than miserable weather. Also booking race meets at most of the tracks used have to be done so many months/years ahead as they seem to be used the majority of the time by car racing clubs. There moto is 1st in 1st served.

**Robert Taylor** · 11th April 2009, 21:08

Originally Posted by FROSTY

A random thought occurred to me today. Is it possible that one contributing factor to low attendance at the national race series is that its timing right on or about christmas time affects the numbers attending?
Im thinking that maybee the average club racer at the moment might be a family bloke with committments during that time.

Not saying the idea is right--just pondering

I think it does have a wee bit to do with it yes. Also bear in mind that many of the dates for circuit hire have to be juggled around car racing nats, and they probably get first call.

**Mishy** · 11th April 2009, 23:01

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

Before christmas would be better

Not for good weather

**gammaguy** · 11th April 2009, 23:06

Originally Posted by Mishy

Not for good weather

so when do you suggest teretonga will have a heatwave?

**Robert Taylor** · 12th April 2009, 12:55

Originally Posted by gammaguy

so when do you suggest teretonga will have a heatwave?

Once every leap year for half a day!

**roogazza** · 12th April 2009, 13:35

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

Once every leap year for half a day!

LOL maybe a bit generous ? G.

**Robert Taylor** · 12th April 2009, 13:45

Originally Posted by roogazza

LOL maybe a bit generous ? G.

Its a wee bit like those English period dramas and other shows on television, glorious weather in the background. What I cannot comprehend is how they can cram all their filming into the only two glorious days per year that they have, if as lucky as that. Every time I travel to Invergiggles it reminds me of England.