Why the Aussies and why not us?

[MotoGirl]

I agree with you guys - it all comes down to money.

For New Zealand to succeed in motorsport, we need to focus on motorsport. Unfortunately, this country puts all its emphasis on bloody rugby and doesn't give the petrolheads a chance. Instead of encouraging motorsport, the media take every possible opportunity to show it in a negative light.

[White trash]

greats all - but lamentably short on world championships?

You'd think that conditions here and all the twisty roads would turn out a squadron of good steerers.

Kev Curtain - he's from newcastle, had a few after work beers in his muffler shop in toronto. The nearest decent set of corners in on the Putty rd - 75km away. Where's he learn to steer like he does i asked him.

'Dunno - just do.'

Ummmmm, Cros' didn't do so bad on the world stage.

Shaun and Bruce have both beaten the worlds best REAL road racers on REAL roads. Where'd they learn to steer? Taranaki? I think not. Wellington? Pfffft, only if you like motorways and traffic lights.

It's been a long time coming but I honestly think New Zealand has some great riders up and coming, who if given the right opportunities, will do this little country very proud again.

[White trash]

Instead of encouraging motorsport, the media take every possible opportunity to show it in a negative light.

Can you give us an example? I've never heard a single negative thing said in the media about kiwi motorsport.

[onearmedbandit]

Hmm - but then the $ are spread around a 4 X bigger pool of riders?

Look at the likes of America (I'm not sure about Australia) where contingency money is paid to a lot of riders at amateur level. I've heard that in some series, tyre companies pay for just using their tyres. I believe Australia would be a lot closer to America than NZ in the way racing is supported.

[Big Dave]

It's been a long time coming but I honestly think New Zealand has some great riders up and coming, who if given the right opportunities, will do this little country very proud again.

So who ya got?

[Big Dave]

Look at the likes of America

Ahhh - We kick their arse too.

Ponder me this
(corrections welcome)

Doohan 5
Bayliss 2
Corser 2
Gardner
Pitt
Vermuelen

A dozen champs the the top 3 grades in the last 15? years?
From a land with predominately straight roads.

[White trash]

So who ya got?

Sam Smith for one. Won the New Zealand TT on his VERY FIRST outing on a 600, then last year absolutley caned the rest of the 600 field including riders who have numerous national titles under their belts. Goes to Australia and consistantly runs in the top 10 in A-grade 600 Supersport, amongst one of the most competitive fields in the world.

Jay Lawrence. Gets on ANTHING and runs at the front. Obvously, his third place in the TT is noteable, espcially when you look at how uncompetitive his bike was. See him at the classics? Outstanding riding on a completely different style of bike from what he's used to.

But it's better! We've got three very young riders (including a young lady) finnishing extremely well in the Australian 150cc development series. Imagine where Jill Clendon would be now had she done the same!

New Zealand's a motorcycling country, my friend. We'll be at the top again soon!

[MotoGirl]

Can you give us an example? I've never heard a single negative thing said in the media about kiwi motorsport.

Whoops, I meant motorcycles! So that would make my point null and void.

Instead of saying motorsport is bad, the media do gloss over it. For example, when a Kiwi wins the motocross champs the news will give us a 10 second "In other motorsport news, Josh Coppins has won the blah blah blah champs, beating John Doe".

If an All Black even breaks a fingernail, the media are all over him and interview not only him, but his coach and neighbours too! God I hate rugby

My point is this: How can we encourage people to take up a sport when we don't show enough of it to grab their interest?

[onearmedbandit]

From a land with predominately straight roads.

So not only is it more financially rewarding, it's the only decent place to ride. Makes sense doesn't it.

[White trash]

Ahhh - We kick their arse too.

Ponder me this
(corrections welcome)

Doohan 5
Bayliss 2
Corser 2
Gardner
Pitt
Vermuelen

A dozen champs the the top 3 grades in the last 15? years?
From a land with predominately straight roads.

World Supersport is hardly one of the top three grades mate. (That'll go down like a cup of cold sick)

And young Mr Pitt (talented as he is, don't get me wrong) won his championship having never seen the top step of the podium.

Corser seems to have been gifted his in that both occasions he was riding a bike that was FAR superior to evryone elses.

Gardner really fought for his number 1 plate and thoroughly deserved the championship.

Mick Doohan is a freak of nature and the Lord Almighty couldn't have wrestled one of those trophys off him.

Bayliss also stands out as a man that worked harder than anyone else and simply wont take it lying down.

Vermuelen, we've yet to see his best I think and in my oppinion, he was riding the right bike at the right time.

[Hillbilly]

The real truth is that Aussie supports motorsport fully. Check out these two sites to get an idea of what I'm talking about:

Aussie Superbike School

Circuit Breakers

And that's just in NSW.

[sidecar bob]

Could they really rub shoulders with MotoGP and WSB riders?

Our best are going to Aussie and while far from disgracing themselves, are hardly setting the world on fire. Where as those Kangaroo rooting sons of bitches come over here, and win our titles haveing never seen the tracks before.

But then, have you ever hard of a little short bastad caled Aaron Slight? How about Simon Crafar? Or Shaun Harris and Bruce Anstey? Dennis Ireland? Graeme Crosby..........the list is long and ditinguished.

And the one who has beaten all of them at one time or another, always on lesser machinery, Robbie Dean, NZ's most under rated road racer.

[Big Dave]

World Supersport is hardly one of the top three grades mate. (That'll go down like a cup of cold sick)

Like I said - corrections welcome - And you know me - 3 laps watching any of 'em and I want to go for a ride somewhere myself rather than watch goobers go round in circles.

[Motu]

Can you give us an example? I've never heard a single negative thing said in the media about kiwi motorsport.

I know you couldn't care less,but people do other things on motorcycles than pull wheelstands y'know....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10433382

I can't find it,but the first story in this media stir up had a picture of the Pukekohe sidecar crash in the headline.They want an investigation into speedway accidents and injuries,then will come more restrictions etc.There was a poll and they were trying to stir up public opinion against speedway.

[MotoGirl]

They want an investigation into speedway accidents and injuries,then will come more restrictions etc.There was a poll and they were trying to stir up public opinion against speedway.

I get what you're saying. The media only makes a fuss about motorsport when things go wrong.

The media use these events to make a dig at the dangers of participating in motorsport. If you compare the the amount of good stuff we see versus the time they spend on negative publicity, the direction they are trying to sway the public is obvious.

Edit: This an interesting quote from some of the feedback of Motu's link:
"Taken over the past 10 - 15 years fewer motorsport competitors have been seriously hurt than rugby players."
I got this from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/st...ectid=10433408