Some more ideas on growing the Nationals

[Toot Toot]

Lots of good thoughts and yea I can see some realistic potential evolving.
etc etc etc...

Some good ideas coming out Andrew. I've never seen you talk so much in my life! Awesome, keep it coming.

[JayRacer37]

Or better put, if the club would use a National round to also hold their first or last round of their of the club champs, then lots of club races would be more likely to race in that particular National event.
Car meetings already have the TV and spectators. I couldn't see them wanting to fit in more than one M/c class though. Or if 600's are happy to race with Superbikes then we ask Motorsport NZ if they could look to include us in two of their NZV8 meetings - 600 & S/B's in the same race.
There's two National high profile rounds done. Other classes ie F3, 125's, Sidecars, 150's could join two more club rounds as their National rounds.
- Another high profile round could be held at the Burt Munro. (Some riders would also choose to do the Wyndam Street races.)
- The NZGP meeting with double points for the GP races. (and double points for S.I. Cup competitors)
- The NZ TT (with double points) as THE BIG EVENT... bring in the circus.

That all sounds very good Andrew. I don't think 600's and Superbikes off the same grid would be a problem. Perhaps a split grid and 30 sec intervals to stop the faster 600s and midpack Superbikes tripping over each other? Clubs doubling the NATIONAL meeting as their first club round of the new year sounds like a good idea. I still don't like CLUB championship rounds being National meetings, it would cost more as the clubs are unlikely to talk to each other well so the rounds would be broken up more - IE 4-5 weeks down south.

[Shaun]

Keep at it crew, some very healthy idea.s here

[AndrewStroud]

How about using the 1st Tri Series as a Nat event at Manfeild? That seemed to go well last year with most of the Top boys using as a build up anyway. The added bonus is that it is also linked with Wanganui's boxing day races, and a pre prepared organising team with Leighton & co.

That could also work well, as could the Taupo Road Race Spectacular.

Consider the following;
-Aus Championship finishes 15th November 09 (started 1st March 09)
-below is last season's V8 calendar (couldn't find dates for next season);

V8s Championship
Round Date Venue
1 3-5 Oct 2008 Taupo
2 7-9 Nov 2008 Pukekohe
3 28-30 Nov 2008 Powerbuilt at Ruapuna
4 9-11 Jan 2009 Timaru
5 16-18 Jan 2009 Teretonga
6 27 Feb-1 Mar 2009 Manfeild
7 13-15 Mar 2009 Pukekohe
17-19 Apr 2009 Hamilton 400 V8 Supercars
A1GP 23rd Jan 2009

Ruapuna V8 event is around the same time as the Burt Munro.
These two could be the first two rounds. If the Canterbury M/C club could arrange for their last round of the club champs to be early-mid Dec at Timaru or Chch then that could also be an option.
The series is promoted in (at least) Australia. (with our rules the same as theirs). If there's enough interest then a container could be at Calder Park (VIC) 15th Nov, loaded and delivered to Teretonga end of Nov. Could even consider another container sent from Auckland. Stopping in Wellington, Chch?? so people could fly in and fly out).
Container (or Truck) then taken to Chch or Timaru. Then up to Manfeild for Tri-Series / National 20th Dec... Reloaded & delivered to Wanganui 26th, Taupo 27th Dec... There could be one or two more National events in Jan / early feb.
Ask about having combined 600/ SB race at A1GP and finish with the TT (THE BIG EVENT) at Hampton Downs. The Hampton Downs event could be in conjunction with either, NZV8's, or Rd 1 Auckland Club Champs, or even 600/SB races held during the Classic Racing Festival. Whether the Classic guys would have us is another thing, but they have already booked the track and it has become a very popular meeting. It'd be great for their spectators too, seeing some seriously fast racing in the mist of ...some not so fast racing...
(I did say 'some' as it was pretty exciting seeing Schwantz and Dave Cole go at it. )

....container then sent back to Aus for their Rd 1. Loaded with Aussies gear and any Kiwi's that want to race over there.

It would take some organising and a 'work together' attitude.

[Shaun Harris]

Great work again Andrew! Re bikes with the V8's in New Zealand

I think if you were to talk with Johny Hepburn, you would find out that bikes will NEVER be with the V8's again mate, the first time was such a pain for them to organise, as NO MNZ member was there to co-ordinate it at all.

It was some of the best racing in New Zealand I have ever been involved in.

V8's, they also so many classes wanting to get on TV now, that there just is NO TIME in the format to fit any bike race sin

But great thoughts any way

[AndrewStroud]

That all sounds very good Andrew. I don't think 600's and Superbikes off the same grid would be a problem. Perhaps a split grid and 30 sec intervals to stop the faster 600s and midpack Superbikes tripping over each other? Clubs doubling the NATIONAL meeting as their first club round of the new year sounds like a good idea. I still don't like CLUB championship rounds being National meetings, it would cost more as the clubs are unlikely to talk to each other well so the rounds would be broken up more - IE 4-5 weeks down south.

Howdy Jay, lots of good ideas there mate.
I can't see a problem with 600's & S/B's off the same grid either (except for Gareth). I was thinking of a 10 -20m gap back to 600 group but start off the same light to keep it simple and clean for the spectators.
I also, don't see it as ideal to double up a National / club event. Though if it was to double the size of the meeting then we should still keep it under consideration. Also the particular club could effectively have two meetings for the operating costs of one.

[AndrewStroud]

Great work again Andrew! Re bikes with the V8's in New Zealand

I think if you were to talk with Johny Hepburn, you would find out that bikes will NEVER be with the V8's again mate, the first time was such a pain for them to organise, as NO MNZ member was there to co-ordinate it at all.

It was some of the best racing in New Zealand I have ever been involved in.

V8's, they also so many classes wanting to get on TV now, that there just is NO TIME in the format to fit any bike race sin

But great thoughts any way

Yea, I've heard similar comments. I suppose we won't know till we ask.

[JayRacer37]

Howdy Jay, lots of good ideas there mate.
I can't see a problem with 600's & S/B's off the same grid either (except for Gareth). I was thinking of a 10 -20m gap back to 600 group but start off the same light to keep it simple and clean for the spectators.
I also, don't see it as ideal to double up a National / club event. Though if it was to double the size of the meeting then we should still keep it under consideration. Also the particular club could effectively have two meetings for the operating costs of one.

Yeah, a gap would do the same job, or all but. Just Gareth? So you arn't going to do both again...? If the clubs could be convinced to make the national event they're hosting count as points towards their club championships...it could work really well. You certainly hope that would be incentive for the club riders to come.

[Shaun]

Yea, I've heard similar comments. I suppose we won't know till we ask.

So True, so what time today will you be making the phone to call, to find out if they could be interested in this idea then?

[scrivy]

It'd be great for their spectators too, seeing some seriously fast racing in the mist of ...some not so fast racing...

Mate, did you not see that lightning fast old yellow BMW sidecar at the Puke classic fest?????

[AndrewStroud]

Yeah, a gap would do the same job, or all but. Just Gareth? So you arn't going to do both again...? If the clubs could be convinced to make the national event they're hosting count as points towards their club championships...it could work really well. You certainly hope that would be incentive for the club riders to come.

I agree. If clubs say yes to it do you think they'd get many complaints from their club champ racers? If it's getting in the way they are worried about, don't mind me, I'll be happy to find a way around. If it's getting lapped then we could go back to having 3 shorter races.

[AndrewStroud]

Mate, did you not see that lightning fast old yellow BMW sidecar at the Puke classic fest?????

oh, that's right, sorry I forgot to mention

[AndrewStroud]

So True, so what time today will you be making the phone to call, to find out if they could be interested in this idea then?

ok, ..picking up twins from Kindy now. will let you know

[Drew]

There are some great ideas here, are there any people motivated to do anything about them?

Shaun; you are a busy man I know, but ups or downs, you have consistantly said you were all about the sport.

Quasi; similarly busy, but full of ideas, then re-working them when possible faults are highlighted.

Andrew; obvious spokesperson for the riders.

Will something happen?

By no means would I blame any of you for not bothering, or anyone else for that matter, but should we expect anything from this discussion, or settle into the status quoe?

I'm sure everyone can agree, I'm too much of a hot head to have anything to do with buerocrats(sp), but ask me to do something, and I'll do whatever I can to that end.

[mikeey01]

Although things are in a complete shambles and a lot of racers, helpers are disillusioned at present I am impressed with the ideas you guys are coming up with, honestly some really good shit!

My fear is you buggers won't share the love (races) around the country and hog all the goods ones up in the north island!

I still reckon they should pay u buggers more too!