Racing at Taupo in the winter

**scrivy** · 31st May 2009, 11:50

Originally Posted by Shaun

cool, give me your chair then

Nah mate, mines too slow for you...........

**ryanf062** · 31st May 2009, 15:25

i was disapointed to hear the track repairs were still shit for the first round of the winter series as i was told that they were supposed to have been fixed before then. the clubs pay a lot of money to hire the track and i didnt think it was fair that the didnt have the track up to a good standard but it was still a good day and it usualy is a good track but it just required a bit more caution to race there.

**slowpoke** · 31st May 2009, 15:59

It's definitely not a place I enjoy racing at, although I acknowledge it is probably good from a learning aspect. It's a bit of a one line wonder through 3/4's of it, with 2 gear corner after 2nd gear corner followed by you guessed it, another 2nd gear corner. But learning is all about moving outside your comfort zone right, so I just treat it as a necessary, if not totally enjoyable, learning experience.
As for racing in the rain, I popped my wet racing cherry at the last round and was suprised how much fun it is, wet weather racing rocks!
The thing that seemed to make wet weather racing do-able at Taupo in Round 1 was that just about everybody avoided the patches like bacon at a barmitzvah. So the logical extension of this could possibly be to cone off the patches all together. That way we'd all be racing on an almost perfect track surface, with the major hazard removed.
Then I've just got to sort out some supension settings for the colder track surface, 'cos what left me with a perfectly scrubbed rear tyre at the PMCC final round left me with a tyre half way to rooted from what looks like cold tearing.

**scrivy** · 1st June 2009, 11:06

Originally Posted by slowpoke

But learning is all about moving outside your comfort zone right, so I just treat it as a necessary, if not totally enjoyable, learning experience.
So the logical extension of this could possibly be to cone off the patches all together. That way we'd all be racing on an almost perfect track surface, with the major hazard removed.

You're onto it slowpoke. I couldn't care less about racing at the exact same track each time. Why don't they just cone the bad areas off? It would make a different track for everyone.
Places like Puke, why can't they cone in a chicane on the back straight for slower classes? Hockenheim has chicanes used by bikes but not cars, much like the bus stop at Rimatu (er.. Timaru).
The 'bad' corner coming onto the new front straight at Taupo could be coned, so you come onto it slower, hence taking a tighter line to avoid the wall on the exit....

**scracha** · 1st June 2009, 11:49

Originally Posted by scrivy

Places like Puke, why can't they cone in a chicane on the back straight for slower classes? Hockenheim has chicanes used by bikes but not cars, much

Never mind just for the slower bikes, they could do it before some of the more dangerous sections (you know...5ft of runoff before armco)

**scrivy** · 1st June 2009, 11:55

Originally Posted by scracha

Never mind just for the slower bikes, they could do it before some of the more dangerous sections (you know...5ft of runoff before armco)

Quite right! Us riders need to be more vocal to organisers, then changes will get made! Squeeky wheel and all that........

I've taken alot of stuff onboard for the TRRS from what riders have requested of me. Stay tuned very very soon for info........

**Clivoris** · 1st June 2009, 14:24

Originally Posted by scrivy

You're onto it slowpoke. I couldn't care less about racing at the exact same track each time. Why don't they just cone the bad areas off? It would make a different track for everyone.
Places like Puke, why can't they cone in a chicane on the back straight for slower classes? Hockenheim has chicanes used by bikes but not cars, much like the bus stop at Rimatu (er.. Timaru).
The 'bad' corner coming onto the new front straight at Taupo could be coned, so you come onto it slower, hence taking a tighter line to avoid the wall on the exit....

Initially I thought coning slippery bits off would work as well. Several people pointed out the risk of the cones being hit and fouling other competitors, possibly leading to carnage. At least the slippy bits stay where they are lap after lap. Cones flying about at the apex of a corner are another problem entirely.

**wharfy** · 1st June 2009, 23:23

I like the layout, the facilities are good, the patches to the track are pretty crude and mess with your head a bit. It is a bit of a haul to get there and back but I'm a yes vote.

**Clivoris** · 5th June 2009, 16:23

I have had contact from track management today and they are very keen on receiving feedback about this and other issues. It was a very satisfying conversation that assured me that they are aware of the issues. They were very honest in also saying that they aren't sure what the solutions are, or how quickly they can be put in place, but they are looking into it.

**Tony.OK** · 5th June 2009, 16:48

Originally Posted by Clivoris

I have had contact from track management today and they are very keen on receiving feedback about this and other issues. It was a very satisfying conversation that assured me that they are aware of the issues. They were very honest in also saying that they aren't sure what the solutions are, or how quickly they can be put in place, but they are looking into it.

Are you talking Taupo track management here Clive?
They also told Brian Woods that the track was getting sorted...........nearly 2 months ago............are they waiting for a more serious injury perhaps?
Would someone pay full price to hire a car and be happy if the steering was broken?................don't think so.
Sorry if I'm on the wrong page here.......

**Clivoris** · 5th June 2009, 21:18

Originally Posted by Tony.OK

Are you talking Taupo track management here Clive?
They also told Brian Woods that the track was getting sorted...........nearly 2 months ago............are they waiting for a more serious injury perhaps?
Would someone pay full price to hire a car and be happy if the steering was broken?................don't think so.
Sorry if I'm on the wrong page here.......

Fair enough comment Tony. The person I spoke to today wasn't there 2 months ago. He is very concerned.

**sugilite:Me** · 5th June 2009, 21:50

I like racing at Taupo, even though many corners are pretty much single line. It has been a while since I raced Taupo in Winter. The way it was a few years back, I noticed it was hard to see if it was completely wet or not (might be my old eyes playing tricks!)...and it was super slippery. Things may have changed by now. I can certainly see the merits of having it on the calendar, maybe as the last round when it is a bit warmer?

**Shaun** · 5th June 2009, 21:56

Originally Posted by Clivoris

I have had contact from track management today and they are very keen on receiving feedback about this and other issues. It was a very satisfying conversation that assured me that they are aware of the issues. They were very honest in also saying that they aren't sure what the solutions are, or how quickly they can be put in place, but they are looking into it.

Post there Email address mate, BUT please folks, DO NOT ABUSE THEM, be constructive please please please

**Clivoris** · 5th June 2009, 22:08

Originally Posted by Shaun

Post there Email address mate, BUT please folks, DO NOT ABUSE THEM, be constructive please please please

I don't want to do that without asking him first mate, but he has requested that I send a formal e-mail expressing any concerns. The VMCC committee had already decided to do this and putting this thread up was done to gather some opinion, just to check whether or not I was being a big wimp. It's definitely been worth doing.

**roadracingoldfart** · 5th June 2009, 22:24

Originally Posted by Clivoris

I don't want to do that without asking him first mate, but he has requested that I send a formal e-mail expressing any concerns. The VMCC committee had already decided to do this and putting this thread up was done to gather some opinion, just to check whether or not I was being a big wimp. It's definitely been worth doing.

Good result Clive.