So, why don't you race in the Nationals?

**scrivy** · 26th June 2009, 21:37

Originally Posted by FROSTY

scrivvy in the interest of bein fair n all that howsabout the option "I do whacha on about?"

Well there is that - but I wanted to hear from those that don't do the Nationals at the moment.
I hear that certain people don't want to do them, but I just wanted to get their interpretation on why not.

**Whitebait** · 26th June 2009, 21:40

Originally Posted by t3mp0r4ry nzr

That option would get my vote.
Bragging rights arent a priority, an education and a house are.
No discredit to those that want the title though. Just my view.

Who needs a house is your not LIVING your life???

Finacial report for WhiteBait Racing this week bank account empty but I paid off my slicks.........

I look at it from the point of view that if you put it off you'll never do it.

I'm pretty sure they don't have locks on the doors or gates on fences down south so you can pretty much get by where ever you are by squating in peoples houses........just need to learn to roll my RRRRRRRRRRRRRR's

On a slightly more serious note the front guys are pretty fast but you only see them come past 2 or 3 times a race.......

**t3mp0r4ry nzr** · 26th June 2009, 22:01

[QUOTE=Whitebait;1129278672]Who needs a house is your not LIVING your life???QUOTE]

far play, but my point is my life isnt about racing bikes, only a part of it. Not saying that its the same for everyone though. Bike racing is down the list, not off the list bro. Will always be involved with bikes.

Im not trying to take the moral highground or anything. i think its awesome others are so dedicated. Maybe when Im comfortable I can let get stuck in like I want to.

**Wingnut** · 27th June 2009, 06:37

Originally Posted by Whitebait

Who needs a house is your not LIVING your life???

Tell that to my kids............ I hear where you are coming from, but maybe one day you will see it from the other side??????

I am confused as why would anyone expect someone to compete in the nats with minimal if nil financil backing, on an obviously sub standard (when compared to the last F3 bikes that ran at the nats

) race bike (Grose understatement) and fork out upto $7+ grand in expences to do it?

Personally I would like to do the 3 south island rounds but would it really be that fun to go and literally be one to help in "just making up the numbers". One round of the nats (in just the entry fee alone) would pay for 3-4 club days races. Doesn't make financial or even common sence to do it. Just my opinion - which aint worth too much.

**DEATH_INC.** · 27th June 2009, 07:15

Originally Posted by Tony.OK

For moi its totally about money...............or lack of, would be there in a heartbeat if cashflow was there, even if only to be last in the field.

Too right!

**Whitebait** · 27th June 2009, 08:13

Originally Posted by Wingnut

Tell that to my kids............ I hear where you are coming from, but maybe one day you will see it from the other side??????

I am confused as why would anyone expect someone to compete in the nats with minimal if nil financil backing, on an obviously sub standard (when compared to the last F3 bikes that ran at the nats

) race bike (Grose understatement) and fork out upto $7+ grand in expences to do it?

Personally I would like to do the 3 south island rounds but would it really be that fun to go and literally be one to help in "just making up the numbers". One round of the nats (in just the entry fee alone) would pay for 3-4 club days races. Doesn't make financial or even common sence to do it. Just my opinion - which aint worth too much.

I'm standing on top of the fence so I can see both sides.

I can appreciate for people with young families it must be hard, Stroudy has a whole army and he's still out there.

This year I was a back marker in F3 there's no two ways about it.

I did the two north Island rounds and had some great battles with Duncan keean at round 4 and Ivan Juggins and the Jarman boys at round 5.

I work on the theory that to finish first you first must finish and racing the Nationals was a huge eye opener for me. Not only to how fast the fast guys are but to how many club racers don't do them.

$250 per round is the same as two Moto TT track days if you pay on the day.

The thing I liked the most about the Nationals was the lenght of the races...........sure it's easy to go out and peel out a few fast laps.......I did my fastest lap so far at Manfeild (short track) in the last lap of a 9 lap race..........

I'm not arguing, I'm just trying to encourage people to get out there and try it or at least make others encourage people to give it a go.

I'm currently #10 in NZ for F3 but got my arse kicked at the VMCC Winter series round 2. Why are the more talented riders staying at home for the Nationals???

Is this the reason the current Superbike and Supersport champions are Ozzy's???

Sloan Frost is who I kinda look up to he was out there at the National rounds and is currently #6 on a Superbike. He now knows that he has to step up to run at the front ( Sure the new bike will help ) but those 5 guys in front of him are all next level riders...........Next year he'll be killing it......

**sharky** · 27th June 2009, 11:16

Good on ya Whitebait.
I just took up racing in the summer just gone, so was far to inexperienced to do Nats. I'm pretty satisfied with my results so far but I would be well and truely off the pace of the front runners.
The main factor for me not doing the Nats would be the fact that there's bugger all riders at my level (whether that is machinery or rider ablity) doing them (vicious circle eh). For me, the biggest enjoyment is having battles with people on the track, so if there's nobody to race against the fun factor just ain't there.
In saying that, if you and the Jarman's etc etc are doing them next year I could well be persuaded to do the NI rounds at least.

**neil_cb125t** · 27th June 2009, 11:31

$$$$ is the killer - i will doing the 2011 season. It wil take a year for me to save up, this is now that i finally have a bike that can fight with an SV.

Cant wait to get to the Nats - but the sth island "adventure" is that hard part that stupid stretch of water just costs too much.

2 years ago we did the Port Nelson street race on the 2 of jan.
2 vans with 2 traylers and 6 adults was $1900 return just for the FUCKEN FERRY!!!

Its also really hard finding information out on the" nationals" is their a site with all the info on it?? dates - costs - pit - facilities??

**Robert Taylor** · 27th June 2009, 12:33

Originally Posted by neil_cb125t

$$$$ is the killer - i will doing the 2011 season. It wil take a year for me to save up, this is now that i finally have a bike that can fight with an SV.

Cant wait to get to the Nats - but the sth island "adventure" is that hard part that stupid stretch of water just costs too much.

2 years ago we did the Port Nelson street race on the 2 of jan.
2 vans with 2 traylers and 6 adults was $1900 return just for the FUCKEN FERRY!!!

Its also really hard finding information out on the" nationals" is their a site with all the info on it?? dates - costs - pit - facilities??

MNZ have a site but ( frankly ) trolling through it is a nightmare, its not user friendly.
So the biggest costs and gripe with the Nationals is accomodation, travel and meals? Plus downtime away from work?
Would having a lower spec bike ( stock suspension and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?

**koba** · 27th June 2009, 12:54

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

.
So the biggest costs and gripe with the Nationals is accomodation, travel and meals? Plus downtime away from work?
Would having a lower spec bike ( stock suspension and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?

Correct.

It's the deal breaker for me, I already race a bike that has very low running costs. (RG150)

**DEATH_INC.** · 27th June 2009, 12:55

Originally Posted by Robert Taylor

MNZ have a site but ( frankly ) trolling through it is a nightmare, its not user friendly.
So the biggest costs and gripe with the Nationals is accomodation, travel and meals? Plus downtime away from work?
Would having a lower spec bike ( stock suspension and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?

Robert, for the likes of myself, yes it does help not to have to spend around $5000 for a shock and fork kit. I've only ever run s/h tyres, so the costs associated are nowhere near that cost....even if I ran one new set for the races. Maybe a tyre restriction is whats required?
Take for example the bike I have now, '05 ZX10. It is averagely competitive against the newer bikes, stock vs stock. Not on completely even footing, but close enough. It cost me under $10,000. Then you look at the cost of a real superbike, I'd estimate around 50k to get to the same level of competitiveness? Assuming the top guys are spending the better part of 75-100k?
But, still I can't afford the nats, so maybe I don't count...though if they ran with Quasi's idea and ran it on one weekend.....oops

**koba** · 27th June 2009, 13:01

Originally Posted by scrivy

I don't know if this has been asked before, but it would be interesting (for me) to know why you don't do the National events.

I have a priority list.

I can spend X ammount on racing per year, even tho I do it on the cheap it is a very significant % of my earnings.

My priorites (at the moment!) are:

VMCC Winter Series,
Wellington Buckets,
The Cliffhanger Hillclimb,
The Taupo Roadrace Spectacular,
An away trip for Bucket Racing...

Oh shit, I've run out of Money!

So either I would have to give up other racing, find more $$ or just not do nationals.

I'd rather spend my money watching wanganui and then heading to taupo for some SPECTACULAR ACTION!

**neil_cb125t** · 27th June 2009, 14:48

works easy for me to get away - spec that time of year - ive been told on a F3 bike that 1 front tyre and 2 rears per meet is doable.

apart from that awesome front end valving id love to do - the bike is working really well ( i think )

cheers for the info rob

and motors ) really help that much? Would you be happy to race with the stock shock and have more tyres on hand?[/QUOTE]

**Drew** · 27th June 2009, 14:55

Accomodation is free for me, and likely any of my mates. What with my family being spread all over the south island.

But three weeks away from work, (self employed), cost of running my bike, and travel make it impossible.

**Whitebait** · 27th June 2009, 16:36

I'm looking at getting a loan off westpac just before the nationals!!!! Weather I can get away with getting it done without actually joining their bank is yet to be trialed.....

Sharky it is a vicious circle....You'll be surprised how much you can step up when you need to as well. At Manfield before the nationals my best was a 1:23:4 or something so I lost 2 seconds just because I had to push myself really hard to keep up with Duncan's SV.

I don't know if there needs to be rules bought in because "He with the most cash will always win" when it comes to motorsport.

I'm working on developing my skills so I can be a better rider rather than developing a faster bike.

I'm in the process of sorting out the suspension on my bike which still has the stock items - the springs in the front from CKT.

I've set myself some realistic goals for the season and for the Nationals and once they are signed off I'll look a moving on to another bike.

I would encourage everyone to give it a go I MEAN IT'S NATIONALS...... THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPETITION ON OFFER IN NZ.........