NZ's greatest track rider?

[slowpoke]

Investors? Sure. But what a bloody huge risk. Takes a hell of a lot of faith to back someone to that extent. Cracking the American racing scene WITHOUT the surname Andretti, Penske, Petty or the like. And to do it coming from NZ? Unheard of.

Oh yeah, nothing against Dixon, he's done incredibly well to not just get to the top in the US but to stay there. A hugely talented/determined guy, no question.

I just think it's more difficult for a bike racer to emulate what he's done. The prospects of making a living off racing muddersickles aren't so rosy with feck all paid positions world wide, so the chances of investors banding together to back a bike racer are similarly slim no matter how talented the rider is especially when you consider the risk of injury to their investment.

[slowpoke]

D'oh! Goddamn double post.....I'm as good on the 'net as I am on a bike, which is to say not very.....

[slowpoke]

Robert Holden or Bob Toomey for me... I remember watching these fellas at the Castrol series at Manfield & Boxing day racing Whanganui Its a pity BT didn't carry on who knows where he may have ended up, he was certainly fast on what ever he rode

Are some of you guys confusing your favourite riders with the best riders?

It's like looking at Matt Mladin in the 'States; I reckon he was a truly world class Superbike champion but having stuck to the AMA rather than strutting his stuff on the international stage his achievements can't be ranked alongside the guys who made the jump.

The same goes for our local champions, you can't really compare racing at Wanganui with international/world championships. You might have enjoyed watching them but they weren't racing the best in the world.

[roogazza]

Are some of you guys confusing your favourite riders with the best riders?

It's like looking at Matt Mladin in the 'States; I reckon he was a truly world class Superbike champion but having stuck to the AMA rather than strutting his stuff on the international stage his achievements can't be ranked alongside the guys who made the jump.

The same goes for our local champions, you can't really compare racing at Wanganui with international/world championships. You might have enjoyed watching them but they weren't racing the best in the world.

At least if it's like last year Slowpoke, you can (and will ) rock up to 5 meetings in NZ's national series and probably get a top ten finish.
Its never been easier, I hope you agree ? G.

[pritch]

So it was easy for all the others? For a start,they knew about tough times....they won't do it tough these days,that's just too hard man..

There is some truth in that. In the 60s though riders from the Commonwealth had a good run in the World Championships. The British riders tended to be involved in their own short circuit series.

Rather than try and penetrate the intensely competitive British scene the Commonwealth riders raced the second level events on the Championship circuits in Europe.

When a team wanted a rider they often looked at those who already knew all the right tracks and were used to living on the road. Thus the likes of Hugh Anderson, Gary Hocking, and Jim Redman got the chance to set about accumulating titles.

[slowpoke]

At least if it's like last year Slowpoke, you can (and will ) rock up to 5 meetings in NZ's national series and probably get a top ten finish.
Its never been easier, I hope you agree ? G.

Yeah, it's an interesting situation at the moment. As far as top 10's go you are absolutely right, but I don't think actually winning a title is any easier, in the 600/superbike classes anyway. Thanks to Bugden (Red Fenton) and Gareth Jones (Brian Bernard) the standard set at the front is higher than ever. Those guys really deserve a vote of thanks rather than the criticism they got for employing overseas riders 'cos it's lifted our local guys as a result and it's a shame Brian hasn't been able to pull something together this year.

So yeah, while the guys at the back are slower than ever the guys at the front are probably faster than ever. It's great seeing Stroudy rising to the challenge training and riding more this season, with Craig lifting to match him, dragging Hayden and Choppa along for the ride.

Hmmmm, qualifying at a track you've never seen before with those guys up the front is easier said than done......especially when you haven't raced since September........

[onearmedbandit]

So it was easy for all the others? For a start,they knew about tough times....they won't do it tough these days,that's just too hard man.The bikes are faster,handle better,are more reliable....there are sponsors to pay the way for you instead of saving up the money all by yourself.

So I take it that you personally know all the young and upcoming riders out there trying to make a go of it. Otherwise that's a pretty unfair statement to make.

[Motu]

There were plenty of young and upcomping riders back in the day of these guys we are talking about...and yes,I did know some of them....they didn't step up where those guys did,nothing has changed.