Cross entry?

**slowpoke** · 9th May 2010, 12:12

It's that time of year again where we start to get all moist at the mouth over the start of another Winter Series.

Well kind of.

It's that time of year when I pay my hundy or so bucks rock up to the grid and find the bugger next to me has only paid a lousy twenny to sit on the same grid, thanks to the cross entry rules. Nothing like racing with crappy leathers, 'cos it shits me everytime.

Not to mention talented guys like Sketchy and Nick Cole are actively discouraged from making the jump to a Superbike because they effectively halve their race opportunities. There's even a cup now to reward their staying behind rather making the step up.

Yep, the easy thing to do is just front up with an F3/600/pre-89 bike and join the masses, but even then I'd still be shat off. Watching Sketchy, Nick, John Ross etc languishing on 600's instead of learning from our few international calibre riders like Craig, Stroudy, Robbie and co is just a waste of talent. If that's all they want to do then all good, but looking at the near teenage talent on display in World Superstock and Superbike I don't see any logical progression within the NZ racing scene to get one of our best anywhere near them.

But on the up side I can't actually make many Winter Series race rounds this year, so it'll save me cleaning my shitty leathers every race weekend.

As you were, the Reverend Rantalot has left the building......

**crazzed** · 9th May 2010, 12:48

just dont let them cross enter easy as that spud.
but look at the up side a F1 bike is cheaper to buy than F2 cause no one want them.
as you were..............................

**Shaun** · 9th May 2010, 13:13

Originally Posted by slowpoke

It's that time of year again where we start to get all moist at the mouth over the start of another Winter Series.

Well kind of.

It's that time of year when I pay my hundy or so bucks rock up to the grid and find the bugger next to me has only paid a lousy twenny to sit on the same grid, thanks to the cross entry rules. Nothing like racing with crappy leathers, 'cos it shits me everytime.

Not to mention talented guys like Sketchy and Nick Cole are actively discouraged from making the jump to a Superbike because they effectively halve their race opportunities. There's even a cup now to reward their staying behind rather making the step up.

Yep, the easy thing to do is just front up with an F3/600/pre-89 bike and join the masses, but even then I'd still be shat off. Watching Sketchy, Nick, John Ross etc languishing on 600's instead of learning from our few international calibre riders like Craig, Stroudy, Robbie and co is just a waste of talent. If that's all they want to do then all good, but looking at the near teenage talent on display in World Superstock and Superbike I don't see any logical progression within the NZ racing scene to get one of our best anywhere near them.

But on the up side I can't actually make many Winter Series race rounds this year, so it'll save me cleaning my shitty leathers every race weekend.

As you were, the Reverend Rantalot has left the building......

Give me ya bike then Spud, when you are to busy to ride it

**slowpoke** · 9th May 2010, 13:26

Originally Posted by Shaun

Give me ya bike then Spud, when you are to busy to ride it

You going into the bike cleaning business Shaun? Or "bike whispering"? Like me the grumpy ol' bitch could definitely do with a bit of re-educating.

**Shaun** · 9th May 2010, 13:29

Originally Posted by slowpoke

You going into the bike cleaning business Shaun? Or "bike whispering"? Like me the grumpy ol' bitch could definitely do with a bit of re-educating.

Your baby just needs putting together again with care mate, by some one who know;s how to do the job professionally.

**johan** · 9th May 2010, 18:13

Why not let F1 cross enter into F2?

If F2 riders are concerned about loosing points to higher capacity machines, just separate the points between F1/F2. The timing system is already in place for a setup like this.

Looking at the timesheets, many a F2 riders are quicker than F1 anyway...

**Kickaha** · 9th May 2010, 18:20

Originally Posted by johan

Why not let F1 cross enter into F2?

How about because they aren't eligible?

**johan** · 9th May 2010, 18:41

Originally Posted by Kickaha

How about because they aren't eligible?

Is there a rule stopping clubs running F1 and F2 together if the class is called F2 but fine if it's called F1?
That sounds a lot like the Swedish bureaucracy I thought I left a longtime ago.

Just call it F1 then and time the engine capacities accordingly so every one can get their precious track time.

My two swedish kronor (worth buger all these days)

**CHOPPA** · 9th May 2010, 19:43

I think maybe the race order should be reviewed, if the day is running late the F1 class will be the first to get bumped, F2 should be last cause if there race gets bumped they have still had 5 races

**lukemillar** · 10th May 2010, 07:40

Is the LG superbike class/race not running this year?

**CHOPPA** · 10th May 2010, 08:55

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Is the LG superbike class/race not running this year?

I think LG may have over promised and under delivered on the sponsorship of that class so its no more....

**slowpoke** · 10th May 2010, 10:39

Originally Posted by Shaun

Your baby just needs putting together again with care mate, by some one who know;s how to do the job professionally.

The same thought has occurred to me Shaun, I think I was in mid-air at the time.....

Seriously, you're welcome to have a play on/with the thing for a weekend. It really is an ugly work in progress though so it would be more hard work than good fun. With everything on my plate the poor thing has been pushed down the priority list for the moment but I'm hoping to get some shit squared away and ramp it up later in the year. I'll send you a PM.

Originally Posted by johan

Why not let F1 cross enter into F2?

If F2 riders are concerned about loosing points to higher capacity machines, just separate the points between F1/F2. The timing system is already in place for a setup like this.

Looking at the timesheets, many a F2 riders are quicker than F1 anyway...

I've seen the 600's and 1000's lumped together in Oz, with separate A and B grades rather than capacity divisions. It gave the slower guys something to race for, even if it was just the pride of jumping up a grade or trying to avoid dropping down. The jump for the Clubman's guys wasn't quite as intimidating either.

Originally Posted by CHOPPA

I think maybe the race order should be reviewed, if the day is running late the F1 class will be the first to get bumped, F2 should be last cause if there race gets bumped they have still had 5 races

Good point mate.

It's guys like you, Hayden, Ryan Hampton, etc that are most penalised by the current arrangements. All the drive and talent is there but the racing opportunites aren't. With more opportunities the Superbike field would be bigger, and the guys coming through from 600's would have a much clearer improvement path.

**slowpoke** · 10th May 2010, 10:49

Originally Posted by Kickaha

How about because they aren't eligible?

By the MNZ National classes 6 hundies aren't eligible for the Superbike class either.

There seriously needs to be some face time between MNZ and the Clubs to develop an overall strategy for developing the sport and the riders coming through. I'm an ol' fart only in it for shits and giggles but if I was 18years old with an ounce of the talent that Sketchy, Nick Cole, Ryan Hampton, Choppa have got I'd be stuffed as to what is the best way to develop a ridng career. It should be a clear simple progression, not a confusing hotch potch with plusses and minuses depending on whether you stay in 600's or step up.