MNZ rule changes: I have been told we'll know by the end of July

[fossil]

Your point is well put, Aaron - thats why we ( the Commission ) have published the dates NOW, so that the Competitors have as much time as we can manage to get their Champs arrangements in place .... you may have missed MY point though - there have been no dates previously issued by the Commission, the ones released yesterday are THE official dates

Peter Ramage
Road Race Commission Chair

Is there any truth in the rumour that bridgestone will be announced as the control tyre for a number of classes?

[lostinflyz]

only because bridgey's have been scientifically proven to be 10x superior to everything else....

dear fucktards, MNZ have decided that you don't need anything else, cause you'll only make the wrong decision (not my words!!!).

[CHOPPA]

So where has all the sponsorship money come from to get him over seas racing after his last 12 months of brilliant commitment to his riding?????
He is the BEST young rider I have ever seen in this country, including Aaron Slight Andrew Stroud Simon Crafer, I grew up with them, so know where they were at at his stage of his racing.

The above PROVES to me the serious lack of funds in our sport

I think there is still the money out there but I dont think you can just sit back and expect to get it. I was at Strouds house and I asked if he worked. He laughed and just showed me what he actually does to make a living from racing (amongst other things)

I think any rider with talent/age on there side but most importantly dedication will be able to get to where they need to, to prove themselves. They may not make it but they will get a shot to prove themselves.

I dont see any dedication from Road Racers in comparison to young MX riders and that really is the diff. If Glen has Ben Townleys dedication I dont doubt he has the talent to succeed.

[Dom]

Yes there will be natural selection, for better or worse. Manufacturers of aftermarket product, the tyre suppliers, oil suppliers etc ad infinitum are in fact just as important as the bike manufacturers themselves as they are all interlinked. Taking it to its finest point bike manufacturers are in fact assemblers of product as many of the bikes use product that is made by subcontractors. For example WP are a subcontractor of product to KTM ( although in that case Ill conveniently foget that KTM own WP)
When we are talking aftermarket suspension there are in fact 5 highest quality and performance products on the radar screen that race at the highest levels beit WSS600, World 600 and 1000 Superstock ( yes aftermarket suspension used in 600 Superstock ) and AMA racing. WP, Penske, Works level Showa,Ohlins and Bitubo. Bitubo making a presence in WSS600 on the Triumphs and a nice looking product indeed.
Interesting to note that 3 of the biggest motorcycle distributors in NZ strongly favour aftermarket suspension for Superstock 600 class and the vibe out there is that most submitters were also in favour of retaining aftermarket. A fifth motorcycle manufacturer ( KTM ) has standard suspension components that in other ways are considered aftermarket!!!
It would be ideal to have a greater level of dealer involvement but frankly I dont see much more of that anytime soon. The road race motorcycle world is a very different animal to 2 or 3 decades ago and whilst many hark back to the simplicity of those times it aint coming back! Also, this sounds negative but its the stark reality. Given that current retail motorcycle sales are down as low as 1962 levels and that dealers are operating on extremely squeezed margins many are on the bones of their bottoms. It is they who need sponsorship!

Don't forget K-Tech Robert. They have found their way onto some fast bikes on a couple of continents.

[Biggles08]

I think there is still the money out there but I dont think you can just sit back and expect to get it. I was at Strouds house and I asked if he worked. He laughed and just showed me what he actually does to make a living from racing (amongst other things)

I think any rider with talent/age on there side but most importantly dedication will be able to get to where they need to, to prove themselves. They may not make it but they will get a shot to prove themselves.

I dont see any dedication from Road Racers in comparison to young MX riders and that really is the diff. If Glen has Ben Townleys dedication I dont doubt he has the talent to succeed.

You may just be on to something there Choppa!

[Robert Taylor]

Is there any truth in the rumour that bridgestone will be announced as the control tyre for a number of classes?

No, Buddha may be Buddha but he has ethics.

[Wingnut]

I dont see any dedication from Road Racers in comparison to young MX riders and that really is the diff.

Agreed. But is that because there is a better or easily obtainable "Pathway" available for up and comers in the MX scene? I would imagine it would be significantly easier to commit and sacrafise if your goals were realistically obtainable?

Choppa you will know, how do the two codes (Road vs MX)compare financially? The cost to run at the top level in NZ specifically?

[CHOPPA]

Agreed. But is that because there is a better or easily obtainable "Pathway" available for up and comers in the MX scene? I would imagine it would be significantly easier to commit and sacrafise if your goals were realistically obtainable?

Choppa you will know, how do the two codes (Road vs MX)compare financially? The cost to run at the top level in NZ specifically?

The thing with MX is there is a lot more riding involved, parts wear out far quicker and bikes need to be replaced twice a year or have a practice and a race bike. Given you would ride 10x more the costs are similar so obviously if you raced your Superbike that much the cost would be stupid.

Sponsors are a bit easier to get when racing road bikes, its very very hard nowdays to get a professional ride in MX as parents are grooming there kids from a really young age and there is so many fast fast kids, they need to look at road racing!

The thing about MX is that to be fit for a 30 min race at a professional level you have to dedicate a couple of hours everyday to training.

Ben Townley and Josh Coppins both had to buy rides to get to europe but they had the dedication and determination to do whatever it took to become the best so people/family could see a worthwhile investment.

There is a Spanish formula extreme and Spanish Moto2 ride available at the moment which is run by Dorna, it will cost around 120k. That also incudes some british rounds french rounds and if your quick enough moto gp wild card. The expenses are payable over the year and there is the potential of around 50k prizemoney. Its not impossible to get there if your determined

[Robert Taylor]

Don't forget K-Tech Robert. They have found their way onto some fast bikes on a couple of continents.

Yes you are correct and its a good product but not better. They have made headway in markets and series where the aforementioned brands have either no presence or their trackside service is appallingly bad with a reluctance to work with riders and make setting changes to keep pushing forward.
A wliingness to work very hard to back up your product makes all the difference.

[Robert Taylor]

Choppa is correct, you often have to make your own chances and not expect everything on a plate. Also being involved with MX I can relate that the costs there are high and often even higher.

Relevant to all of this I have often over the years viewed how distributor backup has been seen as a gravy train in road race. Distributors often have presence ''but for the grace of god'' and shouldnt be milked for all that can be got when times are good. Its a little like the environment, its okay to mine the resources but do it sustainably and put something back.

[Wingnut]

So........ motards racing at all 5 rounds this year??

I thought that this was going to be a great class for the masses to watch. But with such a poor turnout at the three south island rounds..... It was a shame to see so few motards on the grid when comparing it to the club scene @ MCC the previous season.

Where did all the numbers go??

[Wingnut]

only because bridgey's have been scientifically proven to be 10x superior to everything else....

dear fucktards, MNZ have decided that you don't need anything else, cause you'll only make the wrong decision (not my words!!!).

Breathe Tim breathe............ The couriers are working overtime....

[Shaun]

Is there any truth in the rumour that bridgestone will be announced as the control tyre for a number of classes?

Did you also get one of TEXT sent out by DRUNK people trying to be funny

[scorry]

I thought that this was going to be a great class for the masses to watch. But with such a poor turnout at the three south island rounds..... It was a shame to see so few motards on the grid when comparing it to the club scene @ MCC the previous season.

Where did all the numbers go??

good call mate, i thought it would have been good too.
With over 20 easy at each of the MCC rounds, i would have liked to see that at nationals, but at times there was only 12 on thr grid.
Definatly not helping our argument for having motards at all 5 rounds.

It was also mentioned that motards really need some sort of dirt section to actually be a motard race, it is in the pipeline by the sounds of things but i dont think it will be next year.

[budda]

Don't forget K-Tech Robert. They have found their way onto some fast bikes on a couple of continents.

BLOODY HELL,Dom .... thems possibly dirty words there fella ! Doesnt K-tech subscribe to that mother of all evils suspension theory called "progressive springing" ? certain Dutch Purple Springed connotations if I remember correctly ........