Where are all the sidecars?

[roadracingoldfart]

I thought it was only three meetings?

You don't have to do three per year though, which means you have people who might do three meetings in their first year and then do no racing from then on during the following year and only come out for the likes of Wangas

It should be a minimum three per calendar year or you can't do streets

I was wrong about the 6 rounds to qualify to the Nats etc here is the clause from MNZ site...

22.8.15 Before competing in a Street Race or National Points Road Race meeting in any
Championship class, a rider must have competed in at least three lower road race
circuit events. Proof of this shall be from entries in the riders log book. Only senior
licence holders may compete on street circuits.ts etc ,

So does that mean a rider can miss more than one entire season of racing and then come and do the likes of Wanganui ??? thats bloody silly .

Paul.

[Kickaha]

So does that mean a rider can miss more than one entire season of racing and then come and do the likes of Wanganui ??? thats bloody silly .

Paul.

Yes they can and yes it is

[sidecar bob]

I'm just getting started on building outfit for next season. I raced in England for years and am just getting back into it here. I'm looking at producing outfits for sale running 600 motors. The biggest problem (speaking from an outsiders view) seems to be the massive difference in performance between outfits by having to run all in 1 class.
My thoughts (and others I've talked to) are that if a HIGH QUALITY outfit can be produced, that is affordable, easy to set up and relatively cheap to maintain, it would encourage a few more people to dip a toe. Even if you could get 5 more crews out there on more or less identical machinery then you should get some close racing. For my part I've had heaps of help from various people, Kickha, Sidecar Bob, Andy Scrivvener to name a few and I'm very greatful. Obviously I'm aiming at nationals but would be only too pleased to continue at club meetings and help out where I can.
I'm getting back into this because I'm passionate about my sidecars and want to help drag the sport up to a level it should be at.

Im absolutely certain it will encourage more people into the sport Dave.
As long as they are in a seperate class to the F1 outfits & the owners have the chance of winning a title against similar equipment, even if the races are run in with the F1 ones.

[Kickaha]

I'm just getting started on building outfit for next season. I raced in England for years and am just getting back into it here. I'm looking at producing outfits for sale running 600 motors. The biggest problem (speaking from an outsiders view) seems to be the massive difference in performance between outfits by having to run all in 1 class.

The Lawrances on a 600 gave a lot of the 1000cc plus outfits a pasting when they ran it here

I'm curious as to why you decided on 600cc engines when they haven't ever really caught on here

edit: I just had to check to actually see that we do have F2 rules here, I reckon it should be stock motors except for exhaust, airbox, PC and sump

My thoughts (and others I've talked to) are that if a HIGH QUALITY outfit can be produced, that is affordable, easy to set up and relatively cheap to maintain,

You just need to make sure that your idea of a high quality affordable outfit is similar to your intended client base (especially the affordable bit)

it would encourage a few more people to dip a toe. Even if you could get 5 more crews out there on more or less identical machinery then you should get some close racing.

It would be fantastic if that was the outcome

For my part I've had heaps of help from various people, Kickha, Sidecar Bob, Andy Scrivvener to name a few and I'm very greatful.

Sidecar Bob and Andy Scrivener would only be heaps of help if you wanted to know the best porn sites

I'm getting back into this because I'm passionate about my sidecars and want to help drag the sport up to a level it should be at.

You might find a bit of difference between where you think the level should be and where others do but I really hope this kicks off and goes well

[roadracingoldfart]

Yes they can and yes it is

Its good to see that MNZ has safety to the fore . Good on them aye.

[sidecar bob]

Kick, the thing that Yorkshire Dave & i discussed at length was the quality/ affordability thing as it relates to NZ, which held a few surprises for the Pom, & also, the ease of upkeep for mechanical ignoramises.
These machines have been well researched & Dave has a Windle front end on loan from me as a pattern.
I am supplying him with R6 motors as he needs them (I have rather a few too many) & if i didnt already own the most awesome F2 sidecar in the country, i would be putting my name down for the first one.

[Kickaha]

also, the ease of upkeep for mechanical ignoramises.

That would be the biggest stumbling block, sidecars seem to attract a higher percentage than other classes

[sidecar bob]

That would be the biggest stumbling block, sidecars seem to attract a higher percentage than other classes

Yes, the word you are in fact looking for, is Munters.

[jellywrestler]

That would be the biggest stumbling block, sidecars seem to attract a higher percentage than other classes

I don't think that is true Kickman.
The reality is to race a solo you can get away with very little mechanical knowledge and a notebook. Buy a standard bike, talk to a competitor with a proven background and use their settings. Suspension techs are usually at the tracks, some stuff can be achieved for free, other you can cheque book , stick your visor down and go racing. You can go from this level all the way to the John Britten style to.
Sidecars are a complex beast and there's so many large or small differences between machines that everyone is unique. No suspension techs to write the cheques out to so you're behind the eightball to start.
I've floated around road racing for a wee while, mechanical ineptness can easily be hidden in the solo classes, not so in sidecars.
In saying that the sidecar folk are quick to pick up on someone whose like this and offer help.
From what I've seen the overall mechanical abiliities of sidecar competitors and the variety of said abilities is more than that of solos.
Yep I know this'll open a can of worms but it's me belief

[sidecar bob]

I don't think that is true Kickman.
The reality is to race a solo you can get away with very little mechanical knowledge and a notebook. Buy a standard bike, talk to a competitor with a proven background and use their settings. Suspension techs are usually at the tracks, some stuff can be achieved for free, other you can cheque book , stick your visor down and go racing. You can go from this level all the way to the John Britten style to.
Sidecars are a complex beast and there's so many large or small differences between machines that everyone is unique. No suspension techs to write the cheques out to so you're behind the eightball to start.
I've floated around road racing for a wee while, mechanical ineptness can easily be hidden in the solo classes, not so in sidecars.
In saying that the sidecar folk are quick to pick up on someone whose like this and offer help.
From what I've seen the overall mechanical abiliities of sidecar competitors and the variety of said abilities is more than that of solos.
Yep I know this'll open a can of worms but it's me belief

Lots of truth there.
The machines in question will not have the myrad of ajustments of the European long bikes that may cause much confusion to a amateur.
They, much like my own F2, will be gas & go.

[roadracingoldfart]

I don't think that is true Kickman.
The reality is to race a solo you can get away with very little mechanical knowledge and a notebook. Buy a standard bike, talk to a competitor with a proven background and use their settings. Suspension techs are usually at the tracks, some stuff can be achieved for free, other you can cheque book , stick your visor down and go racing. You can go from this level all the way to the John Britten style to.
Sidecars are a complex beast and there's so many large or small differences between machines that everyone is unique. No suspension techs to write the cheques out to so you're behind the eightball to start.
I've floated around road racing for a wee while, mechanical ineptness can easily be hidden in the solo classes, not so in sidecars.
In saying that the sidecar folk are quick to pick up on someone whose like this and offer help.
From what I've seen the overall mechanical abiliities of sidecar competitors and the variety of said abilities is more than that of solos.
Yep I know this'll open a can of worms but it's me belief

That there is a whole bunch of fact .

[racer40]

True sidecar bob yours & tracys F2 is a work of art, & has a great history, but watch out we have another F2 not to far from being ready, & richie is doing a great job on it. hopefully we get it on track soon so can compare it to yours.

[yorkshire raceramesh]

Would it be worth all the crews interested in running F2 getting together and sorting out some basic ground rules for specs, mods etc if there isn't anything already there? Would anyone else be interested in setting up a F2 racers group to help promote it as an alternative to F1?
Personally I'd like to see restrictions on engine mods and suspension just to keep costs down and try to maintain a level playing field. I just don't see the sense in spending megabucks for what are very limited number of meetings.
These are just random thoughts that I think would help. If I'm treading on toes or covering old ground I apologise and feel free to pull me up.

[Pussy]

Would it be worth all the crews interested in running F2 getting together and sorting out some basic ground rules for specs, mods etc if there isn't anything already there? Would anyone else be interested in setting up a F2 racers group to help promote it as an alternative to F1?
Personally I'd like to see restrictions on engine mods and suspension just to keep costs down and try to maintain a level playing field. I just don't see the sense in spending megabucks for what are very limited number of meetings.
These are just random thoughts that I think would help. If I'm treading on toes or covering old ground I apologise and feel free to pull me up.

From a spectators point of view..... it would be GREAT to see a proper f2 class in sidecars.
I hope it comes to be

[jellywrestler]

Personally I'd like to see restrictions on engine mods and suspension just to keep costs down and try to maintain a level playing field. I just don't see the sense in spending megabucks for what are very limited number of meetings.
If I'm treading on toes or covering old ground I apologise and feel free to pull me up.

If indeed it does bring more people to the sport and bigger feilds then the meetings should increase, chicken before the egg stuff really.
As for covering old ground the F2 class was set up many moons ago didn't take hold effectively but bring on the new enthusiasm and ideas. One reason it never caught on is everyone was left to their own devices, and no-one made it their baby. One can't easily go out and buy a set up outfit, far less a number of people. If they were available I'm sure things would change.
Look at the Marina outfits that were built in the late 70's in the Hawkes Bay. There were approx 33 of these built as the formula was right both in simplicity and availability too.