Aren't we lucky that the Australians invented Bucket racing

[speedpro]

The tracks were marked out with cones and tyres typically. The name refers to the type of bike - "buckets of bolts/shit". As far as I know the very first meeting was at Woodbourne, then Ohakea or possibly Wigram, then a while later at Whenuapai or Hobsonville. No licence or permit required which used to get up certain NZACU people's noses, particularly Errol. He was never allowed on base so couldn't do anything about it.
Each base except Whenuapai, used to run a GP with Ohakea at Easter being the biggest with guys from both Islands racing. Pretty sure there would have been over 100 100cc buckets and 40+ 50cc buckets at some meetings. Whenuapai never ran a GP but did run a 6-hour race one year, '85 or '86.
I don't think changing the name will make any difference. Presentation and performance are what makes the difference. Having said that some people will always view buckets as the smallest class and therefore least important.

[speedpro]

I know the guys who started bucket racing, Steadman, Ram, the Woods(civvies). Otang, Frank, and Ziffle plus others. The name referred to the bikes.

[jasonu]

I know the guys who started bucket racing, Steadman, Ram, the Woods(civvies). Otang, Frank, and Ziffle plus others. The name referred to the bikes.

Mike would know. He may be the closest link to the founders of Buckets still actively competeing (except in the wet).
Happy New Year

[Buckets4Me]

Apparently not. After looking at mylaps from Taupo I see there was more than 50 bikes in the F4 GP. Shit, that race was for a national title and they lumped 40ish F4 bikes in with god knows what other class and gave them 12(ish) laps!
So no, being called F4 doesn't give you more laps, not even a race of your own to determine a national champion FFS. The 50's looked to have recieved similar treatment.
I think the bucket entrants got short changed at that meeting. I am guessing there was more than 50 total bucket entries. The motards (I guess there was about 10 after looking at mylaps) got at least the same track time as the buckets.

ha ha the 50's (all 3 of them) ran with 125 and 250 gp bikes

the organisers got a bit of stick about putting the buckets with the 150 street stock ( poor buggers got lapped ) and if they try that again i'm sure a lot of poeple will pull out (but in there defence a lot of the racers didn't know where they should be on the grid)

Buckets ( F4 )is by far the biggest field of bike at the TRRS

[Rick 52]

It is a shame to step away from the name Buckets but people do think of buckets as not a real sport and this includes racers from other classes and we all know they would be not as fast as they think if they tried it ! The sport should have more respect getting big numbers for entry's and attracting big names and as people have said the bikes are looking and performing very well and the engineering that goes in to the bikes would shame bigger cc classes.. F4 I Think !!

[Dutchee]

We've got F1, F2, F3 and F5 with buckets in between.

In some ways, it's almosst as though we're embarrassed to be called F4.
At Mt Welly somedays, A grade is called F4 and B is called buckets. I think I remember noticing that when we were having trophy races.

I thought it was awesome (naturally spelt with an o) when we had a bucket/F4 rider leading the 3 hour at TRRS for some laps, as it does show that there's some talented riders in F4 (other than ones like Morgan, Mettam, Hassan who have profile in their "real" chosen classes).

Being called buckets, though, could also mean that people come along and watch some good racing, and realise they can be doing it easily enough too. As for getting the bikes looking good (as well as running/handling good), it's nice to see the ratty bikes out there mixing it up also, as that could interest other riders, who can see a cheap form of motorsport they can partake in.

Basically, I'm on the fence, riding my bucket badly and having a ball (most of the time).
Michelle

[gav]

Mike would know. He may be the closest link to the founders of Buckets still actively competeing (except in the wet).
Happy New Year

I raced at Woodbourne air base in the early 80's, a few of us would make the trip from Nelson. The track would be laid out with tyres and cones as stated. The guys mentioned were racing then, they were very anti NZACU (as it was then) and made it quite known. Ahhh the joys of getting pissed for $2 after the racing, hehe.

[koba]

I fixed the Wikipedia version. It used to be the same as teammaddogracing's. It could do with a little more correction I think but I just didn't know enough at the time.
If anyone has the true story I'll put it there and on www.bucketracing.co.nz

The article in "The Upper Hutt Star" was very similar to the wikipedia article.

Gotta love hardworking journalists!

[timg]

Ahhh the joys of getting pissed for $2 after the racing, hehe.

Yeah but back in them olden days you only earned $4 for your weeks labour

[F5 Dave]

The race entry ($1 when I started) was to cover postage for the next mail out.

The booze on base was subsidised & a stubbie was like $1.50. Pissed on $2 Gav? Either you're considerably older or more pussylike than you look.

[gav]

Nah, thought it was more full size jugs for a $1 or something, $5.00 was plenty to spend, after a full days racing on the track. Just glad I wasnt the one driving back over the hill.

[speedpro]

Last trip I had to Woodbourne a civvy lined up various drinks on the bar. Barman said that'll be $3.50 or something like that. civvy replies "no, i'm paying for the lot". $3.50 was for the lot. Couple of bods throwing up in the carpark later in the night. It was a while ago but I can vaguely recall going to the bar with $2 and having serious trouble getting back to my room. Some time round '91 or '92
No tax, rostered barman, no cost premises. Take off all the overheads and all the tax, and booze gets a bit cheaper.

[Skunk]

The article in "The Upper Hutt Star" was very similar to the wikipedia article.

Gotta love hardworking journalists!

Yeah, well. I wrote the article for them. I was meant to be giving them a 'profile' of the class/sport and they printed what I sent them. Pics included.

Shows how easy it is if you really want to get something in the paper.

[jasonu]

Yeah, well. I wrote the article for them. I was meant to be giving them a 'profile' of the class/sport and they printed what I sent them. Pics included.

Shows how easy it is if you really want to get something in the paper.

HAHA Koba Talk about 'foot in mouth'

[gammaguy]

Pinched from http://www.teammaddogracing.com/shrine.html



Strange that if they invented it "around" 1988 that I would have a program dated January 1985 from the Sydenham street race with Buckets in it

That year that meeting was Rd4 of the New Zealand National Championship and NZGP

i won the victoria motorcycle clubs bucket racing series,jointly with Chris Smith(ziffle)

the date?

1981