Road racing meeting in Europe? Guess again

**slowpoke** · 5th January 2011, 18:09

Here's a revolutionary idea: why don't we actually tell people an event is on?

The Tri-Series was a classic case of putting on a fantastic series of events, with world class talent........and keeping the whole thing a blardy secret. I was in Auckland for 4 days preceding the Hampton Downs round and didn't see or hear a thing about the Tri-Series. The biggest population centre in NZ on HD's doorstep and it's ignored, just like the 1000's of folks driving past the track are oblivious to upcoming events. It's a captive market, they MUST travel past the facility, and yet they are ignored. How hard is it to wack up a sign outside HD? How hard to set up a static display at the Viaduct? Etc etc etc

Seeing Stauffer, Nelson, Bugden and Joel Reed's crew competing with Stroudie, Craig, Choppa, Nick and co was brilliant, best superbike field we've seen for decades. They deserved better, the sponsors deserved better, everyone behind the scenes deserved better and an opportunity goes wasted.

**SWERVE** · 5th January 2011, 19:58

The way i see it is race meetings in NZ are just that race MEETINGS........ should be race EVENTS.
That means camping facilities for spectators and competitors to stay for 2/3 days in which they are entertained not only by racing but sideshows/ demos / a live band on sat nite etc etc.
Back in the days of the "Transatlantic Series" thru to BSB/BSS in the UK going to a race weekend was a pilgramige consisting of much partying and great entertainment both on the track and in the campsite......!
The Waimate streetrace and March hare rally are combining this year........ nearest thing yet.

**Wingnut** · 6th January 2011, 09:21

Originally Posted by SWERVE

The way i see it is race meetings in NZ are just that race MEETINGS........ should be race EVENTS.
That means camping facilities for spectators and competitors to stay for 2/3 days in which they are entertained not only by racing but sideshows/ demos / a live band on sat nite etc etc.
Back in the days of the "Transatlantic Series" thru to BSB/BSS in the UK going to a race weekend was a pilgramige consisting of much partying and great entertainment both on the track and in the campsite......!
The Waimate streetrace and March hare rally are combining this year........ nearest thing yet.

I agree Merve. I have always wondered why there is no camping at Levels for instance.There is the perfect area for it down the northern end. It would make for a great weekend. I think Andrew Stoud camped there at last years nats perhaps? Anyway - you would have to go the full hog if it was to be sucessfull. Cool idea though.

**SWERVE** · 6th January 2011, 12:27

You can camp at Levels in the area you mentioned. There were a few last year and hopefully more in a few weeks.
Its Ruapuna and Teretonga that wont allow camping (never got an answer why) maybe its because they dont have showers (why not!!!!)
Lets hope the sat nite stopover at this years Nats is a bit more of a social getogether than previous.
Anyone tell me the overnite rules for Manfield & HD.

**sidecar bob** · 6th January 2011, 13:19

Originally Posted by SWERVE

You can camp at Levels in the area you mentioned. There were a few last year and hopefully more in a few weeks.
Its Ruapuna and Teretonga that wont allow camping (never got an answer why) maybe its because they dont have showers (why not!!!!)
Lets hope the sat nite stopover at this years Nats is a bit more of a social getogether than previous.
Anyone tell me the overnite rules for Manfield & HD.

Dosent Teretonga back on to a camping ground?
It did 24 years ago when I last raced there.

**Kickaha** · 6th January 2011, 16:30

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

Dosent Teretonga back on to a camping ground?
It did 24 years ago when I last raced there.

Yeah about a 1 minute walk, who did Scrivy have on that 1450cc post classic Hayabusa last time he was there then?

**sidecar bob** · 6th January 2011, 17:32

Originally Posted by Kickaha

Yeah about a 1 minute walk, who did Scrivy have on that 1450cc post classic Hayabusa last time he was there then?

Probably big crank Meads if it was on the 'busa. Or Matt Deverall if it was the ZX10 Porteous outfit.
Is that the same 1450 Hayabusa that nearly gets blown off the track in a straight line by hot GSXR1000 & "Blade powered long bikes?

**Kickaha** · 6th January 2011, 17:38

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

Probably big crank Meads if it was on the 'busa. Or Matt Deverall if it was the ZX10 Porteous outfit.
Is that the same 1450 Hayabusa that nearly gets blown off the track in a straight line by hot GSXR1000 & "Blade powered long bikes?

Nah it was the housebus so it must have been Meads, that was the last time we went there, must have been 7-8 years ago

The long bikes faster corner speed means they carry more speed onto and down the straight

I don't think the campground had been updated since you were there

**sidecar bob** · 6th January 2011, 17:53

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I don't think the campground had been updated since you were there

I remember this munter we met at the camp ground in '87, he thought he was god & refered to himself as the "Perm" meaning "permanent resident"
We caught the bastard stealing all the sidecar guys groceries & beer out of the communal camp fridge.

**gixerracer** · 6th January 2011, 22:18

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

I remember this munter we met at the camp ground in '87, he thought he was god & refered to himself as the "Perm" meaning "permanent resident"
We caught the bastard stealing all the sidecar guys groceries & beer out of the communal camp fridge.

And what happend to em

**Kickaha** · 7th January 2011, 06:25

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

I remember this munter we met at the camp ground in '87, he thought he was god & refered to himself as the "Perm" meaning "permanent resident"

He's probably still there, I'll say hello to him for you when we're down there next month

**Grumph** · 7th January 2011, 07:23

The Waimate streetrace and March hare rally are combining this year........ nearest thing yet.[/QUOTE]

Not so...The Burt Munro with a rally at the campground alongside Teretonga combined with nearly a week of events - and interntional publicity too, is the best IMO. But the Classic Festival at puke has established itself too...and I see Wanganui are trying to extend their event - and have done work on a website.
It's easier to publicise stand-alone events than say the National series - a single event advertising budget can be targeted but for a series it has to be split to reach several separate potential audiences...Some years back at a Nat round at Puke there was a move to go into the stand and thank the crowd for coming...wouldn't have taken long, there were more riders than crowd...

Teretonga camping - Southland Sports car club owns all the land from the road to the sea along there - incl the camp ground - so free camping is taking money from their own pocket.