Street Races... and modern hay bales

[TonyB]

That wasn't the case at Methven as I was standing on the outside of two different corners behind them

Really? Didn't know that because I was out of town for that one.

My take on that situation is; don't let spectators into those riskier areas so that barriers that are potentially dangerous to the riders are no longer required- they can put rider freindly barriers there instead. Plenty of other places for spectators to stand.

[FJRider]

Yeah, I'd sort of assumed that until I thought about it.

Over the last few years I haven't noticed many permanent resident business open for trade at the ones I've been to. The odd dairy, a pub I wasn't allowed to buy from, (apparently 'cause it was Sunday... In fact I'm struggling to get more than a handfull that were open at Paeroa, Wanganui or Wyndham combined. Never seen a toilet available to the public other than porta-loos and motels and camping grounds wouldn't be affected one way or another if the track was a mile away.

Go to the Greymouth street races ... Labour weekend ...

A pub on every corner ....

[Drew]

Where's fuckin Harris? I'm sure he'll have something to say about this shit.

I'm with Kik on this one, if the event gets approval from MNZ and riders entering who are willing to accept the level of safety, then the only people moaning are the ones who think they are missing out unfairly.

To those people I say this, look the fuck around! Life isn't fair, harden the fuck up or give up.

[Kickaha]

What if we didnt get out of bed or if you dont like it dont enter are just plain disrespectful statements to all that compete at any motorsport events

Rubbish, different people are happy with different levels of risk, some people wont even consider riding a bike because they consider them to dangerous

If any competitor considers the level of risk at a street meeting to high then any competitor can make the choice to enter it or not, just don't fuck it up for the rest of us by trying to fix things that aren't broken

The amount of entries at street meetings would seem to me to be proof that a lot of riders don't consider safety of these circuits an issue

Could things be safer? of course they could given the right resources

[ellipsis]

Where's fuckin Harris? I'm sure he'll have something to say about this shit.

I'm with Kik on this one, if the event gets approval from MNZ and riders entering who are willing to accept the level of safety, then the only people moaning are the ones who think they are missing out unfairly.

To those people I say this, look the fuck around! Life isn't fair, harden the fuck up or give up.

[Grumph]

Yep, enough being polite - street races are one day entertainment for the benefit of the community which puts them on.
It's entirely up the individual whether you ride there or not.

You have freedom of choice - ride or not - agree or not.

I'd like to see the guys who don't like the current standards come out from behind their keyboards and actually help organise an event....nah, never happen.

[Billy]

Yep, enough being polite - street races are one day entertainment for the benefit of the community which puts them on.
It's entirely up the individual whether you ride there or not.

You have freedom of choice - ride or not - agree or not.

I'd like to see the guys who don't like the current standards come out from behind their keyboards and actually help organise an event....nah, never happen.

Been there,Done that,Quite possibly while you were at High school,Including Endurance races,National points rounds(numerous)Central sound of thunder and many more,Any other useful advice???

[Billy]

Where's fuckin Harris? I'm sure he'll have something to say about this shit.

I'm with Kik on this one, if the event gets approval from MNZ and riders entering who are willing to accept the level of safety, then the only people moaning are the ones who think they are missing out unfairly.

To those people I say this, look the fuck around! Life isn't fair, harden the fuck up or give up.

Bet your bottom dollar he would and Ill bet it aint "just throw ANY old bales wherever you think they MIGHT work"

"FAIR"Who mentioned fair?

[TonyB]

One last time.

I'm NOT saying ban big bales altogether, I'm saying don't use them in the small proportion of track where riders end up if they loose it going into, through or out of a corner.
Its not a big ask.
Street racing is not doomed.
There's enough small bales about that this can be achieved easily enough. Or maybe 'milk bottle bales' could be put infront of the big bales to give better crash protection.

I've spent the last 4 years of my professional career working with people who have serious permanent disabilities resulting from accidents. Trust me, you don't want to end up being a talking head attached to an oxygen tank and ventilator to help you breath. Or with a permanent brain injury. Or maybe just fucked up enough that you can no longer ride. Not when its avoidable.

With the old standard bales we had a system that was cheap and safe for riders. Now that they're not readily available we're moving to a system that is still cheap, but not safe for riders. How is that a good thing?

[Kickaha]

Been there,Done that,Quite possibly while you were at High school

If you possibly did it while he was at High School you must be really really really old

"FAIR"Who mentioned fair?

Drew did post #48 weren't you paying attention?

[Billy]

One last time.

I'm NOT saying ban big bales altogether, I'm saying don't use them in the small proportion of track where riders end up if they loose it going into, through or out of a corner.
Its not a big ask.
Street racing is not doomed.
There's enough small bales about that this can be achieved easily enough. Or maybe 'milk bottle bales' could be put infront of the big bales to give better crash protection.

I've spent the last 4 years of my professional career working with people who have serious permanent disabilities resulting from accidents. Trust me, you don't want to end up being a talking head attached to an oxygen tank and ventilator to help you breath. Or with a permanent brain injury. Or maybe just fucked up enough that you can no longer ride. Not when its avoidable.

With the old standard bales we had a system that was cheap and safe for riders. Now that they're not readily available we're moving to a system that is still cheap, but not safe for riders. How is that a good thing?

Spot on,Youve been in contact with the right person this afternoon as I understand,Hopefully he can help you get it sorted.

[Billy]

If you possibly did it while he was at High School you must be really really really old



Drew did post #48 weren't you paying attention?

I did say "possibly "and theres 1 too many reallys there

[scracha]

can't see pricing on the airfence website but on a USA site they were talking $30,000 for 350ft of it, cant be arsed doing the conversion from US$ but thats 3000 riders at $10 a shot although I'm sure there'd be other ways of raising money towards it

Air-fence prices are @#$ckin horrendous but should be a bit cheaper as they're made in Aus. I'm in now way deluded that 300 odd racers coud raise the money in one single year but after a few years the fund would be substancial enough for continuous circuit improvement.

....ah fuck it...lets stop racing...forest and bird...

Did you want my copy? oh wait,

Please don't respond with the usual "wrap in cotton wool / play tiddlywinks" shite

Paeroa were offered Wanganui's air fencing last year but turned it down due to the transport costs, from Hampton Downs, and you know how much money Paeroa turns over.

Considering the money it turns over, I think the real issue is why Wanganui takes rider safety seriously?

Perhaps MNZ should buy some air fences and loan them out to the organizers of meetings ?
I have no clue how much they cost, but I'd be prepared to pay a small additional levy to support it

Can you honestly see MNZ organising this?

I'm with Kik on this one, if the event gets approval from MNZ and riders entering who are willing to accept the level of safety, then the only people moaning are the ones who think they are missing out unfairly.

What's wrong with analysing and suggesting improvements? Especially if they cost fuck all and might result in someone not getting fucked up.

By your analogy, any road rider should be content with the current situation of gravel, tar bleed, wire rope barriers and drunk drivers on our roads. Gawd forbid they end up as "moaners"

[jellywrestler]

I think the real issue is why Wanganui takes rider safety seriously?

The Cemetery Circuit is run by Motorcyclists, for Motorcyclists.
Paeroa is run by the Lions club,or similar, to make money for the local region.
Simple as that.

[steve74]

Rider and spectator safety is paramount!!

Last year MNZ were more involved with our set up. I walked the circuit with our safety officer and the MNZ steward the day before the event where the steward indicated and marked with paint where he wanted the run offs. A detailed description of materials and barriers used were given to the steward during this walkround. As always on race day once the circuit is constructed the steward is taken around the circuit to ensure the circuit in his opinion is safe. The riders reps, one from motard and one from roadrace are then taken around the circuit to ensure they are happy too. Changes are often made at this point and the track is continually repaired and changed during the day. Maybe MNZ is trying to improve its relationship with the clubs involved but we certainly seen more interest from them last time around.