Too many classes at National Championship?

[Biggles08]

Here's a topic that most likely has already been talked about before but after this weekend gone I think it warrants another look.

I have always found it strange that both Superbikes/Superstock 1000 and 600 Sport/Stock only get two races per national round? It is a massive commitment for most people involved in getting to these events for 40min of racing at the most. For us, we get to the track about a week before the race to setup bikes and get some practice in for the race, so this involves expenses of gas, tires, trackday fees, accommodation, food plus many more expenses. The question has to be asked, is it worth it...esspecially for the rounds that get no TV coverage for the sponsors that pay for much of this? It seems Invercargil suffers from average weather at the best of times come the National Rounds, which makes the trip even less attractive for people traveling from the North Island when the meeting is canceled. I realize it was unforseeable and the cancellation of the round was most definately the correct option but this is not the point I'm making (I digress). I would say the same applies to the South Island racers coming up for the Hampton Downs round applies equally.

The point is...why do we need clubmans, supermotards, streetstock, sidecars, etc at national rounds taking up time AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PREMIER CLASSES?

In my opinion (and it is only my opinion) I think it should be 125cc or 250cc (new class), Pro Twins / F3, 600 Superstock/sport, and Superbike/Stock allowing more races throughout the day for these classes. It would be nice to be on track before 9.30am at every meeting too...

I have always found it strange that the two classes that most 'jo public' come to see only get two races throughout the weekend, whereas many other minor classes get three (even if they are shorter races).

Thoughts?

Biggles.

[sinfull]

The point is...why do we need clubmans, supermotards, streetstock, sidecars, etc at national rounds taking up time AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PREMIER CLASSES?

In my opinion (and it is only my opinion) I think it should be 125cc or 250cc (new class), Pro Twins / F3, 600 Superstock/sport, and Superbike/Stock allowing more races throughout the day for these classes. It would be nice to be on track before 9.30am at every meeting too...

I have always found it strange that the two classes that most 'jo public' come to see only get two races throughout the weekend, whereas many other minor classes get three (even if they are shorter races).

Thoughts?

Biggles.

Think your gonna get burned here !

[Str8 Jacket]

Depends what *you* class as a "premier class". I betcha that your opinion would be different to mine and so on and so on.....

[Quasievil]

The entire format of the NZ Nationals needs to change, I have been on about this for a long time.
Dragging riders from the bottom to the top of NZ over a course of weeks is simply stupid, its costly and its pointless for what are actually fairly small fields.
Reduce the number of events and reduce the number of classes and make it a premier event instead of "a jack of all trades master of none" If I go to the Nationals I dont want to see Streetstock or Motards either, sub classes shouldnt be involved.

What we need is less race events (3 in the SI is dum) which will reduce the costs which will increase the riders numbers which will make a better show, which means (you guessed it) more public, and that means better sponsorship opportunities and more businesses wanting to get involved.

My Format would be 3 events only Ruapuna, Manfeild, Hampton thats it.

[Nonbeliever]

Lose at least two clasess :
the motards (back to the farm guys), and
the "sidecars" (which should be run at a go cart meet).

[Nonbeliever]

My Format would be 3 events only Ruapuna, Manfeild, Hampton thats it.

If it's going to change have at least the same number of tracks per island.

2 in the south 2 in the north
3 in the south 3 in the north

[wayne]

if you want less classes, are you willing to pay 50% more entry fees ?

[Duke girl]

Those classes that you ask why do we need them out there HAVE every right to be out there as much as the Superbikes & 600 class. They pay their money to compete just like you all do. Not everyone who gets into racing has the money or the support from having sponsors to compete in the bigger classes as to me its more important about getting bums on seats to keep this Sport Alive and going, without dictating about who should be there and who shouldn't be.

And Yes it is bloody pathetic that there is NO Advertising either on TV or radio/paper about the Nationals being on.

[Quasievil]

if you want less classes, are you willing to pay 50% more entry fees ?

A sponsor would pick that up, if more people came , no probs

[k14]

And Yes it is bloody pathetic that there is NO Advertising either on TV or radio/paper about the Nationals being on.

Well you obviously haven't been in Timaru or Invercargill the last two weeks. Every ad break on the radio there was a mention of the racing on that weekend in the particular town it was being held. Also I saw a few ads on TV even during the news. They aren't going to advertise there is racing at Timaru in Wellington

[Quasievil]

Those classes that you ask why do we need them out there HAVE every right to be out there as much as the Superbikes & 600 class. They pay their money to compete just like you all do. Not everyone who gets into racing has the money or the support from having sponsors to compete in the bigger classes as to me its more important about getting bums on seats to keep this Sport Alive and going, without dictating about who should be there and who shouldn't be.

And Yes it is bloody pathetic that there is NO Advertising either on TV or radio/paper about the Nationals being on.

With respect I dont agree
isnt this the NZ Nationals ?
do you have streetstocks and Motards runnng at Phillip island during the GP ?
do you have Japanese salloon cars (honda civis, Evos, WRX etc) running at the V8 Super car rounds ?
Etc Etc Etc
No you dont, they have there own races and events
The NZ Nationals should be the top riders , the premier classes , the guys who have worked there way to the top from the streetstock etc etc

its about marketing baby

[k14]

do you have streetstocks and Motards runnng at Phillip island during the GP ?
do you have Japanese salloon cars (honda civis, Evos, WRX etc) running at the V8 Super car rounds ?

Actually there are plenty of support classes at both of those events. At the Philip Island MotoGP they have classics, 600's and 1000's supporting the event. The same sort of step down from having Streetstock and Motards supporting our nationals. I have never been to a V8 event but I am pretty sure they have plenty of support classes there, Porsches, Suzuki Swifts, Formula Fords, Toyota racers.

To be honest the best reason I can think of for needing support classes is so that you have enough time between races to make changes and/or repair bikes if you crash. Do you know how long it takes to even change a set of tyres? Let alone revalve a rear shock, modify front fork dampers, replace a handlebar, clean out mud from the bike. As it is you usually only have 2-3 hours between races and unless you have half a dozen support crew it is all very time consuming.

[nodrog:Me]

do you have Japanese salloon cars (honda civis, Evos, WRX etc) running at the V8 Super car rounds ?

Were they all Ford Suzuki V8 swifts running around Hamilton last year?

Fanny.

[Quasievil]

yes thats correct I know of the support classes, but they are usually significantly sponsored and elite.
Motards and Streetstock for example are usually not.

[cowboyz]

from my point of view. nationals should be the elite only. F1/2/3 and the GP bikes. as much racing as you can possibly fit into a day.