
Originally Posted by
BJT666
The tale of New Zealand Sidecar Racing
OMG!! You are so mis-informed that it is scary to think that you are the head of our sport! Thats' what comes about by listening to only 1 person over many.
In 2009 and for several years preceding that the New Zealand Sidecar Championship ran at only four rounds of the NZ Road Race Championships. They missed the Invercargill round and began at Timaru. This came about after Chris Lawrance (The then President of the NZSRA) lobbied the then Road Race Commissioner, on the basis it was too expensive for sidecar teams to travel to Invercargill.
Also, on the basis that it is better to have more chairs on the grid at fewer meetings than a handful at more events. The commissioner also agreed. It is also difficult to get time off work for both riders and passengers at that time of year.
At the same time the NZSRA were approaching the organisers of the Invercargill round (The Southland Motorcycle Club) seeking funding for accommodation to include a bar tab.
WTF?? Jim, years ago the club had a culture of drinking, but not now. There are only about 2 members that drink nearly as much as you do! Both the president and vice-president don't drink at all!!
So name who it was please, otherwise you're talking rubbish. It certainly wasn't a NZSRA exec member!!
Shortly after the conclusion of the 2009 Nationals, several prominent sidecar teams returned to Timaru to compete in a combined car/bike event.
This destroyed any argument that could be put forward regarding travel being too expensive.
As mentioned previously, most of the teams that fronted were funded by other members. There were only a couple of teams that did the Nats that were there (and had done the Nats - and had the money to go back again), and some teams that don't do the Nats! Steve Bron was also going to be there, but a bike accident days earlier put paid to that. He was also going to bring down another bike too. This invitational event was in front of 10,000 spectators, and a new audience for us.
Then, in the run up to the 2010 New Zealand Road Race Championships it was decided that sidecars would be treated the same as every other Road Racing Class and their Championship would run over all five rounds.
Who decide that Jim? Is it minuted?
You stated (I have the written proof) that if you do not compete in all 5 rounds, you will not have a championship. Yet Mr Bron only did 4 rounds, but was still awarded a championship! Go figure.
Yes, the NZSRA did vote to do only four rounds, unfortunately they did not and still don’t represent all sidecar racers in New Zealand.
True.
During the 2009 Championship there were up to 13 outfits and at least 6 outfits (46%) indicated they wished to compete at all five rounds.
There were also lengthy discussions held with the new President of the NZSRA (Burt Wolland) based around the possibility of running different levels of competition, to encourage participation.
It became very obvious that a “Have” and “Have Not” division was occurring. Those with funding to compete in the Championship and those without.
As the argument regarding costs had been waived by the sidecar competitors, when they returned to the South Is for the car meeting, the 2010 Championship proceeded
The organising Clubs included Sidecars on their entry forms; unfortunately insufficient outfits entered the second round in Invercargill. So the Club dropped the class.
Simple Fact: MNZ/Clubs put on the events and only a few came to race.
Please don't blame the NZSRA for that Jim. We never commited to the Nats. You were wrongly told that you would have enough to make a grid. You chose to believe an individual over an association. You were told that we could have 15 plus at 2 rounds, but you told us 5 rounds or no champs.
Also, it is MNZ’s understanding that several prominent members of the NZSRA campaigned to scuttle the 2010 Nationals. This was relayed to us by several sidecar competitors and we have no reason to disbelieve them.
Of course you have no reason to disbelieve him - the guy nominated you as president 2 years ago! You chose to listen to a person with his own agenda, over many other MNZ members. Unfortunately he has deceived many a person in our sport. The latest is Leanne.
One question we would ask is “was there any relevance to the fact that Mr Lawrance’s wedding was held on the same weekend as the Manfeild round of the Nationals.”
Most weddings in NZ are in February. Chris's was no exception. He was having an operation early in March, so had to get married beforehand. No one present at the wedding was doing the Nats, so he didn't take anyone away from Manfeild. You can try hard to think he did, but your 'credible informer' has just spun you a load of shit! You fell for it hook, line and sinker! Chris had the date booked way before the dates for the Nats, as they were so late in coming out.
We then began the planning of the 2011 Castrol Power 1 New Zealand Road Race Championships.
But while attending the Hampton Downs round of the Suzuki Tri Series, we were advised that Mr Lawrance and Mr Scrivener were organising a trip to Australia for sidecars to compete at the “Barry Sheene Memorial” which just happened to clash with the last two rounds of the Nationals, if you include freight time/ travel.
As I've stated before Jim, I had nothing to do with the organisation of it! Your 'credible advisors' should have told you the truth. That 'NO NATS RIDERS WERE GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO GO'!! Chris was adamant on that issue.
During this same period, members of the NZSRA apparently voted to pull out of MNZ.
Actually, it was immediately after the AGM. Not in December.
However several members of the Association question the validity of that ‘Vote’, apparently approximately 15% of the membership was not consulted.
Really? What number weren't consulted, and how many of us were in the association at the time? Sounds like a pie in the sky guess to me.
As we understand it, this was driven by Mr Scrivener and Mr Lawrance.
Apparently you are wrong yet again! I am not an exec member, so I have no sway in the NZSRA. Actually, an 8 way phone conversation with the exec was undertaken by Tania Waitokia (you know, the lady you assaulted at Hampton Downs - and were then investigated by the police), and then follow up calls were made to damn near most members, and we had a 91% acceptance of the decission. So you're mis-informed understanding is wrong again.
The 2011 Championship kicked off in Timaru and those who came to race should be congratulated,
Those that went to race were paid to race so a member could win another title.
however the momentum didn’t continue with the class being dropped from the Teretonga, Hampton Downs and Manfield rounds.
The Simple Fact is Unchanged: MNZ/Clubs put on the events and only a few came to race.
You were feed a load of crap Jim. You were told (and you accepted) that they would have enough numbers to make a class. Actually, they didn't even have enough at closing date for H.Downs either. You chose the lies over the fact.
This has now brought about a very difficult situation.
The Clubs offered to run Sidecars as part of the programmes and nobody came.
Why would they consider including Sidecars in the future.
I guess its the commissioners call then.
MNZ fought hard to keep the Sidecar Championship alive.
No, you fought the NZSRA all the way, as your dislike for myself and Chris was obvious from 3 or more years ago. You tried in vain to stop Chris racing at Paeroa, and tried in vain to stop the TRRS. You made your bed with one side of the 'Haves' as you put them, and had a total disregard for the 'Have-nots'. You even went a step further by denying the NZSRA and Classic and Post classic clubs a carnet bond for the Aussie trip. But we got around that setback, by paying for it ourselves.
Only a few came so, why continue it.
I am at a loss as to why this is my fault.
You have insinuated, accused, harrassed, assaulted and chosen sides all along Jim. Not once have you bothered to talk to either Chris or myself to get actual fact. I will give you facts all the time, if you'd bothered to call. You know the effects of your actions, but you did nothing to remedy it.
Why should sidecars be treated any differently to other New Zealand Road Race Championship classes.
For the record, I was involved when the NZSRA was formed and have been a card carrying member. I understand they are still using the little purple folded membership cards.
Regards
BJT666 - Jim Tuckerman
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