Motorcycle racing at car meetings?

[vinducati]

Excuse my ignorance, but have motorcycles ever raced at a car meeting?
I ask because car meetings tend to get a large crowd, therefore I wonder whether it is a good way to get the sport in front of people who have not seen it before.
Also this could possibly seen as an advantage to sponsers. Especially as car meetings are often covered by major television networks.
Perhaps there are practical and or political reasons why not?
I am just curious.
Cheers

[Mystic13]

Car meetings are organised by car clubs and I think they have the meets full with cars. I have a friend that organises some though so I'll pop him an email and ask. Although I think I know the answer. Of course you'd have to comply with MNZ and the other body at the one meet. It already sounds too hard.

:-)

[scrivy]

Been done a few times in the past, and some classes have been invited back again in the near future if they want to.

Not hard to organise, only a MNZ permit and steward is required as per other meetings.

[ellipsis]

...quite a few car meetings will or have had m/c class or classes...usually bikes are a poor third cousin and wouldnt be there if a lot of the car enthusiasts had their way...cars drop a lot of fluids, have done at any car/bike meetings I have had anything to do with...one of our more entertaining meetings is competing for the Brooklands Trophy...a competition between CAMS and the Sth Canterbury Car Club at Levels in September...

[rastus]

raced at car meetings over the years and are always treated as third cousins. They charge usually around $200.00 for entry and have had times where have been called up to the dummy grid and sat there for ages cooking engines and they decide to stand you down as the t.v. crew want to have the cars out then instead. One meeting only got three laps in the whole day and put up with snobby pricks looking down their noses at you. Last meeting at Hampton Downs got rained out and no refund of course. A meeting there coming up in the next few weeks for cars and bikes. $200.00 entry fee. Also remember the Nationals at Taupo when Jason McKewon got badly hurt and dragged to the side of the track so they could get the cars out in time for the t.v. Ambulance had to wait until they were finished before being able to take Jason to hospital.

[Grumph]

Pretty much all been said...

Pros - possibly more TV and spectator exposure

Cons - Severely restricted track time, Debris and fluids on the track, Organisers attitudes, Severely restricted pit area, invariably higher entry fees....etc.

The only car meeting I ever encountered where we were treated as equals was the old Lady Wigram meetings where most of the senior organisers had been bike racers too.

[CHOPPA]

ASBK are combining about 3 races this year with the Ozzy V8s they seem to really like it. Ill let ya know my thought cause im racing the final round at PI with the V8s

[The Chow]

Excuse my ignorance, but have motorcycles ever raced at a car meeting?
I ask because car meetings tend to get a large crowd, therefore I wonder whether it is a good way to get the sport in front of people who have not seen it before.
Also this could possibly seen as an advantage to sponsers. Especially as car meetings are often covered by major television networks.
Perhaps there are practical and or political reasons why not?
I am just curious.
Cheers

Mate , yes they have and they have all been cock ups as far as I can remember. You guys should not play second fiddle to Tin Tops.(Just my opinion)

[slofox]

Back in the olden days when I were a racer, most of the Ruapuna meetings were combined...

BUT: My worst ever crash on the track was caused by a cage dropping oil in a corner...

[Grumph]

Back in the olden days when I were a racer, most of the Ruapuna meetings were combined...

True...and very few meetings in the season. And we were squeezed up at the southern end of the pits in no mans land....secondclass citizens even then though the Canty club had made a major contribution to building the track.

[The Chow]

Back in the olden days when I were a racer, most of the Ruapuna meetings were combined...

BUT: My worst ever crash on the track was caused by a cage dropping oil in a corner...

Remember them well TZ750's and 125s on the same track EXCITING!!!!

[Wingnut]

Last year the South Canterbury Car Club invited bikes (via the South Canterbury M/Cyle Club) to attend their club days. It was very low key and plenty of track time was had by all.

Really appreciated them including the bikes.

[wharfy]

The Friday practice days at Manfeild before most of the winter series races are shared with cars and there don't seem to be to many problems.

Obviously bikes at most car meets will be a "support" class and get less time, facilities etc. But the exposure from even one race at a V8 supercar round would be worth it. Sadly the street meetings would be a no go as the barriers (to protect the spectators) would be completely useless at protecting riders in the event of a prang.
But if they ever do a V8 round at Hampton Downs MNZ should PAY to get the top ten Superbike guys to one race in front of that crowd. !!!

[vinducati]

If safety issues where taken seriously, seeing a Superbike Round with our top riders, put on a show in front of a big crowd would be great for the promotion of motorcycle racing in NZ.
I remember seeing Andrew doing a demo at the Aussi V8 Supercar round at Pukekohe years ago, the crowd loved it.

cheers

[wharfy]

If safety issues where taken seriously, seeing a Superbike Round with our top riders, put on a show in front of a big crowd would be great for the promotion of motorcycle racing in NZ.
I remember seeing Andrew doing a demo at the Aussi V8 Supercar round at Pukekohe years ago, the crowd loved it.

cheers

Hmmm.....I wonder if Choppa's M1 MotorSport guys have any influence in the V8 scene there might be an opening there?