MNZ board nominations

**scott411** · 15th April 2011, 08:11

Originally Posted by steveyb

Sorry Tim, but it is precisely statements and attitudes like that (and not pointed at anyone in particular let alone you) that allow people to rationalise not treating this as a true sport. There are ways and means and it does not always take money. Ask the leading NZ amateur sailors or golfers how they manage.

im not to sure he is not closer to the mark, anyone that does not call motorcycle racing a true sport is a tosser imo, and if you put any of these tossers on a bike and see how tired they are after 1 lap at slow speeds they normally never mention it again.

but we are not a professional sport in NZ, most of the riders could probebly loose a few pounds, eat a bit healthier, and train a bit more,

but you look at any rugby team below professional ranks, (heartland championship, top club level) and you will find alot of people in those teams that are like our motorcycle racers, there because they love playing the game, as we love racing motorcycles around in circles,

in the end it takes alot of money to do what we do, and if someone thinks less of me for turning up a few kg's overweight, or fading at the end of races they can go stick it, because i am doing it from my wallet, and have a huge smile on my face while doing it.

**The Chow** · 15th April 2011, 08:26

Originally Posted by scott411

im not to sure he is not closer to the mark, anyone that does not call motorcycle racing a true sport is a tosser imo, and if you put any of these tossers on a bike and see how tired they are after 1 lap at slow speeds they normally never mention it again.

but we are not a professional sport in NZ, most of the riders could probebly loose a few pounds, eat a bit healthier, and train a bit more,

but you look at any rugby team below professional ranks, (heartland championship, top club level) and you will find alot of people in those teams that are like our motorcycle racers, there because they love playing the game, as we love racing motorcycles around in circles,

in the end it takes alot of money to do what we do, and if someone thinks less of me for turning up a few kg's overweight, or fading at the end of races they can go stick it, because i am doing it from my wallet, and have a huge smile on my face while doing it.

Fucken A Scott , thats exactly why we should do it. IT IS FUN!!!! First. If you are good enough and WANT to take it further then it is up to YOU!

Fun first /Fame (if you are good enough) later not the other way. So can we just get over ourselves and get out and enjoy this great sport no matter if its Road,Dirt,Sidecars or what ever. This sport will NEVER be professional in this country (like the majority of the world or at least in the southern hemisphere). Run teams that's a great , but remember the FUN side of things ,people are just too serious and need to get over themselves.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 15th April 2011, 08:26

Originally Posted by scott411

in the end it takes alot of money to do what we do, and if someone thinks less of me for turning up a few kg's overweight, or fading at the end of races they can go stick it, because i am doing it from my wallet, and have a huge smile on my face while doing it.

Well said.

**codgyoleracer** · 15th April 2011, 08:27

Originally Posted by steveyb

I have been holding my water and just enjoying the entertainment. It is a bit schadenfreude type entertainment, but what the hey.

I wanted to comment on the second sentence by Choppa.

One of the big observations I have made in the past three years of running Moto Academy NZ and looking at riders and looking around at racing is that I think one of the biggest issues that faces Motorcycle Roadracing (can't comment on other aspects, but I would suspect they aren't too far different) and something that very few people think about and appreciate I suspect, (this sentence is too long!!) is that the VAST majority of participants treat this game as a hobby (there, finished).
Very, very, very few treat it as a sport. Even a large number of the riders at the national level only treat it as a hobby, not as a sport.

Go on, look at yourself if you were just affronted.

How much do you train? I mean real training.
How much do you practice?
Do you attend international events inorder to match yourself against the best elsewhere. (And don't go on about the cost. Many other sports people find a way).
What other advice, input etc do you take to improve? Sports psychology, massage, yoga, stretching etc etc.
Do you have a coach?
Do you study the sport? Other than watching MotoGP on the couch with a few beers?

Look at any competitive national level runner, rower, tri-athlete, football player, rugby player, etc etc etc.
Look at the training and practice they do. Shit even a local club rugby or football or netball player will be doing heaps more training than the majority of roadracers. Clearly this is mostly true of club riders, but even at national level it is true. Also clearly some riders don't need to do much extra, they just have it, but treating it as a sport is also more than doing training. There are the presentation and preparation aspects as well.

Until the majority, not the minority of the national level riders are treating it as a real sport, then I believe that forward movement will be stifled and sponsors will continue to regard it as a hobby activity too.

Why should anyone in organisation put in the hard yards (and they really can be hard yards) when the majority of the riders don't? (and don't go on about how much money you spent doing it and par infra you must be dedicated, cos that is only one aspect and if you spent all that money without doing the other hard yards, isn't that just money wasted?).

Can, open, hmmm worms........

(I like my "Hobby" - & dont you dare try to turn me into a professional sportsman, as it would simply spoil all the fun :-)

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE THOUGH
YOU'RE FAT & OLD, - WHERE AS IM JUST OLD

**wharfy** · 15th April 2011, 08:31

Originally Posted by ajturbo

messages.. lack of pies...

just what is our ... hobby ... turning into when wharfy has been reduced to this....

I can't afford massages so have to make do with messages (mostly from computers - I haven't got any friends)

Of course the pies I do consume come from an award winning bakery

Oh, and with a motorcycle park right outside

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 15th April 2011, 08:47

Of course it is a sport…………A sport I thoroughly enjoy taking part in, yes it’s a hobby, one I choose as my main pastime (in the summer).

There are hundreds of ‘sports’ played at an amateur level, a lot of these same ‘sports’ are also played at a professional level too. It doesn’t diminish the importance of any sport if its competed at the amateur level.

We don’t have enough (one I think) riders who are solely paid to ride their motorbike so we can’t call NZ nationals a professional sport, nor is it ever likely to be.

None of the above is to say why we shouldn’t run our sport in as professional way as possible. Training our officials (which will hopefully breed consistency) will go along way to achieving this, supporting those that put their time and energy into organising events is paramount because without their efforts nothing will happen.

Riders you may have to sit down to read this……….Its not all about you!
Many more people get similar pleasure out of ‘taking part’ without riding a motorbike!

So when we are talking to the two candidates about ‘what are you going to do for our sport’ it is more than just riding the bike.
What about money/resources towards training Marshalls, providing safety equipment, subsidising the cost of NI rounds (did you know it cost in excess of 60k to run a National round at HD!!)

Why don’t we bring the washing in guys (so much seems to be yesterdays news anyway) and ask poignant questions of the candidates while we have the opportunity?

KG

**budda** · 15th April 2011, 09:03

Originally Posted by sidecar bob

P.S, Wheres Billy & RT when Jim needs them?

Be careful what you wish for - Billy has had 'puter issues since Minefeild, but is close to being back on-line ..... I can hear the click of the magazine loading from here ......

**budda** · 15th April 2011, 09:06

Originally Posted by kiwi graham

of course it is a sport…………a sport i thoroughly enjoy taking part in, yes it’s a hobby, one i choose as my main pastime (in the summer).

Why don’t we bring the washing in guys (so much seems to be yesterdays news anyway) and ask poignant questions of the candidates while we have to opportunity?

Kg

THANKYOU Sir

**Ronin** · 15th April 2011, 09:08

This thread is more awesome than a truck full of spastics.

**wharfy** · 15th April 2011, 09:16

Originally Posted by steveyb

I have been holding my water and just enjoying the entertainment. It is a bit schadenfreude type entertainment, but what the hey.

I wanted to comment on the second sentence by Choppa.

One of the big observations I have made in the past three years of running Moto Academy NZ and looking at riders and looking around at racing is that I think one of the biggest issues that faces Motorcycle Roadracing (can't comment on other aspects, but I would suspect they aren't too far different) and something that very few people think about and appreciate I suspect, (this sentence is too long!!) is that the VAST majority of participants treat this game as a hobby (there, finished).
Very, very, very few treat it as a sport. Even a large number of the riders at the national level only treat it as a hobby, not as a sport.

Go on, look at yourself if you were just affronted.

How much do you train? I mean real training.
How much do you practice?
Do you attend international events inorder to match yourself against the best elsewhere. (And don't go on about the cost. Many other sports people find a way).
What other advice, input etc do you take to improve? Sports psychology, massage, yoga, stretching etc etc.
Do you have a coach?
Do you study the sport? Other than watching MotoGP on the couch with a few beers?

Look at any competitive national level runner, rower, tri-athlete, football player, rugby player, etc etc etc.
Look at the training and practice they do. Shit even a local club rugby or football or netball player will be doing heaps more training than the majority of roadracers. Clearly this is mostly true of club riders, but even at national level it is true. Also clearly some riders don't need to do much extra, they just have it, but treating it as a sport is also more than doing training. There are the presentation and preparation aspects as well.

Until the majority, not the minority of the national level riders are treating it as a real sport, then I believe that forward movement will be stifled and sponsors will continue to regard it as a hobby activity too.

Why should anyone in organisation put in the hard yards (and they really can be hard yards) when the majority of the riders don't? (and don't go on about how much money you spent doing it and par infra you must be dedicated, cos that is only one aspect and if you spent all that money without doing the other hard yards, isn't that just money wasted?).

Can, open, hmmm worms........

I have to say in my case this is dead right.

When I played rugby (at club level - my rugby was almost as crap as my riding

I put in a LOT more effort than I do for racing. I enjoyed playing rugby for a whole host of reasons, but I NEVER came of the field with my hands trembling from adrenalin, that happens after almost every race !!!
I know that I should eat less exercise more and get some professional coaching, but I'd rather spend money on one of those sexy carbon-fiber front guards that are on trade me

p.s. I know they are outside the rules, but if I do get one I'll worry about that if I ever get a podium

**sidecar bob** · 15th April 2011, 10:05

Originally Posted by Ronin

This thread is more awesome than a truck full of spastics.

Mmmm, Spastics. . . . .
Its also better than falling into a barrell full of nipples & coming up sucking your thumb!!
Sorry Spyda.

**jellywrestler** · 15th April 2011, 10:05

Question time.
It is my understanding that with the recent trip the Sidecars took to Aussie to compete at the Barry Sheene memorial meeting, with freight entry fees etc paid for from over the ditch that there was to a reciprocal trip for the Aussies to come over here and race.
When and where is this being looked at happening; and where will the funds be sourced to cover this venture?