Junior Road Racing needs to be more attractive

[FROSTY:Me]

Sod MNZ ???Oh so its MNZs fault now that the clubs cant be arsed fostering the sport like MCC do???WTF!!!

Well actually to a degree yes and the reason I say sod MNZ.
The kids to grab IMO are the 8-12 year olds who currently are on KX65's and the likes.
Show them and their parents that road racing can be and is just as much fun.
BUT-How can you get an 8 year old onto even a kart track for a race? Licence wise that is.
Yet the same 8 year old could be on the self same track in a 100cc kart or getting about 15 feet of air on a Full race MX bike.
THAT is the issue I refer to and I genuinely feel that the age rule needs to be addressed as a matter of some importance.
Don't get me wrong Billy I hear your frustration because the issue of clubs not "feeding the funnel" and encourageing/fostering the young blood is a very real one. I know you feel like you are banging your head on a brick wall.
I don't know the answer and right now I'm not in a position to physically be "that guy" like oyster was.

SO Billy --serious question mate -what can I and others possibly interested actually do to help? What things need to be done?

[FROSTY:Me]

Billy just something maybee to concider--the three "clubs" you aproached.
Realiity is you spoke to three race committees or club representatives.
The thing with those "jobs" though is they are not set in stone.
As the people in clubs comittees change so also can attitudes within the commitees.
Sorry if this seems like total waffle but the point is that you might have heard NO or worse -ahh we can't be bothered 20 times. If you capture the imagination of ONE person on a race comittee in the NI then things may start to change

[Billy]

Well actually to a degree yes and the reason I say sod MNZ.
The kids to grab IMO are the 8-12 year olds who currently are on KX65's and the likes.
Show them and their parents that road racing can be and is just as much fun.
BUT-How can you get an 8 year old onto even a kart track for a race? Licence wise that is.
Yet the same 8 year old could be on the self same track in a 100cc kart or getting about 15 feet of air on a Full race MX bike.
THAT is the issue I refer to and I genuinely feel that the age rule needs to be addressed as a matter of some importance.
Don't get me wrong Billy I hear your frustration because the issue of clubs not "feeding the funnel" and encourageing/fostering the young blood is a very real one. I know you feel like you are banging your head on a brick wall.
I don't know the answer and right now I'm not in a position to physically be "that guy" like oyster was.

SO Billy --serious question mate -what can I and others possibly interested actually do to help? What things need to be done?

MNZ are currently working on an entry level junior class,Unfortunately the costs in my opinion are going to kill it,Its all very well for the keyboard experts to climb on an internet website and make outrageous claims without any research or any idea how its going to work,Ideas with the backing of the likes of Peter Clifford have achieved nothing in NZ,The idea of Johnny down the street putting road tyres on his KX85 and giving it a go holds a small amount of merit,But tell me whos going to run these meetings???Surely not the NI clubs who dont promote the classes available too them now!!!MNZ through the foresight of Paul Stewart and with input from Oyster and a number of others came up with the Prolite 250 class over 2 years ago,Now that the class has National recognition due to mine and a handful of others efforts its set to balloon at the Nationals this year,Add that to the effort put in by Hyosung NZ with their Hyosung GT250 cup with a rumored 30 plus entrants for the AMCC series and your starting to make progress,Sure its not even close to the accomplishments at MCC but its a fucking good start,Oh and which club instigated all this,Thats right NONE.

What can you and others do to help?Listen to Oyster and the guys at MCC and back them up,DON'T call me Im done!!!

[Wingnut]

I don't believe you will ever truely be able to compete against the Dirtbike scene.

Road Racing is only really available on specific race/training/track days - At nearly any given time you can throw a dirtbike on the trailer and head out for a fang on it. Not only access - there is no significant fee to pay for a ride on "Joe Farmers" track etc.

At top level racing the $$ are no doubt spent in the dirt scene, but initially, its just sooo much easier to stick to dirt. Hard to compete on a "bang for ya buck" front.

If NZ only had a Casey Stoner........... But then again it probably wouldn't get the coverage or recognition it deserves.

[Buddha#81:Me]

I've been watching this with interest, my oldest turns 10 early next month and thats when he hopefully will be starting in MCI's training class. He will have a good three years going though their well proven training system.

[Robert Taylor]

I don't believe you will ever truely be able to compete against the Dirtbike scene.

Road Racing is only really available on specific race/training/track days - At nearly any given time you can throw a dirtbike on the trailer and head out for a fang on it. Not only access - there is no significant fee to pay for a ride on "Joe Farmers" track etc.

At top level racing the $$ are no doubt spent in the dirt scene, but initially, its just sooo much easier to stick to dirt. Hard to compete on a "bang for ya buck" front.

If NZ only had a Casey Stoner........... But then again it probably wouldn't get the coverage or recognition it deserves.

We dont need a pompous brat like stoner, we need a Lorenzo

[cowpoos]

We dont need a pompous brat like stoner, we need a Lorenzo

I'd rather have a stoner than a Lorenzo...he's as fast as they come...can ride around a crap bike and set up...obviously smarter and more talented than Lorenzo!

[oyster]

Consider this.

An average family has a couple of youngsters.

A boy aged 11 who has a little RG 50,
his dad has prepped it up to MNZ RR rules for Young Junior Road Race. They've bought his riding gear and MNZ licence. He has very little experience in riding all all,
but idolises Valentino Rossi

His big sister is 14 and same again, except she has an RG 150 and her hero is Avalon Biddle

So they contact their local club running road racing and get the entry form for their club event, looking forward to getting underway. Just where in new Zealand will they be welcolmed, safely cared for and appreciated? Will they get the requisite training stipulated in MNZ rules?
22-12-2 2
"Where the rider does not have a current driving licence, that rider shall receive motorcycle riding lessons and a minimum of one day's full coaching of road racing with an approved (MNZ qualified) coach prior to racing"

Avalon Biddle travelled to Christchurch to get this as did Dam Mettam and many other North Island youngsters

Would the hypethetical brother and sister I describe above get what they need anywhere else in NZ
And if the can't get it, why not?

[cowpoos]

Consider this.

An average family has a couple of youngsters.

A boy aged 11 who has a little RG 50,
his dad has prepped it up to MNZ RR rules for Young Junior Road Race. They've bought his riding gear and MNZ licence. He has very little experience in riding all all,
but idolises Valentino Rossi

His big sister is 14 and same again, except she has an RG 150 and her hero is Avalon Biddle

So they contact their local club running road racing and get the entry form for their club event, looking forward to getting underway. Just where in new Zealand will they be welcolmed, safely cared for and appreciated? Will they get the requisite training stipulated in MNZ rules?
22-12-2 2
"Where the rider does not have a current driving licence, that rider shall receive motorcycle riding lessons and a minimum of one day's full coaching of road racing with an approved (MNZ qualified) coach prior to racing"

Avalon Biddle travelled to Christchurch to get this as did Dam Mettam and many other North Island youngsters

Would the hypethetical brother and sister I describe above get what they need anywhere else in NZ
And if the can't get it, why not?

That is a hell of an obvious point....and a hell of a good point. I was completely unaware of those rules.

[CHOPPA]

Well if theres anything I can do to help let me know

[CHOPPA]

My boy is 10 months, he prob wont wanna ride bikes my luck! But if he does he will have the opportunity....

ATM he has an LT50 and a QR50

When he is 4 he will have a KTM 50SX

6 years - KTM 65 and a Polini Mini Moto

8 years - KTM 85 and a Metrakit or a faster Polini

13 years he can make the decision to road race on a Moto 3 style bike, MX race or join the royal NZ ballet

[oyster]

Hi chop
I've only spoken to you a couple of times, but I'm convinced you're for real on this matter. I've not had much to do with recruiting young motox riders over to RR, my hands have been too full with the numbers coming from any source!
But given your background, you might well be the guy who can scout this community and introduce some 13/14 year olds to RR. Just remember at this age they're hugely self conscious so they need a patient and supportive approach.
They'll worry like hell it'll end up them looking like real dick. So "buddy" them, guide them along every step till they're underway. Not hard at all, and immensely satisfying. You'll have a few moments of doubt, that's the curved ball of teenage behaviour that'll be thrown at ya!

It's that crucial "recruit / support" stage you have to help them through.

[CHOPPA]

Consider this.

An average family has a couple of youngsters.

A boy aged 11 who has a little RG 50,
his dad has prepped it up to MNZ RR rules for Young Junior Road Race. They've bought his riding gear and MNZ licence. He has very little experience in riding all all,
but idolises Valentino Rossi

His big sister is 14 and same again, except she has an RG 150 and her hero is Avalon Biddle

So they contact their local club running road racing and get the entry form for their club event, looking forward to getting underway. Just where in new Zealand will they be welcolmed, safely cared for and appreciated? Will they get the requisite training stipulated in MNZ rules?
22-12-2 2
"Where the rider does not have a current driving licence, that rider shall receive motorcycle riding lessons and a minimum of one day's full coaching of road racing with an approved (MNZ qualified) coach prior to racing"

Avalon Biddle travelled to Christchurch to get this as did Dam Mettam and many other North Island youngsters

Would the hypethetical brother and sister I describe above get what they need anywhere else in NZ
And if the can't get it, why not?

How do I become a MNZ qualified coach?

[oyster]

That's a question for MNZ. I note they're making a real effort to train new stewards and other roles in the sport, but nothing I'm aware of re coaching.
It would be about 7 years ago MNZ (Trevor Gill was the boss) arranged a "Coach the Coaches" course which had two seminars, one south and the other north. I travelled up from Invercargill for the Chch one which had about 30 people there from all over the SI, all clubs and codes under MNZ. It was outstanding, run by Nick Reader who now is fully committed to other work (Epic Events) A few years ago Motorcycling Canterbury contacted MNZ repeatedly for repeat, but gave up and decided to arrange/fund it independently. Unfortunately Nick Reader could not do it owing to his new work, so we engaged Anthony Sproull. He is very good and has run a lot of workshops for club members who were interested. It's made a big difference to give members the confidence to go out and be coaches. That's why we can have so many new young riders moving forward with a safe watchful eye over them from regular club members.
As I understand it the "MNZ approved coach" is one with the cert from this Nick Reader course. Maybe a comment here from MNZ to confirm /clarify?

Just adding a note. I stress these courses are about coaching, not riding bikes. Having Nick and Anthony both heavily involved in bikes is big help tho, as they tailor the coursework to specific bike coaching relevance
I imagine Brian Bernard, Karel Pavich and the ART program people at Puke are up with this stuff, but their experience is more along the lines of 1 day training. Sports coaching is a much more long term relationship with the rider, maybe of years duration.

[gixerracer]

That's a question for MNZ. I note they're making a real effort to train new stewards and other roles in the sport, but nothing I'm aware of re coaching.
It would be about 7 years ago MNZ (Trevor Gill was the boss) arranged a "Coach the Coaches" course which had two seminars, one south and the other north. I travelled up from Invercargill for the Chch one which had about 30 people there from all over the SI, all clubs and codes under MNZ. It was outstanding, run by Nick Reader who now is fully committed to other work (Epic Events) A few years ago Motorcycling Canterbury contacted MNZ repeatedly for repeat, but gave up and decided to arrange/fund it independently. Unfortunately Nick Reader could not do it owing to his new work, so we engaged Anthony Sproull. He is very good and has run a lot of workshops for club members who were interested. It's made a big difference to give members the confidence to go out and be coaches. That's why we can have so many new young riders moving forward with a safe watchful eye over them from regular club members.
As I understand it the "MNZ approved coach" is one with the cert from this Nick Reader course. Maybe a comment here from MNZ to confirm /clarify?

Just adding a note. I stress these courses are about coaching, not riding bikes. Having Nick and Anthony both heavily involved in bikes is big help tho, as they tailor the coursework to specific bike coaching relevance
I imagine Brian Bernard, Karel Pavich and the ART program people at Puke are up with this stuff, but their experience is more along the lines of 1 day training. Sports coaching is a much more long term relationship with the rider, maybe of years duration.

Wasnt Andrew Hardisty a coach also?? He was a great Road Racer and no noeed to go in to his MX credentials.
He works/owns MotoGB in Taurunga may be worth asking him> Just a thought