NZSBK Taupo? What do we think?

[slowpoke]

Hmmm, I'm a lil' disappointed that there's been so little info/feedback filtering through after the inaugural Taupo NZSBK event.

It was the best of the best battling in one of the more hard fought seasons (Superbikes) for quite some time. Robbie was a deserving winner, but his engine/bike/crash tally showed just how hard he was pushed, by an equally hard charging Stroudy who's crashes showed he wasn't leaving anything in reserve either, Choppa proved last year was no fluke, Nick Cole broke through, and Craig Shirriffs/James Smith were right there on any given day etc etc. After some lean years the depth in the Superbike field is definitely on the rise and it's farkin' good to see.

So what of Taupo? Personally I'm not a fan of the track but I'd be very interested in racers/spectators/organisers impressions of the weekend.

Oh yeah, and a big "Goodonya!" to PMCC for stepping up to the plate.

[Mental Trousers]

Always liked the Taupo track since they extended it. Surface isn't the greatest but it has to handle shit temperatures so it's not surprising it's broken up here and there.

PMCC have been doing a fantastic job these last couple of years. Their summer series is well run and organised. Hope they run more rounds of the Nationals at Taupo.

Mind you, I wasn't taking part this year. Hopefully next year I'll be able to.

[Shorty_925]

Having never ridden at a National before, the amount of time out there on the bike compared to a club day alot more! I did have a support class lined up to ride in though choose not as had more than enough in my other class. I would encourage anyone thats thinking about it to just get out there at do it. My only moan would be club racing(in terms of race length) doesnt prep you well enough for the longer races.

[kiwifruit]

PMCC did a good job

[CHOPPA]

PMCC did an amazing job to be honest. They got through a very big program. It was a long time between races!

Track surface wasnt a problem in the wet or the dry and there was very few crashes. Lots of passes and good racing from what I saw, better option than Manfeild if you had to choose....

It would be a lot of work but it would be great to have a national series on ALL of our tracks

It was awesome to see more people entering the Superbike class, PMCC were offering club points to those riders as a bonus which encouraged entries.

[RobGassit]

Nigel and his team are a class act and it was a gutsy move to take on a National Round. Top effort and it ran like a swiss watch. Prizegiving was a little low key after Orions big doo last season.

[slowpoke]

PMCC have been doing a fantastic job these last couple of years. Their summer series is well run and organised.

They've made some simple changes this season that have paid off, and this round shows they aren't afraid of a challenge either.

It was awesome to see more people entering the Superbike class, PMCC were offering club points to those riders as a bonus which encouraged entries.

Bloody simple, bloody brilliant! Include points from the National round in the Club championship, what an easy way to boost entrants and improve the show for riders, spectators and sponsors alike.

[MSTRS:Me]

On behalf of the marshals, I'd like to say thanks for the kind comments in here.
And our thanks must go to the riders for the fine display of skill, tactics and sportsmanship. Mostly. But we won't go there eh?
And Taupo once again supplied a range of conditions to test everyone.

[Str8 Jacket]

On behalf of the marshals, I'd like to say thanks for the kind comments in here.
And our thanks must go to the riders for the fine display of skill, tactics and sportsmanship. Mostly. But we won't go there eh?
And Taupo once again supplied a range of conditions to test everyone.

Yeah, it is good to read. For the firsty time ever I was helping 'upstairs' in the control tower calling the races and general assistance for the CoC's. It is amazing to see what actually goes on 'behind the scenes' PMCC officials were faced with quite a few issues (no race related) on the Saturday and I was amazed how Nigel and Skunk dealt with it whilst keeping everything on schedule.

What really impressed me was the way the PMCC guy's work together so well. Everyone knew what to do and they just did it, the communication between marshalls and officials was awesome. Tight team and I would happy to assist them anytime. Well done guy's!

[codgyoleracer]

Good event, and suprised a few i think how well it all went and how well the track, marshalls, club et all performed. Also as far as spectating goes (from the top of the pit garaging), the view point is on par with the best spectator track in New Zealand (Manfield)

Well done Nigel & the team

[yungatart]

I thought it was awesome and really well run (but then I would say that, eh?)

Fantastic racing across all classes, some real battles going on.
Some close finishes. A full programme (TBH, I am still recovering..it is exhausting!)

Nigel's crew is pretty dammed good, but then I would say that too, wouldn't I?
No stars with PMCC...just great team work!

Thanks to everyone who made it a great weekend!
And thanks to you guys who have complimented us!

[speights_bud]

It was my first time working on the marshal team instead of racing myself, everyone works really well together and i think we did well to get through everything in the time we did. The racing was great to watch from a few different places and i had fun running around on the quad bike picking up the "unfortunates" and delivering them back to the pits

[jellywrestler]

Prizegiving was a little low key after Orions big doo last season.

That may have been but my pubes were manscaped at the pub by someone with a blue cigarette lighter, when i said ouch I'm sure he tried to blow the fire out, or at least blow something. And someone spewed in the back of my van too after the pub closed, and for a change it wasn't me!
Had to ring the AA in the morning my stereo had flattened the battery so must have been a goodie...

[kb_SF1]

Only went for Sunday but racing was great, been to classics and other racing before but the 600s and 1000s were well worth the drive.

Downers, the 17 minute queue for coffee and the late start, the last race did not start until after 5 PM, and being the NZSBK final round should have been earlier.

No ambos on track that I was which was great.

KB

[SWERVE]

It was first time at Taupo for the whole team (i had spectated at old circuit) Did a track walk on friday in the rain and liked the layout.... shame about the surface problems on inside of turns...... but grip on these didnt seem as bad as had been told............... but the white lines!!!!!!!! Whoa...... slippery.
Seth said his new favourite corner is one at end of straight. Ants really struggled to come to terms with whole track......... so its just a personal thing.
As for the organisation........... A++++++++ to the PMCC.
For a first attempt at a NZSBK round i take my hat of to you ALL.
Best loudspeaker system in NZ... and im deaf. Could hear calls wherever i was. Pit garage roof veiwing was awesome. Facilities were excellent.
Club officials were easy approachable and polite. Both club and MNZ officials dealt with "incidents" very well.
Thouroughly enjoyed the whole experience........... welcome Taupo & PMCC to the NZSBK calender.