Is it too easy to get a race licence?

[rustys]

bullshit! More than half the guys out there have never looked at the rules.

I'll wager $10 that less than 20% of riders are actually coherant in the rules, and less than 50% of the helpers at the track.

here here Drew, id wager that to.

[Sarah311]

What I haven't heard is any rationale for the extra or different costings - seems the transactional costs would be the same for either licence, same bit of plastic, same buttons to push...
Neither of those options change how one obtains a licence.

As a rider who competes in the Nationals - I will HAVE to pay the extra, or not be able to race. That doesn't engender goodwill IMO. How will it be different if I ride at Ruapuna on a National Licence, versus someone who could ride on a Club Licence?

????

[Drew]

What I haven't heard is any rationale for the extra or different costings - seems the transactional costs would be the same for either licence, same bit of plastic, same buttons to push...
Neither of those options change how one obtains a licence.

As a rider who competes in the Nationals - I will HAVE to pay the extra, or not be able to race. That doesn't engender goodwill IMO. How will it be different if I ride at Ruapuna on a National Licence, versus someone who could ride on a Club Licence?

????

I think it is because of the extra insurance, but I'm prolly wrong.

[wharfy]

Should be mandatory to at least know the flags and associated proceedures...... at the very very least.

Wot he said !!!
I was surprised at how little you needed to do to get a full race license, I'm all for making it tougher, both on the road and on the track. Of course I'm going to make sure my license doesn't expire so I don't have to sit any new test !! I'm not sure I could a get a road license if I had to sit the current test !!!

[wharfy]

Bullshit! More than half the guys out there have never LOOKED at the rules.

I'll wager $10 that less than 20% of riders are actually coherant in the rules, and less than 50% of the helpers at the track.

Wot he said -
I have read the rules (well some of them) they are pretty hard to follow (to many years of cutting and pasting) and almost all are about technical aspects.
The really important ones about who is responsible for keeping passing maneuvers safe, what the flags mean, what to do if a flag is presented, what to do if you have a problem etc. are not easy to find.
Most of these are highlighted at the riders brief (well Vic Club ones anyway) but all racers should have to prove they KNOW this shit before they go anywhere near the track.

[yorkshire raceramesh]

All this, flags, basic safety etc is why they introduced the classroom and test stuff in UK which you have to do to get your initial novice licence. Not sure how long it's been there but think it was brought in to combat the number of weekend warrior types who do a couple of trackdays then think they're Max Biaggi or whoever.
I did have an International licence when I was in UK but am happy to start at beginning again here as some of the stuff is slightly different. Not to mention I need to get used to not having a wheel on the side

[Tony.OK]

Just had a play and I know fek all about pc tech shyte, but if I can figure out how to do a basic quiz thing, surely it wouldn't be hard to get a proper one set up as part of licencing?

It may not be the answer but it will at least get ppl looking for answers that should already be known, also it has the ability to ask more in depth questions about race etiquette etc. Would prob mean no more day licences as there is no way to check riders knoweldge etc.
Maybe once that part of licence has been done, then the VEST thing could be used for first timers, as long as an MNZ official or similar is watching those vested riders to make sure they have safe practises on track?

Heres my very basic quiz/test...........CLICK HERE....its not very comprehensive but gives you the idea.


Haven't figured out how to show the correct answers after test but am able to see on my google account what ppl choose...............don't need any shit slinging as its just an idea, I've got fek all else to do while my arms in a sling

[suzuki21]

No system is perfect but the mythical example of someone who cant ride entering superbikes is just that. Hang-on, I take that back.
I just remembered Sandra S. Would a stricter licencing process have made a difference there?

Havent you read Kawasaki's BSB profile on her? She came from a succesfull superbike carreer in NZ you know.

[suzuki21]

People can be tested before getting a licence, but you will never find a cure for arrogance. Dorks trying to win a race at turn one on the first lap, slowing down in the middle of the track for no reason, veering of into the pits without warning.
Even saw a clubmans rider at Vic round 1 keep it pinned going into Higgins untill the guy in front braked. It was an ex multiple NZ champion riding a stock 600 in front and the guy found out what the outfield looks like. Then the same guy tried to go around the same rider at Dunlop who was coaching someone and pushed into him to "show him".

[Deano]

Havent you read Kawasaki's BSB profile on her? She came from a succesfull superbike carreer in NZ you know.

Well she did survive all that crashing so was pretty successful at something.

[Deano]

People can be tested before getting a licence, but you will never find a cure for arrogance. Dorks trying to win a race at turn one on the first lap,.

It's worse at the streets, maybe all those people watching gives some racers an inflated sense of ego ?

[Kickaha]

Well she did survive all that crashing so was pretty successful at something.

It's also something she carried on with after she left here, I sometimes thought her goal in life was to crash at every track she races at

[Clivoris]

Havent you read Kawasaki's BSB profile on her? She came from a succesfull superbike carreer in NZ you know.

Yes well, I'm with Deano on this one. In hindsight we were bloody lucky she didn't seriously injure herself or someone else. The other side of the coin though, is that we have all probably done dumb-shit while racing and the great majority of the time get away with it. There isn't a lot of time to write a list of pro's and cons before making decisions out there. A graded system may help prevent noob mistakes or someone getting in out of their depth. We probably need to link this with stricter policing of MNZ rules by club and MNZ officials, for everyone. Not just the "over-enthusiastic".

[Pussy]

Yes well, I'm with Deano on this one. In hindsight we were bloody lucky she didn't seriously injure herself or someone else. The other side of the coin though, is that we have all probably done dumb-shit while racing and the great majority of the time get away with it. There isn't a lot of time to write a list of pro's and cons before making decisions out there. A graded system may help prevent noob mistakes or someone getting in out of their depth. We probably need to link this with stricter policing of MNZ rules by club and MNZ officials, for everyone. Not just the "over-enthusiastic".

There was no shortage of people blowing sunshine up her arse. I wasn't one of them.

[Billy]

We probably need to link this with stricter policing of MNZ rules by club and MNZ officials, for everyone. Not just the "over-enthusiastic".

Absolutely on the money Clive,As I discussed with you earlier in the week,I am in the process of putting a list of suggested penalties I want too see enforced,With the backing of the Stewards commissioner and the President,Mental trousers has the details to post up on here in a new sticky thread that I will be using to inform Kiwibiker visitors of any big decisions we have in the pipeline for them to discuss if they wish,I have been asked by the board not to comment on this site in the future,So this will be my last Kiwibiker post as a member.