How to grow the future of road racing in New Zealand

[Shaun Harris]

Dunno how to do the clever bits, see above for my comments ( in bold )

Your bold comments of my post is exactaually why I have asked out loud how to make the sport grow Budda.

Is there any training programme or written guidlines in place on how to be the commisioner for Road racing or is it just they make up as they go along believing they are Interpreting the wording correctly?

[Shaun Harris]

It would not make the slightest difference, people will always interpret the written word as they want to, unless of course you want a rule book the size of Encyclopedia Britannica to cover every possible scenario and then you'd probably still miss some

You're trying to fix something that isn't really broken

Thanks for your healthy comments Kickaha, but if nothing is broken, why are some of the best coordinators/ doers walking away from the sport mate?

[roogazza]

I don't understand these posts?
Why is there always so much unhappiness around racing?

I don't know if there is that much unhappiness Paul.
Maybe when Shaun gets a job the thread will die ? Speaking of who, where is he its been 24 hrs !

[Shaun Harris]

Mate from a racer, organiser and officials perspective the simple answer is not much.
We are getting big grids at Club level in all classes
We have more club members involved with both the Tri series and Nationals
We have Club members competing internationally too.
Our rider training is going from strength to strength providing a steady stream of new racers into Clubmans and beyond

This whole rules milarky is nothing new, even the top tier of racing is having a shit fight at the moment http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2014/...306october.htm

But for some rule interpretations that have a few people jumping up and down we look in pretty good shape from where I'm standing. Rules are always going to be tested, always have done always will be.

As you were.......
KG

Graham in your postion with the AMCC then, what round of the NZ Champs are the largest club ( I believe the AMCC to still be the largest ) in new zealand running of the Current championship mate

[Shaun Harris]

I don't know if there is that much unhappiness Paul.
Maybe when Shaun gets a job the thread will die ? Speaking of who, where is he its been 24 hrs !

haha Roogazza. Is my passion for our sport to over the top and do you think I am asking questions and trying to promote action that does not need talking about and acting on? To me it is a majority rules scenario and unless you ask you do not know?

[budda]

Your bold comments of my post is exactaually why I have asked out loud how to make the sport grow Budda.

Is there any training programme or written guidlines in place on how to be the commisioner for Road racing or is it just they make up as they go along believing they are Interpreting the wording correctly?

THAT is why I've tried to stay in contact with The Billy, so he could get a feel for why certain things were in place, or happen the way they do. Ditto Paul S gave me guidance at times.

The job grows in front of your eyes, even WITH "help" - to go in cold and have no historical knowledge would be overwhelming in my view. The Commissioner is tasked with running his side of the Sport, the Board is there to liaise with and enable him, and are at the Top of the food chain

[Robert Taylor]

Completely disagree re 'The Big Show' ........however I do not have a viable alternative to bring the crowds in apart from good racing with participation of more than 1 (in general) manufacturer. Good on Suzuki for getting bikes on the grid and we are seeing a small involvement from the other Big 3, as well as the odd Euro. We do need more input and money spent from the Euro importers/dealers and same goes for Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha. We have great riders willing/wanting to race 'other' brands.....but the bikes need money and time spent to be competitive, no top racer wants to race a non-competitive bike. As I say, things are improving in this direction....I for one was bored seeing another Suzuki benefit (for instance) year after year. And don't say the other machines cannot be on the podium because when the right racer gets on board they sure can be. Money money money is what the sport needs unfortunately and most importers/dealers don't appear to want to be bothered, pathetic really.

Its not pathetic, they don't make any money out of roadbike sales and so many people are bringing in stuff directly so who can blame them for closing their chequebooks? If it wasn't for Suzukis efforts there would be no credible topline racing. Given that they have been ripped off by more than a few its a wonder they have any involvement at all.

Aside from the above reality there are a number of initiatives in place but sifting through blinkered mentality is an issue.

[Shaun Harris]

THAT is why I've tried to stay in contact with The Billy, so he could get a feel for why certain things were in place, or happen the way they do. Ditto Paul S gave me guidance at times.

The job grows in front of your eyes, even WITH "help" - to go in cold and have no historical knowledge would be overwhelming in my view. The Commissioner is tasked with running his side of the Sport, the Board is there to liaise with and enable him, and are at the Top of the food chain

ok, so are the current problems Board or commisioner based issue's, ie is any one or any paticular dept at fault here causing the drama's?

I an so interested in finding out exactually what the issues are behind all that is going on

[budda]

Its not pathetic, they don't make any money out of roadbike sales and so many people are bringing in stuff directly so who can blame them for closing their chequebooks? If it wasn't for Suzukis efforts there would be no credible topline racing. Given that they have been ripped off by more than a few its a wonder they have any involvement at all.

Aside from the above reality there are a number of initiatives in place but sifting through blinkered mentality is an issue.

Ever wondered why Bike Shops are run by Bike nuts ? Most sane business men wouldn't be IN the game, the returns are MINIMAL, especially considering the input most put in ...... F A C T

[Robert Taylor]

No this is where I see the problem, all the racers are seem to be happy its only the people that dont race that seem to be the experts. If it aint broke dont fix it. No one has explained to me what is wrong?

You are right Chop, there is a lot that ISNT broken. Im not going to regurgitate in full what I have said in a number of previous threads but one of the main issues is that we don't have a credible feeder class from 250 through to 600. Some structure with bikes with some responsive chassis adjustments and a tutoring structure in place will work. There are a number of industry people including myself who have already put a lot of time and money into conceptualising such a class. This is very much a work in progress.

This is about attracting people from outside of the sport to make it all a whole lot less intimidating to get racing. Not so much of looking from within and all its prejudices. Start on 250s to learn race skills and how to ride a bike, progress to CBR500 Cup where you will learn much needed suspension and chassis setup skills ( including structured classroom tutorials as part of the package with a top rider and a technician )

Ex motocross riders are a good group to target as are everyday riders who have bought many of these machines en masse. Indeed there is dealer support for such a series as long as the costs can be kept manageable.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Graham in your postion with the AMCC then, what round of the NZ Champs are the largest club ( I believe the AMCC to still be the largest ) in new zealand running of the Current championship mate

We are not running one this season Shaun, for the last five years we made a loss (since its been run at HD and no other 'local' track is suitable or permitable) and we weren't prepared to do that again. A difficult decision to make but representing over 450 members we had to consider the bigger picture. Contry to popular belief a large membership does not mean we make heaps of money.

We tried vairous models of event organisation believing the Nationals to be more than a bike race for quicker riders but more of an event for the whole family and put on attractions and side shows to help accomodate the whole family but the cost of the venue and periferals made it un-achievable to run it at cost let alone in the black without a massive entry fee for riders. Our vision for the event was for it to grow in popularity encouraging more public through the gates in the hope of actually lowering the entry fees for riders.

We are still very keen to be involved at National level but things have to be different in terms of the current buisness model. MNZ are aware of our position and our concerns re affordability etc and we will meet in the 'off season' to nut this one out.

The flip side to this is as I have said from a club level perspective our racing numbers have increased, from a National perspective our rider representation has increased and from an international perspective our rider representation is increasing.
KG

[roogazza]

haha Roogazza. Is my passion for our sport to over the top and do you think I am asking questions and trying to promote action that does not need talking about and acting on? To me it is a majority rules scenario and unless you ask you do not know?

Just an attempt at light humour bud. If you think there's something that needs changing go for it. (I admire your passion and do at times feel guilty of not giving a shit sometimes.)
Hey I have opinion, but I'm way way out of touch with what's going on.Best I stay quiet.

[Shaun Harris]

Just an attempt at light humour bud. If you think there's something that needs changing go for it. (I admire your passion and do at times feel guilty of not giving a shit sometimes.)
Hey I have opinion, but I'm way way out of touch with what's going on.Best I stay quiet.

Pm it to go with the others mate. No question is a dumb one really and all idea's need looking at with an open mind but also with a real world mentallity approach

[budda]

You are right Chop, there is a lot that ISNT broken.
Ex motocross riders are a good group to target as are everyday riders who have bought many of these machines en masse.

Jeepers Doc - with a little creative editing there, it sounds like you're talking about F450's

[Shaun Harris]

You are right Chop, there is a lot that ISNT broken. Im not going to regurgitate in full what I have said in a number of previous threads but one of the main issues is that we don't have a credible feeder class from 250 through to 600. Some structure with bikes with some responsive chassis adjustments and a tutoring structure in place will work. There are a number of industry people including myself who have already put a lot of time and money into conceptualising such a class. This is very much a work in progress.

This is about attracting people from outside of the sport to make it all a whole lot less intimidating to get racing. Not so much of looking from within and all its prejudices. Start on 250s to learn race skills and how to ride a bike, progress to CBR500 Cup where you will learn much needed suspension and chassis setup skills ( including structured classroom tutorials as part of the package with a top rider and a technician )

Ex motocross riders are a good group to target as are everyday riders who have bought many of these machines en masse. Indeed there is dealer support for such a series as long as the costs can be kept manageable.

I really love the idea of a one make class purely as all are the same apart from suspension set up and rider skills. The concept of the learning training package enviroment is exellent also ( Also driving in the importance of understanding there rule books)

It would be a reasnoably cheep class and being a 500 would sound good also to the spectators, especially on the street tracks. Go back to the days of the 750 racing here and the tallent that high lighted back then, Terry Fitzgerlad jumps to mind when he was on = bikes to toomey and holden and katinberg and many more he was as good or good as, it is a bloody real healthy way to messure yourself, that is the same as the current 250 prody class as far as I am concerned young or old as far as gauging yourself goes.

Future NZ racing classes for AGM Remitts then

250 Production ( To be changed to 300 in future)
500 production
F2
F1
Sidecars

Everything else races in the club scene