Motul 6 Hour Endurance Race

[Playday]

Motul 6 Hour


Auckland Motorcycle Club in association with Playday on Track Ltd are pleased to announce that Motul have thrown their support behind Novembers 6 Hour motorcycle endurance race at Hampton Downs; with the event to be now known as the Motul 6 Hour.

A producer of high-performance motor oils and industrial lubricants for 160 years, Motul have a proud history of involvement with motorsport in New Zealand, most recently in their support of the Motul Honda Cup.

This positive endorsement of the return of endurance motorcycle racing is an encouraging step towards a successful inaugural event on 8th November, at what will be a significantly different Hampton Downs, with development construction commencing in late-July to include the corporate suites, race control and conference centre – all due for completion prior to Christmas.

The Motul 6 Hour will comprise of “teams” – three riders and three bikes, with a single team transponder - effectively becoming a relay race, where the baton (transponder) is passed from team member to team member.
Each rider will have to complete a minimum of 90 minutes, with the Supplementary Regulations outlining the protocol in the event a rider falls and/or a machine becomes damaged.

Teams may consist of any number of motorcycle types, so it is possible that a team could comprise a Superbike, Pro-Twin and a Superlite bike for example.

This mix of categories, and the variation available in a rider’s race contribution, will see a wide scope of strategies in play – in what will be a very tactical and interesting six hours.

All bikes will race under a single class for the event – the Hampton Downs Endurance Class (HDEC) – so a wide variety of racing machinery is expected.

[Playday]

[ellipsis]

...couldn't hear you...

[Playday]

Ok I am old how do I add a picture

[quickbuck]

Ok I am old how do I add a picture

Try changing the format to .jpeg.
For some reason .png files don't work so well... well, not for me.

[Tazz]

Ok I am old how do I add a picture

[Playday]

One of the first teams to enter, going to be an awesome event

[jellywrestler]

One of the first teams to enter, going to be an awesome event

maybe, the old six hours were legendary but they were also in times when the bikes were production and didn't need a rebuild afterwards due to hours run, the new classes and bikes would mostly need a rebuild or looking over etce just before the start of the suzuki series and the nationals.
also they used one tyre in the six hours early on, but towards the end the tyre bill became bigger and one would only imagine what it ouwld be now.....
good luck but i won't be holding my breath.

[jasonu]

Why 3 bikes per team? A good part of the old 6hrs was making one bike last the distance with tire changes, brake pad changes etc. Shouldn't be too hard to get a modern bike to last 2hrs.
Will the teams be able to work on the bikes during the race (assuming the rider/bike combo does more than one stint)?

[sugilite:Me]

When I first read the title I instantly thought "shit, the old six hour got to be the same cost to do as a entire nats season". But then I read about the three bike relay theme, brilliant!, kind of makes it a 2 hour, and the bikes will not get worn out (as Jellywrestler was saying). Great concept guys, all the best with the event!

[quickbuck]

Why 3 bikes per team? A good part of the old 6hrs was making one bike last the distance with tire changes, brake pad changes etc. Shouldn't be too hard to get a modern bike to last 2hrs.
Will the teams be able to work on the bikes during the race (assuming the rider/bike combo does more than one stint)?

From what I understand, the three bike rule is partially driven by Refueling.

There is no safe provision to do it at HD in this day in age.... So the best fix was to have a bike each and the bikes could be refueled out back away from the pit-lane.

I'm sure I will be corrected if I am wrong, but that is how I understand it.

Yes, it would be great to go back to the good ol days...... Or would it? Really? Not sure everyone wants to race 90 Hp Flexi Framed aircooled bikes running 4 inch rims for 6 hours...
Well, some might, but that is what Classic Racing is for, and well done to them.

[Mental Trousers]

maybe, the old six hours were legendary but they were also in times when the bikes were production and didn't need a rebuild afterwards due to hours run, the new classes and bikes would mostly need a rebuild or looking over etce just before the start of the suzuki series and the nationals.
also they used one tyre in the six hours early on, but towards the end the tyre bill became bigger and one would only imagine what it ouwld be now.....

Why 3 bikes per team? A good part of the old 6hrs was making one bike last the distance with tire changes, brake pad changes etc. Shouldn't be too hard to get a modern bike to last 2hrs.
Will the teams be able to work on the bikes during the race (assuming the rider/bike combo does more than one stint)?

From what I understand, the three bike rule is partially driven by Refueling.

There is no safe provision to do it at HD in this day in age.... So the best fix was to have a bike each and the bikes could be refueled out back away from the pit-lane.

As jellywrestler mentioned, a bike would need to be built and then rebuilt after the 6 hour. Making each rider responsible for their own bike and tyres opens it up to anybody with a bike.

The down side is that means it's opened up to any clown with a bike. Day licences are available for the event so I'm guessing there's lots of track day riders wanting to get into it. After all, one of the motivations for doing track days instead of race days is the number of laps/length of time on track, ie quantity not quality.

Hopefully it's a raging success and kicks off a new trend in the sport.

[nodrog:Me]

Do the Bikes have to be race bikes?

[roogazza]

The down side is that means it's opened up to any clown with a bike. Day licences are available for the event so I'm guessing there's lots of track day riders wanting to get into it.

That was always possible in the olden days too.

For a few,it was, 'neat, 6 hours we'll do it' !

Endurance races are like that I suppose,you are constantly passing and lapping. As it was in those days you had 400 (then later 550) and open classes.
Quick learning curve I guess though ?

[Mental Trousers]

Do the Bikes have to be race bikes?

They have to fit into one of the following MNZ classes.

Chapter 25 - Road Racing, Post Classic (from 25.5 on only)
Appendix A - Super Stock 600
Appendix B - Super Lite
Appendix C - Superbike
Appendix F - 650 Pro Twin
Appendix G - Super Sport