Is Hampton Downs Auckland now too? I hope not, it's quite a nice spot.Originally Posted by nzspokes
Forum whore
Is Hampton Downs Auckland now too? I hope not, it's quite a nice spot.
Hardcore Biker
Nah, still Waikato, we pump them water from just down the road, so those upstream could remember to flush twice please, the jafas
need the water
Political Correctness, the chief weapon of whiney arse bastards
He's back bitches!
It was a protest at the new sponser
Forum whore
Friday set up day was very busy and Saturday wasa wash out most of the day. I think a lot of people were worried that it was going to be a wet weekend. But we knew the weather forecast was good so while Sunday morning attendance was down, as the day went on it started filling up and they opened another bike park. Attendance overall was very good and when we have the debrief we'll know exactly how it went.
What I can tell you is that every single person I spoke to was effusive in their praise of the weekend especially the large Aussie contingent. They all loved the event and are determined to spread the word for next year. I was approached regularly throughout the weekend and told how much my sponsorship was appreciated but of course, I had the easy part to play. Duncan Coutts and Pete McMillan deserve the most credit for saving an event that was very nearly lost to NZ and organising what turned out to be the best ever and internationally supported. At this point it could become a four day event as Australia is working towards.
For myself it was the biggest thing I have done and everyone wants my involvement to continue and increase.
We thoroughly enjoyed it and all the big names, like Croz, Hugh Anderson, Alan Johnston and many more plus the MKR celeb chefs and others were buzzing in their enthusiasm.
Everyone loved the venue despite the building work going on and really want to return next year when the full track should be available.
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
In the riders seat
We probably wouldn't bother coming up to it if it was
Even though it would have penalised us badly in one race not having the rolling grid sucked
Not sure about entry numbers compared to other years but the skid pan was a lot more empty
"If you can make black marks on a straight from the time you turn out of a corner until the braking point of the next turn, then you have enough power."
Forum whore
This is the sort of feedback we need. We want to get as much input into the future of the event as we can, in order to attract as many riders as possible.
Racing around the country is not cheap, and people are always scrounging for money and sponsorship. I can only imagine what it cost the teams from Aussie to come over for four days. They all had a ball, though!
If anyone involved would like to put in their thoughts by way of a submission, or just a comment, I can take it to the debriefing and discuss it with Duncan and the NZPCRA, and liaise with our Aussie counterparts.
I also want to thank the Sidecar Racing Association, and Tracy Bryan in particular, for the hard work she and the team did to support the weekend! Without the volunteers and flag marshals, of course, such events just wouldn't happen!
With so many events on the cards from now on, it is always going to be a juggle with riders as to where they focus their best efforts, but I do know that the Classic is well supported and well liked. A lot of old guys with middle-age-spread and grey hair were in their element last weekend! Some amazing examples of older bikes with both old and young riders were getting a lot of photo attention!
To have the likes of Cam Donald, Alex Phyllis and his Dad, Alan Johnston, and so many more world class riders, relaxed and having fun was great to see.
Last edited by Edbear; 28th October 2015 at 09:35. Reason: grandma
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
Forum whore
Fuckin tell me about it. Try having the pole sitter break down in qualifying & end up on the 5th row all weekend.
Hardcore Biker
There were some curious on the day comments.
I was in the pits (for reference).
The riders briefing was generally felt to not be as helpful as it might have been.
The decision to route riders to a dummy grid along the front of the pits was certainly questionable - that area was filled with loitering and wandering spectators.
There were also mutterings (from the pits, and from riders) about start/finish straight light control, certainly on Sunday.
However, in the grand scheme of things, these are relatively minor issues (although if a member of the public in jandals had a foot run over it may have been different) that can be readily addressed. Practice was a bit soggy (to say the least!) but raceday was beautiful. More than a few red noses around.
It's a great event. As an ex-Brit I'm a little disappointed to see Bazzer's name dropped from the headline, but on the day it was the racing, the atmosphere and the camaraderie that made it great.
Forum whore
Id also like to thank Dean Oughtred for making my bike look fuckin fast & for being an absolute gentleman all weekend as well.
And also nodrog for lending us his awesome red BMW sidecar, upon which much fun was had.
Forum whore
I was talking to Kevin Grant and he, too, wanted the Barry Sheene name to stay. He accepted the decision, though, and when Duncan asked me what I wanted to do about the pic, I was emphatic that it should remain as is. I said there was too much history with the event to make major changes and the tie up with Australia was a key part of the series. So going forward we will be discussing how to keep the association closely tied in and may use the Trans Tasman Challenge as a suitable tie. Some Aussies were more concerned with the link between the two countries as much as the Barry Sheene title, but we'll discuss it with everyone concerned and work to keeping it recognisable.There were some curious on the day comments.
I was in the pits (for reference).
The riders briefing was generally felt to not be as helpful as it might have been.
The decision to route riders to a dummy grid along the front of the pits was certainly questionable - that area was filled with loitering and wandering spectators.
There were also mutterings (from the pits, and from riders) about start/finish straight light control, certainly on Sunday.
However, in the grand scheme of things, these are relatively minor issues (although if a member of the public in jandals had a foot run over it may have been different) that can be readily addressed. Practice was a bit soggy (to say the least!) but raceday was beautiful. More than a few red noses around.
It's a great event. As an ex-Brit I'm a little disappointed to see Bazzer's name dropped from the headline, but on the day it was the racing, the atmosphere and the camaraderie that made it great.
I'm not so concerned about making it "my" weekend as much as being able to help it continue and grow as an international meet that everyone wants to race in. So continuity is important to me.
And you are so right about what made the weekend!
He was as you say! That dude can ride!
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
In the riders seat
That is how it is done at every track in the country, going out the back and around the end you would have the same problem, only way around it is making pit lane a racer/crew only area like the car racing poofters do at some events and good luck with enforcing that
What was the start/finish light control issue?
"If you can make black marks on a straight from the time you turn out of a corner until the braking point of the next turn, then you have enough power."
Forum whore
Of course not.
Forum whore
We did discuss that issue briefly, and while most would like the public access to continue, we do need to address how to educate the public and ensure the ease of access along the pits by the riders. Signage, and verbal announcements may be one way. The Aussies I spoke to liked the lack of red tape and OSH interference by comparison with Australia which is squeezing them ever tighter.
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
Forum whore
quickest way to ruin it, same number of bikes spread out further and less corner dicing action, twice the number of flag marshalls and 2-3 lap races due to the distance, spectators won't be able to see in the distance, nor will the commentators; big is not always better.
Forum whore
Fair point. I guess the riders will have a significant say in what they prefer.
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
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