The Barry Sheene Classic is no more

[ellipsis]

Fair point. I guess the riders will have a significant say in what they prefer.

...yeah right...we are the first on everybodys list...hahahaha...

[Bass]

big is not always better.

Agreed, but in this case, according to the published plans, the extra track is pretty much all medium to tight corners and doesn't take the racers as far away from the crowd as some of the existing track already does.
I don't know the length of the additions but looking at the diagram now, I guess the track would extend by about 30%, so the number of laps per race should only drop proportionately, if at all.

[gjm]

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?

I didn't attend the rider's briefing, but was told it was a bit confusing with regard to dummy grids. When riders came in after a red flag, there were some heading straight down the pit lane, and some peeling right and around the end of the pits. I've been at HD many, many times, and that was the first time I'd seen it done that way. (Doesn't mean it hasn't happened before, of course.)
I'm not the Clerk of the Course and if that was the decision, then fine. But... What would be wrong with having everyone go straight through the pits and wait at the exit?

Let's not make the pits a crew-only area, but let's perhaps keep an eye on the pit lane so muppets don't walk down the middle when bikes are lining up to go out.

Lights:
After one red flag following a first lap accident, bikes came in and some headed straight through the pits, some went round. All riders then went back out to form up on the start/finish lane grid again. 5 red lights were showing on the gantry to show the red flag (fine so far...) but these were still on after the riders had reformed. Riders waited, then the reds went out (to start the light sequence) and there was a false start: all reds out means GO!
There were also a few occasions where the grid appeared to be held a lo-o-ong time before the light sequence was initiated. Not ideal for those on old two strokes, but I guess it was the same for everyone. Still, comments like "I thought we were never going to start" weren't uncommon. (I appreciate that once the sequence starts, it's random - the issue is that the sequence wasn't started.)


As I said: little things, hopefully easily fixed.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Everyone loved the venue despite the building work going on and really want to return next year when the full track should be available.

I don't know the length of the additions but looking at the diagram now, I guess the track would extend by about 30%, so the number of laps per race should only drop proportionately, if at all.

The initial (full track) track plan would indicate 50 - 51 marshals that's over 8k cost to cover marshals alone plus there's the huge risk of not being able to find 150+ marshals for the existing 3 day meeting, 200+ if you make it a 4 day meeting.
Add to that the cost of the international circuit in addition to the price increase in the new year for hire costs at Hampton Downs.
We are soon to get a real shock at the cost of;
a. running a meeting at HD
b. entry price for that meeting as a rider

[RE5]

The initial (full track) track plan would indicate 50 - 51 marshals that's over 8k cost to cover marshals alone plus there's the huge risk of not being able to find 150+ marshals for the existing 3 day meeting, 200+ if you make it a 4 day meeting.
Add to that the cost of the international circuit in addition to the price increase in the new year for hire costs at Hampton Downs.
We are soon to get a real shock at the cost of;
a. running a meeting at HD
b. entry price for that meeting as a rider

What are the costs going up to?

[nodrog:Me]

I didn't attend the rider's briefing, but was told it was a bit confusing with regard to dummy grids. When riders came in after a red flag, there were some heading straight down the pit lane, and some peeling right and around the end of the pits. I've been at HD many, many times, and that was the first time I'd seen it done that way. (Doesn't mean it hasn't happened before, of course.)
I'm not the Clerk of the Course and if that was the decision, then fine. But... What would be wrong with having everyone go straight through the pits and wait at the exit?

Let's not make the pits a crew-only area, but let's perhaps keep an eye on the pit lane so muppets don't walk down the middle when bikes are lining up to go out.

Lights:
After one red flag following a first lap accident, bikes came in and some headed straight through the pits, some went round. All riders then went back out to form up on the start/finish lane grid again. 5 red lights were showing on the gantry to show the red flag (fine so far...) but these were still on after the riders had reformed. Riders waited, then the reds went out (to start the light sequence) and there was a false start: all reds out means GO!
There were also a few occasions where the grid appeared to be held a lo-o-ong time before the light sequence was initiated. Not ideal for those on old two strokes, but I guess it was the same for everyone. Still, comments like "I thought we were never going to start" weren't uncommon. (I appreciate that once the sequence starts, it's random - the issue is that the sequence wasn't started.)



As I said: little things, hopefully easily fixed.

maybe some cunts should actually listen at riders briefing.

[Edbear]

The riders briefing was supposed to be in the pavilion and Duncan was only told 5min before that it was in the pits. Sadly some didn't have a loud voice but it was too late to get my portable PA out. Something we will be addressing for next year.

Communication is tricky in the best conditions let alone those.

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

What are the costs going up to?

They haven't been released yet.

[sidecar bob]

What are the costs going up to?

Anyone tipping tens of millions into something will be wanting to at least claw back a bit of the loss, because you can bet he wont be making a profit out of owning the place.
Every competitor that uses Hampton Downs should consider themselves to be sponsored by VIP petfoods.

[Grumph]

The initial (full track) track plan would indicate 50 - 51 marshals that's over 8k cost to cover marshals alone plus there's the huge risk of not being able to find 150+ marshals for the existing 3 day meeting, 200+ if you make it a 4 day meeting.
Add to that the cost of the international circuit in addition to the price increase in the new year for hire costs at Hampton Downs.
We are soon to get a real shock at the cost of;
a. running a meeting at HD
b. entry price for that meeting as a rider

Yup, those are the biggies. plus the ambulance costs are historically higher in Auckland than elsewhere.
For the first few years of running small club days at Ruapuna post extensions, we often used the outer circuit which cuts across from the hairpin to the dipper. Saved on marshalls considerably. Most small days now use the B track.
Is the layout at HD going to allow a short version ?
Is it laid out so that two circuits can be run simultaneously ?

[Kickaha]

maybe some cunts should actually listen at riders briefing.

I liked it a lot better when I was a passenger and didn't have to

[ellipsis]

...my observations of riders at briefings over a span have been , one or two funny wankers laughing and joking, 70% of riders pulling their leathers out of the crack in their arse, twenty percent adjusting their balls and the rest either looking pensive or terrified of turn one...and about 00.1% listening to anything...

[jellywrestler]

...my observations of riders at briefings over a span have been , one or two funny wankers laughing and joking, 70% of riders pulling their leathers out of the crack in their arse, twenty percent adjusting their balls and the rest either looking pensive or terrified of turn one...and about 00.1% listening to anything...

and you studying everyone else and not listening...

[ellipsis]

and you studying everyone else and not listening...

...I was usually doing the talking...

[Kiwi Graham:Me]

Yup, those are the biggies. plus the ambulance costs are historically higher in Auckland than elsewhere.
For the first few years of running small club days at Ruapuna post extensions, we often used the outer circuit which cuts across from the hairpin to the dipper. Saved on marshalls considerably. Most small days now use the B track.
Is the layout at HD going to allow a short version ?
Is it laid out so that two circuits can be run simultaneously ?

The completed layout will allow three options;
Full international circuit (existing plus extension) = 3.8k
Club circuit (just the new extension looping back on itself) = 1.2k
National circuit (what we have now) = 2.8k

And yes the club and National circuit will be able to run at the same time.

All will have their own price structure based on the day of the week (weekday or weekend) and time of the day (daytime or evening).

We are expecting the new pricing for circuit hire to be released 'soon'.

As far as AMCC is concerned we will have no choice but to pass this increase onto the entry price, we are all collectively holding our breath....