Hampton Down$

[Drew]

Look at it this way. Manfeild owes a shit load to the council. Taupo owes a shit load to...everyone I think. Those are cheap tracks to ride, but they're gonna close if shit doesn't change.

So pay the fee or don't race. But quite bitching about it.

[jellywrestler]

we retired to the sgts mess to suck some govt subsidised $3 large bottle beers.

thy're called stubbies to someone of your height Dave, most drinkable nowadays

[jasonu]

Shit I remember when the price to race at Ohakea went from $1 to $2 as we weren't quite covering the price of postage sending out the invites for the next meeting.

There was some grumbling that day.

Nah kidding we were laughing down our sleeves as we retired to the sgts mess to suck some govt subsidised $3 large bottle beers.

Thems were the days mate.

[jasonu]

So pay the fee or don't race.

But at $300 - $400 there might be more of the 'don't race' happening. Then what, increase the price to $500 to make up the difference?
Competitor fees should be minimal. They are the ones who have spent the cash to put the show on. Garage and VIP lounge rental, gate and concession stand fees etc should be where the money for the facility owners comes from.

[nzspokes]

So pay the fee or don't race. But quite bitching about it.

Next month I was going to start looking at racing, which class etc. Then get a bike. But fuck that. Track days are bad enough.

[Grumph]

Shit I remember when the price to race at Ohakea went from $1 to $2 as we weren't quite covering the price of postage sending out the invites for the next meeting.

There was some grumbling that day.

Nah kidding we were laughing down our sleeves as we retired to the sgts mess to suck some govt subsidised $3 large bottle beers.

You've just reminded me of my biggest ever hangover - invited into the NCO's mess after a Lady Wigram meeting - 10 cent handles....
I had to be poured into the car to go home apparently. Good times long ago. When a dollar bought an enormous hangover...

[Drew]

But at $300 - $400 there might be more of the 'don't race' happening. Then what, increase the price to $500 to make up the difference?
Competitor fees should be minimal. They are the ones who have spent the cash to put the show on. Garage and VIP lounge rental, gate and concession stand fees etc should be where the money for the facility owners comes from.

There just isn't a big enough spectator base to make the money that way.

[F5 Dave]

thy're called stubbies to someone of your height Dave, most drinkable nowadays

Hilarious. No they were $1.70 from memory. But Greg's story beats mine for thiftyness. I do remember asking to get out of the car on the way home for a piss on side of the road. Dumb city boy, takes a step or two in the dark and falls down the ditch. Thats where we put the footpath! Why's there a bloody great hole the length of the road?!?!

[ellipsis]

Look at it this way. Manfeild owes a shit load to the council. Taupo owes a shit load to...everyone I think. Those are cheap tracks to ride, but they're gonna close if shit doesn't change.

So pay the fee or don't race. But quite bitching about it.

...all tracks north and south island are coming under the pressure of nimbys...they cost a lot to circumvent...councils, that are having to tow the H&S rules...that cost is passed on...in the middle sit the poor clubs, having to accept the new costs and if they can't absorb them the costs have to be passed on to those who want to play...compare our cost's to Oz, Spain or any other motorcycle racing country and you will be quite blown away by the costs they have to endure...the old days are gone and for those of us who were lucky enough to have been there, they are just memories...like Drew says...pay up or don't play...it's a cunt, but it's reality...

[Grumph]

Might move to Southland....The car club had the foresight to buy up all the land between the road and the sea for some distance around Teretonga.
Unless sea levels rise quicker than expected that'll probably be the last circuit left running in NZ....

[swarfie]

Might move to Southland....The car club had the foresight to buy up all the land between the road and the sea for some distance around Teretonga.
Unless sea levels rise quicker than expected that'll probably be the last circuit left running in NZ....

I'm fairly sure the Taupo council also own all the land around the Taupo circuit and won't allow any house building in the area. There is one house across the road on the western (generally upwind) side of the track but pretty sure that was there before the old circuit was built.

[sharp2183]

But at $300 - $400 there might be more of the 'don't race' happening. Then what, increase the price to $500 to make up the difference?
Competitor fees should be minimal. They are the ones who have spent the cash to put the show on. Garage and VIP lounge rental, gate and concession stand fees etc should be where the money for the facility owners comes from.

Have you gone to many AMCC events? There are no where near the number of spectators there to make the money required to offset cheaper race fees. This is a user pays sport. We aren't putting on a show for many at those events, the show is put on for us to participate in. And we have to pay for it.

I don't like it either but I'm not labouring under illusions of entitlement. Tony Quinn could make it cheap for us, but he doesn't have to so doesn't. Racing bikes is 100% discretionary for each person. There are other sports where you can get a cheaper form of excitement.

I've had to cut back too as I'm not rich.

Also re. track day costs. We have it bloody good. I paid almost double to ride at Silverstone in the UK. We have it good.

[Doppleganger]

We are being ripped off!!

A quick search of the interweb will show you the prices being paid in the UK and Europe.
All are far superior circuits to Hampton Downs

For track days;
Brands Hatch GP = $308
Donnington Park = $260
Catalonia = $420 (includes accommodation)
Le Mans = $500 (includes accommodation)
Spa = $650 (includes accommodation for two nights and bike transportation there and back)

Racing is far cheaper too;

About $240 per solo entry

http://www.ngroadracing.org/results_...try%20Form.pdf

[Drew]

We are being ripped off!!

A quick search of the interweb will show you the prices being paid in the UK and Europe.
All are far superior circuits to Hampton Downs

For track days;
Brands Hatch GP = $308
Donnington Park = $260
Catalonia = $420 (includes accommodation)
Le Mans = $500 (includes accommodation)
Spa = $650 (includes accommodation for two nights and bike transportation there and back)

Racing is far cheaper too;

About $240 per solo entry

http://www.ngroadracing.org/results_...try%20Form.pdf

Well fuck over there to race ya tard. People pay to go watch over there.

[Doppleganger]

Well fuck over there to race ya tard. People pay to go watch over there.

Pay to watch a track day or a run of the mill club day jeees your a dumb cunt.

Can just see the 'crowds' now mum dad and the kids ha ha fuck your full of shit or are you confusing (easy I know) it with BSB