Crying babies!

[Colapop]

Why not be elitist? Not at the expense of other riders but in the interests of developing talent and skill. Craig and Sam certainly rode well against each other in the last race. Isn't it better to provide a higher standard to pit yours skills against than a lower one? Sure some teams have more money (for development, data collection etc) but that does not make the rider's skill any better. If you're racing for enjoyment, then you should enjoy racing against faster guys...

To be the best, you have to beat the best.

[Robert Taylor]

I have been directed to this site after some online discussion regarding Sam Smith's 'telemetry' usage. Let me clarify a few things. There was no intention to upset those racing in the series. This is our test bed for the 2008 Championship. Points & position were not actually important to us at this event. Bike preparation & setup is what is important if we are to be competive in the up coming national championship. This is the first of many test sessions & events people will see us at over the coming months. The Racetech shock clock fitted to the machine is not a telemetry device, It measures suspension travel against time and is downloaded to a laptop after the session. I only actually took 2 recordings from it, 1 on friday (free practise) and another on Saturday. The information obtained was of no advantage to us on the day. We rely on Sam's riding skill and feedback for all suspension changes we make and the trusty tape measure. Obviously we made no secret of having the shockclock fitted to the bike. As for the legality of datalogging equipment including on board laptimers, the supplementary regulations for this series states under classes,
"Suberbike-Run under typical Formula One rules encompassing Production Superbike, modified Production Superbike........." I understand "formula 1"being open to modification and additions, likewise "modified Production Superbike"
The class regulations for the national championships are more specific and this device would definintely be excluded. The team takes all regulations very seriously to ensure exclusion is not a possibility.
Sam Smith is a talented young rider who needs everyones support in this industry/sport.
Unfortunatly shades of New Zealand famous 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' appears to be creeping in. It is not our intention to appear elitist. In fact we are trying to actively encourage new young talent into the sport. Our pit is always open for discussion to those keen to improve their racing potential. Please lets get back to enjoying our racing which is why we all do it, isn't it?

Dave Cole
YAMAHA RACE TEAM NZ

Well said Dave, you clearly have literary talent as well.

The RaceTech shockclock eqpt cost me about $5k, hardly elitist when you have to take out a mortgage for the real stuff used in WSBK and MotoGP, plus the need to hire a full time person to analyse.

This equipment has been lent to Dave / Sam as I know that they will look after it and make good use of it, and are very very sincere people. Also that if Sam crashes he will make every attempt to lay the bike down on the opposite side to the equipment!

In the past I have lent a lot of equipment and dug deeply into my own pockets for racers only to be burnt as these people have made a lifetime habit of always using other peoples money and perhaps were engendered to beleive that the world owes them a living. So lending valuable equipment is not taken lightly, and I wont let the ''users and conmen'' of this world totally destroy my faith in human nature.

I think all potential sponsors should be on their guard about this and always apply due diligence in checking out the applicants on track BUT also off track record.

[arsnik]

This is our test bed for the 2008 Championship. Points & position were not actually important to us at this event. Bike preparation & setup is what is important if we are to be competive in the up coming national championship. This is the first of many test sessions & events people will see us at over the coming months. The Racetech shock clock fitted to the machine is not a telemetry device, It measures suspension travel against time and is downloaded to a laptop after the session. I only actually took 2 recordings from it, 1 on friday (free practise) and another on Saturday. The information obtained was of no advantage to us on the day. We rely on Sam\'s riding skill and feedback for all suspension changes we make and the trusty tape measure. Obviously we made no secret of having the shockclock fitted to the bike. As for the legality of datalogging equipment including on board laptimers, the supplementary regulations for this series states under classes,
\"Suberbike-Run under typical Formula One rules encompassing Production Superbike, modified Production Superbike.........\" I understand \"formula 1\"being open to modification and additions, likewise \"modified Production Superbike\"
The class regulations for the national championships are more specific and this device would definintely be excluded. The team takes all regulations very seriously to ensure exclusion is not a possibility.
Sam Smith is a talented young rider who needs everyones support in this industry/sport.
Unfortunatly shades of New Zealand famous \'Tall Poppy Syndrome\' appears to be creeping in. It is not our intention to appear elitist. In fact we are trying to actively encourage new young talent into the sport. Our pit is always open for discussion to those keen to improve their racing potential. Please lets get back to enjoying our racing which is why we all do it, isn\'t it?

Dave Cole
YAMAHA RACE TEAM NZ

Why make a mockery of the vic club rules?
Why even have it on if it was no benefit?

Your more aware than most of how easy it is to get a bike on the track for testing, why do it where some people are having a serious go at racing (ie Craigs continual pit stops with RT during races)? or were those minions who congregate at the track once a month racing merely in the way of Sams testing for the nationals?

If cheating is where its at. I\'m in!

[Robert Taylor]

Why make a mockery of the vic club rules?
Why even have it on if it was no benefit?

Your more aware than most of how easy it is to get a bike on the track for testing, why do it where some people are having a serious go at racing (ie Craigs continual pit stops with RT during races)? or were those minions who congregate at the track once a month racing merely in the way of Sams testing for the nationals?

If cheating is where its at. I\'m in!

I think you miss the point, the ''minions'' you refer to is a disparaging term and you will find Dave is a very approachable guy. It is not so easy to get a bike on track for testing when those involved also have very busy businesses to run.

To use your unfortunate term I can personally vouch for helping quite a number of ''minions'' over the weekend, taking time away from other objectives. Personally I find it quite rewarding to help people at all levels to both improve and further understand set-up.

And have you met Sam? He is an extremely polite and almost shy young man with no ego. I also dont exactly recall Craig getting in anyones way whilst we were searching for set-up?

[arsnik]

To use your unfortunate term I can personally vouch for helping quite a number of \\\'\\\'minions\\\'\\\' over the weekend, taking time away from other objectives. Personally I find it quite rewarding to help people at all levels to both improve and further understand set-up.

Yes, I do miss your point, just as Dave (when his business constraints allow him to make it to the track) and yourself miss or see around Vic club rules, and put in his own words, unnecesary probably [NOT] illegal telemtetry devices on his non egotistic and very approachable riders bike, even though suspension changes are made from Sam\\\'s feedback? Why do it?

For what its worth, bar being a bit one eyed, your truly a stand up guy robert, where would bike racing in NZ be without you?

[Maarty]

I have had the treatment about "chequebook racing" people complaining to me why I chose Fred over Barney etc. I too am at the Vic series for testing more so than the results. I have an obligation to my sponsors and riders to best prepare them for racing at the nationals. The fact that my riders are preforming so well is testiment to their natural abilities and at the end of the day riders still need the talent to use all the power at their disposal, all the technology in the world won't make them faster if they don't have the skills in the first place. All I am doing is helping smooth off the rough edges in their riding.
I am just sick of the nay-sayers complaing that they are disadvantaged. I found a way, quietly, to improve my riders lot and my sponsors are behind me 100%.
Only 1 person has asked me for help in set-up information and I will gladly pass on what ever I can, they came and asked, didn't moan, and therefore they will receive my assistance.

[Robert Taylor]

Yes, I do miss your point, just as Dave (when his business constraints allow him to make it to the track) and yourself miss or see around Vic club rules, and put in his own words, unnecesary probably illegal telemtetry devices on his non egotistic and very approachable riders bike, even though suspension changes are made from Sam\'s feedback? Why do it?

For what its worth, bar being a bit one eyed, your truly a stand up guy robert, where would bike racing in NZ be without you?

Actually I failed to mention that it is quite a mission to remove all this stuff, and Dave probably had precious little time to do so. But it was in the open for everyone to see and would have been removed had anyone objected ON THE DAY. ( Craig, Derek, Carey, Dave.... ) At no time was there any intention to point the finger at the rules. I am probably in a better position than most to work out who is cheating, but I make it my business to concentrate only on my chosen field.

Really, this is a storm in a teacup.

[Fatjim]

I don't go the the track to race because I'm slow, but I'll pretend I'm not and put myself in someones place who isn't.

If someone showed up with "a few extra bits" on their bike that was outside the rules I'd be pissed. I don't give a shit whether you say "but I didn't even use it". Its there, who's to say that you or anyone else is trustworthy, I don't know you from Jack!

I would however not have a problem if you arranged with the organizers not to have your placing recorded anywhere, so I didn't have to go round saying "such and such only bet me because ....." and everyone thinking "sure, yeah right".

BTW

Sometimes I think that some people who are serious in sports think that they are the only ones that count and are above the slime. The plebs at the bottom who are out enjoying themselves just don't count and its alright to walk over them. To those who think or act this way, I give you the one fingered salute. I for one would prefer those kinds of arseholes to just piss off and leave us losers alone.

[arsnik]

Really, this is a storm in a teacup.

Spot on the money there Robert, thank Maarty for brewing it, I like my tea with a slice of lemon.

[Robert Taylor]

I don't go the the track to race because I'm slow, but I'll pretend I'm not and put myself in someones place who isn't.

If someone showed up with "a few extra bits" on their bike that was outside the rules I'd be pissed. I don't give a shit whether you say "but I didn't even use it". Its there, who's to say that you or anyone else is trustworthy, I don't know you from Jack!

I would however not have a problem if you arranged with the organizers not to have your placing recorded anywhere, so I didn't have to go round saying "such and such only bet me because ....." and everyone thinking "sure, yeah right".

BTW

Sometimes I think that some people who are serious in sports think that they are the only ones that count and are above the slime. The plebs at the bottom who are out enjoying themselves just don't count and its alright to walk over them. To those who think or act this way, I give you the one fingered salute. I for one would prefer those kinds of arseholes to just piss off and leave us losers alone.

Hell, if I, Dave and are are few others are ''collectivised'' as being like that then I am sure they will have no problem in me acting as a spokesman and therefore stating ''we apologise for breathing''

[Maarty]

Spot on the money there Robert, thank Maarty for brewing it, I like my tea with a slice of lemon.

I was just venturing an opinion. Had i anticipated this type of response i would not have bothered.

Racing would be a much worse place without the "plebs", i think that everyone has lost sight that we all started out as pleds (for want of a better word) i know I did! It took me a long time to get up to speed, I wasn't a natural, I had to work bloody hard and I paid my dues, I didn't complain about the others beating me, in fact it motivated me. I wanted to beat those who had better equipment regardless. in my day it was newer models or kit parts, these days its data aquisition and sponsorship deal. the thing is, the motivation is still the same!
I take my hat off to all the 150 kids and their perants for participating, they are the true spirit of racing, they want to just beat the guy (or girl) in front.
Racing is for everyone at whatever level they choose to compete at, why punish the faster guys or the slower for that matter! The fact that these guys come to meetings like saturdays should motivate more the agrivate!

Lemon eh! 1 slice or 2? pinky in the air or the full grip? "jolly good show geeves, and toodle pip 'ole chum"

[arsnik]

Lemon eh! 1 slice or 2? pinky in the air or the full grip? \"jolly good show geeves, and toodle pip \'ole chum\"

Im a dilma man, thin slice with a couple sucaryl\'s in a wee cup on a saucer, I shall bring the pot up next race, can\'t get good tea at a race track.
. Will you bring some date scones?

[Teambwr47]

I am assuming then reading this post that the riders involved arranged for themselves to be allowed to race outside the rules of the meeting/club as a test and took no points, prizes or press from the race results?

I also assume that this was made clear to all other competitors in the meeting in some way and that the riders 'testing' did not in any way hinder those on track who were racing for a season championship?

I've seen this happen in the UK when a full spec BSB factory bike turns up and races at a national club event for testing.

In every such case i've seen the team and riders have excluded themselves from the results and the other riders have been made aware of such a situation even before the race.

A race is a race and if a rider testing, on a non eligible bike, was to mess around with entering leaving the pits and in doing so interfered with the race that would not be good at all. Equally if said rider affected the 'lesser' racers in any way even if that be by lapping it would not be acceptable.

This would all be a storm in a teacup if the riders involved did adhere to the above points but if they didn't i can well understand how pissed off some could be.

In reponse to recalling lap times etc i assume the saying 'the older i get the faster i used to be' applies here to....

[Teambwr47]

Now just need to get a bike and show you Kiwis the way around

By the way anyone here going to the Auckland club night tonight....

Going to pop along and join up.

[Goblin]

Racing would be a much worse place without the "plebs"

Well this Pleb has seen enough cattiness, backstabbing and gossiping to not want to race ever again. I wont be renewing my MNZ License as there's no point in racing if you dont have the fat cheque book or "know" all the right people.

Have fun out there dudes and may the Richest team win!