Bring back the Castrol Six Hour....

[codgyoleracer]

Endurance racing is a very very different game to sprint road racing & it employs so many different skills in both machine preparation, & rider skill / consistency.
Its also a much more involving event for your supporters & support crews - who play pivotal parts in re-fueling, wheel changes etc etc.
The off road guys - have many of there own endurance events - but the road race guys have slim pickings for anything of a decent length 4 hours +
What support is out there from Kiwibiker racers to get an endurance event going again ?, & who can be the driver to get it going ?

Glen

[HDTboy]

I'm keen as a bean to ride in an endurance race. I just need to learn how to ride first

[bugjuice]

ditto...

[snot]

I'm keen as a bean to ride in an endurance race. I just need to learn how to ride first

You needa lose some pounds first too fatty...

[skelstar]

Fark I'm quite reluctant to do a sprint race, but I'd def give endurance stuff a crack. Would be friggin awesome.

[xwhatsit]

I love endurance races -- not a racer myself of course, but in terms of sport there's something very special about them. Something more appealing about the greater amount of strategy and thought that goes into winning, rather than the comparatively balls-out-testoterone of short-course.

What barriers are in the way of an endurance race starting again in NZ? Crowds? Getting the track for that long? General apathy?

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Oooh yes - KB 6hour at Taupo or Hampton Downs. Got a nice ring to it, don't ya think? 2 riders per team, super pole, flying lap winners etc.
I LIKE it!!

[justsomeguy]

I once did 12 - 20 min sessions at a Taupo track day, riding back to back in the fast and medium groups (my, my will you look at the idiot praising himself....)

Anyway, this demonstrated to me that the mental concentration required and the pure physical fitness required make it a completely different game.

Be awesome if we could have a race such as this and full respect to the guys and girls who have the stuff to last out such an event and still retain respectable lap times.

[FROSTY:Me]

HMM the KB 6 hour hu?
I was going to have a go at organising a one off race meeting to see how I go.
The challenges are 1) It needs to be done through a MNZ affiliated club
Doesn't need to be one of the current three running road racing though
2)event sponsors to defray costs
3)how many entrys allowed for a 6 hour meeting -Im thinking 30 would be maximum -on that basis I'd need to charge about $400 in entry fees to cover basic costs -that wouldnt allow for prizegiving etc.
4)logistics-would they use pit garages or would the pits be outside.
Nothing insermountable but in that situation you only get one chance to get it right

[bugjuice]

HMM the KB 6 hour hu?

like the coro loop..? yeah, I'm game..


good idea tho.. nil experience, I'd be in there to be a mobile chicane. You'll learn to love me for it

[codgyoleracer]

HMM the KB 6 hour hu?
maximum -on that basis I'd need to charge about $400 in entry fees to cover basic costs -that wouldnt allow for prizegiving etc.
4)logistics-would they use pit garages or would the pits be outside.
Nothing insermountable but in that situation you only get one chance to get it right

The last four hour was over $500 for entry frosty - but divided by two its relativly acceptable (it was a pretty full field). Oddly enough sponsors seem pretty approachable over entry fee's also - as it is easier to claim as a cost of business.
The last (not run) endurance race was supposed to of been canceled due to the organisers not being able to secure TV coverage, - but you would think a popular event once established for three years would be far more likely to attract TV coverage for a reduced $$$$$.
An endurance race naming rights actually carries some "mana" and it would be reasnoble to expect these to be more "sellable" to a wider range of primary sponsors ?

Who wants to put their hand in their pocket to help underwrite the costs ? - even if this was only the value of one set of tyres from entrants - it could secure an event & get it rolling ?. (fully retunable on the event running a profit)

I'me sure Frosty might consider commiting his time for the the first couple of events "for love" rather than hard cash - after that , hopefully the event can pull a profit & pay the man some wages ?

Its amazing who comes out of the woodwork competitor-wise for an endurance race - it is a TOTALLY different scene compared to a days sprint racing & is an achievment just to finish without a bike or machine incident of some sort. Its also one of the few forms of road racing that really involves your friends & helpers - as you grab anyone that can "spin a spanner" to help you through the day & not screw up re-fueling duties.

Dunno about a n endurance race at Taupo though - I can feel my thighs & forearms aching already...................

Glen

[jahrasti]

sounds cool but will it cater for F3/Pro twins or will it be 600SP and superbikes only?

[Sketchy_Racer]

BRING IT!!

Its bloody awesome!!

Wont see me out there on the 125 for 6 hours though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[roogazza]

Brings back memories of practicing fuel stops in the motel driveway before a 6 hour. Nev and I could change tanks in about 5 seconds ! But that was without putting the retaining bolt in ! Anyway it was all banned at the next 6 hour. Gaz. (tall tales , but true !!!)

[tri boy]

I can't endurance race for shit, and i don't think I can consume as much beer as I used to when watching the Manfield events........
But for the Glory and the Good of M/sickle racing, I'll put on my drinking cap, and give it a bloody good go.
Bring it on.