What would bring YOU to watch a race meeting?

[MadDuck]

Its just MY personal opinion thats all.

Last thing I want when I have paid good money to spectate is to have someones ill disciplined kids running around bored as beans accidentally kicking my helmet and slopping ice cream all over me.

[James Deuce]

Did I make a point, or did I make a point?

[Str8 Jacket]

If its free, my mates are racing and I can get there then i'm there!

[car]

This is what I'm talking about. A lot of motorsport competitors and spectators don't seem to want kids anywhere near a race meeting. Where do the future racers and spectators come from?

The predictable response will be: "They've come to the bloody racing and they should bloody well watch it!"

It doesn't work like that. Sometimes you do things with kids and it appears to make absolutely no impact. Then years later you get, "Remember when....."

Give that man a ceegar.

The chances of me dragging my solo ass up to Taupo to watch any event are minimal. The chances of me bringing my family for a weekend away are much greater. But if it's anything like the endurance rounds I attended in the UK (with little more than the racing itself to see) then the chances of me bothering to drive five hours to see it are zero.

[car]

Last thing I want when I have paid good money to spectate is to have someones ill disciplined kids running around bored as beans accidentally kicking my helmet and slopping ice cream all over me.

That's perfectly understandable. If there's stuff for them to do away from the choice spectating spots, the chances of them pissing on your day are reduced, too.

[Paul in NZ]

Did I make a point, or did I make a point?

You made the point... better than I

Certainly i stopped going to race meeting because they were boring bike fests centred on the racers and I'm not a racer... I'm a father with 3 daughters that had to prioritise the family spend

The street events have a rep bigger than their value but they work because they happen in the summer at a great time of the year and bring people to places where people would normally never go - thus getting support from council?..

Meh - I'm bored with this - it will be a club racer thing and a commercial disaster - frankly I wouldn't touch the sponsorship of this with a 100ft pole (no disrespect - I'm just tired)

[FROSTY:Me]

Did I make a point, or did I make a point?

Jim --have you seen Taupo track??
Given the layout -there could be a Funfair tokeep em busy.
Hey folks PLEASE lets not argue please -- The varying opinions are exactlywhats needed
Lets not go there with why this is in the racing section -

[MadDuck]

Did I make a point, or did I make a point?

Maybe in your own little world you did. Did I make mine?

It would be a boring ass old world if we all agreed now wouldnt it? As for me if theres kiddies horsey rides and bouncy castles I will stay far far away....

[James Deuce]

If you're representative of female racers in NZ then you're not much of a role model.

I promise to stay away from motorcycle racing in NZ, particularly with my kids in tow.

[Str8 Jacket]

It would be a boring ass old world if we all agreed now wouldnt it? As for me if theres kiddies horsey rides and bouncy castles I will stay far far away....

Im not to sure that I understand your logic? What racing needs is more spectators and the aeverage kiwi racer can also be a family man/woman..... If these things were there and it increased the number of spectators and therefore ineterest in racing wouldnt that be a good thing? I am not a huge fan of children but I think that we must accept to some degree that alot of these racers, be they man or woman have family.....

[MadDuck]

If you're representative of female racers in NZ then you're not much of a role model.

The topic of the question posed was "What would bring YOU to watch a race meeting". I have merely offered what would or would not entice me to a race meeting.

I have never raced and never will. The ladies that do race are GREAT role models and probably have a completely different opinion to me.

[Clivoris]

One of the things that gets me to events is the anticipation that people I know will be there. There is the buzz of being where everyone else is going to be. That's probably not much help to you Frosty, cos I don't have a clue how to generate that buzz. The weather has a huge impact for me. If I'm going somewhere for a good time I want to be comfortable. Again, difficult to arrange and Paeroa already have the best weekend of the summer nailed down.
My kids fight each other for the opportunity to get to race-meetings because they know people who are competing and spectating. They also know other people's kids who come to the meetings and end up hanging out together. It is bloody hard work to look after them but I get to do a little bit of what I like. The nationals round at Manfield this year was great for the family. My kids got posters and hats signed by superstars (in their eyes anyway). Having the Aussies there was great too.
I think others posting here have picked up on the other things I would like, e.g the festival atmosphere.
Good luck Frosty.

[NUTBAR]

GIRLS GIRLS and more GIRLS















oh and
Good food
decent comentator

yes yes lots of them

[FROSTY:Me]

The topic of the question posed was "What would bring YOU to watch a race meeting". I have merely offered what would or would not entice me to a race meeting.

I have never raced and never will. The ladies that do race are GREAT role models and probably have a completely different opinion to me.

Madduck/jim--BOTHof your prospectives are equally important
-I can see it working too -keep the roadside stand area as exclusive--like corperate boxes
The OLD pits area set up for kids n stuff with access to a stand looking over the whole infeild area

[Nicksta]

I like what Clivoris had to say.....

I grew up at the track.. not with bikes, but V8's.... since i could crawl we had a tent and plenty of play stuff to do... we didnt get in the way, and when i was big enough i got to change tyres etc... growing up at the track got rekindled the day Bruce took me to Puke for an open day... and i haven't looked back... but i digress...

having the team atmosphere with the posters for kids... the entertainment on the fields... the family things will draw crowds... dad will get the ok if mum and kids are happy... as a racer you are a role model, i dont mind people coming around the pits, checking out the bikes and chatting, yes it can be distracting on the occasion and you do have to be mindful of a kids hands near your hot frame/pipe, but if a kid gets a pic on your bike and a big grin, thats cool in my books..... the families that come may have the next Harris or Stroud with ice cream on their face...

i would come/bring family to a race meet with good food stalls, safe spectator spots (Paeroa scares me for the record with its chicken wire) interation with racers, a fun atmosphere, cheap/free entry for spectators and something for the family ie. signings/posters/interation with racers (maybe meet and greet tents?) tent for shade and childrens entertainment/coffee for mum's / dad's to relax a little in the shade.

oh and Vale, Nicky (and his Bro Tommy) and Danny to drool over please