NZ Track days could be better

[White trash]

Some good points but a couple that aren't entirely correct.

As for safety cover, I believe the correct procedure is that the Ambos in attendance call for another if a patient requires transporting.

In regard to track time, there's a couple of different ways to acheive this.

1) Open the track earlier and close it later. Aint gonna happen due to NZ noise regulations.
2) Less pace groups. Aint a good idea as it will hinder your safety concerns with different paced riders in the same group.
3) Less crashes. Good luck to ya.

As for wheelies, who actually gives a fuck? I see a guy pulling a wheelie on a straight piece of track less of a liability than half the people trying to push their bike to the limit through the turns. As Jimbo pointed out, I've yet to see someone crash doing a wheelie at a track. Obviously stunters need to use their heads like everyone else.

Can't see anything wrong with pillions in the slow group. I mean, they sign the disclaimer like everyone else and choose to climb on the bike. Why wrap people in cotton wool needlessly.

Want a garage? Pay your 100-200 bucks, simple as.

[enigma51]

You should go to some open days then you will truly get the pay your money and fuck off feeling

The rules are slightly relax and its not a bad thing Some of your suggestion are very valid and hopefully someone will see it and action them.

Like the signs etc
On the track itself you mentioned tutors etc. Well I know it might be public knowledge but anyone can walk up to of the current racers and they will be more than happy to help out.

[MSTRS:Me]

Here are some typical costs for tracks in the Uk :

• Donington (without noise restrictions) : $452
• Oulton Park (2005 price) $416
• Cadwell Park (2006) $312
• Rockingham Raceway (2006) $312
• Silverstone (rare) $520
• Brands Hatch (Full Circuit) $626

Assume that is in NZ $....if you divide by 3, most of them are similar to here in terms of purchasing power.

[warewolf]

You also have to look at the respective cost of living.

Talk to some ex pats just over from the UK, allot of things here are far more expensive, currency swapping done, for example second hand cars are way more expensive here than in the UK. Plus we get paid diddly squat over here.

I think you are agreeing with me?

Assume that is in NZ $....if you divide by 3, most of them are similar to here in terms of purchasing power.

That's what I meant.

[Mort]

To add a point or two.

• Tracktime - I'd be suprised if Taupo did have a noise restriction. ...its quite far from any housing. ....noise restrictions are fairly fierce in the UK at tracks like Donington and Oulton.... but they still manage a full day of riding... sometimes in to the evening too. I never thought 6 or 7 sessions was too much.... if you prefer 5 you can arrive late or go home early. My point is that it is totally feasible to run 6 or 7 session and I think it should be done here. Better accident recovery would help.
  
  
• Emergency cover - as long as there is cover for every session, one ambo crew is fine... but running sessions without cover is unacceptable in my opinion.
  
  
• Stunts and pillions - to an extent I accept the points made. The UK can be over regulated. Personally I would be appalled if there were a serious pillion injury. It is avoidable. I have no problem with stunts as long as they are done properly and out of harms way...
  
  
• Costs - Trackdays in the UK ARE more expensive in REAL terms by a long way I think but they are more popular because the events are better managed and encourage new riders to have a go and come back again and again. I think people would pay more here but they would rightly expect more... I suggest more track time and better instructors is a start...
  
  
• Instructors : the instructors I have spoken to in the Uk often do it for free, just to get the track time... their primary responsibility is to instruct/marshall but they get a lot of time to themselves at the track also. It might work here also...
  
  
• GARAGES... its just pathetic to charge for a garage.... where is the cost to the track.... its a bad way to treat paying customers.
  
  
  

Mort

[cowboyz]

To add a point or two.


[*]GARAGES... its just pathetic to charge for a garage.... where is the cost to the track.... its a bad way to treat paying customers.

Mort

on one hand you are saying that the trackdays are cheap and on the other you are saying that they shouldnt be charging for garages? Even if you take $100 for trackday and $100 for garage that is still only $200 for the day and you were saying 5 minutes ago that is cheap.

[Mort]

Actually what I am saying is that garages should be thrown in for free as I can see no SIGNIFICANT reason not to. .. why should I pay as much for a garage as I do for the track day ???.... and yes... track days are cheap but they could be better and there is a market for a better event.

[Tony.OK]

Track days here are still a relatively NEW concept,but in my mind are developing all the time.The TDO's here are pretty much doing it as a hobby at the moment,I've been doing the MottoTT days since they started and they have only gotten better,now Shaun H is on board with them theres a wealth of expert knoweledge available,just gotta ask.
I can't see the likes of Cali Superbike schools working here yet,ppl don't want to be in a classroom they just wanna do laps,maybe as racing gets more popular?But most racers are happy to give advice on a day.

[Kickaha]

I'd be suprised if Taupo did have a noise restriction.

I'd be more suprised if it didn't,I think you'll find every track in NZ has noise restrictions of some kind

and there is a market for a better event.

There may well be, but not if it makes it a more expensive track day

[ArcherWC]

To add a point or two.

• Tracktime - I'd be suprised if Taupo did have a noise restriction.
  
• Emergency cover - as long as there is cover for every session, one ambo crew is fine
  
  
• GARAGES... its just pathetic to charge for a garage.... where is the cost to the track.... its a bad way to treat paying customers.
  

Mort

Just to clarify.

Taupo definatly does have a noise restiction, they cant start before 10am, not sure on finish time

As per most motorsport in NZ, there is one Ambo onsite and if required another one will come out to transport patients to hospital, so there should allways be cover

$100 for a garage that you can very easily fit 4 people in is pretty good value ($25 each)

I would also say that the operators in the UK "get away" with the higher prices as there are FAR more riders wanting a position on the day. Here they are only just filling up at the last minute, and there are some very cheep options, like the Suzuki track days as compitition

The instructor idea is a good one, but if I was paying extra for it, I would expect the instructor to be qualified and to have a structure to the training. At the moment it is pretty easy to ask one of the more experianced riders to show you some lines etc

[cowboyz]

had a wee think about it today and the idea that more detail be put into trackdays at more expense would definitely stop me from going. I dont care if I go round Manfield in 1.30 or 1.20 to be honest. What I do care about is getting time on the track (which I think the 5 sessions you get now are enough) and not having anyone upsetting me on the track on the day. (which I also think they have right for the better part with marshalls keeping an eye on dodgey riding and "TDO" keeping the louts inline. If I was using trackdays to improve a racing career or getting more familar with a track for an up coming racing event then my opinion would obviously be different. But for Joe blow who just wants to circulate and use a few horses that dont get used on the road without Mr Police intervention then its all good just the way it is. Add a heap of qualified rider training and more sessions and garages all incorperated in the cost and you will find those who just go to circulate will just go right on by.

[Meekey_Mouse]

Just to clarify.

Taupo definatly does have a noise restiction, they cant start before 10am, not sure on finish time

Taupo has to be finished by 4:30

[GSVR]

No doubt Trackdays will eventually end up like the UK or wherever with a whole lot more rules and regulations. Cost will skyrocket and people running them for love not money will get squeezed out by businessmen.

The longer this takes the better.

All the UK racers I've spoken too say how its a rippoff over there. OK if you have a money tree but if your an average guy your screwed.

You'd think if there where more people using the facilities the price would drop but no it just opens the floodgates for greed.

[emaN]

I'd personally like to have more sessions.
I'm assuming local Council would be the ones to approach for earlier starts/later finishes?

Warewolf - pull yer head in. Mort's voicing opinions & suggestions; hardly laying down the law, is he?

[jrandom]

I like the way trackdays are run in NZ currently.

Any more cost would be a bad thing. Any more regulation would be a bad thing.

If I want tuition, I'll ask someone faster than me for some tips and/or to show me the way round, and pay them if necessary.

Otherwise, I just want to go out there and ride a motorcycle on a racetrack, and thrice damned be he who makes it any more complicated or expensive than it needs to be.