Bucket update

[gav]

Hey Skunk/Sully, how would a "single shock" and "twin shock" class split the field?

[Sketchy_Racer]

Slingshot wouldn't like that idea either cause his is a single shock!

[Skunk]

I might not beat you at the BOB this year?

Of course you won't... I go faster now.

And by the time I get to the next BoB I'll be so fast that I'll feel wind on my helmet.

[Skunk]

Hey Skunk/Sully, how would a "single shock" and "twin shock" class split the field?

Badly!

I don't know but it's not really a handling 'revelation' is it like perimeter frames? By perimeter I mean anything that is not a single backbone.

[Skunk]

I could have a look at Christine this weekned if you're around we can't start the season without a full compliment of twins out there now can we.

Though I'd say from the noises coming from her at the last round you'll be needing some spares, I have a hunt in my treasure trove and drag out some bits.

How did you guys get on last night? Ready to race?

[Sully60]

How did you guys get on last night? Ready to race?

Last night we partied all night long, had great time, but never saw each other as we were at different parties!

So no diagnoses of Christines ailments as yet.

Hey Skunk/Sully, how would a "single shock" and "twin shock" class split the field?

Badly!

I don't know but it's not really a handling 'revelation' is it like perimeter frames?

Good question gav and as Skunk says the single shock/ twin shock thing is probably neither here nor there.

My thoughts are that maybe a "Post Classic" style class so that the demarcation would be based on the age of the bike's chassis would be a starting point.
The South Island Guys have their Production and Superbucket classes, which seems to be a good way split the obvious class difference, but as I understand it bikes like Skunks would now be a Superbucket due to his modifications??

I'm not sure about that rule, I'm sure someone has explained it here before.
But there does seem to be real distinction between the beam framed bikes and the rest. This is really a case of modified commuter bikes vs. purpose built sport bike chassis let alone RS125 GP framed 50s!

Don't get me wrong as I have been seriously schooled by some of them there commuter bikes so it's not all one sided.
But if we look at the results from the Slipway(a very isolated and fairly unique set of results) this year the top five bikes with beam frames sixth was a stock RG50 and seventh was a scooter!

Thing's in Welly haven't been much different in few years proceeding this as well, and I'm wondering if this phenomenon has stopped some of people with old buckets lying around from wanting to get back into it or give it a go?

I remember seeing quite a few guys show up to one or two meetings with an older bike but not many continue to turn up regularly at meetings and I think that’s a bit sad for our cool little sport.
Of course there are many other factors involved, especially here, but that's another post.

I suppose this has something to do with my idealist view that there should be a race on the programme that every competitor has a chance of mixing it at the pointy end.

Shit I've rambled on a bit here, I should really get back to the real business down in the garage!

[Slingshot]

For the last couple of meets at the slipway, my goal was to be at the front of the commuter type bikes (my previous goal was to finish a race without the bike falling to bits). I was doing pretty good in a couple of races until I crashed too.

It seems like it would liven up the racing for a number of people.

Does someone want to have a chat to Bayden and see what he thinks?

[Skunk]

Worth a crack...

I think we're a little different in that our track is tight with no real straights, and Christchurch is big and open. Therefore it makes sense the way they split the classes. I have no problem being mid-to-back of the field down there as I'm faster in a straight line than the proddy 100cc bikes.

[gav]

How about "A"grade and "B" grade etc. Maybe if you have say 3 wins in B grade you get moved up, 3 last places in A, sees you relegated? How big a fields are you getting?

[Sully60]

How about "A"grade and "B" grade etc. Maybe if you have say 3 wins in B grade you get moved up, 3 last places in A, sees you relegated? How big a fields are you getting?

Our fields through the season were generally around ten or twelve all up but we had 17 for one meeting, that was a busy day at the Slipway I tell you!
So if we get more numbers (hopefully!) having two classes/races will become necessity.

But anyway you have a good point there with it being based on ability of the rider and machine and therefore their results. It would give riders incentive to develop their bikes and riding skills, not that any bucket racers I know need further incentive.
The only downside of being put up a class means you may miss out on winning series or championship by being bumped up a grade halfway through it. This happened to quite a few friends of mine in the old Suzuki Series Tim Gibbes ran, although there was no shame being put up they possibly missed out on a trophy and everyone wants a trophy don't they?
Shift them on at the end of the season if they're
And the bottom three out of A grade.
My 2c ex GST

[Fooman]

Havre you guys had a look at the NSW bucket classes:

http://postclassicracing.com.au/classes/

Some possibly useful stuff there...

Cheers,
FM

[quallman1234]

We could have a 'clubmans' class.

Provided there's enough buckets attending on the day.

If there's a huge amount of riders that specific day the organisers could decide to run a 'clubmans' class.
The Riders can decide what class they will be in.
Im sure that would work fine. Obviously from common sense the organisers won't let the likes of Sully into the 'clubmans' class. As this would be unfair.
I reckon we should be running the 'clubmans' class at the first bucket event since there will be many new riders out there (mainly girls!) giving it a go. On other peoples bikes. This would be more like a pratice session with a mini fun race in it (With no fast guys in it so they all have a fair chance!)


Don't follow the aussie rules...
Keep everything as simple as possible. Or Else the potential for new buckets will be largely affected by having complex rules. - Thats the whole point of buckets isn't it? If we start having complex rules there will be arguments.

[Skunk]

Havre you guys had a look at the NSW bucket classes:

http://postclassicracing.com.au/classes/

Some possibly useful stuff there...

Cheers,
FM

Interesting but too restrictive to get enough interest here I think. The only reason I suggested (well - Slingshot did; but I have been thinking about it) two sub-classes was to encourage more riders.

We could have a 'clubmans' class.
Provided there's enough buckets attending on the day.
The Riders can decide what class they will be in.
(With no fast guys in it so they all have a fair chance!)

Who decides who is too fast for Clubmans? Who will referee this decision?
Why run two races when one will do? Will we have enough entries to do this? What if only two people only want to do Clubmans turn up?

[quallman1234]

Why run two races when one will do? Will we have enough entries to do this? What if only two people only want to do Clubmans turn up?

Clubmans would be for first or second time riders if there where enough at that specific event. (For example there looks to be a fair amount of lady riders who will be turning up to try buckets at the first meeting / fun day of the year this could be a goer for that event)
During riders briefing the organisers would discuss quickly if everyone wanted a clubmans class. For those who possible are there trying buckets for a first time. The clubmans class would just be a 10 minute pratice with a say 3-4 lap FRIENDLY race at the end of it.
If the majority agree's (by yelling yeah or no) that we should have a Clubman's class. Then everyone would be asked to go to the left if they reckon they should be in the clubmans class and to the right for the normal class.
It should be very obvious who is too fast for such a class. (Like luke being cheeky and going into the clubman's class! but AJ might be allowed )

Its just a suggestion to encourage new riders (or if there's a large amount of slow riders/slow bikes who don't want to get stuck behind the big boys... A min of at least 10 riders tho as this would race track time for everyone else if there were not enough riders) on the day who are possibly using someone else's bucket to expirence the thrill of racing.
But of course this might be pushing the new riders into racing a bit too fast.

[Skunk]

What if only two people only want to do Clubmans turn up?

Clubmans would be for first or second time riders if there where enough at that specific event.

So if only two newbies turn up who want a Clubmans we just say "Piss off you can't - there's not enough"? Think though the possibilities... Why not just send them out in the 'practices' like we do.

The original idea was not so much for newbies but for people with older or outclassed buckets to still have something to race for - to encourage them to turn up.