Hi again.
I don't know Johnsv650, but please, have a good read of my earlier post on the reasons for why this opportunity is as it is for now.
I was the one who got off their arse and asked and I have spent nearly $30k and 1000's of hours getting Moto Academy NZ off the ground. Almost all on my own, with input from my good mate Mike and a special donor who wishes to remain anonymous. It has been a passion of mine for some time now and I will run and develop it as I see fit. The RBMGPRC opportunity might remain open only to Moto Academy NZ, it might not, that is a discussion to be held with RBMGPRC.
The rider that has been selected to go will perform at the selection event as well as anyone else who we might chose to send, because RBMGRC are not looking for all the national champions in anything to go there and beat each other up. They are looking for riders with a whole range of attributes.
This is not to say that anyone else is not worthy, of course they are, but so is Luke. For anyone to ask "Are we sending the best rider for NZ?" is being condesending towards him and towards me, quite frankly. And actually FYI, all of the age eligible riders in NZ were considered for this opportunity. I even spoke to the parents of one of them because I had no idea if Luke would be capable when he started out, or indeed if the opportuntity was concrete. But he has shown very clearly that he is capable, so the opportunity was offered to him.
I could say "Why don't you get your facts right" like many others do, but this has all been kept quiet quite deliberately because the opportunity was only confirmed on 10 August!! So there were not many facts to be had.
One of the reasons for establishing Moto Academy NZ was to be able to offer this type of opportunity. For it to come so quickly is due to my persistance and negotiating skills (?? not sure about that last one) and the goodwill of Mr Clifford. If we then go and open up the selection to all comers then that will detract from the value proposition of Moto Academy NZ will it not? But that is a discussion for the future.
Yes, this is an opportunity for New Zealand, but altruism only goes so far and for so long, and if I am to turn Moto Academy NZ into a viable, sustainable activity then I need to follow some business principles, with a strong value proposition or else it will all fall over. Then we will just go back to the days of everyone reinventing the wheel and smaller and smaller youth numbers. (On that note: if not for our 3 bikes at the latter VMCC rounds we would have had 1, maybe 2, 125s there. I know the situation is different in Chch, but in the NI that is how it is at the moment, even the older blokes are not riding their bikes).
Perhaps one might look at it in another way, if you want the opportunity to compete for a spot at RBMotoGPRC 2010 then join Moto Academy NZ and get the next best thing!
OR, now here's the thing, RBMGPRC is open to qualified applicants from ANYWHERE to enter. Red Bull AMA USA Rookies Cup is restricted to applicants from the Americas and Carribean regions, the MotoGP Rookies Cup is for everyone else. Red Bull MotoGP Academy is another thing altogether and only 5 riders are selected for that. So, maybe people could actually enter their kids just to see what happens. You never know your luck, or ability until you try.
Some basic requirements: to be considered for RBMGRC riders must be 13-16 years old in the year of the cup (one year either side are also considered in special cases). All racing costs are covered and equipment supplied, which must be returned as soon as the rider ceases to be a part of the Cup. Riders must purchase their own health and accident insurance. Metrakit PreGP125 bikes are used at selection events, KTM RC125 GP bikes are used in the cup series.One might consider traveling to Europe for each meeting (about $5k pp) but maybe it is more realistic to consider temporarily relocating to Europe (UK?) for the racing season and immersing in the whole thing. Riders can enter other race series only with the permission of RBMGPRC and this will not be granted where there is a conflict of interest. In 2007 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup valued a year racing in the Cup at 150,000 Euros per rider. If a rider from RBMGRC is subsequently hired into a paying team, the contract they signed with RBMGPRC makes them pay 10% of their earnings for a total of 7 years including the time they were in RBMGPRC, so that they might recoup their investment.
Anyway, after this season and after Mr Clifford has had his holidays here in NZ we will re-evaluate and see what we should do. How about also considering the feelings and the ambitions of the idiot who went out of his way to set the whole thing up, as well as those of the potential riders, for a change. I know I can't please everyone, but how about helping me push my barrow for a while?
All the best
Steve
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." John Ono Lennon.
"If you have never stared off into the distance then your life is a shame." Counting Crows
"The girls were in tight dresses, just like sweets in cellophane" Joe Jackson
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Originally Posted by gav
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