Round 5 of NZ Superbikes may be canned?

[Squid69]

Spent some time talking to Club Prez Costello later last night. The meeting IS going ahead.

Believe it or not, 4 and 5 have been done. Remembering that 4 is primarily ainmed at # 1 and is paid for my #5 who have chipped in a lot of cash for TV and radio etc.

#3 has been working hard to make it happen

# 1 will be found out on the day and I hear last year was the biggest gate in a long time.

#2 is the only problem - too few entries. The support class I hear is about 1/3 of the total entries which is just pathetic given that this date and entry forms have been available for months. Hands up who haven't entered and tell why? If it's lack of cash / worried about your job, fair call. But at times the riders get what they support. Don't support the nationals, don't get a national Championship meeting or series.

My view is that if you have entered the meeting got cancelled don't take umbrage at the poor guys who stuck it on the line to make the event happen and then had to make a hard decision. Go talk to the riders who could have but didn't enter.

Costello also said that given the circumstances, entries are still being taken but there is a cut off for the programme so don't dawdle and there is a finite point sometime next week where they do really have to cut them off.

If you have entered and you know people who could but haven't, get on to them.

Yes, some would argue that the seeming lack of 4) (above) is a major contributor to the lack of 1) & 5) at present as far as the Nationals go.
Not an entirely fair argument as the format itself is an attraction, but the street circuits seem to be better promoted as well as better supported by spectators. Is this purely coincidence? Just thinking out loud here.

I've lost touch with that side of it but is MNZ still acting as the promoter for the Nationals? And further, is this also the case with the street circuits or are they promoted by outside companies and/or the organising clubs?
Be interesting to hear the facts on the above and see if there are any other interesting musings to be drawn from the results!

If I didn’t read this website I wouldn’t have even known about the nationals.
I listen to The Rock fm, at work, all day... Are they not listed as a sponsor of the event...?

Im confused why the Taupo Roadrace Spectacular can get over 220 entries & the national champs can only attract 50 or 60 apparently.
Seriously, could some of you competitors shed some light on why you are more attracted to do one than the other.

As a guy getting into the game of racing I think they should bin clubmans and put in place a FEEDER race, say only practice and 2 short races on the Saturday afternoon.
Entry to this would be cheaper than for the proper classes. The top 5 placings win their entry fees to the next round of nationals in their class e.g. f1 and f2...
I saw at Manfield there were sweet FA bikes in those races.

This would bring the riders with bikes that are now 5 years old who race at club level but have no way of spending 20,000 on a competitive bike, and wont enter because they don’t want to be the only one battling for last place. The top 10 – 20 riders in f2 at the 2008 winter series were only about 5-7 seconds off the pace of the top 5 at nationals. (assuming that the last few pick up a second or two because of the summer/grippyer track.)

Even the post classic GP at taupo attracted more than 60 riders. Why is there open twins with 5 bikes! IM sure pre 89 post classics could tripple that number easily!

[GIXser]

it would help if (they) mnz and amcc moved up with the times.. i.e get an email adress for entrees and even a fax number....(imagine that)

[malcy25]

Jeez Andrew,Read the post properly before replying.If you bother to count them there are now 18 NZ championships as opposed to the 8 we had when the feilds were full.Nobody was suggesting that the Vic club ran too many classes,Rather maybe the answer would be to run 1 or more of the other championship classes with the current structure,IE Post classic or Classic or both,You know,Like they do at the street meetings where the feilds are huge

Billy

The Postie classes are not national championship classes. As I understand it they are 2 stand alone title events only (TT and GP), one of which (the GP)they run themselves as a stand alone event with BEARS invited IIRC.

Plus the average age of most riders I see is beyond what you would expect riding in a National class.....so I'm not sure how many they are pulling away from the National champ classes.

Irrespective of all this, the total entrants at any of the events are way down this year, all over the nationals.

[malcy25]

it would help if (they) mnz and amcc moved up with the times.. i.e get an email adress for entrees and even a fax number....(imagine that)

Granted, not on the form and that may be for a reason (like they want original signatures on the indemnity). Irrespective not exactly hard info to find....
http://www.amcc.org.nz/

If that was a reason for not entering, I'd be suspicious of their commitment to racing (or get out of bed!!!).

500 lookers, 33 posters and almost zip comment on why people haven't entered the nationals.

[malcy25]

For me its simply the cost factor. Which is why I didn't/couldn't do the TRRS after Wanganui. I chose to do Paeroa rather than other meetings and have maxxed myself out just to do that. A one day event is way cheaper than a 2 dayer.......esp on a SBK.
During the winter I was using overtime at work to pay for each round, now with the export market stuffed we are down to 4 day weeks and am using leave to keep wages topped up.
Thats my reason..............................I'd love to have done some Nats events but short of a mortgagee sale its not possible for me.

Tony fair nuff - can't argue with that and thanks for being honest about it.

[Squid69]

Billy

The Postie classes are not national championship classes. As I understand it they are 2 stand alone title events only (TT and GP), one of which (the GP)they run themselves as a stand alone event with BEARS invited IIRC.

Plus the average age of most riders I see is beyond what you would expect riding in a National class.....so I'm not sure how many they are pulling away from the National champ classes.

Irrespective of all this, the total entrants at any of the events are way down this year, all over the nationals.

The reason pre 89 goes off is because keen young guys can afford 3k for a bike, (not the cheep svs for 15). not because the dinosaurs (some of whoom spend a fair bit on their bikes) are all going there to retire.

HAS MNZ thought about a formula 400 type class? _proper cheep_ not 15,000 - 20,000 to come better then mid pack kind of cheep.

[Biggles08]

Well I'm determined to enter but I have nooooooooo money left in the kitty! I only managed to go to Manfield because another racer sponsored my entry fee...no way I could have afforded it otherwise (I won't mention his name or everyone will be pm'ing him...hehehe).

I called AMCC tonight and asked about entering costs and it is $320 including transponder hire. That combined with 2 sets of tires, fuel/oil etc makes it close to a $1000 weekend for me! Anyone want to pay my entry fee....I'm there with bells on otherwise I gotta factor in my mortgage too

I seriously believe the numbers are down for no other reason apart from the cost...that would be the only reason I won't be able to enter.

[malcy25]

Biggles.

Thanks also for being honest about the money factor.

Another question: Do guys sometimes do too much racing and "blow their wad (!)" before the season end?

[Skunk]

Rather maybe the answer would be to run 1 or more of the other championship classes with the current structure,IE Post classic or Classic or both,You know,Like they do at the street meetings where the feilds are huge

Now I see what you mean... Sorry, I misread your post totally. I read it as there being 18 classes for Nationals. I know that some classes could be combined but I'm not sure that would be the answer.
I personally think think premier classes should be the only ones contested at Nationals. There has to be an answer but without honest feedback from riders we be forever in the downward spiral.

As a guy getting into the game of racing I think they should bin clubmans and put in place a FEEDER race, say only practice and 2 short races on the Saturday afternoon.
Entry to this would be cheaper than for the proper classes. The top 5 placings win their entry fees to the next round of nationals in their class e.g. f1 and f2...
I saw at Manfield there were sweet FA bikes in those races.

Clubmans is a class designed for riders to try racing without even having to buy a racebike. I don't think making it so you must buy an F1/F2/F3 eligible bike will help in the long term. Club racing is all about getting the skill and speed required for Nationals. What we need at Nationals is some of the Club riders to enter.

[DEATH_INC.]

This would bring the riders with bikes that are now 5 years old who race at club level but have no way of spending 20,000 on a competitive bike,

Here here. I can do ok on my old pos at most tracks (mebbe not puke...old 750 against new thous...) but not allowed. Too old apparently, same as paeroa.
Not that this is the only excuse at the mo ( Like Tony, I'm a little too broke to race at the mo....) but I certainly won't bother trying to get the cash together if I know I can't race anyhoo.
I think you'll find the almighty $$$$$ is the biggest problem for most, big entry fees and bigger tyre bills if ya wanna give it a good nudge, specially for the sbk crew.
Now if someone wants to lend me a new bike and a stack of new tyres I'll find the cash for the petrol

[Squid69]

Clubmans is a class designed for riders to try racing without even having to buy a racebike. I don't think making it so you must buy an F1/F2/F3 eligible bike will help in the long term. Club racing is all about getting the skill and speed required for Nationals. What we need at Nationals is some of the Club riders to enter.

Which is exactly what i am talking about. Bin clubmans(or that open twins race they had at manfield). then offer a cheeper one day race event, run along side practice on the first day at nationals, at which said club racers can win entry fees to f1/f2 at the next nationals round.
Means that club racers will see people they are used to mixing with, out there, and wonder why they are not, and take away the money factor for a few keen individuals.

[DEATH_INC.]

I personally think think premier classes should be the only ones contested at Nationals.

Yeh, I tend to agree with this. There are plenty of club series now for all the other stuff.

There has to be an answer but without honest feedback from riders we be forever in the downward spiral.

Listen to this MNZ, listen to your riders too. It's not us and them, which I see far too often, work together. If the riders are whinging and moaning it's because there is a problem, not just an excuse to moan. I saw this crap with the SCB when I was into stockcars, too many strong arm tactics, not enough listening.
It doesn't help the sport.

[puddytat]

Clubmans is a class designed for riders to try racing without even having to buy a racebike. I don't think making it so you must buy an F1/F2/F3 eligible bike will help in the long term. Club racing is all about getting the skill and speed required for Nationals. What we need at Nationals is some of the Club riders to enter.

Right on there man....only reason Im trying racing is 'cause i can do it on my roadbike in the Clubmans class. I dont give a hoot that the thous leave me for dead & it also has shown me that if i had the 'dosh' I would take racing more seriously .....& I aint entering the Nationals 'till I think i aint going to get lapped!!
Plus too, maybe someone at some point might see that I can run pretty quick on a stockbike & might offer me a good deal on some bits for the bike. Its for me purely a financial thing & I aint selling the farm to do it. Production racing i think would suit many of us a tad more, then the cream that rises to the top could then maybe with some help ,take that next big step....

[lostinflyz]

its a never ending circle that is just a representation of the game.

riders blame the club cause the fees are so high and its nothing more than a club meet, they blame mnz cause the classes are too damn expensive and trying to get anything done is so fucking political. The clubs blame mnz cause they dont get enough money to lower fees and blame all the riders bitch to much about his and that and dont front up with the money needed to make sure that the club can exist. MNZ blames someone the riders cause there too shit to attract anyone and the club for some reason im sure.

Everyones got valid points. The events not good enough (be it promotion, the spectacle (bullshit), the venue or location or whatever) to draw a big crowd. There arent alot of sponsers out there thorwing cash away at riders and they demand alot more than they used to, to the point where having sponsors can be difficult (all sports that arent front page news have this struggle, look at the same money troubles in hockey or domestic football). The costs for running a bike in any of thew national classes are astronomical even with sponsors, almost even more so if its all your cash. but everyones dedicated, the clubs, MNZ and the riders.

Theres a million reasons and million arguments about the fall of road racing here. but theres never any real talk about any solutions. everyone seems to just blame someone and never does anything. Im guilty and i know most are. maybe a serious survey of riders and organisers expectations and desires should be done by MNZ to get the ball rolling and establish what the view of all the riders actually is????

[Skunk]

Which is exactly what i am talking about. Bin clubmans(or that open twins race they had at manfield). then offer a cheeper one day race event, run along side practice on the first day at nationals, at which said club racers can win entry fees to f1/f2 at the next nationals round.
Means that club racers will see people they are used to mixing with, out there, and wonder why they are not, and take away the money factor for a few keen individuals.

I'm not sure I understand you. Are you saying do away with Clubmans at Club level or at National level? I'm not to sure you can just enter a Nationals event without having raced before which could be a hitch.
VMCC ran the open twins to get all those RS250's, TZ's, BEARs, Posties and all those other twins out there. You saw the result - is $250 entry too much for a one-off chance to race the old (possibly now-without-a-class) bike? I didn't think so. But hardly anyone took the opportunity.