well summed up, the streetstock class was great down south, big fields and good racing, similar to the old days of 250 prod which lets not forget is where slight/stroud/crafar all emerged from.Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket
Hardcore Biker
well summed up, the streetstock class was great down south, big fields and good racing, similar to the old days of 250 prod which lets not forget is where slight/stroud/crafar all emerged from.
Fair weather rider
Yes, i did.
On Choppers flyer that i picked up at wanganui...
Registered User
And thats good that you realise the fact your bike is not gonna be competitive and would probably make things even more dangerous.If you can only afford or want too do the odd club day,Thats fine nobodys getting at you for that.Thats your decision,Hell thats all Im interested in as well.Ive done the National series 3 times and I know what it costs and the level of commitment required and I really dont want too go down that path again.However the argument was that it was all MNZs fault and while I would agree they have some shortcomings Paul Stewart and his team are doing the best they can with the budget they are given and the resources available too them and Im sure theyre getting sick and tired of being rubbished by the 200 plus riders that dont turn up too their meetings because theyre not commited enough.I mean at the end of the day you dont hear guys like Sloan or Eddy or Rhys Holmes or Greg Percival,Phil Snowdon complaining do we.Ive said it before and I will keep saying it,You only get out of the sport what you put in and its not gonna help by rubbishing the guys that make the effort too put the meetings on
Blowin up bikes since ages ago
These guy's are sponsored too remember. Most people I know cant afford to do all the club races, nationals and street racers. Also sometimes their sponsorship only goes for certain events and it aint necessarily the Nationals. They budget for the club rounds then have to choose between Nationals or street racing. The street races are only in the weekend and alot cheaper so that's why many choose. Those that get to do both are lucky!
The cheapest it gets is Streetstock racing and that will cost myself and koba $5500 EACH to do and that's just the South Island. People forget that competitors have to take annual leave or leave without pay in some cases. They have accomodation, food, travel $$ and all the costs associated with racing on top of that. I couldnt imagine the cost of racing a 400 let alone a 1000cc or 600cc bike while considering the above....
I think some people are forgetting that club events are run during the weekend. People are prepared to get up at stupid-o'clock to race for a weekend. They dont have to take annual leave and usually dont have to worry about accomodation etc etc.
I think that for most it really IS just about he money!!
"Some people are like clouds, once they fuck off, it's a great day!"
Hardcore Biker
Hey Billy, be carefull mate, you might just say some thing sensible soon O NO!
Anyone, please explain how it was so much cheaper years ago to go racing, buy a bike, parts tyres fuel food accomodation etc etc
The true KIwi mentallity is DEAD
What ever happened to 2 jobs in a day, ya know, 12-16 hour working days
O that;s write, the computer came along and took away all our time, and MNZ makes it to hard to go to work, so it is all there fault
I fear the day technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots! ALBERT EINSTEIN
Hardcore Biker
Really?? tyrewarmers.co.nz is my business, it doesn't really make a profit but I need to promote it all I can. And I can use it to offset some of the costs of racing.
Actrix is my employer. I don't get anything from them for racing the nationals (apart from them being really good about letting me take all my annual leave every January) Again I try and support them cos they support the VMCC winter series and host the vicclub site for free.
OK we get a good deal from Pirelli for tyres. But I'm sure you would too if you put in an order for about 20 rears and 12 fronts (that's 2 riders for nationals) months in advance. Nationwide Accessories certainly get a lot of business through us.
Resene paints are on the bike cos that Greg's employer and they sprayed his bike for him. They helped him out, so we try and help them back.
There's certainly no one giving me money to go out and ride, and I understand that - I'm not at the front of the field with the press clamoring over my results. I just spend all my money on bike racing pretty much. That's my choice cos I enjoy it, I don't have kids (yet), don't have a flash car or a flash house, but do work in IT and have a reasonable salary - guess where the money goes. Yep I can't afford to do everything that I want to, but I know I'm never going to be a professional rider (hell, I'm old enough to retire from this sport now!)
As billy said - you get out of the sport what you put in. MNZ aren't going to do everything for you. Yes I think things could be improved, but it requires work on everyones behalf. Including the riders and sponsors as well as the organising clubs and MNZ.
I've seen the ads on TV and heard them on the Rock, I've seen LG and others advertise here and elsewhere. I seen the posters in loads of bike shops.
I'll be out there at Pukekohe - my PB there is way off the pace, but I'm sure I can improve. Hell I know what Sam Smith did there a few years ago on the bike I now own. The bike ain't new, but it's not slow. I work hard at trying to improve my riding cos really I know that it must be the rider that's causing the bike to lap 4 seconds a lap slower than it did with Sam on board. I have a target for Pukekohe. I'll let you know if I made it in just over a weeks time.
Phil
Harrasing towbars since 2007
4 seconds a lap slower than Sam!!!I know that it must be the rider that's causing the bike to lap 4 seconds a lap slower than it did with Sam on board. I have a target for Pukekohe. I'll let you know if I made it in just over a weeks time.
Philyour going to kick my arse too!!!!
Blowin up bikes since ages ago
OK, well then you obviously have more money than me or more debt. Either way what I said still stands FOR THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE... I dont know about everyone else but motorcycles aint the only I have to pay for in my life just to eat live and breathe...
"Some people are like clouds, once they fuck off, it's a great day!"
Hardcore Biker
Yep that about sums it up..hate to sound like an old fart but i will anyway, in the early 80's 3.50 x 18 Metzler me33 sports where the tyre to have on your 250 from memory they cost about $120 each (if you where getting a deal) and my pay packet was $125.00 p/w. If you wanted to race then just as now you sacrificed other things.
Forum whore
Hang on Shaun, youre bordering on sensible too, dont get too carried away mate.
Harrasing towbars since 2007
Of course Str8 Jacket you are free to look for sponsors for your racing too. I get your point and it is valid, we all do this out of our own pocket to one degree or another (hell.. even the top boys have to sacrifice coin to race) but Shaun is right in saying the 'kiwi can do' attitude is dwindling. For the record I had secured a sponsor prior to even having completed in one race meeting! Its called networking.
But back on topic of this thread....the ONLY REASON I would not enter the Nationals round is down to one thing only....CASH! It has been suggested that the reason is because people don't want to be last....I really believe this is not the case...and in my circumstances I am doing everything I can to be able to enter...all the while fully expecting to be at the back of the pack.
Blowin up bikes since ages ago
Yep and I will be but even those that do have sponsors dont actually get enough sponsorship to afford to do the Naitonals either.
If you read that post I quite clearly state that people arent made of money and that is why they're are not doing it. I was saying the same thing as you...
"Some people are like clouds, once they fuck off, it's a great day!"
Harrasing towbars since 2007
Yep and I will be but even those that do have sponsors dont actually get enough sponsorship to afford to do the Naitonals either.
If you read that post I quite clearly state that people arent made of money and that is why they're are not doing it. I was saying the same thing as you...
lol...yes I did realize that bro :-)...I was more commenting on the fact that you said 'Sloan Ed etc were sponsored' incinuating that that was why they could do the Nats. However you are right...about that not being enough for some people.... and being sponsored is great, it helps out heeeeeeeeaaaaaps but in the end it comes down to how much action you are willing to make off your own back....then if you are doing things the right way your sponsors will notice and hopefully reward your effort.
Registered User
OK, I'll ask. only because I've never raced and I'm still not getting this.If you read that post I quite clearly state that people arent made of money and that is why they're are not doing it. I was saying the same thing as you...
Why is the cost of Nationals so different to the cost of, for example, two rounds of Actrix Winter Series?
If the Actrix series was two rounds longer you wouldn't do it?
Can you do it this year - as it's got two two day events?
I'm putting this to LOCAL riders who don't enter their LOCAL National round only. This is the bit I don't get.
Everyone is saying cost is the reason. Valid. But I don't get why.
Enigma
Shaun, I think there are a lot of people on here that would be better off playing Tennis, their hearts are just not in it .
But then i guess, the rackets would be too expensive or the nets too high ! Gaz.
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