Teretonga - admittedly, a long was south, but today 19 NZ V8s, about 17 Suzukis, didn't count the Porsches (12!) or V8 Utes (also about 14). No idea of the other classes or numbers as I didn't see the others.
Shouldn't Tier 1 be the very pinnacle of NZ Motorsport with a minimum grid of at least 20!
Hampton Downs limit for saloons is 46 cars, Pukekohe is 40.I would imagine Taupo, Manfeild, Ruapuna and Teretonga etc.must also be over 34, so are the paying spectators still being short changed!Is it ever going to change!
rob_man,
Jan 16, 4:40am
Expensive bit of nonsense that tier one racing, too small a population to support maybe! It was way better when we had tobacco sponsorship pouring millions into it without asking too much in return.
cowboy110,
Jan 16, 6:41am
It's a long way to go to Invercargill for a weekend of racing for the North Island teams.If you go thru the lineup you'll find it's either the big budget teams or the South Island drivers that made it to Teretonga.Shame I know but there's not a lot of money out there.
sw20,
Jan 16, 6:59am
No no, that is far too evil.
People being forced via advertising to smoke a pack a day or more.
rob_man,
Jan 16, 7:23am
It was the golden age of motor racing though, Pall Mall team, Rothmans Series, B&H 500.
berg,
Jan 16, 7:30am
Like all forms of cheap motorsport in NZ, the chequebook racers and car owners step in and push the backyard racer out. I remember when relative unknowns building specials in their garages were competitive in NZ rally scenes and speedway was a sport for the working man. NZ V8s started as a cheap one make class and sure, it grew into an international acclaimed class, but at what cost! Fewer cars on the grid and fewer drivers able to afford the expence. Is this really progress!
rob_man,
Jan 16, 7:34am
Need some outlaw tracks.
socram,
Jan 16, 7:52am
I accept all of the above - other than tobacco and liquor sponsorship is no more than brand awareness.They make billions so I don't see the problem of spending it on sport.
I know it is a long way to travel so why not a couple of grids of locals! The Southern Festival of Speed attracts a fair few North Islanders and I thought the grids were fantastic on my one and only visit to Teretonga.
It is the MSNZ's blind adherence to a rigid group of one make/two make sanctioned series classes that are not well supported which appears to be the main problem.
You can still run Minis or Suzukis mixed with other smaller capacity saloons with staggered grids and just allocate the points as appropriate. It isn't so difficult when there is a mindset to accept there is a problem and then deal with it.
elect70,
Jan 17, 2:42am
Taupo sunday apart from, Alfas e BMW s series rest of the "historicfeildswere very low . As usual the BMW seriesboth open class & E30 provided the mainstay of the day . . Good to hear the roar of thoseM3 v8 s , untilMosens1 blew in a big way , but cant beat that 2002 turbo .
twink19,
Jan 17, 3:32am
historic feilds were low because they will all be at Hampton Downs for the next 2 weeks, probably only useing as practice
socram,
Jan 17, 5:34am
Correct! Couldn't justify 3 x 3 day weekends on the trot and several of our regulars will certainly be at the Amon Festival for both weekends.Just unfortunate timing really, but HRC wanted to run one Taupo meeting.
I still haven't run at the extended Taupo track (it doesn't really appeal or suit my car.) but as with one or two other circuits, there is very little shelter from the weather. My wife is one who just cannot afford to be out in the sun and at Taupo, unless you are in a position to use the control tower, there is zero shelter.
For all Pukekohe's problems as a car venue, at least there is a covered stand.
Next year, BMW is the featured marque at Hampton Downs rather than a McLaren/Amon type Festival.In 2013, it will be a tribute to Denny Hulme.
twink19,
Jan 17, 5:50am
it was in the 30s at Taupo on the weekend. Bernie will be doing 4 meetings in a row,
towelynz,
Jan 17, 5:51am
They allow that in the production series,the integras, wrxs, evos, etcall run in the same race.Makes it better to watch, but the overall race numbers aren't great.Probably under 20!
morrisman1,
Jan 17, 5:57am
Were you there socram! There was some good racing on sunday morning. Pity about the rain that came down in the afternoon, I took the roof off the scaffolding in the morning to stop it blowing over then in the afternoon the wind stopped and it rained. Murphy's law
scarey65,
Jan 17, 5:57pm
cant really get excited by watching suzukis and all the other small capacity stuff. even the v8s are follow the leader. and ive been following circuit racing for 30 years still speedway never lets me down
socram,
Jan 17, 9:01pm
I wasn't there morrisman.I haven't yet had the results of our two groups so no idea what the handicapping was like as I normally do it!Weather changes always stuff up the handicaps anyway, but our guys still prefer them to follow the leader scratch races.
As I said, I couldn't justify three weekends on the trot and desperately trying to get the project V8 assembled ready for my big birthday next month!
Have to agree that speedway is always a great night but these days, most single seaters don't really appeal unless it is the historics and F5000.
Watched my first race 60 years ago this year when pre-war ERA's were still part of the current grid rather than an historic grid.Bira in a Maserati and a BMW 328. Early Cooper 500s etc.
elect70,
Jan 18, 1:21am
Ivehad it with bullshitTaupoThey advertise Tasman revivalserieswhat do we get old formula v s &f fords !& some vintage cars . Their last meeting was supposedly "thunder in the parkbig banger racing v8 s etcwhat did we getabout 3 big bangers & restjust clubmans cars &usual Hq ,&RX7 .They just cant attract decent feilds except for singemake racing .Yet Manfeild manage to .
speedwayfan1,
Jan 18, 2:07am
NZ really needs to develop its own race chassis and series based on it. But keeping it cheap so the average person can get into the sport. It's worked for Speedway (ministocks mainly) I don't see why it wouldn't work for road.
Maybe an open wheeler! A step up between go karts and formula fords! Avg price around $5000!
geedubu,
Jan 18, 3:30am
This seems to be almost beyond a solution but MSNZ doesn't appear to be looking for answers at all.Possibly it's my prejudice as a spectator, but I think the best family viewing experience is with very mixed historics.Single make and other formula-based moderns just aren't cutting it and street races are crushed by PC councils. Goodwood in the UK is going from strength to strength, and the Hampton Downs big days are great fun (looking forward to the Amon weekends).We old folks have a few spare bucks for viewing costs and memories of (in NZ) 250F, Super Squalo, Cooper 500's and most particularly an eclectic mix of local specials in saloon, sports car and open wheel classes.I have even been inspired to buy a clapped out Morrie Minor Pre 65 with a well-modded MGA motor myself off trademe, I hope to live long enough to fix it up and take it out after a lifetime of looking at others.But Auckland now has the track at Hampton Downs, that couldn't be better, it is superb, so what's next!What can we possibly do to make it thrive!
socram,
Jan 18, 6:49am
Remember it is always up to the promoters, not the circuits.
Promoters put on a race meeting according to their own whims. If I am promoting, it is a low key, non-advertised meeting, usually for the drivers' benefit and not the spectators.
With a one day meeting, that is limited to just six classes, practice and three races for each group.
With AES/Tradezone, Arrow Wheels and Alfa as givens, that can still be up to 100 cars.The three remaining classes usually depends on whether they are points scoring series rounds, such as 2 x E30 BMW and open BMW. Probably 160 - 180 entrants is then financially viable and the spectator income budget is zero.
If BMW are not supporting the event officially, then there are three grid spaces.Unfortunately, several other groups rarely come up with sufficient numbers to make an invitation viable!Other series run with a given number of points rounds that are then deemed affordable.
For many of us, yet another single seater formula is the last thing we need as generally, there is a history of failed single seater classes over the years.
You can run an E30 BMW (or any BMW), Alfa or pre 1977 Euro sports saloon or GT on a modest budget now.
Geedubu, the Morrie MG would be accepted in our series - in fact, I'd prefer it to yet another Escort.It doesn't have to be fast to be accepted. We are probably one of the few non-purist groups who will accept a retro classic (ie Pre 1977 Euro shell with pre 1977 Euro engine, in road trim) in addition to pukka Schedule K cars.
However, there are purists who wouldn't have a bar of it!
twink19,
Jan 18, 7:01am
thats a bit harsh re Escorts.can I bring my Shedule K Escort when finished, I do get your point though, some are just hot rods
socram,
Jan 18, 7:15am
Always welcome Twink - but there is a place for 'hotrods' too.HRC are putting on a grid just for Schedule K cars shortly.Will be interesting to see how it goes and how much support.
My car is bog standard apart from the brakes, but under K, you can use whatever rotors you like but must use original calipers, so mine will never be K - I'd rather the car stopped safely and stuff originality.
So many Escorts around that we need more variety - which is our major point of difference from Tier 1.
twink19,
Jan 18, 7:42am
just waiting on engine parts to arrive,sold the white car, 4 years rebuild so for so another month or 2 wont matter, tyres arrived today
elect70,
Jan 19, 3:16am
That we dont need , rememberformula subaru , formula suzuki ,failed to catch onMSNZ are only interested in formulas that can attract big budget / corporate advertisingnot low budgetraces , hence the HRC . . Speed way is different, its on at night & local so always has big crowd
rob_man,
Jan 19, 4:28am
What are those cars based on old classics, Ford coupes etc! Shrunk down glass replica bodies on tube chassis running m/cycle engines. A bit undersized for a full size circuit I guess, they're not slow though. Maybe a class like that but a bit larger. Rover V8 motors front mount, live rear, keep it simple.
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