OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Competition => Topic started by: Viper666 on October 14, 2009, 11:48:30 am
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I am wearing 2 hats in this spread. One as a round organizer, the other as a Viper member.
At this point in time I have only 27 entries for Monza. I have made it as easy as possible for people to send in their entry. Not that long ago if the cheque wasn't with the entry it wasn't accepted and there was no such thing as on the day entry but to help people as much as possible these rules have been bent, broken & virtually thrown out. Alright, I have said No on the day entry but I have also said even if you are only 10% sure of coming put your entry in so at least you can ride if things go your way and pay on the day.
Rovers is luckier than some clubs in that we have a strong membership, always looking for more, and we are reasonably financialy sound. It is to that end that our club runs events to the betterment of the sport, Viper is a point in example. My club is not looking to make money out of running a Viper event but it is not looking to run at a loss either. In years gone past I have paid clubs to flag for us ($500) but there's no way I can justify that this time so I'm asking for volunteers. Then you take St Johns, catering, preparation of the track, which I might add we have put in shitloads of time, effort & money to get it ready, and you start to get the picture. I myself put in heaps of time behind the scenes to get the event happening (No more than anyone else that has organised a Viper event) on top of all my other duties for the club. It also disheartens our members to volunteer for an event such as Viper only to have less riders turn up than we would get to a Club day. You're probably thinking I'm just having a whinge and you're damn right I am! What a lot of you dont understand is if these event aren't supported by the riders then I see a day when clubs will pull out at the last minute or refuse to run an event because it's just not worth the effort.
There has been quite a vocal group within Viper pushing for more rounds but it seems that towards the end of the year, as with Western Region etc, the numbers drop off if they are not in the points. Is this what Viper/VMX is all about, points & trophies? I would hope not. If riders dont support the clubs then the clubs are not going to put their hands up to run the rounds, then where will we be?
I know there are some of you out there that dont like Monza or are going to the GP and sure the PO Box might be full as we speak but I doubt it. Even if we get record entries this weekend I still see this trend happening more & more. If you dont want the sport to die, support it. The calendar is set, maybe not in concrete, at the start of the year, surely we can at least get our entries in the week preceeding so clubs have a better idea how many they are expecting, especially for thing like catering?
I may be off track here but I dont think so. Not pointing the finger at any club but the preparation that some clubs put into their tracks is less than desirable, they run out of food, drinks etc. Ever thought that like me leading up to the event they have no idea of how many to expect. The guy who prepares the track thinks what's the point for stuff all riders. Only buying enough for the day so as not to waste food & money. Again we are lucky that we have a huge canteen with fridges a freezers, others dont. So what I am saying is before whinging a track is shit or they ran out of everything before lunch think about the club.
I for one dont want this sport to die or become insignificant but that is my fear if we dont get more responsible. We have to support the clubs that support us. I have no idea how other states go, other parts of Victoria or even the classic boys but I would think it's along the same lines.
I have been on the look out for some natural terain tracks for Classic & Viper & have some promising prospects but the effort that goes into running one of those is 6 times that of one at Monza where there is an established track, ammenities, equipment etc. Question, why would we or any other club go to such an effort when we are not sure of what sort of numbers we will get? I dont know the answer, I'm not that intellegent enough but I do know something has to give. Hopefully not the sport.
Perhaps a notice of intention, ie email, txt, forum, phone call, whatever. Just saying, put me down, I'll send the entry soon. But really, is it that hard just to send the entry early and be done with it? I had a bloke ring me and say he now cant make it, no problems, I'll post his money order back. I am all for closing entries the week before and NO ON THE DAY ENTRIES giving clubs enough time firstly, to make a call whether to run it or not, but more importantly to have time to prepare and cater. With Viper you get a ticket which entitles you to lunch. At this stage that will be 27 hot dogs and cokes.
Come on people, be fair to the clubs, get your entries in early! It's not like it cost you anything bar maybe a stamp. It cost the club so much more if you dont!
Ooopppps, bang, thud! Just fell off me soapbox!
No matter the numbers Monza will go ahead this weekend but my patience & enthusiasm is waning. Prove me wrong, show me to be the pessimistic old fart that I am by getting heaps of entries in. Indeed, from now on get all your entries in as early as possible, you can always pull out later
OK, see most of you Viper riders Sunday
Viper666
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Totally agree. I can't understand what all the trouble is with pre-entering? ???
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Shit, I must be wrong if Rossco agrees! Damn.
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I could possibly come out and flag if you are short of numbers. My bikes and gear are all in storage following my move from sydney, but I would hate to see racing racing suffer due to lack of support.
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I'm reading your plight Viper and I know a few others would be going out in vmx sympathy too.
If its any support ,,,the DT Nats entries where down and late as well as Conondale Nationals, all at the last minute entries started to lift.Would be interesting to know how many late ones came in ;)
Looking back in the Comp forum threads a few where cancelled also. :(
It doesn't matter if you get 27 or 100 riders,same amount of work goes into the event as you say with track maintenance and volunteer flaggies,first aid etc...Yep I'm repeating basically what you have said,,,,but hey :o same old dirt same old fun 8)
It's been a big year and only 10 weeks till Christmas. :-X
I know you'll have a hoot with low entries as this gives you extra time for bench racing. :P
chin up ;D
cheers
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So....it seems that the "we do it so much better down here" Viper suffers the same problems that we in the lesser states also experience ;D. The crux to many of the low entries is that there are just too many rounds. I don't know how many rounds VIPER has but if it's anything like the silly 9 round HEAVEN series you'll find that the interest drops off towards the end of the season. When these series things are being formulated in the off season everyone is hot to trot wanting as many rides as they can get but by seasons end that gung ho attitude has gone. The travel, wear and tear on bike and body and most of all, the 'same old same old' boredom kicks in.
I'm not a big fan of series' for many reasons but I realise that the majority do like them and that's fine. Now, I'm speaking generally here and not having a go at VIPER, HEAVEN or any other club, I'm merely stating an opinion based on my own experience. I reckon the dropping off of interest in the latter part of any season anywhere has a lot to do with rider boredom and the lack of enthusiasm put into promotion by clubs for each round. The slack entry level for the recent HEAVEN Clarence round was a classic example. The club tried to cock the event up as bit by naming it the Evo Challenge but their heart wasn't in it. In actuality the Clarence race was really ony 'Round 5, Clarence' with no hoo haa to drum up the importance of the Evo Challenge part of the program. The event tanked with thirty something entries, hardly covering costs I'd imagine.
By contrast, the next event, the HEAVEN 10th anniversary meeting at Canowindra was a success because the unique aspects of the event were spruiked up. The unique stadium track made the event something special and even though it followed the dull old Clarence event, its uniqueness and HEAVENS improved promotion attracted a good roll up. This event has the potential to become something really special if HEAVEN pull out the jams and promote, promote and promote.
When you look back at our sports short history and examine the succesful events and the failures, you'll just about always find that the succesful promotions had a unique flavour and were promoted through the roof. The 11 years of the Condo Greybeards attests to the success of blanket promotion and turning a meeting into a cult event with 200 entries every year. The big opening round at Amaroo Park always attracted a star studded field of up to 150 riders because it was HEAVILY promoted in ADB and it had that certain indefinable something. The Crawford River Classic is a current event that has all of the makings of being a must attend meeting but for a while HEAVEN management did everything it could to turn people off the event by being anal and petty. With new people at the helm the event will be at the top of the 'must do' list if they promote it properly.
The bottom line is, you have to make each even something unique and not 'just another club day'. It's better to have a quality five round series with each event having a unique aspect rather than 10 rounds of the 'same old same old'. In this day and age there are a lot of things to keep us away from the track. Clubs need to inject a bit of PT Barnum showbiz into their events and make the racers want to attend. Each event needs to be something unique and special. The continuing success of the Nats and Classic Dirt are prime examples of that philosophy.
crrrraaack, that's my soapbox breaking under the pressure. I'll hop off before it collapses. ;D
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I'll add my weight to that soapbox. Now, I am not a serious racer and it looks like next year it's not likely I'll get to many vintage events at all. BUT.... I totally agree there are now too many events. If you can get along to all of them it's great, plenty of racing and socialising. But of the few I've gone to, I've seen smaller and smaller fields and surprisingly a different group of people (beyond the hardcore guys that do go to all).
I would much rather the clubs stick to just 4 events per year, but hype them up. Taking the HEAVEN example, we could have the Crawford River Classic, Evo Challenge, Canowindra Cup and one other. Call it something too, like the Pearly gates Pearler ;D.
Then, run them at regualr intervals - the Pearler in March, CRC in what, May? the Evo Challenge in September and the Canowindra Cup in October. Build them up with plenty of early marketing and so on. Riders would flock to those cos they are the only game in town, AND there's enough time between events to get keen. remember, there are also the MA thing at Broadford, Classic Dirt, the MX and DT Nats, plus a few other notable events away like the Conondale Classic and the Double the Dirt events.
That said, I realise Qld seem to do OK with their events, and they have one every month it seems. Or are they starting to suffer from sagging entries too? The DtD had troubles in 08 and wasn't as big in 09 as it had been...
My view - reduce the numbers of events in favour of fewer bigger and better events.
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A lot of guys here are doing VCM and Viper. That equates to about ten races for the year plus other events. I must admit that I'm feeling pretty shagged with it all and will be sticking to just one series next year.
I think if people are serious about doing The Aussie Vintage Motocross Threesome (Tri series) then they're in for more than they bargained for (as well as running the whole thing).
Monza will go off on the weekend and it'll be grouse! Traction city + those big hills + 500 two strokes...... ;D
People just hate pre-entering for some bizaar reason.... :-\
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People just hate pre-entering for some bizaar reason.... :-\[/color]
cause some have been getting away with it for so long--lazy tarts ;) ;D
cheers
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The old saying goes something like.. "You dont realise what you have got untill its gone"
Hopefully this never eventuates...
Next year Shaun and myself will be back on the right track and be able to get to alot of meetings.. Its been 2 of them years with starting a family.. building houses etc that have put us on the bench for the best part of 2 years.
Look forward to the fun of vmx 2010... Injury free 8)
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ok, as allways i cant help myself,
i think the idea is to run 1 or 2 major events each year, apply the kis factor, keep it simple.
and anybody running a club is charged with only providing events as per say, not to make a profit, we should all be not for profit organizations and the focus should allways remain with the sport, so if your memmbers choose not to attend, and dont want to pre -entre, that comes down to choice, did your club as a whole vote to have pre-entries, or was it a committee thing?
sometimes we make it harder for members to be active, but if you only have 1 or 2 events with pre entry it's not such a big deal.
a normal race dosnt have to be so formal and needs to be rather on the line of this is the event , come and ride if you want, yes it is more work on the day, but it is also less in the lead up.
i will get back in my box,
sweep rider Trev ???
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l think its time their should be a very big meeting with all the clubs to discuss the amalgamation with all models and era. The Australia titles worked well, put your thinking caps on fellows, its going to happen, clubs can`t continue losing money all the time or breaking even, thats not busniess. Their is to any race meetings going on each year, pre 75, VCM, viper.
My son wants to race pre85, l am pre75, where do l go, l think vintage racing needs to come together and stay together and design the tracks better, 5 two days meetings per year plus Australia Titles as the last round for each state. Plus you also have Classic dirt, Bonanza Long weekend, THIS SPORT WILL DIE AND WE ARE THE PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO FIX IT. ??????
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design the tracks better
Clubs aren't going to change their tracks to cater for old bikes and why should they? As Neale says "We're the past. Not the future".
No matter how important we think we are to the sport, at the end of the day.....we really aren't. Sorry! :-[
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SORRY TO HERE YOU SAY THAT, WE ARE IMPORTANT, VINTAGE HELPED TO PULL THE GEELONG SPORTING CLUB OUT OF THE SHIT HOLE THAT THEY WHERE IN YEARS AGO, THAN CAME THE THUMPER NATS, VINTAGE STARTED THAT INSIGHT, THE GEELONG SPORTING CLUB GROW FROM THEN ON. WITH NEGITIVE MINES AS YOURS IT WILL STAGNATE. When l was involve with VMX Mag, the grand prix wanted vintage race meeting on the same day as the moto GP. Yes Same weekend. This Sport will not Die while us positive mines are around. we need to look for the future.
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Sorry Neale and all the Viper crew but i wont make it on the weekend ,still struggling with Knee problems from Barrabool ,have a good one .Hilly
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i love racing monza one of my fav tracks
bit too far for me to go now :'(
i think trev is right keep it simple
have 2 big pre entrie type meetings (like conondale classic)
and the rest of the meetings club days no points or trophys
just fun, it works up here we average between 60 to 140 riders at our normal club race or practice days
soon as you have a series or championship it stuffs up
as there are too many rounds and if you stuff up 1 round
you have stuffed the series :'(
try alternating open practice days with race days
practice days are fun heaps of riding
get to thrash mates bikes,casual day usually finish early
everyones happy
and its not booming up here because of cd6 or nats
it was like this before them and is growing stronger
cheers rusty ;D
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From the outside looking in, there are alot of good suggestions in this thread for clubs to look into here. I think 1 round per month, per state is more than enough for most riders. It gives plenty of time for bike and body maintenance between rounds. All clubs have the ability to look at the proposed calender on the MA website BEFORE an individual club sets it's race calender in concrete. The less overlapping of events, the better the chance there is for getting good numbers to an event. Albrid (g`day Dave) was spot on the money in my opinion when he said that all the clubs need to work together, both in promoting the sport of VMX and "the club". I think the biggest problem here is that there are too many Ego`s involved. Each club thinks it is better than the next. What a load of crap! There is absolutely no reason why each club can`t hold "interclub" events throughout the season, each sharing responsibility for the day. The added bonus there is that the clubbies get to ride at different venues, each with it's own challenges. A pre90 club like Viper, for example, could hold a meeting catering for pre75 to pre90 at any number of its excellent venues. The Pre75 guys just have to accept that there are some big jumps and doubles to deal with, and ride within the bikes capabilities. Conversely, most guys love nothing better than ripping up a fast flowing grasstrack. In some cases, surely there is enough room to make a pre suspension (75) and a modern track out of the same course. Another bonus to the "interclub" type meeting is some of us ride in multiple era`s so we could get the chance to ride something different for a change. Another positive is with having bikes spread accross all VMX eras at the same meeting is increasing the liklihood of decent spectator numbers. If the clubs actually promote the event within the local communities the event is being held in ( posters in shop fronts, bikeshops, newspapers etc.) they may find a good crowd of spectatators turning up, most of who will spend at least a few bucks at the canteen.
Shit....there goes the milk crate!
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Totally agree. I can't understand what all the trouble is with pre-entering? ???
Ross maybe there is no trouble with pre entering - maybe some guys just aren't going.
The last round is often a tough one and there's MOTOGP at the Island so that might count for a few.
The week after is Boag's so that might count for a few more ??? Dun no !
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My son wants to race pre85, l am pre75, where do l go, l think vintage racing needs to come together and stay together and design the tracks better,
I can't understand this sort of stuff. People obsessed about being one big happy VMX racing family.
All riding around on billiard table tracks. The two just don't go together! (Pre 75 and Post '75)
Evo and Pre 85 bikes actually have SUSPENSION! Most Evo and Pre 85 bikes should be able to handle most modern tracks with ease (Yeah. Ok. You can cut out the uphill triple if you like).
And Monza is the perfect track for Evo and Pre 85 bikes SO WHERE ARE YOU ALL!?? ???
* Actually David Viper has a modern class so your son could ride Pre 85 and you could take it easy on yourself and ride a modern.
Fun in the sun..... 8)
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i love racing monza one of my fav tracks
bit too far for me to go now :'(
Ah. That old chestnut. You'll have to come up with a better excuse than the old "I live two and a half thousand kilometres away" routine Russell...... :D
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l think its time their should be a very big meeting with all the clubs to discuss the amalgamation with all models and era. The Australia titles worked well, put your thinking caps on fellows, its going to happen, clubs can`t continue losing money all the time or breaking even, thats not busniess. Their is to any race meetings going on each year, pre 75, VCM, viper.
My son wants to race pre85, l am pre75, where do l go, l think vintage racing needs to come together and stay together and design the tracks better, 5 two days meetings per year plus Australia Titles as the last round for each state. Plus you also have Classic dirt, Bonanza Long weekend, THIS SPORT WILL DIE AND WE ARE THE PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO FIX IT. ??????
Dave the pre 78 class is pretty thin at the best of times, a pre 75 bike could slip right in there and have a good ride no problem. Its happenend before.
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I reckon the VIPER format is great as it is. The committee & all the clubs put on good days as far as I'm concerned.
I think someone raised a good point when they said rescheduled rounds always seem to be down on numbers. I try and "book in" motorbiking days well in advance, as there's always plenty of family/home/other stuff to fill in weekends otherwise.
I'm spewing I'll miss the last round on Sunday, but I'll be at the Moto GP. I'm keen to see the new Monza track, but will have to wait 'til next year. I hope a reasonable amount of riders show up, as the Rovers always put on a well organised meeting.
Tex
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Anyone who's injured, bike blown etc who could come and flag would be greatly appreciated
Lost most of my helpers to the GP
Viper666
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I agree that not everybody wants to ride around on billiard table tracks, as it was put. I have taken my 250 elsinore out in pre 78 at the Viper Ravenswood round and had a ball. It was hard work but the bike and myself handled it. We weren`t at the point end but I didn't finish last. Agro had a ball on his 74 KX250 that day as well and banged bars with pre 78 pointy end guys all day! It was great to watch after I parked up the elsinore with a broken pipe mount (nothin new there!)
The point I am trying to make with suggesting clubs could cater for ALL VMX CLASSES at the odd event through the year is this;
There is usually a bit of room around some of the more technical (big jumps, quads etc,) parts of the track to put a track beside that small section for pre 75 ONLY to use. I know the older bikes cant handle the big jumps as well as the pre 85 so I ride accordingly. But, and this is the big thing, WE ALL WANT TO RIDE AS FAST AS THE TERRAIN ALLOWS.
The small sections of "compromised" pre75 only track could be bunted off quick and easy in between motos so the younger bikes don`t use it. I believe that if this type of compromise was catered for, there would be more people comming out with bikes to play.
Most motorsport circuits cater for motard/carts/cars and even friggin trucks! with subtle changes in the track for respective disciplins
I think the QVX and SCMC did an excellent job of catering for all classes at Connondale with the track layout. Sure, there were some jumps, but they were all doable on pre75 bikes. The pre85 bikes just did them a bit bigger! There were only the first uphill jump where i snapped a footpeg off on the B50 and the tabletop? that the older bikes had problems with. Again, you just needed to ride to suit the bike/track.
None of my ramblings is intended to be argumentitive, i'm just throwing around some ideas and thoughts.
I personally have no problem with running my pre75 bikes in a pre 78 race becauase im not in it for the glory, im in it for the chance to take out my old bikes on a track. Still, it would be nice to be able to go around some of the bigger sections on my pre75's. And I think this would get more bikes (members, other clubs) attending not only that clubs meetings, but maybe the clubs that cater mostly for the pre80 and 75's would want to hire your track for a meeting or 2. And, they could always "invite" other clubs to participate by catering for pre 85 at the meeting as well.
faark, there goes the milk crate again
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Hey Viper, I can help out on the day. Let me know what time you want me there. Just don't send me to far from the car park.....the knee ain't what it used to be!
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harden the fork up hilly ::) ::)
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harden the fork up hilly ::) ::)
:D
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First up, just in case my comments are mis-understood, I really appreciate the work that Neale does on driving the Viper Monza round and the drive of the current Viper committee!
I have sat back and read a lot of forum threads over the years about Pre90 classes, Suzuki foot pegs, Heaven fall-out, etc but this thread is one far too important to me, too abstain from.
So, a few observations from the past 6 years of participating in Viper, having transferred down from NSW and the Heaven club, to help build some context.
1. The numbers of riders and bikes appear to have dropped over the past 2-3 years, including some of the bigger names of Viper (Fox, Cook, Elvis, Bull, etc...)
2. It appears that there has been a resurgence in classic (VCM and Vinduro) and I believe, an increase in there number of rounds and quality of tracks (This is just what I have observed via photo/race reports from OZVMX, so is anecdotal).
3. There are many guys who ride in VCM, Vinduro and Viper, or who own bikes for each category
4. The number of Viper rounds has increased this year
5. Viper race meetings are well organised and it is awesome to ride on some of the premier MX tracks in Australia (as compared to what happens in NSW, QLD and NZ)
We all have our own drivers and constraints when it comes to how many races we participate in (for example; I have three children under the age of 7, I am the sole bread winner at the moment, I am a bunny on the track and hence I am not in it for the glory: This all adds up to me cherry picking a couple of rounds each year that I ride in).
My opinion is that a combination of the economy (I know that I think twice about pre-entrying given the cash out-lay for a day license and entry and whether or not the weather will be shite or OK), the combined number of Victorian based Viper, VCM and Vinduro rounds this year, the timing of the rounds (i.e. one weekend after the other in many cases), the weather this year (Viper race day = heavy rain), and a generational change within the VIPER ranks is all creating, hopefully, a short term decline in numbers.
What is the solution, because at the end of the day, we need solutions not problems?
I can think of several (each with pros and cons);
1. Drop a couple of rounds from each VCM and Viper series and combine 1 to 2 meetings (and maybe some classes) on “safe” tracks (as a trial) to see if the number of classes and bikes can co-exist together.
2. Reduce the number of rounds for each series (my tens cents worth is that 2 rounds is not enough, 4 rounds would be good)
3. Combine Viper and VCM and combine some classes so to make a full day of racing
4. Leave it as is, and hope the numbers will increase as the economy turns the corner
At the end of the day, I do not want to see pre78 or Pre90 go away in Victoria, mainly for my own selfish reasons, so if we need to change (and that involves some short term pain), then lets do it for the greater good!
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TBM much appreciated and fully understand the knee problem. I have had 6 ops on the right knee and the left has been stuffed since I was 17.
Scunge, understand where you're coming from but all I have asked is for people to send in their entry and pay on the day, hell I have even offered a refund if after practice you want to go home. I know money's tight but all work and no play yada yada yada!
The GP has knocked me for shit but unless between now and Sunday there is some sort of biblical disaster the track will be the best you've seen. I will do a test lap early Sat morn and post/text the result. I am 95% sure the day will proceed. Entries are low (45) but I hope those 45 relay back to the rest how they missed the best round of the year. (Full of myself eh?)
Too pissed to make sense
Viper666 Sunday is on!
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4. Leave it as is, and hope the numbers will increase as the economy turns the corner
Sounds like a good idea to me.
The Viper meetings I've been to this year have had good numbers, they might be down on previous years but are still a good turn out. This weekend is probably just an anomaly explained by the clash with Moto GP and being a re scheduled round.
I don't think the sky is falling in just yet!
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The sky certainly isn't falling.
What a great day! Yeah numbers were down a bit but there was still some pretty fierce racing.
Forget marking out a track on an oval and sticking some speed-humps on it or riding around some goat track.....
Monza Park! What a place! Real motocross racing on a massive motocross track. Huge undulations, huge jumps and huge ruts. It sure made for hard riding and I was absolutely shagged by the place. The joint is a massive roller-coaster and some big ruts formed early in the day which dictated everybody's lines and you really had to think about where you were going or it was game over with everybody around you whilst you fought to regain the 'good' line again. As the day went on traction was unbelievable but again, one wrong move and you were in the gloop.
One point seperated Viper 42 and myself for the overall second for the year and i got the holeshot. For two laps I had Steve all over me and I must admit I was starting to make mistakes however passing was very hard. Steve made his move through the double tabletops and in a fit of desperation he fed the big Maico just a little too much in an effort to pass me going into the corner. Well poor Steve nearly ended up flying all the way to Joanesburgh tommorow on his own bike! He did the big "Superman" routine and apparently missed my rear guard by mm's. I was oblivious to all this as I kept everything moving forward as quick as I could (thank goodness). Miraculously Steve had a quick hunt around for his bike which had lost quite a few bits and pieces and went on to finish the race.
KB took out one of his classes in his usual no-nonsense way, Darren McMuffin was in (and won) every other race and is a force of nature. His Mugens aren't for show-and-shine (even though they're immaculate). He rides 'em like they're stolen. Brockers, Arno, Saliba, Webbo, DeRosa, Bert, Big K, maico stu, Chris Cormack, motomaniac and many, many more all give it everything.
Of course Kaw 440 cleaned up Viper Expert again. (I think I've given him a shake this year however.... ::))
There were quite a few photogaphers about the place so hopefully a lot of those pics can end up on here.
And sadly, today was the last race for my 414 for some time. Boy, did I cop some stick about that! Next year will be on the big white thing. ;D
Lot's of interest from lots of guys wanting to get into Viper next year for the first time and everybody I spoke to said they'd be back next year.
Well done to Neale and the Ballarat Rovers.
Yes, Viper is well and truelly alive and well
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Good on ya Rosco.. Monza is worth the drive.. flight... swim... ride or whatever it takes to get there. Spewin i couldn't make it this year due to surgery.( Labotomy :-\) Bring on viper 2010
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Great day!!!!! Body is on fire now, must have been the ruts!
Fired up to get the 83 CR250 finished for next year, to give the king of bling, J. Ladson, a hurry up.
See you next year Viper.
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Whats with the yamaha symbol mate.. u take up keyboard lessons?
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Yep the day turned out pretty damn good and I had a ball after being a tad discouraged after practise in the glue. Luckily though I had my testicle inflator and gave them a quick pump up and went on to face the track. The track only got better as the day went on and although it became a bit one lined due to the coditions, I think most got around at a fair clip. One thing which impressed me was the jumps. Big enough to keep the young guns interested while being not too technical, safe & rideable for everyone. I certainly wouldn't class myself as jumper but found myself attacking the jumps with as much speed as my confidence would allow, which only got better as the day went on. The second of the two in a row tabletops was unreal, and even a fat old bald bloke like me could rip off some big air. Well done Monza. I actually gained a good dose of enthusiasm back after an ordinary year and am looking forward to VCM next week.
Cheers, K
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Forget marking out a track on an oval and sticking some speed-humps on it or riding around some goat track.....
Phew Thank goodness! Victoria is the best at everything again ;)
Viper666 I'm glad it worked out.
Cheers
Noel
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Congats to the Ballarat Rovers for a top days racing well done ,Had a ball 8)
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That was a great days riding!. Started off a bit ordinary in practice when I ended up in a couple of bog holes but soon figured out where the lines were. With exception of the first 4 the remaining corners were pretty much single line for the morning so it was very difficult to pass. By the afternoon after the tractor had been out a couple of lines opened up on several corners making the racing much more fun.
My biggest disappointment for the day was riding back to the pits after the last race knowing I couldn't go out again.
Well done Ballarat Rovers, thanks for a great day.
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Well guys the future of viper is running strong dont be concerned that the wheels are falling off we are far from that yesterday was well crap in practice but from then on it only got better and better i must thank neil for all the work he put in on the day and making the event go on ( NEIL DONT EVER MAKE THAT STATEMENT AGAIN ) From the weeks weather before was not looking good what a great year 6 rounds 2 up from years before great racing thanks to all that have helped raced and just came along to watch to support viper next year there will be more of the same.
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Glad you all enjoyed it and that bold statement would have come true if only a few more adventurers tried different lines earlier on or if we had more entries (Not whinging) it would have forced the guys out wider on some corners, thus more lines but heh, that's racing. I must thank all the people who volunteered especially a couple of Viper guys who flagged for us. It was great to see other club members help out other our club. I know I always do where I can because the better WE make the track/day the better it is for everone. Besides its in our interest. A thought might be that ahead of events ring the contact point to see if they need help. I do & have watered at various tracks where I camped over (Beer in one hand, hose in the other), done the 15 second board at Blue Rock this year, scutineered etc. Every little bit helps
Does anyone know how Steve Davis is? To my knowledge he was the only injury (Bad one) for the day. I'm sorry for Steve but glad he was the only one. Apart from the track taking so long to come good my other disappointment was that Macca was going to do the commentary for the day but didn't make it.
I was so tempted to ride yesterday but torn tendions in my left shoulder said no, besides I was the stewart for the day so technically I couldn't ride anyway. Tried to get my son to take my 125 out in the Juniors just so the mighty 666 could make an appearence but he said no. Ah well. Did I mention he cleared the step up on a 30 year old YZ125? Not bad eh? Goes to show Monza jumps aren't that bad after all.
Already been asked to run a round next year just need to fix the date.
Viper666
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There you go Viper666 wearing those two hats looks like it paid off ;) ;D
Glad it all turned out with the 45 odd riders and some good feedback for next year ----bring it on 8)
Congratulations to all :)
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Cut these from general so I could remove the topic
Mick22
B-Grade
Posts: 159
Re: Future of Viper Racing, indeed all VMX racing. ie Venue/Club support
« Reply #1 on: 14-10-2009, 14:48:50 » Quote
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I understand your frustration, I've helped organise plenty of meetings over the years and have had similar dramas. Viper meetings generally get a good turn out, so if the numbers are going to be down for this weekend there are probably other factors involved I don't think its due to lack of interest. Maybe the GP or time of year but from my experience resheduled meetings always suffer for numbers.
I'm spewing I can't make it this weekend, but for me being a shift worker I have to take leave when the calender comes out to get the weekends off... if it changes or gets rescheduled, I'm out. I know of at least 3 other guys in the same boat for this weekend. Its unfortunate but its just the way it is and its made worse by the fact that more people work weekends than ever before.
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Looking fo a Honda RS600 Flat Tracker anyone with any leads please PM
viper42
Novice
Posts: 21
Re: Future of Viper Racing, indeed all VMX racing. ie Venue/Club support
« Reply #2 on: 14-10-2009, 21:57:18 » Quote
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Well said Neal.
It seems there a those who are in it for the troughies and those for the fun. So which one are you fellow vipers come on put your hand up and get your entry in and make the last race for the season.
I have to get up early the next morning and fly for 14 hours (so what )
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All Things 414
A-Grade
Posts: 394
Because golf courses should be motocross tracks..
Re: Future of Viper Racing, indeed all VMX racing. ie Venue/Club support
« Reply #3 on: 15-10-2009, 07:06:01 » Quote
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Actually Steve we don't want you souring relations with our South African friends so maybe you should give this round a miss and have a nice restfull day before you depart.....
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VF 414, VF 414, VR 250, H7 250, 2000 YZ 250 and now....................................YZ 465 H! Yay.
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Glad it all went well Viper666 - hard effort should always be rewarded.
Just to hark back onto the comments from earlier - people are looking at tracks and bikes and saying "get real" "get tough" "its motocross" etc. and wondering why some numbers at some times of the year are dropping. I think (as dangerous as that is) that most of the people who comment on here (and they may be only say 10% of the VMX community) are younger fellas able to handle "modern" tracks. Dont forget there are some old bodies out there with the older bikes that also wouldn't mind a ride and therefore some more "friendly" tracks (such as Narrogin over our way) would be appreciated. And yes these sort of bodies should then think twice about going to the Nats and places like that where the "sheep station" riders will be in abundance ;D. Most of our tracks over here are pre 75 friendly - numbers hover around 50-60 per meet but announce a Wandering meet - classic motocross, natural terrain, friendly for all from fastest to me (slowest) and all of a sudden numbers are closer to 120! There has to be a message in that also! Just because I am not an Australian champion doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to get a ride? Comes back to maybe pre and post 75 again (that maybe rider age now!!!).
Rossco
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Yes , a BIG thanks to neale and the rovers for a well organized race meeting again. Like everyone else I am a bit sore and sorry the year has come to an end, may have only lasted one more round anyway. But it's been a great calender. I saw steve take his lunge and come off, how he got back up and kept riding I don't know,but his bike fired up after a few kicks! Had good close racing myself in evo 125 and pre 85 125/250. Slamed the 500D and the 125B into the face of the step up and lived to tell the tail. The new track layout was great and would be quick when the conditions are right. Looking forward to taking on scunge in the pre 85 126/250 next year.
Thanks to all involved.
Viper 620