Suzuki Classic Dirt 10

[FourstrokeForever]

Of course Geoff is right about liability. We don't need any lessons there. Perhaps there is another means of public liability insurance. Shite, I got "bonus" $3 million liability cover with my business insurance when I was doing the bike transport.

Ok, take the Goodwood example out of the picture and start thinking along the lines of the "Summer Nats" held in ACT each and every year with huge numbers that grow with every meeting. I believe they had 30.000 people through the gates this last year.

I'm not suggesting that VMX will ever get that sort of number, just using it as model as to what could be done.

It has "competitive" events. Otherwise unregisterable vehicles can cruise the streets. Vast amounts of alcohol are consumed by the punters. The general public watch the cruise through the streets of Canberra in the tens of thousands. They obviously get insurance from somewhere and I would suggest that the Summer Nats would be a hell of a lot more risk than lets say, 200 people riding dirt bikes on an enclosed course that spectators can not enter. Then there's the fact that the "pits" are for competitors (and assistants) only. We all know alcohol and smoking is a no go in the pit area also.

I don't know the answers. I'm just throwing some ideas around and sharing them with you lot, people who share my interest.

Maybe, just maybe, it's time for some new strategies to be put in place. As Paul Kelly sings, from little things, big things grow......

If we keep on being negative and saying it can't ever happen, that's exactly what will happen. Nothing

[Simo63]

Goodwood, Summer Nats .. whatever but the idea was to have a broader event with broader appeal. I think we are talking about the same thing here with a combined event that appeals to a wider audience but these are only ideas being discussed by a few ... everyone is welcome to join in .. it is our sport and we want it to prosper don't we 

[09.0]

I shake my head with disbelief with some of the replies on here.
Cd and the nationals being combined would be the worst.
The demise once again has to fall on the shoulders of the state its run in. They always make up the majority. It's obvious to me there is a genuine lack of interest being shown in NSW. If its a 2 hour drive you'd burn a $100 in fuel, a lousy $50 to enter and if you camped and bought drink and food another $100. You guys must have some really cool tv shows to watch instead.
Also I think it's ridiculous to try and reinvent the wheel or even say to go back to the way it was. The beauty of classic dirt is that you can take out of it want you want. If you want to flog your bike all weekend you can, or if you just want to talk shit you can do that too. Not tooemtion everything in between.
Not enough advertising? Hello! Every year it's been on. Have you got the memory of a gold fish?
I am also happy to pay a lot more to enter this event.

      I have to say that I am bitterly disappointed with this outcome. I had to organise time off from work for myself and the missus, book and pay for  Hunter Valley accommodation (needed to talk the missus into coming to CD with me) in the week before the event, paid my entry fee well in advance and planned a heap of stuff to drop off and pick up at the event. To cancel the accommodation now is going to cost me half of what I paid plus a $50 cancellation fee. To say that the state of the economy and lack of funds to pay a $40 entry fee for an event that is within a few hours of Sydney, has got to be a joke. We must really be dealing with the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum (or "bottom feeders", as I think Walter has described) if that is the case. I would happily paid two or three times the entry fee.  Also to blame last years weather or not liking the track , has got to be piss poor excuses as well. It was going to cost me over $800 in fuel to drive the 5000km plus return trip from North Queensland, but I was more than happy to do that, as I did last year. I feel sorry from the NZers who have paid for flights. To read all the pissing and moaning on this forum when the CD events were held in Queensland, from southerners wanting to have it closer to their home, really leaves a sour taste in my mouth. When they get their wish, (and that goes for the nationals events as well) they don't support the events.
      I am no way critical of the organisers or the good people from south of the border that I have met at the 8 Classic Dirt events that I have been to. But I feel that I am swimming against the tide and it is now highly unlikely that I will enter another event south of the Queensland border, except for maybe the Bike Bonanza. Maybe it is time for me to look another hobby, so I might dust off my old stand up Jet Skis and just go trail riding to get my motorcycling fix.   

He'll yeah. What you said!

[albrid-3]

Suzuki Classic dirt started out to be in Victoria, why not combine CD10 with Broadford banaza next years, which would work out much better  for everyone,than having a competion event combined with a non competion event.  and have the Australia Vintage titles every two years. not every years. just a thought.

[firko]

Suzuki Classic dirt started out to be in Victoria, why not combine CD10 with Broadford banaza next years, which would work out much better  for everyone,than having a competion event combined with a non competion event.  and have the Australia Vintage titles every two years. not every years. just a thought.

I can see David White and Ken sitting at the table planning that little exercise...not.  Surely you're taking the piss Dave? The same for combining the Nats with Classic Dirt. As Brad has already stated, both events would be tripping over each other.....a monumentally dumb idea.

[AjayVMX]

Another way It could be looked at is that the event has always been a promotion primarily for VMX magazine, bearing in mind how profitable the event has been in recent years based on record breaking attendances, you have to wonder why the event should be cancelled at such late notice specially when there were overseas visitors committed to attending, the carry over profits from the previous few years in particular you think should have been able to off set a year that was not as profitable and certainly would have been valuable goodwill to the VMX community and all that had committed themselves and there money to go this year as John O said this event should not have been cancelled, to run it would have been giving back to the market place that the business of the magazine thrives off ? this will impact future CD's so the downward spiral could begin until it is a memory,just sayin

#8

Number 8, you truly have a chip on your shoulder don't you? 

Here is the reality.

No Classic Dirt has been nearly as profitable as you seem to think and continue to post on OzVMX.  There is a perception that you continue to try to perpetuate is that we are fat cats ripping off the Classic Dirt punters.  Nothing could be further from the truth in fact.  Carry over profits?  Don't make me laugh.  Yes, we made small GROSS profits on the last few CDs, but when the time and effort that is expended in organising them is taken into account, I doubt our hourly rate would be any better than 16 year olds working at McDonalds. 

The reality also is that running VMX magazine is not in any way lucrative and what small profits we have made in the past years have effectively subsidised the VMX Magazine business.  If you are offended that we are trying to make a living, good luck to you.  Just bear in mind that no other Vintage Dirt Bike magazine which isn't part of a big publishing group has survived in the last 3 years... then you may realise where we are coming from.

You really need to try and be a little more positive, not continually try to shoot anyone who is supporting the VMX scene down.  It's people like you who are killing this sport. 

[albrid-3]

Suzuki Classic dirt started out to be in Victoria, why not combine CD10 with Broadford banaza next years, which would work out much better  for everyone,than having a competion event combined with a non competion event.  and have the Australia Vintage titles every two years. not every years. just a thought.

I can see David White and Ken sitting at the table planning that little exercise...not.  Surely you're taking the piss Dave? The same for combining the Nats with Classic Dirt. As Brad has already stated, both events would be tripping over each other.....a monumentally dumb idea.

I am not taking the piss out of anyone, I think both parties do need to sit down and discuss these issues, if something is done, vmx will die, and people need to get their heads out of the clouds and do what is right for the future.

[AjayVMX]

Suzuki Classic dirt started out to be in Victoria, why not combine CD10 with Broadford banaza next years, which would work out much better  for everyone,than having a competion event combined with a non competion event.  and have the Australia Vintage titles every two years. not every years. just a thought.

I can see David White and Ken sitting at the table planning that little exercise...not.  Surely you're taking the piss Dave? The same for combining the Nats with Classic Dirt. As Brad has already stated, both events would be tripping over each other.....a monumentally dumb idea.

I am not taking the piss out of anyone, I think both parties do need to sit down and discuss these issues, if something is done, vmx will die, and people need to get their heads out of the clouds and do what is right for the future.

Dave, all I can say is that is NOT going to happen.  HBBB is a completely different event, with significantly, a completely different sponsor.

[JohnnyO]

I shake my head with disbelief with some of the replies on here.
Cd and the nationals being combined would be the worst.
The demise once again has to fall on the shoulders of the state its run in. They always make up the majority. It's obvious to me there is a genuine lack of interest being shown in NSW. If its a 2 hour drive you'd burn a $100 in fuel, a lousy $50 to enter and if you camped and bought drink and food another $100. You guys must have some really cool tv shows to watch instead.
Also I think it's ridiculous to try and reinvent the wheel or even say to go back to the way it was. The beauty of classic dirt is that you can take out of it want you want. If you want to flog your bike all weekend you can, or if you just want to talk shit you can do that too. Not tooemtion everything in between.
Not enough advertising? Hello! Every year it's been on. Have you got the memory of a gold fish?
I am also happy to pay a lot more to enter this event.

Exactly what Brad said!

[albrid-3]

What is different, fun riding weekend for all disciplines , well organized, lots of vulonteers to help, same people with the same interest, sponsors are honda and suzuki over the years. VMX Mag could also be part of it. very good promotion for the magzine. whats the problem. I think your problem is that you want it (CD10) for yourself, keep it as your own package, (VMX Mags little baby), thats all good, But combining with another organization would help the sport and help you guy`s, (VMX MAG to grow more), would be less work for you all.

[yzhilly]

Im spewing too but thats not gonna change anything so get to the Viper grasstrack meet ,will be a good weekend details are in the competition . Nice flat grasstrack will suit all bikes and everyone is invited . hilly .

[Simo63]

The demise once again has to fall on the shoulders of the state its run in. They always make up the majority. It's obvious to me there is a genuine lack of interest being shown in NSW. If its a 2 hour drive you'd burn a $100 in fuel, a lousy $50 to enter and if you camped and bought drink and food another $100. You guys must have some really cool tv shows to watch instead.

Interesting point you make Brad particularly when combined with what Alistair has said on Facebook:

Alistair Johnson: The percentage of QLDers at CD9 was basically the same as the VICs, with NSW providing nearly 75% of the entry at that event

[albrid-3]

we will be their, I have not entered yet, I have the pass to go since CD10 has cancelled.

[bazza]

Dave one event sponsored by Suzuki /1 event sponsored by honda......see any problem there? 

[number8]

Another way It could be looked at is that the event has always been a promotion primarily for VMX magazine, bearing in mind how profitable the event has been in recent years based on record breaking attendances, you have to wonder why the event should be cancelled at such late notice specially when there were overseas visitors committed to attending, the carry over profits from the previous few years in particular you think should have been able to off set a year that was not as profitable and certainly would have been valuable goodwill to the VMX community and all that had committed themselves and there money to go this year as John O said this event should not have been cancelled, to run it would have been giving back to the market place that the business of the magazine thrives off ? this will impact future CD's so the downward spiral could begin until it is a memory,just sayin

#8

Number 8, you truly have a chip on your shoulder don't you? 

Here is the reality.

No Classic Dirt has been nearly as profitable as you seem to think and continue to post on OzVMX.  There is a perception that you continue to try to perpetuate is that we are fat cats ripping off the Classic Dirt punters.  Nothing could be further from the truth in fact.  Carry over profits?  Don't make me laugh.  Yes, we made small GROSS profits on the last few CDs, but when the time and effort that is expended in organising them is taken into account, I doubt our hourly rate would be any better than 16 year olds working at McDonalds. 

The reality also is that running VMX magazine is not in any way lucrative and what small profits we have made in the past years have effectively subsidised the VMX Magazine business.  If you are offended that we are trying to make a living, good luck to you.  Just bear in mind that no other Vintage Dirt Bike magazine which isn't part of a big publishing group has survived in the last 3 years... then you may realise where we are coming from.

You really need to try and be a little more positive, not continually try to shoot anyone who is supporting the VMX scene down.  It's people like you who are killing this sport. 

No "Chip", No "perpetuating" or insinuating that you are "ripping off the Classic Dirt punters", No I'm not offended that you and your partners are making a living, The work expended is like all businesses and part of the big picture, the "goodwill from that event helps you sell your product through out the year I would imagine, and it has worked very well for you and the VMX community, The impact of cancelling will be determined by your paying customers in the future, No being "negative "you are completely on the wrong track there that wont fly, and No I don't think I am single handily "killing" this sport or the VMX scene, what could be interpreted here is your support has a price ,I may be wrong?

#8