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Geoffpgrant
Level 3 Member
South Australia
204 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Feb 2007 : 10:17:49 PM
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Hi Everyone,
What do you think of a sidecar only meeting at Mac Park? Well that is what Laurie Fox is proposing. He wants it to be on the June long weekend with practice Sat & Racing Sun. He wants to include all sidecars from P2 to Modern and run scratch & handicaps in classes. The opinion is that they would need over 40 machines to be viable. Laurie is considering running it this year but if that is too short notice to get the numbers maybe it can be a target for next year?
So, what do you think now?
We had 32 historic sidecars at the Nationals so it should not be hard to add another 8 plus moderns to quickly get us over the 40 mark. In fact considering the number of F2s around I reckon we should be embarrassed if we could not get 50 sidecars at a meeting like this.
For those who have not experienced it, Laurie's handicapping is simply the best. He could handicap the whole field of 50 and get them all onto the finish line within metres of each other (if there was enough room of course!!).
Anyway, who would be interested in attending a sidecars only meeting on the June long weekend?
Speak now, or forever regret it.
Geoff
Sidecar #330
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2007 : 6:49:54 PM
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Geoff I would love to but the expense of shipping one or maybe two outfits from WA makes it impossible for me.
Having been to the Festival of Sidecars at Mallory Park in the UK which was absolutely unbelievable this idea if it could be brought to reality would be fantastic.
I wish you good luck and maybe a lottery win for me so I can attend.
Alan Sidecar 21 WA |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 28 Feb 2007 : 9:00:07 PM
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I have previuosly prepared a plan for exactly the same idea and feel the time for it may be approaching with the increase in the numbers. My plan did rely on getting many spectatoirs along to pay for the meeting.
The concept was to have all types of outfits at all the tracks at Broadford. But road race only could do the same with heats etc to encourage riders fortunate enogh to have more than oner machine to enter different races. It also had different era sidecars competing against like so the others could watch or participate with a different machine and say 10 minutes between events. I would be happy to help share ideas etc. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
Edited by - john on 28 Feb 2007 10:52:38 PM |
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Patrick
Level 3 Member
Victoria
314 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2007 : 7:51:48 PM
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Last weekend at Broadford around 20 sidecars took part in the Victorian Historic Road Titles,this weekend at Broadford we have Classic Speedway including sidecars,s/charged Vincents etc. One week later the Motocross Sidecar Spectacular will run over two days with around 100 entries.
Do you think we could get them all to run on the same weekend - John and the HMRAV tried - we tried - but it soon became evident others put their events above a collective approach.
As circuit/track managers we can only wonder at why some people are in the sport.
As Broadford is a club owned facility we correctly have to bow to the various clubs wishes. I wonder how long this can carry on for as many opportunities are lost to attract major paying spectators to Broadford.
It would have been hard work by our very dedicated staff but this could have happened. |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2007 : 8:54:55 PM
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My personal opinion is that the sooner we get rid of club permits and require spectators be charged at the gate, only then will we get a chance to promote big time to aim for plenty of paying spectators.
If we ran a combined circuits event at Broadford or even other circvuits with more than one track and MV collected at the gate with an agreed amount or percentage going back to the clubs and teams it may be great. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2007 : 7:05:34 PM
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What has the first paragraph got to do with this topic John? You keep having a go at me for "hijacking" subjects so maybe you should practice what you preach.
This concept as I have previously stated is an excellent one but will take an awful lot of work to get off the ground but it is or should be possible. Geoffs original idea 'or should I say Laurie Fox`s' was for it to be run at Mt Gambier but the idea of it being run at Broadford and incorporating other facets of the sport besides road racing does have some merit.
I believe a stand alone road race event is possible if only some funding could be made available to assist competitors from across Australia to attend. Imagine as was possible at the Nationals 3 Historic classes plus Formula 2 and Formula 1 Moderns all happening on the same day. That would give 5 classes say at 3 races per day each class, making 15 events which is almost a full afternoons racing. To fill out the day there would be no reason to not include another minority group to attend such as Bears or even something totally different like go karts or some historic cars. I would love to attend and bring both my outfits but as I am hopefully doing the Nationals and the Southern Classic it will be well beyond me financially so will leave it to the rest of you to make it happen.
Alan Sidecar 21 WA |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2007 : 7:57:13 PM
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I wonder if we had it as a one day event initially to make it easier to run and have lower costs.
I think incluing any solos would be detrimental to the idea.
As for costs etc, if it was promoted hard and spectators could be charged at the gate, it should produce a profit. That wa the reason I " hijacked" the topic a bit Alan with the comments about club licences.
I think the paying public is an important part of the program, otherwise we will always be looking for somebody to pay for our racing.
Under the right circumstances I may be able to raise some funds on a commercial basis to seed the project, but I would expect spectators to be paying at the gate to get a return to all concerned. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2007 : 1:58:56 PM
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A one day meeting would certainly be more cost effective for locals but to attract riders from afar such as Qld, WA or the NT then it would need to be a weekends racing. I dont see having solos as support classes being detrimental to the concept as long as the focus remained on Sidecars and they were just support classes. That was why I suggested a minority group like Bears as a main stream class could take the focus away from sidecars.
What a pity that so few people are contributing ideas and discussion regarding this concept.
As an aside has anyone stopped to consider that a modern meeting has very few genuine race bikes in it with the exception of sidecars which we all know are purpose built race machines. Historics by the same token have genuine race bikes across all classes. maybe that is the real attraction for Historics.
Lets keep the chat going and get a meeting off the ground even if it turns out to be next year.
Alan Sidecar 21 WA |
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Jeff
Level 2 Member
New South Wales
32 Posts |
Posted - 03 Mar 2007 : 8:10:45 PM
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Alan,
Few people have been contributing because this subject has only been on for six days, and this is the first time I have been on here in a week.
I like the idea of an All Sidecar Meeting, the Annandale/Leichhardt club in Sydney was planning one at Oran Park a few years ago, then Oran had licencing issues(since fixed) and the club had a change of commitee, as well as John's similar idea for Broadford saw it shelved.
Whether we could get teams to travel from NSW and QLD remains to be seen, I would like to if I could raise the money. I am still trying to raise funds to do Mallala, I didn't intend to do it but as I'm forth in the championship I would like to.
I don't think this year is too late, but then I don't know the first thing about organizing a race meeting. All you can do is let people know, maybe stir some interstate rivalry.
On a seperate note I thought we'd have more Victorian sidecars up for the Barry Sheene Memorial next weekend.
Jeff
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Geoffpgrant
Level 3 Member
South Australia
204 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2007 : 4:15:16 PM
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Hi Jeff,
It is great to see another name jumping into the fray - thanks for taking the time to comment.
I do think your point about letting people know is a very good one and that is why I started this forum as soon as I was informed about Laurie's idea.
So, everyone, tell everyone else and ask them to jump on here and post a message. Or, if they don't want to do it publicly then send an email to sidecars@classicmotorcycling.com.au and we will arrange for amalgamated comments to be put on this forum.
Cheers
Geoff
Sidecar #30 |
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Geoffpgrant
Level 3 Member
South Australia
204 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2007 : 4:27:53 PM
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And a bit more...
I appreciate that others have considered the concept but for various reasons, usually out of their control, the concept has failed.
I guess one reason that I think it might work at Mt Gambier is because it is a small club which owns its own track, and it has Laurie Fox involved. They know how to run a race meeting (and we can cite any number of sucessful large events to support that notion) so if they reckon they can run it with 40ish sidecars then all we have to do is commit to going there! Now I know that sounds simple, but really, for me, and all of you out there, it is that simple. If at least 40 of us hand over our entry fee, the Mt Gambier club will make it happen.
I will certainly pass on all of the issues that get raised here (although I am sure that they are watching this forum with interest) to try an assist them but that is our bit done.
So, as I said in my last posting - get out there and tell everyone.
Geoff
Sidecar #30 |
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littledoug
Level 2 Member
Victoria
35 Posts |
Posted - 05 Mar 2007 : 4:50:22 PM
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G,day Geoff
The june long weekend i think is a week after the 2 pluss 4 at winton, i would be interasted but to travell to mac park it would be this OR the over 45s i dont think i could do them both
Also to Jeff i had planded to do the Barry Sheene but a number of things combined to stop me ,one of which was a 25 wedding aniverasy (must accumulate brownie points)There is still the Aust Champs late in the year which is penciled in
Doug |
batteling on in the face of shear adversary |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2007 : 07:58:16 AM
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This was a proposal a few years ago;
John,if this is done I believe it is very important to look at the date carefully so as it does not clash with other events,or mothers day etc.How do you get people to pay $20 to get it?? We cannot get them to pay $10.I have never been to Broadford and would be interested,if it wasn't too close to a major event.Mt Gambier club ran two sidecar spectaculars in '94 and '95 I think and they were very successful.Maybe some of the Mt guys could give you a tip or two. Cheers Neville.
----- Original Message -----
From: john daley
To: Darryl Hiddle ; alan warner ; "'Neville Lush'" ; "'chris grubb'" ; Natures Medicaments Pty Ltd ; Max Hooper
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 1997 11:04 PM
Subject: Sidecar only meeting
In England they run a side car only meeting. The idea has been spoken of here possibly as follows.
At Broadford the Road race / Super Motard track may be used. One day meeting only as a trial.
Moderns, Forgotten Era, Post Classic, Classic, dirtrack, short track, scrambles, trials etc.
Each period to have their own races based on times. Say 3 or 4 races per period plus practise. Each team to provide a time keeper. Super Motard course be use for Dirttrack and scrambles machines. Track to be cleaned after their runs. 10 lap races.{ note the supermotard track has gone now ]
Promote the meeting widely to attract paying spectators.
Entry fes could be about $110 plus insurance as follows
Track Hire Sunday $3800
Ambo, permits 1000
sundry expences 1000
Total no promotion $5800
Entries Moderns 20, Post classics 15, classics 10, Dirttrack, Short circuit 10 scrambles and others 5
Total 60 times $110 = $6600
500 paying customers @ $20 $10,000
Promotion costs $1200
What do you sidecar blokes think? When would we start planning. I have spoken with some already and the support is there partially. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Allan
Site Moderator
National
599 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2007 : 08:36:23 AM
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| I can remember a few years back? when Mac park run a sidecar only meeting. and a lot of NZ sidecare (all the sidecars came in a large sea container) their.. I rember this was a very good/run meeting .."I wonder who actually run this meeting" ? I went as a paying member of the public and payed a entry fee into the meeting and camping was free with a donation to the fire people..It was also a total fire band at this stage in the mount and we all had problems trying to cook!! |
Allan Greening |
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2matesracing
Level 1 Member
Victoria
3 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2007 : 2:43:00 PM
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| meeting idea sounds great but i dont think a lot of modern guys will go for it especially if u have to go out after scramble machines the track is slippery enogh with just a little dust on it. im not canning the idea i think it is great and would be there with bells on MARK |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 06 Mar 2007 : 3:32:40 PM
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| point taken, I dont think my idea in the past to have scramble sidecars is now practical. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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