The official magazine of Auckland Motorcycle Club, Inc. OCTOBER 2020 In this issue: • AMCC Round One • Carl Cox Motorsport Cup • Safe Riding • Jeremy Burgess • Business As “Usual” • And Lots More ….. 1110 Great South Road, PO Box 22362, Otahuhu, Auckland Ph: 021 264 8021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2020 - 2021 Email Phone PATRON Jim Campbell PRESIDENT Greg Percival [email protected] 021 160 3960 VICE PRESIDENT Adam Mitchell [email protected] 021 128 4108 SECRETARY TBA [email protected] TBA TREASURER Paul Garrett [email protected] TBA MEMBERSHIP MXTiming [email protected] and John Catton CLUB CAPTAIN Adam Mitchell [email protected] 021 128 4108 ROAD RACE John Catton [email protected] COMMITTEE Adam Mitchell 021 128 4108 Mark Wigley 027 250 3237 Paul Garrett Tim Sibley Jim Manoah Neal Martin ROAD RACE MX Timing [email protected] 027 201 1177 SECRETARY Nicole Bol GENERAL Glenn Mettam [email protected] 021 160 3960 COMMITTEE Trevor Heaphy 022 647 7899 Philip Kavermann 021 264 8021 Alistair Wilton Juniper White 021 040 3819 MINIATURE ROAD David Diprose [email protected] 021 275 0003 RACE CHIEF FLAG Juniper White [email protected] 021 040 3819 MARSHAL NZIGP REP Trevor Heaphy [email protected] 022 647 7899 MAGAZINE EDITOR Philip Kavermann [email protected] 021 264 8021 & MEDIA MNZ REP Glenn Mettam [email protected] 021 902 849 WEBSITE Johannes Rol [email protected] 021 544 514 Cover Image: Formula Auckland – AMCC – Round One ‐ Hampton Downs PRESIDENT’S REPORT – OCTOBER 2020 Hi All, Well, we did it! We ran our first race meeting under Covid‐19 Level 2 restrictions. I don't think any of us want to do that again, but at least we know it is possible if we need to. Race day at Hampton Downs got off to a very slow start as the gates were late opening, and our traffic began to queue down the Waikato Expressway off ramp. We had to start a few parking lines to clear the roads. Once inside the grounds, we were allocated to our separate zones and got underway with separated sign‐on and machine checks so that we stayed in our own "bubble" of less than 100 people. Other than the slow start, the day went well and we achieved our goal of giving all classes one practice/qualifying session followed by four races. I had a great start to the day on a damp track qualifying in 2nd spot on the R3 which meant that everyone else in the Junior group had to figure how to get past once the track dried up and I slowed down (I was hoping to stay in front of Al & Smithy but no). A huge thank you goes to the Road Race Committee, flag marshals and all the competitors that made this a very successful meeting. The RR Committee went well beyond the normal call of duty to ensure the meeting happened with numerous calls to HD staff & officials. We must have gotten close to breaking even on the expenses with over 90 riders, which is really amazing as just a week before we weren't sure we'd be running at all. Miniature road racing is back at the Hampton Downs Club Circuit on October 11th. I encourage all you 250 & 300 production riders to join in, 68 laps for $110 has got to be the best value motorsport in the Auckland region plus it's a great physical work out as there's no time to rest between laps. The club has put the apartment up for longer term residential rental and it's receiving a lot of interest. We're hoping this rental will provide a consistent income that will cover expenses and feed some money into other club activities. Jane & I popped down to Taupo on the 27th for the rescheduled Hamilton MC Club start of their series. A weather bomb hit that morning but by 1pm the track was dry and those hardy types that stayed at the track were rewarded with practice & 3 races each. It was just before 5pm when the last race finished and the rain came back but even that couldn't wash the smiles off the faces. HMCC is joining with us on October 18th for our combined meeting and inter‐club challenge. We've ordered dry, Covid free weather for that meeting so there's no excuses for not joining in the fun. Will see you there Cheers, Greg Percival | AMCC President No Room For Complacency: #1 Wow – What a three weeks in the world of MotoGP. From the high of KTM scoring their first MotoGP victory with Brad Binder at the Czech GP at Brno. Then the low of two serious accidents at the Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring, both of which fortunately did not result in loss of life. Followed a week later, by a big accident for Maverick Vinales in the Styrian GP. It just served to remind what a risky sport motorcycle racing can be – and just how quickly circumstances can change during an event. There is no room for complacency. The first incident came in Moto 2 – with Hafizh Syahrin collecting the bike of Enea Bastianini, after Bastianini had high‐sided exiting Turn 1 on Lap 4. Several following riders managed to avoid the Italian’s bike, which lay dangerously close to the normal race line, however Syahrin arrived at the scene in Jake Dixon’s slipstream, and ploughed into the stricken Kalex. The second incident came during the Austrian MotoGP race, and began with a coming‐together between Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli at the Turn 2 kink – the contact taking both riders from their bikes, on Lap 9. Valentino Rossi and his Monster Energy Yamaha team‐mate Maverick Viñales barely escaped being hit by the out of control motorcycles. Johann Zarco’s Ducati speared through the infield air fence before bouncing over Viñales at Turn 3, while Franco Morbidelli’s Petronas SRT Yamaha found the small gap between the factory‐entered M1s. Five Safety Tips For Bikers: Riding a motorcycle offers incredible rewards, but it comes with its fair share of risks too. As a motorcyclist you already know that public holidays and long weekends are particularly dangerous for bikers, with more traffic on the roads; delays, and impatient behaviour. You might not be able to control how other road users behave, but you can ensure you use the road responsibly. Here are five tips from Ride Forever to keep you safe: WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR At a recent Ride Forever event, one of the stunt riders said he has zero fear of falling off. The reason? He wears leathers, armour, proper boots and gloves, and a quality helmet. As a result, he can't remember the last time he hurt himself. The obvious lesson for all riders is to always wear the right gear. If the worst happens, you'll have a greater chance of escaping injury. If you're a bit short of gear, ask for recommendations on Neighbourly for the best local motorcycle stores. If you're lucky, a neighbour might have some spare leathers you can borrow or buy. CHECK YOUR BIKE REGULARLY Crashes caused by technical faults are rare. But small deficiencies can contribute to losing concentration or control. Give your bike a thorough check before you ride: tyre condition, tread depth, and air pressure; brake operation and pad thickness; lights (including brake light) and indicators; chain condition, tension and lubrication; brake, clutch and oil levels; cables and controls working smoothly; well‐damped, smooth suspension; free movement but no looseness of the steering. All good? Now you can relax and enjoy the ride. TAKING CORNERS The most common serious accident in motorcycling is failing to take a corner. Things often start going wrong even before the corner due to bad positioning on entry, or by turning in too early. Remember: enter wide to the right on a left‐hand corner, or wide to the left on a right‐hand corner, and stay wide all the way through until you can see the exit. Only then should you cut in to make the apex, tight on the inside of the corner. Ensure your entry speed is low enough to roll on a little throttle all the way through the turn. FOLLOWING DISTANCES Even in the best conditions a motorcycle cannot brake as sharply as a car. That's a fact. Give yourself plenty of space just in case you need to stop in a hurry. Be patient; on a motorcycle you'll soon get a chance to overtake. FATIGUE IS YOUR GREATEST ENEMY First long trip in a while? You may have forgotten how draining it can be. Riding a motorcycle demands all your concentration and commitment. Don't overreach in terms of distance; take regular breaks, and drink plenty of water. Have a great ride and stay shiny side up. For more helpful advice about staying safe on a motorcycle, visit Ride Forever at rideforever.co.nz. Reproduced from Dave Keilty: STUFF, Mar 26 2018 No Room For Complacency: #2 Styrian MotoGP: Maverick Vinales steps off the Yamaha at 218 km/h after brake failure at Turn 1, on Lap 17 ‐ taking a 23G impact in the process. Styrian GP: Pol Espargaro took KTM's first MotoGP pole position, And Miguel Oliveira swooped at the final corner, to take his and Tech3’s first MotoGP victory. And the second victory for KTM in MotoGP. “10 YEARS AGO” … The (current at that time) Bucket Results From Oct 2010 End Of An Era No ! It’s Business As “Usual”: Sunday 23rd September, 2018 saw the end of an era for Auckland Motorcycle Club – and Auckland motorcycle sport generally ‐ as the AMCC Buckets held their final event at the Mount Wellington Kart Track; a circuit that has been the spiritual home for Bucket Racing in the Auckland area, for in excess of thirty years.