Rotorua Motorcycle Club Inc

Rotorua Motorcycle Club AGM 2010

Morgan — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:23:29 +0000

All riders, members, anyone …

We will be holding our AGM mid March. Details are below:

When: Thursday 16 March 2010
Where: Ngongotaha Bowling Club, Domain Ave
Time: 7:30pm

All are welcome. Come along and air your views. We want to hear what you have to say.

Contact:
Joe Nathan
07 333 8866

Dale Lea
07 345 3947

Ossie
027 284 0606

Michael Phillips – NZ GP Woodville

Morgan — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:13:30 +0000

Michael Phillips
Event: New Zealand GP
Location: Woodville track
Date: 31st Jan 10
Class: MX1
Bike: Honda CRF 450
Placing: 3rd

I arrived at the Woodville track Saturday afternoon in nice sun shine and couldn’t wait to ride the fast tacky flowing track. By Sunday morning things had changed a little weather wise and the rain started to come down. At times it looked like clearing but unfortunately it stuck around and made for a muddy sticky day.

Practice: I didn’t muck around in practise and just held it wide open to make it around the sticky muddy track. I was having fun and put down the fastest time by 7 sec.

Moto1: Even though I had the fastest practice time we still had to pick pegs for our gate position and I unfortunately got an outside gate.
I made to most of it and came around the first turn in around 4th. I pushed into 2nd behind team mate Justin McDonald and followed some of him lines for a few laps. I made the pass for first and pulled a little gap but got caught up in some lappers a few laps later and Kawasaki’s Ben Townly came right up on me. I went wide in a corner not long after and Townly cut on the inside of me and made the pass. I followed Townly for the next two laps and on the last lap pushed hard to make a pass but couldn’t get close enough. Finished in 2nd

Moto2: I got a good jump off the gates and came around the first turn in the top 3 but spun out pushing a little to hard. I didn’t go down but I lost loads of places.
I started the big push from the back of the top 10 and by the 4th lap I was in 4th. They were only giving us 5 lap races for some reason and with them cutting a big chunk off the track after practice they were under 9 minute races. Not ideal but I chucked everything at it on the last lap and passed KTM rider Shaun Fogarty for 3rd and caught right on to the back wheel of team mate McDonald. Unfortunately not able to make a pass I finished 3rd

They cut the day short with only two races. I tied on points with McDonald and I finished 3rd overall on the count back because he had a better 2nd moto placing.

We still had a feature race that took to fastest 40 rider from all classes.
I got out to a good start and was sitting in 3rd but took a line I hadn’t tried all day and got a kicker. It chucked me over the bars and I slid along the ground. If it wasn’t for a woodin batten marker peg I would of come out ok but the batten had other ideas. I hit the batten with my head at the bass and it put a 30mm split in my top lip. I could feel my lip hanging there so pulled out of the race.

Overall I had a fun day. Despite waiting 4 hours at the hospital to get my lip stitched up and a dead leg I made it though the weekend alright with the fastest times in both motos and practice.
I get back on the MX2 bike now and focus the next two months on speed and intensity for this years Australian MX nationals that start at the end of March. I’m riding for Honda Australia in the mx Lites class. Will let you know more closer to the start of the series

Cheers, Mike

Neville & Jo Mickleson – Wanganui Cemetery Curcuit 2009

Morgan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:31:29 +0000

Our yearly Christmas pilgrimage to Wanganui saw us set up once again in the pits by 11am on Christmas day awaiting sign on and scruitineering. This year Jo rode her bike from Hamilton. Dad, who was racing his 1939 350cc Velocette MAC brought down my 500cc Jawa/Briggo race bike, both bikes were entered in the Classic Class. By 4.30pm all the official work had been done and we settled down for a low key Christmas evening.

Race day commenced before 6am with competitors and officials arriving and getting everything ready before the riders briefing at 7.30am. There I found out that I was going to be on the sidecar in one race and then have to swap immediately onto the Jawa so swift races and bike changes were going to be the order of the day. The sidecar was first up for practice and qualifying followed by the bike and past experience has proved that it’s best to get out first, clear out from the traffic and get stuck in to setting a good time, as this gives us our grid position for all the races. First session put us on poll position with the sidecar and second row with the Jawa. I was having trouble with the front brake on the solo so my times weren’t as good as I’d hoped. I attended to the brake adjustment and just had to hope it was going to be okay as they canned the second practice for the classic bikes. The second session with the chair still left us on the front row with 0.2 sec separating the top 3 sidecars.

First race was in the sidecar and after a pitifully slow start with smoke pouring off the brand new rear tyre we settled into 3rd place behind ‘Scriv’/Steve Bryan on the 1000 BMW and John Blaymires/Rat on the 950 Moto Guzzi. The lack of rear tyre grip meant we were ‘backing it in’ to the corners quite a bit and entertaining the crowd…great fun and Jo was loving it too! Third place on the chair with the others not far in front was a good result, especially when you consider that normally these guys are in a separate (more modern) class with their fatter tyres, kneeler configuration (giving a lower centre of gravity), disc brakes (even a brake on the sidecar wheel).

Then it was straight out on the bike, after a reasonable start I settled in to 5th place behind Tony McQueen (500 Norton Dominator), Warren Marsh (500 Manx Norton), my friend Andrew Drake (500 Velocette Venom) and Colin Tate (750 Norton Dominator). Nearly overcooked on the 4th lap under brakes and Graham Peters (500 BSA Goldstar) almost got past, but managed to claw it back and by the end I believe I came in 5th. However having watched it on Speedbox TV they claimed I got 4th with Colin pulling out somewhere along the line. Jack, my Dad, did okay too with a mid to lower field placing. Pretty good, as at 78 he was the oldest entrant on the oldest bike entered for the meeting.

The second sidecar race saw us with another slow start and this time the Robert Hood/Ed Curlett 850 Norton got into 3rd in front of us. We chased him hard into the esses with us ducking up the inside with a lot more speed than him for the line into the right-hander but then it all came unstuck in a BIG way. We drifted into him and he cut over toward us a bit, we tangled, with his gear lever going into our third wheel which turned us around backwards into the bale wall and then a full 360 the other way up over the curb and off the track. My first real gutser in the 22 years of classic sidecar racing, which can be viewed it all its glory at www.speedbox.tv. Luckily we came out of it okay with Jo totally unscathed, me with only a sprained ankle and the sidecar with only a slightly buckled 3rd wheel and minor paint damage.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get back to the pits in time for my next bike race so had to sit it out. Probably just as well as my ankle was starting to give me grief. Jo then went on to swing twice for Tracey Anderson on the all girl BADD (bikers against drunk drivers) sponsored fuschia pink modern sidecar. Tracey had lost Astrid, her swinger, off the back in the first race and Astrid too had a sprained ankle (though much worse than mine). Until the accident we had intended to take the sidecar up to Taupo for the final of the Tri-series meeting on the 28th, so we went anyway to watch and Jo ended up swinging for Tracey for the meeting and they achieved two fifth places.

Our sidecar is all repaired and ready for the next meeting which is the NZCMRR Classic Festival at Pukekohe on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of Feb. so we’ll see you there.

Regards
Neville and Jo Mickleson.

Michael Phillips – SummerX ‘09

Morgan — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:15:26 +0000

Event: Whakatane SummerX
Date: 28th Dec 09
Track: Sandy with a grass section
Class: MX1
Bike: Honda CRF450
Placing: 2nd

It’s always the last big race of the year at SummerX and most of the top riders turn up to the fun sandy Awakaponga track.
Last year I some how did two classes but this year I opted to do MX1.

Qualifying was similiar to some of the English races I have done. Only get a few laps to see the track then straight into qualifying.
I managed to put down the fastest lap and qualify first.

Moto1: I got off the start good but tangled with another rider down the start straight. I managed to keep it on two wheels and duck on the inside and come out 4th. I squared up the next corner and cut on the inside of Suzuki rider Cody Cooper.
I sat in 2nd behind Kawasaki’s Ben Townley until we got to the grass section. I had my lines sorted and railed a nice burn and went around the outside of Townley.
I held the lead for a few laps until Townley passed me back down a big straight. I tried cutting on the inside but stalled the bike. I got the bike going and held 2nd until I made the same mistake and stalled it again a few laps later. It took a little longer to start this time and I lost a few places.
I finished the race in 5th.

Moto 2: I had learnt from the last race and knew what to do. I got a good start but Townley had the holeshot and came out in front. I was in second and had Townley in my sights.
I followed Townley for a lap and when we got to the grass section, I made the pass. I had the lead but Townley was still with me. I managed to pull a small lead and hold it for the rest of the race. I finished 1st.

Moto 3: It was all on. I knew Townley wouldn’t go down without a fight.
I got off the concrete start good and held it all the way into the first turn. I had Townley on the outside of me but I took the berm anyway and got the holeshot. Townley cut on the inside of me on the next corner and made a pass down the next hill. I passed him back through the sawdust section but on the next straight away he got me back. It went on like this for about 3 laps. I was able to make a pass stick and get to the front.
I pulled a few seconds on Townley but made the mistake of backing it off a little. Townley made a big charge on the last two laps and I couldn’t find the speed I had in the first half of the moto. He passed me on the last lap and I had to settle for 2nd.

Overall I had a good fun days racing. I picked up the 450 two weeks earlier and wasn’t sure how I was going to go on the big bike.
I had a 3 week break after the Hamilton SuperX and have been back into off season training for 3 weeks now and everything is going to plan.
My next race is the Woodville NZ GP at the end of January. Planning only to ride the MX2 class but we’ll see how the training goes.

Michael Phillips

Onuku Family Day Out Report

Morgan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:30:33 +0000

Onuku Family Day Out
Sunday 13 December

The Onuku Family Day Out is sadly over… but was a great family event. There were new first time riders who came along to ride a bike to experience the joys of motorbike riding

We had around 80 riders on a wicked day with great weather. The day started off cool in the morning and was not too hot overall and dusty in the afternoon.

A huge THANKYOU must go out to all those who were involved in the making of the two Onuku events: Joe W, Joe N, Kolene, Ossie, Morgan and Gail for all their hard work in preparation and Rerewhakaaitu Rodeo Club and Onuku Maori Trust for use of their land and allowing us to rip their paddock. A special mention again to Joe W for corresponding with the land owners to organise the event and to Joe N for stewarding both events.

Fortunatley this event, the Ambo crew did not have any injuries to deal with. Yet, some how someone managed to miss a corner and land their bike in a ditch upside down in blackberry and gorse………

The season is unfortunatley finished for this year and the year is nearly out.

Merry Christmas from Rotorua Motorcycle Club. We’ll be back in the New Year for a year of wicked racing and events, not to be missed.

2010 MX Series Round 1

Morgan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:19:09 +0000

Sunday 14 March 2010

Location: Rotorua MX Track

From Rotorua
Take SH5 (Rotorua – Taupo Highway), then SH30 (Rotorua/Atiamuri – Tokoroa Highway) and continue until you come upon the track.

From Tokoroa
Take SH1 (Tokoroa – Taupo/Wairakei Junction) then SH30 (Tokoroa/Atiamuri – Rotorua Highway) and continue until you come upon the track.

Sign on:      8:00am
Briefing:     9:00am
Start Time:     9:15am

Classes
*      Mini’s
*     Juniors
*     Seniors
*     ATV (if there is enough participants, so make it worthwhile!!)

This is a Fun Day/Training Day event on a TT Track.
NO LICENSE REQUIRED!!

Contact:
Darrin Palmer
mxfmly@xtra.co.nz
Ph 07 348 9835
027 271 2890

2010 MX Series Finalised Dates

Morgan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:42:37 +0000

MX’ers

We have finalised our MX Round dates. We wil be holding 6 rounds, every second Sunday of each month starting March 2010.

March 14
April 11
May 9
June 13
July 11
August 8

Catch ya on the track,

Rotorua Motorcycle Club

Rotorua Motorcycle Club’s 60th Anniversary Party

Morgan — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:42:23 +0000

Rotorua Motorcycle Club have turned 60 and we are celebrating it with an event on Phillips’ Farm.

Rotorua Motorcycle Club’s 60th Anniversary
Saturday 5th December
Phillips Farm Crop Paddock

Come celebrate Rotorua Motorcycle Club’s 60 years as a club. Past, present & new riders welcome or just come out and be a part of the celebrations

Sign – on: 10:00am – 11:00am
Seniors, Juniors, Quads $10 donation – profits going to
Mini’s rider development

If you have a license, bring it along.

There will be a BBQ after racing, byo.

NO DRINKING AND RIDING!!
If you are found to be drinking and riding you will be removed from the event!!

Keep your eyes on the website for more info.

Contact Darrin
0272712890
07 348 9835

Onuku Family Trail / MX Day

Morgan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:59:19 +0000

The Onuku Family Trail / MX Day is coming up. This is a great family day to be had by all

When: Sunday 13 December 2009
Where: Onuku, Rerewhakaaitu

Sign-on: 8:00am onwards
Briefing: 9:45am
Riding Starts; 10:00am onwards
Directions: Sign Posted from Rainbow Mountain (SH5)

Catered for all.
Kids and adults MX Track and 15km Trail Ride for Mum, Dad and kids to play on.
Family event with track viewing opportunities.

Contact:
Ossie                                 Joe
027 284 0606               07 366 6736

This is a charity fundraiser for the Rerewhakaaitu Rodeo Club

$60.00      Family
$30.00      Adult / Individual
$10.00      Child under 14

Sausages, drinks and chocolates available for sale.

Click here for a printable flyer Onuku December 13 flyer

John Phillips – 2009 Demon Energy MX Nationals (Round 4)

Morgan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:59:44 +0000

Event: 4th and final round of the NZ MX Champs
Date: 15/11/09
Venue: Barrett Road Track Taranaki
Bike: Honda CRF250R
Result for the day: 10th
Championship Result: 8th
Track conditions: hard and slippery
Weather: raining on and off throughout the the day

Practice: went well, I got a good look at the track and sussed out my lines

Qualifying: I let every one go before me thinking that I would get a nice open space to put in my fast lap. But I caught up to the riders that were in front of me on my first fast lap and I struggled to put in a decent lap the whole way through qualifying. I Qualified 14th

Race 1: I spun off the start gate and was in the middle pack coming into the first turn and fortunately for me my brother Michael came down and took alot of other riders down with him. I was running in 10th for the first couple laps then I passed the two that were in front of me and held that position for a couple laps until Michael and Scott columb charged on passed which dropped me back to tenth. I rode the rest of the race out in tenth.

Race 2: I got a good start and came around the first turn in 4th place, then moved up to 3rd as a rider in front of me went down on the second corner. I slipped back to 4th on the second lap and to 5th on the third. On the fourth lap I ran a corner out the back too high and Yamaha rider Keiran Leigh snuck up on the inside of me and took out my front wheel. I went down and had to start my bike on a slippery uphill. It took a wile to start but I managed to get back going in about 27th and I held it on from there. I finished in 15th place.

Race 3: Got away to another good start and was running in 5th for the first lap, then slipped back to 6th and then passed 5th and kept that position for a few laps then slipped back to 6th again. Kawasaki rider Rhys cater stayed in front of me and was doing enough so I couldn’t make any time on him. His gap on me stayed the same right up until the last lap where he got taken out by a lapper. I passed the finish flag in 5th

My goal coming into this championship was to finish in the top 10 and I am stoked I have achieved that. I would just like to thank my parents for all their support, my mechanic James for keeping my bike in mint condition, my brother Michael for helping me out, my sponsors: Rowlinson Honda for the awesome bike, fly race wear for the best gear. Smith Optics for perfect vision, motograghic graphics for making my bike look good, and everyone else that helped me achieve my goal.

Regards

John Phillips