OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[Queensland Quad Riders]

IS THERE ANY REASON WHY PEOPLE ARE DROPPING OUT OF RACING IN QUEENSLAND???????????????????????


As a club we have been trying to get some racing happening and it seem that everybody that want to race does not want to turn up.

Just remember that I have been out there trying to get some racing happening this year and it seems to me that we are our own worse enemies buy not turning up to the events.

We started the year off with the stadium X in Toowoomba 8 quads turned up.

We then had the GO GIRLS Series 4 round
Round 1:14 plus quads
round 2 :7
round 3:7
round 4:7

Hervey Bay holds a club day every month and they only get 2 quads turn up.

We also race at Warwick and we only get 4 or 5 turn up.

Our Journos that race at Mick Hatcher are growing they have gone from 3 now they have up to 6 turning up.

Our social days at Queensland Moto Park have grown from 5 quads to last weekend we had 12 kids and 16 adults turning up.

I also understand that the Cost of racing has gone up and I do understand that Queensland is a big place and we only have a small amount of riders out there.

HOW CAN WE GROW OUR SPORT?????



We have a busy August coming up!



Ok People I have just had a phone call from Kilcoy If they do not get enough entries for the Iron man weekend they will drop the class.I am trying to find a sponsor for the class if we can get enough people to do both rounds.
.
The Australian titles this year are at Coolum on the 7/8 of September for MX.
On the same weekend the Australian Super motard titles are on in Mackay.
There is also qualifier for the Troy Bayliss classic at Tarree.

[Prokiwi]

Actually , you are assuming the sport has few participants when in fact the sport has a considerable number of people who want to enjoy it. They just dont all want to race MX.

Maybe if you guys put as much energy into running trail rides , and different type events , family orientated , you may in the long term get a better uptake.

Not everybody is about racing. This same assumption has been made in this sport a number of times over the past 15 odd years and yet still there is a core who try and push racing as the only option.

Maybe broaden your horizons and look at where the market actually is.
There are hundreds of quads being ridden every weekend , in QLD alone , yet not on a racetrack.
Just my opinion , but sadly i have seen this saga played out many times.
In the meantime , many of us just do our own thing in the dark as there is no open forum for events other than racing.
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It's time too ride !!!!!!!

[fourtrax]

As you have pointed out Prokiwi, the only reason MX events have been promoted over the past 15 years by the quad club is that the only people who get off their arses are MX guys. Trail or 'recreational' riders are not committed like the MX guys and that's okay...
But to get other events organised someone has to do it? Im sure the quad club would be very happy to have enthusiastic people help-out? Anyone?
The clubs 'volunteers' are MX guys and therefore that's their focus. I know if the past we have tried to get trail-riders involved but its like pulling teeth.
Maybe current QRA committee members can chime in? Either way Kiwi, its good to be discussing this as its the only way to move forward. In my opinion, more quad days at QMP are the go, numbers are increasing all the time and its a great family day for everyone involved with no stress.
Thanks to Dave and the QRA team for organising these also.

[Dickie]

Unfortunately this is a topic that can spark great debate, get lots of interest, and at the end of it, go no where.

Prokiwi, yes, no doubt you are right, there is far more to quads than mx racing, and far more of the market is outside of mx specific users. So, where are they all.......?

Yes, I am one of those guys who pushes the MX side of quads, but I also endeavour to get to any quad event in QLD. Like everyone else, we can't do everything. But saying the QQRA is only focused on MX is not accurate at all. Between Team Ironpot and the QQRA there have been events such as the Easter Fun Day and the Cross country event out at Hooks place. However, both of these events have pretty much dissappeared due to lack of interest.

Also, social ride weekends at QLD Moto Park and Manar park. A lot of trail riding and non-mx options there as well. Yet most of the people who go to these events are also the "MX" guys.....

Then there is the fact that how many legal places are there to ride a quad? The reason that the MX is pushed is because we are legally allowed to go there. We can't get recreational registration to go ride in forestries and those kind of places.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to start an argument here. But, the only way the club and the quad community in QLD can expand, is by people willingly attending events. So for now that means getting to the events that are able to be held. Once we get more interest, the types of events and number of events held can also start to expand.

The sad thing is that I have seen the QQRA put in a lot of effort over the past few years that I have been a member, and the more effort that seems to be put in, the less return the club gets in terms of attendance at events.

I know the QQRA has nothing to do with the MX Nationals, but what use to be an extremely popular event, is now struggling to get 85 riders to make the event viable. And, at the end of the day, this, and everything else being discussed in this topic pretty much has nothing to do with peoples wants and desires, or being lazy, it is just a sign of the times. We would rather keep that extra little bit of money in our pockets as opposed to go and spend it on fuel and other riding costs. Economic times are tough, and sport, across the board, seems to be the budget cut for families.

[Queensland Quad Riders]

Thanks ProKiwi

As our club does not have our own track we need to use other clubs tracks to race.This comment was to all the races out there that do not support the racing that we have!

As for the fact most of the Quads sold in Queensland are not race Quads and are for recreational use,We understand this.

We also try and do Social weekend and day at ride parks to cater for the people that wish to just go and ride in the bush and go camping.It would be great to see you come and sit around the fire at our next Manar trip in October.(5/6/7th)

There is nothing better than seeing Kids sitting around a camp fire telling stories about what they did while riding,instead of playing on the playstation.


The QQRA Team.

[Dino]

"IS THERE ANY REASON WHY PEOPLE ARE DROPPING OUT OF RACING IN QUEENSLAND??????????????????????? "

FNQR Inc have been having the same issues with racing up there.
Having spent six months chasing sponsors for our Charity ride, I'd say the overall economy has a lot to do with it.
All forms of motor racing seem to be suffering
Racing is getting to be a luxury item.........

Trail riding is alive and well.
People just don't see it under the radar, because of the way it's been forced to become a low profile thing.
50 000 odd quads sold in Qld alone in the last ten years, with the two affiliated clubs totaling less than a hundred members sort of suggests that most people are happy doing their own thing and don't feel any particular need to be part of any formal group to do their own thing.

QMP has one distinct advantage for the South East, and that is promoting all ages of kids, and "kids" to get involved legally. But it's only in the South East. I've just come back from Birdsville promoting Bunyip and doing the recce. This just highlighted to me how many quads and buggies are "out there", and not part of the clubs, facilities or this forum.

All forms of quad, and buggies, uses and disciplines need promoting, and I believe it will always be just a handful doing the promoting with always less turning up than talking it up.......
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Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

[donk]

points to note. 1 all mx riders (2 wheels) in qld more that likely belong to the same organization where as quad riders belong to various groups or for the most part no one at all. 2 we are out numbered 10 to one or more so straight up its harder to get a good turn up. 3 quad guys and also the organisers are more interested in 'who's going"instead of " just going".4 I know I am sick of being the odd man out because I ride a quad. 5 quad events seam to come from a lot off different sources and locations where as mx is at the local track once a month and that is that. 6 mx needs what 5 acres or so, most quad riders like longer events with a mixture of terrain involving 50 klm of trails or so. 6 no quad events in qld are marketed to queenslanders but seam to be pitched locally or just announced via one forum. for events to successful we must unite and market properly just like one would market there own business. 7 also nobody wants to be the only quad to turn up. 8 back in june after hearing the cancellation of the ride the divide I suggested a meeting of like minded parties to talk about getting it back for 2014 only 1 reply since and none from the organises of the event, pity I had a deal for them ! its almost like quad guys are expecting the event to be cancelled so why nominate. 2014 will be here quicker that you think. ride the divide is a unique event which must be saved. I urge hook or someone to contact me so we can at least get a meeting happening. lets do this
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[just doin it]

Some real hard facts- after organising, holding and self funding events over the last 10 years things have changed along with a lot of other things needing change. Over time what we have seen is too many riders do not want to get out of there square. There is the same handful of dedicated supporters that TURN UP. It pains us to hear the same old saying- Oh there`s nothing on! Fairdinkum. The amount of effort that goes on to get a ride happening for quad riders is unbelievable , then we hear comments such as "more effort"
The Thunder x series once was huge- no more

The Easter Trail Ride Challenge- 60 quads the first year 30 the second [on hold for a year] Day 1 fun and games , day 2 hours of trail riding.

The "Ride The Divide" horses day 1, bikes day 2, quads day 3. Really haven`t seen such a poor turn up at what we along with all involved thought was one of the best things .
The effort that went into this event for 12 months leading up to it [being new] with council, 4 neighbouring landholders, MQ and sponsors, not to mention advertising, was massive , for the benefit of people who want to ride and have some fun, only to run at a massive cost to us.
We put it out there in April this year, re interest to this event, apart from the same die hard supporters, nothing.
So much goes on behind the scenes that we are not even game to mention, so as not to get anybody`s hopes up. But we are in talks to perhaps try and get 3 venues for cross country`s going next year, and some of you have heard me talk of a ride called the Boyne River Run [ that`s what we`re calling it anyway] , a ride along the Boyne River for approx. 50- 70klm, this could very well come to fruition.
Apart from being passionate about this sport our direction has changed somewhat this year with our special little man Dougal now in a wheelchair, this has become a 24 -7 job not that we mind at all. Many of you have not heard or seen much of us this year for this reason. We have applied to MA and MQ for an exemption for him to attend with us, but as usual heard nothing to date. For those that don`t know Dougal is our Dachshund .
For the past 3 years all we have heard is how it will be better next year, well get you and your mates off there arses, get out of your square and "Just Do it", you might have some fun.

Hook-n-Sonya.
Team Ironpot.
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JUST DOIN IT

[Dino]

_________________
Remember. We elect politicians, but we have to deal with bureaucracy.
Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.