Thundersport GB

[KungFooBob]

I'm seeing on Friendface that Thundersport are winding up.

Which is a shame, it seemed one of the more popular clubs. I looked at racing Thundersport 500 once and the class always seemed over subscribed.

[weeksy]

Considering how few people are at trackday events and how many are attending race days, it's simple economics.

People can't spend £10k+ like they may once have

[KungFooBob]

I thought trackdays were super popular and always sold out?

but it has been nearly 10 years since I did one.

EDIT:

I'm drunk and just reread your post. Trackdays are more popular than racing. Which is a shame.

EDIT2:

I'm still drunk and I think I've confused myself.

[weeksy]

I thought trackdays were super popular and always sold out?

but it has been nearly 10 years since I did one.

EDIT:

I'm drunk and just reread your post. Trackdays are more popular than racing. Which is a shame.

EDIT2:

I'm still drunk and I think I've confused myself.

Trackdays are desolate. I heard No Limits are 40% down on numbers.
Ask Alan @Alan PBTD how all his days are.
Silverstone had 50 at a date we did this year, not per group, all in!

[KungFooBob]

I thought trackdays were always sold out and full of peeps with 10k 'track bikes' that really should have been racing.

I might buy me a 99 ZX6 and a trailer and go trackdaying again.

[weeksy]

I thought trackdays were always sold out and full of peeps with 10k 'track bikes' that really should have been racing.

I might buy me a 99 ZX6 and a trailer and go trackdaying again.

They were. Now they're not. Times change. Last 18 months has been tough.

[wull]

That is a shame, some classes are thriving and some aren’t, the smaller capacity bikes that are essentially cheaper to run always seem popular.

I always found that your track time was always limited when racing, when you consider the costs versus track time then it ends up really expensive for what you get, but the thrill or racing and that buzz, you don’t get that on track days. However on track days the track time versus costs works out better.

European days are always good for the money when you consider the costs on UK tracks these day.

[KungFooBob]

I kinda agree.

I raced Desmo Due.

It's one of the cheapest classes of racing. I still follow it and this year has been one of the most popular ever, I probably wouldn't have scored a point this year.

Pro Stock Blandits seem really popular too.

Thundersport 500's are mega popular.

All the lowest cost racing classes seem popular.

But yes, you get more track time on a trackday, but there's no times, no points and people get pissed off when you block pass on trackdays

[Flux]

I was at Cadwell Saturday it was pretty busy and plenty of thundersport lads there as they're racing there in 2 weeks. This may well be bucking the current trend though

[Yorick]

I suppose I was lucky to race when it was really cheap. Was usually about £20 for first class (2 races) then £2 or £3 extra for each extra class.

I once had 10 races with Formula 5 for less than £30

[Bigyin]

When Thundersport GB started up it initially struggled as it caused a large split with Bemsee as a lot of the Bemsee staff went with Dave and Bernie. They both survived and i know a few who went between both clubs and i went to meetings with both over the years.

With the ramp up in costs and decline in "spare" money it isnt a surprise both can no longer survive. Thundersport tried to bring some lower cost racing with classes that limited development but over time even that has not kept them afloat. Its a shame as i always liked the way Dave/Bernie and the team ran things and spent many many evenings in their company laughing my head off over a beer or three. I hope they have found a new venture to keep themselves occupied

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I suppose I was lucky to race when it was really cheap. Was usually about £20 for first class (2 races) then £2 or £3 extra for each extra class.

I once had 10 races with Formula 5 for less than £30

When I raced in 87 I think it cost about £100 a day for race entries with Newmarket club, Bemsee was more, but it might have been £100 for the weekend, I remember it wasn't cheap.

[Yorick]

In 1985 Auto66 had a special prize draw that if you paid your club fees before a certain date, you went into a draw for free entry.
Yup. I won that bugger. They did about 20 a year so was a helluva wedge.
So I bought a 250 to race as well to take full advantage

[KungFooBob]

When I was racing in the mid 00s it was always single day events and Sundays with EMRA at Mallory were £75. Additional classes/races were £20 iirc.

When I started again in 2015 it was all weekends and minimum £250.

[weeksy]

It's not race entried that are the main issue for many now though. It's £800+ of tyres, it's £200 of fuel, it's £20,000 bikes.. The fact a race entry is £250 is the least of a racers troubles.

[wull]

It's not race entried that are the main issue for many now though. It's £800+ of tyres, it's £200 of fuel, it's £20,000 bikes.. The fact a race entry is £250 is the least of a racers troubles.

Pretty much this, and the repair costs. Price for parts especially on the expensive litre bikes are astronomical now, spare set of wheels now are upwards of £1200 and then you’ve got the tyres on top. Sometimes you can live with scrubs if you’re not worried about running at the front but if those extra second or two per lap count then you’re putting on fresh tyres every race weekend or even race, it’s silly money.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

It's not race entried that are the main issue for many now though. It's £800+ of tyres, it's £200 of fuel, it's £20,000 bikes.. The fact a race entry is £250 is the least of a racers troubles.

The LC I raced cost £600 + a £120 tune and a weekend spent drilling and lock wiring.

[weeksy]

It's not race entried that are the main issue for many now though. It's £800+ of tyres, it's £200 of fuel, it's £20,000 bikes.. The fact a race entry is £250 is the least of a racers troubles.

The LC I raced cost £600 + a £120 tune and a weekend spent drilling and lock wiring.

Last month ? or 30 years ago ?

Houses cost £12,000 30 years ago that are now £200,000.

[Yorick]

It's not race entried that are the main issue for many now though. It's £800+ of tyres, it's £200 of fuel, it's £20,000 bikes.. The fact a race entry is £250 is the least of a racers troubles.

That's only if you choose to race litre bikes.
There are much cheaper classes.

[weeksy]

It's not race entried that are the main issue for many now though. It's £800+ of tyres, it's £200 of fuel, it's £20,000 bikes.. The fact a race entry is £250 is the least of a racers troubles.

That's only if you choose to race litre bikes.
There are much cheaper classes.

No, there are cheaper classes... There are not much cheaper classes nowdays. Any class is £10k a year...