Matamata/Thames

[Doomed]

I'm not sure if today's Matamata meeting was the Thames JC racing at Matamata or whether Thames has given up and it is a Matamata meeting and they just called a race the Thames Cup for old times sake. Whatever the case, I was a bit saddened by the virtually total lack of sponsors. It does show what happens when you move a meeting away from its home town, everyone tends to lose interest.

I tend to judge the strength of racing in a particular area by the club's ability to attract sponsors. It is a worry when you can't attract sponsors for a prime date Waikato meeting. By contrast I just noticed a trot meeting at Cromwell in a few days with numerous sponsors, and numerous races. Perhaps taking the races to the people might not be a bad idea afterall.

Does anyone know if NZTR has a policy of ringing up Matamata and saying "we notice you couldn't get any sponsors. Is that a sign of declining interst in your area?"

I do worry where all the sponsors will come from as racing gets more and more centralised.

[nomates]

It is the old Thames date , tough to get Thames locals to sponsor a race run at Matamata , also be interesting to know how many Thames locals went to see their town cup being run , handful at best i suggest .

Used to love the Thames races around that little circuit , the reverse West coast .

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Doomed said:

Does anyone know if NZTR has a policy of ringing up Matamata and saying "we notice you couldn't get any sponsors. Is that a sign of declining interst in your area?"

You assume Thames would have got sponsors.

[Bill]

Normally run at Te Aroha this meeting which is the “Thames Valley” but due to its renovation is out of action and has had a good crowd in the past at Te Aroha.

They tell me the Te Aroha track is looking magnificent and those in the know say it could be one of the best surfaces in the Northern Region.

this video was a few months back but looks super.