keef

Although the figures issued say less than 30% of homes subscribe to Sky Sports channels, so 70% cant watch it(unless they go to the pub like myself). [quote name='PHILIPRISING' timestamp='1346064570' post='216891 Interest in speedway began to wane when Denmark kept winning everything. One night I called the Express Sports Desk before filling a report and was asked "who won?" I replied "Denmark" and was greeted with "not those bloody Danes again. When are England going to win something. Definitely, the English were top dogs in the 70s, until the Danes and Yanks tookover in the 80s. British speedway started going downhill in mid-80s and hasn't really recovered.

They were ok as dance troupe's go I s'pose. Easy money for 10 minutes work. Thought the Welsh Male Voice Choir singing Delilah, and the accompanying brass band doing "I Predict a Riot" were better. Should have the Magoos from the fanzone playing in the stadium. Think 29 quid for the cheap seats in the gods is about right, unless you're stuck behind a screen as we were last year. The screen at the far end gives a lot of info, such as re-runs/incidents, and a couple of thousand would have missed that. perhaps it was just the date that affected the attendance, we'll find out next year.

The attendance has been given on here as less than 38,000, after peaking at 45,000. You're always going to get some stand-out races, and Noddy and the Ruskie kid was, with the semi, race of the evening. Pretty average apart from that. Perhaps the atmos was a bit subdued as the Brits didn't win a race. Me and the missus thought it was a bit flat to previous meetings at Cardiff, quieter than normal. Couldn't believe how easy it was to buy a ticket and get some grub and drink. May not go next year even if the event is back to June/July. Well done to Chris Holder... and Hansi. Tough luck for Greg and Crumpie. Throws the title wide-open now.

I reckon the racing wasn't brilliant. In fact if it wasn't the Grand Prix, and say a League fixture more people would be moaning. Like a lot of meetings, most of the placings are decided after the 2nd.bend. even at the famous Wiltshire Stade de Lite.

Dont know if anyone parked at the 10 quid park and ride at County Hall.Sure it was free 2005/6? The tight buggers turned off all the lights on returning, and some old dear tripped up, not badly hurt. 'Er indoors was fuming and is firing-off an e-mail to the authority today. Will probably go by Swindon supporters coach next year if we attend. The fans will only put up with so many rip-offs in these tough economic times.

No mention of the GP amongst the many pages of sport in the Daily Wail yesterday. We know the Adver and Radio Wiltshire does a good job locally. I can only see falling crowds at British GPs in the future unless we have a decent Brit to cheer on. A new Havvy, Loramski, Lee, Collins, Craven, Williams, Price is needed to rekindle interest in World speedway events. Some fans dont give a toss about league racing, and vice-versa.

Would have thought most of the 38000 peeps travel there and back in the day, judging by the traffic on the M4. Spoke to one bloke who was driving back to Edinburgh! 29 quid is excellent value, certainly in comparison with some football, rugby, cricket, rock gigs that I've attended.

Would go for about 1 in 8 Rob but it was still impressive. We and thousands of others would have been wearing the wristbands as well.

Said to the missus last night may not go next year, it's not a cheap day out, park and ride and prog cost is a rip-off. Lowest-priced tickets still 29 quid though. Didn't see any punch-ups this year, not as many Polish fans, atmosphere and racing was better last couple of years. Definitely lowest crowd since I've been going, since 2005. perhaps I'm getting too used to it? Always prefer being there compared to watching on tele for any sport. No methanol fumes last night though!

They had a one-minute silence for Lee at the Steady testimonial at Blunsdon just a week before, and left the number 9 race-jacket vacant as that was the number he was given when accepting the booking before his death. They could have done more last night agreed.

I was there and counted 37,821. The football season and hols must have affected the attendance. There were 2 cricket fans in front of us, who have never been to speedway, but as their team was knocked out decided to give it a go. Good to see a few thousand Rico shirts, but they could have had a one-minute silence. Until we have a decent Brit the crowds will be lower IMO. The streets were definitely quieter around the stadium. A lot of traffic on the M4 going down. Much prefer watching a Swindon league meeting, but nothing compares to the Cardiff atmosphere, presentation, and comfort. Paid tenner to park in Park and Ride, and there were no bloody lights in car park. Finished after 9 so train wasn't option this year. Thats because he had a bloody swollen sore elbow at The Abbey, and said he shouldn't have ridden. Hope he will be ok for tomorrow against Lakeside. Was brilliant in first 2 races last night. Creditable 10 points

As the roof is leaking will they be having 40000 peeps singing "Raindrops keep falling on my head". Knowing my luck out of 74000 seats mine will be the only seat thats bloody wet!!!

Roof leaking at the stadium, buckets on track!! Hope they move them before racing starts tomorrow.

Think you'll find all the info on Cardiff travel related post thread Dave

Get yer Union flag from Tesco like what I have done, a lot cheaper than the stalls outside the stadium.

I think the facilities are definitely 1970s, the addition of the air-fence has obscured the view as well(a vital must-have safety addition though),the music is pretty o.k. and up-to-date as my mate does it, just get some pink fluffy bog-roll in those notorious back-straight bogs and the crowds will coming flooding back! I think the cost and constantly changing line-ups of mainly foreign mercenaries puts a lot of people off going(certainly the biggest turn-off for my passengers). Hopefully a successful season this year will arrest the decline in attendances, which have gone up a tad after last year's disastrous campaign. Most kids wont have watched the sport on TV, as it's only available on Sky.

I couldn't find any stalls selling cheap trainers last year? Just a stage with live music from covers band The Magoos, and riders signing autographs and being interviewed. A robot thing was wandering up and down and there were a few other stalls selling grub and merchandise. Greggs bakers there as well, with a few pubs and betting shop where Greg Hancock made me some dosh

McConnell

The Elite League clubs should be looking at what my local club Swindon are doing. Reduced admission for a tenner this year brought in around 2000 for a Sky meet, and even thetelevised Poole clash in bad weather with full 17 quid entry attracted around 1700, with a programme voucher offering reduced admission for a tenner for the next home meeting, which attracted a best of season crowd of around 2500.

If you live in London area can you get a supporters coach from Lakeside/Rye House? The atmosphere at Cardiff is triffik wherever you're sat. Moving the start time back an hour has probably put off quite a few of the hundreds that travel by train.

Dont be so bloody stupid. Have you ever tried swimming the butterfly across the polluted Bristol Channel from Cardiff to Weston, Somerset wearing just a bulky Wulfsport jacket. Think before you post. Next you'll be talking about camping on the centre-green of the stadium

Bloody extortionate but most peeps probably travel there and back in a day. More Poles attend now, but probably less British fans.

With the later start time this year David I think its going to be pushing it to get the 21.00 if the meeting overruns. Its normally on for longer than 2 hours...dont miss those fireworks! It was ok in previous years with the 5.00/ 5.30 start times. There is a 21.30 from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads, arriving at 22.24. The Paddington connection leaves at 22.30. So its cutting it fine. We live in Swindon, so will probably park at Temple Meads and drive the 40 miles down the M4.

With the meeting starting at 6.00 and last train to Swindon 9.00 its pushing it a bit. Went by train last year when the meeting started earlier. Havent seen anything on Swindon supporters coach travel as yet. They normally have details by now. Alternative would be to park near Bristol Temple Meads and jump on train. Cant be arsed to drive again.

Watch the crowds dip at Cardiff though if a Brit is not in there. Be interesting to see the crowd size this year. Well done to NP and Bomber on last night's performance. Even Hansi didn't do too bad. Would like to see Hansi, Bratch, and the Zagarmeister in the GPs next year.