Brighton Bonanza 2006

[Guest Steve Dixon]

Again, I might have this wrong too but have they not had one at the GMex centre at Manchester?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yes they did Jim, promoted by Mort, went, was a good event but never came around again for what ever reason!

[Guest Jim Blanchard]

Yes they did Jim, promoted by Mort, went, was a good event but never came around again for what ever reason!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks for that Steve. I cannot remember when why or how but I thought some indoor speedway went on there in the past. I wonder why it was not continued. Maybe someone knows. I would have thought that the GMex would be more viable than say the NEC or Stoneleigh. Both of thise very central geographically with huge catchment area's - but not cheap to hire.

 

I think that its very sad that the speedway show was not continued at Stoneleigh. I know Jim Lynch was very disappointed that the BSPA decided not to continue with it. Maybe, that could have been developed with some sort of demonstations taking place. At the Historic Motor Sport show held their in late February they have a car rally going on around the halls and an indoor motorcycle trials.

Edited December 13, 2006 by Jim Blanchard

[21st century heathen]

21st... Love the new line in the sig!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I guess you can relate?

 

All I actually achieved was to pick up fairy germs.

 

Maybe Some sort of Indoor Winter Series could take place. It would give fans from all around the country to see some "out of season" speedway. The above venues also benefit from already being in cities with speedway tracks in them already.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I've been thinking something similar. I think these large (in £ terms) venues may mean that only one or two could be added. With Brighton, Newport, and Telford already established we could add B'ham in 2nd/3rd week of Jan, and perhaps one other in Nov if that were a success (just for eg).

 

B'ham NIA would be perfect. Very easy for everyone to get to. Although I realise those from the south coast (and France ) would have further to go, you could more easily attract fans from the Midlands northwards. It's only a stroll into the city centre for the break between meetings. Plenty of parking, places to eat and drink around the NIA itself.

 

I would tweak the format used at Brighton and Telford. I would retain an afternoon and evening meeting. A better deal for the purchase of tickets for both meetings.

 

The afternoon meeting to be a GB v The Rest of the World Select. Each team has a recognised team manager that will select 8 riders each. The first two heats will feature the bottom 3 riders from each team. The first two in each heat will represent their respective 'country' as reserves (6 and 7 in the team). The third placed rider becomes a meeting reserve for his 'country'. If a rider is injured he comes in as straight replacement. The meeting is then run over 15 heats, league format, and league rules, with the exception that an injured rider will be replaced by the meeting reserve as detailed above.

 

The evening meeting is 16 rider individual meeting, featuring all 16 riders from the earlier meeting, using a standard race format. (None of this top two into a final, and a run off crap). Top points scorer wins, run-offs for rostrum places if needed. Two stand-by reserves could be called in for this meeting in case of injury.

 

The first meeting will begin at 13:00 and the evening meeting at 19:00. The first meeting gives everyone plenty of time to get to B'ham (or alternative central location) without having to start out too early. The evening meeting gives people plenty of time to grab a bite to eat, and take it easy, before tapes up.

 

Constructive comments welcome.

[darth raider]

My my 21st CH, you have given this some thought. Birmingham most certainly, better for all fans (and it wouldn't have a bl**dy cold sea breeze for starters).

[Guest Jim Blanchard]

Chris,

As with all things we would like to do this and that but you will find that it will come down to cost. Will it be viable? That is the priority.

 

I know some show organisers pretty well and I even priced up a one day show at the Exhibition centre at Donington Park myself. I had two business men prepared to come in with me on that. We did a costing exercise based on a total free entry to the public.

The reason that we did not go ahead was that another organiser decided to have an event on the same weekend after we was well on with our plans. With traders or stall orders between them creating the revenue from them meeting the cost of hiring the site.

 

Don't forget with most of these sites apart from the rent of the building the organiser is faced with many additional costs. Public liability insurance being perhaps highest and maybe most expensive but even down to the basic costs of keeping the toilets clean, and collecting all the rubbish the next day. I think the cost of insurance for the GMex Show in Manchester in January is £14K which is an increase of £2K on last year. They have stunt riders and indoor trials arena there too.

Edited December 13, 2006 by Jim Blanchard

[21st century heathen]

My my 21st CH, you have given this some thought. Birmingham most certainly, better for all fans (and it wouldn't have a bl**dy cold sea breeze for starters).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yes I have.

 

Don't knock that sea breeze. It kept someone cold enough that I was able to give out lots of hugs to keep her warm.

 

Chris,

As with all things we would like to do this and that but you will find that it will come down to cost.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Absolutely Jim. It all comes down to cold, hard, cash. In my plan above I presented the way the day could run if the cost issue had been removed, or moe likely passed on to the fans.

[Guest Jim Blanchard]

Absolutely Jim. It all comes down to cold, hard, cash. In my plan above I presented the way the day could run if the cost issue had been removed, or moe likely passed on to the fans.

 

But things cost and so do people to do things for you. Also there is a finite fee that your public will pay to attend.

[Rob B]

What with all this disscussion about various venues for possible indoor speedway, there are quite a few venues dotted around the country that could house a larger track.

For instance:-

Hallam Arena (sheffield)

M.E.N Arena (Manchester)

SECC (glasgow)

NEC (Birmingham)

Errr... (The one in Newcastle)

London Arena/Excel Centre/Alexanrda Palace (London)

Not forgetting the Current indoor Venues of Brighton and Telford.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sheffield, Manchester and Newcastle are just arena, the floor space is the size of an ice rink, so not much bigger then Brighton, definatly couldn't fit an Arena Essex size track in them.

 

 

Again, I might have this wrong too but have they not had one at the GMex centre at Manchester?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I ruled out GMEX as that isn't in the midlands, it would be big enough for a large track but then you wouldn't have anyone from down south travelling up.

 

One in Brighton and one in Manchester would be ideal though.

[21st century heathen]

But things cost and so do people to do things for you. Also there is a finite fee that your public will pay to attend.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I don't disagree. In my ideal little world the cost issue had been sorted, and I was putting forward a proposal for the meeting formats.

[Jemma]

Great to meet a few new people.  Rabbit, Jemma (No you're not  ), Bob C, Rob P, Jim B, and of course great to see everyone I already knew.   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Bit late spotting this, but I'm glad to hear it 21stCH

[Chivs]

doesnt matter where they hold it - best check with Shovlar if the field would be good enough first

[TMGracing]

Just wondeing did anyone take any photos at brighton.

[Jeff Scott]

Just wondeing did anyone take any photos at brighton.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

There's photos at the site of Steve Dixon

 

http://www.stevedixonphotography.co.uk/

 

and as she was there I'd imagine that there will be shortly at that of Julie Martin

 

http://www.juliemartinphotography.co.uk/index.html

[Leigh]

doesnt matter where they hold it - best check with Shovlar if the field would be good enough first 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or just be content with another Shovlar free thread!

 

Not that it bothers me, I love watching him wind everyone up!

[Steve Shovlar]

doesnt matter where they hold it - best check with Shovlar if the field would be good enough first 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Sorry you feel that way about my posts on this subject.

I have always been a supporter of the event and class myself as a hardcore speedway fan. The racing at brighton has been good at times buut this year the lineup wasn't good enough. Why do you think the attendace was so poor this year?

 

Obviously it wasn't just me who thought along the same lines otherwise the place would have been busy as usual.

 

I really hope jon Cook and Martin Dugard take on board my posts and those others on here who view it similarly. Brighton is great fun when done right and the fans respond accordingly.

 

For next year I really hope they pull out all the stops to get half a dozen top riders onboard. Also make the afternoon event club V club. It will improve the atmosphere 200% and have the fans looking forward to the evenings individual meeting.

 

The lineup this year of course tried their best, but remember they don't have the same sort of following as the bigger names, it all takes time for them.

[21st century heathen]

Steve - While I may agree that a couple of big names would attract more fas, I don't agree that it will make the event/racing any better. As for you "...tried their best..." comment, well!!!

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

What with all this disscussion about various venues for possible indoor speedway, there are quite a few venues dotted around the country that could house a larger track.

For instance:-

Hallam Arena (sheffield)

M.E.N Arena (Manchester)

SECC (glasgow)

NEC (Birmingham)

Errr... (The one in Newcastle)

London Arena/Excel Centre/Alexanrda Palace (London)

Not forgetting the Current indoor Venues of Brighton and Telford.

 

Maybe Some sort of Indoor Winter Series could take place. It would give fans from all around the country to see some "out of season" speedway. The above venues also benefit from already being in cities with speedway tracks in them already.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Not London Arena sadly. This venue which did previously stage indoor Speedway (in 1991) as well as Ice Hockey, Basketball and pop concerts etc. was demolished a couple of years back..: seemed they needed the space for more yuppie housing..: coz after all not EVERY square inch in the vicinity of Canary Wharf is jam-packed with executive penthouses..!!

 

As for the series..: a good idea but what about the ruling that the BSPA/SCB have which prohibits more than one Speedway event a month in the off-season..

IMO, this shouldn't apply to indoor events (I really can't believe that the ice racing at Telford could possibly count..??); but if it does, then any investment in a series would have to be on the understanding that such a ruling would be waived...

[shazzybird]

The lineup this year of course tried their best, but remember they don't have the same sort of following as the bigger names, it all takes time for them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

How can I put this without sounding anti-Dugard why was Martin riding was there no one else they considered as a crowd puller for the event? Reckon Ove Fundin would still have given them all a run for their money

[London Witch]

Martin wasn't originally riding but stepped in when Josh Auty had to pull out. Personally, I think Brighton wouldn't be the same without Martin. I was pleased to see him riding.

[rabbit]

Didn't they say that he didn't know about it until Jon Cook showed him a programme with his name in it - until that point he had sworn point blank that he wasn't going to ride.

 

Agree with you LW...it's nice to see him back on a bike. He was alway one of the Poole fans' favourite anti-heroes.