SUPERACE Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Wembley without a roof. Backward step if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 How do you work that out Cardiff is 74500 capacity and the last couple of years it's been 40000 + which by my reckoning is over half Cardiff has never been over 40k. 35-37 not 40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradford Ace Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Wembley without a roof. Backward step if you ask me. I'm sure it does have a roof but they've never actually used it yet for football or rugby as it aint necessary. I'd luv 2 see a GP there defo as long as it didnt replace Cardiff cos there is room for both in my opinion. If they can get the track something like they do at Copenhagen then it would be a fantastic addition 2 the calendar. Will take me back 2 the glory days of 1981 etc. hope its announced & the sooner the better. Fingers x'd!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Cardiff has never been over 40k. 35-37 not 40. Must of mis-heard Paul Bellamy Monday night my apologies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lis Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I'm sure it does have a roof but they've never actually used it yet for football or rugby as it aint necessary. The roof at wembley does not close fully... From wembley website... "On event days at Wembley Stadium the roof is always in its fully closed position – lined up with the touchlines leaving the seats covered but the playing surface uncovered. This is how the stadium has been designed as it allows for maximum sunlight to get to the pitch. We do not move the sliding roof whilst guests are in the stadium. In the event of light rain, the seats are all under cover. In the event of extreme rain some guests on the front rows of level 1 can get wet and so we would recommend guests dress appropriately. As the stadium’s roof does not close fully, guests with tickets for the pitch area at one of the stadium’s concerts will get wet in the event of rain." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Best news in a long time........ would bring in a better class of speedway fan and should price out a lot of the saps who boo people and think someone playing pass the parcel music is funny . Bang on Orion. Also with the news of no Shazzybirk I'm eager to get my best gear out and book the Wembley tickets. I think I may be too cool for the speedway gang in my Ben Sherman shirt and Kickers though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lis Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Cardiff has never been over 40k. 35-37 not 40. I think we were over 40.000 saturday,the millenium website say's 45.000... Spectacular Speedway Grand Prix at Millennium Stadium 1 July 2008, 10:06 am By Rebecca Sharpley The Millennium Stadium played host to the FIM British Speedway Grand Prix on Saturday with 45,000 Speedway devotees turning up to witness the danger and drama of one of the most exciting events of the sporting calendar. ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leanne1706 Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Don't knock it til you try it I heard they are at Cardiff at least until 2012, which by my reckoning will be about the time the Olympics is in London and hmmmmm can't see them hosting speedway as well Then again this subject has been done to death so many times with the fors and againsts, why we doing it again But this isn't about the British GP being in London, but the European GP - slightly different. It wouldn't be replacing Cardiff, but running alongside... Ah, the infamous - and ever anonymous - 'reliable source'! We should beware of confusing Reliable Source with his identical twin Unfounded Rumour. This happens so often on speedway discussion forums. Media law says you don't have to identify your source. I haven't said anything is definite, it's just something that is being looked at and worked on at the moment. But it certainly is not a rumour, this information has come from someone "in the know". I would love to tell you names, but then I'd probably be out of the loop in the future, and what journalist does that to themselves!? And if your posts could be a little less patronising, that might be nice, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) Sounds to me as if IMG really are trying hard to get their rent down at the Millennium stadium What the the hotel problem and now Wembley raring it's head! Edited July 3, 2008 by Trees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTL Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) Well as for one who flies down to Cardiff every year this is may take on things. Wembley Roof doesn't fully close - so a GP there should be a non-strarter (even Wimbledon are building a retracting roof for Centre Court) Air fares WILL be more - there are a limited no of budget seats (ryanair, easyjet. etc) and you can be sure that the airlines will keep a close eye on events. On the outskirts of London - still good transport links into centre of London on Tube etc. for a day out.Cardiff Much said about hotel prices - does anyone think that hotel prices will be cheaper in London - I think not! Stadium in centre of town, near the shops pubs, eateries, hotels, train and bus stations. Prices in and around stadium are a bit pricey but are on par with city centre prices (cf Glasgow) - not sure if London would be cheaper. Just a few thoughts on the matter - and before anyone says that I prefer Cardiff I remember the two World Finals I attended at Wembley in the early 70's with some affection. Edited July 3, 2008 by BTL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Cardiff has never even been half full. How do you work that out Cardiff is 74500 capacity and the last couple of years it's been 40000 + which by my reckoning is over half I believe the capacity for speedway is on the region of 65,000-67,500. Crowds have typically been reported to be 40,000-45,000. I make that about two-thirds. There were certainly more available seats taken than empty so it must have been more than half full. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think Wembley could prove to be a financial disaster. How many people will go to Wembley rather than Cardiff? How many people can afford to go Wembley and Cardiff? If people do both will that hit attendance at league meetings or visits to foreign GP's? I would dearly love to have another GP in Britain, and to be honest I think the fans deserve it. Britain hosts the biggest speedway meeting in the world, so give us another GP. However, I think it should be at a regular league track. The prices will be respectable, and the track will be easier to prepare. I would love to see a GP at Monmore, but the capacity is too low now. It would probably have to be at Coventry. Any other tracks with an 8,000-10,000 capacity giving good views of the track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Crowds have typically been reported to be 40,000-45,000. The reported figures should be taken with a pinch of salt. Last year's figures were suspiciously round at several GPs, despite not being capacity crowds. FYI, Cardiff was reported as 41,267. Certainly quite decent if anywhere close to being true, but the likely exaggerated figures for other rounds does make one wonder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 How many people will go to Wembley rather than Cardiff? How many people can afford to go Wembley and Cardiff? I somehow doubt IMG/BSI will stage two GPs in Britain. If there is indeed a plan to go to Wembley, I suspect it might happen in 2010, and that's what all the sudden whinging about Cardiff hotels was about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 I'd say have it at Coventry, but then I'm biased ... When I saw this last night, I couldn't get excited about the prospect at all. It to me would never match Cardiff which has the carnival atmosphere all day in the build up, the easy access to the Stadium from hotels, the opportunity to socialise centrally with like minded people.. etc....etc...etc..Cardiff has become almost ritualistic for an awful lot of us, I can't see the same interest if they do have the European GP at Wembley. It turns out quite expensive not everyone will be able to afford to go to both. I'm not knocking it I just can't muster any interest for it. That said I'd still go when it came to it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerblues Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 But this isn't about the British GP being in London, but the European GP - slightly different. It wouldn't be replacing Cardiff, but running alongside... But due to costs and such this would most likely be the effect, or they would take money off each other. I agree with an earlier post, have it at a normal track, that holds plenty, Coventry sounds pretty ideal tbh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 What about the other 30000 that wont be able to get tickets that also enjoy live Grand Prixs in Britain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richsimpson Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 IAny other tracks with an 8,000-10,000 capacity giving good views of the track? Bring back Odsal, now that WAS a stadium for holding Speedway GP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adder Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 I think this is a great idea. The whole Cardiff experience has become a bit stale recently with the lack of hotel rooms meaning they can charge whatever they like for accomodation and the lack of a decent train service after the meeting which means you either have to fork out loads for a room if you can get one, or get the coach which doesn't get back to Swindon until stupid o'clock. Also the fact that the GP is in Wales rather than London affects sponsorship and media coverage as the hacks don't want to move out of comfy London for the evening and sponsors don't want to drag their corporate clients all that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leanne1706 Posted July 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 I think this is a great idea. The whole Cardiff experience has become a bit stale recently with the lack of hotel rooms meaning they can charge whatever they like for accomodation and the lack of a decent train service after the meeting which means you either have to fork out loads for a room if you can get one, or get the coach which doesn't get back to Swindon until stupid o'clock. Also the fact that the GP is in Wales rather than London affects sponsorship and media coverage as the hacks don't want to move out of comfy London for the evening and sponsors don't want to drag their corporate clients all that way. I agree - Cardiff has become a bit stale, and I feel like we're all being exploited by the hotel chains/owners because they know we'll all descend on the capital. It's not fair, but we all still pay the prices, because we want to stay and have a drink. At least Wembley is accessible from a lot of places and the train services to and from London run late. Plus, if you can't afford to stay in London, find somewhere just outside and get the Tube in - simple, not like trying to get into and out of Cardiff city centre if you're staying outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adder Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 I agree - Cardiff has become a bit stale, and I feel like we're all being exploited by the hotel chains/owners because they know we'll all descend on the capital. It's not fair, but we all still pay the prices, because we want to stay and have a drink. At least Wembley is accessible from a lot of places and the train services to and from London run late. Plus, if you can't afford to stay in London, find somewhere just outside and get the Tube in - simple, not like trying to get into and out of Cardiff city centre if you're staying outside. Absolutely Leanne. And in London hotel rooms are plentiful and are quite often more than reasonably priced at weekends as the bulk of their custom comes from people staying there during the working week. Cardiff has been very good to speedway over the past few years but you do get that feeling now of being 'taken for granted'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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