European Gp 2009

[richard]

yes i agree we could do with a change be much easier to get in and out of plus we wouldnt have to walk through the city centre late at night which by the time we come out is full of people drinking and shouting in the streets which i found very uncomfortable with having young children with me .

[SUPERACE]

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!!

 

No ROOF.

[crazysue]

I would probably do both.

 

Wembly is in easy driving distance from here so no need to hotel accomodation, in fact we could even take a cheapie train! Less hassle with getting 2 of the boys looked after as it would be a much shorter time needed and with no overnight stay.

 

Cardiff for me though would still be the main event..yes, I do stay overnight but hey, that is the bonus!

[Humphrey Appleby]

When I saw this last night, I couldn't get excited about the prospect at all. It to me would never match Cardiff

 

Never really understood the attraction of Cardiff to be honest. Rip-off prices (particularly for a provincial city), poor public transportation, cheesy entertainment, usually pretty awful racing, and increasingly yobbish crowds it seems. I've also been reading a thread full of whinges and complaints about this year's GP, and yet the moment there's a suggestion it might go elsewhere, people start lamenting it.

 

[Dietbowers]

Never really understood the attraction of Cardiff to be honest. Rip-off prices (particularly for a provincial city), poor public transportation, cheesy entertainment, usually pretty awful racing, and increasingly yobbish crowds it seems. I've also been reading a thread full of whinges and complaints about this year's GP, and yet the moment there's a suggestion it might go elsewhere, people start lamenting it.

Nice to see the forum cynic in full flow....................again

 

[rickmiller]

Sorry but Wembley is joke - its the world's most expensive shed and it is built on an industrial estate.

 

As has been stated many, many times on this forum, there is little or no infrastructure around to support such an event. Basically, you turn up, watch and go home - there is nothing there for the social side.

 

Better to have it at one of the more traditional British tracks such as Sheffield or Coventry.

[Hazzman]

Sorry but Wembley is joke - its the world's most expensive shed and it is built on an industrial estate.

 

Until someone actually visits and realises it's in the world's top five stadiums.

[pugwash]

What happens at Wembley if it rains? Game off, will cost IMG a packet.

Temp tracks subjected to rain are unridable, remember Ullevii?

 

[MattK]

Has anyone actually been to the new Wembley?

 

What's it like at the end of an event when 40,000 people all decend on the tube station?

[leanne1706]

Better to have it at one of the more traditional British tracks such as Sheffield or Coventry.

But, as has already been said, what happens to the other tens of thousands of fans who can't get tickets?

 

What happens at Wembley if it rains? Game off, will cost IMG a packet.

I guess the same as happens at all the other GP tracks if it rains. It's the chance you take with speedway...

 

Has anyone actually been to the new Wembley?

 

What's it like at the end of an event when 40,000 people all decend on the tube station?

I've never been to the new Wembley, but have been to the O2 a couple of times and there doesn't seem to be a big problem with people getting out. No worse than at Cardiff and trying to find a bus/taxi etc... at least a Tube is, pretty much, guaranteed.

 

Thinking about it, though, the O2 would be a great venue - the O2 Village provides the pubs and bars that everyone is so keen on (plus an indoor ice rink, presuming it is there all year), plus the venue itself is amazing and easy to get to.

[Brian Hamilton]

If they could get it on, I think Wembley would be great. Its right next door to a main line railway station as well.

 

I bet the Wembley Administrators would really like to get speedway at Wembley because they need

the revenue badly!!

[21st century heathen]

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.

 

I agree that it seems obvious some figures are rounded off. Cardiff is clearly not one of them as you have quoted an exact figure. And, incidentally, one that falls within the bracket I suggested. As I said earlier, there were certainly more available seats used than empty so that figure seems perfectly reasonable to me.

 

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.

 

Why not have two here?

 

There's still plenty of development work going on in Cardiff. Although I haven't researched it, I'll leave that to you ) there's sure to be more accomodation within the next 2/3 years.

 

What about the other 30000 that wont be able to get tickets that also enjoy live Grand Prixs in Britain

 

I doubt 40,000 would want to go to a Coventry (for eg) GP. They never did in the past. But you could certainly fill the place, as is likely for the WC.

 

Bring back Odsal, now that WAS a stadium for holding Speedway GP.

 

Wouldn't that be nice?! I only ever went once (GP '97) but it was a great track.

 

Never really understood the attraction of Cardiff to be honest. Rip-off prices (particularly for a provincial city), poor public transportation, cheesy entertainment, usually pretty awful racing, and increasingly yobbish crowds it seems. I've also been reading a thread full of whinges and complaints about this year's GP, and yet the moment there's a suggestion it might go elsewhere, people start lamenting it.

 

Oh dear...do you really think Wembley would be cheaper, the presentation different or the racing any different? Will speedway suddenly attract a bunch of old dears sitting quietly or will it still be speedway fans that go? The transport to London may be better, but there will be the hassle of getting to and from on the Tube whereas one can walk to and from the Millenium Stadium.

 

The attraction of Cardiff, for me at least, is that it's a nice compact City that offers me everything I want within a matter of a few minutes. Obviously there are the shops, pubs/bars, the Castle (should one choose to visit - worth doing once), the park for a stroll (when the weather is warm and dry particularly) and a short bus ride to the bay for a walk, boat ride, a choice of restaurants and an ice-cream. Did I miss anything out?! Incidentally, I visit Cardiff for pleasure a few times throughout the year.

 

Has anyone actually been to the new Wembley?

 

What's it like at the end of an event when 40,000 people all decend on the tube station?

 

My brother went not long after it reopened. He liked the stadium, but I never thought to ask him what it was like trying to get to and from with hoards of others.

[Humphrey Appleby]

Until someone actually visits and realises it's in the world's top five stadiums.

 

Don't let details like that stand in the way of unbridalled praise for Cardiff.

 

[leanne1706]

The transport to London may be better, but there will be the hassle of getting to and from on the Tube whereas one can walk to and from the Millenium Stadium.

I don't think the Tube would be that much of a hassle. It's easy to use, and drops you off within walking distance of pretty much anywhere you want to go in London. They run regularly, so even if you miss one or it is packed, just wait a few minutes for the next one!

 

Whereas, in Cardiff, you can only walk to and from the stadium if you've been one of the lucky ones who has already got a central hotel for 2009. We certainly couldn't have walked from the Ibis at Cardiff Gate. Well, we could've, but it would've taken a wee while! And, I understand, depending on where you're going the trains aren't necessarily that regular or run that late.

[Humphrey Appleby]

Oh dear...do you really think Wembley would be cheaper, the presentation different or the racing any different?

 

Absolutely not, but my point was that Cardiff isn't all that it's cracked-up to be. The British GP has essentially become the social occasion for speedway fans, but that could equally be held anywhere.

 

I actually have nothing against Cardiff itself, which indeed a fairly pleasant city, but London is a far more attractive destination for non-diehards, especially overseas visitors.

 

I honestly can't see a GP being held in both locations either. I suspect all this talk is to cut a better deal with Cardiff, because doesn't the Welsh tourist board bung BSI/IMG some money to stage the British GP?

[MattK]

I've never been to the new Wembley, but have been to the O2 a couple of times and there doesn't seem to be a big problem with people getting out. No worse than at Cardiff and trying to find a bus/taxi etc... at least a Tube is, pretty much, guaranteed.

 

Thinking about it, though, the O2 would be a great venue - the O2 Village provides the pubs and bars that everyone is so keen on (plus an indoor ice rink, presuming it is there all year), plus the venue itself is amazing and easy to get to.

I know a few people who have been "stranded" at the o2 when the tubes stop at midnight, despite people still waiting on the platform.

 

The only people I know who've been to Wembley went in the afternoon. Maybe the GP could have a 3pm start?

[leanne1706]

I know a few people who have been "stranded" at the o2 when the tubes stop at midnight, despite people still waiting on the platform.

 

The only people I know who've been to Wembley went in the afternoon. Maybe the GP could have a 3pm start?

I've never had a problem, but like I said, only been a couple of times. Obviously, that could be a problem unless, like you say, they change the start time.

 

Anyone know what time trains out of Cardiff run until? You might find it's not too dissimilar...

[21st century heathen]

I don't think the Tube would be that much of a hassle. It's easy to use, and drops you off within walking distance of pretty much anywhere you want to go in London. They run regularly, so even if you miss one or it is packed, just wait a few minutes for the next one!

 

Whereas, in Cardiff, you can only walk to and from the stadium if you've been one of the lucky ones who has already got a central hotel for 2009. We certainly couldn't have walked from the Ibis at Cardiff Gate. Well, we could've, but it would've taken a wee while! And, I understand, depending on where you're going the trains aren't necessarily that regular or run that late.

 

The Tube in London is excellent in terms of regularity and coverage. However, it can be extremely busy and very hot. I don't really like it, or London in general. So much so that I've only visited once in my adult life.

 

I've stayed in Cardiff twice at a hotel about 10-15 minutes walk from the stadium and I've travelled to and from on the day for all but one of the others. I would happily do either for a trip to Cardiff. But for those that can't get a hotel in Cardiff or don't want to travel home late who not get a hotel on the outskirts ofthe city or even in Newport? Surely there's local transport to Newport that runs a little later?

 

Absolutely not, but my point was that Cardiff isn't all that it's cracked-up to be. The British GP has essentially become the social occasion for speedway fans, but that could equally be held anywhere.

 

I actually have nothing against Cardiff itself, which indeed a fairly pleasant city, but London is a far more attractive destination for non-diehards, especially overseas visitors.

 

I honestly can't see a GP being held in both locations either. I suspect all this talk is to cut a better deal with Cardiff, because doesn't the Welsh tourist board bung BSI/IMG some money to stage the British GP?

 

If you've nothing against Cardiff why the negative comments. I'm not being argumentative, just trying to understand your view.

 

I can see that Wembley would be more attractive to overseas visitors, but what percentage of the crowd are from overseas?

 

I agree that it would have to be Cardiff or Wembley, and that this may be a case of gauging public views and trying to get the rent down at the Millenium Stadium.

 

[Humphrey Appleby]

If you've nothing against Cardiff why the negative comments.

 

Because I find some of the reactionary comments against the British GP possibly being moved away from Cardiff, quite extraordinary. Are people really content to be paying absolutely outrageous prices for accommodation, and experiencing difficulty getting there either with their own cars or with public transport?

 

I have been to the British GP in the past, but I just can't be bothered jumping through hoops to get there anymore. Public transport is not a practical proposition, and parking in some remote part of town is a bit tedious. Plus, there's the Severn Bridge toll, the perpetual roadworks on the M4 in Wales, and the seemingly ever-present traffic jam at the Newport tunnels to be negotiated.

 

Okay, I'm admittedly not particularly interested in GPs anyway, but I'm also the average casual fan who might go if it didn't require a major logistical planning exercise to get there. In this respect, Wembley would be far more attractive, even though I'd agree it doesn't have the 'downtown' location that the Millenium Stadium does when you eventually get there.

 

Can see that Wembley would be more attractive to overseas visitors, but what percentage of the crowd are from overseas?

 

But how many more might there be if it were at Wembley? There's a choice of five airports flying from every possible destination in Europe, the Eurostar, and of course it's closer to drive to London from the Continent as well.

Edited July 4, 2008 by Humphrey Appleby

[21st century heathen]

Because I find some of the reactionary comments against the British GP possibly being moved away from Cardiff, quite extraordinary. Are people really content to be paying absolutely outrageous prices for accommodation, and experiencing difficulty getting there either with their own cars or with public transport?

 

I have been to the British GP in the past, but I just can't be bothered jumping through hoops to get there anymore. Public transport is not a practical proposition, and parking in some remote part of town is a bit tedious. Plus, there's the Severn Bridge toll, the perpetual roadworks on the M4 in Wales, and the seemingly ever-present traffic jam at the Newport tunnels to be negotiated.

 

 

 

But how many more might there be if it were at Wembley? There's a choice of five airports flying from every possible destination in Europe, the Eurostar, and of course it's closer to drive to London from the Continent as well.

 

Hotel costs - I've stayed over the last two years and found the costs very reasonable indeed. Perhaps other people have paid more to be right next to the stadium. Bad choice in my opinion.

 

Transport - I've never had a problem getting to or from Cardiff, other than once having to go via Bristol when I went down on a Sunday or Bank Holiday Monday (can't remember which time it was). I might be giving away a secret here but when I've been down for the day in a car we have gone past the City, and then in from the west. This avoids queuing traffic in and out of the City from the east. There's a park and ride by the Cardiff City Football Club, and you can ever walk from there rather than wait for the bus. Driving into and parking in the City Centre will obviously be very busy. Anyone that doesn't realise that, and try to find a plan 'B' needs a reality check.

 

Toll Bridge - Don't use it!!

 

Road works - Frustrating but I use the M6 every week in the speedway season so I'm used to it. W'ton to the M5 used to be the busiest stretch of road in Europe (I don't know for a fact that it still is, but it's a lot busier than ever now) so again I have to say I'm used to the traffic (although I usually ride a bike and filter through). Even on the bike my average speed on the 4 mile trip to work is around 11mph. That's no different to many people so we should all be used to slow-moving traffic.

 

Visitors to Wmbley - Accepted. As above it may well be more attractive to foreign visitors.