Ole Olsen

[spook]

It isn't just about the racing. The whole SGP format has become tired, repetitive and lacks imagination, and its owners don't really seem that interested in it either.

 

Are the wrong people running the show, or it simply that the SGP format or even the sport itself is inherently limited? I really don't know.

 

Personally I dont think that there is anything wrong with the format and a quality product is being dished up with everything except the track preparation......... without wanting to get into the whole 1 off final vs GP argument I feel that for the format they have chosen they have fine tuned it well to not only make it pay for the riders and themselves but also the fans...................... if only the race director was on the same page though!

 

If the extremely crucial cog of track prep becomes as professional as the rest of the cogs then I can only see the GP's increasing its fan base

[Humphrey Appleby]

If the extremely crucial cog of track prep becomes as professional as the rest of the cogs then I can only see the GP's increasing its fan base

 

I'm afraid I don't think BSI are that professional. They only look good because the rest of speedway is such a shambles, but the Gelsenkirchen fiasco last year, and Gothenburg a few years ago, demonstrated that the organisation leaves something to be desired.

 

[Bessiebee]

I went to Prague and couldn't understand why the stadium was only half full. Then I watched the racing and knew why. Olsen and his cohorts are ruining the GP series with their insistence on ultra slick tracks that only suit the riders with the best machinery and who can gate and go. The viewing audience want to see the racers on tracks with a bit of grip. I guess the only way they will listen is when it hits them financially by dropping attendances.

[ciderman]

Correct person to contact is Head of Motorsports-Rob Armstrong at rob.armstrong@imgworld.com

I would like to think that no one would send anything abusive.

Just to enlighten you all. I recieved a reply from Harry Horsley today, he thanked me for my comments and has passed my letter on to the relevant parties. However, He did inform that the track prep was the responsibility of the FIM. Therefore could we all be being a bit harsh om Olsen? He may after all be only following someone else's wishes. I don't know. If I get a further response I will let you know. However as pointed out by ' The Know' in an earlier reply, Harry Horsley is not the man to get in touch with. If I get a point of contact I will pass it on and each individual can pass on their own feelings, no doubt in a courteous manner.

[ciderman]

I went to Prague and couldn't understand why the stadium was only half full. Then I watched the racing and knew why. Olsen and his cohorts are ruining the GP series with their insistence on ultra slick tracks that only suit the riders with the best machinery and who can gate and go. The viewing audience want to see the racers on tracks with a bit of grip. I guess the only way they will listen is when it hits them financially by dropping attendances.

Yes agree, finances usually have a great bearing on the outcome of most discussions.

Wonder how many Fan's only have SKY or SKY SPORTS because of the Speedway coverage. I personally would'nt have SKY If it wasn't for the Speedway. Wondering how mwny others are in the same boat?

[Jim Blanchard]

Just to enlighten you all. I recieved a reply from Harry Horsley today, he thanked me for my comments and has passed my letter on to the relevant parties. However, He did inform that the track prep was the responsibility of the FIM. Therefore could we all be being a bit harsh om Olsen? He may after all be only following someone else's wishes. I don't know. If I get a further response I will let you know. However as pointed out by ' The Know' in an earlier reply, Harry Horsley is not the man to get in touch with. If I get a point of contact I will pass it on and each individual can pass on their own feelings, no doubt in a courteous manner.

 

I always thought that actually.

 

If you dig into the FIM handbook you can come up with an email address for Ole Olsen himself. You could always try writing to the man himself by snail mail though.

 

From the FIM web site:

 

http://www.fim-live.com/en/fim/fim-organis...n/track-racing/

 

Jim McMillan is also a technical director and whose address is also listed.

 

 

 

[racers and royals]

Just to enlighten you all. I recieved a reply from Harry Horsley today, he thanked me for my comments and has passed my letter on to the relevant parties. However, He did inform that the track prep was the responsibility of the FIM. Therefore could we all be being a bit harsh om Olsen? He may after all be only following someone else's wishes. I don't know. If I get a further response I will let you know. However as pointed out by ' The Know' in an earlier reply, Harry Horsley is not the man to get in touch with. If I get a point of contact I will pass it on and each individual can pass on their own feelings, no doubt in a courteous manner.

Regards Ole Olsen his full title is FIM race director SGP and SWC.He might also be employed by BSI/IMG to build the temporary tracks at Copenhagen and Cardiff.I think its time several points are clarified by the authorities

 

1 Who is ultimately responsible for track conditions at every GP(does this vary from temporary tracks to permanent ones)

2 depending on the previous answer what input do BSI have on track prep.

3 what input does the FIM jury president(the meeting is under his control)have on track conditions.

4 Do the riders have any input into track conditions either pre-season or before each GP.

 

If we could get the answers to these questions we all might have a better understanding of how things operate at GP level.

[ciderman]

Regards Ole Olsen his full title is FIM race director SGP and SWC.He might also be employed by BSI/IMG to build the temporary tracks at Copenhagen and Cardiff.I think its time several points are clarified by the authorities

 

1 Who is ultimately responsible for track conditions at every GP(does this vary from temporary tracks to permanent ones)

2 depending on the previous answer what input do BSI have on track prep.

3 what input does the FIM jury president(the meeting is under his control)have on track conditions.

4 Do the riders have any input into track conditions either pre-season or before each GP.

 

If we could get the answers to these questions we all might have a better understanding of how things operate at GP level.

In my original letter to the organisers I have asked the first tand second questions, any reply will be posted. Whilst I can understand him (olsen) being in charge of the temporary tracks, I can't see the benefit of him dictating how other tracks should be prepared. I can only think of the Fiasco in Sweden when the track was unrideable, but from memory that was also a temporary track was it not?

[racers and royals]

In my original letter to the organisers I have asked the first tand second questions, any reply will be posted. Whilst I can understand him (olsen) being in charge of the temporary tracks, I can't see the benefit of him dictating how other tracks should be prepared. I can only think of the Fiasco in Sweden when the track was unrideable, but from memory that was also a temporary track was it not?

SVEMO(swedish authorities)prepared the track that year.If the local track people are given the job of preparing the racetracks on the permanent tracks,why do they prepare them far slicker than for other meetings at those tracks ?

[Ghostwalker]

In my original letter to the organisers I have asked the first tand second questions, any reply will be posted. Whilst I can understand him (olsen) being in charge of the temporary tracks, I can't see the benefit of him dictating how other tracks should be prepared. I can only think of the Fiasco in Sweden when the track was unrideable, but from memory that was also a temporary track was it not?

 

yeah that was at Ullevi in Gothenburg in 2003 when the riders refused to ride the track. Then they came back for 2004 before doing a "guest appearance" at Smedstadion for 2005-2007 which was transformed into Ole's standard track.last years race at Ullevi showed that it still was the same "motorcross track" as before and despite claims this year that they have a new "revolutionary" method of building the temporary tracks, i think it will be the same as before. And Ullevi have one year left on their GP contract. But you know the deal as long as Ullevi brings more spectators then the real tracks they will stay there coz after all money talks. Im quite sure that they will stay at Ullevi until the new National Arena in Stockholm is Finished in 2012.

[Humphrey Appleby]

He did inform that the track prep was the responsibility of the FIM.

 

That seems like a bit of cop-out to me. The FIM is indeed responsible for inspecting and approving tracks for conformance with the regulations, but the regulations are notoriously silent on standard of track preparation. Track preparation itself appears to fall within the remit of the Race Director, and so the question is whether that's a FIM or BSI appointment.

 

I honestly find it hard to believe the FIM would impose a Race Director against the wishes of an organisation paying for the competition rights, or indeed that the rights holders (BSI, or is it BSL now?) have no influence over how tracks are prepared. After all, track preparation is key to the presentation of their product.

 

Furthermore, I surely recall a big announcement after the Gothenburg fiasco about how BSI would assume responsibility for track preparation from the local organisers.

[Jim Blanchard]

That seems like a bit of cop-out to me. The FIM is indeed responsible for inspecting and approving tracks for conformance with the regulations, but the regulations are notoriously silent on standard of track preparation. Track preparation itself appears to fall within the remit of the Race Director, and so the question is whether that's a FIM or BSI appointment.

 

I honestly find it hard to believe the FIM would impose a Race Director against the wishes of an organisation paying for the competition rights, or indeed that the rights holders (BSI, or is it BSL now?) have no influence over how tracks are prepared. After all, track preparation is key to the presentation of their product.

 

Furthermore, I surely recall a big announcement after the Gothenburg fiasco about how BSI would assume responsibility for track preparation from the local organisers.

 

 

Meaning?

[Humphrey Appleby]

Meaning?

 

My guess is that current track preparation is down to Ole Olsen's beliefs in how tracks should be prepared, possibly combined with a lack of cash for preparing them. The SGP finances do not appear to be especially healthy, but I'm not sure how that should adversely affect permanent tracks such as Leszno.

 

The real question is why IMG allow things to continue like this, but one wonders whether they're really interested in the SGP.

[Jim Blanchard]

My guess is that current track preparation is down to Ole Olsen's beliefs in how tracks should be prepared, possibly combined with a lack of cash for preparing them. The SGP finances do not appear to be especially healthy, but I'm not sure how that should adversely affect permanent tracks such as Leszno.

 

The real question is why IMG allow things to continue like this, but one wonders whether they're really interested in the SGP.

 

 

Guess?

[Humphrey Appleby]

Guess?

 

I'd be surprised if an apparently successful organisation such as IMG, is prepared to tolerate an apparently loss-making competition for long.

 

[Jim Blanchard]

Surprised? Apparently?

 

With respect. You don't really know as much as you profess do you?

Edited May 14, 2009 by Jim Blanchard

[Humphrey Appleby]

With respect. You don't really know as much as you profess do you?

 

Of course I don't know the real reason why Ole Olsen prepares crap tracks, but I have spoken with two GP riders in the past who both suggested the hard, slick theory. In reality, does anyone other than Ole Olsen really know the answer though?

 

With respect to the economic arguments, I'm not going to make bold claims about things that can't be verified somewhere. However, significant losses were reported in the last available accounts, and when companies subsequently disappear from the companies register and are reconstituted with a different name, that often tells a story.

Edited May 14, 2009 by Humphrey Appleby

[Trees]

Surprised? Apparently?

 

With respect. You don't really know as much as you profess do you?

If you think Humphrey's suggestions are so wrong, do you know why the tracks are prepared like they are then Jim and who is "to blame"?

[Jim Blanchard]

If you think Humphrey's suggestions are so wrong, do you know why the tracks are prepared like they are then Jim and who is "to blame"?

 

I think I was winding him up a bit to be fair, but I do get a bit cheesed off with all the negativity and the 'blame' culture especially on this forum of our sport. According to some that have an opinion on just about everything, the 'BEL' has gone down the tubes, everyone involved in the GP's are about to jump on their swords, we are going to get thrashed in SWC, the tracks are all crap, our best riders are rubbish etc and Ole Olsen is to blame.

 

To answer your question Trees, I do not know the answer but its easy to get Ole's address so why not write to him and ask him for yourself?

 

[martinmauger]

Think I read that Olsen prepares the tracks slick so the riders don't get covered in muck and look cleaner for the trophy presentation. Trouble is we are talking about dirt track racing here and one of its beauty's is the (usual) ability of riders to race on other than the accepted racing i.e. around the inside as in Moto Gp, F1 et al. That means some dirt on the circuit to enable them to do so. The riders wipe as much dirt as possible off themselves at the end but who cares if they look little grubby provided we've watched an entertaining meet....