Facilities For 'unavailable' Riders

[scribbler]

I dont really see where there is a problem. The NL/CL has always been more flexible regarding absences and the r/r facility mainly due to the fact that it is not a professional league and that riders can race from the age of 15. With no guests being permitted (other than for a NO 1) then teams need some back up for when a rider is missing. What happens for those at school doing exams or riders whose parents cannot get time off work to get them to meetings? We as promoters have a duty to put on the best show possible for the paying public and with the best will in the world that does not mean replacing one of your 1-5 with an untried rider. As I said previously the EL/PL are permitted a facility for 28 days for a rider witholding their services which technically you could argue applies to a rider who has gone home before the end of the season.

 

I have great respect for all at Buxton as you know Jayne - and I'm so pleased for Buxton that they have at last achieved the success that they deserve this season...

 

However

 

I do think that there needs to be some 'rule-tightening'...

 

There is a great deal of sympathy for those with exams or who can't get transport and this can be accepted by supporters as rare events.

 

What seems to be upsetting supporters is that machinery is being sent home before the end of the season. It possibly feels as if the riders don't care about the team or the supporters - some of whom may have been doing their only little bit of sponsoring.

 

Perhaps there should be the 28 day penalty brought into the NDL for any rider witholding their services by sending their machinery back early, and/or leaving the team before the end of the season to go back home - but would promoters really impose this penalty? If the NDL want to be seen as a 'proper' league the rules really shouldn't be too different to the other leagues...

[scribbler]

Just to add that I think that it's totally unfair on the young Aussie riders who DO stay - with their machinery - until the end of the season. There are some young Aussie riders who do commit themselves fully to their team and the league and they should not be tarred with the same brush as those who appear not to do so.

[Vince]

To my way of thinking it is pretty simple. If a club signs a rider knowing full well that he cannot complete the season then they should not be allowed a facility for that rider. The facility is there for riders who are unable to compete because of injury or unavoidable commitments.

[greyhoundp]

To my way of thinking it is pretty simple. If a club signs a rider knowing full well that he cannot complete the season then they should not be allowed a facility for that rider. The facility is there for riders who are unable to compete because of injury or unavoidable commitments.

 

Yes,i agree Vince,but what if a rider is signed and the team knows beforehand he will miss most mid week matches due to work commitments.???

Edited October 31, 2010 by greyhoundp

[eastern wolf]

In what other sport would competitors not want to compete in a championship decider? In most sports it's the pinnacle of the season and a league-winning medal is something to aim for and be proud of.

 

But this is Speedway and our leagues have so many riders who flit in and out of the country when it suits them and show no loyalty whatsoever. This isn't a criticism of all overseas riders as the club I support has no problem at all with its foreign riders.

[chopper]

In what other sport would competitors not want to compete in a championship decider? In most sports it's the pinnacle of the season and a league-winning medal is something to aim for and be proud of.

 

But this is Speedway and our leagues have so many riders who flit in and out of the country when it suits them and show no loyalty whatsoever. This isn't a criticism of all overseas riders as the club I support has no problem at all with its foreign riders.

 

I still stand by my statement that if Dudley had made the play offs Ando and Mickey would have ridden.

I know Ando fairly well and you wouldnt get a more professional rider, theres no way he would have missed the play off finals had you made it.

I think they just saw a window there to get there gear home earlier than they may have planned.

I agree with you Wolfy, finals are what you ride, play, all season to be a part of there the meetings that have that extra edge.

I know Robert enjoyed mixing it with Lambo, Darren Mallet, Smarty, Big T, Kyle Newman,and the like, premier league riders he looks up to.

 

Chopper

[21st century heathen]

I still stand by my statement that if Dudley had made the play offs Ando and Mickey would have ridden.

I know Ando fairly well and you wouldnt get a more professional rider, theres no way he would have missed the play off finals had you made it.

 

And that's precisely the attitude that annoys (polite word) the fans so much. Some riders think they can just pick and choose which meetings to ride in. If the pair had been prepared to ride in the POs then why not our last two meetings against Stoke? They're both still in the country (or were then) but decided they couldn't be bothered to ride in a challenge when the fans have their last chance to see the riders in action and thank them for their efforts all season. Quite how you can describe this attitude as professional is beyond me. Perhaps one or two of our Heathens legends should have a word and explain what professionalism is and what it means to wear the Heathens' race jacket.

[chopper]

And that's precisely the attitude that annoys (polite word) the fans so much. Some riders think they can just pick and choose which meetings to ride in. If the pair had been prepared to ride in the POs then why not our last two meetings against Stoke? They're both still in the country (or were then) but decided they couldn't be bothered to ride in a challenge when the fans have their last chance to see the riders in action and thank them for their efforts all season. Quite how you can describe this attitude as professional is beyond me. Perhaps one or two of our Heathens legends should have a word and explain what professionalism is and what it means to wear the Heathens' race jacket.

 

Fair enough, i can see your point,to a point, not sure what the deal would have been with the promotion.

 

Chopper

[cradleysaddler]

And that's precisely the attitude that annoys (polite word) the fans so much. Some riders think they can just pick and choose which meetings to ride in. If the pair had been prepared to ride in the POs then why not our last two meetings against Stoke? They're both still in the country (or were then) but decided they couldn't be bothered to ride in a challenge when the fans have their last chance to see the riders in action and thank them for their efforts all season. Quite how you can describe this attitude as professional is beyond me. Perhaps one or two of our Heathens legends should have a word and explain what professionalism is and what it means to wear the Heathens' race jacket.

 

I think the above is harsh on the Dudley riders concerned. Both riders have been committed to the club throughout the season and in fact Jake has been an ever present along with Ashley Morris. If a situation appears to help all and it makes common sense and all parties agree, then where is the problem here. Ok the paying public could not see the riders for one last time but the public were aware that they were not going to appear in advance of the meeting being staged.I am sure that had we been involved in any finals the duo would have been there.

 

We all want common sense in speedway this was one occasion it happens and riders still get criticised.

 

More concerning is riders only able to ride at home and a facility is used for them because they cannot make away meetings. Now this does really annoy fans, especially when we hear constantly that young riders are not given an opportunity to race. It also affects the team lineup, becuase aforementioned rider does not get a new average and therefore retains his old average and stays in the main body of the team allowing other riders to take his rides.

 

I am not having a go at the promotion of the club in particular because it is within the rules and fair play to them for using it to their advantage, and in light of the Charles Wright situation who can blame them. However, this facility really needs to be looked into along with countless other issues.

[eastern wolf]

I still stand by my statement that if Dudley had made the play offs Ando and Mickey would have ridden.

I know Ando fairly well and you wouldnt get a more professional rider, theres no way he would have missed the play off finals had you made it.

I think they just saw a window there to get there gear home earlier than they may have planned.

I agree with you Wolfy, finals are what you ride, play, all season to be a part of there the meetings that have that extra edge.

I know Robert enjoyed mixing it with Lambo, Darren Mallet, Smarty, Big T, Kyle Newman,and the like, premier league riders he looks up to.

 

Chopper

 

 

I'm sure you know Ando and Mickey better than me and you're probably right that they would have ridden in the final if Dudley had qualified. But still disappointing that they couldn't be available until the end of the UK season. Unless it's certain there are no further fixtures surely riders should be available till October 31st.

 

Glad Robert stayed around till the end (but then he IS a Brit ) and contributed so well to Buxton's title win.

[greyhoundp]

Congratulations to Buxton, hard luck Newport, and so near but so far for our guys at The Heathens.

Yes i agree Simon, the R.R facility really is open to abuse, and i alluded to this earlier in the topic.R.R for riders who are unavailable for whatever reason, yes i see the point of putting out a Team that is worth watching, but it is presently open to allow teams who have a strong reserve to take advantage <Jerran Hart Bournemouth 2009> tho i am not saying they did.

 

Also dates that the play offs have to ridden by without getting into the CIRCUS we have had over the last couple of weeks, quite simply when the cut off date has been reached, the next Home meeting for the Teams becomes the play off SF, then the following meeting becomes the POF. The KO Cup must be raced for in the 1st half of the season and the final held by the end of july, this will stop play offs and KO meetings clashing with dates at the end of the season.This will also then allow Teams that have not qualified for the Play offs to compete for the National Trophy, which surely is what the NL trophy is best suited to.

[21st century heathen]

I think the above is harsh on the Dudley riders concerned. Both riders have been committed to the club throughout the season and in fact Jake has been an ever present along with Ashley Morris. If a situation appears to help all and it makes common sense and all parties agree, then where is the problem here. Ok the paying public could not see the riders for one last time but the public were aware that they were not going to appear in advance of the meeting being staged.I am sure that had we been involved in any finals the duo would have been there.

 

We all want common sense in speedway this was one occasion it happens and riders still get criticised.

 

Sorry mate, I don't like it. The bottom line is that they chose not to ride and send their bikes home. Was not Cradley's most important meetings of the season (the DWT) just a challenge at the end of the day? I would love to have heard your opinion of the some of the former Heathens riders if they decided not to ride in it, or if Hamill and Hancock had sent their bikes home and not ridden in the last meeting of the season at Dudley Wood.

 

More concerning is riders only able to ride at home and a facility is used for them because they cannot make away meetings. Now this does really annoy fans, especially when we hear constantly that young riders are not given an opportunity to race. It also affects the team lineup, becuase aforementioned rider does not get a new average and therefore retains his old average and stays in the main body of the team allowing other riders to take his rides.

 

I am not having a go at the promotion of the club in particular because it is within the rules and fair play to them for using it to their advantage, and in light of the Charles Wright situation who can blame them. However, this facility really needs to be looked into along with countless other issues.

 

You have a point but it's the rules, yet again, that are wrong. The same rules applies. You can have a facility if a rider is absent for any reason. I don't have a problem with clubs exploiting the rules, that's just good management, but it should never be allowed to happen. Much the same as clubs being given a facility for Aussies sending their bikes home early, my own club included.

 

If Jake and/or Micky sign for the Heathens again next year I'll back them, but it doesn't mean I won't speak out on what I see as negatives as much as I will when they ride well and deserve praise.

[cradleysaddler]

I understand where you are coming from but Billy, Greg etc did earn alot more than the current bunch, ANyway lets agree to disagree, good bit of TV publicity tonight for the club and speedway in general.

[21st century heathen]

So as I said at the time could they not borrow a bike just to put on a show for the fans in the last couple of meetings?! (or had they shipped their gloves and goggles as well ) But yes, we can agree to disagree mate.