Meeting Format

[Trevor]

I've often wonderd why we do not have the second half first! At Belle Vue say, the Junior races could begin at 7pm then at 7.30 the parade for the main match would start, even if the Junior races hadn't completed. They could complete after the main match. Problems of being over for a certain time would not then matter. You often hear riders say that the track will improve as the meeting goes on, so why not let the juniors race on it first? This would also boost the attendance for the Junior events and give the crowd something to watch as they arrive.

[Lioness]

Did Swindon not try something along those lines with a couple of races 'in the middle' of the meeting where riders had two in a row. I seem to recall someone did and they got slated for it.

 

Theres no pleasing speedway folk

 

Must admit we must be lucky as our promotion usually have some sort of second half-usually the youngsters-and have done for as long as I've been going. sadly I'd say the majority dont bother staying to watch

[Kevin Meynell]

Did Swindon not try something along those lines with a couple of races 'in the middle' of the meeting where riders had two in a row. I seem to recall someone did and they got slated for it.

I think the problem with staging support races during the main meeting is that they need to be sufficiently interesting to watch, and the meeting needs to be run swiftly. These days, matches are run so slowly that it's no wonder fans get annoyed by even longer delays.

 

I would put (say) three support races between blocks of heats (e.g. Heat 4, 7/8, 11 and 14) to give riders a bit more time between their programmed rides, and then run the whole meeting much more quickly. This would also allow the interval to actually be held at the half-way point, rather than 2/3rds or more of the way through the meeting.

[Mylor]

Wouldn't happen at televised matches Kevin but should work otherwise.

Edited December 29, 2003 by Mylor

[SCB]

Wouldn't happen at televised matches Kevin but should work otherwise.

Surely it's ideal at televised meetings, while Sky are having a break, put a few juniors on the track.

[frigbo]

The idea of junior races integrated into the main match is awful.

 

Swindon did so in 2003 and it totally disrupted the flow of the Meeting.

 

On a number of occasions matches had reached a critical stage when, loe and behold out come three or four Juniors to take the atmosphere and tension back down to snooze level.

 

Also there is the prospect of inexperienced riders crashing and potentially causing long delays to the main meeting, or even worse, a cancellation. That would do the sports fragile credibility the world of good wouldn't it?

 

Thankfully, Rosco has already stated that the Juniors will get their much needed racetime after the conclusion of the main meeting in 2004.

 

Hope all his decisions are that good this season, we won't go far wrong if they are!!.

[Kevin Meynell]

The idea of junior races integrated into the main match is awful.

What about staging the junior races before the start of the main match? That would allow people who get there early to see a few extra races, but it wouldn't matter if you were running slightly late.

[jill]

The idea of junior races integrated into the main match is awful.

What about staging the junior races before the start of the main match? That would allow people who get there early to see a few extra races, but it wouldn't matter if you were running slightly late.

exactly what trevor said

[jackofdiamonds]

This brings up what would happen if a junior was injured and the ambulance/doctor

 

was involved for a lengthy time.

 

And don't the riders want to race when the track is ( allegedly ) at its best.

 

I for one would like the two minute warning immediately after the previous race.

 

Let's have the meeting run as quickly as possible, parents would me more likely to

 

bring their children to a meeting that ends at 9 rather than 10.

[Guest Steve Piper]

Its intresting reading all the different comments and ideas. Frigbo I see you were not keen on the junior races at Swindon bettween the the main meeting heats.While I can understand the disruption to the racing we are talking only a few mins. for a race and being the father of one of those junior riders, the much needed race time during race conditions is vital for our young riders to develope and Peter Oakes worked hard to push the boundries for our young riders.

Swindon in 2003 helped no end to develope a new crop of riders, of who many I am sure will go on to have a great future in speedway.

With what I see at the Weymouth training schools I have no doubt that in future years that England will have many talented riders but we need to give them QUALITY track time.

Swindon were last season one of the leading lights in bringing much needed track time to juniors. At Weymouth Brian White is looking to help bring on the young riders and to that end I will work to give supporters weekly entertaining second half events. Hopefully we can keep pushing the boundries so that our Junior riders can develope and become major force on the world stage.

[sirmatty]

This brings up what would happen if a junior was injured and the ambulance/doctor

 

was involved for a lengthy time.

 

And don't the riders want to race when the track is ( allegedly ) at its best.

 

I for one would like the two minute warning immediately after the previous race.

 

Let's have the meeting run as quickly as possible, parents would me more likely to

 

bring their children to a meeting that ends at 9 rather than 10.

agree with ya comments jack of d

 

i wana see 15 heats of speedway in approx 1h 30min inc the interval , 2h max

on a friday nite (oxford) and then go elseware 4 a few beers as the beer is not only crap but expensive

 

another point the start time 4 a meeting differs a each track, some start the parade at the advertised start time and others start heat 1, this needs 2 b the same at every track in wot ever division!!!!!!

[Guest dontforgetoturnleft!!]

In the elite league each promoter should put up a £ 2000 prize money for the ELRC. After the fifteen heats the top six riders of each side should ride a nine heat individual meeting, three rides each. This could be run after the A fixtures with points being added together to count as qualification to the ELRC final (on a neutral track - which should be Wimbledon!!). There would be a winner takes all £20000 for the winner with the ten tracks dividing the profits from this meeting equally therefore encouraging all tracks to promote this to get there £ 2K back.

 

After we ban the stupid double rides from the Elite league meetings we would allow riders in the ELRC qualifiers, at their discretion, to risk gaining double points in order by taking the 15 yard handicap.

 

In the second half of the season we could have a super league in the second half. Four riders a side riding three times each in a six heat meeting with three junior races in between.

 

Different - but good value for the fans

[Kevin Meynell]

After the fifteen heats the top six riders of each side should ride a nine heat individual meeting, three rides each.

I like the idea of having a second-half competition to determine the qualifiers for the ELRC or PLRC, but wouldn't the riders be exhausted after riding up to seven heats in the main meeting, and then another three in the individual meeting? In addition, why restrict the second-half to just the top six riders from each team?

 

I would simply take the seven riders from each team and a couple of juniors and run four knockout heats, with the winners progressing to a Final (much like the old second-halves). That would only require a maximum of two extra rides, and would be cheaper to run as well.

 

As far as I can see though, the biggest obstacle to such a competition would still be cost.

[Kevin Meynell]

This could be run after the A fixtures with points being added together to count as qualification to the ELRC final (on a neutral track - which should be Wimbledon!!).

Each track could perhaps also run an individual meeting where riders could get bonus points towards qualification for the Riders' Championship. That might provide more interest in reviving the traditional open meetings.

[fireblade]

I stated a couple of years ago, that the second half could be races for qualification for a big meeting. Bring back the Grand Slam or something like it. In any case make the races meaningful.

 

Two semi-finals plus final for eight top scorers and points towards qualification. Same for the juniors.

[Guest clivehitch]

When Worky have organised a second-half for juniors probably 80%of the fans don't stay behind to support the youngsters

[Kevin Meynell]

When Worky have organised a second-half for juniors probably 80%of the fans don't stay behind to support the youngsters

 

I don't think you can really compare a few scratch races featuring junior riders, with a properly-organised second-half programme. If a meaningful second-half was organised that included the top riders as well, then fans might be willing to stay on.

[SCB]

Even when a team wants a PROPER 2nd half, they can't. I remember a few years ago Sheffield were going to have a Sean Wilson vs Carl Stonehewer (plus others maybe) but due to BSPA red tape, it wa snot allowed to go ahead. WHY? A rider who has rode in the main meeting cannot ride in the 2nd half!

 

Whats the point of that rule?

[Kevin Meynell]

Whats the point of that rule?

 

I can only think it's because tracks putting on decent second-halves would show-up others. Presumably there's a concern that using riders from the main match would increase costs, which not all tracks could afford.

 

I'm not sure that a return to the old 13+7 heat format is desirable, but it would be nice to see a properly-organised competition after the main match. This could be part of a season-long national competition.