PHILIPRISING Posted July 4, 2011 Report Share Posted July 4, 2011 WEMBLEY was the spiritual home for international speedway and, in its day, one of the world's top stadiums. But, having seen every World Final there from 1962 and covered numerous soccer events, including the 1966 World Cup final, it was also vastly over-rated in my opinion. It has never been any easy place to get to, by road or public transport, the facilities used to be very poor, disgusting toilets, inaccessible bars and food outlets (not that you would want to eat anything) terraces rather than seating for the majority and a race track that wasn't anywhere near as good as many remember through (as you say) rose-coloured spectacles. It did, of course, have a great atmosphere generated by a crowd double that we now get at Cardiff but the fact that you arrived not knowing who would be World Champion and left knowing who was was a major factor too. You are right, there were no World Finals rained off at Wembley but the huge cost of staging a British GP to the standard now required (and I am talking about the overall show here not just the racing itself) almost demands the extra insurance of a roof. But the roof also cuts out daylight and helps generate the atmosphere inside the Millennium which would otherwise be impossible in mid to late June. I have been luck enough to witness many top sporting events around the world and honestly think the current British GPs stand comparison with most if not all. It is also worth remembering that the Millennium authorities enjoy having speedway there and bend over backwards to be helpful and co-operative. I am not sure that would be the case elsewhere and certainly not at the new Wembley where efforts by Barry Briggs to have a permanent speedway museum established are falling on deaf ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted July 4, 2011 Report Share Posted July 4, 2011 WEMBLEY was the spiritual home for international speedway and, in its day, one of the world's top stadiums. But, having seen every World Final there from 1962 and covered numerous soccer events, including the 1966 World Cup final, it was also vastly over-rated in my opinion. It has never been any easy place to get to, by road or public transport, the facilities used to be very poor, disgusting toilets, inaccessible bars and food outlets (not that you would want to eat anything) terraces rather than seating for the majority and a race track that wasn't anywhere near as good as many remember through (as you say) rose-coloured spectacles. Which was true of every stadium in the country pre Hillsborough. If speedway wants to be noticed (especially by the London based nationals) then Wembley is the place to be. It wipes the floor with the Millenium stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted July 4, 2011 Report Share Posted July 4, 2011 Which was true of every stadium in the country pre Hillsborough. If speedway wants to be noticed (especially by the London based nationals) then Wembley is the place to be. It wipes the floor with the Millenium stadium. TRUST me, speedway will get no more noticed at Wembley than the Millennium. I have been to the new Wembley several times and while I recognise and applaud its virtues to say that it wipes the floor with the Millennium is rubbish. And look at its location... would you like to spend a weekend there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dietbowers Posted July 4, 2011 Report Share Posted July 4, 2011 Which was true of every stadium in the country pre Hillsborough. If speedway wants to be noticed (especially by the London based nationals) then Wembley is the place to be. It wipes the floor with the Millenium stadium. Never noticed you had a sense of humour before,but Wembley wipes the floor with the Millenium Stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted July 4, 2011 Report Share Posted July 4, 2011 TRUST me, speedway will get no more noticed at Wembley than the Millennium. I have been to the new Wembley several times and while I recognise and applaud its virtues to say that it wipes the floor with the Millennium is rubbish. And look at its location... would you like to spend a weekend there? A weekend in London or any of the surrounding areas, at least people would have a choice of hotels rather than get stitched up by the limited number in Cardiff. I too have been to both, and yes the new Wembley is far superior to the MS which I thought looked rather tatty the last time I visited. I disagree about the level of publicity if the GP were at Wembley surely Pearson could get some of the right people at Talksport involved, get them to run competitions for tickets etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted July 4, 2011 Report Share Posted July 4, 2011 A weekend in London or any of the surrounding areas, at least people would have a choice of hotels rather than get stitched up by the limited number in Cardiff. I too have been to both, and yes the new Wembley is far superior to the MS which I thought looked rather tatty the last time I visited. I disagree about the level of publicity if the GP were at Wembley surely Pearson could get some of the right people at Talksport involved, get them to run competitions for tickets etc. YOU obviously don't go to London much ... which is much more expensive then Cardiff. And, of course, Wembley isn't in London for starters. Nigel Pearson is no more likely to get Talksport interested just because an event is at Wembley rather than the Millennium. In what way is Wembley FAR superior? British national newspapers have absolutely no interest in speedway for many reasons, including a general dislike of motorbikes, and until such time as there is a British 'Tomasz Gollob" will remain apathetic and even that might not be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted July 4, 2011 Report Share Posted July 4, 2011 A weekend in London or any of the surrounding areas, at least people would have a choice of hotels rather than get stitched up by the limited number in Cardiff. I too have been to both, and yes the new Wembley is far superior to the MS which I thought looked rather tatty the last time I visited. I disagree about the level of publicity if the GP were at Wembley surely Pearson could get some of the right people at Talksport involved, get them to run competitions for tickets etc. YOU obviously don't go to London much ... which is much more expensive then Cardiff. And, of course, Wembley isn't in London for starters. Nigel Pearson is no more likely to get Talksport interested just because an event is at Wembley rather than the Millennium. In what way is Wembley FAR superior? British national newspapers have absolutely no interest in speedway for many reasons, including a general dislike of motorbikes, and until such time as there is a British 'Tomasz Gollob" will remain apathetic and even that might not be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowCaptain Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 Wembley stadium is very modern, and there are some parts of the Millennium stadium that could do with sprucing up, but part of the reason for going to the GP in Cardiff is the peripheral activities - the chance to meet friends, to enjoy the street festival and the supporters, to mingle. Try doing that in Wembley! 40,000 supporters are not going to come together in central London, and there is no space around Wembley to meet, drink, eat. The key issue is the roof. I am not going to risk more than £200 buying tickets for an event that might be postponed, or cancelled, or raced in ridiculous conditions. Cardiff has hardly needed the roof to keep out the rain, but it has needed the roof to sell advance tickets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 It did, of course, have a great atmosphere generated by a crowd double that we now get at Cardiff but the fact that you arrived not knowing who would be World Champion and left knowing who was was a major factor too. Yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazzman Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 YOU obviously don't go to London much ... which is much more expensive then Cardiff. And, of course, Wembley isn't in London for starters. Nigel Pearson is no more likely to get Talksport interested just because an event is at Wembley rather than the Millennium. In what way is Wembley FAR superior? British national newspapers have absolutely no interest in speedway for many reasons, including a general dislike of motorbikes, and until such time as there is a British 'Tomasz Gollob" will remain apathetic and even that might not be enough. UEFA were full of praise recently. For the first time ever, all their officials and associated media had no problems. There was no need for temporary facilities at the stadium, there was no need to drive delegates thirty miles away to ensure a quality hotel. Add to that pretty much nearly all transport funnels into the capital. Yeah the early start at Cardiff has helped with this but other than catching a train towards London after 8, you're stuck. Personally I think it's a much superior stadium. Better finished. It was no surprise to see UEFA appoint the next available showpiece final to Wembley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 Add to that pretty much nearly all transport funnels into the capital. How far from Wembley are the main line stations? Victoria Coach Station? Pavement bars and cafés? Niamh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 YOU obviously don't go to London much ... which is much more expensive then Cardiff. And, of course, Wembley isn't in London for starters. Nigel Pearson is no more likely to get Talksport interested just because an event is at Wembley rather than the Millennium. In what way is Wembley FAR superior? British national newspapers have absolutely no interest in speedway for many reasons, including a general dislike of motorbikes, and until such time as there is a British 'Tomasz Gollob" will remain apathetic and even that might not be enough. cardiff is better beacause of the roof, how close the shops and hotels are. very easy get about and no rain off. however i think wembley is nicer as its new and more modern and better laid out. cardiff sound system is rubbish now and things like the boxes need doing up as bit worn. in general place wants a bit of a tart up. still best place for gp though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 well that is your perogative, personally, I think a June Cardiff GP and a second GP at the end of September in Manchester would see 45,000 in Cardiff and 17,000 in Manchester, no bother. Agreed Jimmy Jimmy. I'll go to Cardiff every year no matter what. I also like to visit one Overseas GP a year. If there was a Manchester one, then I think I'd definitely go to the first Manchester GP. Thereafter, maybe every now and then. But I definitely reckon there's 17,000 European speedway fans who would fill Manchester annually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 Agreed Jimmy Jimmy. I'll go to Cardiff every year no matter what. I also like to visit one Overseas GP a year. If there was a Manchester one, then I think I'd definitely go to the first Manchester GP. Thereafter, maybe every now and then. But I definitely reckon there's 17,000 European speedway fans who would fill Manchester annually. no roof and always rains in manchester so better book plenty of days in the hotel for the rain off i for one wouldnt go there even if it didnt rain. dont like the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chesilmaster Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 It would be interesting if the European GP came to Wembley for next year. But I personally think the British GP should stay at Cardiff. No possibility of a rain off!! I would do both GP's next year if they were both in the UK. I agree with the statements about the weather in Manchester. It rains almost daily there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 It would be interesting if the European GP came to Wembley for next year. But I personally think the British GP should stay at Cardiff. No possibility of a rain off!! I would do both GP's next year if they were both in the UK. I agree with the statements about the weather in Manchester. It rains almost daily there. yep a great place to have a national speedway stadium with no roof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 yep a great place to have a national speedway stadium with no roof Sorry guys, but what is the fixation with 'the roof'. To my knowledge, no other GP has a retractable roof, apart from Cardiff and Cardiff is just one round! I think the roof is almost irrelevant. I think an idea for the GB GP would be to alternate the stadium, otherwise things get stale. Say Cardiff, followed by Wembley, followed by ??? Bradford maybe, Hampden maybe. Surely it would be good to have different venues to keep things interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obrien48 Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 Sorry guys, but what is the fixation with 'the roof'. To my knowledge, no other GP has a retractable roof, apart from Cardiff and Cardiff is just one round! I think the roof is almost irrelevant. I think an idea for the GB GP would be to alternate the stadium, otherwise things get stale. Say Cardiff, followed by Wembley, followed by ??? Bradford maybe, Hampden maybe. Surely it would be good to have different venues to keep things interesting. Hmmm... what would be good would be to have each venue put forward their 'bid' or reasons for holding the event, noone should be gifted the GP just because it's been here or there for X amount of years. For me though Cardiff is a special occasion - I'd hate for it to disappear, the city is great, everything is in walking distance and the roof is a lucky bonus as we know we'll definitely have a GP to watch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddi Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) Sorry guys, but what is the fixation with 'the roof'. To my knowledge, no other GP has a retractable roof, apart from Cardiff and Cardiff is just one round! I think the roof is almost irrelevant. I dont! I travel 250 miles from Hull and I want to see a meeting. The British weather is notriously fickle and without the roof we may have had at least 2 Cardiff rain offs from my experience of the events. If we have a good stadium with a roof, then we should use it. Edited July 5, 2011 by Paddi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddi Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 For me though Cardiff is a special occasion - I'd hate for it to disappear, the city is great, everything is in walking distance and the roof is a lucky bonus as we know we'll definitely have a GP to watch! I agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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