The Know Posted December 11, 2011 Report Share Posted December 11, 2011 (edited) OVER 40 now booked to travel from UK ... you underestimate the interest being shown by people from the UK. Over 3000 tickets (including all those for the grandstand) for the event already sold, over half from Australia. Don't be so pessimistic. was a bit of light humour so lighten up Phil on a side note 40 hey My goodness Mr A...you are a funny chap,quite a card.. this adult advanced humour must be straight from your favourite Beano....our plane you will be pleased to know has the correct "Lift" off.Now why would we choose Bournemouth..??? no sense of humour ? it is xmas after all. you are right bournemouth far to expensive area for it Edited December 11, 2011 by The Know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted December 14, 2011 Report Share Posted December 14, 2011 Surely the whole bloody idea of a GP in New Zealand is due to an expansion of the series and why not in a country with a fantastic hiistory in the sport• As for none speedway fans going just to enjoy a festive day out that's exactly what the sport needs you never know they might get hooked on it 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Surely the whole bloody idea of a GP in New Zealand is due to an expansion of the series and why not in a country with a fantastic hiistory in the sport• As for none speedway fans going just to enjoy a festive day out that's exactly what the sport needs you never know they might get hooked on it if they do get hooked where they going to go to watch speedway then as i believe there is very little if any in nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted December 15, 2011 Report Share Posted December 15, 2011 Oh to look on the bright side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted December 16, 2011 Report Share Posted December 16, 2011 if they do get hooked where they going to go to watch speedway then as i believe there is very little if any in nz You've obviously done little or no research to make such an uninformed sweeping statement. Meanwhile, back at Western Springs, the Foo Fighters rocked the joint so much last Tuesday that seismic monitors picked up the rumble from 50,000 fans over two kilometres away. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/vibrations-from-foo-fighters-concert-at-aucklands-western-springs-picked-up-by-seismic-monitors/story-e6frexl9-1226223386251 I'd hope we can top that at the end of March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted December 16, 2011 Report Share Posted December 16, 2011 You've obviously done little or no research to make such an uninformed sweeping statement. Meanwhile, back at Western Springs, the Foo Fighters rocked the joint so much last Tuesday that seismic monitors picked up the rumble from 50,000 fans over two kilometres away. http://www.dailytele...9-1226223386251 I'd hope we can top that at the end of March. whats music got to do with speedway bit like saying cardiff sold out for the football so it will for the sgp no i havnt done much reserch but as far as i know there is pretty much nothing going on domestic wise in nz and not many riders coming out of nz at present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted December 16, 2011 Report Share Posted December 16, 2011 More publicity in the paper. http://www.stuff.co....ants-NZ-support A 9pm curfew at the track ??? I hope the bars are open later than that !!! Or is everyone in NZ tucked up in bed by 10pm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted December 16, 2011 Report Share Posted December 16, 2011 whats music got to do with speedway bit like saying cardiff sold out for the football so it will for the sgp no i havnt done much reserch but as far as i know there is pretty much nothing going on domestic wise in nz and not many riders coming out of nz at present. There are thriving clubs on both islands, but there's no league structure; it's like Oz, mainly individual meetings, and like us the sidecar scene is thriving. With the improved TV coverage of the GPs and Elite League now available expect to see an upsurge in Kiwis good enough to make it abroad. Keep the name Hayden Sims in your mind for a couple of years down the track. A 9pm curfew at the track ??? I hope the bars are open later than that !!! Or is everyone in NZ tucked up in bed by 10pm? Most of the population are safely tucked up in their paddocks, listening to their shepherd counting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehammer Posted December 16, 2011 Report Share Posted December 16, 2011 There are thriving clubs on both islands, but there's no league structure; it's like Oz, mainly individual meetings, and like us the sidecar scene is thriving. With the improved TV coverage of the GPs and Elite League now available expect to see an upsurge in Kiwis good enough to make it abroad. Keep the name Hayden Sims in your mind for a couple of years down the track. Hayden certainly seemed to get on it in the last meeting at Moore Park, Anthony Knowles is another who has come through the juniors over the last couple of years and can gate... maybe a bit of work coming from behind to be done, but he certainly has potential... Peleti Woods is another who I saw in his 1st meeting on the junior track a few years ago and he struggled to turn, now in the last meeting looked smooth, stylish and just as quick as some of the main guys on the big track. There are a few guys that given the support and opportunity could make a go of it in the UK, Andrew Aldridge has been there with Bournemouth and is looking as quick as ever, Daniel McKinlay who has come back from a serious injury I think, and Dale Finch who seems a determined rider... on top of that there is Grant Tregoning. What NZ needs is for a couple of these riders to take the next step, hopefully get some team places in the UK and then push on. By having the GP here that will hopefully help encourage more through into Speedway (or Solo's as it's know down here!). As BFD said, it is more individual meetings over here, which are supported by sidecars at many events. By getting more involved hopefully this would help to create more opportunities and more meetings.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeyenz Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 There is an article on Bill Buckley the man behind the GP in Auckland. It's interesting. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6156968/Sunday-profile-Dirt-track-genius The NZ scene is run down there is no doubt about that but for such a small country we have extraordinary success in many sports, including most motosports. I think the GP might open a few eyes to the possibilities of a career in Europe. Remember Denmark was hardly a hotbed of speedway until Ole Olsen's success. Most people under 35 in NZ would have no idea who Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs and Ronnie Moore were but a world class event might publicise New Zealands heritage in speedway and inspire some kids. We can but hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennylane Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 I am baffled why a Speedway GP is taking place in Auckland. It is not a speedway-bike minded country any more. There are three main centres from what I can see = Rosebank, Moore Park and Oreti Park - and they do not run on a weekly basis. The only other tracks that sometimes (and rarely) that stage speedway bikes as support to car races are at Palmerston North and Kihikihi. Contrary to this, I estimate there must be between 25 and 30 venues staging various car race formulas through from midgets and sprint cars to big 240ci stock cars. On the other hand sidecars are featured regularly at tracks where there are no solo races, Gisborne is one such track that springs tp mind but they also dominate at those tracks classified as main speedway centres. The fact that the Speedway GP had to play second fiddle to the cars at Western Springs - after their season had ended - shows where New Zealand priorities lie. I will concede, however, that the delay between cars and the GP at Western Springs was to adapt the track for the one-off bike venture. I have no doubt that a big crowd will be there - many of them not speedway fans - but merely out for a festive day as they would be for a big pop concert. A few may like the calibre of racing they see at the GP and be tempted to then go to an all-kiwi speedway. They will then have a cultural shock - rather like one would if enticed to football after a Real Madrid-Barcelnoa clash, then going to see a Blue Square South or similar fixture. But in my opinion hopes that the GP will rekindle New Zealand bike speedway just is not going to happen. JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT This is the best analysis so far of the New Zealand speedway/car scene. There will be a good crowd at the GP in March but it will not spark a revival for the bikes down under any more than Greg Hancock's GP success has sparked a massive USA speedway bikes revival. The event will attract the curious looking for a day out but is unlikely to turn them into the speedway faithful. Many people will be there with no idea of what speedway is - no background knowledge which is essential - and soon look for another big attraction for a day out - like a pop concert with performing names that are known worldwide. To many New Zealanders going to the GP out of curiosity the riders names mean nothing - added to the fact there is no "home town" contender for the event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 This link gives some background to the history of Western Springs. http://www.speedwayclub.co.nz/history.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandie Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 To many New Zealanders going to the GP out of curiosity the riders names mean nothing - added to the fact there is no "home town" contender for the event. What makes you say there will be no "home town" contender? What about the wildcard? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 I see another 'informed' self-appointed expert has predicted doom & gloom. I take it you won't be attending, Kennylane? Good to see another true fan will be travelling from six-fingered territory to the Land of the Wrong White Crowd - looking forward to catching up, Haza! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennylane Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 What makes you say there will be no "home town" contender? What about the wildcard? And who does New Zealand have of the grade to be a wild card? But I suppose that as the competition directs it there will be one. I see another 'informed' self-appointed expert has predicted doom & gloom. I take it you won't be attending, Kennylane? Too true mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Skid Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 "Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 18, 2011 Report Share Posted December 18, 2011 With the improved TV coverage of the GPs and Elite League now available expect to see an upsurge in Kiwis good enough to make it abroad. Keep the name Hayden Sims in your mind for a couple of years down the track. Would love to be proved wrong, but there isn't any coverage of the Elite league on TV in NZ. GPs and World Cup are shown (highlights), but often months after the event. Otherwise us kiwis are reliant on t'internet. That's why I was so surprised that the GP did come to fruition, I would have thought there would have been better coverage of the GP on Sky last year to help drum up interest. What makes you say there will be no "home town" contender? What about the wildcard? I'd assumed that this would be given to an Aussie (Troy Batchelor?) or a Brit wintering down under. Is there any word on who this is likely to be? this article seems to suggest that while NZ are entitled to a wildcard, this may not be given to a kiwi if there is none good enough (likely to be the case?) http://www.nzherald.co.nz/motorsport/news/article.cfm?c_id=66&objectid=10770641 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Why all the worry about the wildcard. When Italy run their GP there is no talk of there's no rider good enough. Our Wildcard will be better than theirs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Why all the worry about the wildcard. When Italy run their GP there is no talk of there's no rider good enough. Our Wildcard will be better than theirs Is Mirac coming out of retirement then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 19, 2011 Report Share Posted December 19, 2011 Why all the worry about the wildcard. When Italy run their GP there is no talk of there's no rider good enough. Our Wildcard will be better than theirs um, not sure how Italian Matej Zagar is? Anyway, I really hope there is a kiwi wildcard, but not convinced that that will be the case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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