SHALEWAY69 Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 NEW ZEALAND GRAND PRIX Just returned from Auckland .A great meeting, terrific venue, good weather, fantastic hospitality. Let down by the fact that the viewing from the grandstand was dismal unless you were in the front or back grow you could only see the heads of the riders on the home straight. The organisers must look at this for next year. The bonus was the less you paid the better position you got. The other factor was the organiser’s failure to publicy honour the New Zealand greats, Ivan Mauger, Ronnie Moore, Mitch Shirra and many others who were there but appeared to have been ignored. This was a great shame as many New Zealanders were seeing speedway at Western springs for the first time for decades. The public recognition of past heroes would have been the icing on the cake. Albiet there was a wrap up in the progamme [good value at $10NZ] of the New Zealand heritage I went to the meeting with former Hastings rider Peter Gilder who had raced at Western springs against Bryce Subritzy in 1953. We vacated the grandstand and searched for a spot of the first bend. When I said "make way for an old rider", the fans were so interested and made room for us. This made Peters day and I am sure if the champions had have been presented it would have been a wonderful tribute,to them, but there is always next year. The veterans get together at the RSLclub on the Friday evening saw the biggest gathering of speedway folk I have ever seen, Ronnie Moore, Ivan Mauger, Mitch Shirra, Chris Harris John Titman, Bruce Croxon, Nigek Close, Bert Harkins, Jim Crowhurst, Martin Rogers, Bob Andrews, Steve Magro were just a few of the ones I met. Got Ronnie’s autograph.too. A bonus for fans returning the Brisbane on the Emirates was the company of GP riders returning to Europe via Dubai Ole fix that grandstand!! Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 Grandstand was apparently left over from the Rugby World Cup - great for seeing the try in the far corner but no good for us - I watched the starts on the little big screen before I wandered off in search of better viewing. The organises have offered to refund the difference between general admission and grandstand seating on presentation of a scan of a ticket, so they're obviously aware of the problem. Beer was cold but. Did you try the Mussel Fritters?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 My husband definitely expected the great New Zealanders of the past to be presented to the crowd on tv and interviewed too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 THE grandstand was a major topic at the de-briefing. Incidentally, this has nothing to do with Ole Olsen. He is responsible for laying the track, nothing more. The grandstand was erected during the week but there will definitely be something different in 2013. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted April 3, 2012 Report Share Posted April 3, 2012 My husband definitely expected the great New Zealanders of the past to be presented to the crowd on tv and interviewed too. Why? Does he organise the program of events? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 FURROW Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Why? Does he organise the program of events? No its just her way at having yet another pop at the GP's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Agree; They didn't mention Michael Jepsen Jensen as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennylane Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Nor did they give New Zealand's seven times national champion and wildcard entry Jason Bunyan special recognition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Flippen 'ek! How dare they, in the 2012 GP not mention riders from a million years ago. If they started listing greats of the past at GP's you'd never see any racing in Sweden, Denmark, Poland and GB. In fact GB has about 8 World Champions for them to bang on about, that's without any riders who've "only" made the podium. If Mitch Shirra should be getting a mention at Cardiff the meeting could take about 20 hours as they mention about 70-100 British riders! And we have a thread else where asking why youngsters don't go to speedway, because frankly they don't car about someone who was riding in the 50's and 60's or even the 80s as in the case of Mitch Shirra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Flippen 'ek! How dare they, in the 2012 GP not mention riders from a million years ago. If they started listing greats of the past at GP's you'd never see any racing in Sweden, Denmark, Poland and GB. In fact GB has about 8 World Champions for them to bang on about, that's without any riders who've "only" made the podium. If Mitch Shirra should be getting a mention at Cardiff the meeting could take about 20 hours as they mention about 70-100 British riders! And we have a thread else where asking why youngsters don't go to speedway, because frankly they don't car about someone who was riding in the 50's and 60's or even the 80s as in the case of Mitch Shirra. But Trees' husband "definitely expected" it to happen. Surely on that basis it should have happened. It could have been just like the German GP of 07 where a plethora of ex champs where wheeled out before the meeting, it was pointless and boring and only served to detract from the atmosphere in the stadium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Flippen 'ek! How dare they, in the 2012 GP not mention riders from a million years ago. If they started listing greats of the past at GP's you'd never see any racing in Sweden, Denmark, Poland and GB. In fact GB has about 8 World Champions for them to bang on about, that's without any riders who've "only" made the podium. If Mitch Shirra should be getting a mention at Cardiff the meeting could take about 20 hours as they mention about 70-100 British riders! And we have a thread else where asking why youngsters don't go to speedway, because frankly they don't car about someone who was riding in the 50's and 60's or even the 80s as in the case of Mitch Shirra. The history of the sport is very important, why do you always have a dig at the past.Riders you are seing now, they will be in the past at some stage would it of hurt to make a fuss of the old stars that were there.I care about those riders,you talk some sense but when you are negative and posts like this i just dont see your logic in your negativity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 (edited) Surely on that basis it should have happened. It could have been just like the German GP of 07 where a plethora of ex champs where wheeled out before the meeting, I think the difference is that NZ produced a phenomenal number of World Champions for the size of the country, and even more amazing was that they all came from around Christchurch which is itself a very small city. Edited April 5, 2012 by Humphrey Appleby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 The history of the sport is very important, why do you always have a dig at the past.Riders you are seing now, they will be in the past at some stage would it of hurt to make a fuss of the old stars that were there.I care about those riders,you talk some sense but when you are negative and posts like this i just dont see your logic in your negativity. None of us go to GPs for a stroll down Memory Lane, sidney, we go to see the GP. One of the aspects of attending is that if you go to the various gathering-points and watering holes around the city you'll get to meet plenty of former and current stars of our sport. Quite why the stay-at-home viewers should demand to have a say in the programme of events escapes me. I think the difference is that NZ produced a phenomenal number of World Champions for the size of the country, and even more amazing was that they all came from around Christchurch which is itself a very small city. Bit like Mildura, eh, Humphrey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 (edited) Why? Does he organise the program of events? Well if you don't understand why then that's a shame. I think the difference is that NZ produced a phenomenal number of World Champions for the size of the country Multi world champs at that, obviously they mean nothing to world championship speedway supporters now ....... oh dear! Edited April 5, 2012 by Trees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Well if you don't understand why then that's a shame. Oh I'm sorry, Trees. I fail to to understand why anyone would expect a parade of past champions at a current GP - I've been to a few and never seen it before, so what makes the difference with this one? Perhaps you'd like to explain your reasoning for those poor misguided simpletons among us who actually attend and enjoy GPs and obviously aren't as clever as you, rather than responding with a snide remark? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 None of us go to GPs for a stroll down Memory Lane, sidney, we go to see the GP. One of the aspects of attending is that if you go to the various gathering-points and watering holes around the city you'll get to meet plenty of former and current stars of our sport. Quite why the stay-at-home viewers should demand to have a say in the programme of events escapes me. Bit like Mildura, eh, Humphrey! None of us go to GPs for a stroll down Memory Lane, sidney, we go to see the GP. One of the aspects of attending is that if you go to the various gathering-points and watering holes around the city you'll get to meet plenty of former and current stars of our sport. Quite why the stay-at-home viewers should demand to have a say in the programme of events escapes me. Bit like Mildura, eh, Humphrey! Stay at home Dave?, have you been a regular supporter in Britain? before the the series started the bread and butter league racing,I am not saying get the red carpet out but for me they the old stars have my respect.As for your stay at home supporter comment { ie ]the series is not that great for me to spend my savings on i am happy with a british team match. As for memory lane )whats wrong with that,for Ronnie Moore (ect) not to have 5 minutes of the viewers time for me showed a lack of understanding of the history of the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Stay at home Dave?, have you been a regular supporter in Britain? Bit of a cheap shot, sidney, and also a bit off-topic. before the the series started the bread and butter league racing,I am not saying get the red carpet out but for me they the old stars have my respect. We're talking 2012 here: I'm sure all of us share your respect for our heroes of the past, but why should they intrude on the GP programme just because they live in the host country? .As for your stay at home supporter comment { ie ]the series is not that great for me to spend my savings on i am happy with a british team match. ....and do you tell them how to run their show too? As for memory lane )whats wrong with that,for Ronnie Moore (ect) not to have 5 minutes of the viewers time for me showed a lack of understanding of the history of the sport. I don;t know how much BSI/IMG pay for satellite time, but if you're willing to contribute towards their running costs I'm sure they'd be more than happy to take your money/suggestions on board. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldace Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 The history of the sport is very important, why do you always have a dig at the past.Riders you are seing now, they will be in the past at some stage would it of hurt to make a fuss of the old stars that were there.I care about those riders,you talk some sense but when you are negative and posts like this i just dont see your logic in your negativity. The history of the sport is indeed important, to people who are interested in it, and even then at the right place and time. A GP is not the place for these kind of things. We had it at Wembley in 1978, although that was done so badly as to be an embarrassment, we had it at Germany in 07. To a large chunk of the crowd they were merely old men who,s names they may have heard in passing. I go to a GP for the here and now, not for a history lesson A page in the programme is a more acceptable way of honouring past stars achievements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 THE parade of ex World Champions in Germany in 2007 was part of a celebration of the 100th SGP. The 150th will be in Gorzow in June. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 FURROW Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 THE parade of ex World Champions in Germany in 2007 was part of a celebration of the 100th SGP. The 150th will be in Gorzow in June. That's nice to hear that as I will be attending lets hope that all of these that are moaning and whinging attend as well but I very much doubt it but for sure they will be on here the very next day moaning about something it seems to me in there little sad life that's all they can manage 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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