Al Stewart Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 I'm not convinced that an event which has been held three times can be described as 'traditional'. Nevertheless I hope and expect there to be a huge crowd at Berwick for this great cause despite a meeting taking place the night before 275 miles away. I certainly don't see any thunder being stolen, or it a competition to stage the first meeting of the season. If it is then Somerset will win The Ben Fund Bonanza has been staged four times (Sheffield, Rye House, Scunthorpe, Birmingham). The other two meetings that weekend are more in competition for riders than crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 (edited) My apologies, forgot about the first staging at Sheffield. We'll have to wait and see of course but I'm pretty sure all three meetings will have decent line ups. Edited January 23, 2013 by Bagpuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjm Posted January 24, 2013 Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 (edited) http://www.berwickba...php/latest-news Excellent additions, Hall is just superb to watch, most entertaining rider on show at the PLRC. Open meetings always need riders that are a bit daft/entertain. Barker, Harris, Hall and Ashworth fit that. Edited January 24, 2013 by wjm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddyfivetoes Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 My friend in Denmark has told me that Mads Korneliuson will be at the Bonanza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 My friend in Denmark has told me that Mads Korneliuson will be at the Bonanza. Your friend in Denmark is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awaiting humorous username Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 Just wondering about the economics of the cost of the full page ad on the back of the star every week against the number of additional people the ad attracts seeing as one of the main ideas of the meeting is to raise funds - I'd have thought the readership of the star is fairly constant in the winter with shop saves and subscribers and there'd be very few people seeing the ad for the first time each time and even less of those would be keen enough to go to the meeting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backless Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 Wow! You think it's being paid for? I'm surprised that it hasn't adopted its usual Advent Calendar appearance, but not that it's there. Over the winter it fills 15-20 pages that otherwise would have photos that the Star would need to pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catch Me If You Can Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 Just wondering about the economics of the cost of the full page ad on the back of the star every week against the number of additional people the ad attracts seeing as one of the main ideas of the meeting is to raise funds - I'd have thought the readership of the star is fairly constant in the winter with shop saves and subscribers and there'd be very few people seeing the ad for the first time each time and even less of those would be keen enough to go to the meeting I would imagine given the type of meeting this is there would be no charge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Brown Posted February 3, 2013 Report Share Posted February 3, 2013 The Oxford SOS are sponsoring a race at the Ben Fund Bonanza and with it being so far away will not be using the 2 VIP tickets for this meeting Therefore as we have in the past, the first person to offer the face value of the tickets with the money donated to the Ben Fund can benefit from the tickets The VIP package contains 2 ickets for the meeting as well as a buffet in the VIP area. The cost of normal admission is £16 so for £32 these tickets can be yours and you benefit from a buffet and seats in the VIP area PM me if you are interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heedthebaw Posted February 4, 2013 Report Share Posted February 4, 2013 Just wondering about the economics of the cost of the full page ad on the back of the star every week against the number of additional people the ad attracts seeing as one of the main ideas of the meeting is to raise funds - I'd have thought the readership of the star is fairly constant in the winter with shop saves and subscribers and there'd be very few people seeing the ad for the first time each time and even less of those would be keen enough to go to the meeting Just wondering about the economics of the cost of the full page ad on the back of the star every week against the number of additional people the ad attracts seeing as one of the main ideas of the meeting is to raise funds - I'd have thought the readership of the star is fairly constant in the winter with shop saves and subscribers and there'd be very few people seeing the ad for the first time each time and even less of those would be keen enough to go to the meeting I was reliably informed that the Speedway Star do the Ben Fund Adverts free of charge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penchev Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 It's turning out to be a bit dissapointing regarding this meeting, with the grand prix riders doing topinka's and lindgrens meetings, the ben fund should be priorty over both these meetings imo,after all it is in aid of the riders and the fans have supported this fund, if it is a case of the riders cannot be bothered to travel up for this meeting (hope i am wrong) then it is pity on them to say the least, Hopefully the grand prix riders will take part in this event. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 It's turning out to be a bit dissapointing regarding this meeting, with the grand prix riders doing topinka's and lindgrens meetings, the ben fund should be priorty over both these meetings imo,after all it is in aid of the riders and the fans have supported this fund, if it is a case of the riders cannot be bothered to travel up for this meeting (hope i am wrong) then it is pity on them to say the least, Hopefully the grand prix riders will take part in this event. Agree with you there,but Im sure the big names will be added in due course.Im sure there will be a decent crowd there anyway as its a good cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topsoil Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 It's common knowledge that at least three G P riders who had originally agreed to ride in this meeting have now chosen to ride in the Tomas Topinka testimonial meeting. That's disappointing considering the proceeds from the meeting go towards injured riders and their families. Also disappointing because they would no doubt have added to the gate. But the cynic in me says that chances are they would only be using the meeting to test equipment for New Zealand and you may get better entertainment from the likes of Barker, Harris, Hall, Ashworth, Korneliussen, Worrall etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamber Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Can anyone pull off a masterstroke and get Mr. Gollob there?? I reckon he would put 2/300 on the gate would gladly pay £20 to see him go around Shielfield Park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember06 Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 It's turning out to be a bit dissapointing regarding this meeting, with the grand prix riders doing topinka's and lindgrens meetings, the ben fund should be priorty over both these meetings imo,after all it is in aid of the riders and the fans have supported this fund, if it is a case of the riders cannot be bothered to travel up for this meeting (hope i am wrong) then it is pity on them to say the least, Hopefully the grand prix riders will take part in this event. Think you'll find that some of the GP riders that have been asked cannot be arsed to travel. I thought the whole point of the Ben Fund meeting was that its the very first meeting of the season and the meeting was to be shared around the country, now the BSPA have sanctioned a testimonial for the day before the Ben Fund, thus taking the possibility of GP riders coming to Berwick but rather going to Kings Lynn the night before. I'm sure Mads will be doing both TT testimonial and the Ben Fund 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backless Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 It's not a case of the BSPA sanctioning anything. It's up to the track when the testimonial is held. The season normally starts on the 15th of March, but that is brought forward when Easter falls in March. Ironically, it was brought in to enable clubs to get a decent for their first meeting of the season & another over the Easter weekend. Now it seems that most clubs are delaying their starts until what happens to be Easter weekend. Nothing against Topinka personally, but it's bloody ridiculous to have sneaked in on the night before the Ben Fund. I believe there wasn't a problem with Lindgren running on the Sunday, as Berwick can't anyway - like the GP Qualifier last year, the Ben Fund rain off date will be the Monday. That would have provided competitive practice on Saturday & Sunday, or Sunday & Monday ahead of shipping gear to NZ. Anyone who thinks the PL boys will be looking at it as anything more than competitive practice too is deluding themselves - not that there's anything wrong with that. Should there be a circumstance where Ben Fund proceeds are required by one of those snubbing the meeting, you can bet their hand will be out without delay. All of which to be honest makes what little interest I have in the EL wane a bit more. I hope the crowd & fund raising is all that it should be and all the more credit to the PL riders (& Bomber & Mads etc) for making the effort. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catch Me If You Can Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 It's not a case of the BSPA sanctioning anything. It's up to the track when the testimonial is held. The season normally starts on the 15th of March, but that is brought forward when Easter falls in March. Ironically, it was brought in to enable clubs to get a decent for their first meeting of the season & another over the Easter weekend. Now it seems that most clubs are delaying their starts until what happens to be Easter weekend. Nothing against Topinka personally, but it's bloody ridiculous to have sneaked in on the night before the Ben Fund. I believe there wasn't a problem with Lindgren running on the Sunday, as Berwick can't anyway - like the GP Qualifier last year, the Ben Fund rain off date will be the Monday. That would have provided competitive practice on Saturday & Sunday, or Sunday & Monday ahead of shipping gear to NZ. Anyone who thinks the PL boys will be looking at it as anything more than competitive practice too is deluding themselves - not that there's anything wrong with that. Should there be a circumstance where Ben Fund proceeds are required by one of those snubbing the meeting, you can bet their hand will be out without delay. All of which to be honest makes what little interest I have in the EL wane a bit more. I hope the crowd & fund raising is all that it should be and all the more credit to the PL riders (& Bomber & Mads etc) for making the effort. An excellent posting, Backless, some good points made. Yes you correct the Topinka organisers should have ensured his meeting was after Ben traditionally the opener. Mr Acroyd has been quiet so far on this but I would imagine inwardly he is fuming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backless Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 Cheers - it's not as if the EL calendar is choc a bloc with fixtures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadders Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 It's common knowledge that at least three G P riders who had originally agreed to ride in this meeting have now chosen to ride in the Tomas Topinka testimonial meeting. That's disappointing considering the proceeds from the meeting go towards injured riders and their families. Also disappointing because they would no doubt have added to the gate. But the cynic in me says that chances are they would only be using the meeting to test equipment for New Zealand and you may get better entertainment from the likes of Barker, Harris, Hall, Ashworth, Korneliussen, Worrall etc. Typical Chapman stunt, choosing the night before the Ben Fund to put on a money spinner for one bloke when many more benefit from the Benevolent fund which should take priority. Shame on those riders who decided not to travel up to Berwick. They should be named and shamed. I stopped going to Kings Lynn many years ago. I refuse to put another penny in the Chapmans greedy pockets. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luluthetiger Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 A very good point about riders who decline to support the BenFund not getting benefits. Topinka himself has had a couple of injuries in the past few seasons -- did he get help then? Riders who have appeared in maybe two or three past BenFund meetings can be excused, but there are big names who have managed to miss every one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.