screm Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 The clash of dates is unfortune but it shows the lack of communication and self interest that exists between Speedway Promotions,the Ben Fund on March 9th was obviously set early to attract riders warming up for the season and attract Star names to boost the crowd before their busy league schedule begins but IMO the Testimonials have jump in and offered the GP guys some practice for the NZ GP knowing their "friends" wouldn't let them down and it would disrupt the proceedingsof Ben Fund, pretty poor IMO.I am sure the riders that turn will put a good show though. Agree with you,though to be fair the people putting together the Topinka meeting and the Lindgren meeting will probably be going after the same riders as the Ben Fund.At the end of the day it might come down to the geography of the three meetings,though Im sure the top riders couldve made it to Berwick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusky Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Agree with you,though to be fair the people putting together the Topinka meeting and the Lindgren meeting will probably be going after the same riders as the Ben Fund.At the end of the day it might come down to the geography of the three meetings,though Im sure the top riders couldve made it to Berwick. You are right as far as the non UK based riders are concerned, as the travelling costs can be spread across the 2 / 3 events that THEY decide to ride in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 You are right as far as the non UK based riders are concerned, as the travelling costs can be spread across the 2 / 3 events that THEY decide to ride in. You are right as far as the non UK based riders are concerned, as the travelling costs can be spread across the 2 / 3 events that THEY decide to ride in. Lets face it 3 meetings in 3 days in GB is not a big ask giving the nature of the EVENTS considering what they will travel in consecutive days in the normal season. Travel is not an issue in my book,but who wants to make the effort is the question.PS I have no idea what riders have been asked or otherwise my point is about the nature of the meeting and the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Probably the most disappointing thing was that several riders had intially verbally said yes to the Ben Fund meeting, only to then say no once the Tomas Topinka meeting was added to the calendar. So the Tomas Topinka meeting has taken several top riders away from the Ben Fund meeting. But the Ben Fund meeting will still be a cracker, with quite a few riders who wouldn't normally be at Berwick. I'm looking forward to it. I also hope Tomas's farewell meeting is a success, even though the organisers have been naughty in putting it before the Ben Fund meeting. All the best Rob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luluthetiger Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Probably the most disappointing thing was that several riders had intially verbally said yes to the Ben Fund meeting, only to then say no once the Tomas Topinka meeting was added to the calendar. So the Tomas Topinka meeting has taken several top riders away from the Ben Fund meeting. But the Ben Fund meeting will still be a cracker, with quite a few riders who wouldn't normally be at Berwick. I'm looking forward to it. I also hope Tomas's farewell meeting is a success, even though the organisers have been naughty in putting it before the Ben Fund meeting. All the best Rob Well put, Rob. While in no way blaming TT personally, his organisers have been disrespectful to the much-needed Benevolent Fund by luring big names who would otherwise have honoured the Bonanza, by "making a better offer" to go the Saddlebow Road. But the BenFund meeting, it should be highlighted, will still have as good a field (remember more names are to be announced) as any meeting staged at Berwick, or anywhere in the north in years and years. With the added incentive to people from all over Britain to attend, see a bunch of riders who are not known for "just going through the motions" putting on the style for the very best of good causes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddyfivetoes Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Above three posts are sensible and to be applauded. On one point, it has to be assumed that virtually every available GP and/or ex-GP rider who might have been expected to support the BenFund will have been invited. Let's fill the north's only FIM-approved venue for (as Lulu said above) the best of good causes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Let's face it , it's the concept behind this meeting which is the most important aspect . Regardless who is in the field , fans of the 6 Northern tracks will make sure this is well attended and it will be as good as Birmingham was last year . 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Let's face it , it's the concept behind this meeting which is the most important aspect . Regardless who is in the field , fans of the 6 Northern tracks will make sure this is well attended and it will be as good as Birmingham was last year . Totally agree, I remember me getting upset last season that Swindon ran a meeting the same day as the Shane Parker Farewell meeting. But it did not effect the crowd levels at Sheffield that day to be honest and I don't think the crowd levels at Swindon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgcumming Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Looking at the line up for the Topinka testimonial (which is now complete), would love to see Kozza and Seb make the trip up from Norfolk for the meeting on Saturday. Plus with Freddie Lindgren due to reveal further big names during the week, maybe we can keep everyone happy and have some blockbuster signings as well as some local favourites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 PK, Watt and Nicholls all riding for Freddie but not Tomas so presumably they'll be riding in the Ben Fund if invited? Wondered if Hancock will be coming over to the UK for some pre GP racing like last year. Several other GP riders like KK, Zagar and Vaculik presumably available too so expecting some big names to be announced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crescent girl Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 so presumably they'll be riding in the Ben Fund if invited? Don't kid yourself. Be assured, every available GP, ex-GP or up'n'coming superstar has been invited. By March 9, we will learn how many have their less-fortunate fellow-riders' interests at heart. But regardless of who has accepted their invitation, I'll be there to support the sport, the good cause vand to support the granting of the honour of staging the event to Berwick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 Eastbourne`s Cameron Woodward is lastest addition to the Ben Fund meeting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinny Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 See no reason why Topinkas meeting can be criticized in any way... its up to him who he invites and when he stages his meeting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigeddiechek Posted February 14, 2013 Report Share Posted February 14, 2013 I think this will identify mercenaries from the non-mercenaries. Merely an observation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 See no reason why Topinkas meeting can be criticized in any way... its up to him who he invites and when he stages his meeting. Correct,with the career he`s had over here,he deserves a big meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penchev Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Correct,with the career he`s had over here,he deserves a big meeting. still crap timing though,. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penchev Posted February 15, 2013 Report Share Posted February 15, 2013 Excellent letter in the speedway star this week from Bert Harkins, with the last paragraph asking all fans to show there support to the Ben Fund at Berwick on March 9th. Thanks Bert! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Brown Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 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 Anybody intersted in this ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Must admit Im struggling to understand the anomosity towards the timing of Topinka`s Testimonial,he`s only doing what the Lindgren,and the Ben Fund organisers are trying to do,ie,get as good as field as possible for their meeting. If that takes riders away from Berwick then its a blow,but that opens the door for other riders to take their place.Those who want to support the Ben Fund will be there,Im sure there will be a decent crowd for all three meetings hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinny Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 Regardless of whether their former team mates or not, Topinka is clearly paying some good money for a good line up as is Lindgren. How long has the Ben Fund been operating for? 4 seasons? Riders have opened the season with testimonials for years now. People who assume the likes of Pedersen and Jonsson will sign up shortly maybe wrong... what benefit is the Ben Fund to THEM exactly, other than a normal meeting to get some racing in before the opening GP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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