Leicester V Sheffield 30th March

[Leicester Lion]

You say it was very slick ! That 50 ton of dirt I put on must have been fairy dust.

Simon Stead came up to me and said he had done 7 meetings so far this season and the track last night was the best he had ridden on so far.

Safe, Good grip and consistant . Starts were a awesome.

So the riders have a nice easy ride but the quality of the racing for the paying spectator clearly doesn't matter. It was the same old strung out follow-the-leader stuff as always.

 

Astonishing to read that so much dirt was applied to the track, as none flew over the fence where I was standing, just like the slick days of last season.

[Long Eye]

So the riders have a nice easy ride but the quality of the racing for the paying spectator clearly doesn't matter. It was the same old strung out follow-the-leader stuff as always.

 

Astonishing to read that so much dirt was applied to the track, as none flew over the fence where I was standing, just like the slick days of last season.

 

I think you need to go to SpecSavers if you think there was no loose dirt flying around.

[flagrag]

There was definitely dirt flying but hopefully when the weather improves it will allow Glyn and his team to make the outside more grippy so can get passing round the outside

[Leicester Lion]

I think you need to go to SpecSavers if you think there was no loose dirt flying around.

What a witty response. I repeat, none flew over the fence where I was standing. With all the dirt supposedly spread liberally on the track, I would have expected to be showered with the stuff. I wasn't.

 

Any observations on the first part of my post?

Edited March 31, 2013 by Leicester Lion

[Long Eye]

What a witty response. I repeat, none flew over the fence where I was standing. With all the dirt supposedly spread liberally on the track, I would have expected to be showered with the stuff. I wasn't.

 

Any observations on the first part of my post?

 

Were you standing down the straight? certainly plenty of dirt on the bikes.

[justathought]

You say it was very slick ! That 50 ton of dirt I put on must have been fairy dust.

Simon Stead came up to me and said he had done 7 meetings so far this season and the track last night was the best he had ridden on so far.

Safe, Good grip and consistant . Starts were a awesome.

 

Mr Stead obviously knows a lot more about riding a Speedway bike than I do.

All I can say is that the fairy dust aint working very well, or something else is wrong. Because it didn't produce exciting close racing thats for sure.

[Halifaxtiger]

I do think there needs to be a sense of realism here. Even on the best tracks it is likely that the majority of heats are won from the gate and the number of very good races are few.

 

I also think there is some cause for optimism and that to judge the new shape on the basis of one meeting is unreasonable.

 

My only fear at Leicester is that the surface will be prepared for the benefit of the riders not the spectators and that is simply not on. I base that fear upon two consecutive matches last season (against Scunthorpe and against Plymouth) when the track went from being the best I have ever seen it (and proof that BP can be as good as many and better than some) to an appalling gaters paradise, apparently at the behest of the home team.

 

Tracks (and this does not only apply to Leicester) must be prepared with one person and only one in mind: the paying fan.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Halifaxtiger

[Leicester Lion]

Were you standing down the straight? certainly plenty of dirt on the bikes.

No, the third turn, and, as I said before, I wasn't showered with dirt.

 

The disappointing thing is that Stead's comments will be used as justification that the track is fine and that the cosmetic changes have cured all the problems. It might provide the riders with an easy ride, but almost invariably the racing is dull, predictable, strung out, follow-the-leader, all the things that reduce the entertainment for those who pay to watch.

[TMW]

 

 

Were you standing down the straight? certainly plenty of dirt on the bikes.

 

I stood on the backstraight and the dirt was flying, I had shale in my glass how rude

[Great Central]

No, the third turn, and, as I said before, I wasn't showered with dirt.

 

The disappointing thing is that Stead's comments will be used as justification that the track is fine and that the cosmetic changes have cured all the problems. It might provide the riders with an easy ride, but almost invariably the racing is dull, predictable, strung out, follow-the-leader, all the things that reduce the entertainment for those who pay to watch.

I did think on Saturday that there were a couple of occasions where the "new" shape had shown passing opportunities that the old track wouldn't have done but I do think that it is unfair to judge the track on one meeting alone. Tracks do not show themselves up in their true light when the temperature is just above zero but unfortunately the expectations of the paying public will have been high. It should be judged after more meetings when the track curators have been able to work without worrying about the ultra low temperatures.

[wandersome]

I did think on Saturday that there were a couple of occasions where the "new" shape had shown passing opportunities that the old track wouldn't have done but I do think that it is unfair to judge the track on one meeting alone. Tracks do not show themselves up in their true light when the temperature is just above zero but unfortunately the expectations of the paying public will have been high. It should be judged after more meetings when the track curators have been able to work without worrying about the ultra low temperatures.

 

I guess you mean on bend 3 and 4 because 1 and 2 appeared to be as useless as it's ever been. I did see a couple of riders desperately decide to use the extra couple of foot on the entrance to bend 3 to try and spook the rider in front out of the way by heading into the apex at breakneck speed but having to pull it up at the apex when the rider in front didn't get out the way. I guess It may work with a few riders deciding to get out the way but i'm not sure it's an entertainment that should have anyone marvelling at the skill of it all.

 

Mick.

[jackson2]

The outside line on 3 and 4 showed promise hall and Doolen had a go and hall did well a few times on the outside most riders kept trying the same lines instead of having a look at new lines

[Great Central]

I guess you mean on bend 3 and 4 because 1 and 2 appeared to be as useless as it's ever been. I did see a couple of riders desperately decide to use the extra couple of foot on the entrance to bend 3 to try and spook the rider in front out of the way by heading into the apex at breakneck speed but having to pull it up at the apex when the rider in front didn't get out the way. I guess It may work with a few riders deciding to get out the way but i'm not sure it's an entertainment that should have anyone marvelling at the skill of it all.

 

Mick.

Mick,

No I saw it on bend 2 as well. Had the track been moved in further, it may have worked even better but I am not going to judge the track on one meeting alone. The shape is what it is and it is down to the curators to do their job.

I have seen some dire tracks at the beginning of every season and this didn't fall into that category so my view is that we should focus on the good performances by the team so far and move on.

Martin

[wandersome]

I also think there is some cause for optimism and that to judge the new shape on the basis of one meeting is unreasonable.

 

 

You may be right, Halifaxtiger. However it's not unreasonable. If the promoters track record didn't involve not making any changes to the track the previous winter whilst making assurances in writing to sponsors that they had been made in order to get the money. Then this year the track changes clearly aern't the ones that were going to be made and look for all the world like a cheap face saving option. For the second successive season people have spent large amounts of money on season tickets and sponsorship in the belief that meaningful changes were being made. That's unreasonable. Until proven differently they deserve no benefit of the doubt from me.

 

Mick.

 

Mick,

No I saw it on bend 2 as well. Had the track been moved in further, it may have worked even better but I am not going to judge the track on one meeting alone. The shape is what it is and it is down to the curators to do their job.

I have seen some dire tracks at the beginning of every season and this didn't fall into that category so my view is that we should focus on the good performances by the team so far and move on.

Martin

 

fair enough comment, Martin. I didn't see that at all though. Like you say, had the track been moved in further we'd probably have been 3 pages shorter on this thread and everyone, me included, would be giving the track the benefit of the doubt you and others think they should.

Edited April 1, 2013 by volty

[Stan Duppcomic]

There are very few (if any ) experts on track preparation on this forum, but there are plenty of experts who know what a decent Speedway race is. Personally I couldn't give a monkey's whether there is x tons of dirt on a track or whether the riders think it's great. what I as a paying Speedway supporter want to see is racing. If there's no racing and no passing something needs to change.

 

I've never baked a cake but I know when one tastes like sh**

[jim the whipper]

The new toilet block oh what a disaster with large building but only 3 urinals for men with crowds over 1000 just not enough with large qs happening which meant people missing some of the racing and heard from people around me that ladies no better with leaking toilets so wet floors all in not a good experience for fans

The new toilet block meets All the requirements of the SCB rule book for 2013 , In an effort to level the playing field the old toilet block was deemed far too posh for British Speedway patrons , the new toilets have been built in accordance with SCB specifications and with materials supplied by Gospeed recommended suppliers . I must admit the Briggo splash protectors are very effective at the urinals , I queued for 15 minutes after drinking 5 pints and standing outside in the cold and still came out with dry shoes !!.. the leak in the ladies is a standard leak purchased at considerable expense form Gospeed and in accordance with rule 21b subsection 2 a . the toilets passed BSPA inspection just before the opening match and it is testament to the quality of workmanship that the only advisories were , that there were too many lightbulbs and far too many toilet rolls , these have now been removed and the toilets are full SCB spec. as a side note I heard that the previous toilets were the reason Leicester were refused entry to the Elite league this year and the BSPA are hoping that after a full season of abuse and vandalism the new block will have fallen to a standard acceptable for the teams inclusion in the Elite league in 2014

[Tsunami]

The new toilet block meets All the requirements of the SCB rule book for 2013 , In an effort to level the playing field the old toilet block was deemed far too posh for British Speedway patrons , the new toilets have been built in accordance with SCB specifications and with materials supplied by Gospeed recommended suppliers . I must admit the Briggo splash protectors are very effective at the urinals , I queued for 15 minutes after drinking 5 pints and standing outside in the cold and still came out with dry shoes !!.. the leak in the ladies is a standard leak purchased at considerable expense form Gospeed and in accordance with rule 21b subsection 2 a . the toilets passed BSPA inspection just before the opening match and it is testament to the quality of workmanship that the only advisories were , that there were too many lightbulbs and far too many toilet rolls , these have now been removed and the toilets are full SCB spec. as a side note I heard that the previous toilets were the reason Leicester were refused entry to the Elite league this year and the BSPA are hoping that after a full season of abuse and vandalism the new block will have fallen to a standard acceptable for the teams inclusion in the Elite league in 2014

 

Obviously comedy is not for you.

[Mr Blobby]

I do think there needs to be a sense of realism here. Even on the best tracks it is likely that the majority of heats are won from the gate and the number of very good races are few.

 

I also think there is some cause for optimism and that to judge the new shape on the basis of one meeting is unreasonable.

 

My only fear at Leicester is that the surface will be prepared for the benefit of the riders not the spectators and that is simply not on. I base that fear upon two consecutive matches last season (against Scunthorpe and against Plymouth) when the track went from being the best I have ever seen it (and proof that BP can be as good as many and better than some) to an appalling gaters paradise, apparently at the behest of the home team.

 

Tracks (and this does not only apply to Leicester) must be prepared with one person and only one in mind: the paying fan.

 

Of course they are going to prepare it the way the riders want it! Why would they prepare it the way the fans want it? they are not the ones going out on track and riding it are they or have I missed something.

[Halifaxtiger]

! Why would they prepare it the way the fans want it? they are not the ones going out on track and riding it are they or have I missed something.

 

I would have thought that was fairly obvious. To attract new ones and retain the ones that they have.

 

What have you have probably missed is that the appalling track surface that produced a dreadful gaters paradise of a meeting against Plymouth last year was described by Magnus Karlsson as 'mint'.

 

He might have liked it, but no fan did.

 

And since when in any commercial exercise (apart, perhaps, from government) do those getting paid dictate to those doing the paying ?

 

If fans want tracks surfaces that produce excellent racing (and they all do) then any promotion should do everything possible to ensure that they get it. As long as the track isn't dangerous, riders opinions should not count in the slightest.

[jackson2]

Hang on 1 track is crap 2 toilet blockis crap 3 programes gone up 3 and just when It couldn't get any worse Bloody Popples back need we say any more:)