Leicester V Redcar 20th April

[stevethelion]

First time i've ever noticed the gate position at BP having such an effect on the racing, last night 11 out of the 15 heats were won from gate 4, which would have been 12 out of 15 if Lewis Blackbird hadn't suffered bike problems when leading. Even Davey Mitchell won from gate 4, in his other 3 races he must have finished 40-50 yards behind the rest. Usually i think the heat winners are pretty much spread fairly evenly across the gates.

[nobrakeshere1]

I have to say every rider i've seen take it wider ends up lengths further back than he started. Pretty much every pass that i've seen at BP involves the leading rider making a mistake and going off line or else having considerably less speed that the man behind, and i mean considerably.

 

Surely the obvious answer to all this would be to actually make some meaningful changes to the track though. I think you're skirting around the edges of the problem to make excuses of the riders and not the track. The track is dreadful. Rather than make threats about pulling the plug if people don't turn up and blaming the likes of me for harming Leicester Speedway It's about time he stood back, had a reality check and finally figured out what it is that's causing the discontent among the supporters.

 

I don't think the track changes are anywhere near what most were expecting or anywhere near what is required to make a substantial improvement. What we have certainly doesn't match the description of what I was led to believe was planned.

 

DH is without a doubt a person that can get things done, his mind set is to be totally committed to his cause and won't let anything stand in his way and sometimes you need that. however it can also cause problems. The track, in my opinion, has not been changed as much as it should because DH will not admit his mistake.

 

Something isn't working quite right. We lost a vital back room member before the season got under way and my guess is that others may find it a difficult place to work, well volunteer, to be more accurate. DH is not easy sometimes.

 

But he is the man in charge and to be quite honest i cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would want to buy the promoting rights off him, although apparently there have been offers. Even at a well supported track like Leicester making money must be almost impossible, the figures just don't seem to stack up.

[Glennylion]

I am sure that there has to be a mix of what everyone is saying including Lions12. Over the 3 years I have watched a handful of riders try the outsde line and it often has worked. I have seen Hall this year, can remember Bach doing the same at the end of last year where he reeled in Graverson (i think) for 2 laps and made his move. Clearly the track isn't right but I often feel that not enough of them try an alternative line. It may work it may not.

 

I had Graverson down as having a pass on the first bend of lap 2 in heat 8.

 

Not a DH basher by any stretch but was staggered by DH's comments in the programme. Not really a fan of publicly telling the riders that they are looking to replace them, amazed by his rant at the internet comments and having had the support that most would love, has one low attendance and rather than take a step back and look at the number of reasons, decides to warn everyone with the 'sustainability'.

 

David, as it is a Saturday night I go every fortnight. It was a cold, wet night but more importantly it was a dead rubber. With MY spare cash I made a choice and went last night instead as I thought it was likely to be more meaningful and thought I would enjoy it more. If you are unhappy with my choice with MY cash then please feel free and to let me know and i will have my employer transfer my earnings directly to you as it seems to be that you think i should or I will have to stop going. I don't do ultimatums or the emotional blackmail of sustainability. Please let me know.

 

Back to the speedway. I thought Doolan looked excellent last night. Best I have seen him and my reservations about him have been swept aside. Neilson looked a different rider after his spill. Blackbird was unlucky in 12 after riding a terrific 1st/2nd bend to get out in front. Only nemo riding below average and some with some bad luck means that this week I am unsure who he will look to axe.

Edited April 21, 2013 by Glennylion

[wandersome]

I am sure that there has to be a mix of what everyone is saying including Lions12. Over the 3 years I have watched a handful of riders try the outsde line and it often has worked. I have seen Hall this year,

 

I'm not saying overtaking doesn't happen. I would, however, like to point out that in my opinion the example you used for this year, Hall's pass on Nielsen and Doolan, happened because Nielsen was coming to a halt half way around Doolan was stuck behind him. I think anyone far enough behind Nielsen not to get stuck behind him but close enough would have overtaken him. I don't think who the rider was made any difference at all.

 

Graversens pass last night happened when Skidmore got it all wrong on bend 3 and 4 and drifted out and slowed it up, Dyer was too close so had no option but to also slow up. This allowed Graversen to chop up the inside of both of them. I wouldn't say there was any level of skill involved in the manouvre, in fact taking into account all the riders involved it was actually caused by a lack of skill.

 

totally agree with the rest of what you say though. DH's programme notes were an unbelieveable rant by anyones standards.

 

although apparently there have been offers.

 

not according to David Hemsley's programme notes.

Edited April 21, 2013 by volty

[Glennylion]

I'm not saying overtaking doesn't happen. I would, however, like to point out that in my opinion the example you used for this year, Hall's pass on Nielsen and Doolan, happened because Nielsen was coming to a halt half way around Doolan was stuck behind him. I think anyone far enough behind Nielsen not to get stuck behind him but close enough would have overtaken him. I don't think who the rider was made any difference at all.

 

 

 

 

I don't disagree, Nielson slowed Doolan down on that occasion. Hall however tried the outside line and it worked. At the time I can remember feeling that Hall would have completed the move anyway but that has no real relevance. There will have been a number of chances where slow riders have not been passed because the outside line has not been tried.

[Shadders]

Not strictly true. All we need is more lines in the corner that allow overtaking. That is the basic premise of the sport, thats how it works. Doesn't matter what shape the track is as long as that simple premise is adhered to. Plently of people with experience as to what could be done have given advice but they have all been ignored in favour of the cheapest possible solutions which clearly don't/haven't worked. Those changes are a laughing stock. It does need extensive alteration to the bends but i've heard that the cost would be around £6-8k and a week of work. These might not work either but at least it's then got a chance. In it's place we get £200 worth of changes, a track that's as crap as its ever been, a promoter that will tell anyone who will listen that no track problems exist, that it's all good. And then blaming any discontent on the belief that there is a personal vendetta against him. What do you do. Head, Sand springs to mind.

Well, I hope you get it sorted. Lovely facility, friendly staff and easy to get to. Looking forward to my visit there when the Rockets & Bandits are in town

[Halifaxtiger]

Generally speaking, Leicester's riders (Nieminen, Karlsson, Nielsen, Graversen) aren't racers, they're gaters

 

Bearing in mind that Glyn Taylor has stated on this forum that he prepares tracks for riders not spectators, if what you say is true (and I think it is)what sort of track do you think he is going to prepare ?

[wandersome]

I don't disagree, Nielson slowed Doolan down on that occasion. Hall however tried the outside line and it worked. At the time I can remember feeling that Hall would have completed the move anyway but that has no real relevance. There will have been a number of chances where slow riders have not been passed because the outside line has not been tried.

 

I do wonder whether riders are trying this slightly wider line you mention but we all just don't notice because it generally makes no difference (unless the rider in front is literally crawling around as happened in the Hall pass).

[lionstigersnotbearsohmy]

Well done to the team for covering Lasse Bjerre's absence last night. Great to see Kevin Doolan on the pace and Simon Nielsen pick himself up and grab some confidence boosting points.Apart from Jan Graversen's move in heat 8 there was no passing to speak of. Whilst some people are just happy with Lion's wins, the lack of racing is taking it's toll on people's enthusiasm for attending speedway at Leicester. Which is a great shame.

[montie]

 

 

Bearing in mind that Glyn Taylor has stated on this forum that he prepares tracks for riders not spectators, if what you say is true (and I think it is)what sort of track do you think he is going to prepare ?

 

I'm no expert in track prep but when I was there 2weeks ago I couldnt help but think they graded the life out of it,constantly grading the whole track,would love to see it left alone and see what happens....racing seems awfull most of the time so why not give it a try

[Lewis]

I went last year & thought the stadium, facitilies, fans were great BUT the track shape was wrong, you could see it immediately and it ruined the meeting, hence this year no visit from me & I wont go back until its sorted.

 

Seems that at many tracks, the tractors are out way too often, I dont know what happened at Leicester vs Redcar as I wasnt there but after visiting Sheffield , Worky, Berwick etc it amazes me that the local fans even put up with it. IMO Unless conditions are dangerous, then grading should only be allowed after every 4 heats.

[Leicester Lion]

If we're having to analyse single examples of passes, it only goes to show how rare passing is at Leicester.

 

Hemsley is supposed to be a successful businessman. He needs to look at why his customers are walking away from his product, and make the changes necessary, or get out and make way for someone who can turn Leicester around before the city loses speedway again. Blaming the fans for his failing business is short-sighted, and sums up the general feeling among the fans that Hemsley will always look to blame anyone but himself.

[40-38]

They would have been better calling the Edinburgh match off and running it when the weather was better, it was an abysmal night and many people haven't forgotten getting soaked twice while waiting for matches to be eventually called off in past seasons. Add to that getting walloped up there the night before made it even more pointless for some.

 

I remember the exhibition at the BBC Leicester station way back when the idea was first mooted, in fact I went to it on my lunch break at work the day it opened despite having never seen speedway in Leicester. From there on I joined the supporters club, went to Kings Lynn, Swindon and Sheffield for the challenge matches, went to the local meetings with residents to add my support and also attended other exhibitions at the shopping centre, signed petitions etc, you name it I went as I so wanted it to happen. When it finally opened I was there on opening night, I bought the merchandise, I watched some truly appalling performances like the 62-28 drubbing by Glasgow but even that didn't deter me. I've only missed about four matches since the day it opened and at times I had to beg and borrow money to afford to go when my wages wouldn't cover it. Yesterday at 5:30 I sat at home and I really didn't want to go, I'm at the sharp end of my pay packet and the prospect of being bored rigid didn't seem worth it anymore, but I did go, because I love the noise and the smell and the spectacle, but after reading Hemsley's rant and watching yet another procession I wondered why I'd bothered. I'm not am armchair fan, I don't pick and choose my meetings and I've spent hundreds of pounds since 2011 so I'm clearly not out to sabotage his business, he seems capable of doing that all by himself with his other promoters the nodding dog and Comedy Dave Darcy. I'm sorry Mr Hemsley but the track is terrible, truly bad. The entertainment is abysmal, the value for money is rubbish and I'd be too embarrassed to bring any new fans along to that, they would never come back. I'd never convince the sceptics of speedway at Beaumont Park. I've no doubt I'll be there next week, spending my money to be told I should be grateful for what I've got but it's truly worn thin this year and if things don't change by the start of next season there will be a gap where I used to stand.

[Nickj37]

It's going from bad to worse if that's possible. 3 points would now seem to be unlikely. 2 points is a more realistic result but 0 points is now a distinct possibility. Bjerre's rides may be taken by Karlsson, Doolan, Graversen and a reserve so they will do well to score 6 which is below that expected from Bjerre.

Did better than u expected, maybe u should have more faith in the team like i do and will them too win 8+1 from 4 rides mmmmm better than u predicted.

[Lions12]

 

 

Bearing in mind that Glyn Taylor has stated on this forum that he prepares tracks for riders not spectators, if what you say is true (and I think it is)what sort of track do you think he is going to prepare ?

 

Yes I have heard that, but if the racing/track continues to not produce passing, then people will stop turning up, you would think it's going to happen eventually even if it's not obvious atm. So he can continue to produce the track slick with little/no passing to the detriment of Leicester speedway's future or try to develop a track which offers a second line with the opportunity to pass. And as we know, if fans don't turn up there will be no Leicester speedway so surely it's better to have a passing track than a slick track; the riders may want it slick but if no one turns up then they won't be riding at Leicester! It would be interesting to know on a whole what the Leicester fans would prefer, a winning side at home week in week out but virtually no passing, or a track which produced more passing but not necessarily mean Leicester won every week.

[speedflash]

For those who have made comments on the track grading . We grade only 4 times every 4 heats and only 4 or 5 laps. Fact.......

[Leicester Lion]

For those who have made comments on the track grading . We grade only 4 times every 4 heats and only 4 or 5 laps. Fact.......

It improves the racing no end.

[speedflash]

Lions 12.

If I put plenty of dirt on it will not make more lines. Riders enter the turns at 60+mph and if there was more grip they cant turn. It needs to be slick going in to the turns.

Nemo crashed last night when he went into the dirt as he couldnt turn the bike.

I prepare the track for the riders safety and yes I have put more dirt on the outside but if they go out to it they get passed as the fastest line is one they use now.

Its not a case of the riders v the spectators. Its about making the best and safest track with what we have to work with.

Edited April 21, 2013 by speedflash

[wandersome]

. Its about making the best and safest track with what we have to work with.

 

and what you've got to work with is the worst track shape i've ever witnessed.

[SCB]

It's a myth that more dirt = better racing. what makes a track good is when there more than one line, when there not an obvious line that riders can dump themselves on and thats it. I've not been to Leicester to have any opinion on how to fix it but I'm willing to bet it's not just dumping more dirt on it. Anyone who has ridden a speedway bike (even very slowly) on a track with dirt on it will know what effect it has and it's not the one you think!

Edited April 21, 2013 by SCB