TheSmiler Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 This is horrific. I've got visions of Oxford 2007 here. We will start the season but by the looks of it we won't finish it. Breaking my heart to see my heart and soul go under like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgi21 Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) I just don't understand how Horton had no say in who prepares the track for the stadium. Coventry have been dragged to Belle Vue like level of preparation. I do feel for Horton but he does have to carry the can for anything that goes wrong. Sounds to me like the classic "Lunatics have taken over the asylum" ,somebody please save British speedway,hope the CO is not watching this shambles Edited March 24, 2014 by higgi21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Id like to know if Sandhu has sold the site to someone else does he still get the rent and refreshment sales during the 3 year lease? If thats the case he wont be happy either as he would have lost out too. Too many questions need answering, Sandhu needs to come forward, show us some respect and tell us what the hell is going on. It could be quite simply a mistake hiring this track man but it could also be something much more sinister. Only if I could win the lottery hey. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 I need a doctor - is there one in the house I wonder?!!Yes but he doesn't speak English. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Now to serious I posted my feelings about the debacle on Friday night Blayne telling me that both team managers didn't want the meeting to go ahead neither did the riders but the match referee decided that it should . Let me also say I admire Blayne for staying about after the match to be available to discuss our grievances with unlike other senior members. I wasan't impressed by Mr Rogers take it it leave it attitude. I decided not to go tonight, first time in 10 years I would have missed a meeting at Brandon (was going to watch it on Sky, bet they are happy bunnies) I feel sorry for people who travelled to Coventry for what should have been a superb meeting when the meeting was called off shortly before the start. I then read Mick Horton's explanation of how the track is now prepared. He has as the Promoter no say in how the track is prepared or who does it.The explanation of this being the responsibility of the "Stadium" would this be Mr Sandhu?. How can the Speedway authorities grant such a meeting to Coventry when Mick Horton has no control over the Curator or what he does in respect of preparing the track for such a high profile event. I noted that Terry Russell (sky track man was in attendance) do Sky know what's going on. Where do we stand now. I begin to wonder if my £500 plus for season tickets was a wise investment. We are in a mess and we need answers from Mick Horton, Blayne Scroggins, Mr Watson, Sandhu and perhaps Uncle Tom Cobley and all before this mess is sorted. As loyal supporters we need answers, the riders need answers. Last Fridays meeting was a disgrace 6 heats in one and a half hours. Long breaks waiting to see what was going to happen without any information from the roving mike. As I said on the National League site Speedway supporters are a group if long suffering people who travel hundreds of miles to follow their sport, called off, very often little explanation, they moan and go home, back the following week to support their respective teams. No damage, no threats, no fighting just loyal people with a love for speedway and their respective heroes who participate in a dangerous sport. Come on let's get this sorted out. As a long standing supporter we want speedway at Coventry not Peterborough.As a city we play football in Northampton we don't want to have to go to Peterborough to follow our speedway team although we could make a weekend of it I suppose!!. Just for clarity, Its Ronnie Russell (not Terry) who is the nominated Track co-ordinator for Sky meetings!! Brother Terry co-ordinates everything else!!! This is horrific. I've got visions of Oxford 2007 here. We will start the season but by the looks of it we won't finish it. Breaking my heart to see my heart and soul go under like this. Which is closer for Bees fans - Oxford or Peterborough?? Just thinking out loud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSmiler Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Which is closer for Bees fans - Oxford or Peterborough?? Just thinking out loud! Peterborough I'd imagine, but there wouldn't be time and space to fit two sets of fixtures. Sadly Bees fans, this looks like the end. I am absolutely devastated, angry and embarrassed. Coventry Bees are my heart and soul, I wish I could do something but I can't. We must take whatever happens now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Peterborough I'd imagine, but there wouldn't be time and space to fit two sets of fixtures. Sadly Bees fans, this looks like the end. I am absolutely devastated, angry and embarrassed. Coventry Bees are my heart and soul, I wish I could do something but I can't. We must take whatever happens now. Its not the end yet, if they didn't want the Bees to continue they would surely just not let them on site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 As a Kings Lynn fan I'm saddened by the events of yesterday and I fear for the bees future - but this track problem was there even last season when the Stars visited Brandon the first time there was major problem on the 1st corner track staff seemed clueless on what to do to sort it even last season . This can't be the end of what was a great venue it deserves a better send off than this it's served the Bees and British speedway well over the years . As others have said it's not looking good and 3 seasons seem way over the time limit . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedwayTShirts Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 BIKERfm Speedway Show back this Tuesday 8-10pm with new presenters and Coventry's Mick Horton and Kenneth Hansen confirmed as Live Guests. It's an internet radio station and can be listened to via PC, Smart TV or any mobile phone by visiting BIKERfm.co.uk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) Copied from the ERC thread a post from Jeremy Heaver NOT GOOD!! Coventry Stadium Press Release 24th March 2014 During 2013 both speedway and stock car suffered from a mediocre track at best to a surface which resulted in cancelled meetings at worst. We consulted with both speedway and stock car promoters and reached a conclusion during the closed season that we needed to change our track curator and to invest more heavily in the track which we have been doing. The reason for making changes was driven by our desire to make the Bees last three seasons to be the best racing possible. This requires a great race surface. We managed to find a very professional track curator in Marek Meinert who has extensive experience in providing an excellent race surface at Bydgoszcz and has produced the track for 16 GP’s. He arrived at Coventry Stadium three weeks ago with excellent credentials and immediately recognised the scale of the work required to return the Coventry surface back to the best in the UK. He does not speak English, however we have at least three members of our team who speak both English and Polish fluently, so language is not a barrier that would affect his ability to curate the track. He has worked seven days a week for the past three weeks between rain showers to regain flat straights and slightly banked bends that had been lost in recent years. Marek knows the track is not right and certainly not to his standard, however since his arrival three weeks ago he has had limited track time due to rain. All the promoters using the track including Mick Horton were very pleased with his appointment and approved of the early results of his work accepting it was going to take time to undo mistakes of the past. The shale going into Friday night’s speedway was moisture rich but was in good shape until we experienced a big downpour at around 5pm which tipped the balance in terms of the composition of the track. This caused it to cut up faster than normal resulting in the meeting being called off after only six heats. The chronology from the cancelled meeting on Friday to the cancelation of the ELRC is important so that disappointed fans, Sky TV, BSPA all understand what went on then hopefully they can draw the correct conclusions. Saturday 22nd March 2.01pm Mick Horton called Mathew, the stadiums accountant, and Mathew was unable to take the call as he was on a different call 2.13pm Mathew returned Mick Horton's call and Mathew expressed concerns for the track and stated that a decision would need to be made regarding the possibility of cancelling the ELRC. Mick told Mathew he would meet Mathew at 4pm on site that day (Saturday) to make a decision regarding cancellation. It was made clear that it was Mick's decision to take not the stadiums. It was still raining hard 2.49pm As the rain had become heavy Mathew sent Mick a txt message “Please come tonight so we can make a decision tonight” 4pm Mathew returned to the stadium to meet with Mick and the track staff. 6.39pm After waiting for over two and a half hours Mick did not arrive, call or txt to say he was not coming. Mathew sent Mick a txt “ Are you coming today” The reason for the txt is because the stadium has no power to cancel a speedway event it is down to the staging promoter. 6.39pm Immediate reply from Mick “ I will be there at 10am in the morning” No apology and in the full knowledge that no work had taken place on the track due to rain. Mathew and all the track staff felt badly let down as they all knew a decision should have been taken on Saturday but would instead be taken Sunday morning. Sunday 23rd March Around 10am Mick arrived on site and saw the track was waterlogged and requested that the blade should be used to remove some of the water but the track was to wet for that to have been effective. He made no decision regarding the meeting and clearly he was hoping it would dry out in time without listening to the advice he had been given. In the past Colin Pratt as the promoter of the Bees would have been on site making sure the track could be made ready and if that was not possible he would call the meeting off as early as possible to save fans traveling or even Sky setting up. Since Colin is no longer involved in the Bees nobody from the club overseas the track preparation to ensure it will be ready on time. We are not in control of the cancelation of events due to track conditions as that is the promoter’s decision and responsibility and we fulfilled our obligation to inform Mick Horton about our doubts which he chose to ignore. He showed little regard as to the state of the track on Saturday and was cavalier in his attitude on Sunday morning. The track will continue to be prepared by Marek Meinert with one aim to be the best in the UK by using his experience gained at the highest level in Poland and he will enjoy our full support in that task. We are sorry that Mick Horton has decided not to race at Coventry but rest assured we will still be operating for the next three years as a stock car track. Coventry Stadium Edited March 24, 2014 by Jacques Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baldinhio Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 either this is a bog standard speedway F**k up, or its planned... either the new owners (whoever they may be) have decided to get rid as soon as possible, three years is looking a bit optimistic now! or, as is rumoured sandhu has bought the place back from himself, in which case this is an even worse scenario, absolute zero chance of a new stadium. we can be polite and say its option 1, but by the sound of Mick Hortons response, i'm not so sure. and we very concerned when mick Horton rescued Pboro, perhaps we can now see why? With no Sky sponsorship, "Elite" League clubs are likely to have a funding gap of £80,000-90,000 unless a new sponsor is found quickly. I guess that is a major concern for the majority of the promoters and one that was perhaps not contemplated when agreeing rider contracts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSmiler Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 I'm lost for words now. From this time last week everything surrounding the Bees this season was positive. Now it appears 14 riders are without a job, and the fans no longer have a team to support, and the reputation of Coventry Bees has been annihilated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudflaps Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 I have to keep checking my calendar....surely its not the 1st April already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 I thought this Jeremy Heaver worked for Sandhu? That seems to be the case as he knows all about the track problems prior to this year. But then he continues to refer to "we" when talking about the next 3 years of the stadium. But surely the next 3 years are down to the new owner? So is he confirming that the stadium hasn't actually been sold to a new owner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingbee Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Somebody is telling porkies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Copied from the ERC thread a post from Jeremy Heaver NOT GOOD!! Coventry Stadium Press Release 24th March 2014 During 2013 both speedway and stock car suffered from a mediocre track at best to a surface which resulted in cancelled meetings at worst. We consulted with both speedway and stock car promoters and reached a conclusion during the closed season that we needed to change our track curator and to invest more heavily in the track which we have been doing. The reason for making changes was driven by our desire to make the Bees last three seasons to be the best racing possible. This requires a great race surface. We managed to find a very professional track curator in Marek Meinert who has extensive experience in providing an excellent race surface at Bydgoszcz and has produced the track for 16 GP’s. He arrived at Coventry Stadium three weeks ago with excellent credentials and immediately recognised the scale of the work required to return the Coventry surface back to the best in the UK. He does not speak English, however we have at least three members of our team who speak both English and Polish fluently, so language is not a barrier that would affect his ability to curate the track. He has worked seven days a week for the past three weeks between rain showers to regain flat straights and slightly banked bends that had been lost in recent years. Marek knows the track is not right and certainly not to his standard, however since his arrival three weeks ago he has had limited track time due to rain. All the promoters using the track including Mick Horton were very pleased with his appointment and approved of the early results of his work accepting it was going to take time to undo mistakes of the past. The shale going into Friday night’s speedway was moisture rich but was in good shape until we experienced a big downpour at around 5pm which tipped the balance in terms of the composition of the track. This caused it to cut up faster than normal resulting in the meeting being called off after only six heats. The chronology from the cancelled meeting on Friday to the cancelation of the ELRC is important so that disappointed fans, Sky TV, BSPA all understand what went on then hopefully they can draw the correct conclusions. Saturday 22nd March 2.01pm Mick Horton called Mathew, the stadiums accountant, and Mathew was unable to take the call as he was on a different call 2.13pm Mathew returned Mick Horton's call and Mathew expressed concerns for the track and stated that a decision would need to be made regarding the possibility of cancelling the ELRC. Mick told Mathew he would meet Mathew at 4pm on site that day (Saturday) to make a decision regarding cancellation. It was made clear that it was Mick's decision to take not the stadiums. It was still raining hard 2.49pm As the rain had become heavy Mathew sent Mick a txt message “Please come tonight so we can make a decision tonight” 4pm Mathew returned to the stadium to meet with Mick and the track staff. 6.39pm After waiting for over two and a half hours Mick did not arrive, call or txt to say he was not coming. Mathew sent Mick a txt “ Are you coming today” The reason for the txt is because the stadium has no power to cancel a speedway event it is down to the staging promoter. 6.39pm Immediate reply from Mick “ I will be there at 10am in the morning” No apology and in the full knowledge that no work had taken place on the track due to rain. Mathew and all the track staff felt badly let down as they all knew a decision should have been taken on Saturday but would instead be taken Sunday morning. Sunday 23rd March Around 10am Mick arrived on site and saw the track was waterlogged and requested that the blade should be used to remove some of the water but the track was to wet for that to have been effective. He made no decision regarding the meeting and clearly he was hoping it would dry out in time without listening to the advice he had been given. In the past Colin Pratt as the promoter of the Bees would have been on site making sure the track could be made ready and if that was not possible he would call the meeting off as early as possible to save fans traveling or even Sky setting up. Since Colin is no longer involved in the Bees nobody from the club overseas the track preparation to ensure it will be ready on time. We are not in control of the cancelation of events due to track conditions as that is the promoter’s decision and responsibility and we fulfilled our obligation to inform Mick Horton about our doubts which he chose to ignore. He showed little regard as to the state of the track on Saturday and was cavalier in his attitude on Sunday morning. The track will continue to be prepared by Marek Meinert with one aim to be the best in the UK by using his experience gained at the highest level in Poland and he will enjoy our full support in that task. We are sorry that Mick Horton has decided not to race at Coventry but rest assured we will still be operating for the next three years as a stock car track. Coventry Stadium The mud slinging continues. Sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudflaps Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) Somebody is telling porkies Someones been eating them an all!! Horton Slams Stadium Owners Posted on March 23, 2014 by: 365Admin Coventry Bees promoter Mick Horton has slammed Brandon Stadium owners after the Elite Riders Championship called off on Sunday. The track at Brandon was deemed to dangerous for riders to take part in British speedway’s showpiece event which was set to include the top 15 riders from the Elite League and wildcard Fredrik Lindgren. A statement, posted on coventrybees.co by Horton reads: “I have made the decision today that the teams representing Coventry Speedway will not be taking to the track at Brandon until such time as the stadium bring in the correct and proper track curator to prepare our track. “The track has been totally unacceptable. I am embarrassed and humiliated and I am not prepared to take all of the criticism because this is 100 per cent down to the stadium. “They got rid of our old track curator and brought in a new one and it simply hasn’t worked. I am totally humiliated and can only apologise. “I have told the stadium staff what the situation is – it’s destroying me. We said early this morning that the track should be bladed but they decided to let it dry and pack it, and it was still rubbish. “Television were here and I have taken a lot of criticism, and I know I’m going to get the flak. But I want to make it very clear that this was totally out of my control, this was 100 per cent down to the stadium. “They brought in the track staff and assured Coventry Speedway that this track curator and track staff team was the best that we could get. The rest is history – it has been a total shambles starting on Friday with the Storm match and now on Sunday for a major national event. “There is no way that I will allow a Coventry team on that track until it is correct, and until that time, until it is in a suitable condition to race on, we will decline any further shared events or TV meetings. “In all my years of speedway, this is my lowest moment. I feel absolutely humiliated by something that is totally out of my control.” Edited March 24, 2014 by Flyin Panther Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackadder Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 If this is for real and not a load of bluster, the BSPA need to come up with a ruling on what will or can happen to Jason Garrity and James Sarjeant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy robin Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Let's hope the truth comes out in the end because someone is to blame for the shambles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudtobeaBrummie Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 This May seem a really silly question but I need to know the answer... Is the meeting against the brummies off ? I'm working away but was gonna come back a day early for the meeting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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