Leicester V Coventry

[Haza]

David Hemsley pegged it out. I was up there the day they were concreting in the posts for the fence and pretty much everyone on the job was taking the p*ss out of it even then... plenty of 'thats what he wants, we've told him but he's having none of it' type comments...

well there appears to be plenty of room to have extended the track and stadium on the site I find the track similar to Lakeside and Belle Vue two of the worst in the EL - if I was building a new stadium and laying a new track I'd do my home work first and visit a few track around the UK and get the best bits from all the tracks I went to for me a trip up the A47 to Pboro and then Kings Lynn would have done . Why also won't Hemsley listen ? Has he any speedway experience on laying new tracks ?

[wandersome]

I went to the meeting last night and I have to say, after going to Leicester as a neutral several times now, that's the first time I've come away feeling somewhat subdued. I didn't really feel entertained all that much. I do still enjoy my trips to Leicester, don't get me wrong, the stadium facilities are rather good compared to some tracks I've been to, but the shape of the track just doesn't allow for passing or close racing sadly The bends have been adjusted previously (I think?!) but it looks like they need adjusting again. I don't know what else they could do. Would've been brilliant if the track shape had been suitable in the first place! The Somerset track apparently always makes for great racing (never been myself so can't make a personal judgement) so why on earth wasn't their track shape looked at and used as a template or something?

 

I will be back though, on May 10th, for the World U21 qualifier

 

David Hemsley has regularly mentioned that he didn't want a boring track like Somerset, Scunthorpe or Peterborough as they are all the same and he likes that his track is different to all others. (you might think i'm joking!)

Edited April 20, 2014 by volty

[Haza]

I went to the meeting last night and I have to say, after going to Leicester as a neutral several times now, that's the first time I've come away feeling somewhat subdued. I didn't really feel entertained all that much. I do still enjoy my trips to Leicester, don't get me wrong, the stadium facilities are rather good compared to some tracks I've been to, but the shape of the track just doesn't allow for passing or close racing sadly The bends have been adjusted previously (I think?!) but it looks like they need adjusting again. I don't know what else they could do. Would've been brilliant if the track shape had been suitable in the first place! The Somerset track apparently always makes for great racing (never been myself so can't make a personal judgement) so why on earth wasn't their track shape looked at and used as a template or something?

 

I will be back though, on May 10th, for the World U21 qualifier

Somerset track is awesome we go every year Cardiff weekend Scunny is another fine race track

David Hemsley has regularly mentioned that he didn't want a boring track like Somerset, Scunthorpe or Peterborough as they are all the same and he likes that his track is different to all others. (you might think i'm joking!)

what ?? That's crazy - never seen a bad meeting at Somerset

[wandersome]

My gut feeling is the whole thing is run by a bunch of amateurs without any thought for the general paying public!

 

too many people 'living the dream' at leicester Speedway to allow the right decisions to be made. take out the pics of the riders from the weekly LSSC facebook photos and add in those posting on the Leicester facebook sites and you'll notice it's the same old few in the background.. They probably all think they are doing their best for Leicester speedway but i'm afraid they all look cuplable to me.

Edited April 20, 2014 by volty

[em1500uk]

 

David Hemsley has regularly mentioned that he didn't want a boring track like Somerset, Scunthorpe or Peterborough as they are all the same and he likes that his track is different to all others. (you might think i'm joking!)

Beg your pardon?! Now I can vouch for Peterborough as a great circuit as I was a regular visitor for the past few seasons (as a neutral of course ). Haven't been this year due to the change of race night, but hope to get across for a few meetings. I'm definitely going to the Newcastle meeting a week on Tuesday. What planet is Hemsley on?! I know he's entitled to his views, we all are, but seriously?!

[mrcts]

I have to say Mrcts, not sure if this is some kind of satirical pisstake of a certain group of dissenters on this forum but either way it's absolutely spot on. Bizarre indeed.

 

As offers to help with alterations have been consistently ignored on the basis that DH believes his track is as good as anywhere in the country, and no-one with any influence or input in the running of the place seems able or capable of changing that view for whatever reasons then i'd be inclined to hedge your bets on your gut feeling. It's shameful that all the pro hemsleyites on facebook consistently blame Glyn Taylor track prep for such poor racing rather than mention the unmentionable.

 

oh well, you've got me at it again,,

Mick.

It's not a pisstake,enough's enough.

I have tried to be patient in the vain hope that things would improve but I just feel now the promotion are taking the urine!

The novelty of Elite league speedway will wear off if the racing doesn't get better and it won't get better without spending some dough which Hemsley clearly doesn't want to do.

Did the Elite league teams get any money from sky,if they did can't Denial Dave spend it on the track?

I dread to think what sky tv viewers will make of the racing when we are featured on sky sports.

[Long Eye]

You miss the point cb252. Long eye is much more than just your common or garden lowly speedway fan. He's part of the pit crew at Leicester for gawd sake. He knows important people who know stuff. This means he knows stuff you will never understand and gives him the insight into the sport so far in advance of you or I. I need to check but I think most of his 300 odd posts clearly show this.. erm.. you retard!

 

Well, at least in one person's head I'm sure this would appear to be the case anyway!!

 

Mick.

Wrong again. I don't work there.

[stevebrum]

You miss the point cb252. Long eye is much more than just your common or garden lowly speedway fan. He's part of the pit crew at Leicester for gawd sake. He knows important people who know stuff. This means he knows stuff you will never understand and gives him the insight into the sport so far in advance of you or I. I need to check but I think most of his 300 odd posts clearly show this.. erm.. you retard!

 

Well, at least in one person's head I'm sure this would appear to be the case anyway!!

 

Mick.

 

 

And has a potty mouth.

[wandersome]

Wrong again. I don't work there.

 

Did i say you work there? I fear you may be getting lost in the detail irrespectively !

Edited April 20, 2014 by volty

[waiheke1]

I already said about 2 or 4 good races. But there was still a lot of races that followd along in a big line. Newman was great but the way he rides it was only time before a great big cropper and he did it this week.

Some of the passes he made at Poole made your heart come in your mouth for him. I love speedway, but most of all I don't want to watch young lads riding above themselves and being seriosly hurt.

As I also said the new format this year is going to see a lot more strung out races.

So newman should ride only nl, as in the pl hecis riding above himsrlf? Darcy shouldn't take part in the gps this year as he injured himself trying too hard in the gps last year?

Why would this year's formst result in more races strung out? You sre aware that it keeps heat leaders away from reservee and pits riders pre dominantly against riders of a similat level (I.e. hl, 2nd string, reserve)? If anything you would expect closer racing surely?

[Teromaafan]

Big disappointment after our performance at Brandon the night before. After 3 heats we managed to avoid a last place and then posted 11 zeros out of the next 12 races which is simply inexcusable for a home team in any league. Whilst Mads was poor and hopefully his performnce was a blip, we cannot carry two reserves. As much as we're supposed to love him, Cleggy is out of it by the first bend and when Perry doesn't gate (although a great racer), heats 2 & 9 are becoming very expensive. I know its going against the ethos of the providing opportunities for young Brits in the draft system, but at what point do the management look at alternatives for reserve births?

[Crazy robin]

The best track by a mile that I've been to is Somerset but then I've been to Peterborough or Kings Lynn.

 

I also like the Isle of Wight especially the 3rd & 4th bends where riders slingshot them.

[Teromaafan]

Disappointing result after the heroic performance at Brandon the night before. Hopefully Mads performance in the home meeting was a blip but we cannot carry both reserves. As much as we are supposed to encourage the guy, Cleggy is consistently out of it by the first bend. Whilst Perry is a terrific racer, when he misses the gate, heats 2 & 9 are looking expensive for the Lions when winning margins are going to be narrow in this league. Whilst it goes against the grain regarding the development of young Brits, at what point do the mangement start to look at alternatives (assuming there are options) for the reserve slots?

[1 valve]

On various posts I have agreed that the straights are too long for the size of the bends and suggested (as others have too) that the solution would be to take (say) five metres from each end which would mean less entry speed, deeper bends and a choice of racing lines . However, mindful of the drainage work and importantly the re configuring of the banking (entry through to exit) that would be required it is not a quick fix i.e. a weekends work as some would believe. So maybe we will have to wait until this winter to see the changes being made.

 

Meanwhile, I don’t understand what the track preparation is all about (and no blame on Glyn or even the riders intended) because of the following:

• The surface v Lakeside & Coventry was not slick but tightly packed. This was obvious by the amount of material the cutter produced during grading and then getting packed down
• V Lakeside the riders requested the material to be moved to reduce grip – not sure if this same request was made v Coventry
• Yet by the 15^th heat the riders were chasing the high (dirt) line looking for (and getting) grip
• So if they chase grip wide out, why not make use of it on the inside lines?

To be clear, rather than this post intended to be a complaint, moan or dig at anybody, I genuinely don’t understand why we have what appears to be conflicting issues with the surface preparation and am just wondering if somebody could provide an informed insight.

Edited April 21, 2014 by 1 valve

[bigcatdiary]

 

David Hemsley has regularly mentioned that he didn't want a boring track like Somerset, Scunthorpe or Peterborough as they are all the same and he likes that his track is different to all others. (you might think i'm joking!)

 

Sadly I doubt many think you are joking, says everything about the bloke you need to know, complete plonker.

[Halifaxtiger]

 

David Hemsley has regularly mentioned that he didn't want a boring track like Somerset, Scunthorpe or Peterborough as they are all the same and he likes that his track is different to all others. (you might think i'm joking!)

 

That is truly extraordinary.

 

The best track by a mile that I've been to is Somerset but then I've been to Peterborough or Kings Lynn.

 

I also like the Isle of Wight especially the 3rd & 4th bends where riders slingshot them.

 

I would say that the best tracks (purely in terms of the quality of racing I have seen) are Peterborough, Mildenhall, Plymouth & Scunthorpe.

 

The best shaped track for racing, though, (and I'll await the howls of derisive abuse ) is Stoke.

[wandersome]

On various posts I have agreed that the straights are too long for the size of the bends and suggested (as others have too) that the solution would be to take (say) five metres from each end which would mean less entry speed, deeper bends and a choice of racing lines . However, mindful of the drainage work and importantly the re configuring of the banking (entry through to exit) that would be required it is not a quick fix i.e. a weekends work as some would believe. So maybe we will have to wait until this winter to see the changes being made.

 

Meanwhile, I don’t understand what the track preparation is all about (and no blame on Glyn or even the riders intended) because of the following:

• The surface v Lakeside & Coventry was not slick but tightly packed. This was obvious by the amount of material the cutter produced during grading and then getting packed down
• V Lakeside the riders requested the material to be moved to reduce grip – not sure if this same request was made v Coventry
• Yet by the 15^th heat the riders were chasing the high (dirt) line looking for (and getting) grip
• So if they chase grip wide out, why not make use of it on the inside lines?

To be clear, rather than this post intended to be a complaint, moan or dig at anybody, I genuinely don’t understand why we have what appears to be conflicting issues with the surface preparation and am just wondering if somebody could provide an informed insight.

 

 

We had this debate a hundred times but i think the point is the riders go too fast down the too long straights to turn hard enough on the too tight corners hence the need to have the track slick into the bends. Glyn has mentioned this many times on here. Slow down a little bit on the straights (and naturally then the corners), such as when it's been very wet to the point of a rain off and all of a sudden you get some good racing (see Ipswich meeting a couple of years ago). Unfortunately do this and all the riders want the meeting off.

I know i'm banging the old drum but to slow down the riders enough to make the track more usable you don't neccessarily need to shorten straights at both ends. You could do it by shortening one end. That's coming from people in the know about track design and building who know these things, not me. I have been very reliably informed that this could be done in a couple of weeks for minimal outlay in pound notes (i know people have offered to cover this previously).

Finally, it should be noted that the crap racing has been noted from the very 1st meeting. Glyn Taylor was talking about the need to change the track shape on here after just a couple of meetings of our return. We were told it was getting changed after both the end of the first season and the second season and we've had a third off season where everyone has been stating the obvious and yet nothing has changed again and you are here once more mentioning how we should wait until the end of the season to make changes. The management apologists have been repeating this mantra since day one and yet nothing at all has happened (except for the joke changes Dave Darcy made)despite previous promises that if we all wait 'til the close season it will. I've wasted fortunes on these false promises. All too late for the many who have given up on the rubbish.

Edited April 21, 2014 by volty

[Happy Hunter]

I have been trying to find something positive to say about Saturday's meeting. The only good thing from the Lions side was Jason Doyle's 15 point max., You can count the number of full maximums that Leicester riders have scored since speedway returned on the fingers of one hand. I think that he will turn out to be a genuine Elite League number 1. The only problem will be that, when the management come to change the team, as I am sure they will, his average will reduce the options available for a replacement. As far as the reserves are concerned the minimum required from them in each match is 12 points between them. Will Lewis Blackbird will get that number by himself for Eastbourne next Saturday?

[Nobblytriers]

This track shape thing is not as straightforward as it seems.

Last years GP at New Zealand was very poor and yet the track is wide with long sweeping bends. This year was totally different, a cracking GP with plenty of good racing.

At BP we have had some good races (though not enough for most people it seems) so if the track shape was completely wrong then surely that wouldn't happen at all?

I think it's a combination of things. The track shape, the racing surface and the riders ability/willingness to race.

The track shape.

It seems that most people agree that it could be better at BP. They've taken the bends in (though some say not enough) and I think there has been some improvement, the riders can cut back easier now coming out of 2 and 4. It would be nice to able to push the straights apart as well to make the bends flow and open up various racing lines. I think the banking has been changed in various places since we started back. Maybe we need more of it throughout the bends?

The surface.

The type of shale, depth of shale, water content, binding content (old oil from the bikes in the days of the total loss engine has been suggested ?) how tightly packed ... lots of combinations there. Like 1 Valve, I can't understand why the riders were saying there was too much grip at BP and he had to take the top off for the Lakeside match and maybe for the Cov one as well. Apparently there wasn't any grip at Cov the night before and, so I read, there wasn't any passing there until heat 11. At the last two meetings at BP, the racing was good, (and I thought if it's like this all night we'll be OK), until the first track grade. After that, it was pretty much as it has been since the begining. Poor Glyn must be pulling his hair out trying to get the surface to everyone's liking.

The riders.

Do we get alot of processional races at BP because the riders don't think it's worth the risk/effort to try and pass or is it because they just can't pass? Some of the lads really push, and get rewarded for their efforts and it's great to see. But we've also seen what happens when they push too far. We have seen some good racing at BP, and passes have been made without riders making mistakes, so it can be done, but maybe other factors have to be in place as well for it all to come together?. Maybe these factors aren't as crucial at some tracks but at BP it seems to be essential.

 

I don't know what the solution is for BP but I don't think it's as easy as 'change the shape'. Sorry for going on a bit but this is quite a big topic. I'd really like it all to be sorted so that at least we can come on the forum and discuss the action, not the lack of it.

 

PS Yet another factor is the way the silencers now effect how the power is delivered. Maybe another time .....

 

PPS Am I right in thinking that the drains were moved over winter? If so, were the management waiting to see what EL racing is like at BP and if it's the same, is there a plan in place to make more changes to the track?

 

Edit for PPS

Edited April 21, 2014 by nobblytriers

[wandersome]

 

The best shaped track for racing, though, (and I'll await the howls of derisive abuse ) is Stoke.

 

For tracks still around I'd have agree wholeheartedly though i think we are both probably living in an 80's/90's timewarp to remember how good it was!

 

Mick (and still not a patch on the best race track ever... Station Road)

 

PPS Am I right in thinking that the drains were moved over winter? If so, were the management waiting to see what EL racing is like at BP and if it's the same, is there a plan in place to make more changes to the track?

 

Edit for PPS

 

My uncle reckoned he went up to look the week before the season started and he didn't think they had moved anything. He thought they'd dug them up for repairs but couldn't see any evidence of change at all in the track or the siting of the drains. Not saying he wasn't mistaken though. At the ben fund meeting (the only one i been to this year) i certainly didn't see anything that remotely resembled an alteration to the track. If track changes had happened, however small, i'm also sure Glyn Taylor would have been on here to tell everyone exactly what had changed.

Edited April 21, 2014 by volty