Halifaxtiger Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) I wonder when we reach the stage of questioning whether Woffinden deserves his place in the Wolves side. I know NL riders who would show much more effort. You clearly weren't there. He won two races near the end and was clearly giving it his best in at least one other. I didn't have a good view, but I thought he was unlucky to get excluded in the first heat. Oh dear, that is a dreadful showing from Wolves. Not impressed in the slightest. Beaten off the starts time after time and on a gaters paradise of a track they never had a prayer of getting back into it. I assume the track grading started before heat 1 Just after, actually. I don't think I have ever seen a trackman grade the track three times after the first four heats. What's worse, it doesn't actually seem to do anything. Bob Dugard is a good trackman and I have seen some cracking races at Eastbourne in the past. Tonight, though, it was rubbish. Edited May 3, 2014 by Halifaxtiger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Bob Dugard is a good trackman and I have seen some cracking races at Eastbourne in the past. Tonight, though, it was rubbish. The preparation can be as good as it can be, the track is just to narrow and tight for good racing. Will probably still make the trip down in July though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee jay Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 did intend making the trip for this one but r/r final straw for me this week so decided to stay home. i think eagles will miss michelsen more than wolves miss pawlicki. hopefully an eagles win by 7 though. 7 x 5-1's i knew i shouldn't have stayed home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 (edited) The preparation can be as good as it can be, the track is just to narrow and tight for good racing. Will probably still make the trip down in July though! Doing the updates last night, I commented to Youngy that aside from the referee's box and the catch fence Eastbourne doesn't seem to have changed at all since I went there in the early 1980's (the parade music is the same, too). I stand to be corrected, but the track seems to be the same size as well. It used to be a very good racing circuit in the days of Kennett and Moran (and I have seen some decent racing more recently) and if it is the same size I don't see why it can't be now. One thing I meant to mention was that I was very impressed with Kevin Coombs again. Definitely one of the best in the business. Edited May 4, 2014 by Halifaxtiger 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 I think the evolution of the sport, particularly in terms of machinery means that narrower tracks have got more processional. Ipswich was never that bad a track in the eighties & nineties but in the end had to be widened as it was too narrow for good racing. Peterborough has got even better since being widened in 2001, same with Wolves. Narrow tracks are as much of a problem as poorly prepared ones IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcatdiary Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Updates has it all, track is slick and dry. Result = 13 races from the gate. How anyone (other than Bob Dugard) can watch this crap and enjoy it is beyond me. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonimac Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 (edited) Having attended last night I'd say that the result had less to do with Bob's grading as knowing your way around Arlington. From the gate, as described in Updates didn't reflect what I saw. I'd put "From the 2nd bend" for a few of the races. Wolves certainly made a few starts, only for the Eagles to blast around the outside. But the number of restarts for starting infringements probably tells you how the riders feel it is so essential to get out of the gate there. I am also amazed at how different standing at the 4th bend is compared to the 2nd bend, in terms of rider's entry and line (and I say this as a veteran of many years at Craighead Park, Blantyre!) As for Tai, he did struggle for the first 2 races (unlucky to be excluded in his first ride) but frankly when he was out front in his last 2 rides, he looked the best rider there, in terms of line and style. Cam and Bjarne made no impression on him.The only disappointing aspect for me was the attendance and the lack of respect shown by the announcer concerning Tai's recent form.When you put the World number 1 all over your advertising for the match, you don't start off an interview over the tannoy highlighting his current struggles Edited May 4, 2014 by Jonimac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sussex bulldog Posted May 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Doing the updates last night, I commented to Youngy that aside from the referee's box and the catch fence Eastbourne doesn't seem to have changed at all since I went there in the early 1980's (the parade music is the same, too). I stand to be corrected, but the track seems to be the same size as well. It used to be a very good racing circuit in the days of Kennett and Moran (and I have seen some decent racing more recently) and if it is the same size I don't see why it can't be now. One thing I meant to mention was that I was very impressed with Kevin Coombs again. Definitely one of the best in the business. The first and second bends were re-shaped a few years ago when Jason Crump was still riding and he set the new track record which was equalled by Chris Holder but not beaten. Many top riders have commented on how good the track is to race on. JK said it was superb last night. I don't agree that races were won from the gate but were mostly decided by coming out of the second bend or just after. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrB Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Tai was rightly excluded in heat 1. Clearly lost traction on the back wheel trying to push Cam wide and spun around. A good win but 1 pass all night beyond the second bend...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish keeper Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 On last nights showing Wolves would be better off dropping a division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 (edited) The first and second bends were re-shaped a few years ago when Jason Crump was still riding and he set the new track record which was equalled by Chris Holder but not beaten. Many top riders have commented on how good the track is to race on. JK said it was superb last night. I don't agree that races were won from the gate but were mostly decided by coming out of the second bend or just after. In my experience, what riders like to race on and what produces good racing are very frequently two entirely different things - I have heard some say how much they like Leicester, for example. I doubt if the huge blue line on turn three (and I suspect there was one on turn one) bothered the riders but it killed stone dead the possibility of an entertaining meeting. One of British Speedways most serious problems is that tracks are often prepared for riders (who are paid employees) rather than spectators (who are paying customers). In what other business would paid employees needs come before those of paying customers ? I wouldn't disagree with your second bend comment at all but I think that is from the gate. True, there is skill on those two bends but to me racing starts on bend 3, lap 1. Edited May 4, 2014 by Halifaxtiger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldeneagle Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 The first and second bends were re-shaped a few years ago when Jason Crump was still riding and he set the new track record which was equalled by Chris Holder but not beaten. Many top riders have commented on how good the track is to race on. JK said it was superb last night. I don't agree that races were won from the gate but were mostly decided by coming out of the second bend or just after. Cant agree David, most were decided before bend 2 and to be honest in my opinion it was boring meeting, Tractor out after most heats, not all admittedly. Wolves although not at full strength were poor.Hopefully next Arlington meeting will be better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 On last nights showing Wolves would be better off dropping a division. Thank god we have the results against Lakeside and Kings Lynn to confirm we are where we belong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Being an Eastbourne fan I really do get a bit fed up with how often the trcak gets slagged of but even I have to admit that last night was terrible for racing. Only tomo managed a pass during a race, it was terrible boring racing/ On the Wolves side, I have to say I was impressed with Jacob. He seemed on the pace and giving it his all in most races. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonimac Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Right come on all you speedway experts. What exactly is Bob doing with that tractor that ruins the track? It seemed fine to me. Had walk on it before the meeting. Speaking to an ex rider recently, he reckons with a slick track and dirt on the outside ( as it was last night ) you get more competitive racing because the rider trusts the track more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 (edited) Right come on all you speedway experts. What exactly is Bob doing with that tractor that ruins the track? It seemed fine to me. Had walk on it before the meeting. Speaking to an ex rider recently, he reckons with a slick track and dirt on the outside ( as it was last night ) you get more competitive racing because the rider trusts the track more. Think you only have to look at the post above your original one to see it didn't have the desired effect. Edited May 4, 2014 by stevebrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonimac Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Think you only have to look at the post above your original one to see it didn't have the desired effect. Yes, I was there. i witnessed it. But I dont think it was to do with the track preparation or grading. More like home track advantage and a poor showing from Wolves IMVHO. Ask Lewis Blackbird ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 More like home track advantage and a poor showing from Wolves IMVHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven101 Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Back in 05 06 eastbourne was one of best race tracks really enjoyed going now I pick and choose my meetings hoping theres some good racing, miss seeing all the big guys in the elite. Its got worse since the silencers changed too miss seeing nicki p head for the dirt bend 1/2. Only bridger makes the dirt work nowadays I think (first rider that comes to mind) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Yes, I was there. i witnessed it. But I dont think it was to do with the track preparation or grading. More like home track advantage and a poor showing from Wolves IMVHO. Ask Lewis Blackbird ;-) I'd say that the blue line on the third turn that appeared after about heat 9 implies that it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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