Blazeaway Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 THERE will be no let up, nor should there be in my opinion, in staging SGP events in stadiums like those in Cardiff, Stockholm, Melbourne and, yes, Warsaw. These events take world speedway to a new and exciting level and as previously stated the riders love them. Obviously even more effort needs to go into the tracks themselves and that will take place. It will, of course, be interesting to see the turn out for Cardiff this year. So far ticket sales have been up to expectations, even since Warsaw, but what I am sure BSI will be desperate to get across to those still undecided or likely to turn up on the day is positive proof in the days leading up to July 4 that the track is already race ready, tried and tested beyond reproach. I have always bowed to riders' opinion regarding track conditions. After all, what do I know? But like many on here have seen enough meetings over too many years to have a decent idea about what is safe or not and from my trackside view in Warsaw I have certainly seen worse. But then nobody expected me to go out and ride a speedway bike on it. However, I wouldn't say that the Warsaw track was as good as any, whether at Cardiff, Copenhagen or Stockholm. But it was far from the worse. Sorry but how many years have we been racing on temp tracks? If they can't get them right by now then they probably never will. Though the thing which needed improving most in Warsaw was the riders attitudes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 How about you tell me? EDIT: Oops - I can answer the first question. Less than the number that used to go to Wembley years ago. I hope that helps. Irrelevant answer. You know what the answer is, and you know the answer means you are wrong, but you won't admit it. A GP at Cardiff is about MUCH more than the racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 A GP at Cardiff is about MUCH more than the racing. Indeed it is. But we still need to be reasonably confident of a full meeting being on Or the riders at least trying to get past Heat 12. After Warsaw. No one can offer me that guarantee, can they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Irrelevant answer. You know what the answer is, and you know the answer means you are wrong, but you won't admit it. A GP at Cardiff is about MUCH more than the racing. Having been to Cardiff myself - I actually agree with you - it is a superb day out. However, I would question how many people would attend Cardiff if there was NO Speedway Meeting. My bet would be NONE. Ergo the Speedway (the racing) is the reason people go in the first place. The socialising, the banter and the company is very much subordinate to the Speedway. No racing - no Cardiff. Unless, of course, you are implying that the Speedway is not a necessary, nay essential part of the 'day out'? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Having been to Cardiff myself - I actually agree with you - it is a superb day out. However, I would question how many people would attend Cardiff if there was NO Speedway Meeting. My bet would be NONE. Ergo the Speedway (the racing) is the reason people go in the first place. The socialising, the banter and the company is very much subordinate to the Speedway. No racing - no Cardiff. Unless, of course, you are implying that the Speedway is not a necessary, nay essential part of the 'day out'? Of course it plays a part, but you brought this point up as a reason for us to move away from such venues suggesting that to fans the racing was the most important thing.. Cardiff has 100% demonstrated that the 'racing' isn't the most important thing. It's a necessary ingredient, but not the one that appears to dictate between someone attending a meeting or not. Move the British GP to Peterboro for example, the racing would be better but the attendance would plummet.. and not just due to capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Sorry but how many years have we been racing on temp tracks? If they can't get them right by now then they probably never will. OF course they can ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reevesey2 Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Just want to add my thoughts on the discussion regarding the future of using big stadiums and temporary tracks and whether or not they are a good or bad thing for the sport. At the end of the day the question for me is do you want the sport to thrive (once more) , or even survive? My first experience of speedway as a teenager was at West Ham. Once hooked, I used to attend meetings often twice a week. My local team Crayford (in the days when they were the Highwaymen) on a Tuesday and Hackney on a Friday. I was part of the huge crowds at Wembley in that "golden age" for individual and team finals. Time an life moves on and my commitment to the sport for a variety of reasons diminished. Then a few years back The Sky coverage began and my interest in the sport was rekindled to a degree. Enough to get me to a meeting? No, not at that stage. But then came Cardiff. This was an event at least approaching the glory days at Wembley, the attraction of watching the sport once more on this scale was enough to get me out of the armchair and back to actually smelling methanol fumes once more. Cardiff is now for me a highlight of the year, we spend the weekend (and prey that the weather is kind), it's an opportunity to meet up with some old friends and fellow fans and in recent years helped by the growth of the fanzone and the size of the crowd to experience the GP as a major event on a scale comparable to other mainstream sports. Ok, the racing itself has sometimes been underwhelming, but it has also produced many incredible moments (Bomber) conveniently forgotten in the debate over temporary tracks. So does this put me in the category of "fair weather" fan, only going to Cardiff and watching the rest of the season on Sky/Eurosport? Well if that's the way some choose to describe me then yes. But here's the thing, I don't have a local team anymore, but when I've been in the area, I have taken the opportunity to go to Lakeside for a few meetings. I have also attended a number of grasstrack meetings when they have been staged near to my home. Events I'm sure I wouldn't have even thought of going to if the GPs at Cardiff had never been run and my interest reignited. The point being, how many others are like me, either fans of the past who have had their interest renewed, or more importantly for the survival of the sport, those who have never attended a speedway meeting before? The loss of Sky coverage of the GPs was a real shame - it's not about quality of Eurosport coverage, more about the loss of profile. That said, in my view it is absolutely the right thing and even necessary to continue with staging events in the biggest stadia and cities possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Of course it plays a part, but you brought this point up as a reason for us to move away from such venues suggesting that to fans the racing was the most important thing.. Cardiff has 100% demonstrated that the 'racing' isn't the most important thing. It's a necessary ingredient, but not the one that appears to dictate between someone attending a meeting or not. Move the British GP to Peterboro for example, the racing would be better but the attendance would plummet.. and not just due to capacity. Question: IF there was no Speedway Racing in Cardiff would you go on the Speedway Weekend unless for a Holiday. The answer to my question is self evidently NO!! Ergo my Case rests. Q.E.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrycuda Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) Post removed Edited June 6, 2015 by Barrycuda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 I think the answer to BWitcher regarding the racing or side events at the British Grand Prix or any speedway Grand Prix for that matter is whatever floats your boat. I would agree with that, however, it is inconceivable to me that someone should go to Cardiff for the GP and not consider the Racing to be the MAIN part of the weekend BC. Everything else, to me, is on the periphery. I just can't get my head around that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 I would agree with that, however, it is inconceivable to me that someone should go to Cardiff for the GP and not consider the Racing to be the MAIN part of the weekend BC. Everything else, to me, is on the periphery. I just can't get my head around that. Your inability to see some matters from another's perspective is unfortunate. And does not seem confined to this topic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Question: IF there was no Speedway Racing in Cardiff would you go on the Speedway Weekend unless for a Holiday. The answer to my question is self evidently NO!! Ergo my Case rests. Q.E.D. IF there was no speedway racing it wouldn't be a speedway weekend would it? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 IF there was no speedway racing it wouldn't be a speedway weekend would it? aka Gelsenkirchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 I would agree with that, however, it is inconceivable to me that someone should go to Cardiff for the GP and not consider the Racing to be the MAIN part of the weekend BC. Everything else, to me, is on the periphery. I just can't get my head around that. Numbers speak. Speedway racing takes place all over the country every week. 40,000 don't turn up to it though. Your argument is nonsensical as we are discussing attending a speedway meeting and what draws fans to a SPEEDWAY meeting. If there isn't a meeting, its not relevant and not part of the discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Your inability to see some matters from another's perspective is unfortunate. And does not seem confined to this topic. I think I can see things from other people's perspective. I can also stand my corner in a discussion, as can Bewitcher and others - I can hold an opinion though even if you don't like it. Numbers speak. Speedway racing takes place all over the country every week. 40,000 don't turn up to it though. Your argument is nonsensical as we are discussing attending a speedway meeting and what draws fans to a SPEEDWAY meeting. If there isn't a meeting, its not relevant and not part of the discussion. I meant that the Speedway Weekend would be exactly that without Speedway - irrelevant. Therefore the most important thing regarding the Weekend is the Speedway. Surely, you have proved my point for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 How about you tell me? EDIT: Oops - I can answer the first question. Less than the number that used to go to Wembley years ago. I hope that helps. Wembley. Another of those temporary tracks you hate. You must have been delighted when world finals moved to a permanent track at odsal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) Wembley. Another of those temporary tracks you hate. You must have been delighted when world finals moved to a permanent track at odsal. Sigh...................... I mentioned Wembley in response to being questioned about Numbers - not Tracks. :rolleyes: IF there was no speedway racing it wouldn't be a speedway weekend would it? Which also proves my point - Thank you for that Phil. Edited May 8, 2015 by The White Knight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 Sigh...................... I mentioned Wembley in response to being questioned about Numbers - not Tracks. :rolleyes: Which also proves my point - Thank you for that Phil. NO it doesn't... what many of us are trying to point out that because of the venue and the whole package the British GP draws a far bigger crowd (more than double the last World Final held in the UK) than it would at any regular speedway track you care to mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 I think I can see things from other people's perspective. I can also stand my corner in a discussion, as can Bewitcher and others - I can hold an opinion though even if you don't like it. I meant that the Speedway Weekend would be exactly that without Speedway - irrelevant. Therefore the most important thing regarding the Weekend is the Speedway. Surely, you have proved my point for me. You have no point WK and the more you try to argue it, the more foolish you look. For there to be a comparison they both have to be speedway events. That is the constant between the two. Now, you claimed the standard of racing, note that, the standard of racing was most important. You also tell us that temporary tracks don't provide good racing. So tell us, by your OWN argument, how is it that the temporary track attracts the highest attendance if the 'standard of racing' is the MOST important thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted May 8, 2015 Report Share Posted May 8, 2015 (edited) I would agree with that, however, it is inconceivable to me that someone should go to Cardiff for the GP and not consider the Racing to be the MAIN part of the weekend BC. Everything else, to me, is on the periphery. I just can't get my head around that. Your inability to see some matters from another's perspective is unfortunate. And does not seem confined to this topic. I think I can see things from other people's perspective. I can also stand my corner in a discussion, as can Bewitcher and others - I can hold an opinion though even if you don't like it. .Oh for goodness sake. At least keep up with your own argument, even if you cannot follow others. It was YOU that first said you couldn't understand people who had a differing view than yourself. I was just sympathising with your - self confessed - inabilities. Edited May 8, 2015 by Grand Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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