Swindon V Lakeside Thur 9th April

[The Voice Of Reason]

Regarding the music. I keep hearing this old chestnut.

 

As if playing the latest dross one hears on Radio 1 and Kiss FM is going to suddenly get youngsters flooding through the gates!

 

To my mind, the main problem with Elite League Speedway is simply that it isn't a value for money product in its current format. Just 15 heats, strung out over two hours in the cold, isn't exactly going to get ANYONE rushing through the turnstiles.

[Grachan]

Re atmosphere at the meeting, did those who are complaining make plenty of noise? There are too many people who just stand, watch and enjoy without outwardly showing emotion, MEN! It's all your fault as always ha

Well me, my wife and my son were shouting during races, and so were people around us near the start line. I don't go every week and if I pay to go somewhere I do my best to enjoy it.

 

I guess I just didn't see all the miserable sods stood around complaining about there being no atmosphere.

 

Regarding the music. I keep hearing this old chestnut.

As if playing the latest dross one hears on Radio 1 and Kiss FM is going to suddenly get youngsters flooding through the gates!

To my mind, the main problem with Elite League Speedway is simply that it isn't a value for money product in its current format. Just 15 heats, strung out over two hours in the cold, isn't exactly going to get ANYONE rushing through the turnstiles.

It's not case of getting people rushing through the turnstiles, but it may stop some of the kids there thinking it's dated and old fashioned.

 

It's probably subliminal, but surely it needs to be kept modern.

 

When I went as a kid in the 70s they were playing up to date music. They weren't playing Glenn Miller and 40s stuff.

[oldswindonsupporter]

From someone who hasn't been to the Abbey for a couple of seasons....

 

For me, the meeting was too drawn out, it was not until post the interval that things seemed to get slicker, 5 heats in 20 minutes, meeting over at 21:10 which might argue was good but still, far too much waiting between races and too many tractor laps. I remember the old Belle Vue not needing grading at all, why was that?

 

Anyway, onto the racing, after the 2nd bend, passing was at a premium, Blackbird in heat 2, Bech passing Nicholls in heat 7, Howarth passing Lawson in heat 11, Lawson passing Nicholls in heat 13 and Morris passing in heat 14 along the back straight 1st lap. The track to me never looked like it would encourage passing or offer the racers something to pass with, disappointing given Swindon's track record.

 

Atmosphere was not existent, given the closeness of the scores, you might have thought that would have generated some excitement. Perhaps it was the aftermath of Monday, who knows.

 

Entertainment value, about 6 out of 10, star of the meeting, Hans Andersen, rode as a true number 1 and reminded me of Martin Ashby in heat 1 when riding the white line. Tom Perry not competitive at all, didn't seem to learn what lines Eliis would ride and never close enough to pass. If Lawson had been better, it might have been a different outcome. Boxall did far better than expected, always could gate which was a bonus last night.

 

For me, it will be Somerset as a first choice, I came, I saw, I wasn't impressed. Maybe that is Elite league racing but it just wasn't entertaining enough to prompt a return. Some say the product is good, I'd agree but tracks need to encourage racing rather than riding and present / promote a show. £17 to stand around getting cold and wishing the night away says it all.

 

Just my view of course. I'll take my money elsewhere thanks.

 

 

[Grachan]

I guess Swindon must just have the most miserable arsed people in the UK.

 

I'm from elsewhere so I probably just got lucky.

 

Anyway, I enjoyed last night and when things are bad I'm quick to complain.

Edited April 10, 2015 by grachan

[Trees]

I do think the mic men could encourage the fans to make more noise, they need to be totally bias and show their emotion and perhaps the fans will follow ☺

Promoters need to really work hard to find someone who has a connection or can make a connection with the fans and riders come to that. They need to be speedway fans, passionate, funny and clever.

[Red Robin]

From someone who hasn't been to the Abbey for a couple of seasons....

 

For me, the meeting was too drawn out, it was not until post the interval that things seemed to get slicker, 5 heats in 20 minutes, meeting over at 21:10 which might argue was good but still, far too much waiting between races and too many tractor laps. I remember the old Belle Vue not needing grading at all, why was that?

 

Anyway, onto the racing, after the 2nd bend, passing was at a premium, Blackbird in heat 2, Bech passing Nicholls in heat 7, Howarth passing Lawson in heat 11, Lawson passing Nicholls in heat 13 and Morris passing in heat 14 along the back straight 1st lap. The track to me never looked like it would encourage passing or offer the racers something to pass with, disappointing given Swindon's track record.

 

Atmosphere was not existent, given the closeness of the scores, you might have thought that would have generated some excitement. Perhaps it was the aftermath of Monday, who knows.

 

Entertainment value, about 6 out of 10, star of the meeting, Hans Andersen, rode as a true number 1 and reminded me of Martin Ashby in heat 1 when riding the white line. Tom Perry not competitive at all, didn't seem to learn what lines Eliis would ride and never close enough to pass. If Lawson had been better, it might have been a different outcome. Boxall did far better than expected, always could gate which was a bonus last night.

 

For me, it will be Somerset as a first choice, I came, I saw, I wasn't impressed. Maybe that is Elite league racing but it just wasn't entertaining enough to prompt a return. Some say the product is good, I'd agree but tracks need to encourage racing rather than riding and present / promote a show. £17 to stand around getting cold and wishing the night away says it all.

 

Just my view of course. I'll take my money elsewhere thanks.

 

 

SOMERSET ? Atmosphere ? The place is like a morgue, been many times , prefer Swindon anytime !!!

[Grachan]

SOMERSET ? Atmosphere ? The place is like a morgue, been many times , prefer Swindon anytime !!!

Ignore it, Red Robin. It's just typical PL fan bleating about how their league is better even though it's, like, lower and that.

 

And why, if someone hasn't been to Blunsdon for 2 years, would they choose a match v Lakeside with 4 Swindon riders out injured and it being the second meeting of the week - the other being a crowd attracting Bank Holiday clash against our number one rival and league champions?

[oldswindonsupporter]

For the record...I took in last night's match as I was in Reading with work and thought why not. To correct assumptions made, I am not a PL supporter, nor a Somerset supporter, nor a Swindon supporter these days, rather a speedway supporter who just hasn't been to Swindon for a couple of seasons.

 

For me, Somerset is the closest track to where I live, my visits have always resulted in an entertaining meeting.

 

Speedway should be entertaining, last night it wasn't. It is my opinion / view to which we are all entitled. Further, it is my money, I'll choose to spend it where I want, based on last night, it will not be at Swindon in a hurry. Apologies if that offends but that's the way I saw things.

 

 

[SCB]

Regarding the music. I keep hearing this old chestnut.

 

As if playing the latest dross one hears on Radio 1 and Kiss FM is going to suddenly get youngsters flooding through the gates!

 

To my mind, the main problem with Elite League Speedway is simply that it isn't a value for money product in its current format. Just 15 heats, strung out over two hours in the cold, isn't exactly going to get ANYONE rushing through the turnstiles.

Music matters. Imagine Jaws without the iconic "duh do, duh do, duh do" music and in stead playing the Beach Boys - wouldn't it be nice. suddenly you have gone from sinister and scary film that has you on the edge of your seat to lovely nice montage. TV, film and computer games ALL use music to convey feelings and emotion. Make it fast and loud and people will get excited, make it slow and quiet and people will clam down. Why the hell would you want to calm people down at a speedway meeting?

 

It's not about people liking it, it's not about it being modern or from the 90s or 70s (theres some perfectly apt and usable music from the 70s!). If music was that simple nobody would bother with DJs, they'd just stick a mix CD on (like they do at speedway) or put a Spotify play list on.

[Grachan]

For the record...I took in last night's match as I was in Reading with work and thought why not. To correct assumptions made, I am not a PL supporter, nor a Somerset supporter, nor a Swindon supporter these days, rather a speedway supporter who just hasn't been to Swindon for a couple of seasons.

 

For me, Somerset is the closest track to where I live, my visits have always resulted in an entertaining meeting.

 

Speedway should be entertaining, last night it wasn't. It is my opinion / view to which we are all entitled. Further, it is my money, I'll choose to spend it where I want, based on last night, it will not be at Swindon in a hurry. Apologies if that offends but that's the way I saw things.

 

 

 

 

It doesn't offend. Just makes you look like a miserable old sod, that's all.

 

We decided to go to this because it is school holidays and my son was badgering me to take him.

 

I said it would probably be a low crowd and Swindon had loads of injured riders but he insisted.

 

When I saw the crowd it wasn't massive, but it was better than I thought it would be. As was the atmosphere, although, in hindsight maybe we were just embarrasing ourselves leaping about and enjoying ourselves while everyone else in the stadium was stood around contemplating their own deaths.

 

It didn't seem like that at the time though.

 

There does seem to be a small number on here who go out of their way to undermine everything Swindon do. It just seems a bit odd really.

 

Last night seemed fine to me, and it was nice to see Hans who always seems to enjoy his returns to Blunsdon.

 

The party political broadcast on behalf of the Conservative party was a bit odd though.

Edited April 10, 2015 by grachan

[Mjolnir]

When I saw the crowd it wasn't massive, but it was better than I thought it would be. As was the atmosphere, although, in hindsight maybe we were just embarrasing ourselves leaping about and enjoying ourselves while everyone else in the stadium was stood around contemplating their own deaths.

Keep on leaping - we need more fans like you!

[Grachan]

Keep on leaping - we need more fans like you!

 

Then again, I only go 3 or 4 times a year. So maybe not!

[Mjolnir]

Then again, I only go 3 or 4 times a year. So maybe not!

Haha ... well I'm glad you boost the atmosphere when you are there!

 

Each to their own, people are welcome to enjoy it however they want to, but personally I like a bit of noise and visible enthusiasm

[Steve0]

It seems that unless you like all things speedway then you are a miserable old sod or miserable arsed! It's good that some people thought there was an atmosphere but those that didn't aren't resorting to insults but offering reasons why they thought there was no atmosphere. I have always said that I look to be entertained for the money I pay and while it wasn't the worst meeting in the world I have seen much better. However, I felt there was no atmosphere and I was at the starting line too so we will just need to agree to differ and it will be a while before I consider parting with my cash for this mediocre entertainment again.

[Grachan]

It seems that unless you like all things speedway then you are a miserable old sod or miserable arsed! It's good that some people thought there was an atmosphere but those that didn't aren't resorting to insults but offering reasons why they thought there was no atmosphere. I have always said that I look to be entertained for the money I pay and while it wasn't the worst meeting in the world I have seen much better. However, I felt there was no atmosphere and I was at the starting line too so we will just need to agree to differ and it will be a while before I consider parting with my cash for this mediocre entertainment again.

Actually I'm anything but 'all things speedway'. Maybe that's why I actually enjoy it when I go.

 

Bet you go again.

 

Bet you do.

[cityrebel]

I thought the meeting was ok last night, a few decent races and well run. The weather was absolutely balmy for Swindon in April!

[A ORLOV]

Well I enjoyed the meeting, apart from the tractor racing. Hans and Lewis showed that they liked the track and thanks to them we won the meeting. Many thanks to Hans and Scott for getting in touch with Rosco and offering their services following the injuries suffered by our riders last monday, also to Lewis who I am sure would be a welcome guest any time our FTR rider is not available.

 

Lakeside have had good results at Swindon before and they did better than I thought they would.

[DunRobin]

 

Then again, I only go 3 or 4 times a year. So maybe not!

If you only go 4 or 5 times a year, perhaps you should go more often to raise the atmosphere. If it works, you may even get a sponsor to make it more affordable. Personally, I thought it was a good meeting & a pleasure to watch Hans in full flow. What a move in heat 15, simply sublime. I do not understand all the bitching about re-grading the track. We now have a superb racing surface & without the grading being done, it would quickly deteriorate & I expect those very same whingers would be saying "what a lousy track".

[sommelier]

If you only go 4 or 5 times a year, perhaps you should go more often to raise the atmosphere. If it works, you may even get a sponsor to make it more affordable. Personally, I thought it was a good meeting & a pleasure to watch Hans in full flow. What a move in heat 15, simply sublime. I do not understand all the bitching about re-grading the track. We now have a superb racing surface & without the grading being done, it would quickly deteriorate & I expect those very same whingers would be saying "what a lousy track".

 

I think the track is better prepared than it has been for a long time

[Woz01]

Tractors have been going around tracks since i started watching in the 80s, it's not exactly a new phenomenon. More needs to be done while they are grading the track, a bit more fan interaction would be a start. Ice Hockey do that well in between intervals.