Newcastle Vs Redcar 26 April

[ruffdiamond]

Why do people say 'their not coming' ???,,, maybe their on holiday or something, or get a lift off someone :-)

[dantodan]

Why do people say 'their not coming' ???,,, maybe their on holiday or something, or get a lift off someone :-)

 

God knows RuffDiamond. I have been watching the Diamonds since 1961 and have never said I wouldn't be back next week, some did when Ivan Mauger left and more still when Ole Olsen left.

 

Really it comes down to this! Do you like to watch Speedway, if so you will be back despite what may have happened the week before. If you are not that commited then maybe you can say I won't come back! Obviously some are staying away as the crowd is pretty low this season. Personally if the worst happens due to lack of support I would hope we could keep going in the National League rather than close alltogether. I am a speedway addict and would support Newcastle in the "Mickey Mouse" league if there was one!!!

 

However, We are an attractive PL side capable of winning matches so hopefully the crowds will pick up and get a little boost when the footy season finishes

[bobh]

 

Could you expand on that please?

I feel that with better co-operation and organisation between all concerned, we may not have froze for over two and a half hours.

 

Contrast last night when we saw aprox 16 mins of completed races in 2 hours thirty five minutes with Ricky Ashworth meeting at Owlerton when 3,000+ saw twenty nine heats involving everything from schoolboys to GP stars all completed in 2 hours 25 mins.

[Gaz]

 

God knows RuffDiamond. I have been watching the Diamonds since 1961 and have never said I wouldn't be back next week, some did when Ivan Mauger left and more still when Ole Olsen left.

 

Really it comes down to this! Do you like to watch Speedway, if so you will be back despite what may have happened the week before. If you are not that commited then maybe you can say I won't come back! Obviously some are staying away as the crowd is pretty low this season. Personally if the worst happens due to lack of support I would hope we could keep going in the National League rather than close alltogether. I am a speedway addict and would support Newcastle in the "Mickey Mouse" league if there was one!!!

 

However, We are an attractive PL side capable of winning matches so hopefully the crowds will pick up and get a little boost when the footy season finishes

 

To be fair if it closed down it would be the fault of the promotion, if they dont treat their paying customers fairly and do enough to get new fans in, then do enough to keep them then that would be down to them.

 

If you are going to speedway for the first time and take the family the last thing you want is to be standing in the cold for 2 and a half hours and definitely would not go the following week, its also worrying hearing fans who are used to go every week saying the same.

 

There used to be 6 of us who went but now its down to 2, this is due to lies from the promotion and it hurts when we have been going for over 30 years. No doubt we will still go to some speedway but not necessarily at Newcastle!

 

Maybe they should try and promote the sport like Newcastle Eagles do (crowds of 2-3k) and Newcastle Thunder (crowds increased from 50-100 to 700-1500 in 6 months)

[DiamondsRock]

Referee was terrible although that doesn't excuse the behaviour of certain elements of the crowd. Speedway does seem to attract some odd people. I find it quite embarrassing.

 

 

Do elaborate more? Were they being a disgrace by cheering or booing the riders / referee?

 

unlike some who need to wake up and understand that we will only have speedway in Newcastle if sufficient patrons come through the turnstiles and so far this season I think George and the promotion team will be a bit worried about turnstile receipts.

 

 

Then it's about time that promoters got off the high horse with the "use it or lose it" attitude, and actually got out there promoting. People (especially families) won't continue to hand over, say £60 of their hard earned £ each weekend just to keep a sport running if they're not happy about something. Most folk nowadays don't have that attitude -- it's all about getting the best value for your £, and if speedway is not providing that, they'll not turn up regardless.

Edited April 27, 2015 by DiamondsRock

[MrP]

I myself also haven't been this season,but for very different reasons. I used to go and watch the Newcastle Eagles every week and the reason they get the crowds they do( don't think it's 2000-3000 mind) isn't down to promoting its down to sponsorship. The Eagles have several large backers eg Northumbrian Water, Esh group and Your Homes Newcastle to name three. This enables them to offer discounted admission for as little as £7. I have also been to their end of season dance which is packed to the rafters all at £50 a pop. So to compare the Diamonds to the Eagles isn't a fair comparison in my opinion.

 

I would also like to respond to the "Then it's time the promoters got off their high horse and actually get out there and promote"

 

I can tell you that the amount of work that goes into promoting the sport is quite substantial. I know for a fact that they are constantly trying to get new people involved and have tried quite a few ways of promoting the sport. I would also suggest if anyone has any new ideas the promotion would be very willing to hear them.

 

As for the length of time a meeting runs I totally agree that two and a half hours is unacceptable but why doesn't the referee give them a hurry up?

[Gaz]

I myself also haven't been this season,but for very different reasons. I used to go and watch the Newcastle Eagles every week and the reason they get the crowds they do( don't think it's 2000-3000 mind) isn't down to promoting its down to sponsorship. The Eagles have several large backers eg Northumbrian Water, Esh group and Your Homes Newcastle to name three. This enables them to offer discounted admission for as little as £7. I have also been to their end of season dance which is packed to the rafters all at £50 a pop. So to compare the Diamonds to the Eagles isn't a fair comparison in my opinion.

 

I would also like to respond to the "Then it's time the promoters got off their high horse and actually get out there and promote"

 

I can tell you that the amount of work that goes into promoting the sport is quite substantial. I know for a fact that they are constantly trying to get new people involved and have tried quite a few ways of promoting the sport. I would also suggest if anyone has any new ideas the promotion would be very willing to hear them.

 

As for the length of time a meeting runs I totally agree that two and a half hours is unacceptable but why doesn't the referee give them a hurry up?

 

They are in schools nearly every day of the week doing programmes, keeping kids involved and also inviting them to matches, once in a while the Diamonds will do that!!

 

They also treat their fans excellently and keep things interesting for the kids during the breaks in play.

[MrP]

I know exactly how often they are in schools etc as that's how I got to know Jeanette and the work she does with the community and the excellent hoops for health program. I have also been part of the YHN A2B scheme but I repeat what I said earlier in my opinion it's an unfair comparison. You also state they are in schools every day but speedway riders also have a day job. Do you think it's fair to ask them to give up a day's pay? Would you? As for keeping things interesting for the kids it all comes at a cost.

[Gaz]

I know exactly how often they are in schools etc as that's how I got to know Jeanette and the work she does with the community and the excellent hoops for health program. I have also been part of the YHN A2B scheme but I repeat what I said earlier in my opinion it's an unfair comparison. You also state they are in schools every day but speedway riders also have a day job. Do you think it's fair to ask them to give up a day's pay? Would you? As for keeping things interesting for the kids it all comes at a cost.

 

Yes it does come at a cost but to keep families interested might be worth it! At the end of the day I (as well as many others by the looks of it) dont think they are doing enough and some unfortunately wont be returning! These 2 and half our meetings have been happening for years and they dont seem to be doing anything about it!

[MrP]

It is of course your prerogative to go or not likewise other people's. As I have stated in a previous post 2 and a half hours is totally unacceptable and I for one would probably done the same as Arson Fire and left. Genuine question here who exactly is responsible for the time it takes to run a meeting? It's it the promotion is it the referee or a combination? As for keeping families interested at a cost my wife and I have ran the mascot scheme for the last few seasons where they get their photograph taken with a rider of their choice then lead the team out.

[StevePark]

It is of course your prerogative to go or not likewise other people's. As I have stated in a previous post 2 and a half hours is totally unacceptable and I for one would probably done the same as Arson Fire and left. Genuine question here who exactly is responsible for the time it takes to run a meeting? It's it the promotion is it the referee or a combination? As for keeping families interested at a cost my wife and I have ran the mascot scheme for the last few seasons where they get their photograph taken with a rider of their choice then lead the team out.

 

I'll attempt to answer that. I believe it has to be down to both.

 

I would also like to add that 2 and a half hours to run a meeting is unnacceptable, but the sun delay (God knows who called the interval, as the rulebook states you can't have an interval before heat 10) didn't help. On top of that, I made it 8 re-runs last night, a couple of which could possibly have been avoided (?) and we had a repair of a air panel in there as well.

[ruffdiamond]

I'll attempt to answer that. I believe it has to be down to both.

 

I would also like to add that 2 and a half hours to run a meeting is unnacceptable, but the sun delay (God knows who called the interval, as the rulebook states you can't have an interval before heat 10) didn't help. On top of that, I made it 8 re-runs last night, a couple of which could possibly have been avoided (?) and we had a repair of a air panel in there as well.

well most of that could be put down Lassie Bear,,, tried to break the air fence, as early as heat 1, then tried to get someone else to break it in he 11, (and all the carnage that created),,,, then in the 15 had another go at it, but still didn't manage, but was allowed to take plenty time time to pull himself together for the re-run, (unlike lightning),,, :-(

 

all IMO of course ;-)

Edited April 27, 2015 by ruffdiamond

[erniew]

Regarding Mr. Bjerre in heat 15, why was he allowed back into the pits to retrieve his bike? Didn't Josh Bates get excluded for leaving the track?

[Aceslider]

I would like to know who referees the referees. Last night's official was just plain shocking. Don't know what he was on but it certainly affected his eyesight and his judgement. The sport could do without official's like this who frustrate not only the crowd, but the riders as well. Its not too difficult to question the integrity of referees when you see such blatant examples of poor decisions and all in favour of one side (in this case the away side). Perhaps the team managers have an opportunity to feed back to BSPA - I certainly hope so.

 

Its very disappointing to see the promotion on the receiving end of such negative posts from some supporters complaining about the duration of the meeting and laying the blame at the promotion's door. Whilst I have to agree that two and a half hours is far too long for a 15 heat meeting, there certainly were a number of contributory factors none of which were within the control of the promotion. Sometimes I don't think we appreciate what we have at Brough Park when you see the medical back up we have ( 2 ambulances + 2 doctors + paramedic support), dedicated track staff, not to mention the encouragement which is given to all young aspiring riders. It cannot be easy financially either when numbers appear to be down and the season has started with 2 rainoffs in close proximity. Rather than looking for reasons not to come back, it would be so encouraging to hear more from supporters who do appreciate George, his family, and the whole promotion team who give up their time voluntarily to keep the show on the road as well as providing the financial investment which has sustained the sport at Brough Park for so many years now.

[Tsunami]

I would like to know who referees the referees. Last night's official was just plain shocking. Don't know what he was on but it certainly affected his eyesight and his judgement. The sport could do without official's like this who frustrate not only the crowd, but the riders as well. Its not too difficult to question the integrity of referees when you see such blatant examples of poor decisions and all in favour of one side (in this case the away side). Perhaps the team managers have an opportunity to feed back to BSPA - I certainly hope so.

 

Its very disappointing to see the promotion on the receiving end of such negative posts from some supporters complaining about the duration of the meeting and laying the blame at the promotion's door. Whilst I have to agree that two and a half hours is far too long for a 15 heat meeting, there certainly were a number of contributory factors none of which were within the control of the promotion. Sometimes I don't think we appreciate what we have at Brough Park when you see the medical back up we have ( 2 ambulances + 2 doctors + paramedic support), dedicated track staff, not to mention the encouragement which is given to all young aspiring riders. It cannot be easy financially either when numbers appear to be down and the season has started with 2 rainoffs in close proximity. Rather than looking for reasons not to come back, it would be so encouraging to hear more from supporters who do appreciate George, his family, and the whole promotion team who give up their time voluntarily to keep the show on the road as well as providing the financial investment which has sustained the sport at Brough Park for so many years now.

The 2 promotions used to rate the referee in previous years, but I believe the SCB stopped that a few years ago. Pity .

[NJC71]

I'll attempt to answer that. I believe it has to be down to both.

 

I would also like to add that 2 and a half hours to run a meeting is unnacceptable, but the sun delay (God knows who called the interval, as the rulebook states you can't have an interval before heat 10) didn't help. On top of that, I made it 8 re-runs last night, a couple of which could possibly have been avoided (?) and we had a repair of a air panel in there as well.

Accept that there were reasons for a lengthy meeting last night but I have felt for a while that meetings at Newcastle go on for too long. It is rare that a meeting is over before 8.30 and 9pm finishes are not uncommon. It's something the promotion need to look at as people have early starts for work on Monday or children to put to bed and I'm sure would welcome getting home at a reasonable time.

 

The low lying sun has become a real issue over the last 12 months or so. The strange thing is I don't remember it being a problem in the past so why has it become such a problem recently? Has a near by building been pulled down or something? Obviously a difficult one to resolve but if it's going to cause delays on such a frequent basis it needs some thought.

 

A few things I'd like to see:

 

- racing start at 6.30pm prompt, that's racing, not the parade.

- two minutes on as soon as the result for the previous race is announced

- an agreed period of extended delay if a rider has two races on the trot (say 4 minutes). That would get away from the inconsistency that we saw last night

- riders straight back to the tapes if there is a false start. Too often we see riders going back to the pits followed by a fresh 2 minutes being announced.

 

I can't see any reason why meetings shouldn't be done and dusted in 90 minutes and if they generally were I think people would have more patience on the odd night when they run over.

[StevePark]

Accept that there were reasons for a lengthy meeting last night but I have felt for a while that meetings at Newcastle go on for too long. It is rare that a meeting is over before 8.30 and 9pm finishes are not uncommon. It's something the promotion need to look at as people have early starts for work on Monday or children to put to bed and I'm sure would welcome getting home at a reasonable time.

 

The low lying sun has become a real issue over the last 12 months or so. The strange thing is I don't remember it being a problem in the past so why has it become such a problem recently? Has a near by building been pulled down or something? Obviously a difficult one to resolve but if it's going to cause delays on such a frequent basis it needs some thought.

 

A few things I'd like to see:

 

- racing start at 6.30pm prompt, that's racing, not the parade.

- two minutes on as soon as the result for the previous race is announced

- an agreed period of extended delay if a rider has two races on the trot (say 4 minutes). That would get away from the inconsistency that we saw last night

- riders straight back to the tapes if there is a false start. Too often we see riders going back to the pits followed by a fresh 2 minutes being announced.

 

I can't see any reason why meetings shouldn't be done and dusted in 90 minutes and if they generally were I think people would have more patience on the odd night when they run over.

 

Totally agree. That is what it should be (there's various notices in the pits saying Parade 6.20pm First Race 6.30pm, but I honestly can't remember the last time that happened (except when rain has threatened and they've got on with it without a parade).

 

A few times last night the two mins went on before the result was announced.

 

I actually thought that was what is meant to happen this season, but clearly not last night.

 

As far as the low lying sun is concerned, the old Tote Scoreboard might have been a factor in the 'old days', but not sure. But my main complaint is, why don't the riders wear tinted goggles? They do in MX, and quite a few of the riders used to ride in MX!

[cyclone]

 

Totally agree. That is what it should be (there's various notices in the pits saying Parade 6.20pm First Race 6.30pm, but I honestly can't remember the last time that happened (except when rain has threatened and they've got on with it without a parade).

 

A few times last night the two mins went on before the result was announced.

 

I actually thought that was what is meant to happen this season, but clearly not last night.

 

As far as the low lying sun is concerned, the old Tote Scoreboard might have been a factor in the 'old days', but not sure. But my main complaint is, why don't the riders wear tinted goggles? They do in MX, and quite a few of the riders used to ride in MX!

 

 

 

I remember the likes of Ove Fundin used to wear a tinted visor attached to the peak of his helmet during the 1960s

[NJC71]

Totally agree. That is what it should be (there's various notices in the pits saying Parade 6.20pm First Race 6.30pm, but I honestly can't remember the last time that happened (except when rain has threatened and they've got on with it without a parade).

 

A few times last night the two mins went on before the result was announced.

 

I actually thought that was what is meant to happen this season, but clearly not last night.

 

As far as the low lying sun is concerned, the old Tote Scoreboard might have been a factor in the 'old days', but not sure. But my main complaint is, why don't the riders wear tinted goggles? They do in MX, and quite a few of the riders used to ride in MX!

I've heard the tinted goggles idea from Pablo 133 who rides MX. Far too sensible an idea for speedway to introduce it.

[robbieblackadder fan club]

The parade takes far to long go back to the old days of riders line up behind the bikes announce the names and get the racing started at 6 30. I took my little boy last night and he enjoyed it a first but got really bored and asked why it was taking so long,I've asked him if he wants to go back and he said he would rather go to the racing cars(croft) plus 9. 30 to get him home for school next day is far to late