cityrebel Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 My old mate 'wembley lion' said these words to me a couple of seasons ago at yet another delayed meeting at rye house. In the past 24 hours we have had sun delays at king's Lynn, starting gate problems at cradley, a late rain off at ipswich when the forecast suggested it would never be on, and finally the worst of the lot, an abandonment at Redcar on a dry day. How much longer can the sport survive these fiascos that seem to occur on a weekly basis. These days my speedway trips seem to revolve around my local tracks, at least I won't have far to travel when the next farce involves me. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 My old mate 'wembley lion' said these words to me a couple of seasons ago at yet another delayed meeting at rye house. In the past 24 hours we have had sun delays at king's Lynn, starting gate problems at cradley, a late rain off at ipswich when the forecast suggested it would never be on, and finally the worst of the lot, an abandonment at Redcar on a dry day. How much longer can the sport survive these fiascos that seem to occur on a weekly basis. These days my speedway trips seem to revolve around my local tracks, at least I won't have far to travel when the next farce involves me.You have hit the nail on the head,100%agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 14, 2015 Report Share Posted May 14, 2015 My old mate 'wembley lion' said these words to me a couple of seasons ago at yet another delayed meeting at rye house. In the past 24 hours we have had sun delays at king's Lynn, starting gate problems at cradley, a late rain off at ipswich when the forecast suggested it would never be on, and finally the worst of the lot, an abandonment at Redcar on a dry day. How much longer can the sport survive these fiascos that seem to occur on a weekly basis. These days my speedway trips seem to revolve around my local tracks, at least I won't have far to travel when the next farce involves me. As said by Fromafar you are spot on with your comments. The thing is the Sport is losing it's credibility. People(Supporters) are losing their faith in the Sport. If that really gets a grip - Speedway is finished in this Country. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WembleyLion Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 Also us diehards who generally put up with these situations are dwindling in numbers. Who will be left when we hang up our Programme Boards cityrebel? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 What is needed is more indoor tracks with green light starts. That takes care of the rained off tracks and starting gate/tape problems. I'll get my coat. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 What is needed is more indoor tracks with green light starts. That takes care of the rained off tracks and starting gate/tape problems. I'll get my coat. You won't need it indoors. :shock: Now I'd better get mine. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 My old mate 'wembley lion' said these words to me a couple of seasons ago at yet another delayed meeting at rye house. In the past 24 hours we have had sun delays at king's Lynn, starting gate problems at cradley, a late rain off at ipswich when the forecast suggested it would never be on, and finally the worst of the lot, an abandonment at Redcar on a dry day. How much longer can the sport survive these fiascos that seem to occur on a weekly basis. These days my speedway trips seem to revolve around my local tracks, at least I won't have far to travel when the next farce involves me. what work is being carried out to solve some of these problems? Some can't be solved entirely but things like the interaction of tyres and track, engine size, type and quantity of dirt, etc could be looked at there seems no development work to change things just faster and faster bikes 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 what work is being carried out to solve some of these problems? Some can't be solved entirely but things like the interaction of tyres and track, engine size, type and quantity of dirt, etc could be looked at there seems no development work to change things just faster and faster bikes Sadly you are dead right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted May 15, 2015 Report Share Posted May 15, 2015 what work is being carried out to solve some of these problems? Some can't be solved entirely but things like the interaction of tyres and track, engine size, type and quantity of dirt, etc could be looked at there seems no development work to change things just faster and faster bikes They just either call off early or call of late these days .Not a lot of effort at times,Health and safety rules.They wonder why fans don't leave the house when there is cloud in sky.Its obvious!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Must admit my enthusiasm is on the wane.The long delays when it is cold and/or wet are indefensible.Was thinking of taking my son to speedway a few weeks back and lucky I didn't because a bad crash held things up for an hour or so.Now this is unavoidable,but to a newcomer it is just a boring wait......took my girlfriend to speedway a couple of days ago and as a football/speedway fan I am used to dodgy toilets,she was shocked at how bad the womens toilets were,and that was pretty much at the start of the meeting.No knowing how bad they ended up like.But the thing that realy gets on my ** are things like turning up for a meeting and the start being delayed by 90 minutes or more because they have forgotten to book a Doctor.......any by the time they find one willing to give up a sunday afternoon it starts to rain.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 (edited) I have said before that I remain unconvinced that speedway promotions do all that they can to ensure that their paying customers get value for money and I maintain that now. Fans are taken for granted, treated like stupid children and justifiable criticism is ignored or responded to with abuse. Some criticisms I regard as unreasonable, particularly around rain offs. With rare exceptions - Glasgow last Sunday is one - deciding whether to keep a meeting on or postpone it is not always easy and most fans make comment in hindsight, which is of course a wonderful thing. Promotions do not postpone matches lightly. I think we can also all accept that one off situations occur, even if they are the promotions fault. Having said all that, and taking Thursday night as an example, Redcar have been guilty of preparing appalling race surfaces in the recent past. What's worse, there's so far been no hint of an apology and, as has been said, to allow only a reduction for the next meeting is insulting. The reaction (or lack of it) to the original issue has merely made things worse. At the end of the day, its about customer care - ensuring that the people who buy your product get value for money and will want to buy it again. That is, all too often, sadly lacking and examples like the chap who went up to Workington for the first time and was treated like royalty are far too rare. Edited May 16, 2015 by Halifaxtiger 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike.Butler Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Even the very professional set-up at Glasgow suffered a very late postponement despite giving assurances it would be on.. If it can happen to them.....shrug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brummie Kev Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 I dont know how you can say what happened at Cradley on wednesday as a farce or a fiasco. Thats the first time in 8 years Ive known a partial power failure to affect the stadium, its not like its a regular thing. It happened literrally at 7.30 when the riders were on parade as thats when the speakers failed, at the same time as the 2 min warning light, green light and tapes failed. Some people moaned about it taking 40 mins to start when they were just going off the elasticated bungee cord start and green flag but they dont realise its the National League and the first times these riders have gone through that procedure. I praise everyone that night who got the meeting on, could have been called off which im sure would have made the paying fan every more annoyed. You mention the sun delays at Kings Lynn but surely rider safety is paramount, so its a bit harsh to criticise that, im sure most fans would understand that. You have a point with rain offs, we have seen in past promotions call meetings off early based on forecast and have been left with egg on their face. Thats said at least they are thinking of the travelling fan, its worse if you spend so much getting there, get in stadium and then find its a wasted journey. Its a dammed if you do, dammed if you dont situation. I think whats really bad is when meetings are called off becuase of poor track prep and theres a recent example of that. The dust off between Rye House and Eastbourne was completley unacceptable, that should not happen in this sport. You can control track prep but you cant control where the rain falls, where the sun sets or electrical problems that have not previously happened in 8 years. The BSPA are SCB need to act more strongly and its so annoying that it seems little action will be taken. In Cricket if you produce a dodgy wicket you get a points deduction, so why not something similar and a fine in speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Many promoters take their punters for granted as do the riders, they should really look at themselves and what they aren't doing! Compare yourself with the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted May 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 The problem for speedway is, people don't want to hear excuses about power cuts or the weather. What they want is a good product for a fair price. These days the public demand a good service for their money. When I go to a football match, I know it will start at 3pm and end at 5pm. All the delays and all of the excuses are the main reason a lot of my mates, that are long standing speedway fans don't go anymore. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 The problem for speedway is, people don't want to hear excuses about power cuts or the weather. What they want is a good product for a fair price. These days the public demand a good service for their money. When I go to a football match, I know it will start at 3pm and end at 5pm. All the delays and all of the excuses are the main reason a lot of my mates, that are long standing speedway fans don't go anymore. Says it in a nutshell - but - will anybody listen or take notice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 why don't sun affected tracks have 2 starting gates or just relocate the one set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 Actually the EU have put a ban on outdoor swimming pool diving boards that face into the sun as they are dangerous.People can dive off them onto some unsuspecting swimmer underneath having been blinded by the sun............. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 On Wednesday I went to the theatre rather than the speedway at perry Barr.part of this was because I knew the show at the theatre would start at 7.30 and would have a good chance of being good value.guess what , it was. Then perry Barr!!!!also , I get speedway as to charge what it does because bikes can be expensive but unfortunately the cost doesn't match the value we get.I really don't want to get bored with speedway but I am because I can get better value elsewhere even by going out on my own bike and enjoy it more 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted May 16, 2015 Report Share Posted May 16, 2015 On Wednesday I went to the theatre rather than the speedway at perry Barr.part of this was because I knew the show at the theatre would start at 7.30 and would have a good chance of being good value.guess what , it was. Then perry Barr!!!!also , I get speedway as to charge what it does because bikes can be expensive but unfortunately the cost doesn't match the value we get.I really don't want to get bored with speedway but I am because I can get better value elsewhere even by going out on my own bike and enjoy it more Nail on the head.I find that it is hard to justify the time/money spent on speedway and because none of my kids nor my girlfriend like it then I end up doing something we can all enjoy,because even I can't say I get much enjoyment from it most of the time recently.Even watching it on tv I find once someone makes a protest I think "yes,it is boring so far....." and end up turning to another channel.Maybe it just needs one good meeting to change it all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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