Clerk Of The Course Report From The Opening Night At The Nss

[Blazeaway]

For anyone interested this is the report from the GOM .

 

I arrived at the stadium at 10am, firstly checking that all paperwork was in place and that the facilities in the pits were all completed, secure, dressing rooms ready etc.

 

I spoke to Chris Morton about the detailed running order of the day, as there were some points I wanted to clarify before our staff meeting, when he mentioned that the 3rd and 4th bend were still not as compact as he would have liked. He confirmed that Colin Meredith the track curator would continue to roll and tyre pack this part of the track for the rest of the day.

 

I attended a full staff meeting which was ran by Ian Cochrane at 12pm. (Ian being integral to the planning of stadium events for the Grand Opening meeting.) This covered schedules for the running of the meeting. It was confirmed that I would hold more detailed meetings with pits and track staff.

 

I walked the track with the meeting referee Graham Flint at around 1pm. We walked anti clockwise from bend 1 and the track was very firm until bend 3. At this point, although the top layer was dry, the track was not completely solid. It seemed that there was softer material below the visible track surface.

 

We discussed this and considered the implications of the track 'cutting up'. I can not remember if it was at this point when I discussed the track with Colin Meredith, or if this discussion was later, but he confirmed that he would continue tyre packing, and that if we had any issues during the meeting, he had sufficient equipment and staff that he could very quickly bring the rollers onto the track between each heat if necessary.

 

I held a meeting with pits staff at around 2.20pm. This mainly concerned details of pits access, rules of the stadium, signing on, safety and running order. I then checked that all fire extinguishers, flags, waste oil container and air compressor were available before allowing the pits to be opened to riders.

 

I was asked by Chris Morton to keep the track gate closed as he wanted to talk to the riders about the track. Not all riders had arrived at the stadium, but some were very keen to get access to the track, so I invited them to the meeting room to be addressed by Chris. Approximately half the riders had arrived at this point. Although I can not remember exactly who was in this meeting, Danny King, Andreas Johnson, Jason Doyle, and at least one of the Worrals made up part of the group.

 

Chris talked to the riders about the track and explained the area of concern. He invited them to look at the track, he emphasised the importance of the evening and encouraged them to engage with myself and Chris as much as possible. It was a positive meeting and I walked around the track with the riders to gauge their feelings. Although there were a few concerns, the was no direct negativity and I chatted to a couple of them about grading between every heat if necessary and they all seemed relatively settled. At this point Nikki Pedersen arrived at the stadium and onto the track, where I gave him a briefing of the earlier discussions. He walked around and looked at the third bend and said "Ok, it's not brilliant, but we'll all be riding the same track." At this point I did not think that there was a real threat that the riders would not ride the track.

 

I held a meeting of the track and start marshals at 4pm and continued with the usual pre-meeting CoC duties.

 

A rider briefing meeting had already been planned with for 4.45pm with myself, Graham, David Gordon and Chris Morton. As Mark Lemon was present we asked him to join us. Tai Woffinden had not arrived at this point but I believe all other riders were in attendance.

 

It was suggested that the riders should be allowed to have a practice on the track before the main meeting. Riders voiced their concerns about the track being inconsistent but the discussions were all constructive. They agreed with Graham Flint that they should have a controlled practice with two sets of four riders, the track rolled, then the remaining two sets of four riders would get the same track time.

 

This practice ran successfully. After all riders had completed the track time, ***** came to me privately to say that he did not want to ride. At this point a few other riders had formed a group in the middle of the pits and in the interests of discretion I asked them to make their way to the meeting room. I asked Chris to join me and we began discussing their concerns, still with the hope that the issue could be resolved. At this point, only ***** had said that he did not want to ride, but had not to my knowledge said this to the other riders.

 

Without having time to bring Graham Flint completely up to speed, I sent him a message asking him to make his way to the pits where he joined the discussions. All riders comments remained constructive but the longer the discussions continued, the level of concern about the track cutting up and safety fears grew. The riders asked to have a private discussion where I requested that Mark Lemon be able to stay, as I believe all the riders have respect for Mark and we would be able to get an honest report of their opinion.

 

I rejoined the meeting where it had been agreed that myself and Mark would discuss with Colin Meredith any possible solutions. We looked at the track briefly again before returning to the meeting room with Colin. During this discussion, it was apparent that no solutions the riders would be happy with could be completed in a realistic time frame, and the riders were unanimous in their decision that they did not want to ride. Chris, David and Graham arrived back in the meeting room and it was agreed that we had no choice but to abandon the meeting.

 

Thoughts?

[stevehone]

I was in the pits and I had Nicki Pedersen next to me and he was fuming when the announcement was made on track, disgusted that the riders were getting the blame.

[OveFundinFan]

I was in the pits and I had Nicki Pedersen next to me and he was fuming when the announcement was made on track, disgusted that the riders were getting the blame.

 

but that gives no indication as to whether he was for or against the meeting being called off. Which was it?

[Starman2006]

I was in the pits and I had Nicki Pedersen next to me and he was fuming when the announcement was made on track, disgusted that the riders were getting the blame.

So who was to blame then ? Don't tell me, the person who knew the state of the track the previous 3-4 days.. I wonder who that could be..

[speedibee]

I would like to know who **** is because everything appeared on course untill**** arrived . I think I know anyway but it would be nice to have it confirmed

[OveFundinFan]

Starman, yes the promoters knew there was a problem with the new BV track, but was it any worse then the condition of other tracks that have been raced on - the state of the Poole track springs to mind when some were saying a moto-x bike would be more appropriate....and that went on for weeks.

The BV track had been ridden on by BV riders senior and junior prior to the Saturday and it was deemed ok, a problem but ok. As can be seen from the clerk of the course report/inspection, the problem was explained to the PC Memorial riders by Chris Morton before they walked the track and it appears 15 of them were ok, we know at that point TW had not arrived. The riders agreed to a controlled practice and I quote "The practice ran successfully". Then one (unnamed) rider said he didnt want to ride. Most of us on this forum have probably seen video of practice, some of the forum were there, and to me it looked rideable if not raceable. And track staff had agreed on procedures to care for the track , even between heats if necessary.

It was only then that matters with riders got worse and "the riders were unanimous in their decision they did not want to ride".

So we had gone from 15 riders being ok with it (one rider not in attendance) to 16 riders wanting a walk out. It would have been better if that one (whoever he was) had driven out of the pits and gone home (subject to approval of the referee (or whoever) that he could do that.

The track had a problem, but was it bad enough to warrant the cancellation of a meeting (especially when worse tracks have been ridden - perhaps even during the 2016 season.).

 

My opinion is that the meeting should have gone ahead, the track had been practiced on a few days before the meeting, immediately before the meeting, assurances given track attention would be in hand after every heat if necessary, and 15 of the riders had initially accepted, in full knowledge, of the situation. Enough information now come to light, in my mind, that 1 rider influenced 15 riders to refuse to ride. Baaad

 

.

[waytogo28]

We all knew it was Tai Woffinden and I feel that he was right AND obviously the other 15 felt so too, when they really considered the matter. Gordon and Morton didn't consider the safety of riders seriously enough. The other 15 riders are not sheep or CGI puppets. Tai is not a hypnotist. They could have said to Tai you are wrong about this. On reflection they chose not to and they agreed with him not to ride. He is not the villain in this. Correct decision in my opinion. What later transpired over the mounting debt crisis can also only be put down to Gordon and Morton's poor decisions as promoters.

[speedibee]

We all knew it was Tai Woffinden and I feel that he was right AND obviously the other 15 felt so too, when they really considered the matter. Gordon and Morton didn't consider the safety of riders seriously enough. The other 15 riders are not sheep or CGI puppets. Tai is not a hypnotist. They could have said to Tai you are wrong about this. On reflection they chose not to and they agreed with him not to ride. He is not the villain in this. Correct decision in my opinion. What later transpired over the mounting debt crisis can also only be put down to Gordon and Morton's poor decisions as promoters.

he is not the villain in this . That's your opinion, and you're welcome to it , I bet there's far more people who think otherwise , 15 others were prepared to give it a go ,and do all they could for the benefit of British speedway ,but they were talked out of it by somebody who doesn't give a damn about anyone or anything ,only himself . shame on him

[Daniel Smith]

he is not the villain in this . That's your opinion, and you're welcome to it , I bet there's far more people who think otherwise , 15 others were prepared to give it a go ,and do all they could for the benefit of British speedway ,but they were talked out of it by somebody who doesn't give a damn about anyone or anything ,only himself . shame on him

 

When you read the report above it clearly suggests that it wasn't the individual rider ***** (Woffy's) decision to manipulate others into calling off the meeting.

It says:

 

"After all riders had completed the track time, ***** came to me privately to say that he did not want to ride. At this point a few other riders had formed a group in the middle of the pits and in the interests of discretion I asked them to make their way to the meeting room. I asked Chris to join me and we began discussing their concerns, still with the hope that the issue could be resolved. At this point, only ***** had said that he did not want to ride, but had not to my knowledge said this to the other riders."

 

"All riders comments remained constructive but the longer the discussions continued, the level of concern about the track cutting up and safety fears grew. The riders asked to have a private discussion where I requested that Mark Lemon be able to stay, as I believe all the riders have respect for Mark and we would be able to get an honest report of their opinion."

 

"I rejoined the meeting where it had been agreed that myself and Mark would discuss with Colin Meredith any possible solutions. We looked at the track briefly again before returning to the meeting room with Colin. During this discussion, it was apparent that no solutions the riders would be happy with could be completed in a realistic time frame, and the riders were unanimous in their decision that they did not want to ride. Chris, David and Graham arrived back in the meeting room and it was agreed that we had no choice but to abandon the meeting."

 

So, with all that, at no point does it suggest that any blame can be directed at an individual rider i.e. *****.

[Blazeaway]

***** is not Tai. In fact it would probably surprise all of you who it actually is.

[OveFundinFan]

I cant remember who the 16 riders were.

Can someone enlighten me please.

[waytogo28]

I am surprised that those 15 daredevils of the track can so easily be talked out of riding by **** as some posters suggest. It is not that simple so it does not matter who **** is does it. Thankfully the 15 were not bullied into riding on a dangerous track to satisfy the ego or pockets of Gordon and Morton.

[diamond@heart]

***** is not Tai. In fact it would probably surprise all of you who it actually is.

Oh please do tell!!

[Starman2006]

Oh please do tell!!

I think he's telling one..

Starman, yes the promoters knew there was a problem with the new BV track, but was it any worse then the condition of other tracks that have been raced on - the state of the Poole track springs to mind when some were saying a moto-x bike would be more appropriate....and that went on for weeks.

The BV track had been ridden on by BV riders senior and junior prior to the Saturday and it was deemed ok, a problem but ok. As can be seen from the clerk of the course report/inspection, the problem was explained to the PC Memorial riders by Chris Morton before they walked the track and it appears 15 of them were ok, we know at that point TW had not arrived. The riders agreed to a controlled practice and I quote "The practice ran successfully". Then one (unnamed) rider said he didnt want to ride. Most of us on this forum have probably seen video of practice, some of the forum were there, and to me it looked rideable if not raceable. And track staff had agreed on procedures to care for the track , even between heats if necessary.

.

Yep the poole track wasnt good agree, but it was sorted. We now have proper RED shale which helps a lot, it binds an awful lot better than anything else, but you still have the problem of the track needing levalling all the way round to show it at its best.

Your going over old ground with BV mate. Those who were close to the track several days before the opening meeting clearly knew the track was not in good shape, but im sure you will worm you way round that. No excuses, they failed to deliver.. You know that, and i know that.

Edited January 26, 2017 by Starman2006

[waiheke1]

Let's say the meeting had gone ahead and was completed. Belle vue tell the council there are issues with the track. The contractor says "what do you mean issues? You've successfully held a meeting, in line with the agreed schedule,our obligations are completed." Would belle vue have been able to successfully get the council to arrange the extensive remedial work, or would council have sided with the contractor and any further track work needing to be funded by the aces promotion?

[Grand Central]

Let's say the meeting had gone ahead and was completed. Belle vue tell the council there are issues with the track. The contractor says "what do you mean issues? You've successfully held a meeting, in line with the agreed schedule,our obligations are completed." Would belle vue have been able to successfully get the council to arrange the extensive remedial work, or would council have sided with the contractor and any further track work needing to be funded by the aces promotion?

 

Interesting.

 

The Morton/Gordon plan of trying to convince the riders to ride (very carefully) with Meredith and his team of rollers coming out after every race to keep the show on the road just enough to get through the full meeting could have ended even more badly,

 

Had **** not first come up with the novel idea of not racing it would have been really rather more difficult to say that the major reconstructive work was necessary at all.

And we may never have got to see the track in perfect shape like we eventually did.

Edited January 26, 2017 by Grand Central

[ouch]

I cant remember who the 16 riders were.

Can someone enlighten me please.

 

Jason Doyle; Nicki Pedersen; Tai Woffinden; Matej Zagar; Max Fricke; Scott Nicholls; Richie Worrall; Craig Cook; Chris Harris; Niels-Kristian Iversen; Danny King; Peter Kildemand;

Hans Andersen; Andreas Jonsson; Krzysztof Buczkowski; Maciej Janowski.

[keepturningleft]

I was in the south stand overlooking the entrance to turn 3.

At the pre meet practice, riders appeared to be going into that corner at full speed with no obvious concerns or hesitation whatsoever.

Curious.

[PHILIPRISING]

I was in the south stand overlooking the entrance to turn 3.

At the pre meet practice, riders appeared to be going into that corner at full speed with no obvious concerns or hesitation whatsoever.

Curious.

AS the temperature dropped (it was very cold, bit like Warsaw and Gelsenkirchen), moisture rose to the surface due to the contaminated material used as the sub-base on bends three and four and the surface got progressively softer and was deemed unsafe.

 

Would like to say more but as mentioned elsewhere Speedway Star's hands are currently shackled by the threat of legal action by Manchester City Council who are challenging the accuracy of an article we have ready for publication.

Edited January 27, 2017 by PHILIPRISING

[OveFundinFan]

We would like you to say more, as well Phil, but I, and hopefully others, respect that you cannot at the moment - we wait patiently......

 

OK, so the meeting was called off because the track was unfit for purpose..... at a great disappointment to the fans who had turned up, AND NO DOUBT AT GREAT EXPENSE TO BV WHO, PRESUMABLY, WOULD HAVE TO PAY EXPENSES TO RIDERS, adding greatly to BV's financial situation. That surely means the council/contractor has an obligation to cough up some recompense due to "faulty goods" (or whatever legal terminology), yet it appears they hav'nt and that is probably why BV refused to pay any rent.

So either way, 1) run the meeting and risk council/contractor saying it must have been ok 2) cancel the meeting, loose a lot of money, and the council/contractor dont recompense for "loss of earnings" (or whatever). Sounds like BV was in a lose/lose situation, yet many are judging (without knowing all the facts) that Gordon/Morton were bad promoters. Strange.