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?

[SCB]

Thoughts?

We know the track was messed up. They had to dig it up and start again. The rider who said he didn't want to ride was correct, good on him! We can't call them moaners and tell them to "get on with it" when it rains if clubs don't give them decent tracks to start with.

[Starman2006]

So clearly it was already known that the track was in not good shape, so why was it allowed to continue.

[waiheke1]

So clearly it was already known that the track was in not good shape, so why was it allowed to continue.

I think that is covered in detail in the OP of you care to read it. That's the post two up from yours.

[waytogo28]

That is one of the problems of speedway, that things are brushed under the carpet and the lessons that need to be learned, never are. It is clear that it could have been called off early enough for most people to have not travelled. I can see a similar thing happening to Coventry this year IF they do try to run. The attitude that "it's all OK really " and "it will be all right on the night" prevails, which leads to this kind of thing.

[Grand Central]

The OP tells us a few things.

 

Every single person was of the opinion that the track was rideable and the meeting should/could go ahead.

Except ****.

 

From the moment of **** arriving everything changed.

He, and he alone, was of the opinion that racing should not take place.

 

After he had spoken to everyone involved, everyone also agreed.
Notwithstanding their unanimous contrary opinion just minutes/hours before.

 

It was later found that **** was completely correct and the track was in such bad shape that it needed major construction work over several weeks to rectify.

After which it has been brilliant.

 

The lessons to learn.

1) That **** is a very. very persuasive voice.

2) That organisers should have got **** to run the show from the start as he seems to have known more than anyone else involved in the debacle from just a moments first glance.

3) The identity of **** is shrouded in impenetrable mystery.

Edited January 25, 2017 by Grand Central

[Daniel Smith]

Why is the riders name needed to be hidden from the report?

He's been proven to have made the correct decision so it's not like it's an issue to be named

[Gunner85]

Nice to see a comprehensive account of the day.

 

In real terms the most important thing now is to move forward.

 

However there is still a lot to be discovered over last year and equally this should come out.

 

Once agin it is good to get some factual info out instead of rumour / exaggerated rumour.

[Star Lady]

Why is the riders name needed to be hidden from the report?

He's been proven to have made the correct decision so it's not like it's an issue to be named

 

From stevehone's post on the duplicate thread it wasn't Nicki P so we have narrowed it down to 15.

 

I know who my money is on

[racers and royals]

 

From stevehone's post on the duplicate thread it wasn't Nicki P so we have narrowed it down to 15.

 

I know who my money is on

You could be " barking up the wrong tree"(maybe 3 times as well )

[waytogo28]

Having spoken at length with S. Holmes it can only be deduced from the known facts that the rider was Tai Woffinden. And it was the right call. Pity it was not Gordon or Morton, who failed the sport by putting their own interests ahead of rider safety and by being desperate to continue at all costs.

[ouch]

The only thing to come out of this sorry tale is the fact riders no longer need to ride substandard track surfaces.

Up to that night I've seen some terrible adverts for the sport and sometimes it's been down right dangerous.

Thank god it's a thing of the past, as it should be. Rider safety is paramount.

 

I also think fan power can kick in now as well. If you turn up to and event where the product on show is going to be the same or worse than the dreadful night at The NSS then you should be entitled to your money back, no question.

 

Good times ahead.

[lucifer sam]

 

From stevehone's post on the duplicate thread it wasn't Nicki P so we have narrowed it down to 15.

 

I know who my money is on

 

You'll lose your money then.

 

All the best

Rob

[Star Lady]

 

You'll lose your money then.

 

All the best

Rob

 

Are you a mind reader?

 

I haven't named anyone...and it probably isn't who you think I'm thinking of

[Gemini]

Bet it was a bloody Aussie. They are always whingeing about something.

[WembleyLion]

Bet it was a bloody Aussie. They are always whingeing about something.

 

Well that's sort of close - I think!

 

Funnily enough I was there to witness the shambles that night and I did remark that *** was the one who had actually called the meeting off!

 

At least I got my ticket money back!

 

Once the track was sorted it certainly has produced some excellent racing!

Edited January 25, 2017 by WembleyLion

[speedibee]

Why is the riders name needed to be hidden from the report?

He's been proven to have made the correct decision so it's not like it's an issue to be named

no he hasn't ,he's been proven to force his opinion on others , and doesn't care less about British speedway or the lasting damage done to our latest greatest facility , If I was Morton and Gordon I would use the last few bob I hadn't sunk into the project to have a hitman take him out