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2018 Grand Prix Venues


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The organisers need to select wherever possible track with a proven record of providing good racing surfaces. The only way to sell SGP is making the product as exciting as possible. we've al watched SGP's where you know after the first heat that the match will be painful to watch. Cardiff and Warsaw seem to have the temporary tracks nailed and they need to be on every year. My preference would be to prioritise say 8 GPs on proven good tracks - Mallila, Vojens, Torun etc and then hawk 3 or 4 rounds to Slovakia, Italy, Finland, Latvia etc.

 

Also as a shout (but perhaps not in 2018) why not Togliatti in Russia? They've held SEC and draw a decent crowd on a well prepared track. Sure they must've been offered a round

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Well I wouldn't entirely agree with that, if you've been to either location recently. Admittedly they're not right in the centre of town, but they're only a short trip away on multiple transport links.

 

Wasn't aware that Krsko, Daugavpils, Prague, Horsens, Malilla, Gorzow, Teterow and Torun had roofs either.

YOUR last sentence is irrelevant... we were comparing Wembley and the Olympic Stadium with the Principality. And why use short transport links when you can be on the doorstep. The fact that the British fans like Cardiff is underlined by the fact that over 10,000 tickets have already been sold for 2018.

 

I actually think the use of big multi-purpose stadiums in the SGP will diminish quite soon. With the dearth of superstar riders in both Denmark and Sweden and the fact that Melbourne is so far away from speedway's heartland in Australia will make stadiums like Parken, the Friends Arena and the Etihad unviable.

 

There is little wrong with the SGP product but it is dependent on having quality riders and sadly other than Poland they are likely to be in short supply in the near future.

 

Interest in speedway as a whole in Denmark is in a slump without Nicki Pedersen as a headline act and Sweden have never replaced Tony Rickardsson. Unlike in Britain, where fans don't desert their GP if there isn't a great expectation of a home winner, that isn't the case in Denmark and Sweden. Poland had a mini-slump when Gollob faded but there has been a huge resurgence there because of the new breed that have swept to the fore.

 

Where is the next American, the next Russian or the next Slovenian or Slovak come to that. They don't exist and without figures to aspire to youngsters in all these countries will not envisage speedway as a worthwhile career.

 

Sweden, by their own admission, have no outstanding youngster. Nor, at this stage, do Denmark. There are some Australians who might make the grade but are we seriously expecting them to be the next Leigh Adams or Jason Crump?

 

In Britain we can but hope that Dan Bewley will rise above all the current disarray and step up to the plate but the system here, or lack of it, does little to ensure that is the case.

 

 

 

 

Sadly the country with all the riders and all the stadia is Poland.

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Wemmbley of old was a special place to be - any one who didnt get there has missed a treat.

The new Wembley is a much nicer stadium - amongst the best in the world IMO - and transport links are much improved. The surrounding environment is still in a state of transition, but once the plan is completed will make for a reasonable experience.

 

I went to the old Wembley many times for all sorts of events, although unfortunately never for speedway. Whilst not the worst stadium compared to its counterparts, it was frankly getting pretty decrepit and inadequate. There was something about the twin towers and white walls that did create a certain aura from afar, but once you got close and realised it was surrounded by old warehouses and a concrete making plant, it largely spoiled the ambiance.

 

By contrast, I think the Olympic Stadium is a bit of a disappointment. The Olympic Park looks very run down already, and doesn't really have many other facilities for the visitor, although the Westfield is just over the road which has plenty of bars and restaurants.

 

But both venues are perfectly easy to get to - certainly no worse than Cardiff.

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I actually think the use of big multi-purpose stadiums in the SGP will diminish quite soon. With the dearth of superstar riders in both Denmark and Sweden and the fact that Melbourne is so far away from speedway's heartland in Australia will make stadiums like Parken, the Friends Arena and the Etihad unviable.

 

There is little wrong with the SGP product but it is dependent on having quality riders and sadly other than Poland they are likely to be in short supply in the near future.

 

Interest in speedway as a whole in Denmark is in a slump without Nicki Pedersen as a headline act and Sweden have never replaced Tony Rickardsson. Unlike in Britain, where fans don't desert their GP if there isn't a great expectation of a home winner, that isn't the case in Denmark and Sweden. Poland had a mini-slump when Gollob faded but there has been a huge resurgence there because of the new breed that have swept to the fore.

 

Where is the next American, the next Russian or the next Slovenian or Slovak come to that. They don't exist and without figures to aspire to youngsters in all these countries will not envisage speedway as a worthwhile career.

 

Sweden, by their own admission, have no outstanding youngster. Nor, at this stage, do Denmark. There are some Australians who might make the grade but are we seriously expecting them to be the next Leigh Adams or Jason Crump?

 

In Britain we can but hope that Dan Bewley will rise above all the current disarray and step up to the plate but the system here, or lack of it, does little to ensure that is the case.

 

 

Sadly the country with all the riders and all the stadia is Poland.

I fear you maybe right but I have (blind!!?) hope that maybe the future is a little brighter than that.

I think a mix of nice track/stadia such as Torun, Gorzow, Prague, Mallila, mixed with the likes Cardiff, Horsens, Warsaw would be a nice combination. Just dont see the need for Daugapvils, Krsko etc anymore at this level. Can't see Stockholm surviving much after this year. Shame, beautiful city & a great stadium/track but until another Swede is challenging for world honors it will be tough. Melbourne, who knows... Maybe Holder's win last year and Doyle hopefully being in with a shout this year they might get a crowd in the mid 20k in October. If that isnt the case I'm guessing that will be game over for speedway GP at the Etihad. Would be nice to see Manchester, Togliatti & with the current young crop coming through, a better German stadium added. There can't be any more than 3 GPs in Poland, that would be simply unfair.

What still baffles me is this thinking that they can only go to 'Speedway" nations & citys. Supercross isnt any bigger than speedway outside certain pockets yet they go loads of different venues. It's sold as an event, not just a motorcycle race. Monster are the title sponsor for both, SGP could easily attract similar crowds. Blows my mind that they haven't tried for new markets.

Edited by RPNYC
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Friends Arena was a mistake from the beginning. Tele 2 arena would have been a less bad choice since it is smaller but also

have better transportation options. It is easily reachable by both car and subway and it also has allot of parking garages nearby.

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The 2004 GP at the Olympic stadium in Stockholm was superb,I'd love to see another there.

 

Will not happen. Since the renovation of the athletics running tracks, it is not allowed to cover then with gravel and etc.

It also does not have a roof. I agree though that it is a nice stadium (over 100 years old) in a nice location.'

However it's standard is pretty low and the seating areas are on wooden benches.

Edited by Ghostwalker
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How about a longshot for 2018- the Amsterdam arena https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam_Arena

 

I've already suggested a Netherlands GP a few years ago. ;) but hardly anyone thought it was a good idea.

 

http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=74213&page=1&&do=findComment&comment=2326348

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Noooooooooooooooo. That sucks. I cannot remember a decent World Final or GP there.

Shame to see Horsens go.

1994, the last ever one off World Final at vojens was a cracker

As for Amsterdam, Countries with a proud recent speedway history such as Sweden,, Denmark and Australia are trying and mostly failing to make big stadium events pay. Non speedway countries have no chance without a benefactor as per ( New Zealand )

Lets be honest would you take the risk with your money ?

Edited by New Science
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