RobMcCaffery Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) The problem in some places is not the ability of the CGP but the quality of the mic and the lack of voice projection from the riders being interviewed by him or her. For example on Weds night at King's Lynn the Questions asked were Loud and Clear in the stand but NOT ONE of the riders replies were audible at all. So a rather pointless effort to communicate and entertain the fans during the obligatory 20 min, Sun Break. A re think here is needed or a better mike or better technique training if the boredom factor is to be pushed away. The way to overcome the problem is to get the radio mic levels right. They're best set high so the mic can be held at a normal position for the interviewee to speak into and compensate for his usually quieter level and for the presenter to keep it well away from him or herself when they're using it to avoid overwhelming the system. An alternative is to have someone adjusting the sound levels during the interview, up for the interviewee and down for the interviewer. It seems that all too often it's just left as it is so you only hear the presenter thus making the whole thing a total waste of time. Like all things there is more to mic technique than people would realise. At Rye House we had the added complication that the stadium's prehistoric pa amplifier's cut out would trigger the moment you went over basic speech level and the abundance of high voltage power lines over the stadium, leading into a nearby distribution centre caused massive interference on radio mics. Sometimes it's not just a case of flicking the switch and away you go. If only........ Edited June 2, 2017 by Rob McCaffery 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 (edited) In the 1950s, one of the most entertaining mike men was Johnnie O'Connor, who was 'the man in the box' at the California (in England) and Eastbourne tracks. And, besides his action the mike, Johnnie was also a junior speedway rider at both tracks. He vanished from speedway at the end of the 1950s, then in the early 1960s when Spedeworth Motorsports started their long-term tenancy at Wimbledon Stadium he again worked as an announcer and also wrote the proramme notes for a time. Having a rest between practice rides - from the left John Hyam, George Cole and Johnnie O'Connor at Eastbourne in 1956. Edited June 3, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete cc Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 (edited) Just been to Stoke & their guy sounds like the late Dustin gee,only his jokes were older😁 (Chase me) Edited June 3, 2017 by pete cc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Johnson Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 Chase me was duncan norvelle 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete cc Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Your right. My mistake but I'm sure he sounds like one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KN1 Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Never mind Characters among the Promotion Staff. Where have all the characters gone amongst the Riders? Overzealous and unesacary rules and regulations don't allow for characters nowadays I'm afraid, even telling a ref to go to specsavers on the phone can get you fined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Used to like that big Jock Michael Max at Worky. He still does his stuff at Glasgow . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 The problem started when the SCB started licensing presenters and announcers. Up until then the promoter carried the can for any indiscretions but afterwards the presenter could be personally liable for his or her comments. I was once threatened with a £1,000 fine for what was just an innocent attempt to amuse the crowd but the referee took the wrong way. Thinking that one word out of place can cost you that much money, especially when you're probably doing the job as a favour for nothing or next to nothing would be enough to make anyone play very safe Brings back sad memories of what happened to Chris Simpson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 The problem started when the SCB started licensing presenters and announcers. Up until then the promoter carried the can for any indiscretions but afterwards the presenter could be personally liable for his or her comments. I was once threatened with a £1,000 fine for what was just an innocent attempt to amuse the crowd but the referee took the wrong way. Thinking that one word out of place can cost you that much money, especially when you're probably doing the job as a favour for nothing or next to nothing would be enough to make anyone play very safe. Brings back sad memories of what happened to Chris Simpson. An intriguing comment uk martin! What did happen to Chris Simpson - where, why and when please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete cc Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Please tell An intriguing comment uk martin! What did happen to Chris Simpson - where, why and when please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 An intriguing comment uk martin! What did happen to Chris Simpson - where, why and when please! A decent guy who made Coventry and Perry Barr much better places to attend with his very clever music and centre green work. Unfortunately he managed to upset the " establishment" and that was the end of his good work at the speedway. Yet another case of the BSPA being stuck in the 1950's with their thinking. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagrag Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 I always thought Chris Simpson did a good job at Coventry and Birmingham especially with the music and trying to build atmosphere, the year that he did Cardiff was another very good production which created an amazing atmosphere. The problem was on the microphone Chris always said what he thought and got himself into quite a bit of trouble with refs and promotors. The final straw was the playoffs final at Perry Barr which Poole won and Chris played Abba Money Money for their victory parade 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Without being biased , Michael Max at Glasgow is as good as anybody currently doing a centre green . I like Roy Clarke ,who's took over from Dick Barrie at Berwick , he was very good at the PL 4's at Peterborough the last couple of years . And Kevin Long at Ipswich is very good too . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 I always thought Chris Simpson did a good job at Coventry and Birmingham especially with the music and trying to build atmosphere, the year that he did Cardiff was another very good production which created an amazing atmosphere. The problem was on the microphone Chris always said what he thought and got himself into quite a bit of trouble with refs and promotors. The final straw was the playoffs final at Perry Barr which Poole won and Chris played Abba Money Money for their victory parade What a sad indictment of speedway officialdom that is . Do they realise we are now in the 21st century I wonder? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) I remember Phil Jones (now of BBC Olympic coverage fame) being very good at the old BV dog bowl circa late eighties/early nineties.. Where did it all go wrong for him?😂 I may have mentioned this before on another thread a long time ago, but this thread has just reminded me of one particular brilliant bit of presentation I saw at Bradford in 1990, first match of the season.. The presenter (I think Terry Hardaker) had seven cheerleaders all hold up a sign each to the Grandstand... In a line the signs all read out DUKES 90... He then asked the girls to turn round and show the crowd on the back straight where we were, who were obviously wondering what was written... The girls turned round and proudly held aloft... 09 SEKUD......😂 Speedway presentation probably hasn't moved on too much in the ensuing years at most venues!! Priceless😁 Edited June 4, 2017 by mikebv 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Without being biased , Michael Max at Glasgow is as good as anybody currently doing a centre green . I like Roy Clarke ,who's took over from Dick Barrie at Berwick , he was very good at the PL 4's at Peterborough the last couple of years . And Kevin Long at Ipswich is very good too . I'd agree with all those (except maybe Roy Clarke !). I'd add Dave Hoggart (now at Workington, but previously at Sheffield). The guy at Edinburgh keeps you informed and does interviews to keep you interested. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 Overzealous and unesacary rules and regulations don't allow for characters nowadays I'm afraid, even telling a ref to go to specsavers on the phone can get you fined. Part of the reason Speedway will go down the pan. Who can forget the days of Jack Millen storming up to the Referee's Box to 'politely' query a decision on occasions. The same Jack Millen who kicked some lights at Peterborough, I think it was? He needed a Police escort from the Stadium. Ron Wilson at Teesside loved Jack Millen - he always reckoned that Jack could add 500 on to the Gate at Cleveland Park. Why? Because he was a CHARACTER, an ENTERTAINER - probably would not be allowed to race nowadays. People wonder why Gates are down, at least part of the reason is there are no Characters/Entertainers/Villains to attract them. All very sad. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 What a sad indictment of speedway officialdom that is . Do they realise we are now in the 21st century I wonder? It says more about you if you condemn a club owner for not allowing a mic man to say what he wants to say and damage his business, rather that the big man picking up the losses having in input. Pie in the SKY thinking. It is not allowed in other sports so why should it be in speedway to allow an individual the opportunity to damage your business publicly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 (edited) It says more about you if you condemn a club owner for not allowing a mic man to say what he wants to say and damage his business, rather that the big man picking up the losses having in input. Pie in the SKY thinking. It is not allowed in other sports so why should it be in speedway to allow an individual the opportunity to damage your business publicly. I expected that if anyone responded to my post it would be you, doing your policing of the forum as usual. There are plenty of people involved in running this sport doing a lot more damage than Chris Simpson could ever do. Take a look at the state the sport is in currently and consider whether he was a major offender. Edited June 4, 2017 by Dave Jones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted June 4, 2017 Report Share Posted June 4, 2017 I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the late Ted Sear. He, in my opinion, was the epitome of announcing and never showed any bias. He was, rightly, very well respected in the sport. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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