cityrebel Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 I go to both rye and lakeside. The rockets attracted an excellent crowd for a midweek meeting against belle vue, yet the hammers struggled to pull in the punters last night. I will be at arena next Sunday, because I will always choose a league match over a challenge fixture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waco Posted June 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 Having visited many national league tracks,I would say the numbers at Lakeside compare very favourably with the majority.of tracks in this league.....the fans are spread widely round the track and you do not get that consentrated look that people go by...And of course some are comparing it to the Elite league attendences Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 I'm not going to argue about who gets the biggest crowds at NL level. I just find it sad that the majority of the hammers fan base seem to have deserted the club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iand Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 No excuses ! ,,Plymouth cheated the Lakeside fans Very harsh comment. Lakeside and BSPA previews both had Steve down as an injury doubt. Steve tested his back in a pairs meeting on Friday, struggled and pulled out Saturday morning. Plymouth tried to get a replacement but couldn't. Don't know when Lakeside were told of the planned R/R and if there was time than to put out another press release. Obvious choice would have been Bowen, but to change your plans at the last minute on nice sunny Saturday night and upset her indoors might have been difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaboy279 Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 Plus Bowen was still in Benidorm I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Regent Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 (edited) I was a season ticket holder throughout Lakeside's top-division years, and a regular attendee at the second level. But the drop to the NL was too far for me.I have nothing against the NL. It serves a purpose, there can be good racing and it's nice to see the enthusiasm of the riders. I used to go along to Mildenhall occasionally and enjoyed it. But that's just what it is for me, a pleasant way to pass an afternoon or evening.What I miss is the adrenalin rush, the anger, frustration, joy of watching a match in which I passionately care if we win. Now, although of course I prefer Lakeside to win, I can't get too excited one way or the other. It's not a choice, it's just the way it is.I went to the Kent match, and there was good racing, although it was too drawn out for my liking. I'll probably go again from time to time.I did think I might go to Rye House occasionally for the top-division fix - not to support them, obviously (I never understand how anyone can go from supporting one team to another!). I went once, but even though I was there an hour and a half early I had to park way down the road, then - having been for a meal and getting into the stadium shortly before start time - I ended up balanced on a little bit of wood straining to see. I don't think I'll go again, as I don't want to be there that early. Of course it's great that they're getting the crowds, but they don't seem to be set up for it. Say what you like about Lakeside - and it's pretty basic, I know - but you can arrive at any time you like and you'll get a parking place and you'll get a decent view. Edited June 18, 2017 by Prince Regent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice Of Reason Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 Also why when the meeting is drawn out like that can't they interview a rider or two? Nothing at all except Cook after heat 13 Christ.......I bet that was rivetting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 I was a season ticket holder throughout Lakeside's top-division years, and a regular attendee at the second level. But the drop to the NL was too far for me. I have nothing against the NL. It serves a purpose, there can be good racing and it's nice to see the enthusiasm of the riders. I used to go along to Mildenhall occasionally and enjoyed it. But that's just what it is for me, a pleasant way to pass an afternoon or evening. What I miss is the adrenalin rush, the anger, frustration, joy of watching a match in which I passionately care if we win. Now, although of course I prefer Lakeside to win, I can't get too excited one way or the other. It's not a choice, it's just the way it is. I went to the Kent match, and there was good racing, although it was too drawn out for my liking. I'll probably go again from time to time. I did think I might go to Rye House occasionally for the top-division fix - not to support them, obviously (I never understand how anyone can go from supporting one team to another!). I went once, but even though I was there an hour and a half early I had to park way down the road, then - having been for a meal and getting into the stadium shortly before start time - I ended up balanced on a little bit of wood straining to see. I don't think I'll go again, as I don't want to be there that early. Of course it's great that they're getting the crowds, but they don't seem to be set up for it. Say what you like about Lakeside - and it's pretty basic, I know - but you can arrive at any time you like and you'll get a parking place and you'll get a decent view. That more or less sums it up for me as well. The racing in the Kent match was as good if not better than you will see anywhere but it was a bit of a one off. I agree the adrenalin rush doesn't seem to be there when they come to the tapes in the NL, I see the attraction of NL for some but it's not really for me. Â I thought I would be going to Rye House a bit more but haven't been able to motivate myself so far. Rye House itself is in a very watered down league. As a life long fan who hardly missed a match when Lakeside were in the top flight, and an occasional visitor to Rye House I seem to have lost motivation these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 Because I've been a regular at NL tracks since the leagues formation in the mid 1990's, the drop down hasn't been a problem to me. Although a lot of my arena going mates think differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhamboy66 Posted June 18, 2017 Report Share Posted June 18, 2017 (edited) I was a season ticket holder throughout Lakeside's top-division years, and a regular attendee at the second level. But the drop to the NL was too far for me. I have nothing against the NL. It serves a purpose, there can be good racing and it's nice to see the enthusiasm of the riders. I used to go along to Mildenhall occasionally and enjoyed it. But that's just what it is for me, a pleasant way to pass an afternoon or evening. What I miss is the adrenalin rush, the anger, frustration, joy of watching a match in which I passionately care if we win. Now, although of course I prefer Lakeside to win, I can't get too excited one way or the other. It's not a choice, it's just the way it is. I went to the Kent match, and there was good racing, although it was too drawn out for my liking. I'll probably go again from time to time. I did think I might go to Rye House occasionally for the top-division fix - not to support them, obviously (I never understand how anyone can go from supporting one team to another!). I went once, but even though I was there an hour and a half early I had to park way down the road, then - having been for a meal and getting into the stadium shortly before start time - I ended up balanced on a little bit of wood straining to see. I don't think I'll go again, as I don't want to be there that early. Of course it's great that they're getting the crowds, but they don't seem to be set up for it. Say what you like about Lakeside - and it's pretty basic, I know - but you can arrive at any time you like and you'll get a parking place and you'll get a decent view. Amazing how people differ. I live 3 miles away from Lakeside or arena as i prefer and i never go there At the track the viewing is awful nearly as bad as watching football at stratford. The track has to be flat because of the stox so zero banking. For me it is without a doubt the worst track i have been to and i have been to 90 odd. As far as Rye goes the road opposite the station is a five minute walk. The racing was superb for the visit of Belle Vue but the crowd although decent was nowhere near the levels of the early saturday meetings . There is also plenty of banking to stand on on the bends and you don't actually need to balance of a piece of wood on the back straight.Nothing will ever replace Custom House Waterden road or even New Cross but Rye House has been my choice since 76 and Arena essex doesn't come close. Nice touch last night no programmes. Things must be getting tight Maybe no one they thought would be a suitable replacement was interested in taking the booking, just look at the Eastbourne vs Aces match amongst others recently, guests or R/R galore, in that respect this league is no better than the top flight. Lakeside should have been honest with the fans about the team news as soon as they knew, ok it would have put some people off but is that any better than having people come under false pretences and then deciding they wont bother anymore. Next Sunday will be interesting if Rye and Lakeside go head to head. I rarely miss a meeting at Rye but no way would i pay the money to see a challenge match against a team the doesn't exist anymore but then again i wouldn't bother with lakeside either Edited June 18, 2017 by westhamboy66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Speedway is all about opinions. If you think the racing at rye this year has been superb, then you must have low expectations. The track has been ultra slick with one line out by the fence, and as for the stadium, it is little more than a building site with no improvements carried out since the start of the season. I used to think things were bad under Len, but i enjoyed it more then, and this comes from a rye regular since 1972!. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
East End Fan Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 I have supported Speedway at every level since I started many years ago. For me I do not mind which league I watch so long as I see enthusiasm from both the riders and management. Stadiums vary, obviously, and Arena is the most basic but it doesn't stop me from going as I support the team. Rye fans must be a bit peeved off when they are promised all sorts of stadium improvements which, according to comments on this forum have not materialised. The management might pay the price for that eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Amazing how people differ. I live 3 miles away from Lakeside or arena as i prefer and i never go there At the track the viewing is awful nearly as bad as watching football at stratford. The track has to be flat because of the stox so zero banking. For me it is without a doubt the worst track i have been to and i have been to 90 odd. As far as Rye goes the road opposite the station is a five minute walk. The racing was superb for the visit of Belle Vue but the crowd although decent was nowhere near the levels of the early saturday meetings . There is also plenty of banking to stand on on the bends and you don't actually need to balance of a piece of wood on the back straight.Nothing will ever replace Custom House Waterden road or even New Cross but Rye House has been my choice since 76 and Arena essex doesn't come close. r I can only suggest you change the place you stand at Lakeside. I have stood at different points around the track and never had any trouble viewing. As for saying there is no banking that really is complete nonsense. If you stand on the straight the track is level with the stock car track, if you then move to the apex of the bend it can be clearly seen that the Speedwáy track is about a couple of feet higher than the stock car track due to the banking .which is pretty much the same as Rye House. Whilst I have only been an occasional. visitor to Rye I have never seen close racing there other than odd heats. The attraction of Rye for me is that you can stand very close to the racing, more so than Arena. I agree that nothing can or ever will come close to Custom House or Waterden Road, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 I think westhamboy is comparing Arena to the London Stadium as regards being so far away from the action, it's not really something that has ever really bothered me, you just get used to it but for away fans used to being closer to the action it's harder to accept and the reason I think why a lot of non Hammers fans dislike the place. The closer you are, the louder it is and the greater perception of the speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 At big stadiums like west ham and white city you were quite a distance from the track, especially on the bends. It never stopped me enjoying the racing at these great venues, that I still miss today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 yeah but with respect Cityrebel West Ham and White City were not riding in front of just a few hundred, the atmosphere i bet was amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 To be honest the crowds for league racing at both venues wasn't great in my era, Although big meetings like the british and intercontinental finals pulled in big numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWC Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 What was the reason for no programmes being available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 A mix up with the courier. The same thing happened to me on the IOW last season. Who says lightning don't strike twice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 wouldnt surprise me if this Sunday they use the Plymouth programmes with an insert for the iow match and still charge full price for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.