Hodgy Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Absolute correct decision. The delayed start time and very poor weather forecast (irrelevant how accurate) would have had a significant impact on the attendance for this vital fund raiser. The Ben Fund would have been the biggest loser. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 What's the weather been like in Peterborough the past few days? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcatdiary Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 48 minutes ago, stevebrum said: What's the weather been like in Peterborough the past few days? A mixture, some sunshine, some rain and some cloud. Bloody freezing now with some snow this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 49 minutes ago, stevebrum said: What's the weather been like in Peterborough the past few days? TURN ROUND BRUM, ITS OFF... 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 On 14/03/2018 at 11:42 PM, stevebrum said: As I've said I get most tracks will struggle to get racing on at the moment. My only point is that we are admitting defeat way too early these days. It may well prove to be the right thing. However the weather has a funny habit of changing as and when it suits. I think arranging these kind of high profile, big named line ups are a waste of time this early in the season anyway. They are often doomed to failure. Belle Vue don't seem to be having a problem for Monday, nor was there one in having their press and practice last Wednesday. I don't think that in general teams do call meetings off too early. They usually do so on the day of the match in the face of an adverse weather forecast and given how much a rain off with the riders at the track costs (I have it on good authority that even an NL meeting is thousands) its difficult to argue with that. Calling a meeting off 24 hours before hand is exceptional, to the point that it will provoke comment. Doing so 5 days before hand solely because of the weather is, to my knowledge, unheard of and the chaos similar actions would cause during the season doesn't bear thinking about. This is speedway, so inevitably there will be a suspicion that the unprecedented early call off might be for some reason other than that that we are being told about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 4 hours ago, blupanther said: TURN ROUND BRUM, ITS OFF... That made me chuckle. Just politely asking if the area is still bad as this predicted bad weather hasn't hit everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 5 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said: Belle Vue don't seem to be having a problem for Monday, nor was there one in having their press and practice last Wednesday. I don't think that in general teams do call meetings off too early. They usually do so on the day of the match in the face of an adverse weather forecast and given how much a rain off with the riders at the track costs (I have it on good authority that even an NL meeting is thousands) its difficult to argue with that. Calling a meeting off 24 hours before hand is exceptional, to the point that it will provoke comment. Doing so 5 days before hand solely because of the weather is, to my knowledge, unheard of and the chaos similar actions would cause during the season doesn't bear thinking about. This is speedway, so inevitably there will be a suspicion that the unprecedented early call off might be for some reason other than that that we are being told about. Really don’t understand the conspiracy theories. The Ben Fund is a one off season meeting that survives on maximising essential fund raising opportunities. As previously stated, the delayed start time and severe weather forecast would have a significant negative impact on the attendance and funds raised. The place is flooded with -7 wind chill temperatures. In my opinion definitely the right call. Sadly the dog with the bone is gagging for the “told you so” moment. Without consideration regarding the bigger picture. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobydoo Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 Been snowing in Peterborough for past hour or so starting to settle in some places Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 9 hours ago, Hodgy said: Really don’t understand the conspiracy theories. The Ben Fund is a one off season meeting that survives on maximising essential fund raising opportunities. As previously stated, the delayed start time and severe weather forecast would have a significant negative impact on the attendance and funds raised. The place is flooded with -7 wind chill temperatures. In my opinion definitely the right call. Sadly the dog with the bone is gagging for the “told you so” moment. Without consideration regarding the bigger picture. Two reasons : Its speedway and so early a call off that it is without precedent. I still think that calling a meeting off 5 days before hand and on the strength of a long range forecast is ridiculous. As I have said, where would the sport be if that became common practice ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 2 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said: Two reasons : Its speedway and so early a call off that it is without precedent. I still think that calling a meeting off 5 days before hand and on the strength of a long range forecast is ridiculous. As I have said, where would the sport be if that became common practice ? 5 days is not a long range forecast, and temps of -8 with snow falling on an already flooded track is hardly likely to become common is it 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 There was one solution that couldve ensured the meeting went ahead..... Book the Ice Gladiators to ride 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 Looking out of the window this morning, the call off decision is more than vindicated. Will we hear apologies from all those that said it was the wrong decision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 In this particular case and taking all factors into account I don't think any other decision could have been made. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellevueace Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 Promoters cant do right for doing wrong, call it off early and they get pelters, leave it until the day of the meeting people are then saying why wasn't it called off earlier because ive booked a days holiday, hotel room etc. Ive just dug the car out so hoping for the best tomorrow:) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full-throttle Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Star Lady said: Looking out of the window this morning, the call off decision is more than vindicated. Will we hear apologies from all those that said it was the wrong decision? Now your being silly. I expected better from you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilWatson Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 19 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said: Belle Vue don't seem to be having a problem for Monday, nor was there one in having their press and practice last Wednesday. I don't think that in general teams do call meetings off too early. They usually do so on the day of the match in the face of an adverse weather forecast and given how much a rain off with the riders at the track costs (I have it on good authority that even an NL meeting is thousands) its difficult to argue with that. Calling a meeting off 24 hours before hand is exceptional, to the point that it will provoke comment. Doing so 5 days before hand solely because of the weather is, to my knowledge, unheard of and the chaos similar actions would cause during the season doesn't bear thinking about. This is speedway, so inevitably there will be a suspicion that the unprecedented early call off might be for some reason other than that that we are being told about. The call-off wasn’t solely because of the forecast though, it was the forecast in conjunction with the track already being under water, giving no opportunity to erect the air-fence or prepare the racing surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said: Two reasons : Its speedway and so early a call off that it is without precedent. I still think that calling a meeting off 5 days before hand and on the strength of a long range forecast is ridiculous. As I have said, where would the sport be if that became common practice ? You’re completely missing my point regarding this ‘one off’ meeting and it’s meaning. Edited March 18, 2018 by Hodgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 7 minutes ago, NeilWatson said: The call-off wasn’t solely because of the forecast though, it was the forecast in conjunction with the track already being under water, giving no opportunity to erect the air-fence or prepare the racing surface. There are two inches of snow on the track at Belle Vue as I type. The meeting tomorrow - at least at present - is still on. What do they know that Peterborough don't ? My point still stands : I have never heard of a meeting being called off due to the weather 5 days before hand. 24 hours is exceptional, and actions like this during the season would create chaos. Put it this way, a club could postpone a meeting 5 days in advance in full knowledge that it would affect their - or another - teams play off chances on the strength of a weather forecast and/or track conditions at the point of postponement. I wonder if questions would be asked if that happened ? Weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable for 1 day in advance, never mind 5. My criticism here is not in calling a meeting off on the strength of a weather forecast - that is absolutely understandable and a matter of financial expediency. Its setting a precedent that doing so 5 days before hand is OK that concerns me - and I really don't see that the Ben Fund being a one off makes any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 If it happens at club level during the season then you can ask for the explanation. I really don't see the problem here or that a precedent has been set given the nature of the meeting. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 29 minutes ago, Halifaxtiger said: There are two inches of snow on the track at Belle Vue as I type. The meeting tomorrow - at least at present - is still on. What do they know that Peterborough don't ? My point still stands : I have never heard of a meeting being called off due to the weather 5 days before hand. 24 hours is exceptional, and actions like this during the season would create chaos. Put it this way, a club could postpone a meeting 5 days in advance in full knowledge that it would affect their - or another - teams play off chances on the strength of a weather forecast and/or track conditions at the point of postponement. I wonder if questions would be asked if that happened ? Weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable for 1 day in advance, never mind 5. My criticism here is not in calling a meeting off on the strength of a weather forecast - that is absolutely understandable and a matter of financial expediency. Its setting a precedent that doing so 5 days before hand is OK that concerns me - and I really don't see that the Ben Fund being a one off makes any difference. Having seen pics of the track on twitter this morning even track staff walking on it would do untold damage. Heaven knows what machinery would do. In principle I agree early call offs are not good but this was an exceptional case and the early call off totally justified. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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