Eastbourne v Birmingham Brummies - KOC Rd 1 Leg 1 - Friday 19th April 3.00pm

[HGould]

Who do we fancy today??

Brummies had a feel for the track and that could be vital as most sides will only visit once!

Can we do better than last time?

I think we need 36 points to make Home Leg in a few weeks very interesting.

Just setting off and very hopeful Brummies will keep it very competitive

50 - 40.....

 

 

[Hunters]

The way Lawson went against Belle Vue last night I can only see another Maximum.

With Bowtell's engine problems resolved last week and Wood regaining some of his Mojo I could be persuaded to forecast a bit of an increase on last time.

 55-35

Agree with the weather it will be soak up the sun today.

[gazzac]

Eastie have come on in leaps and bounds since the first encounter , think it'll be a big win again, perhaps hit the 60 mark once more,  if not somewhere near that. As long as Lawson arrives, otherwise still be a win but a far narrower one. 

Edited April 19, 2019 by gazzac

[gee jay]

in the shield meeting , bowtell , wood & morley only got 7 between them . i don't think the brummies will hold them close in the first half of the meeting like last time so by heat 13 the eagles will be out of sight . 20 +  home win . that should inspire the brummies because my predictions are chronic      

Edited April 19, 2019 by gee jay

[M.D]

2 hours ago, gee jay said:

in the shield meeting , bowtell , wood & morley only got 7 between them . i don't think the brummies will hold them close in the first half of the meeting like last time so by heat 13 the eagles will be out of sight . 20 +  home win . that should inspire the brummies because my predictions are chronic      

15 today, Wood on 9+1 from 4..

[gazzac]

3 hours ago, gazzac said:

Eastie have come on in leaps and bounds since the first encounter , think it'll be a big win again, perhaps hit the 60 mark once more,  if not somewhere near that. As long as Lawson arrives, otherwise still be a win but a far narrower one. 

Didn't think my guess was anywhere near up to heat 9, but the big guns did the business again with the back up of Wood. If we can get the other 3 firing especially Morley and Bowtell , Tom was a bit unlucky today, we will be a playoff potential team as thought by Eastie fans at least. Just be interesting to see how we fair in the next few weeks with the away matches, probably lose them but if we can keep the losses to under 10, just shows how hard it'll be to beat Eastie on an aggregate basis in any competition.

Edited April 19, 2019 by gazzac

[woofers]

Nice to win, but not an especially enjoyable afternoon.

These afternoon meetings just don’t work........on a sunny day like today viewing, and probably riding, was marred by the dust. The track staff did their best but it was a losing battle, the dust won comfortably. All this talk of nostalgic, “traditional” Sunday afternoon speedway is way off the mark for today’s audience. There was a good crowd, but the conditions may deter any first timers from returning.

Why the hell couldn’t it be run as an evening meeting - we could have enjoyed the sunshine all day and then the speedway in the evening.

And after an impressive, professional start to the opening two meetings, today’s was late starting and it didn’t look as if any of the officials or riders were bothered. I hope this isn’t a slide back to the way things used to be done.

Next up is a Sunday afternoon meeting, I hope it’s a bright but cool day, then there should be half a chance of a decent track being offered.

Roll on Saturday evening racing !

[gazzac]

Think the late start was probably due to Richard Lawson not arriving until after 3.00, but agree with you ref the afternoon meetings on a hot day, will  never get enough water into the track no matter how hard the track staff try. 

[cityrebel]

It was dusty today and the breeze didn't help. Hopefully the next meeting will be switched to an evening start to help with the track preparation.

[old bob at herne bay]

woofers,

A supporter for  many years, I hate these afternoon meetings. Many a dustbowl I have experienced over recent years... usually as the season opening meeting on a bank holiday.  Attracts a one off large holiday crowd , but how many of the dusty new attendees come back for more ?    I expect a similar problem at Kent on Bank Hoilday Monday given the forecast.

Never seen any English track cope with the dust problem.

Speedway in the UK is a sport to be run under floodlights.

As for the tardy start of the meeting and lax presentation , this is something that is endemic in British Speedway. 

The " promoters" obviously know best, as is reflected in the healthy state of the sport in England.

[cityrebel]

Like you say, dusty afternoon meetings are nothing new. Some of my earliest speedway memories as a kid, were watching dust bowls at West Ham and Rayleigh.

 

[HGould]

4 hours ago, woofers said:

Nice to win, but not an especially enjoyable afternoon.

These afternoon meetings just don’t work........on a sunny day like today viewing, and probably riding, was marred by the dust. The track staff did their best but it was a losing battle, the dust won comfortably. All this talk of nostalgic, “traditional” Sunday afternoon speedway is way off the mark for today’s audience. There was a good crowd, but the conditions may deter any first timers from returning.

Why the hell couldn’t it be run as an evening meeting - we could have enjoyed the sunshine all day and then the speedway in the evening.

And after an impressive, professional start to the opening two meetings, today’s was late starting and it didn’t look as if any of the officials or riders were bothered. I hope this isn’t a slide back to the way things used to be done.

Next up is a Sunday afternoon meeting, I hope it’s a bright but cool day, then there should be half a chance of a decent track being offered.

Roll on Saturday evening racing !

Drove long way..., we got stuffed, a bit of dust and you moan???

Biggest crowd I have seen at Eastie I think, I sat in Grandstand, fans were really buzzing. Got talking to a chap next to me, first time he'd been in 3 years he told me and he was loving it. 

I was delayed on M40 and M25, got there 10 to 3 big queue, chap came out in a yellow top and apologised for queue and said they were delaying start by 10 mins, parade started at 10 past 3, first race at 3.15, hardly massive hold up. Some strange referreing didn't help. Thought the announcer was super, isn't he Speedway GP guy?? 

Heat 13 - despite the cone incident was worth admission alone?

Alright saying run at night, who would go top speedway if they have been on beach or in the sun supping all day.

Some folk don't deserve a speedway team with moaning attitude like that.....

 

 

 

 

[HGould]

2 hours ago, old bob at herne bay said:

woofers,

A supporter for  many years, I hate these afternoon meetings. Many a dustbowl I have experienced over recent years... usually as the season opening meeting on a bank holiday.  Attracts a one off large holiday crowd , but how many of the dusty new attendees come back for more ?    I expect a similar problem at Kent on Bank Hoilday Monday given the forecast.

Never seen any English track cope with the dust problem.

Speedway in the UK is a sport to be run under floodlights.

As for the tardy start of the meeting and lax presentation , this is something that is endemic in British Speedway. 

The " promoters" obviously know best, as is reflected in the healthy state of the sport in England.

10 mins late with queues arriving late due to traffic is hardly a tardy start, what are Promoters to do, start with fans clearly waiting to get in, mind you not many know what a queue is. Anyone driving down 25 / 23 today will know how grid-locked it was. 

[Halifaxtiger]

8 hours ago, gazzac said:

hink the late start was probably due to Richard Lawson not arriving until after 3.00, but agree with you ref the afternoon meetings on a hot day, will  never get enough water into the track no matter how hard the track staff try. 

Nonsense.

Belle Vue started at 1pm yesterday and Scunthorpe at 5.30. At both (especially Belle Vue) it was very hot and breezy. 

There was no dust at Belle Vue and very little at Scunthorpe. Neither track had a blue line and the racing at the NSS was decent, at EWR very good. I am not aware that Andy Meredith or Rob Godfrey have a magic wand, so if they can produce good racing strips for riders and customers alike so can anyone else.

I should point out that the crowd at Belle Vue was the biggest I have ever seen for a Colts meeting and at Scunthorpe it was at least double that of last Sunday (word was they ran out of programmes). Bank Holiday afternoon meetings work extremely well if you can be bothered to put the time and trouble in to make sure that the track is up to scratch. 

 

Edited April 20, 2019 by Halifaxtiger

[HGould]

2 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said:

Nonsense.

Belle Vue started at 1pm yesterday and Scunthorpe at 5.30. At both (especially Belle Vue) it was very hot and breezy. 

There was no dust at Belle Vue and very little at Scunthorpe. Neither track had a blue line and the racing at the NSS was decent, at EWR very good. I am not aware that Andy Meredith or Rob Godfrey have a magic wand, so if they can produce good racing strips for riders and customers alike so can anyone else.

I should point out that the crowd at Belle Vue was the biggest I have ever seen for a Colts meeting and at Scunthorpe it was at least double that of last Sunday (word was they ran out of programmes). Bank Holiday afternoon meetings work extremely well if you can be bothered to put the time and trouble in to make sure that the track is up to scratch. 

 

Some people make their mind up before the event. I can only speak as i find, see and hear with my eyes and ears.

Eastbourne v Birmingham

Some dust but not excessive in hot sun. Track graded and watered every 3 heats. Had a walk on track after meeting, actually a lot of dirt on it as some stunning outside passes late in meeting indicated. Massive free car park, well marshalled and full to overflowing

Crowd excellent, no complaints from anyone I heard about dust. Real buzz about the place and lots of children and families.Nice touch to have community team people outside turnstiles helping whittle queues down and point out which ones cash and card. 

Meeting Parade started no more than 10 past 3, first race went off at 3.15

Presentation excellent from the Cardiff GP guy, lots of crowd interaction and rider/management interviews etc, liked  proper Parade, minutes silence for Colin Goody; home riders ride round stock car track after every race up close to fans.Excellent programme, good read and lots of quality articles and pictures.

To say Officials and Riders not bothered is just a joke, some good competitive racing, Heat 14 re-run 3-4 times as neither Ashley or Wood would give an inch, some excellent from the back rides by Wood and Lawson for them and Shanes for us, Paco and Ulrich started well and passes almost every race. All Eastie pit crews in snazzy t-shirts and all Officials and track staff kitted out in team gear, hardly suggests "not bothered" attitude. Great viewing access in Pits after meeting.Good food and loads of outlets.

Not seen Laurence so animated in a long time by Heat 14 and some Refs decisions debatable.

Still a lot of folks in Pits and mingling round 30 mins after end of meeting.

Complaints (if you can call them that) - young start marshall seemed to make a few mistakes, I  missed my easter egg for grandchildren and late due to traffic (my fault), toilets a bit tired but clean.PA a bit loud but no excuse for not hearing results and times.

Staying down in South for meeting at Kent on Monday - hope woofers not going may be a few specs of dust.

We have to enjoy our speedway while with can with some many tracks closing or reporting difficulties, great to hear big crowds at Scunny and BV Colts too....

 

  

[Bagpuss]

Three things are needed to keep the dust down and the track good on a warm afternoon; the correct equipment, the know how and the desire to achieve that goal. If any of those things are missing it won’t happen and you end up with the unacceptable situation which arose at Poole yesterday. As HT says it can be done. 

[cityrebel]

When i worked at Wimbledon in the 1980's, if the weather forecast was favourable we used to flood the track for three days leading up to the meeting. This ensured the water got right into the base and made it a lot easier to manage on a race day.

[Chris]

Track work was poor with a couple of blokes walking around with hoses through the meeting.

Water was only sprinkled on just before meeting started as well. Track needs to be soaked overnight & continually worked on up to start time to keep some moisture in it. That didn't happen.

Very decent crowd covered in dust.

Eastbourne will be hard to beat at home as the two reserves are dialled in & will provide good support for the top 3.

Good to see a proper presenter in Kevin Coombes.

[HGould]

I didn't have a spec of dust on me, then again, I don't stand in the obvious areas where dust is going to be.

I guess dust is the new reason the doom mongers have to knock our great sport....

No doubt in a few weeks it'll be "why no covers".

some folk can only moan. shame is they'll be moaning when tracks are closing because  too many have moaned about things like "dust"... 

[Halifaxtiger]

4 hours ago, HGould said:

Some people make their mind up before the event. I can only speak as i find, see and hear with my eyes and ears.

Eastbourne v Birmingham

Some dust but not excessive in hot sun. Track graded and watered every 3 heats. Had a walk on track after meeting, actually a lot of dirt on it as some stunning outside passes late in meeting indicated. Massive free car park, well marshalled and full to overflowing

Crowd excellent, no complaints from anyone I heard about dust. Real buzz about the place and lots of children and families.Nice touch to have community team people outside turnstiles helping whittle queues down and point out which ones cash and card. 

Meeting Parade started no more than 10 past 3, first race went off at 3.15

Presentation excellent from the Cardiff GP guy, lots of crowd interaction and rider/management interviews etc, liked  proper Parade, minutes silence for Colin Goody; home riders ride round stock car track after every race up close to fans.Excellent programme, good read and lots of quality articles and pictures.

To say Officials and Riders not bothered is just a joke, some good competitive racing, Heat 14 re-run 3-4 times as neither Ashley or Wood would give an inch, some excellent from the back rides by Wood and Lawson for them and Shanes for us, Paco and Ulrich started well and passes almost every race. All Eastie pit crews in snazzy t-shirts and all Officials and track staff kitted out in team gear, hardly suggests "not bothered" attitude. Great viewing access in Pits after meeting.Good food and loads of outlets.

Not seen Laurence so animated in a long time by Heat 14 and some Refs decisions debatable.

Still a lot of folks in Pits and mingling round 30 mins after end of meeting.

Complaints (if you can call them that) - young start marshall seemed to make a few mistakes, I  missed my easter egg for grandchildren and late due to traffic (my fault), toilets a bit tired but clean.PA a bit loud but no excuse for not hearing results and times.

Staying down in South for meeting at Kent on Monday - hope woofers not going may be a few specs of dust.

We have to enjoy our speedway while with can with some many tracks closing or reporting difficulties, great to hear big crowds at Scunny and BV Colts too....

 

  

I call it as I see it too. Its not always popular, but there's no hidden agenda either. If people don't like it or believe that I do so for malice, I couldn't care less. 

Many on here are biased for the club they support. That's not just natural, its inevitable and I don't usually have a problem with them.

The ones that get me are those that never go (usually they did at one time but don't now) and rarely do anything but slag the sport off. Their opinions are clearly motivated by prejudice and can often be disregarded - its most difficult to comment on speedway (other than by hearsay) if you don't actually attend and see for yourself.

There is a lot that could be improved and those who do go have every right to be critical when its called for. We are all concerned about the low attendances and reported financial losses. 

But speedway can be very good, too. I have commented on the Belle Vue/Stoke thread just how impressive yesterday's meeting was, because Belle Vue did pretty much everything bang on.

Have a great weekend. Kent v Belle Vue should be a cracker.

PS If you get the chance, take in Isle of Wight. They have nothing short of a model approach to making a success of a track. 

PPS I once saw Mr Rogers smash the pits phone at Glasgow in a (justified) fit of temper