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

[woofers]

OK, let me put my comments into perspective.

I have been supporting Eastbourne speedway through thick and thin for 15 years. I have helped the National League team financially and have always believed some speedway is better than no speedway. Most of those 15 years I have spent viewing on the start / finish straight and as most spectators, we have our ‘usual pitch’. So thanks for the advice, I’ll move down to bends 3 and 4 in future when it’s so dusty. I am well aware of all the other positives mentioned and agree, otherwise I wouldn’t part with my cash.

Now, at the start of this year we were told that things were going to be different, more professional. The parade would be 15 mins before tapes up, and tapes up would be at the advertised time. No excuses. 

Now, the first meeting of the year against Birmingham was indeed delayed, however we were informed of the delay which was due to the number of spectators still queuing to get in. Fair enough. 

Last week against Somerset everything went to plan, very slickly run.

Yesterday there was a delay but no announcement or reason given. I can assure you that Kevin Coombes usually has welcomes, updates and things to say before the parade time and tapes up time, but yesterday, nothing..

Mr Gould says it was again due to spectator queuing , it may have been, I don’t know as I was inside the stadium by 2.30pm, and no one from the management (Ian Jordan) mentioned the delay as they did 2 weeks ago. And it may just have been a coincidence that neither Richard Lawson or his bike were on parade at 3.10, so the delay with no reason was indeed fortiunate as he was able to partake in his first race. 

There are elements of the new promotion that are working really well but they need to deliver consistently, not slip back into the “that’ll do” or “be grateful” mindset.  There is a saying that “you cannot gain a reputation by what you are going to do” - speedway in general needs to bear this in mind. It is judged by what it does, and that is why it has problems.

To insinuate that I should be grateful for the speedway I have, or get, is the mindset of some promoters and will not generate new attendees.

 

[HGould]

Woofer

 

Thank you and understand  your comments but this is my perspective as an away fan who felt really valued (again as at the first match between our sides). I'll always give credit when due and say when not.

Those of us outside were very politely told by a Member of your community Team that they were sorry for delays and that the start time has been put back 10 minutes and when we got in through the gate we were told by a very welcoming lady - also from the community team (well that's what it said on their shirts) not to worry as the referee had agreed to delay the start by 10 minutes due to traffic hold up's. At which as we walking in to the Stadium, Paul Carrington, The Referee, who I know well by sight, came down from the Refs Box presumably to go to the Toilet; looking like he had all the time in the world.  That was almost 3pm

At 3.10 the Parade Started, just 10 mins late and elongated only by a perfectly observed 1 minute silence for Colin Goody who used to race for Eastbourne I believe?

I don't think that's standard slipping at all, more bloody good customer care I'd say; especially for a number of away fans like me, stuck on the car park, sorry M25 for 2 hours. Your Car Park was full to overflowing, I had to park literally in the trees right at the far end.

BTW - Richard Lawson sped in at almost precisely 2.55pm in his van, past the queue. Highly likely they wanted to keep that quiet for as long as possible, has happened before at most tracks. 

You are clearly getting new attendees which I am sure your Club are very grateful for as your new brummie sounding Promoter said very eloquently when interviewed by Kevin Coombes.

 

Edited April 20, 2019 by HGould
added "Thank You" beginning

[Tsunami]

12 hours ago, Bagpuss said:

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. 

Any  track is dependant on how much water has got into the base. It needs to be put in early as possible and left to soak in then worked. The colour of the track during a meeting is a usually a telltale of what stage they are at with water. Tracks start dark due to the water content but if it goes pink on the racing lines after few races more water at that stage is a give away. Mark Thorpe when he was at Newcastle in the 90's told me that in NZ, they went to the track early, soaked the track and then had a barbie. Seems like a very social way of doing work.

[Halifaxtiger]

13 hours ago, woofers said:

OK, let me put my comments into perspective.

I have been supporting Eastbourne speedway through thick and thin for 15 years. I have helped the National League team financially and have always believed some speedway is better than no speedway. Most of those 15 years I have spent viewing on the start / finish straight and as most spectators, we have our ‘usual pitch’. So thanks for the advice, I’ll move down to bends 3 and 4 in future when it’s so dusty. I am well aware of all the other positives mentioned and agree, otherwise I wouldn’t part with my cash.

Now, at the start of this year we were told that things were going to be different, more professional. The parade would be 15 mins before tapes up, and tapes up would be at the advertised time. No excuses. 

Now, the first meeting of the year against Birmingham was indeed delayed, however we were informed of the delay which was due to the number of spectators still queuing to get in. Fair enough. 

Last week against Somerset everything went to plan, very slickly run.

Yesterday there was a delay but no announcement or reason given. I can assure you that Kevin Coombes usually has welcomes, updates and things to say before the parade time and tapes up time, but yesterday, nothing..

Mr Gould says it was again due to spectator queuing , it may have been, I don’t know as I was inside the stadium by 2.30pm, and no one from the management (Ian Jordan) mentioned the delay as they did 2 weeks ago. And it may just have been a coincidence that neither Richard Lawson or his bike were on parade at 3.10, so the delay with no reason was indeed fortiunate as he was able to partake in his first race. 

There are elements of the new promotion that are working really well but they need to deliver consistently, not slip back into the “that’ll do” or “be grateful” mindset.  There is a saying that “you cannot gain a reputation by what you are going to do” - speedway in general needs to bear this in mind. It is judged by what it does, and that is why it has problems.

To insinuate that I should be grateful for the speedway I have, or get, is the mindset of some promoters and will not generate new attendees.

 

I think you have a point here. If a meeting is delayed for whatever reason everyone should be told. Poor show if they are not and while it isn't a big issue, little ones add up. 

I should add people were queueing outside at start time at Scunthorpe on Friday but Rob Godfrey announced the meeting was starting on time anyway (it actually started a few minutes early). I think that was a mistake. Few mind waiting for a short period in such circumstances - especially as it was blazing hot - but some who miss races might be put off.

Belle Vue always delay the start if people are outside. 

As to the bits I have put in bold, absolutely bang on. There are, however, some very encouraging signs that the pervasive 'get what you are given and be grateful' attitude is changing.

[HGould]

2 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said:

I think you have a point here. If a meeting is delayed for whatever reason everyone should be told. Poor show if they are not and while it isn't a big issue, little ones add up. 

I should add people were queueing outside at start time at Scunthorpe on Friday but Rob Godfrey announced the meeting was starting on time anyway (it actually started a few minutes early). I think that was a mistake. Few mind waiting for a short period in such circumstances - especially as it was blazing hot - but some who miss races might be put off.

Belle Vue always delay the start if people are outside. 

As to the bits I have put in bold, absolutely bang on. There are, however, some very encouraging signs that the pervasive 'get what you are given and be grateful' attitude is changing.

To put this to bed I think there were 2 diverging issues here in hindsight.

(1) there was a queue, all turnstiles from what I could see were open and Eastbourne decided to assure us in the queue that we would be getting in b4 the meeting started but didn't announce that to the fans inside as (2) possibly (and i have no proof) it suited them that there was a queue as they were waiting for Lawson to arrive....which he did at 5 to 3. He was not on Parade but rode unbeaten all day by an opponent.

Probably preferable to starting with people outside and knowing that and doing nothing, but probably should have told people inside although it was warm and sunny and most probably didn't notice.

Queues to get in though at 3 Speedway Fixtures on Friday at least, is I think something we can all celebrate.

[bruno]

With regards to holding the meeting up if there's a queue I don't think they should unless maybe there's been an incident of some kind. I tend to get to the Wolves about 7.25 and if there was a queue and I missed a race then tough on me I should have got there earlier

[Chris116]

The late Chick Woodroffe, owner and builder of Arena Essex always said that you never delay the start of a meeting (stox or speedway) due to a queue outside BUT you make sure the introductions take long enough that all who were at the turnstyles three minutes before start time get to see the first race in full. You need a good presenter on the PA to make it work but with care it is a tight rope that promotions can balance on.

That way those who arrive early do not feel they have been left waiting for people who arrive at the last minute. The nearly late comers still see all the racing and hopefully arrive a bit earlier for the next meeting. By doing things like that all the customers are kept happy and hopefully come back again as well as telling their friends what a good afternoon/evening they had at whichever track they have been to. 

If you get the reputation of starting late for a queue then you get more late comers as they feel they will not miss anything but if they only just make it and get to know that meetings start on time then they start to get to the stadium a bit earlier.

[old bob at herne bay]

Seems that speedway 2019 is no different from speedway 2018 in respect of timekeeping.  Even the home riders cannot get to the track on time, let alone the spectators! 

There are enough reasons (excuses) for delaying hte meeting once it has strated without delaying the start because of late arriving spectators and riders. 

I always thought the referee was in charge of the meeting , not he home promoter.  Shouldn't the 2 minute warning have been sounded at 15:00 hours for all 4 riders for heat 1 ?

Still a mickey mouse sport  ... although the promotion at Eastbourne do seem to be trying.

 

Maybe the Speedway Star should publish the ACTUAL start and finish times of each meeting and run a  " league table " of tracks who manage to complete their  15 minutes of racing in  90 minutes  (thats 5 minutes per heat and a 15 minute interval after heat 10 to  buy a cuppa. )

 

 

[HGould]

53 minutes ago, old bob at herne bay said:

Seems that speedway 2019 is no different from speedway 2018 in respect of timekeeping.  Even the home riders cannot get to the track on time, let alone the spectators! 

There are enough reasons (excuses) for delaying hte meeting once it has strated without delaying the start because of late arriving spectators and riders. 

I always thought the referee was in charge of the meeting , not he home promoter.  Shouldn't the 2 minute warning have been sounded at 15:00 hours for all 4 riders for heat 1 ?

Still a mickey mouse sport  ... although the promotion at Eastbourne do seem to be trying.

 

Maybe the Speedway Star should publish the ACTUAL start and finish times of each meeting and run a  " league table " of tracks who manage to complete their  15 minutes of racing in  90 minutes  (thats 5 minutes per heat and a 15 minute interval after heat 10 to  buy a cuppa. )

 

 

Having taken nearly 7 hours to get my home in Worcestershire to Eastbourne on Friday and arriving at 2.45 as a result, glad they did delay to let me and about 100 other people in a queue in at 10 to 3 and that with all their turnstiles open. I blame the M25 / M23 lack of infrastructure investment, awful British roads, crazy London drivers, the hot weather, 101 other things before i blame Eastbourne or any other speedway team, the doom mongers really do want out great sport to die don't they. I rejoice at big crowds and queues at speedway brilliant i say. Been to Kent today, not  a great crowd but very decent for NL and another Club trying their best to promote speedway racing. Well done Kent and well done Eastbourne I say 

[M.D]

1 hour ago, old bob at herne bay said:

Seems that speedway 2019 is no different from speedway 2018 in respect of timekeeping.  Even the home riders cannot get to the track on time, let alone the spectators! 

There are enough reasons (excuses) for delaying hte meeting once it has strated without delaying the start because of late arriving spectators and riders. 

I always thought the referee was in charge of the meeting , not he home promoter.  Shouldn't the 2 minute warning have been sounded at 15:00 hours for all 4 riders for heat 1 ?

Still a mickey mouse sport  ... although the promotion at Eastbourne do seem to be trying.

 

Maybe the Speedway Star should publish the ACTUAL start and finish times of each meeting and run a  " league table " of tracks who manage to complete their  15 minutes of racing in  90 minutes  (thats 5 minutes per heat and a 15 minute interval after heat 10 to  buy a cuppa. )

 

 

Old Bob..

I remember you well from your views on the Lakeside Hammers forum, your negativity about the sport and Jon Cook in particular was renowned. Im glad to see you bring that to Eastbourne threads on this site now, please keep posting though, all views are valid..

[cityrebel]

1 hour ago, Richard Weston said:

And how will the Speedway Star publish start/finish times? They sacked all their track reporters at the end of the 2018 season to save money. That's why there are no heat times in the Star's heat details. 

Such information is hardly likely to engage their readers...just a few odds and Bobs.

Totally agree. The star is meant to be the reference record of the sport. I wouldn't entertain it, even if it was free. 

[old bob at herne bay]

M.D you have a good memory.  In the past several seasons I used to be a regular attendee at Arena Essex / Lakeside up until 2 seasons ago, when my attendance become less frequent due to the 

(a) erratic fixture list

(b) lax presentation and never ending delays providing poor entertainment 

I have yet to have my interest rekindled at either Kent or Eastbourne, the only surviving clubs in the SE region.

 

[Sings4Speedway]

Only concern for me if i was an Eastbourne fan would be Lawson's time keeping, late to P&P, late to this meeting, there must be a growing feeling that he is going to miss a home meeting somewhere by not allowing enough travel time.

[cityrebel]

2 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Only concern for me if i was an Eastbourne fan would be Lawson's time keeping, late to P&P, late to this meeting, there must be a growing feeling that he is going to miss a home meeting somewhere by not allowing enough travel time.

Very similar to Terry Betts in years gone by. Although there was a lot less traffic back then.

[gazzac]

2 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

Only concern for me if i was an Eastbourne fan would be Lawson's time keeping, late to P&P, late to this meeting, there must be a growing feeling that he is going to miss a home meeting somewhere by not allowing enough travel time.

Or to dry his hair maybe 

Edited April 23, 2019 by gazzac

[Sings4Speedway]

1 minute ago, gazzac said:

Or to dry his hair maybe 

I always thought it was dried out the van window anyway.......

[Guest]

Along as he keeps banging in the maximums, who cares if he arrives fashionably late? 

 

[woofers]

3 hours ago, mmmmethanol said:

Along as he keeps banging in the maximums, who cares if he arrives fashionably late? 

 

I do.

He's a professional sportsman. No other sport would hold up proceedings if one participant was late, why should speedway?

I can't see football delaying the kick off because Messi or Bale or Kane was 'held up in traffic', F1 wouldn't wait for Hamilton, Moto GP wouldn't wait for Marquez. 

In golf you are disqualified and can't compete if you are late on the tee.

He needs to get his act together and the management should tell him.

 

Edited April 23, 2019 by woofers

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, woofers said:

I do.

He's a professional sportsman. No other sport would hold up proceedings if one participant was late, why should speedway?

I can't see football delaying the kick off because Messi or Bale or Kane was 'held up in traffic', F1 wouldn't wait for Hamilton, Moto GP wouldn't wait for Marquez. 

In golf you are disqualified and can't compete if you are late on the tee.

He needs to get his act together and the management should tell him.

 

Dust.......Timekeeping..........with all due respect, both you & Old Bob no longer seem to be enjoying Speedway. Time for another sport?

[topsoil]

3 hours ago, woofers said:

I do.

He's a professional sportsman. No other sport would hold up proceedings if one participant was late, why should speedway?

I can't see football delaying the kick off because Messi or Bale or Kane was 'held up in traffic', F1 wouldn't wait for Hamilton, Moto GP wouldn't wait for Marquez. 

In golf you are disqualified and can't compete if you are late on the tee.

He needs to get his act together and the management should tell him.

 

There are numerous occasions when football matches have been delayed if the visiting team is stuck in traffic