RACE COMMENTARY?

[iris123]

In theory it might be good unfortunately the reality as far as I have witnessed is annoying. Egon Müller does it at a few tracks and a guy who calls himself ‘the voice’ also does some tracks. Both get on my nerves for differing reasons. We even had one announcer from Denmark as a member here a few years back

[Trees]

6 hours ago, waytogo28 said:

Indeed a good commentator can add to the atmosphere but a poor one can be a pain to put up with. 

Mostly at the AFA I would like to be able to clearly hear the race results and especially any interviews, which unless you find a sweet spot are invariably still inaudible.

I know it's not the best, I will say something again. Was the same on the backstraight at Peterborough, the speakers they used to have were so much better. 

[mikebv]

11 hours ago, f-s-p said:

Like others have said, doing it live at the track like you'd be doing it for tv sounds stupid because it's all there to see.

Still, I've been an announcer twice and and the way I've done it is that when the green light goes on I've quit talking and when the riders start the 3rd lap I've started talking again. Given the names and standings… Nothing too much but something so the first timers would get some idea. This has been my solution to a question I've pondered for the past umpteen years...

That to me is the compromise solution..

For me it would be as they enter the last lap to build up a bit of tension and atmosphere...

"Can 'x' get past 'y'?", "If it stays like this 'x' are 'y' points ahead with 'z' races left" etc etc..

Not many could carry a commentary for four laps effectively and as many have said,  at lots of tracks you cannot hear anyone anyway in parts of the stadium..

Plus someone telling you what you are seeing isnt going to add to the entertainment, on TV things might happen off screen which gives value to the commentary. .

[ArthurRudge]

I hate commentary full stop.

[ragdoll64]

IT takes a very special person to successfully commentate on motor sport and a very, very special person to be able to do it on a one minute speedway race.  Not for me I'm afraid.....

[brianbuck]

Ian Jones at Wolverhampton shouts his way through the last lap of most of the races at Monmore - and it is really irritating. With the noise of the bikes and a very loud PA it is virtually impossible to make out what he is saying, so the whole operation is totally pointless. Peter York used to do something similar at Coventry, and even if it were audible, where is the sense in telling people in the crowd something that they can see perfectly well for themselves?

If speedway tracks were a mile in circumference there might be a case for it, but not when the whole of the race is visible to everyone.

[*JJ]

I remember some years ago in a Wolves/Brummies match, Porky was bawling as Freddie Lindgren led on the last corner: he was practically having orgasms about the Super Duper Super Swede, but then Brummies guest Scott Nicholls beat him on the line to win ... Porky didn't stop roaring about the Super Duper Turnip, though!

[Shale Searcher]

A few years ago at the Cardiff GP, you could purchase earpieces like you get at test match cricket, which is a commentary feed. I actually quite enjoyed it, the only downside for me is, I don't like earpieces!! Not sure if it was a regular thing, as I have been a flag Marshall at the last 6 or 7 Cardiff GP's.

[Trees]

7 hours ago, *JJ said:

I remember some years ago in a Wolves/Brummies match, Porky was bawling as Freddie Lindgren led on the last corner: he was practically having orgasms about the Super Duper Super Swede, but then Brummies guest Scott Nicholls beat him on the line to win ... Porky didn't stop roaring about the Super Duper Turnip, though!

I like Porkie, he does a really good job, he has a close audience which helps a lot but he is good at what he does ...

[Shrub]

2 hours ago, Trees said:

I like Porkie, he does a really good job, he has a close audience which helps a lot but he is good at what he does ...

I think you're on your own on this one! Live speedway commentary does not work. It's as irritating as having someone give a running commentary whilst you're watching something on TV. (I'm not thinking of my Father-in-Law at all). At least though I can throw the remote or any suitable heavy object at him to shut him up, you don't get that option with Porkie et al.

 Imagine the horror of having to choose between listening to Porkie or Peter York commentate on the racing.... On a par with having to choose between contracting rabies or anthrax

[cityrebel]

On 4/26/2019 at 12:24 PM, Gemini said:

No-one mentioned Peter York yet?  Having put up with him at Coventry for several seasons commenting on each race my answer is definitely NO it is not needed and is damn annoying. 

You beat me to it. He was bloody awful!

[cityrebel]

On 4/26/2019 at 1:08 PM, steve roberts said:

He used to try and initiate it at Cowley but I found his commentary somewhat patronising on occasions.

Only on occasions Steve!

[*JJ]

15 hours ago, Trees said:

I like Porkie, he does a really good job, he has a close audience which helps a lot but he is good at what he does ...

So do I: he is a really excellent presenter. EXCEPT for his habit of commentating! And the way he puts down the opposition.

[spin king junior]

On 4/26/2019 at 8:48 AM, Trees said:

I'd like British promoters to try commentary on races during meetings, do you think it would work/be good for the atmosphere? I'd particularly like to know what young people think... 

Definitely not. There's nothing more irritating then a commentator who doesn't know when to shut his gob. 

[brandonmole]

7 hours ago, *JJ said:

So do I: he is a really excellent presenter. EXCEPT for his habit of commentating! And the way he puts down the opposition.

So not really excellent at all.

[Chris116]

When Race Video did the filming at Hackney and Arena Essex, I did the commentary for Russell Williams as I knew him through doing Stock Car commentating around the country. 

I always did the Speedway commentary live and I have to say it was far harder than doing Stock Cars! With my experience from back then I would be only too happy to do more for the cars but I think I would avoid the job when the bikes are racing! 

[*JJ]

18 hours ago, brandonmole said:

So not really excellent at all.

On and off ... I saw an individual cometition (British final?) at Monmore Green where he did an outstanding job, but he didn't indulge in his usual annoying tricks.  I once wrote in the Brummies forum that they should send the Perry Barr presenter to MG to see how Porky (no relation!) creates atmosphere for the fans (instead of standing in the middle of the centre green with his nose in his programme).

[ProudtobeaBrummie]

7 minutes ago, *JJ said:

On and off ... I saw an individual cometition (British final?) at Monmore Green where he did an outstanding job, but he didn't indulge in his usual annoying tricks.  I once wrote in the Brummies forum that they should send the Perry Barr presenter to MG to see how Porky (no relation!) creates atmosphere for the fans (instead of standing in the middle of the centre green with his nose in his programme).

Ryan is a young lad who is only just starting out give him a break. 

[teaboy279]

 A friend of mine was heavily involved with an app in development, that was to provide live commentary from less media covered sports. I believe she invested an awful lot of money and time into the venture, but as time when on the programmer who was solely interested in football, basically made an app for non league football and speedway never featured and my friends fingers got burnt.

What I do think if the initial outlay is not too expensive, is some kind of commentary to head sets. Much like what you used to get at cardiff. People wishing to have race commentary would simply purchase or hire a headset at the turnstiles and listen in. Probably not viable with current crowd levels but maybe worth trialling at matches with guaranteed big gates, like the British final or play off matches. (For those matches you could surely just plug into the bt sports audio??)

But commentary over the horrible tinny sound systems at many tracks is gonna be inaudible inside the stadium, and carry a fair distance towards neighbour's homes.

In the latest planning battles at Kent, some residents cited the running commentary as unbearable and prevent conversations in the back garden from 6.30-8.30 every Monday, but like as this thread suggests, we have never had race commentary, and I often have to text Derek and Glenn in the box to ask for race times etc because the Pa is so patchy. Imagine the complaints if it actually work.....

[Andrew]

Back in the early months of Mr Machin's time at Owlerton,Tiger to be Lee Redmond's father was over from Australia (where he did live commentary on races) and he did a couple of

races.While it was ok as a novelty ,I don't think it would have lasted long before people got annoyed by it!