Eastbourne 2020

[gazzac]

55 minutes ago, Richard Weston said:

Real quality again from Eastbourne Speedway this morning. They have just published an online magazine for supporters which is free to download. Lots to read, some great photographs and a really, really, really good comment column from . . .  me!!!!

Hugely surprised to be asked to contribute but a real pleasure to have a small part to play in something like this.

A free magazine for supporters is a great idea. It just shows what can be done for fans and Eastbourne have done it.

Had a quick look, not a full read yet, but looks really well put together as you say, well done to everyone involved. 

[gee jay]

the second issue of 'flying high' is available to view on the eagles website. the proposed new air fence for the 2022 season , though seemingly a long way off after this last year is interesting . £20.000-£25.000 for the updated version of the regular air fence as opposed to £40.000- £45.000 for the foam version . to anybody with knowledge of , or especially hands on experience with the fences at glasgow or berwick ? if the money can be found is the foam fence a good option at double the expence ? 

[crescent girl]

21 hours ago, gee jay said:

the second issue of 'flying high' is available to view on the eagles website. the proposed new air fence for the 2022 season , though seemingly a long way off after this last year is interesting . £20.000-£25.000 for the updated version of the regular air fence as opposed to £40.000- £45.000 for the foam version . to anybody with knowledge of , or especially hands on experience with the fences at glasgow or berwick ? if the money can be found is the foam fence a good option at double the expence ? 

I would say yes, the Berwick foam-fence has needed virtually no maintainance since installation some years ago.    I believe the same is true at Glasgow (and King's Lynn, where the first such fence was installed, and like Arlington, is also a stock-car venue). 

There is no tedious inflation/deflation time required before or after matches and no delays where a punctured air-fence segment is removed and replaced.    At Berwick, the fence just sits there all week, gets a quick power-wash after a meeting, and is ready to go next race, next meeting, next season even, without any setting-up work.  

Much-more importantly, I have seen several huge impacts into the foam-fence over recent seasons -- Shielfield is a high-speed circuit -- yet I can recall no serious injuries which came from a rider hitting the fence.    

Equally, when there have been such impacts, there has been no damage to the fence, either!   No hold-ups to racing.

In short, a foam-fence -- in my estimation and opinion -- is a worthwhile investment.

[mac101]

if the fence can stay in place all season as it is solid once filled up the foam fence is better also no  maintenance really if it needs to be taken down every now and then needs to be a air one also the foam will not lift up at the bottom like the air fence and never get a puncture so no time waiting to be repaired 

[HGould]

Good article about the fence options in a very good and free publication.

Dean Barker Feature and the look at 2021 from Andrew Skeels and 2 others was very interesting.

isn't the problem they have there with having a foam fence is that they have weekly Stock meetings and not like Kings Lynn where stocks / speedway same track. 

I assume stock track is the concrete one outside the speedway track.

[Najjer]

On 12/21/2020 at 10:49 AM, mac101 said:

if the fence can stay in place all season as it is solid once filled up the foam fence is better also no  maintenance really if it needs to be taken down every now and then needs to be a air one also the foam will not lift up at the bottom like the air fence and never get a puncture so no time waiting to be repaired 

I’ve had this argument about air fences many times in the past. Whilst you don’t see the ‘fences lifting’ or riders sliding under them anywhere near as much as you used to around 20 years ago, I’ve never understood why the fences aren’t sunk into the ground 12” or even more and then anchored down to prevent that being an issue?

[Speedway fan]

35 minutes ago, Najjer said:

I’ve had this argument about air fences many times in the past. Whilst you don’t see the ‘fences lifting’ or riders sliding under them anywhere near as much as you used to around 20 years ago, I’ve never understood why the fences aren’t sunk into the ground 12” or even more and then anchored down to prevent that being an issue?

some of the new ones are the Briggo a+   are  ...Plymouth have one 

[East End Fan]

2 hours ago, Najjer said:

I’ve had this argument about air fences many times in the past. Whilst you don’t see the ‘fences lifting’ or riders sliding under them anywhere near as much as you used to around 20 years ago, I’ve never understood why the fences aren’t sunk into the ground 12” or even more and then anchored down to prevent that being an issue?

Since I have been going to Kent after Arena folded, I have seen several riders slide under the air fence and get up and walk away without a scratch. Now

and then a rider will do that, but get tangled with his bike as well which obviously can cause injury.  But I suspect that if the rider and bike cannot slide under

the fence injuries would be worse..  I'm no expert, but just see what I see.  Don't know what is behind the air fence to hold it up, but it can't be much.

[Tsunami]

3 hours ago, Najjer said:

I’ve had this argument about air fences many times in the past. Whilst you don’t see the ‘fences lifting’ or riders sliding under them anywhere near as much as you used to around 20 years ago, I’ve never understood why the fences aren’t sunk into the ground 12” or even more and then anchored down to prevent that being an issue?

You've obviously never been in charge of the air fence like I was at Newcastle.. The idea of a 12in  hole is neither practical or affordable.

AirFences serve different situations. 

1 -  Fixed fence, that can be left in position each week. Again two different scenarios. Fences that can be left like foam fences(Berwick and Glasgow) needing only cleaning between meetings, and inflated fences that are in position (Redcar) but need to be deflated and then reflated before each meeting. In each case, it is beneficial to cover the fence with advertising and plain banners which are much easier to clean that the fence. Only need to spray the top and the skirts of the actual fence.

2 - Detached fence where, after the meeting, they have to be deflated and folded, and then inflated and attached to the fence by hooks(Newcastle) before the next meeting. The reason for this is that the Stadium owners insist on the fence being dropped, so that the doggies punters can see their legs when the dogs are racing in the outer track.    Again you should need banners to make fence cleaning easier and minimised.

3 - Moveabable fence, where the airfence is in front of Armco metal fence for the stocks racing (Scunthorpe), and folded over the back of the Armco for Stox meetings.

4 - Remove the fence totally like I believe Sheffield have to do, to accommodate the requests of the stadium owners to satisfy the dog owners. Why would happened to the hole then ?

 

As you can see there are differences, and the suggestion like digging the 12 in hole for the airfence is only a possibly a runner in situation 1 above, but the cost of the airfence would be considerably enhanced, but for what improvement ?

In situation 3, it would be impossible to run the stocks with a 12in hole in front of the Armco, as vehicles would lock their front wheel in the run caused a crash when previously the vehicle would just glance off the barrier and continue racing.

In situation 2. the hole would fill up with rain water which would have to be removed to insert the airfence, and which would be extremely messy, more messy than it is now. That water would have to be lifted to go somewhere, and during the week there is the possibility of the water ingressing into the track, and then making the track preparation difficult by having to squeeze the water out in order to deliver a uniformly water track for the next meeting. What happens if the edge collapses ? Again the extra cost the larger airfence would be considerably enhanced with no benefits, but great difficulties for the fence erectors and the track curator.   

 

No doubt you will repeat your opening sentence again in a years time. 

[ruffdiamond]

3 hours ago, Tsunami said:

You've obviously never been in charge of the air fence like I was at Newcastle.. The idea of a 12in  hole is neither practical or affordable.

AirFences serve different situations. 

1 -  Fixed fence, that can be left in position each week. Again two different scenarios. Fences that can be left like foam fences(Berwick and Glasgow) needing only cleaning between meetings, and inflated fences that are in position (Redcar) but need to be deflated and then reflated before each meeting. In each case, it is beneficial to cover the fence with advertising and plain banners which are much easier to clean that the fence. Only need to spray the top and the skirts of the actual fence.

2 - Detached fence where, after the meeting, they have to be deflated and folded, and then inflated and attached to the fence by hooks(Newcastle) before the next meeting. The reason for this is that the Stadium owners insist on the fence being dropped, so that the doggies punters can see their legs when the dogs are racing in the outer track.    Again you should need banners to make fence cleaning easier and minimised.

3 - Moveabable fence, where the airfence is in front of Armco metal fence for the stocks racing (Scunthorpe), and folded over the back of the Armco for Stox meetings.

4 - Remove the fence totally like I believe Sheffield have to do, to accommodate the requests of the stadium owners to satisfy the dog owners. Why would happened to the hole then ?

 

As you can see there are differences, and the suggestion like digging the 12 in hole for the airfence is only a possibly a runner in situation 1 above, but the cost of the airfence would be considerably enhanced, but for what improvement ?

In situation 3, it would be impossible to run the stocks with a 12in hole in front of the Armco, as vehicles would lock their front wheel in the run caused a crash when previously the vehicle would just glance off the barrier and continue racing.

In situation 2. the hole would fill up with rain water which would have to be removed to insert the airfence, and which would be extremely messy, more messy than it is now. That water would have to be lifted to go somewhere, and during the week there is the possibility of the water ingressing into the track, and then making the track preparation difficult by having to squeeze the water out in order to deliver a uniformly water track for the next meeting. What happens if the edge collapses ? Again the extra cost the larger airfence would be considerably enhanced with no benefits, but great difficulties for the fence erectors and the track curator.   

 

No doubt you will repeat your opening sentence again in a years time. 

Dave's got the t-shirt.  

[ONTWOMINUTES]

1 hour ago, ruffdiamond said:

Dave's got the t-shirt.  

Also helps to have a good group of track volunteers to help with the air fence's that have to be put up and taken down before and after meetings - newcastle have a particular good group that I know of. 

[Najjer]

23 hours ago, Tsunami said:

You've obviously never been in charge of the air fence like I was at Newcastle.. The idea of a 12in  hole is neither practical or affordable.

AirFences serve different situations. 

1 -  Fixed fence, that can be left in position each week. Again two different scenarios. Fences that can be left like foam fences(Berwick and Glasgow) needing only cleaning between meetings, and inflated fences that are in position (Redcar) but need to be deflated and then reflated before each meeting. In each case, it is beneficial to cover the fence with advertising and plain banners which are much easier to clean that the fence. Only need to spray the top and the skirts of the actual fence.

2 - Detached fence where, after the meeting, they have to be deflated and folded, and then inflated and attached to the fence by hooks(Newcastle) before the next meeting. The reason for this is that the Stadium owners insist on the fence being dropped, so that the doggies punters can see their legs when the dogs are racing in the outer track.    Again you should need banners to make fence cleaning easier and minimised.

3 - Moveabable fence, where the airfence is in front of Armco metal fence for the stocks racing (Scunthorpe), and folded over the back of the Armco for Stox meetings.

4 - Remove the fence totally like I believe Sheffield have to do, to accommodate the requests of the stadium owners to satisfy the dog owners. Why would happened to the hole then ?

 

As you can see there are differences, and the suggestion like digging the 12 in hole for the airfence is only a possibly a runner in situation 1 above, but the cost of the airfence would be considerably enhanced, but for what improvement ?

In situation 3, it would be impossible to run the stocks with a 12in hole in front of the Armco, as vehicles would lock their front wheel in the run caused a crash when previously the vehicle would just glance off the barrier and continue racing.

In situation 2. the hole would fill up with rain water which would have to be removed to insert the airfence, and which would be extremely messy, more messy than it is now. That water would have to be lifted to go somewhere, and during the week there is the possibility of the water ingressing into the track, and then making the track preparation difficult by having to squeeze the water out in order to deliver a uniformly water track for the next meeting. What happens if the edge collapses ? Again the extra cost the larger airfence would be considerably enhanced with no benefits, but great difficulties for the fence erectors and the track curator.   

 

No doubt you will repeat your opening sentence again in a years time. 

Using these scenarios then, why would a trench not work in scenarios 1, 2 and 4? I appreciate it can’t be used at tracks where they have stox but that doesn’t stop it being a better solution for other tracks where it is possible.

For anybody with a basic understanding of fabrication, groundwork’s and construction, it would be very easy to solve the ‘issue’ you mention of the edge collapsing.

For what purpose you asked?? For increased safety. You can’t put a price on that.

[crescent girl]

On 12/22/2020 at 3:16 PM, East End Fan said:

Since I have been going to Kent after Arena folded, I have seen several riders slide under the air fence and get up and walk away without a scratch. Now

and then a rider will do that, but get tangled with his bike as well which obviously can cause injury.  But I suspect that if the rider and bike cannot slide under

the fence injuries would be worse..  I'm no expert, but just see what I see.  Don't know what is behind the air fence to hold it up, but it can't be much.

I would highlight the exceedingly-severe (season-ending) injuries incurred by (for example) Chris Holder at Coventry, Jason Doyle at the Torun GP in 2016 and Tom Brennan at Eastbourne.   

In each case a bike lifted the fence and the following rider slid through unimpeded to hit an immovable object.      

Had there been regular foam-fences at these tracks, these accidents might not have had such severe consequences.

[East End Fan]

3 hours ago, crescent girl said:

I would highlight the exceedingly-severe (season-ending) injuries incurred by (for example) Chris Holder at Coventry, Jason Doyle at the Torun GP in 2016 and Tom Brennan at Eastbourne.   

In each case a bike lifted the fence and the following rider slid through unimpeded to hit an immovable object.      

Had there been regular foam-fences at these tracks, these accidents might not have had such severe consequences.

Just goes to show, there is no "One size fits all".  The injuries you describe to Holder, Doyle and Brennan, would not have happened with the same

accident situation at Kent, so he fence there can be different to other places Clearly, where those riders got hurt needed a different design of fence

so that riders cannot slide under. Maybe it is time for a campaign to make that happen ?  No one likes seeing riders hurt.

[Najjer]

19 minutes ago, East End Fan said:

Just goes to show, there is no "One size fits all".  The injuries you describe to Holder, Doyle and Brennan, would not have happened with the same

accident situation at Kent, so he fence there can be different to other places Clearly, where those riders got hurt needed a different design of fence

so that riders cannot slide under. Maybe it is time for a campaign to make that happen ?  No one likes seeing riders hurt.

I’ve suggested a solution to that but been told it’s not feesible because people putting the fence up might get abit more muddy than normal 

[Duane]

I think the foam fences at Gillman  & Mildura speedways out here in Aussie, have a flap on the bottom which is covered in dirt when the where installed & helps keep them stuck on the ground. I’ve seen BK go over the fence, but can’t recall if anyone has gone under the fences.. I could be wrong though. 
 

[Tsunami]

1 hour ago, Duane said:

I think the foam fences at Gillman  & Mildura speedways out here in Aussie, have a flap on the bottom which is covered in dirt when the where installed & helps keep them stuck on the ground. I’ve seen BK go over the fence, but can’t recall if anyone has gone under the fences.. I could be wrong though. 
 

Yes, all fences have a relatively stiff rubber skirt on the bottom of the fence.

I forgot to mention in my previous post that the reason why we don't see many riders going under the fence, is that there are three straps on the ends and in the middle of the base of the fence fastened to the front under the skirt, and these go under the fence, under the kickboard and the  actual fence and pulled up and fastened by a hook to the middle of the back of the fence. When inflated the fence is then held by the hooks at about 3 foot high, and the 3 lashing straps about 2 foot up from the bottom of the fence. It's a very tight fastening.

[Tsunami]

2 hours ago, Najjer said:

I’ve suggested a solution to that but been told it’s not feesible because people putting the fence up might get abit more muddy than normal 

So you think that despite what I've said it's all just about a bit of messy rainwater. 

I am aware you are not a supporter these days or have a duty with a promotion, but you have proved you are still never wrong whilst never being right. 

[Najjer]

10 hours ago, Tsunami said:

So you think that despite what I've said it's all just about a bit of messy rainwater. 

I am aware you are not a supporter these days or have a duty with a promotion, but you have proved you are still never wrong whilst never being right. 

Of course I’m a supporter - I wouldn’t be on a Speedway forum if I wasn’t a speedway supporter. It’s the level of that support is what has changed over the years along with a whole host of other people.... who are never right 

[HGould]

Is the issue at Eastbourne the same as Ipswich. Stock Car track outside the speedway track so they have to keep taking the speedway fence down and putting it back up again. There article suggest that?.

Some others like Kings Lynn, Mildenhall and Scunthorpe who stage stocks on the speedway track presumably have to take air fence down too.

Most other tracks simply have to deflate and inflate it.

I would imagine the more static your fence can be the easier it is and more likely to have foam fence.