Rest of the GP series

[james1234]

Any ideas what is happening with the remainder of the GP series? BSI need to make an announcement soon as some of us have tickets and hotels booked !  

[Fromafar]

1 hour ago, james1234 said:

Any ideas what is happening with the remainder of the GP series? BSI need to make an announcement soon as some of us have tickets and hotels booked !  

I’m afraid BSI are just going to hang on to ticket money for as long as possible like Cardiff no decision till last minute.Poor show IMO.While I realised this is unprecedented they are not treating the fans well.IMO.

[PHILIPRISING]

11 hours ago, Fromafar said:

I’m afraid BSI are just going to hang on to ticket money for as long as possible like Cardiff no decision till last minute.Poor show IMO.While I realised this is unprecedented they are not treating the fans well.IMO.

APART from Cardiff, what events are BSI hanging onto money from? IMG, like so many companies (including Pinegen, publishers of SS) have furloughed much of their staff. IMG run about 700 events in a normal year. BSI boss Paul Bellamy along with a skeleton staff is working his socks off to ty and salvage some sort of calendar for both speedway and rallycross while frequently having to battle either the FIM or the FIA. 

It may seem easy but it certainly isn't and the safety of personnel required at events is paramount. Personally, I think there will be a number of SGPs later this year. Whether or not they are behind closed doors or with restricted attendance is still up in the air.

 

[Fromafar]

53 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

APART from Cardiff, what events are BSI hanging onto money from? IMG, like so many companies (including Pinegen, publishers of SS) have furloughed much of their staff. IMG run about 700 events in a normal year. BSI boss Paul Bellamy along with a skeleton staff is working his socks off to ty and salvage some sort of calendar for both speedway and rallycross while frequently having to battle either the FIM or the FIA. 

It may seem easy but it certainly isn't and the safety of personnel required at events is paramount. Personally, I think there will be a number of SGPs later this year. Whether or not they are behind closed doors or with restricted attendance is still up in the air.

 

I realised it is not easy ,but major sporting events have cancelled months in advance not weeks, not much consideration of fans plans taken by Speedway Promoters.

[Humphrey Appleby]

22 hours ago, PHILIPRISING said:

APART from Cardiff, what events are BSI hanging onto money from? IMG, like so many companies (including Pinegen, publishers of SS) have furloughed much of their staff. IMG run about 700 events in a normal year. BSI boss Paul Bellamy along with a skeleton staff is working his socks off to ty and salvage some sort of calendar for both speedway and rallycross while frequently having to battle either the FIM or the FIA. 

It may seem easy but it certainly isn't and the safety of personnel required at events is paramount. 

It is easy.

If there's any significant uncertainty about an event scheduled in a couple of months going ahead, then it needs to be cancelled. People will have/will be booking transport and hotels, but can usually get refunds or re-arrange up to a month or so in advance. 

On the other points, regardless of who actually runs individual GPs or collects, IMG/BSI is the championship organiser which should mean ensuring some sort of standards for the customer. It also means that dealing with the FIM and FIA comes with the territory - it's a necessary part of the job.

I think it's also a stretch to claim that IMG 'run about 700 events in a normal year'. Their own website actually says they 'own or represent 800 events' which is different to actually running them. Indeed, as you're happy to point out most of the time, IMG don't run most of the Speedway GPs. 

I don't doubt that IMG have been badly hit by this whole thing, just as the FIM and FIA will have difficulties with loss of income and staff, and having to deal with multiple different jurisdictions in trying to work out how to restart things. But they're hardly in a unique situation, and with respect, the importance of their industry and contribution to the world economy is relatively insignificant. Airlines and tour companies for example, have to deal with refunding huge amounts of money. 

I'm also intrigued to know why Pinegen needs to furlough staff as the Star is still being published as far as I know. Genuine question?

 

Edited June 10, 2020 by Humphrey Appleby

[PHILIPRISING]

4 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said:

It is easy.

If there's any significant uncertainty about an event scheduled in a couple of months going ahead, then it needs to be cancelled. People will have/will be booking transport and hotels, but can usually get refunds or re-arrange up to a month or so in advance. 

On the other points, regardless of who actually runs individual GPs or collects, IMG/BSI is the championship organiser which should mean ensuring some sort of standards for the customer. It also means that dealing with the FIM and FIA comes with the territory - it's a necessary part of the job.

I think it's also a stretch to claim that IMG 'run about 700 events in a normal year'. Their own website actually says they 'own or represent 800 events' which is different to actually running them. Indeed, as you're happy to point out most of the time, IMG don't run most of the Speedway GPs. 

I don't doubt that IMG have been badly hit by this whole thing, just as the FIM and FIA will have difficulties with loss of income and staff, and having to deal with multiple different jurisdictions in trying to work out how to restart things. But they're hardly in a unique situation, and with respect, the importance of their industry and contribution to the world economy is relatively insignificant. Airlines and tour companies for example, have to deal with refunding huge amounts of money. 

I'm also intrigued to know why Pinegen needs to furlough staff as the Star is still being published as far as I know. Genuine question?

 

BECAUSE without furloughing staff we would go out of business... pronto!

[DutchGrasstrack]

Swedish SGP's in Hallstavik and Malilla are off.

[topaz325]

Looking more likely to be  a Polish mini series this year.

[Mark]

Minimum of 8 GP's is the goal.    It says that in the press release

 

[topaz325]

20 hours ago, Mark said:

Minimum of 8 GP's is the goal.    It says that in the press release

 

Warsaw now cancelled.

 

[Mark]

21 minutes ago, topaz325 said:

Warsaw now cancelled.

 

No way that would run without a full crowd becuase of the cost of laying the track.      I'm thinking this.   Similar to the SEC there will be block of GP's in Poland on established tracks toward the end of the season with crowds allowed.    Poland are letting 25% crowds now so that should improve by August, September and October.     Only a guess but it is possible.

[PHILIPRISING]

2 hours ago, Mark said:

No way that would run without a full crowd becuase of the cost of laying the track.      I'm thinking this.   Similar to the SEC there will be block of GP's in Poland on established tracks toward the end of the season with crowds allowed.    Poland are letting 25% crowds now so that should improve by August, September and October.     Only a guess but it is possible.

HOPEFULLY that will be the case.

[iris123]

Will be a press conference on 25.06 where Teterow will most probably be cancelled for this year, after the government basically put a block on crowds larger than 1,000 up until the end of October

[DutchGrasstrack]

New rumours suggest only five GP rounds, with 3 in Poland.

[racers and royals]

5 minutes ago, DutchGrasstrack said:

New rumours suggest only five GP rounds, with 3 in Poland.

Maybe 1 in Daugavpils ??

[PHILIPRISING]

2 hours ago, DutchGrasstrack said:

New rumours suggest only five GP rounds, with 3 in Poland.

WHERE would the other two be? Not what I'm hearing. Makes logistical sense to stay in Poland. Not just the riders but officials, TV etc. and the only country where there might be an audience, albeit limited.

[Bavarian]

Togliatti looks rather doubtful. I don't think there will be a Russian SGP this year.

 

With five Grand Prix's this year there could be three in Poland, one in Prague, and one in ??? (Daugavpils maybe?)

[DutchGrasstrack]

Prague looks as a possibility. They already had speedway meetings in Czech with 400-500 crowds.

Togliatti indeed very unlikely... would have been nice though. Great place.

Maybe Vojens?

[PHILIPRISING]

1 hour ago, DutchGrasstrack said:

Prague looks as a possibility. They already had speedway meetings in Czech with 400-500 crowds.

Togliatti indeed very unlikely... would have been nice though. Great place.

Maybe Vojens?

500 people in Prague wouldn't pay any bills, much less the TV costs,  and would require riders to leave Poland which, even without quarantine restrictions, would not go down well with a possible league match the previous Friday or following Sunday.

Much of the above also applies to Vojens. Despite probable FIM protestations, a mini-series of eight rounds in Poland still seems the most likely and practical solution. Hopefully, followed by the SON in Manchester.

[willstaxi]

45 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

500 people in Prague wouldn't pay any bills, much less the TV costs,  and would require riders to leave Poland which, even without quarantine restrictions, would not go down well with a possible league match the previous Friday or following Sunday.

Much of the above also applies to Vojens. Despite probable FIM protestations, a mini-series of eight rounds in Poland still seems the most likely and practical solution. Hopefully, followed by the SON in Manchester.

No problem with 8 rounds in Poland but do not call it a world championship because it would not be.