Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

Stadium Design


Trevor

Recommended Posts

18 hours ago, martinmauger said:

Think the pits in the London Lions (Hackney) stadium were re-located early 1996 so spectators could see into them better.  As a track anorak I could literally fill the entire forum and likely cause it to crash due to insufficent bandthwidth / data allowance - but won't as I don't have the time.  (you'll all thank me not to, really).  Nutshell: I've always favoured 'non-round' shaped circuits as if the track surface is 100% perfect 'all' a rider needs to do on such a track is get onto the racing line, open the throttle wide and keep it nailed and 'sit in his armchair, eating his sandwiches and reading his Financial Times (!) for an easy win', to paraphrase Martin Brundle & Peter Collins.  As often happens in Champ Car / Indy Car and Nascar races.  But recent the most GPs and the excellent 2020 Belle Vue meetings have made me change my mind somewhat on track shape designs.  More than a bit. 

Stadium-wise: one wouldn't go far wrong at all copying the NSS at Belle Vue.  A few things to bare in mind, should one be in the fortunate position to be able to build a dedicated speedway stadium from scratch (we can all dream) are: re-create the seat height and angle of the 'home straight stand' at Hull's Craven Park.  To show I'm not (much) biased, the seat height angle from the main stand at Braford's Odsal would also suffice, anyone who visted either venue will know exactly what I'm talking about; brilliant views of the entire track.  But before the digging starts, hold a wetted finger in the air to check wind direction, anyone who visted Craven Park will know exactly what I'm talking about; it was cold....

Maybe the Star would be interested in piece to print over a few issues in the winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I had the time I could probably fill the entire magazine on track / stadia stuff alone but I already have 2 big work projects on the go, I'm not 'just saying that' by the way it's true, I peruse BSF both for interest and taking a break from such things....

Edited by martinmauger
spelling due to usual lack of concentration
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, geoff100 said:

Would the sun not set behind the grandstand!

The straights & stands are at the Northern & Southern parts of the stadium.

On my one & only visit when it first opened, the area, as said, was to be multi sports & the whole area was on a good slope. The layout, with bends at the eastern & western parts of the area, was the only way the stadium would fit, I imagine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, geoff100 said:

Would the sun not set behind the grandstand!

The sun will continue to set at Beaumont Park where its always set - over the present third and fourth bends. Having the starting gate on what is now the back straight will not solve anything apart from the sun being in the riders eyes entering the first bend. The only way the sun could set behind the stand would be if you rotated the whole track 90 degrees clockwise and that would be a very expensive way to solve a problem that only happens if the sun is out in the mid summer months.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Happy Hunter said:

The sun will continue to set at Beaumont Park where its always set - over the present third and fourth bends. Having the starting gate on what is now the back straight will not solve anything apart from the sun being in the riders eyes entering the first bend. The only way the sun could set behind the stand would be if you rotated the whole track 90 degrees clockwise and that would be a very expensive way to solve a problem that only happens if the sun is out in the mid summer months.

I seem to remember reading that the 'new' Wembley stadium was re-positioned as previuosly half the pitch was often in shadow causing problems on occasions?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, steve roberts said:

I seem to remember reading that the 'new' Wembley stadium was re-positioned as previuosly half the pitch was often in shadow causing problems on occasions?

Given the performances of many of the English football teams at Wembley since the "famous day in 66", it might have been a good idea if the whole pitch had been covered in darkness.:D

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Dave Jones said:

Given the performances of many of the English football teams at Wembley since the "famous day in 66", it might have been a good idea if the whole pitch had been covered in darkness.:D

I was there. My ticket for the 1966 final cost me 10/6 or 52.5 pence in today's money. But to get a ticket for the final I had to buy a set that included group matches, a quarter final, a semi final and the third/fourth place play off!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, steve roberts said:

I seem to remember reading that the 'new' Wembley stadium was re-positioned as previuosly half the pitch was often in shadow causing problems on occasions?

I remember hearing Danny Baker talking about the New Den and saying a Feng Shui expert had said that Millwall's poor form was due to the way the stadium was positioned and having blue seats

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/20/2020 at 8:43 AM, arnieg said:

Biggest mistake at Leicester (apart from the rubbish track) was the orientation of the track, with the sun setting on the third bend (it should set behind the main grandstand)

Brings to mind Loomer Road, Stoke. Anybody else remember, at certain times of the season, those pauses in racing to wait for the sun to set?

From the first bend at Halifax, there was a view into the pits. Worth arriving early to secure a prime spot. Watching the tinkering helped pass the time between heats.

Edited by Piotr Pyszny
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy