Chris Simpson

[P T Preece 262]

I can't sort it out mate because the only speakers we have direct control of are the big ones on the dog track at Brum. At Cov I can't be on and off the track checking volume levels all the time as the have a sound engineer for that, it's his role to roam the stadium and check its appropriate. And re me having the word of the management I've been chasing Charlie at Brum for nearly a week now lol.

 

And Yorkie wise as I explained if he's turned down then he will just talk louder as he's used to hearing himself at what he deems an acceptable level.

 

Music wise and loudness wise we, again are guided by the promotion, it's a double edged sword, too loud alienates the oldies but then they want to encourage the youngsters and entertain them. But are there any youngsters? Maybe so at Coventry but definitely not at Brum.

 

It very hard to please everyone mate. Every week at Brum someone approaches me re how quiet it is on turn 4 but if we turn it up on the master then someone on bends 1 and 2 or in the bar will complain it's deafening and the bar staff won't be on the ball enough to adjust it.

 

We can but try........

The music is on for at least half an hour before the start of the racing and you and Yorkie are doing nothing, maybe you could spare a few minutes of your time and have a wander around with this sound engineer before the meeting starts.

I wont hold my breath waiting for some action its just like the BSPA get them in and then dont give a toss how the supporters are treated. Ears plugs I think.

[philfromcov 326]

So come and stand near me, directly opposite some speakers!

so you stand opposite speakers and then complain its loud?

its like standing next to the sea and complaining you get wet!

[SpeedwayTShirts 307]

The music is on for at least half an hour before the start of the racing and you and Yorkie are doing nothing, maybe you could spare a few minutes of your time and have a wander around with this sound engineer before the meeting starts.

I wont hold my breath waiting for some action its just like the BSPA get them in and then dont give a toss how the supporters are treated. Ears plugs I think.

 

I do give a toss mate and will try and do what I can but it'd need to be tested at the levels it goes out at during a meeting not before (when it's on quieter), hence a Sound Engineer being there throughout all the meetings.

 

Plus the PA is constantly being changed in the various areas to suit, dogs, stox etc.

 

The easiest thing is to tell a steward who will tell the engineer who should rectify it, but bear in mind if someone 2 seats away from you prefers it loud and requests it's turned up a few minutes later the engineer isn't going to keep adjusting it at a whim. Maybe locating a quieter area of the stadium would be a better option if it really bothers you but it should be your perogative to sit where you like and I understand that but everyones preference levels wise could well be different as it will be with styles of music etc.

[P T Preece 262]

Pointless.

[Star Lady 5,400]

Pointless.

Not on tonight cos balls - tennis and football variety

[Daniel Smith 5,661]

Pointless.

If I was Chris I would't listen to you either

Edited June 23, 2014 by screamer

[speedibee 3,091]

At Cov the speakers are all operated independently and they have a sound technician so any problems just let a steward know and they will let him know. I know the main volume was dropped at some point on Friday as Rich told me on the way home.

 

At Brum it's a bit different the outside is all one volume so if it's lowered in a loud area then someone complains in a quiet area they want it turned up (eg turn 4) but the individual bars have their own controls so again if it's uncomfortable in the bar just ask the bar staff to turn it up or down.

 

Most stadiums need a big upgrade sound wise to cope with modern music presentation styles as they haven't been upgraded in years but then money is tight in the sport generally. Brum's so poor on the home straight that we have had to source seperate external PA speakers to ensure the home straight can always hear. A few seasons ago it used to go on and off during the meeting which was really bad.

 

Not passing the buck but we just plug into the existing systems and they are controlled by the stadiums but we're happy to try and get the message across. With Yorkie he has a volume level he is used to hearing himself at through the tannoy so if he's on quieter he then speaks louder, His mic had an issue again this week due to some problem caused by the dogs so fingers crossed should be sorted for next meeting for his pits interviews.

 

Apologies for any issues, we are working at both tracks to do everything in our power to make the presentation the best it possibly can be but a lot is out of our control.

we understand that yorkie has a problem with his mic Chris , he keeps talking into it , thats the biggest problem

[oldtimer 340]

Thanks fellas good to hear its appreciated. Some people dont like the associated jingles but each one is thought out. Its just getting in sync with our warped minds thats tricky at times to identify the link.

With the playoffs looming Brandon should be bouncing again soon. Who knows I might even throw in a War Cry, although that probably wont suit everyone

Can you come to Somerset on a Friday, can't hear music there and no jingles.

[Fundinfan 41]

I hope that P>T>Preece is not going to turn out to be the re incarnation of that unpleasant body S> Shovlar, turning up frequently on both the Coventry and Birmingham sites. I think it rather rude to suggest that the centre green presenter at Coventry is deaf to say the least. Obviously with the Brummies out of action at the moment Mr Preece has wandered down the M6 to Cov to spread some mischief. Previous moans re management, team selection etc etc. You epitimise what is wrong with the BSF, just go and enjoy the racing matey, the rest is incidental

[BBSC 56]

sadly at berwick our speakers work to well and we end up with hits of the 70's plus Dick Barrie waffling on lol

[mikebv 10,276]

great to see someone coming on here engaging with his public and seeking feedback...

 

sadly, it does appear that sometimes when you do that and give people your honest answer, 'one or two' will decide that it's not the answer they want so continue to moan..

 

of course as a speedway fan simply moving further away from a speaker to what they believe to be an acceptable volume level is for many, beyond what could be considered acceptable, 'I have watched the racing for 30/40/50/60/70 years (delete as applicable) from this spot so why should I move' etc etc.....

 

and to be fair having to remove the tartan blanket covering the knees, putting away the tartan flask into the bespoke (original) 'gola' bag, and folding up your garden chair (with net cup holder) is simply maybe too much of an effort, especially when you are making sure none of your 115 metal badges fall off your sleeveless denim jacket...

 

keep going Chris, from what I have heard you seem to be at least trying to bring an 'evening at the speedway' into the 21st century with regards to 'off track' entertainment,,

 

(and if all else fails mate hit 'em with 'hi ho silver lining' and 'come on eileen', they'll love it)!!

Edited June 23, 2014 by mikebv

[Yikes 28]

so you stand opposite speakers and then complain its loud?

its like standing next to the sea and complaining you get wet!

Shows the mentality of some people Phil. It's beyond belief lol

 

I think PT Preece has an axe to grind by the title and comments. Good to know he knows how much or little the Centre green man has on before tapes up.

 

Chris you are being too fair and polite I think. If someone isn't happy where they are, they should move. At coventry moving about 10 metres makes a whole lot of difference, particularly as the pa speakers are very directional. In front they are loud, slightly to the side not so loud. Half way between 2 even quieter still.

 

If enough people went to stadiums, maybe the promoters or owners would invest in a up to date system. Never going to happen though.

 

Its not rocket science!!!

Edited June 23, 2014 by Yikes

[deanr1 203]

I don't think you're going to please PT Preece Chris, I get the impression he/she has it in for you!

 

The speakers aren't great, they never have been and bearing in mind the stadium owner wants to knock the place down I doubt he gives a monkeys about fine tuning the sound system now. As Chris has already said, it's not his department to deal with it, he's hired to provide the presentation and has to work with the in-house equipment, I don't know what's so difficult to understand?

[lionking 127]

All this PA is too loud at Coventry & Birmingham. Count yourself lucky you don't have to listen to Chris Popple every week like we do at Leicester

[Bryn 413]

You have my sympathy Chris / other mic men at UK speedway tracks because whatever action is taken / not taken in response to one moan will lead to a counter moan from another source! We all DO try our best but as Abraham Lincoln once famously said (although even I am not old enough to remember him doing so! ) “You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”

Edited June 24, 2014 by Bryn