Sgb Statement

[Phil The Ace 2,860]

FURIOUS Belle Vue Chief Executive Officer David Gordon hit back at the criticism which followed the disastrous abandonment of Saturdays inaugural meeting at the new National Stadium, saying: This was NOT our fault.

 

Gordon and Chris Morton had to face a sell-out crowd to say the Peter Craven Memorial Trophy meeting had been called off after riders said the track wasnt safe following a practice session.

They were locked in an emergency meeting early on Monday with the Manchester City Council Project Team and stadium builders, ISG, to discuss what went wrong and what was to happen next.

 

Gordon stressed that all aspects of the stadium construction , including the laying of the track, were carried out under the stadium build contract. Belle Vues only responsibility was the erection of the safety fence, a specialist operation, which it was agreed would be done by track curator Colin Meredith.

 

Gordon said: There was a problem with the sub base of the track around the third and fourth bends which was recently completed. there were contractors workmen and machines out there first thing on Monday working to correct the problems."

 

 

Track work commenced early this morning

 

We had internal meetings on Sunday and meetings with the Council and the building contractors on Monday. The whole investigation process into what happened is ongoing. We will not comment until everything has been clarified.

 

The fact of the matter is that we didnt receive what we were supposed to receive. I cannot stress too much that we did not build this track, it was the responsibility of third parties and it was not fit for purpose.

 

We tried our best to get this meeting on but we were let down by circumstances beyond our control. We are now in serious dialogue with all concerned."

 

The contractors, who are not under our instructions, were working on the track first thing on Monday morning. The Belle Vue track curator is out there giving them advice and we hope his experience will help them get it put right.

 

Gordon added: The riders reaction not to race was understandable. The track was not raceable and how do you tell them not to race?

 

The work on the track will be reviewed by the stadium project team hourly and we will take a decision at 9am on Wednesday about whether or not we can run Fridays home meeting against Wolverhampton. If the remedial work is successful completed and tested then we will race.

 

We will be making a separate statement about re-staging and refunds for Saturday when we have taken advice about the contractual obligations that the other parties are subject to.

 

Asked about a Promoters Association statement blaming Belle Vue for what happened, Gordon said: No comment. I wouldnt make a statement like the BSPA have until I was in receipt of the full facts of the matter.

 

He concluded: Belle Vue Speedway are not to blame for Saturdays disaster. Other parties need to accept their responsibility and deal with the consequences.

FURIOUS Belle Vue Chief Executive Officer David Gordon hit back at the criticism which followed the disastrous abandonment of Saturdays inaugural meeting at the new National Stadium, saying: This was NOT our fault.

 

Gordon and Chris Morton had to face a sell-out crowd to say the Peter Craven Memorial Trophy meeting had been called off after riders said the track wasnt safe following a practice session.

They were locked in an emergency meeting early on Monday with the Manchester City Council Project Team and stadium builders, ISG, to discuss what went wrong and what was to happen next.

 

Gordon stressed that all aspects of the stadium construction , including the laying of the track, were carried out under the stadium build contract. Belle Vues only responsibility was the erection of the safety fence, a specialist operation, which it was agreed would be done by track curator Colin Meredith.

 

Gordon said: There was a problem with the sub base of the track around the third and fourth bends which was recently completed. there were contractors workmen and machines out there first thing on Monday working to correct the problems."

 

 

Track work commenced early this morning

 

We had internal meetings on Sunday and meetings with the Council and the building contractors on Monday. The whole investigation process into what happened is ongoing. We will not comment until everything has been clarified.

 

The fact of the matter is that we didnt receive what we were supposed to receive. I cannot stress too much that we did not build this track, it was the responsibility of third parties and it was not fit for purpose.

 

We tried our best to get this meeting on but we were let down by circumstances beyond our control. We are now in serious dialogue with all concerned."

 

The contractors, who are not under our instructions, were working on the track first thing on Monday morning. The Belle Vue track curator is out there giving them advice and we hope his experience will help them get it put right.

 

Gordon added: The riders reaction not to race was understandable. The track was not raceable and how do you tell them not to race?

 

The work on the track will be reviewed by the stadium project team hourly and we will take a decision at 9am on Wednesday about whether or not we can run Fridays home meeting against Wolverhampton. If the remedial work is successful completed and tested then we will race.

 

We will be making a separate statement about re-staging and refunds for Saturday when we have taken advice about the contractual obligations that the other parties are subject to.

 

Asked about a Promoters Association statement blaming Belle Vue for what happened, Gordon said: No comment. I wouldnt make a statement like the BSPA have until I was in receipt of the full facts of the matter.

 

He concluded: Belle Vue Speedway are not to blame for Saturdays disaster. Other parties need to accept their responsibility and deal with the consequences.

[Blazeaway 1,501]

Not their fault? Who employed the contractors to build the track? Surely the building of a track is equally as specialist as the erecting of the airfence?

[Phil The Ace 2,860]

Not their fault? Who employed the contractors to build the track? Surely the building of a track is equally as specialist as the erecting of the airfence?

Manchester city council employed the contractors

[BuxtonTiger 122]

A stunning reply from Mr Gordon - if I was speechless after Buster's outburst, I am now laid on my back legs in the air laughing. If only it was not true!!

Edited March 21, 2016 by BuxtonTiger

[damosuzuki 696]

I'd assume the issue of compensation is going to be fought out in the courts. His statement has to be unequivocal, otherwise it will be cast up as evidence.

[mikebv 10,263]

I like DG....

 

He seems to stand his corner and take no 'Barry White' off anyone if he feels it necessary....

 

Be interesting to see whose fault it is eventually....

 

As with most things Speedway my money is on Poole being accused by most on here....

 

Quite right what he said re the BSPA statement...

 

Very amateurish for an alleged professional organisation to include emotional supposition in any official statement rather than just sticking to the facts known at the current time...

 

Personal opinion and conjecture has no part in any such statement yet this is what we have....

 

Popcorn time I think looking at DG's response...

Edited March 21, 2016 by mikebv

[steveace1971 4]

Well said Mr Gordon, put the jealous BSPA wallies in their place. They couldn't get their statement out fast enough. If it's nowt to do wi' you then keep yer nose out.

[semion 2,192]

The fans who purchased tickets for this Non event have a contract with Belle Vue Speedway not the contractors. It is up to Morton and Gordon to issue a statement advising people of refunds etc. Not wait to see if the Contractors are going to pay them out for any loses, both in terms of revenue and goodwill.

[BWitcher 12,453]

Just when you think Belle Vue can't stoop any lower, out comes that utter crock of **** of a statement.

 

Initially I thought the BSPA were out of line, but it's pretty apparent now they'd realised Belle Vue weren't prepared to accept any responsibility at all and felt it was right to distance themselves from them appropriately.

 

Haven't they been telling us all winter how the track was the most important thing and how they'd be working tirelessly to make sure it was the very best?

 

Now they suddenly claim they had nothing to do with it and just left it in the hands of an outside body with no knowledge of producing a speedway track.

Edited March 21, 2016 by BWitcher

[iris123 20,969]

Seems crazy.If contractors do work then they have to have it inspected and accepted.Surely this procedure should have been done well before the meeting was due to take place?They had a practice on the track and the two riders said it was good,the BV management went ahead with the meeting.When it all goes t#ts up they start blaming others instead of looking hard in the mirror.They must have 1 or 2 track experts who could see it wasn't up to scratch or what was the point of travelling around Europe looking at tracks etc......

[OveFundinFan 4,140]

Just watched a video that someone posted of the pre meeting practice by riders, this one I think was Nicki P. Maybe he was first on, but the track looked ok. Maybe it cut up as more did there 4 lap practice.

Any more videos to add to that?

Was any one on here at the meet on Saturday night - sure there will be - what was the track like during the latter stages of the practice ???

 

Going to be an interesting season of speedway in the UK.

From what has been posted on here in the last few months/years some tracks certainly are rough, more then one having resident porholes.

The riders have set a standard (at BV) last Saturday - can all promotors in the UK stand up and at least equal that standard??? Thats why it will be an interesting season.

 

Surely, if BV are at an away track and it cuts up equal or worse then BV last Saturdayand BV consider it too dangerous then its meeting off.

Any rider contracted to ride at BV last Saturday (but withheld their service due to dangerous track) would have to do the same.

That's why it will be an interesting season.

[iris123 20,969]

I don't really see it quite the same as the warsaw situation,because now the Belle Vue management have themselves come out and said the track wasn't up to standards.The riders are off the hook.In Warsaw I don't think anyone other than the riders said the track wasn't suitable???

[mikebv 10,263]

Joe, not a hint of an issue from watching the riders complete their practice.

 

No adverse body language, shaking of heads, gesticulations etc..

 

No unusual 'coasting', all went full whack..

 

Which is why everyone at the track was amazed they never immediately came out for heat one once the last of the 16 had completed their laps..

 

Usually you at least sense an issue building..

 

Nothing on Saturday....

Edited March 21, 2016 by mikebv

[BWitcher 12,453]

I must admit, when I watched the link to Nicki P going round I was looking for an issue and couldn't see one at all.

 

It's also strange all the riders appeared to be smiling, joking, taking in the occasion from the various pictures I've seen.. usually there are frowns etc when a postponement is likely.

Edited March 21, 2016 by BWitcher

[one of clubs 116]

Regardless who was at fault for Saturday's unfortunate event, the statement put out by the governing body the BSPA/SCB is a stinging attack on the club. Every professional governing body should have said yes, we got it wrong and we will learn by it, and not savage the club and stick the knife in. It seems a venomous and hateful statement. I am sure had the events mentioned been at certain other clubs, who run the sport for their own ends, then the statement would have been very different. The real issue behind the sport being "set back ten years" is the violin case brigade bent bleeders at the governing body. It seems the guy at Kings Lynn has gone home and took ball in.