British Masters Grass Track Championship 14/8/16

[Sings4Speedway 3,247]

Agree with JD above. It was a good looking and slightly unconventional track layout that produced good entertainment but the viewing options were poor. The whole bacl straight at the top of the track should have been used creating a natural grandstand rather than forcing most onto turns 3/4 and round to the finish line as any further towards bend 1/2 the whole track could not be viewed.

The racing was entertaining and there is always a little controversy in the sidecars however a rider not taking to the podium is pathetic.

There were plenty of solos on show with speedway connections

Shanes - Fully deserved Masters title, unbeaten all day and made the gate in the final when it mattered

Kennett - From an iffy start looked excellent. Has brought his own bike and alluded to intentions of doing much more grass/longtrack

Hurry - Rolled back the years and experience brought speed

Hall - Dramatic all day but never really made an impression on the top bunch

J.Wright - Quick all day but missed the gate in the final and fell whilst chasing

P.Cooper - Fast but yet again mechanical issues dogged his day

C.Powell - In themix early but faded and limped out in the semi's

S.Boxhall - Super quick early in the meeting but a tendancy to retire when not at the front cost him overall

S.Nicholls - Survived a first race flip at the start to mix it credibly after a 14 year lay off

[Gavan 5,050]

Oh how i miss the Ace of Aces

 

always loved the ace of aces. still got a signed photo with Donna Ewin form the 1990 Aces! That was the year Schoey won from Loram.

and the bonfire burn up!

Usually the week after and you could guarantee one of the 2 meetings would be run in the rain!

[Aroundtheboards 264]

Decent crowd strange sloping track layout meant in many parts unable to see whole track. Really needed back straight open for best viewing especially due to direction of dust and the lack of distance between parked vehicles and the track on bend 1&2.

 

Lots of good food and drink stalls available and easy exit from car parks. Credit to Swindon Speedway and Max Perry with their stands great talking with them and all the other stands.

 

Presentation was up there with the worst. The amount of people frustrated with the poor and incorrect result announcements was a big let down and joke amongst the crowd, as was the unnecessary delay before the semi finals. 1h20mins to do four heats before another delay before the finals was amateurish as was the inability of the commentator to give out the line ups of the semi and finals in a slow and consistent manner. He was slow giving race results and fast when he should have been slow! Why give out line ups in non programme number order so you have to flit all over the place while he announces at double quick speed? Needed a Phil Morris type Race Director to keep things moving long nicely.

 

Racing was decent enough the Bristol Club should be commended for their efforts.

Ah well !!! At least be thankful there was no sheep sh** to contend with and other than the points that you mention, which could be contended with IMO, I thought it was a cracking day !!! You can please some people some of the time but not all of people all of the time !!! Well done Bristol Combine !!!

[Rich 75]

Thanks for all the comments. Agree about using top part of the field for spectators, however we are in the hands of the landowner as that part is almost another field with a small trench running alongside the track. I would point out that most Grasstrack clubs are run on a purely voluntary basis , and sometimes we get things wrong.

But sometimes, so do the professionals .

Edited August 16, 2016 by Rich

[Aroundtheboards 264]

Believe me Rich, it was a brilliant day from where I stood, well done everyone !!!

[Red Flag 454]

always loved the ace of aces. still got a signed photo with Donna Ewin form the 1990 Aces! That was the year Schoey won from Loram.

Now Donna Ewin..........