European Gp 2009

[21st century heathen 220]

Cardiff has never even been half full.

 

How do you work that out Cardiff is 74500 capacity and the last couple of years it's been 40000 + which by my reckoning is over half

 

I believe the capacity for speedway is on the region of 65,000-67,500. Crowds have typically been reported to be 40,000-45,000. I make that about two-thirds. There were certainly more available seats taken than empty so it must have been more than half full.

 

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I think Wembley could prove to be a financial disaster. How many people will go to Wembley rather than Cardiff? How many people can afford to go Wembley and Cardiff? If people do both will that hit attendance at league meetings or visits to foreign GP's? I would dearly love to have another GP in Britain, and to be honest I think the fans deserve it. Britain hosts the biggest speedway meeting in the world, so give us another GP. However, I think it should be at a regular league track. The prices will be respectable, and the track will be easier to prepare. I would love to see a GP at Monmore, but the capacity is too low now. It would probably have to be at Coventry. Any other tracks with an 8,000-10,000 capacity giving good views of the track?

[Humphrey Appleby 13,958]

Crowds have typically been reported to be 40,000-45,000.

 

The reported figures should be taken with a pinch of salt. Last year's figures were suspiciously round at several GPs, despite not being capacity crowds.

 

FYI, Cardiff was reported as 41,267. Certainly quite decent if anywhere close to being true, but the likely exaggerated figures for other rounds does make one wonder.

 

[Humphrey Appleby 13,958]

How many people will go to Wembley rather than Cardiff? How many people can afford to go Wembley and Cardiff?

 

I somehow doubt IMG/BSI will stage two GPs in Britain. If there is indeed a plan to go to Wembley, I suspect it might happen in 2010, and that's what all the sudden whinging about Cardiff hotels was about.

 

[Jacques 3,114]

I'd say have it at Coventry, but then I'm biased ...

 

When I saw this last night, I couldn't get excited about the prospect at all. It to me would never match Cardiff which has the carnival atmosphere all day in the build up, the easy access to the Stadium from hotels, the opportunity to socialise centrally with like minded people.. etc....etc...etc..Cardiff has become almost ritualistic for an awful lot of us, I can't see the same interest if they do have the European GP at Wembley. It turns out quite expensive not everyone will be able to afford to go to both. I'm not knocking it I just can't muster any interest for it. That said I'd still go when it came to it .

[tigerblues 10]

But this isn't about the British GP being in London, but the European GP - slightly different. It wouldn't be replacing Cardiff, but running alongside...

But due to costs and such this would most likely be the effect, or they would take money off each other. I agree with an earlier post, have it at a normal track, that holds plenty, Coventry sounds pretty ideal tbh.

[shazzybird 10]

What about the other 30000 that wont be able to get tickets that also enjoy live Grand Prixs in Britain

[richsimpson 21]

IAny other tracks with an 8,000-10,000 capacity giving good views of the track?

 

Bring back Odsal, now that WAS a stadium for holding Speedway GP.

[Adder 94]

 

I think this is a great idea.

 

The whole Cardiff experience has become a bit stale recently with the lack of hotel rooms meaning they can charge whatever they like for accomodation and the lack of a decent train service after the meeting which means you either have to fork out loads for a room if you can get one, or get the coach which doesn't get back to Swindon until stupid o'clock.

 

Also the fact that the GP is in Wales rather than London affects sponsorship and media coverage as the hacks don't want to move out of comfy London for the evening and sponsors don't want to drag their corporate clients all that way.

 

 

[leanne1706 0]

I think this is a great idea.

 

The whole Cardiff experience has become a bit stale recently with the lack of hotel rooms meaning they can charge whatever they like for accomodation and the lack of a decent train service after the meeting which means you either have to fork out loads for a room if you can get one, or get the coach which doesn't get back to Swindon until stupid o'clock.

 

Also the fact that the GP is in Wales rather than London affects sponsorship and media coverage as the hacks don't want to move out of comfy London for the evening and sponsors don't want to drag their corporate clients all that way.

I agree - Cardiff has become a bit stale, and I feel like we're all being exploited by the hotel chains/owners because they know we'll all descend on the capital. It's not fair, but we all still pay the prices, because we want to stay and have a drink.

 

At least Wembley is accessible from a lot of places and the train services to and from London run late. Plus, if you can't afford to stay in London, find somewhere just outside and get the Tube in - simple, not like trying to get into and out of Cardiff city centre if you're staying outside.

[Adder 94]

I agree - Cardiff has become a bit stale, and I feel like we're all being exploited by the hotel chains/owners because they know we'll all descend on the capital. It's not fair, but we all still pay the prices, because we want to stay and have a drink.

 

At least Wembley is accessible from a lot of places and the train services to and from London run late. Plus, if you can't afford to stay in London, find somewhere just outside and get the Tube in - simple, not like trying to get into and out of Cardiff city centre if you're staying outside.

 

Absolutely Leanne.

 

And in London hotel rooms are plentiful and are quite often more than reasonably priced at weekends as the bulk of their custom comes from people staying there during the working week.

 

Cardiff has been very good to speedway over the past few years but you do get that feeling now of being 'taken for granted'.

[richard 0]

yes i agree we could do with a change be much easier to get in and out of plus we wouldnt have to walk through the city centre late at night which by the time we come out is full of people drinking and shouting in the streets which i found very uncomfortable with having young children with me .

[SUPERACE 440]

I'm sure it does have a roof but they've never actually used it yet for football or rugby as it aint necessary.

 

I'd luv 2 see a GP there defo as long as it didnt replace Cardiff cos there is room for both in my opinion.

 

If they can get the track something like they do at Copenhagen then it would be a fantastic addition 2 the calendar. Will take me back 2 the glory days of 1981 etc.

 

hope its announced & the sooner the better. Fingers x'd!!

 

No ROOF.

[crazysue 613]

I would probably do both.

 

Wembly is in easy driving distance from here so no need to hotel accomodation, in fact we could even take a cheapie train! Less hassle with getting 2 of the boys looked after as it would be a much shorter time needed and with no overnight stay.

 

Cardiff for me though would still be the main event..yes, I do stay overnight but hey, that is the bonus!

[Humphrey Appleby 13,958]

When I saw this last night, I couldn't get excited about the prospect at all. It to me would never match Cardiff

 

Never really understood the attraction of Cardiff to be honest. Rip-off prices (particularly for a provincial city), poor public transportation, cheesy entertainment, usually pretty awful racing, and increasingly yobbish crowds it seems. I've also been reading a thread full of whinges and complaints about this year's GP, and yet the moment there's a suggestion it might go elsewhere, people start lamenting it.

 

[Dietbowers 522]

Never really understood the attraction of Cardiff to be honest. Rip-off prices (particularly for a provincial city), poor public transportation, cheesy entertainment, usually pretty awful racing, and increasingly yobbish crowds it seems. I've also been reading a thread full of whinges and complaints about this year's GP, and yet the moment there's a suggestion it might go elsewhere, people start lamenting it.

Nice to see the forum cynic in full flow....................again