British Grand Prix, 25/06/11

[DukesGreg 46]

Just got back home from a really enjoyable day out at Cardiff... and am looking forward to catching the Sky-laden commentary on a second viewing tomorrow... though thanks for the heads up on the usual suspects and their tiny gaffes!!

 

Typically, a gaters paradise early doors, but the track provided some great races as the meeting went on, Sayfutdinov from the back on Crump a superb race and would befit any meeting. To say the circuit is short (56 seconds the average) and indoor, it is an entertaining night out in general.. and the Final result left most people happy with the outcome once it became evident that the local lads were off the pace.

 

Good to see Wuffy do well in his race, the ifs and buts about him will continue, and his validity to race, I like the kid but the fact remains he was actually Wild Carded to the British Final and fluffed that after being devastating all night, but it will all be a learning curve for Tai, what doesn't break you makes you stronger and all that. I think Tai would be so much better in the Series this year, his time in it was the wrong year, but prospect wise the kid will be back.. and soon I hope.

 

Nice touch by Zorro Zetterstrom after his Semi-Final race tonight. Placed third, he still came round and applauded the Cardiff fans, showing his appreciation, and doing some donuts on the home straight... a tiny farewell no doubt to the fans there, he got his chance to do a full meet tonight and it's highly unlikely that he'll be seen here again... so a lovely moment.

 

Gollob underachieving, Hancock winning, Holder racking up more points after a disastrous start, the scene set nicely for the rest of the season, Gollob won't be this bad again, Hancock proving now that he's got the consistency in his winning game... it looks like we're in for some fun.

 

 

I loved the day and the meet... now... come on Sky, show me your version of events, entertain me after me long drive home!

[manchesterpaul 447]

Thanks to Sky for bringing us the meeting but......an evening of returning to the bad old days (only last year) by being clueless of riders already out of the semi-finals and unaware of those already qualified has just hilariously been topped by.......despite not riding in the meeting Artem Laguta in their overall standings has gone from 10 points to 30!!!

UPDATE

That last blooper might not have been Sky's as the new graphics they just put up has Laguta correct. Still quite unforgivable their earlier muddles though lol.

 

MP they have been doing this for as long as I can remember...... On one hand I can understand why it happens when they have so much going on to listen to in their headphones and comment on in general but on the other hand how much would it cost to hire a programmer to devise a program that makes it all very obvious in big bright squares? One laptop with a spreadsheet on it isnt enough while they have to carry out the rest of their duties....... They need a few screens to show the relevant info required in clear form

 

I came to the conclusion a couple of years ago that it will never change ..and now my world on gp night is a more stress free place

 

For me personally, as it has been for many years, it was stress free. Thanks to my home-made spreadsheet i have always been, and clearly STILL am, light years ahead of Sky when it comes to the various permutations in play. It gives a huge added boost to the enjoyment when one is aware of the significance of every point.

 

Due to the amount of tasks they have to do, i've rarely put the blame on the commentators. In the past it was clear they were repeatedy being fed erroneous information or none at all. I was always critical of the fact that they apparently didn't have a backroom staff member to keep the scores and feed that through to the commentators. None of it is rocket science it's very simple basic maths and count back on number of wins and second places etc.

 

I have also been very critical of the fact that it is easy to cobble together a speadsheet that WORKS and provides ALL the important info at a glance, yet they don't seem to have one that does the job, or alternatively it's a case of they can't type in the race results correctly!!!. There is no need for mental arithmetic or manually working out what's what.

 

For years i've used my own interactive speadsheet and have been miles ahead of the Sky team. Fill in the race result 3,2,1,0 (and whatever letters you use to denote exclusions, falls and engine failures etc.) and the spreadsheet automatically updates the meeting and series standings. In addition to the set rider order, as per printed programme, the rider score grid is also displayed after each race in points order. Riders who are level on points are further sorted by race wins, second and third places as well as non-finishers which counts below a fourth place in a tiebreaker. A rider's acccumulative meeting and series points is shown next to them for every race. Hell, it even automatically fills in the draw order for the semi-finals, so that eradicates that particular hurdle for the Sky team.

 

As far as i am aware Sam Ermolenko is in charge of the spreadsheet they use. He certainly plugs it frequently enough. The year before and last year was farcical with absolute howlers being made. They had no clue about the significance of the last round of races (and earlier ones) for individual riders. They again and again gave incorrect information on the qualification scenarios and were oblivious to exciting stakes within races. All of which meant most of the viewers at home were too.

 

It transpired after one infamous mix up that the software makers blamed Sam for putting in the wrong information when the Sky team had prattled away about a semi-final qualifier only to be startled he wasn't there to pick up his gate card as he hadn't qualified.

 

I've mentioned at least a couple of times this season in these forums that this year Sky seemed to have really improved in their awareness of what is at stake in races and also giving us timely and correct information. They have been getting the scores right and knowing most of the time what is at stake for a rider in a race. However, tonight was truly awful. Such very important information about who is out of the running for the semi-finals and who has already qualified etc.

 

I'm fairly sure nobody involved in the main Sky broadcasting team ever reads these threads (hmmmm so that's why they never took me up on my free offer of my spreadsheet lol), but maybe Flagrag who seems to have tons of inside knowledge can enlighten us? He's a regular poster here.

 

1.What on earth is going on why can't they have a grasp of the simple knowledge as to who is already out of the running and who has already qualified for the semi-finals?.

 

2.Why do they throughout the meeting get the overall standings and so many other things wrong that with the aid of a speadsheet should be in plain view?.

 

3.Do they not use the speadsheet anymore or are they failing to pass on the information to the commentators and leaving it for them to work out themselves?.

 

4.Where are you Flagrag please clarify? lol.

Edited June 26, 2011 by manchesterpaul

[spook 28]

MP we have all had spreadsheets that do this for for years ..... what we don't have to do at the same time though is look at the track... look at our screens .... listen to the producer in our ears and then also commentate

 

It's enough to drive anyone insane... let alone inhibit them from making sense.... the point is though that our excel masterpieces are not enough.... they are too small... too fiddly and all those races where every point is vital requires a little calculation which quite frankly they dont have time or concentration for .......... I find myself lost in my monitor screen, comparing wins, 2nds, head to heads etc and suddenly realise that a race is about to start...... good job I didnt have to shout any woo's or wuffy wuffy wuffy's at the same time!

 

re: Sam Ermo ... yes he uses a Kandysoft spreadsheet (the plug I believe you are referring to) but I doubt that what he is doing is being seen by Kelvin or Nigel.... there is probably more chance that they are following the score updates on speedwayworld.tv... or filling their own spreads

 

and stress..... i think you missed my point......... I was talking about this

 

Someone update Sky that Gollob is out.

 

UPDATE

 

Oh for goodness sake Sky get your act together, they still a race later not got a clue.

 

Gollob is ALREADY OUT!

 

Zetterstrom was ALREADY ahead of Gollob with more second places.

 

 

Additionally Holder HAS qualified, they might not tell you that or know it.

 

Also, Crump had qualified too because of having beat Kolodziej earlier in the meeting.

 

I know the annoyance over this only too well..... The master of getting it wrong or not having it worked out was Tony Millard

 

 

they look as close to solving the problem as they did 10 years ago.......

 

 

I really really hope you are kidding

 

 

Now me and Mr Pedersen are like chalk and cheese...... Overall I do not respect him as a rider or his approach............. welcome to the forum

 

 

 

Nikki is a rider we all want to see. He gives 100% so to critise is poor. he yields to nobody so what. Great rider and a crowd favorite

 

 

that is some creative editing there Mark

 

I didnt criticise.. you need to read my post again

 

No one is immune from criticism though....... doesn't it all depend on what they have done? I know some of my favourites over the years have visited the dark side at times

Edited June 26, 2011 by spook

[ohakea 0]

I went to my first Grand Prix at Cardiff. I and three others were behind a group of Polish speedway fans having a good time, there were a group of English fans sitting behind a few row back on the 3rd and 4th bend right at the top. A few bits of rubish were thrown by the30/40 yr old English fans at the Poles which were the ignored and they carried on having a good time. Then an empty glass was thrown at the Poles and the Poles threw it back then the English fan threw a full glass of beer all over the Poles who then retaliated and a fight started.The Police came and escorted the English fans out into the street gutters where they came from. Where is this post leading to Yes they were Dudley Heathen fans i was ashamed to be a British fan the Poles were no trouble but the Dudley fans were drunk, so drunk two were left sitting next to us fell asleep for the last 6 heats. Also i was at Buxton when the trouble started there I was in the pits and saw and heard everything. Im sorry to say i was a contract rider for Cradley Heath in the early 70s. These new breed of fans belong at Football matches NOT speedway

[Blazeaway 1,501]

Bjerre needs to be in the NL then.

 

 

 

Runner up = 1st loser.

pedersen AND bjerre. Split loyalties or what?

 

 

What does that make slow Freddie then?

[Trees 2,814]

These new breed of fans belong at Football matches NOT speedway

It's probably because it's in Cardiff, too much drinking time.

[tigerblues 10]

Very enjoyable day in Cardiff yesterday as usual. Had a few quid on Fred and KB both 33/1, so bit disappointed with that, especially when the latter broke the tapes in a very winnable semi-final, but pleased with the winner. Hopefully Greg can take the title this year, but as already mentioned with GPs in Poland yet to come, there's time for it all to change again. Could get interesting but I do hope Greg is crowned champion at the end of it all.

Some excellent racing I thought. Nicki was hard in the final but this is the GP!

Was pleased Tai got his chance and he did well there, his time at GP level will come I'm sure. Scotty and Bomber less impressive.

And finally, well done Magnus Zetterstrom. That was the Zorro I love to see, when he's enjoying himself and you can't go wrong with a few donuts and his dancing. A real fans' rider. Thanks for the entertainment

[Bomo1 141]

Just watched the re=run on Sky and cannot believe some of Tatum's comments especially over the incidents in the final. The camera shots were perfectly clear yet he still argued the opposite - and disagreed with nigel as well! I think the crowd demonstrated their feelings on it all by the reception they gave Pedersen when he was re-introduced!!!

 

Well done to Herbie, a deserved win. What I found interesting was his 'body language' at the podium where he didn't seem comfortable with sharing Pedersen's version of events in the re-run of the final - rather thanking Holder for allowing him to stay on!!

 

 

Good meeting except for gate 1.

Edited June 26, 2011 by Bomo1

[Fromafar 10,443]

Just watched the re=run on Sky and cannot believe some of Tatum's comments especially over the incidents in the final. The camera shots were perfectly clear yet he still argued the opposite - and disagreed with nigel as well! I think the crowd demonstrated their feelings on it all by the reception they gave Pedersen when he was re-introduced!!!

 

Well done to Herbie, a deserved win. What I found interesting was his 'body language' at the podium where he didn't seem comfortable with sharing Pedersen's version of events in the re-run of the final - rather thanking Holder for allowing him to stay on!!

 

 

Good meeting except for gate 1.

Nikki's version of incident of final is laughable,he needs to concentrate on racing his opponents as oppossed to stopping them getting round the 1st bend!!!.Gp racing is hard and should be fair.You have got to give Holder a lot of credit for the manner he took his 1st bend treatment from Nikki,if it had been the other way round things might have been different I sure Nikki would not have been so diplomatic.

Edited June 26, 2011 by Fromafar

[Blazeaway 1,501]

Nikki's version of incident of final is laughable,he needs to concentrate on racing his opponents as oppossed to stopping them getting round the 1st bend!!!.Gp racing is hard and should be fair.You have got to give Holder a lot of credit for the manner he took his 1st bend treatment from Nikki,if it had been the other way round things might have been I sure Nikki would not have been so diplomatic.

 

 

Lol, Holder tried to push Nicki onto the football pitch in the semi and again in the final. Nothing but tough riding from both of them.

[Pinny 2,577]

Cracking day, many beers consumed, not bad racing either. I thought after his first heat Lindback was going to make at least semi final, how wrong could I of been? Was dreadful after that win.

[Trees 2,814]

Lol, Holder tried to push Nicki onto the football pitch in the semi and again in the final. Nothing but tough riding from both of them.

Ah you would say that

[Engine man 0]

Have to agree that Holder had few grounds for complaint - he did try to cut across Pedersen (twice).

I also thought the favoured gate positions eg. gate 3 changed after the interval track grading (the next 3 heats were won from it whereas it had been very poor before that) - a bonus for the riders getting the draw that way round.

As for the racing, the majority of passing was for second or third place, not much for the lead, mainly because it was possible for whoever got to bend 1 first to dominate. This seems to be more typical of Cardiff when it doesn't cut up. I'm disappointed with the GP series so far becasue we don't seem to have got any deep grippy tracks.

[Engine man 0]

Just realised my comment about deep grippy tracks might come over a bit ironic! We've rarely had them in GPs so I'm not exactly surprised. What I meant to say was that they have been particularly poor in the 5 rounds so far.

[keef 105]

I went to my first Grand Prix at Cardiff. I and three others were behind a group of Polish speedway fans having a good time, there were a group of English fans sitting behind a few row back on the 3rd and 4th bend right at the top. A few bits of rubish were thrown by the30/40 yr old English fans at the Poles which were the ignored and they carried on having a good time. Then an empty glass was thrown at the Poles and the Poles threw it back then the English fan threw a full glass of beer all over the Poles who then retaliated and a fight started.The Police came and escorted the English fans out into the street gutters where they came from. Where is this post leading to Yes they were Dudley Heathen fans i was ashamed to be a British fan the Poles were no trouble but the Dudley fans were drunk, so drunk two were left sitting next to us fell asleep for the last 6 heats. Also i was at Buxton when the trouble started there I was in the pits and saw and heard everything. Im sorry to say i was a contract rider for Cradley Heath in the early 70s. These new breed of fans belong at Football matches NOT speedway

 

We only saw 2 Poles being escorted out by the law. They were the couple that were pushed over the seats by the Brits. One English fan(at least 40) pushed by me to join in the melee, having rushed from another area. Then 1 pole came back in and was promptly chucked out again, for making threats to an English fan, followed by another dozen or so who seemed drunk, but were just enjoying themselves. They were moved to another part of the arena. They shouldn't allow people to drink alcohol in the stadium. We weren't allowed to take soft-drinks in, but it's ok to buy as much booze as you want inside. Ridiculous

We enjoyed the live music in the Fanzone, and the usual pre-meeting atmosphere, and chatting to the fans from all over Europe.

The police and stewards were probably hoping for an easier day, after having to police Cardiff City fans.

Not good for the women(including one distressed pregnant one), kids, and families that had to move from that area.

With more and more Poles turning-up every year it certainly adds to the atmosphere.

 

Most of the races seemed to be over by the 2nd. bend. A few good passes.

 

Well done Greg