Pits crew attire

[Neila 1,162]

Another thing several clubs are losing income by riders bringing in more than 1 mechanic , should be 1 rider 1 mechanic anyone else has to pay to get in, also it could be a health and safety issue if too many people are in the confined spaces of the pits

[KK62 68]

16 minutes ago, Neila said:

Another thing several clubs are losing income by riders bringing in more than 1 mechanic , should be 1 rider 1 mechanic anyone else has to pay to get in, also it could be a health and safety issue if too many people are in the confined spaces of the pits

Not true.

Each club can set its own admission policy, some are one rider one mechanic, a lot are one rider one mechanic and one guest .

Each club also has its own H&S officer and a Clerk of the Course who should sort any issues out as regards issues in the pits.

How they cope at Sheffield always amazed me !

[tyretrax 2,253]

40 minutes ago, Neila said:

Another thing several clubs are losing income by riders bringing in more than 1 mechanic , should be 1 rider 1 mechanic anyone else has to pay to get in, also it could be a health and safety issue if too many people are in the confined spaces of the pits

I've see a crew cab van with six in it drive in no problem.

[Hamish McRaker 601]

13 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

In an ideal world, yes it would look good for a riders pits crew to look smart / wear similar attire if more than one. The simple question is who's going to pay for it?

Plus what happens if a mechanic falls ill & a one-off replacement is needed? Do they have to pay for spare uniforms (in every size) or ban the mechanic if he's not in the correct attire?

Maybe starting off by bringing it in for televised UK matches? BSPL buys a stock (or gets a supply at cost price from a manufacturer that can have its logo on the shirts) and the home club is responsible for giving them out. Then just make anything worn below the waist the responsibility of riders/mechanics but having to conform to the code?

Edited February 26 by Hamish McRaker
Spello

[Najjer 2,890]

Again, something we are already miles behind on in comparison to Poland. All clubs over there already have to do this and use a set template with league sponsors all positioned the same on each club’s shirt, along with their role and which rider they are representing. It looks very professional although probably not an essential, given some of the costs already facing teams in this country.

All this about limiting riders to only 1 mechanic and health and safety is a load of nonsense too.

[topaz325 1,859]

02.2.9 Pit Marshal To assist the Clerk of Course and specifically to: - a) ensure during a meeting (15 minutes before heat 1 until 15 minutes after the last heat) that only rider, mechanics and officials (including TV crews/press/photographers) who have signed the ‘Meeting Signing On’ form, with a duty may remain in the pits. Anyone under the age of 16, must be SCB Registered. b) report any non-compliance of: - i) non-smoking, vaping rules ii) riding in the pits area c) position all motorcycles in a manner that facilitates quick and easy identification d) ensure riders and motorcycles are marshalled in readiness for the following heat e) keep the pit gate closed at all times, especially during track maintenance and opened only to allow access to and ingress from the track for racing f) prevent unauthorised persons from entering or remaining on the infield or track during racing. In the event of a race stoppage permit

[Bagpuss 10,781]

43 minutes ago, Najjer said:

Again, something we are already miles behind on in comparison to Poland. All clubs over there already have to do this and use a set template with league sponsors all positioned the same on each club’s shirt, along with their role and which rider they are representing. It looks very professional although probably not an essential, given some of the costs already facing teams in this country.

All this about limiting riders to only 1 mechanic and health and safety is a load of nonsense too.

Yep, there seems to be a mindset that we never had all this stuff in the seventies when the sport was booming in the UK so why do we need it now? We are fifty years on now, the world, sport and speedway has moved on and anything that can be done to make speedway more presentable and professional needs to be put in place. It's not as if people are scratching their heads trying to think how, the template is there in Poland and has been for years.

The attitude over here is too much about cutting ones cloth too neatly sometimes, sensible speculation will lead to better accumulation in the long run with people who are currently outside speedway. 

[Najjer 2,890]

23 hours ago, Bagpuss said:

Yep, there seems to be a mindset that we never had all this stuff in the seventies when the sport was booming in the UK so why do we need it now? We are fifty years on now, the world, sport and speedway has moved on and anything that can be done to make speedway more presentable and professional needs to be put in place. It's not as if people are scratching their heads trying to think how, the template is there in Poland and has been for years.

The attitude over here is too much about cutting ones cloth too neatly sometimes, sensible speculation will lead to better accumulation in the long run with people who are currently outside speedway. 

Im just waiting for someone to give the argument about team suits being a bad idea because they can’t identify them or because it means they can’t show off their individual character…. Get with the times! 

[baxiboy 5]

On 2/23/2024 at 4:05 PM, Hamish McRaker said:

Is it time for anyone working in the pits at a speedway meeting, to be required to conform to a dress code? Black seems to be the best, but instead of heavy metal bands tour t-shirts, plain polo shirts with "pits crew" on the back, plain black trousers or long shorts, and black shoes& socks (NO flip-flops allowed).

If BSPL could find a sponsor whose logo could be added, then it should be able to supply most of this kit (except shoes) free of charge via riders and promoters. 

This would help to portray a better image when matches are televised and to new spectators.

From what I’ve seen I’m pretty sure Belle Vue pit staff wear hi viz vests with the Aces logo on & the clark of the course has a jacket with clerk of the course on the back? 

Edited February 28 by baxiboy
Spelling mistake

[StevePark 2,781]

5 hours ago, baxiboy said:

From what I’ve seen I’m pretty sure Belle Vue pit staff wear hi viz vests with the Aces logo on & the clark of the course has a jacket with clerk of the course on the back? 

I'm pretty sure it's a SCB/BSPL rule that all pit staff must wear hi-viz jackets/coats.

[Sings4Speedway 3,247]

On 2/26/2024 at 10:47 AM, tyretrax said:

I've see a crew cab van with six in it drive in no problem.

But where does the issue lay? Friends, family, sponsors etc are fully allowed to travel with a rider and ought to be fully prepared to pay on arrival if the numbers exceed the permitted mechanic/guest allowance. Surely the issue rests with the club rather than those who travel with additional well wishers?

[Fortythirtyeight 841]

On 2/28/2024 at 5:22 PM, StevePark said:

I'm pretty sure it's a SCB/BSPL rule that all pit staff must wear hi-viz jackets/coats.

There is nothing in the rule book regarding any officials clothing , only the riders.

However, it is advisable in their specific job description, for those old enough to have been staff from several years ago when such a document was available.

[tyretrax 2,253]

9 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said:

But where does the issue lay? Friends, family, sponsors etc are fully allowed to travel with a rider and ought to be fully prepared to pay on arrival if the numbers exceed the permitted mechanic/guest allowance. Surely the issue rests with the club rather than those who travel with additional well wishers?

You're not wrong.

[ONTWOMINUTES 124]

How many spare items of pit crew clothing would be available? Some of these mechanics will be doing four or five meetings a week at some points in a busy season, wear and constantly washing would need to be accounted for . 

[ArthurRudge 347]

Used to regularly go in the pits at Long Eaton and Bradford as a nipper/teen/adult