British GP’s Belle Vue Fri/Sat 13th/14th June

[Odds On]

12 minutes ago, False dawn said:

All that you say is true.
However, it can't be good that some fans did not get into the temporary stand until heat 5. This was despite a large reduction in the security checks being carried out at about 6:30.
And although I didn't try them myself, massive queues for food and drink doesn't please a lot of folks. Mark Lemon pulling pints is commendable but hardly a good advert for the behind the scenes organisation.

But what a speedway meeting? The racing was breathtaking in many races. I was there and I can't remember a meeting with so many close races. And given the uncertain weather forecast the track staff are to be applauded (Phil Morris did come over to track staff on the 3rd bend after the meeting and did appear to give his thanks).
It's hard to see how tonight's meeting can top that. But hey, I'll be glued to my TV (can't be there in person).

fully agree with you, my post was purely about the racing,

[Tim Templeton]

I haven't read all of this thread, so I may be repeating comments already having been made.

I thought that the FIM President may have given the Lord Mayor of Manchester the honour of presenting Dan Bewley the winners trophy, rather than runner up.  He seems to dominate the presentations in other branches of motorcycle sport, such as MotoGP, World Superbikes etc.  Letting local dignitaries in on the occasion would help the profile of speedway in that area.  

[scaramanga]

more important topic 

whats weather like in Manchester today 

thunders storms further north with enough rain in 5 mins to flood a track for couple of days never mind the lighting thats just struck a tree out my backs 

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

20 minutes ago, Odds On said:

bang on the money with this post....get a track that's raceable and that will attract people, the other add ons regarding visiting local areas etc will be an added bonus...

Can you explain why belle vue crowds have been poor this year cause as you say the racing is exceptional ?

[SUPERACE]

3 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

And why did Cardiff attendance go up for first few yew years before dropping off ? I’ll give you a clue it’s nothing to do with the track or racing 

Because it was new, but it didn't hold them, now considering the off track experience didn't change then it's clearly not the driver for getting the crowd in.  Also remember BV wasn't a replacement for Cardiff, the event fell over due to financial issues.  

[midlandred]

On the recent British Final thread….

On 5/13/2025 at 9:02 AM, Steve Shovlar said:

Completely forgot this event was taking place. Just watched it this morning. First impressions. Did they forget to advertise it? Virtually no one there. A real issue. Belle Vue have hosted the British Final for quite a few years now and clearly the locals don’t want it anymore. They simply can’t be arsed to come out. Time for the event to come further south or try a different venue.

More rubbish from Mr Shoveller about last night on a similar line to that above - the old boy has really lost it, or…. he takes us all for (word not allowed on here).

 

[Happy Hunter]

I've asked the BBC why they haven't reported on last night's meeting!

[midlandred]

3 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Can you explain why belle vue crowds have been poor this year cause as you say the racing is exceptional ?

TV and streaming, by any chance?

[Odds On]

1 minute ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Can you explain why belle vue crowds have been poor this year cause as you say the racing is exceptional ?

no idea promotion maybe or maybe just speedway in general in the UK??....can you explain why crowds were rapidly descending at Cardiff?

[ShanoXtra]

17 minutes ago, R87 said:

No it doesn't.  The only thing speedway fans are interested in is the racing.  Nobody cares about the build up, having meals or what museums are in the area.  Belle Vue is the only place in this country worth watching speedway in 2025.  The previous venue was a total embarrassment between 2001 and 2024.  End of story.

I have to call you out on this one. You can’t say ‘nobody’ just because you don’t, a lot of people use this as a weekend away to see a new city, especially people from around the world and not just UK. It does make a different to have nice food / drink / build up for atmosphere. SGP is a bigger picture, it should be a festival of a weekend away, for locals who tell the story of Belle Vue being the best track and the best racing it’s something they will defend with honour, and I agree 100% it’s the best racing we have and probably will see this racing calendar. But for some people they would choose Cardiff simply because of the ‘experience’ and there isn’t a right or wrong choice because it’s people personally preference. Also to say ‘Belle Vue is the only place to watch speedway is 2025’ is pretty poor and short sighted and show that you haven’t seen much speedway elsewhere live. Everyone from Ipswich and travelling Sheffield fans would beg to differ after Thursday’s meeting which was miles better than some league meetings I’ve watched at Belle Vue. I would suggest every year for Belle Vue to have a SGP but also SGP to hold another, if possible, at a stadium in UK like London stadium (West Ham) or back to Cardiff if possible so people get a choice. Saying all of that I am very much excited for tonight’s meeting again and loved last night so I’m not hating on NSS at all. It’s a shame they couldn’t get a 5 year contract for a SGP guarantee and then use that money to join the two stadium together instead of the temp stand.

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

Just now, midlandred said:

TV and streaming, by any chance?

Certainly doesn’t help but ultimately not the reason

[Col]

Can someone local give us an idea of the weather, the forecast is dreadful but then the forecast was dreadful for here and it's bright sunshine.

I'll have to start making my way there middayish to find a parking spot.

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

3 minutes ago, Odds On said:

no idea promotion maybe or maybe just speedway in general in the UK??....can you explain why crowds were rapidly descending at Cardiff?

Yes because the organisers scaled back massively the entertainment and moved the main focus away from town center, as I said in an earlier post if you had bothered to read Cardiff had run it’s corse and needed a change but belle vue wasn’t it unless the organisers made an effort and actually created a small village maybe on the fields opposite the track with stalls, beer tents, bands or whatever but made it an event not just a meeting 

Edited Saturday at 09:46 AM by THE DEAN MACHINE

[gjcone44]

they lost the younger generation about 30 years ago.

[Sir Sidney]

52 minutes ago, Dodger Blue said:

For those of us in the East stand I think we can say a superb race meeting but a complete shambles of organising it.

I was in the East Stand.  Whilst I don't wish to minimise the problems some people had, I suffered none of those.

In early, fed and watered with no queue, used loos and went to seat. No problems. 

So many sporting events have issues with getting food and drink during the event, so that's not unique to Belle Vue.

That said, Belle Vue need to ensure today that everyone gets in on time, and preferably the PA works.

But far from a shambles from my point of view. Ask me again later to see if I have a different view after tonight 

Edited Saturday at 09:57 AM by Sir Sidney

[Rob B]

9 minutes ago, Col said:

Can someone local give us an idea of the weather, the forecast is dreadful but then the forecast was dreadful for here and it's bright sunshine.

I'll have to start making my way there middayish to find a parking spot.

Forecast isn’t dreadful, all the forecasts are for 50% chance of showers up to 4pm. That’s 50% chance there may be one, 50% chance there isn’t, could hit could miss. There was some overnight rain but been dry all morning so may. Maybe a shower around lunchtime.

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

I suggest all those who disagree with my points make a point of attending BSB weekends or the darts or even Weston beach race and see how they attract and entertain the masses which keep coming back year after year

[Chrisdonnelly]

12 minutes ago, Col said:

Can someone local give us an idea of the weather, the forecast is dreadful but then the forecast was dreadful for here and it's bright sunshine.

I'll have to start making my way there middayish to find a parking spot.

5 mins from track. Overnight rain. Had nothing since 6am, currently dry , overcast but sun has been poking through 

[soupy]

1 hour ago, Steve Shovlar said:

lol I genuinely forgot it was on. To make it worse I was in Sutton Coldfield until 3pm and then drove back to Poole. I would easily have headed to Belle Vue and watched it live had I remembered it was on. Loads of empty seats so no issue in getting a ticket. 

Think Today is sold out(Saturday)

[Odds On]

8 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Yes because the organisers scaled back massively the entertainment and moved the main focus away from town center, as I said in an earlier post if you had bothered to read Cardiff had run it’s corse and needed a change but belle vue wasn’t it unless the organisers made an effort and actually created a small village maybe on the fields opposite the track with stalls, beer tents, bands or whatever but made it an event not just a meeting 

why did they scale back because it was making a loss, why was it making a loss despite all the razzamatazz you so openly believe is much needed?...simple, the vast majority of the paying public who went were not entertained for the main reason in going in the first place...make the product entertaining and the rest is a bonus.