Workington v Edinburgh 16/08/2025 6pm.

[drew2]

Enjoyed our first visit to Northside and as like someone said before reminded me a bit of the Oak Tree Arena in terms of the setup. Great setup and viewing all round, well done to the promotion.

Racing wasn't great as track was slick and only real pass on the outside I can remember was in the 125 race! Grahn did get round the outside off bend 2 in ht15 though to complete an impressive evening for him.

Nice to have a chat to Dan Bewley as well plus the kids both got pics with him. My son enjoyed the kids race too, not as busy as the Coliseum version he is used to but still good.

Probably the only thing I'd say was disappointing was the lack of contact available with riders in the meeting both before and after. Certainly plenty of space to do this there, maybe we are just spoilt at Plymouth with the access they afford.

Overall an enjoyable night with a couple of knowledgeable locals to chat to alongside me (a few accent issues though!) and i'd certainly like to come back in the future although it's a long way from Somerset!

[SteelShoe]

Nice to read the complimentary views of first time visitors. It was a lovely evening for speedway but the exceedingly dry weather has made life difficult for the track staff. Comets managed to find something that worked in the second half of the meeting to send the Comets fans home happy.

Big shout out to Jye Etheridge for riding through the pain barrier.

Three of the Monarchs rode below their averages and we were fortunate that Victor only scored the one point after his 15 in the KOC clash. 

Thanks to the Monarchs fans who made the journey and best of luck for the playoffs.

[topaz325]

6 hours ago, SteelShoe said:

Nice to read the complimentary views of first time visitors. It was a lovely evening for speedway but the exceedingly dry weather has made life difficult for the track staff. Comets managed to find something that worked in the second half of the meeting to send the Comets fans home happy.

Big shout out to Jye Etheridge for riding through the pain barrier.

Three of the Monarchs rode below their averages and we were fortunate that Victor only scored the one point after his 15 in the KOC clash. 

Thanks to the Monarchs fans who made the journey and best of luck for the playoffs.

Agree , Jye going above and beyond the call of duty to ride yesterday and scored some good points .

 

Edited 6 minutes ago by topaz325

[singy13]

1 hour ago, drew2 said:

Probably the only thing I'd say was disappointing was the lack of contact available with riders in the meeting both before and after. Certainly plenty of space to do this there, maybe we are just spoilt at Plymouth with the access they afford.

Overall an enjoyable night with a couple of knowledgeable locals to chat to alongside me (a few accent issues though!) and i'd certainly like to come back in the future although it's a long way from Somerset!

Yes the beauty of Derwent Park is the 1,000 seat grandstand with bars underneath which post meeting was well attended by riders and fans alike. I believe there is a bar at Northside above bends 1 and 2 ??? - not been to it.

I had a good chat with a Somerset fan who, with his family, was on a tour of speedway stadiums. What a great way to enjoy summer hols.

Also beside me was a geordie on first visit to the track. he was less than complimentary - calling it "a gaters paradise"....oh well it's hard to please everyone I suppose.

[A.N.Other]

2 hours ago, drew2 said:

Enjoyed our first visit to Northside and as like someone said before reminded me a bit of the Oak Tree Arena in terms of the setup. Great setup and viewing all round, well done to the promotion.

Racing wasn't great as track was slick and only real pass on the outside I can remember was in the 125 race! Grahn did get round the outside off bend 2 in ht15 though to complete an impressive evening for him.

Nice to have a chat to Dan Bewley as well plus the kids both got pics with him. My son enjoyed the kids race too, not as busy as the Coliseum version he is used to but still good.

Probably the only thing I'd say was disappointing was the lack of contact available with riders in the meeting both before and after. Certainly plenty of space to do this there, maybe we are just spoilt at Plymouth with the access they afford.

Overall an enjoyable night with a couple of knowledgeable locals to chat to alongside me (a few accent issues though!) and i'd certainly like to come back in the future although it's a long way from Somerset!

I am curious about your "lack of contact with riders" comments ?  As far as I know, after the meeting, fans can enter the pits via the side/rear entrance and chat to the riders packing their gear up ?  Before the meeting, I think there is too much activity to allow the public in the pits, although I appreciate this happens at other venues. But I am sure that the next time you visit, make yourself known to Andrew Bain. Tell him you are a visiting fan, and knowing Andrew, he will personally arrange for you to have a wander round the pits as long as its not too near race time.  You can also chat with many of the riders outside their vans as they are loading up to go home. The constant hot weather at Northside is causing problems with keeping the track moist. I think Steve Lawson spends HOURS and HOURS watering it on each race day. But that often isnt enough. One of the reasons given for moving to a 6pm start was that the track preparation would be easier. But that hasnt been the case so far.  Glad that like so many other fans, you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you here again.

[A.N.Other]

1 hour ago, singy13 said:

Yes the beauty of Derwent Park is the 1,000 seat grandstand with bars underneath which post meeting was well attended by riders and fans alike. I believe there is a bar at Northside above bends 1 and 2 ??? - not been to it.

I had a good chat with a Somerset fan who, with his family, was on a tour of speedway stadiums. What a great way to enjoy summer hols.

Also beside me was a geordie on first visit to the track. he was less than complimentary - calling it "a gaters paradise"....oh well it's hard to please everyone I suppose.

There is hardly ever a negative comment from a first time visitor to the GT Tyres Arena. But the constant hot weather of late, has played havoc with keeping the track damp !  This (often in the first half) makes it a "gate and go" circuit. But by the commencement of the 2nd half there is usually enough water put on the track to make it FAR more exciting racing..believe me !  I think Steve Lawson spends HOURS and HOURS watering the track on each race day, but sometimes it still isnt enough.  Yes the bar at Derwent Park was a fantastic asset, and many of us have spent happy times talking to riders there. In my opinion it is something that is sadly missing at Northside. But Andrew Bain has spent huge amounts of money getting other features installed, and crowds are lower than he would like this year. It would be great if a "proper" bar with draught beer and comfortable seats could be provided for next season. but only Andrew will know if we can afford that facility ?

[kevcfc]

I tend to agree with the gaters paradise comment, certainly for the majority of this season. The excitement has come from the closeness of the meeting scores, most of the passing is done by turn 2 lap 1 and getting round the outside of anyone turns 3 & 4 has proven virtually impossible. This hasn't always been the case, yeah you couldn't do it on lap 4 because the start/finish line comes up to quickly, but you could get the nod into turn 1 on previous laps. 

Still, I've enjoyed most meetings, we've had some nice weather which has been great for watching, just maybe not quite as good for track prep. I do think the track has the potential to produce better racing than it has lately, and it proved that last season. 

[bellevueace]

2 hours ago, A.N.Other said:

There is hardly ever a negative comment from a first time visitor to the GT Tyres Arena. But the constant hot weather of late, has played havoc with keeping the track damp !  This (often in the first half) makes it a "gate and go" circuit. But by the commencement of the 2nd half there is usually enough water put on the track to make it FAR more exciting racing..believe me !  I think Steve Lawson spends HOURS and HOURS watering the track on each race day, but sometimes it still isnt enough.  Yes the bar at Derwent Park was a fantastic asset, and many of us have spent happy times talking to riders there. In my opinion it is something that is sadly missing at Northside. But Andrew Bain has spent huge amounts of money getting other features installed, and crowds are lower than he would like this year. It would be great if a "proper" bar with draught beer and comfortable seats could be provided for next season. but only Andrew will know if we can afford that facility ?

As regards the gate and go track some people dont understand the impact conditions like yesterday bring for the track staff, no matter what the track these type of conditions make track prep really challenging. You only have to look at it to see this is no way a gate and go track, it was created purely for racing and is one of the best in the country in my opinion.As for the proper bar well who is to say in time there wont be something similar to what Somerset had on the first bend?

[Neila]

Regarding the track, I was talking to Steve lawson prior to the meeting   he told me that as of 2pm they was that much water on the track that the truck/tractor were just picking the shale up on the tyres, so it's a big balancing act to get it right. Unfortunately the dry weather is due to continue so track prep will be difficult again

[Blue Groove]

3 hours ago, A.N.Other said:

There is hardly ever a negative comment from a first time visitor to the GT Tyres Arena. But the constant hot weather of late, has played havoc with keeping the track damp !  This (often in the first half) makes it a "gate and go" circuit. But by the commencement of the 2nd half there is usually enough water put on the track to make it FAR more exciting racing..believe me !  I think Steve Lawson spends HOURS and HOURS watering the track on each race day, but sometimes it still isnt enough.  Yes the bar at Derwent Park was a fantastic asset, and many of us have spent happy times talking to riders there. In my opinion it is something that is sadly missing at Northside. But Andrew Bain has spent huge amounts of money getting other features installed, and crowds are lower than he would like this year. It would be great if a "proper" bar with draught beer and comfortable seats could be provided for next season. but only Andrew will know if we can afford that facility ?

Derwent Park was within walkable distance for a lot of people living in town, not the case with Northside where most will now be driving to get there, so I don't think a bar would be top priority.

[Neila]

19 minutes ago, Blue Groove said:

Derwent Park was within walkable distance for a lot of people living in town, not the case with Northside where most will now be driving to get there, so I don't think a bar would be top priority.

🍺😝 🍺 oh it is 😁

[SteelShoe]

3 hours ago, kevcfc said:

I tend to agree with the gaters paradise comment, certainly for the majority of this season. The excitement has come from the closeness of the meeting scores, most of the passing is done by turn 2 lap 1 and getting round the outside of anyone turns 3 & 4 has proven virtually impossible. This hasn't always been the case, yeah you couldn't do it on lap 4 because the start/finish line comes up to quickly, but you could get the nod into turn 1 on previous laps. 

Still, I've enjoyed most meetings, we've had some nice weather which has been great for watching, just maybe not quite as good for track prep. I do think the track has the potential to produce better racing than it has lately, and it proved that last season. 

Wonder if  the riders have influenced slicker track prep? . 

I believe the outside line could be roughed up more for next week, certainly Tate hasn't been as effective on the slicker surface. Quality of racing has to be the main priority because that provides the entertainment but it is also important to win your home meetings. Sometimes you change track conditions and your own riders find it more challenging than the opposition so it becomes counter productive.

Recent meetings have been on hot breezy days with high evaporation rates which haven't proved easy to mitigate against. I have noticed with the later starts that by the end of the meeting  moisture starts to come back from the ground which coupled with watering at grading breaks has helped.

Bomber will utiluse any outside line on Saturday 😃, this has the potential to be the best meeting of the season so the track needs to be a fitting stage with our boys really up for it.  UTC !