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Post by admin on Aug 30, 2016 11:36:38 GMT
My only gripe is that there are times where it's too slick, for various reasons. Generally I think that it's fine (could always be improved) but is a bit of a smokescreen for underperforming riders or those not up to the job. The EoES just isn't condusive to slow lower league riders.
Top riders have to accept that they'll not get a consistent circuit at the EoES, they have to be prepared for that and adapt on the day as Rathbone has said.
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Aug 30, 2016 12:03:23 GMT
My only gripe is that there are times where it's too slick, for various reasons. Generally I think that it's fine (could always be improved) but is a bit of a smokescreen for underperforming riders or those not up to the job. The EoES just isn't condusive to slow lower league riders. Top riders have to accept that they'll not get a consistent circuit at the EoES, they have to be prepared for that and adapt on the day as Rathbone has said. Personally I think this year the tracks been awful, it hasn't produced the racing it has in the past and it's been clear over the last month or so it's just getting worse. Material wise I don't think their is much on it, complaints have been made that it's mainly dust but it's clear it's needed addressing for a while. The supporters club have purchased some clay mix and hopefully some of that will be added this week for next Sunday's double header against Rye House and Workington. |
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Post by davet on Aug 30, 2016 15:55:10 GMT
Don't understand why nothing has been done. I seem to remember that we were told fresh shale was going to be added to the track before the fours, but, if it happened at all you wouldn't notice! Looking back to the Frost years, when the racing was generally excellent, with several racing lines, the blade was brought out in the interval to pull the loose shale from the fence and redistribute it over the track, and there was so much of it compared to today!
I just don't understand how Ged has been quick to attend to team matters when deemed necessary, but has failed to address the problem with the track, even though he has clearly been aware of it for some weeks. Not intended as a criticism of Ged, who is and has been good news for the club, but I'm sure the poor home form and processional racing has done nothing to improve crowd levels.
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Post by chrise on Aug 30, 2016 17:48:16 GMT
Don't understand why nothing has been done. I seem to remember that we were told fresh shale was going to be added to the track before the fours, but, if it happened at all you wouldn't notice! Looking back to the Frost years, when the racing was generally excellent, with several racing lines, the blade was brought out in the interval to pull the loose shale from the fence and redistribute it over the track, and there was so much of it compared to today! I just don't understand how Ged has been quick to attend to team matters when deemed necessary, but has failed to address the problem with the track, even though he has clearly been aware of it for some weeks. Not intended as a criticism of Ged, who is and has been good news for the club, but I'm sure the poor home form and processional racing has done nothing to improve crowd levels. Absolutely spot on observation. I cannot remember seeing the blade being used during a meeting in recent times. |
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Post by davet on Aug 31, 2016 16:13:04 GMT
Good to see that "extensive work" has been carried out on the track this week. I'm a little confused though, because Ged has also said that "So much new shale has gone onto it in recent weeks that a lot of layers and big ruts have appeared as a result....". Where is all this new shale, as the track looked as bald as a coot on Monday.?
Can't help but wonder if the tyre packing has been overdone somewhat. I've rarely seen it used during a meeting before, but it appeared almost as often as the grader on Monday. Would be good to see a layer of loose, damp shale on the track on Sunday
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Post by admin on Aug 31, 2016 20:32:34 GMT
ON THE RIGHT TRACK (peterboroughpanthers.co/news Wednesday August 31, 2016)
PETERBOROUGH have carried out extensive work on the East of England Showground track ahead of the biggest day of their season. Panthers entertain Rye House (2.30pm) and Workington (5pm) in a must-win double-header on Sunday (September 4). Ged Rathbone hopes to provide his new-look team with the best possible surface.
Rathbone said: "Our track curator Dean Wyers and his staff carried out a lot of work on the track yesterday. "So much new shale has gone onto it in recent weeks that a lot of layers and big ruts have appeared as a result. "It has become very unpredictable for the riders and we've now tried to make it as smooth as possible for Sunday. "Work will continue throughout the week with a lot of water going onto the base of the track to make sure it is in the best condition we can get it for 30 massive heats of speedway."
Seen it, done it and got the t-shirt, as has Tetley:
TRACK preparation was high on the agenda at Peterborough Panthers fans’ forum at Ebeneezers with club management in agreement that a more consistent surface is needed next season.
Panthers came under fire after their Elite League Play-Off semi-final defeat by Coventry at the Showground and also following the KO Cup semi-final reverse against Poole due to the contrasting track surfaces.
Team manager Trevor Swales admitted Panthers management got the track preparation wrong against Coventry but revealed all seven riders turned down the opportunity to practice on it ahead of the meeting.
He said: “All the guys were offered the chance to practice but felt there was no real need. You can bring a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
“But we accept the blame for the track that night. We should have taken the loose shale off.”
peterboroughtoday/sport/speedway/fans-forum-consistent-track-is-vital-for-panthers 22 Oct 2010
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Post by davet on Aug 31, 2016 20:55:36 GMT
Yes, I realise I'm banging my head against a brick wall, and if they do provide a raceable track on Sunday it will probably confuse the Panthers as much as the opposition! I know little about the practicalities of track preparation, but I do know that the EOES track provides excellent entertainment when it's well prepared, and to my eye that means a good covering of damp, loose shale. The tyre packed effort on Monday looked smoother than many roads - just needed a white line down the middle - despite all the new shale that's been added, and provided processional racing with little in the way of passing. Just hope they can sort it out!
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Post by admin on Aug 31, 2016 21:15:35 GMT
Yes, I realise I'm banging my head against a brick wall, and if they do provide a raceable track on Sunday it will probably confuse the Panthers as much as the opposition! I know little about the practicalities of track preparation, but I do know that the EOES track provides excellent entertainment when it's well prepared, and to my eye that means a good covering of damp, loose shale. The tyre packed effort on Monday looked smoother than many roads - just needed a white line down the middle - despite all the new shale that's been added, and provided processional racing with little in the way of passing. Just hope they can sort it out! It wasn't a go at you. Anyone can comment about what gets their goat as many times as they wish. I think that it's a combination of cost, personnel, expertise and preparation time allowed by the EoES. There seems to be less effort during the meeting these days compared, for instance, to the Frost years, perhaps for similar reasons. People didn't like the tractor racing but in hindsight I think that they'd accept it for a better race track. Scrap the interval and make a bit of grading the natural breaks during the meeting. That always seemed logical to me  |
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Post by davet on Aug 31, 2016 21:40:35 GMT
Didn't take it as a go at me, Riggers. I just get frustrated that Ged is so good at arranging team changes when needed and yet has allowed the team to race on a poorly prepared track all year. The fact that they have gone to the trouble of adding fresh shale with no apparent improvement makes it worse! I am convinced that, if the track had been properly prepared from the outset, the team changes may not have been necessary (although I could be wrong!)
As regards grading, when I first went to speedway in the 60s the grader came out after every race - just a single lap each time - and caused virtually no delay as it had completed its lap by the time the result had been announced. Not always appropriate I know but possibly a more sensible norm than the present system which seems to have been arranged to coincide with Sky commercial breaks rather than need!
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Post by admin on Sept 2, 2016 22:10:58 GMT
Bjerre says:
“I was having a look on the internet the other day and I couldn’t believe it when I saw how many home meetings Peterborough have lost this season.
“That never used to happen and I know there have been a few issues with the track. The Showground does not need to be too rough or too grippy.
“It just needs to be smooth and then we can ride it flat out, just like it was in 2010 when I broke the track record a few times.”
peterboroughtoday/speedway/panthers 1/9/16
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Post by davet on Sept 3, 2016 7:29:18 GMT
Trouble is, Bjerre senior has always been a gate and go merchant. A fast track doesn't always result in good racing - far from it. I don't remember the occasion, but I bet he was about 100 m in front of the next rider when he broke the track record. More racing lines and more passing please!
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Post by admin on Sept 13, 2016 6:20:06 GMT
I haven't really bought into the track debate because out of their depth riders is more of an issue for me. However, after looking like a decent well prepared circuit at 7.15 it didn't race like that, how the heck did that happen. Yes the winning times were quick but overall it wasn't great. Apart from K Bjerre at this level, anyone can win a race and quickly follow it with a duck egg. It even turned Lasse Bjerre dull and if I was making a list of targets then I'd have crossed him off, although he's not a no1 so perhaps unfair to judge as such. What continues to be scary is riders chasing the ever wider dirt line coming off the 4th turn. I expected someone to get it wrong, collect the fence and fly into the seat next to me. Where has any inside grip gone?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2016 6:32:04 GMT
I haven't really bought into the track debate because out of their depth riders is more of an issue for me. However, after looking like a decent well prepared circuit at 7.15 it didn't race like that, how the heck did that happen. Yes the winning times were quick but overall it wasn't great. Apart from K Bjerre at this level, anyone can win a race and quickly follow it with a duck egg. It even turned Lasse Bjerre dull and if I was making a list of targets then I'd have crossed him off, although he's not a no1 so perhaps unfair to judge as such. What continues to be scary is riders chasing the ever wider dirt line coming off the 4th turn. I expected someone to get it wrong, collect the fence and fly into the seat next to me. Where has any inside grip gone? I was only saying last night just don't what happened to the track regarding the inside ,it says it all when bjerre was in 2nd soon as he came of the same line as heeps looking for a different line it was I cant pass and lost ground , when he was obviously so much faster , |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Sept 13, 2016 7:45:11 GMT
I haven't really bought into the track debate because out of their depth riders is more of an issue for me. However, after looking like a decent well prepared circuit at 7.15 it didn't race like that, how the heck did that happen. Yes the winning times were quick but overall it wasn't great. Apart from K Bjerre at this level, anyone can win a race and quickly follow it with a duck egg. It even turned Lasse Bjerre dull and if I was making a list of targets then I'd have crossed him off, although he's not a no1 so perhaps unfair to judge as such. What continues to be scary is riders chasing the ever wider dirt line coming off the 4th turn. I expected someone to get it wrong, collect the fence and fly into the seat next to me. Where has any inside grip gone? Not many of our riders were chasing the dirt on the first and second bend, K Bjerre rode the inside line as he always does as did Richard Hall and the two reserves on more occasions than not. It really has showed up recently how some of our team don't appear to have any interest in riding out wide, HEEPS certainly showed Kenneth where the right line was. |
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Post by admin on Sept 13, 2016 8:14:54 GMT
I haven't really bought into the track debate because out of their depth riders is more of an issue for me. However, after looking like a decent well prepared circuit at 7.15 it didn't race like that, how the heck did that happen. Yes the winning times were quick but overall it wasn't great. Apart from K Bjerre at this level, anyone can win a race and quickly follow it with a duck egg. It even turned Lasse Bjerre dull and if I was making a list of targets then I'd have crossed him off, although he's not a no1 so perhaps unfair to judge as such. What continues to be scary is riders chasing the ever wider dirt line coming off the 4th turn. I expected someone to get it wrong, collect the fence and fly into the seat next to me. Where has any inside grip gone? Not many of our riders were chasing the dirt on the first and second bend, K Bjerre rode the inside line as he always does as did Richard Hall and the two reserves on more occasions than not. It really has showed up recently how some of our team don't appear to have any interest in riding out wide, HEEPS certainly showed Kenneth where the right line was.Which is part of the problem, there only appears to be one. Didn't the geezer on the mic say that Heeps didn't panic and just rode his line, which is the only line in reality. If you don't panic and don't move off that line then you're unlikely to be passed. |
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Post by Bigcatdiary on Sept 13, 2016 9:22:57 GMT
Not many of our riders were chasing the dirt on the first and second bend, K Bjerre rode the inside line as he always does as did Richard Hall and the two reserves on more occasions than not. It really has showed up recently how some of our team don't appear to have any interest in riding out wide, HEEPS certainly showed Kenneth where the right line was.Which is part of the problem, there only appears to be one. Didn't the geezer on the mic say that Heeps didn't panic and just rode his line, which is the only line in reality. If you don't panic and don't move off that line then you're unlikely to be passed. Well I wouldn't say their was only one line but the quickest one after a few heats has always been the outer run by the air fence , I remember the Sullivan v Crump races and if Sullivan got their first even Crump didn't get by. I have often asked why riders don't use the wide line and have been told it takes balls to ride flat out by the fence, it's been interesting this year how many of our visitors have taken to that line. Having watched racing at the Showground for a few years (47) to be exact it's clear to me and several others including some the management I have discussed it with that riders do better at Alwalton f they ride either the inside or outside, mid track invariably gets you nowhere and yet some of our riders still persist in riding it, and we're getting nowhere. |
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Post by admin on Apr 16, 2017 20:33:11 GMT
peterboroughpanthers.co/news 16/4/17
Rathbone added: "He was one of many riders to come unstuck on a track which I felt was far too grippy.
"It's clear from speaking to people at Ipswich that they changed the way the track was prepared due to the fact they were riding against us.
"I guess that is a back-handed compliment in some ways, but I could never sacrifice the standard of racing served up in that way.
"We certainly won't do anything different to our track tomorrow. We'll have the same fair surface as always with the aim of producing exciting racing to entertain what will hopefully be another big crowd."
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