Speedway NZ CEO - Ask Me Anything! (Read 32,759 times)

[Parrot]

Jan 13, 2014 18:24:11 GMT 12 TimSOZ said:

Parrot asked
1) How did Napier get approved for this title which is supposedly 1 of the top 3 speedway meetings of the year, when it was unable to fit more than 7,000 people safely. You cant be happy with what happened surely. It was a crowd safety issue when someone has to wait 30 minutes for an ambulance to be able to reach them from 400 metres away.

Meeanee successfully applied for and was voted in as the host of the 2014 NZ Superstocks to the 2012 SPANZ AGM. SPANZ were/are a separate organisation at the time, operating under their own set of rules and allocation criteria. SNZ only took responsibility for allocations from next season on.
Issues around crowds and first aid coverage are not Speedway NZ’s responsibility, as local government bylaws apply. However, that’s not to say we aren’t concerned about those kind of issues and would encourage all tracks to meet the necessary requirements.

Thank you for the reply. But you mention the necessary requirements. What are these?

[Tony]

As I am probably one of the 50 you referred to in the initial post Tim, may I commend you on engaging directly with those who criticise SNZ and aspects of the sport.

I commented the other day that competitors and promoters need one another. And both competitors and promoters need to enjoy an open, transparent relationship with the sport's governing body. Huge ups to you for letting that happen via this thread.

[286h]

hi Tim thankyou for taking the time out to create this thread i drive a std stock and my question is after being spun and facing oppisite racing direction i have sat and waited for a break in the traffic to move to turn around in the wrong diection and then subsequetly fined $50 i have argued the case with the ref to no avail and was told to read the rule book i have searced and cant find the appropriate rule it says no attacking from wrong race direction my saftey and that of other competitors is paramount i disagree with being told to reverse of the track when you are paralell with in field more dangerous than using forward gears in a safe manner dont forget we are strapped in these cars tightly faceing forward and feel this sort of seemed like revenue grabbing on a club night as i saw a few cars do this at the nz champs how many of these drivers were fined thanks glenn

[Ben Biggs]

And a question for you Tim - do you have any job vacancies at SNZ at the mo? LOL. Maybe a SNZ-Bluebridge Co-ordinator/Liaison Officer haha. Keep up the great work mate

[Graeme Mead]

Hi Tim, grateful for the opportunity. I have been reading many posts and blogs and think there some merit to many of the things said, so I have taken some bits from all of them.
I believe that there should be an audit document that is prepared and it should include:

Prior to any national event being granted there should be a season history check of accidents to the public and how they were caused
Track conditions that have been presented to the drivers, ( you can cope with "one off" challenges but I mean below par tracks)
Track infrastructure, who is doing what job and what experience do they have ( then SNZ can gauge the assistance and guidance they may need)
Public capacity and the ability to deal with the public and also capping the public entry to the venue allowances
Pits and service areas including toilets

Once the event has been allocated there should be an on-going checking system leading up to the event that ensures it is "on track" to get everything in place.
If the track isn't measuring up SNZ can then bring someone in from their team to help them get is back on track
If there are problems with the ELS during the season, it can be checked and rectified.

There are many other things but there seems to be a gap between what the drivers and public want and what is delivered, SNZ must be driving the requirements, we all seem to know what is required, heck there are pages of suggestions, but I think there needs to be a base to work from to get it right. We don't need a task force or an investigation, I think it just needs to happen as there are enough skilled people out there that would help is asked.

So therefore my question is: will this type of process be considered as a means of helping the sport develop.

[kwikchange]

Hi Tim, Big ups on the thread.....

My questions to you is a bit long winded so I will try and keep it brief,

It relates to the NZ Super Saloon just held and how Referee's/Championships need far better consistency.

3rd Heat NZ super Saloons, back markers are coming around to get the green after an orange light, Usual story back markers end up in a concentina effect after some mid to rear baulking and two cars become involved in a racing incident ( I say this as I believe there was no deliberation intention of contact.) After the Race before points were relegated/changed we had 4 cars possibly 5 tied on points for a run off.

From this incident, one driver (Driver hit) advised by another protests the Driver (Driver who tagged) regarding the incident....Now it's common knowledge the referee did not see this incident, The driver protesting took a witness with him who was also a competitor in the same championship and the decision to relegate was made.

The witness & tagging driver were both at the time supposed to be in the run off......

My 1st question? to you is, Are the referee's looking out for any possible conflict of interest in fairness to all parties involved with the protest?

My next question? Should a witness be used when they are in the same Championship and there is a possibility his account of what happen could/would better his bid in the Championship? Or any other driver in the championship act as a witness when results could be changed.

My last question is, With the introduction of track grading, should the sport and in particular our premier classes be looking at Championship grading to match? eg Formats used, Prizemoney Structures, Travelling Officials, minimum promotion expectations, etc

Thanks Tim

Looking forward to your answers

[Jays]

Good on you Tim for the opportunity. I thought long and hard and limited it to one question so here goes

When will Mad Martys Superstock be finished?

Cheers

[TimSOZ]

Fearless wrote:-
However after attending NZ Supers at Meeanee there need should be some guide lines. Maybe a team of SNZ to review a plan before the championship is run advise on concerns. If the ground can hold 7000 people thats fine but the spectors must be safe and comfortable and amemidies available.

SNZ’s rules around NZ title allocations are as follows:-
M4-2-5(b) Track Grading for New Zealand titles only
(i) All facilities must be able to accommodate the crowd, competitors & associated vehicles pertaining to their championship being held.
(ii) If night racing, good lighting for track, pits, toilets and carparks (lighting not necessarily permanent). In the event of inclement weather or other exceptional circumstances this may be waived or amended in part by the unanimous decision of the Promotion, Stipendiary Steward if in attendance, or Steward of the meeting, Clerk of the Course and a class representative of the class competing, bearing in mind the following 3 factors- Safety of the competitors, safety of spectators and the better promotion of the event
(iii) 2 toilet blocks / 25 toilets minimum, sufficient lighting and all in good working order (2 disabled person toilets).
(iv) Grader, welder, water truck and appropriate vehicles depending on the class racing.
(v) Running water in pits.
(vi) Electronic lap scoring, fully operational and with competent personnel operating the system (N/A for Sidecars or Solos).
(vii) Competent marshalls, track staff, announcers and PA system for crowd and pits
(viii) Health and safety in place and operating
(ix) Fire crew, crash crew, medics and appropriate vehicles in the infield. (Including specialised infield personal depending on the classes racing).
(x) Adequate ticket boxes, entrance way and signage.
(xi) Adequate results board – with plenty of room around it for checking of results.
(xii) Fully operational website / media releases process.
(xiii) Championship log book to be implemented and filled out.
(xiv) All amenities and grounds of the facility must be in presentable condition.

In all seriousuness, which of those would Meeanee have failed to achieve prior to the meeting? I'd suggest none of them. Any other issues are currently outside of SNZ’s scope, but that could change it the members want it to.

[gazman]

Tim,,

Since this topic has been very topical recently, my question/s are:

Did you attend the NZ Superstocks at Meeanee?

If so , do you expect there will be any changes suggested for future championship meetings with regards to (1) Spectator amenities (2) Track prep ?

[TimSOZ]

PirateRacingNZ asked:-
Two years ago at the 240's a driver had a flat tyre and driving slow during qualifying. No biggie, he then pulled in the infield one lap before the white flag was shown. I wrote DNF. After the race completed, he was awarded eight points for the race when other non finishers did not. This put him into the final as he was close in points. Jump to this years NZ superstocks. One driver was put up the wall and obviously ended up a lap down, it showed on live laps. He was awarded points for where he would have been if he didn't lose the lap. I understand that in classes with high field numbers it can be hard, but why can this happen?

It’s really hard to comment on specific issues when you don’t name names. However it is worth noting that a referee signs off race results, not points. Points are the domain of the Clerk of the Course/track.

Why can't all tracks connect to live laps. I go to the events and view it as I am there for two reasons, one, you can't hear commentary at most tracks, two since most don't have big screens to show lap data, I can keep a better eye on what's happening for my personal interest. Why can't all track have minimum commentary delivery systems to actually be heard, even fm transmitter or web based so don't have to rewire track.

Speedway Live is a private organisation, who have approached tracks individually. We are currently trying to work with them to try and reach some kind of nationwide arrangement. Speedway NZ is the NZ agent for the Dorian ELS system and we want to provide an enhanced service to maximise the benefit to speedway stakeholders. So I guess the answer is “watch this space”

Why do major meeting dates clash?

Simply because there are more major meetings than there are weekends over summer, and they are inevitable. Speedway NZ has 52 allocated titles, which means there will be at least an average of two per weekend, and that’s without counting all the other big events. This is one issue that can never be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

[TimSOZ]

Mordecai: why is it that if you cause the red light your off surely this rule could be changed to more of a safety caution and going by your rules if you cause the stoppage your off the very first red light on qualifying as they were walking over to the car the driver waved them away and he was aloud to carry on

Yes the rule could be changed at the 2015 AGM by the voting delegates from Stockcar and Superstock tracks. In the meantime, when a vehicle is the primary cause of an emergency stoppage, it is not eligible to restart (R12-3-37).

[TimSOZ]

Jan 13, 2014 18:47:08 GMT 12 Skorp said:

Has Speedway New Zealand put much thought into making use of social media (Facebook, Twitter) to provide results and updates for those stuck at home during the big titles? This could also be a way to keep people informed of why a competitor is removed from a race.

At this stage each track does its own thing, and Western Springs are probably the only track in the country who provide this service regularly along the lines you are suggesting. Having said that they run the AMB lapscoring system so can’t utilise the Speedway Live system, like many others do.

Personally, I’m not sure people would appreciate their newsfeed being bombarded by around 100+ posts in an evening when there are 5 allocated titles running. And the resources to undertake the task would mount up quickly. Having said that, we are working on some initiatives that could provide this service to interested stakeholders.

[Skorp]

Thank you for the reply Tim. I am pleased to hear that SNZ are working on something, even if its not quite what I had in mind.

Thanks again for taking the time for do this, AMA's are always interesting. Now for a none speedway related question (you did say "ask me ANYTHING"), do you prefer Pepsi or Coke?

And one last question, this time speedway related, what is your favourite speedway class?

[Parrot]

Do you feel that having the SGP at Western Springs has been beneficial for the sport of solo racing in NZ?
And do SNZ have any plans to raise the profile of the class, or to support bike riders, such as a scholarship, so that NZ can maybe have a rider in the SGP in future?

[TimSOZ]

helmetgirlpn asked:-
Why isn't checking of helmets and belts mandatory at every meeting in the country for classes or at least for NZ championships like NZ's and NI SI GP? It's a safety issue that highly needs to be dealt with. Was appalled when I heard they weren't checking at meeanae for NZ's.

The requirement for belts to be checked was removed from the rules in 2009. The discussions revolved around the need for competitors to take personal responsibility for their own equipment, rather than transferring responsibility/liability to either SNZ or a track volunteer.
Helmet standards have been an area where there has been a rapid improvement, and SNZ has introduced an annual stickering system to avoid having to disassemble helmets at every meeting signin to verify that they conform to the required standard.

Is it possible to get a set team of stewards and the like to run each of the NZ's to keep it consistent?
Ie same team to do NZ NI SI and GP

As mentioned earlier, a proposed rule change to that effect was rejected in 2003.

And why isn't there set weekends for NZ titles? This season had all the big meetings lumped together and should be spread out more. If SNZ set a specific weekend for each NZ title then there would be no nonsense from tracks picking when to run the event. Wouldn't just help the public but also the drivers and people who work at the speedways around the country.

Set weekends just wouldn’t work, as each track needs some flexibility for their local entertainment market. Imagine if we had rules stating that the NZ Midget Champs had to be held this weekend, which is when Western Springs hosts the Big Day Out. They’d never be able to host the premier event of the season for their main class, due to the venue being unavailable.

[mordecai]

Hello Tim could you please tell me if its true apparently due to a flat right rear, and the "new rule" that was brought about by the spectator injuries at Meanee last week.

[TimSOZ]

Andre asked:-
1: how do u become a referee

First step is to get nominated by a track. Second step is to have your nomination approved by the SNZ Board and the third step is to attend our annual Referees training. The Head Referee at each track must be Speedway NZ Level 1 trained.

2: are there specialist teams racing referees( if so how are they selected)

There are Senior Referees who are considered our go to Stockcar and Superstock officials, and all of them are considered for teams events. Rod McNaughton has officiated at more teams events than anyone else by far.

3: when will referees accept video footage or be equiped with playback capability to help erase the bullnuts calls they make

As mentioned a couple of times, there was a remit put forward at last years AGM which was not successful.

[TimSOZ]

Jan 13, 2014 18:59:31 GMT 12 pfloyd said:

Is there a template/list of guidelines available to tracks holding SNZ title meetings and what is done by SNZ to ensure that all is in place prior to an event being held ?

I've answered this a couple of times (its obviously a hot topic lol), and yes there are criteria in Speedway NZ's rules.

[bill75]

Andre asked:-
1: how do u become a referee

First step is to get nominated by a track.

.............................................................................
Do you think this is a problem? We have officials that make calls to save their jobs, and this has happened a few times which im sure your aware of Tim. To show complete transparency should the officials that carry the SNZ badge and wear the SNZ uniform apply to SNZ to become an official then be positioned at tracks by SNZ? All too often we see decisions being made or not made due to the fact that they want to keep their job at that track........your views Tim.

[jimmyj]

Tim I totally agreee with what bill 75 has said to you about stewards and referies being told what to do by either clerk of the course or the promoters .I can't believe why the snz officials did not take action and stop the meeting of the superstock title at Meeane from what has been posted by many in attendance that night .What does it take another fatality at a speedway before they put a stop to what sounds like a very dangerous race track.There were a number of people taken or made their own way to hospital.

The media just thrive on that sort of stuff

The question I asked previously just brings to light of how much it happens about how friendly you are with the stewards or refere

The law is 95 decibels maximum not 103.So tell me why was he allowed to continue.Made the wrong call I reckon like most others,or in fear of loosing his job more to the point.

I realise that you are here to sort out what people want to happen in speedway but they (stewards and Officials need to be held accountable more than making their own rules to suit promoters).

Your job as c e o is hard but you seem to at least have a go because man it is WAY WAY overdue ,And to be a good c e o you need to answer questions BLACK & White no grey areas.That is mainly what the public want true straight answers ,not maybe or sometimes .

MEN IN HATS have a look in the mirror Cause not all but a few are no where near the mark at the moment especially at Western Springs it is like a circus full of clowns.

My opinion is video should be allowed because the refs can not and DO NOT see everything.Sat night the ref said he did not see what happened .//Is he for real.Will the ref from sat night at super saloon champs get stood down and re accessed because he for 1 needs to //

Rant over
Lyndsay Adams