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Post by Speedway Central (David) on Jul 17, 2014 10:17:03 GMT 12
Does the Community & Council want the speedway to continue, if not scrap the place. Then us out of towners will take our $$$$$$ somewere else.
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Post by BarryB on Jul 17, 2014 11:24:50 GMT 12
Does the Community & Council want the speedway to continue, if not scrap the place. Then us out of towners will take our $$$$$$ somewere else. You need to include the competitors in that as well David. It's not just about the community, the council and you. Let's do it on the terracotta, Barry B |
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jul 17, 2014 12:25:55 GMT 12
Think they should just take a deep breath, take the pressure off, appoint a promotion person/team for ONE season and use the time to have meaningful discussions with the club, competitors, surveys of the spectators and general public ... then launch into the following season from a more researched platform for the future.
This has never happened. Always used the rush, no time argument. Not the most stupid idea I've ever read on here.......but where do you find a person/team prepared to give up what they have now take on something from now until the end of April '15 (9 months) before being tossed back on the scrapheap? Let's do it on the terracotta, Barry B
Barry, the City of Tauranga, our sport, has a huge wealth of experience sitting mostly untapped, and mostly willing to contribute their knowledge, skills and attributes voluntarily - but for the fact that we have a few who would rather put our sport at risk, our most amazing facility at risk, in an effort to boost their own ego!
We could pull together an most amazing management / promotions team specifically to undertake a 'one season' contribution.
I know, okay, I'm guessing, Barry Brown would be willing to be part of such a team with a helliva lot to offer!
We all know of folk who, like Barry, have excellent skills in a variety of areas critical to running a successful venue, many unappreciated and mostly under utilised!
I can think of a couple of SNZ officials, the cream, who I am sure would contribute to ensuring the on track race experience was the best.
I can think of a few 'track prep folk' that I'm sure, given the right conditions, would mentor and support to our mutual benefit.
.... and the list goes on.
It's okay to dream... 
Critical being, 'the right people, in the right place for the right reasons'!
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Post by midway on Jul 17, 2014 21:36:29 GMT 12
[quote author=" BarryB" Not the most stupid idea I've ever read on here.......but where do you find a person/team prepared to give up what they have now take on something from now until the end of April '15 (9 months) before being tossed back on the scrapheap? Let's do it on the terracotta, Barry B[/quote] Well the thinkers not with blinkers ,could,not agree more ,Amazing how you can slip down the plug hole ,and come up smelling of roses . |
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Post by nakifans on Jul 18, 2014 8:12:51 GMT 12
As one who attended the opening nights and went away from the weekend thinking this is the no1 nz track in all aspects and have attended mtgs on a irregular basis since but from opening night to present have noticed a steady decline in competitor no's and spectators.
The facilities are still the same high standard one that Bill Clarkson built so the problem can't be the facilities so we have to look seriously at the past track management and what have they done so wrong to cause this decline in both competitors and spectators.
As a youngster we would crawl over broken class to be at the Mount for the New Year meetings held at the Bay Park circuit,[circuit racing] to hear the roar of V8's and see drivers from across the ditch and further afield. That is now history but with the new speedway facilities couldn't they go down the xmas/new year path that was such a draw card in years gone by, v8's, surf etc etc.The no's must be around just need the attraction to get them thru the gates.
The track has suffered very badly over the years in their treatment of out side competitors, either putting up obstacles for them to attend or if they do attend, late and low payment.
The track is by design hard on machinery, if there is a weakness in the motor or running gear it will show up there, but competitors enjoy racing on the best track in the country when the surface allows.
Two people that come to mind for a quick fix and lay the foundation for the future and have proven management skills and speedway at heart are, Murray Guy and Bernie Gillon.
Both live locally already which has to be a bonus, the last two were from out of the region and while that is not a bad thing, time is short and they need to hit the ground running as the end of Oct is just around the corner and a lot needs to happen before the flag drops.
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Post by BarryB on Jul 18, 2014 9:20:56 GMT 12
Some good points there nakifans. The last two promoters were from out of the region, but both moved there and to my knowledge both have remained and intend to remain in the region. They were not running it by remote control from afar. I agree with your point on Xmas shows, and have always dreamed that a round of the WS International Midget and/or Sprintcar Series could be held there, but politics more than anything else seem to prevent that from happening. Certainly EVERY visiting international that has spectated at Baypark (which is most that have travelled over in recent years) has expressed a strong desire to race BP as well, but they have not been allowed to. Most of the visiting Midget drivers wanted to hit the BP clay in a winged Sprintcar.
Barry B
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Post by nakifans on Jul 18, 2014 12:31:18 GMT 12
Yes Barry B, from boxing day to Ak Anniversary day a Thunder By The Ocean series with all class's involved with pulling power, eg, midgets, sprintcars, supersaloons, super stocks, modifieds etc.
To get the young caps facing to the back brigade thru the gates, before the meeting starts things like Bands, Miss Mount, Miss Bikini etc. There must be plenty of side shows that could be put on for little cost that will get the young ones thru the gates that other wise wouldn't attend and hopefully gain some new regulars to speedway.
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Post by midway on Jul 20, 2014 13:40:08 GMT 12
The best of ,baypark has gone ,for a new promotion to take over and pick up the pieces that are left will be a hard road to follow ,its not simple like a,b,c , The cost of running, such a place without competitors is enormous ,and really who wants that in this day of age ,money invested for that alone as promotion ,is far better spent enjoying other things . Also now that the council has a vested interest in the place ,it seems just after a short while there has and is too many fingers in the pie . Competitors will always choose which track they prefer ,and its there right to do ,so ,.. So who ever takes it on ,the best of luck to them ,but remember Rome wasnt built in a day . MIDWAY ROCKS |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2014 16:18:48 GMT 12
Have to agree with you Midway .
Been quite a while since anyone was able to make BP work .Certainly doesn't have a good financial history ,so cant see anyone with a bit of knowledge wanting to touch it .
Sad really .
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jul 28, 2014 15:53:57 GMT 12
Any body heard what's happening, who has put in a bid ....
... other than the Jet Sprint boats which have got January sown up for the next few years, further eroding the opportunities for speedway meetings and economic viability?
Sunlive news click re: JET SPRINTS TAKE OVER BAYPARK
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Post by Admin on Jul 28, 2014 18:37:27 GMT 12
They're sure talking it up in that Sunlive article , I reckon they've almost got themselves convinced it's going to fly.
Be interesting to see whether it turns out to be a splash in the pan or not , also be interesting to know how much ratepayer dosh has been spent/committed to secure the event.
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Post by craige on Jul 29, 2014 6:55:20 GMT 12
have heard a whisper willie kay has been approached
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Post by sonic33 on Jul 29, 2014 8:59:02 GMT 12
have heard a whisper willie kay has been approached I had heard the same. I am picking he would want a "right to run the speedway, and pay the council for use of venue" deal, rather than a becoming an employee of council with a salary. He probably hasn't spent the last pay out he got from the buying out of his last contract. Time ticks away, and October gets closer. Needs input from local people with local speedway history. A certain local banana seller in a big yellow shop springs to mind. I don't think it will work as an employee of council salaried position ( especially if the person has a flash CV and no speedway experience), and not sure the council will look down the private promotion road, as that didn't work well for them last time. Not throwing blame at either party here. Possible stale mate with little time to sort. I have always been a big fan of Bay Park due to it's facilities, car numbers, and classes run, but must admit I have looked to travel and miss some of the local shows the last couple of seasons. Here's hoping someone can bring it round. I see being council owned as a massive obstacle to deal with. Anyone got enough cash, and speedway knowledge to buy it off the council? |
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jul 29, 2014 20:42:26 GMT 12
have heard a whisper willie kay has been approached I had heard the same. ... I don't think it will work as an employee of council salaried position ( especially if the person has a flash CV and no speedway experience), and not sure the council will look down the private promotion road, as that didn't work well for them last time. Not throwing blame at either party here. Possible stale mate with little time to sort. Willie did the approaching.
In regard the last private promotion, as far as the City Council was concerned their was NO specific issue with the speedway promotion company (Willie) but rather an issue with the contract and agreement the former City Council CEO had put in place. The agreement/lease, in effect, gave the speedway promotion company the right to the Baypark property, total control over it, boundary to boundary for 20 weeks out of 52. The City was spending $41 million on an event centre on site and didn't want the potential of being told NO access for 20 weekends! So they bought the agreement to promote speedway off Willie.
It was NOT the intention of Council to continue to promote speedway but as we know with Council staff, others and egos, they hate giving up positions of influence and the perceptions power!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 21:49:16 GMT 12
Nobody is really justified in saying that Willie Kay wouldn't be a prime candidate to take the reigns again , when you take into consideration that those who took over after him haven't done such a startling job..
Would like to be a fly on the wall when the financials of the Speedway side of things is looked at ...
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Post by midway on Jul 29, 2014 21:58:40 GMT 12
Werent you one of them recently ,nothing could go wrong ,but it did ,now it seems you are pointing the finger at your old mates in the council Mr Guy .The boot seems to be on the other foot now ,and while poor old Willie was there ,didnt you high tail it off to Rotorua, memories are a little short for some ,but not for the ratepayers who now seem to be lead up the path by who Yes your old council . |
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jul 30, 2014 10:53:19 GMT 12
Werent you one of them recently ,nothing could go wrong ,but it did ,now it seems you are pointing the finger at your old mates in the council Mr Guy .The boot seems to be on the other foot now ,and while poor old Willie was there ,didnt you high tail it off to Rotorua, memories are a little short for some ,but not for the ratepayers who now seem to be lead up the path by who Yes your old council . Unsubstantiated rubbish. The Elected Members (other than the Mayor) had NO input into the speedway activity and even less reports that you could rely on regarding it's management and financials. The issue with Councils and control relates to staff, NOT the Councillors. Have no idea what you are referring to when you write, '...and nothing could go wrong'. Have always been concerned at the failure of promotion folk to meaningfully communicate and get feedback from spectators and competitors. This applies to most speedway venues. There is no such person as 'poor ol' Willie'. He treated many folk, competitors, officials spectators with total disrespect / contempt at times, with many choosing not to play in his sandpit, spend $20 to watch him in it. |
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Post by sonic33 on Jul 30, 2014 12:50:45 GMT 12
I had heard the same. ... I don't think it will work as an employee of council salaried position ( especially if the person has a flash CV and no speedway experience), and not sure the council will look down the private promotion road, as that didn't work well for them last time. Not throwing blame at either party here. Possible stale mate with little time to sort. Willie did the approaching.
In regard the last private promotion, as far as the City Council was concerned their was NO specific issue with the speedway promotion company (Willie) but rather an issue with the contract and agreement the former City Council CEO had put in place. The agreement/lease, in effect, gave the speedway promotion company the right to the Baypark property, total control over it, boundary to boundary for 20 weeks out of 52. The City was spending $41 million on an event centre on site and didn't want the potential of being told NO access for 20 weekends! So they bought the agreement to promote speedway off Willie.
It was NOT the intention of Council to continue to promote speedway but as we know with Council staff, others and egos, they hate giving up positions of influence and the perceptions power!
As I said, I wasn't blaming either party or going into specific's, but the outcome was the private promotion ( due to what ever agreement was in place ) came at a great cost to rate payers as such, and if a debrief was held the situation would not be looked at as a successful outcome, all be it, a necessary one. Hence suggesting they may not look down that road again as it didn't work well for them last time. The buy out attracted public criticism last time and signing up for a similar deal may be frowned upon. Also with your comments re how Willie treated people was that the start of where competitor numbers, visitors, and spectators started to fall away? At the end of the day what will happen at BP will happen , but at least we will have a very expensive shaggy dog statue to look at on the Strand. |
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Post by BarryB on Jul 30, 2014 14:01:33 GMT 12
As I understand it, whatever is put in place for 2014/15 is only a one season deal (although it may, of course, carry on after that). Expressions of Interest only closed on Sunday night, but I imagine it wouldn't take long to go through them if there were only two........
Barry B
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Post by sonic33 on Jul 30, 2014 14:13:50 GMT 12
As I understand it, whatever is put in place for 2014/15 is only a one season deal (although it may, of course, carry on after that). Expressions of Interest only closed on Sunday night, but I imagine it wouldn't take long to go through them if there were only two........ Barry B Is that Willie and Barry Brown? |
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