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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2014 17:36:45 GMT 12
Midway , you are spot on the mark with your comments ... Many have tunnel vision and very short memorys ...
Willie Kay dealt the hard nose approach to those that constantly slagged him off behind his back , the very same people who run the get rid of WK Campaign with their secret meetings and so on .
These people did Baypark no favours , considering they all live in the same city but chose to run the promoter and venue down.
What they weren't going to do with Baypark after WK was gone ..
Certainly cant see anything since to be proud of except a White Elephant that continues to struggle ..
There needs to be a reputable Promoter put into Baypark , and left to his own devices to run the show without any interference .
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Post by BarryB on Jul 30, 2014 18:30:18 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?  Not likely. I only know of two, but there may have been more. Let's do it on the terracotta, Barry B |
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Post by spdwayorthehway on Jul 30, 2014 22:12:53 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 Maybe they might need a late entry date |
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Post by nakifans on Jul 31, 2014 17:40:23 GMT 12
I think before these people who jump to Willie Kays defence , they need to look at his history.
If my memory is correct he got terminated at W/S and made a failed bid to run WP.
If this info is incorrect I'm more than willing to delete the post.
Willie has more speedway knowledge and history than probably any one else involved in the sport, but this does not equate to meaning you have personnel skills and this seems to be his big downfall.
The stadium has had a decline in both competitors and spectators from opening day to present but who or what is the cause of this is open to much debate and speculation.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2014 20:46:28 GMT 12
nakifans , I think it is only fair to defend Willie Kay , for a longtime the finger was pointed at him and casting the blame on him for Bayparks demise . In reality , there is nobody that has done any better before or after ..
People need to look at the big picture and try and workout why Baypark has always failed ..
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Post by sonic33 on Jul 31, 2014 22:17:57 GMT 12
nakifans , I think it is only fair to defend Willie Kay , for a longtime the finger was pointed at him and casting the blame on him for Bayparks demise . In reality , there is nobody that has done any better before or after .. People need to look at the big picture and try and workout why Baypark has always failed .. As per my previous post, was the way Willie dealt with people, competitors, and spectators the beginning of where we are now? Add a nice guy with a great CV with no speedway experience, and is it any wonder it has continued to go downwards. Possibly restrained by council and not been able to run it how he wants to, may be an issue. It is personal opinion whether it has got better since Willie went, but Roger took on a hard task with his experience. Now who would want to take it on for a year in the state that it is now, with next to no championships, competitors at their lowest, spectator numbers dwindling? Hopefully someone does. I suppose getting a hold of the financials shouldn't be to hard seeing as it is council owned. |
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jul 31, 2014 22:20:21 GMT 12
Memory plays tricks with the passing of time, and I accept often selective ...
BUT the initial years with Peter Harford at the helm I suggest were very good years overall for speedway in our city, with, for the most part, growing spectator and competitor numbers. Most race nights included a 'novelty' entertainment feature, Squarebush the clown rocked, and despite the $20 price tag the place grew, and all 20 meetings took place.
Classes included super stocks and streetstocks, saloons, super saloons, stock cars, sprintcars and mini stocks. Saloon grids number in the high 30's most nights and visitors were welcome in all classes.
With the arrival of Willie Kay came the departure of street stocks and super stocks, with visitors no longer welcome AT ALL in the saloons and frequently rejected and or shafted in the remaining classes. We all know of visitors travelling down from Auckland or up from the South having been approved to race, only to get 1/2 way and told they aren't required, go home. The BOPSA struggled to get their agreed remuneration, as did a few competitors, and were denied control of 'their clubrooms' and or any input into their sport. The track preparation was a non-event and the racing and spectators suffered.
As I said, memory plays tricks with the passing of time, but I'm think most of the above, if not all, is fact.
It is now time pause, to spend a season reflecting on 'where to from here', fingers crossed that whoever / whatever is going to manage this season, they do so without further eroding what was, could be again, an awesome, welcoming, speedway experience.
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Post by TrevG on Aug 1, 2014 4:24:18 GMT 12
The success or failure of any business depends on the decisions made by the person or people at the helm. Just a plain common sense statement. Baypark Speedway was the place to be running six or seven meetings over Xmas New year period plus the rest of the season.The old track just across the road from the new one was a story of a highly successful run business.Run by people who cared about their competitors and spectators and knew how to prepare a track on time ready for racing.In other words a competent and successful business with half the population we now have. In fact the facilities although improving all the time were nothing like the present facility is today.Another fact at the last meeting run at the old track the entry gates to the public were closed at aprox 3pm due to the place being totally full.Not sure of the numbers but obviously the place didn't hold the same as the new facility, but I am a little frustrated at the continual one eyed comments from one poster who claims Baypark has never been successful and that we are harassing one promoter, well don't the facts speak for themselves.To successfully promote a Speedway you have to be working a year ahead to bring in someone cold a matter of weeks before the season due to start means unless the person is a genius you will just get more of the same. It takes great people skills to run a successful Speedway, a fine balancing act between delivering what the public expect and what you can deliver, a certain amount of hype is good providing the spectators receive the vision anticipated. The spectators should leave the meeting with the feeling of "can't wait for the next meeting" and the competitors happy and visiting competitors and visitors made welcome and a personal thankyou to all who have travelled by the promoter wouldn't hurt either. A person with the skills to run Baypark would not be easy to find as that person is going to already be in a better position and is hardly going to give up that position to take on and try and build up a run down business with an unstable future and remuneration.It could be done but would take some time and then when he/she has succeeded what have they got to sell for their effort. The old saying "do what you always do and you get what you always get" How do you get back those people insulted by the arrogant attitude of those at the gate making people tip out their hot water of their thermos flask and people tipping out their drink bottles and havig their bags rummaged through looking for food . Some other tracks have polcies re glass and alcohol but carry out these tasks with a little diplomacy. As I have said it all starts at the top. At Baypark we have the best of the best, competitors, announcers, facility,Track surface is debateable would require some expert input. Just needs someone with the ability to put it all together.How many times have we been denied the main feature of the night due to "run out of time" yet we ran the filler classes. Makes those who have tavelled really happy and can't wait to come back and be robbed again.Answer have a program director who will make sure the feature event is run,after all hold ups happen due to various cicumstances, cut back on some other classes but to deny the paying public the feature event is in itself a stupid decision that doesn't have to happen.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2014 8:17:14 GMT 12
All valid points there Trev G , but where has Baypark gone since then. Certainly not upwards anyway .
I don't think it is fair that the blame for Bayparks demise is put on one person alone .
After the departure of WK the council members and all of the experts had all of the answers and what they weren't gonna do with speedway at Baypark.
Like i said , don't put the blame on one single person as the recent setup hasn't set Baypark on fire ...
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Post by BarryB on Aug 1, 2014 8:45:40 GMT 12
Getting the public in is obviously a big problem. Baypark puts on better racing in most of its classes, including the visiting Midgets, than any other track on many an occasion, but with smaller crowd numbers watching it (although there's often more there than one would think, as 2-3,000 at Huntly looks semi-full whereas 2-3,000 at Baypark leaves plenty of room for the tumbleweeds in the 18,000 seat venue) despite the facility and competitive gate price for such as meeting. I just don't understand......
Barry B
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Post by spdwayorthehway on Aug 1, 2014 11:34:01 GMT 12
I think the bigger issue is its not just a baypark problem, but a NZ wide one.
Looking at some of the videos of the season it has been good to see some racing of good fields at other tracks.
Then you notice spectator numbers, I have felt quite embarrassed for the tracks.
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Post by bryant16 on Aug 1, 2014 15:48:33 GMT 12
I do know of a person who has put in for the job, and that person has a wealth of experience in promoting racetracks in both Australia and America, If this person were to be successful i am sure he could get things back on track, it may take a few seasons but I am sure that if anyone can do it he can.
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Post by tank11 on Aug 1, 2014 17:53:42 GMT 12
Go on Barry, I know you're going to say it.
Oh no sorry, Ram Jam will.................
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Aug 1, 2014 20:18:23 GMT 12
All valid points there Trev G , but where has Baypark gone since then. Certainly not upwards anyway . I don't think it is fair that the blame for Bayparks demise is put on one person alone . After the departure of WK the council members and all of the experts had all of the answers and what they weren't gonna do with speedway at Baypark. Like i said , don't put the blame on one single person as the recent setup hasn't set Baypark on fire ...
Highrevz, you're talking mischievous crap
when you say, "... After the departure of WK the council members and all of the experts had all of the answers and what they weren't gonna do with speedway at Baypark." which begs the question, Why to you make up such stuff?
NO, as in zip, none, zero Council members, as in elected, had any input into the management of Baypark Speedway.
ASB Baypark is managed by a company (owned by Council) and elected members struggled to get basic information, and what they did get was confusing at best.
NO Council elected members, not myself nor Tony Christiansen, made any such assertions, promises.
The CCO has a Board and Club President Bernie Gillon was the rep and very much a hands on participant in all areas (as far as I can gather). I understand Roger had the benefit of other high rollers in his ear on an on-going basis. More recently the speedway rep has been Dean Waddell.
With the CCO ownership and the appointment of a Speedway Manager (Roger) we did find that visitors were no longer discouraged and 'new classes' were introduced to the spectators and facility. Personally loved the historic stock car chaps, vintage minisprints etc. The return of squarebush was a plus. The club were returned control of 'their club rooms'!
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Post by midway on Aug 1, 2014 20:24:06 GMT 12
Memory plays tricks with the passing of time, and I accept .
Yes not a truer sentence written by a ex councilor Mr Murray Guy aka granddad ,A high Court Judge would have to agree of such a confession made . |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2014 23:04:28 GMT 12
Go on Barry, I know you're going to say it. Oh no sorry, Ram Jam will................. I just bite my lip and shake my head. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2014 23:33:44 GMT 12
Murray Guy , You for one have stuck your nose into the running of Baypark right back to the WK days , either bagging and bring the place down or trying to promote the place after Wk,s departure .
I find it absolutely hilarious that after all of what was gonna be done to lift Baypark with the new ownership , only to see it is still a lame duck ..
Remember Murray Guy , it was you who was keeping everyone informed on this site as to where Baypark was heading under the new ownership and promoter . Now you claim to have nothing to do with it , werent you a member of the council..
Brain Fade , Memory Loss , something politicians and local government members are famous for..
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Aug 2, 2014 7:43:02 GMT 12
Highrevz, I did stand up and reject WK's treatment off folk, and today I still do the same as it impacts on some folk in our community.
In regards the 'most recent promotion', as I became aware of info, along with other locals, I shared it with those 'not so local'. That DOES NOT mean I was party to any decision making. It means I tried to my bit to support the place.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2014 8:10:11 GMT 12
..... Now you claim to have nothing to do with it , werent you a member of the council.. Brain Fade , Memory Loss , something politicians and local government members are famous for.. Im no expert - and so far Ive stayed out of this discussion because Im not a tauranga local... But to my knowledge and memory Murray shared info and opinions, but did not have any controlling interest in the place and he registered his own car to rotorua because there would of been a conflict of interest in any other route taken. You cannot say he has something to do with it now either as he is not even on the council anymore - so the little that he may have been able to do while on the council is now totally gone as well. difficult, obstinate, recalcitrant - you seem to pick on Murray alot more than any other member of this board. LOL!! |
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Aug 2, 2014 23:51:18 GMT 12
I do know of a person who has put in for the job, and that person has a wealth of experience in promoting racetracks in both Australia and America. If this person were to be successful i am sure he could get things back on track, it may take a few seasons but I am sure that if anyone can do it he can.
Speedway experience?
Certainly interesting. An opportunity to have an experienced operator without the local baggage.
NZ is such a small dot in the ocean!
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