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Post by mordecai on Jan 13, 2014 18:35:59 GMT 12
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. 2) Specific incident regarding walling. Bryce Steiner never stopped and was there for at most 20 seconds before dropping onto all four wheels. 2 other cars were walled for over 2 minutes before the lights went on. Why? Bryce dropped down off the fence a split second before the red lights were activated, and as the cause of the stoppage was rightly removed. Regarding the other un-named cars, 2 minutes would be around 6 laps of racing?? I’m sure no car was up the wall for that long, so I can’t comment further. 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 |
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 18:38:24 GMT 12
anyone can now submit a rule change, as anyone can become a member of Speedway NZ (its $40 per year and you get discounts on Bluebridge ferries and at Steel & Tube). Look forward to receiving your membership application….and remit! Danged if I can see that on the SNZ site , but then my sight aint what it used to be. Perhaps a heads up on how people go about that could be in order.
www.speedway.co.nz/asp/payment.asp
We haven't advertised it greatly, are still feeling our way. But now there are significant discounts available with two partners, its a must and I'm sure we'll up the promotion of it. |
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 18:45:51 GMT 12
Mikeyb said:-
Track quality seems to be talked about a lot at the moment. Yet I attend a track where, no matter what the main class, the track seems to hold up really well. What guidelines and assistance does SNZ give to tracks about preparation and has there been any thought given to having a set of best practices? Or is the variation due to local dirt conditions the major factor?
No track gets it right all the time, but the vast majority don’t have major issues. However, a couple of high profile events become affected and all of a sudden everyone has a valid opinion! Track surface has previously been the domain of promotions, but I get the feeling SNZ will have a more active role to play in the future to ensure some form of standard is met. The role of the governing body is to step up when required, and clearly the knowledge transfer between tracks on this topic would be a great subject for the new Promotional Team (formerly SPANZ) to get their teeth into in the coming months.
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Post by Skorp on Jan 13, 2014 18:47:08 GMT 12
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.
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 18:53:44 GMT 12
Tony t said:-
Following on from theothermikeyb's observation about video, and with the incident at Woodford Glen earlier in the season between Dennis Bolt and Mark Osborne in mind, what role do you believe there should be for video evidence in referee's or steward's rulings (both initially, and after the fact), and if you believe it to be valuable, what will you do to try to implement it?
My feelings on the topic aren’t relevant, as the collected opinion of the delegates at the 2013 AGM is all that counts. A proposed rule change allowing video footage was rejected, so it cannot be used officially at the track.
It’s always been allowed at Appeals however, and would you believe my mother’s footage (Mrs Wiseowl?) was used waaaaay back in 1990, in a Super Saloon case that ended up going to court.
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Post by helmetgirlpn on Jan 13, 2014 18:54:37 GMT 12
Hey Tim,
I have a few questions for you.
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.
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
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.
Thanks
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Post by plody on Jan 13, 2014 18:57:17 GMT 12
Hi Tim
Great thread and good on you for fronting up i have a couple of questions regarding referees!
1: how do u become a referee
2: are there specialist teams racing referees( if so how are they selected)
3: when will referees accept video footage or be equiped with playback capability to help erase the bullnuts calls they make
Cheers
Andre Stenson
Stockcar 5H
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Post by pfloyd on Jan 13, 2014 18:59:31 GMT 12
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 ?
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 19:07:44 GMT 12
Rhodestra enquired:-
1 - Just because Im curious - When new rules come out during the racing season, why is there sometimes no warning period before implementation? {this is mainly regarding the saloon shocks change - it was a change effective immediately despite requests for a warning period by the tech committee}
Each instance is decided on by the Board on its merits. Sometimes the decision is effective immediately, and other times there is a lead in. It depends on many factors, such as health and safety, the number of vehicles affected etc. Your assertion regarding the Saloon Tech Committee is a big claim to make (I was on the conference call so am aware of what was discussed, and the recommendations they made).
2 - Why do some tracks get away with regularly providing poor and/or dangerous racing surfaces? will there ever be a set standard racing surface for tracks to reach before they can hold an event that is of a high profile? - especially when there are internationally acclaimed racers visiting said track?
See the previous answer to Parrot. However, I would make the point that excessive wet weather prior to a meeting will make a difference, and its up to the track to convince the Speedway NZ Steward that the surface can be managed.
3 - When SNZ officials are at an event - is there a system in place to make sure they are not abusing or cannot undermine the authority the organization is trusting them with? {ie; making very suspicious calls or showing clear favoritism during a title event}
I’m not sure this is a major issue, and officials do not act on their own at any rate, as they have a team of assistants to use as a sounding board. However, if this did occur I would have thought the protest mechanism would be adequate in most cases during the meeting itself. Afterwards, we do conduct the post-title review mentioned earlier, and most issues do tend to come to our attention.
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srr
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Post by srr on Jan 13, 2014 19:12:36 GMT 12
sorry tim not a question in last post. how can we get to a level ground where it is not snz v competitor as I think there is a growing division between the two. wrong calls will be made money is paid, video proves the other way. do you think speedway will sharpen up the gap between professional and amateur as I think the sport is at that point!
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 19:17:57 GMT 12
Hello Tim Will there be any action taken over the track for the NZ Superstocks in Napier? The track was dangerous for the viewing public with masses of clay striking the public during racing. It was really fortunate that a member of the public was not seriously hurt or even worse.
Obviously after the qualifying night SNZ sought assurance from Meeanee that there wasn’t going to be a repeat. As it turned out, they were able to produce a fine surface. I’m sure far more people than just SNZ will be watching them in the future to ensure they continue in the same vein.
If further action was to be taken I wouldn't be able to say, as it would be subjudice under SNZ's rules. |
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 19:21:47 GMT 12
Hi Tim What are the chances of SNZ teaming up with big companies to sponsor and help promote the sport? Thanks |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 19:22:03 GMT 12
Hi Tim.....a few questions.
Firstly, Do you have an update on the spectators injured at the recent NZ Superstock Champs, and what role, if any, has SNZ had in their recovery?
On the topic of the NZ Superstock Champs, will there be an official apology to the competitors/spectators, made public by SNZ or the club over the track conditions on the first night? If not, why not?
As with a lot of sports, volunteers are essential, considering the gate takings for a national title meeting reaches into the many tens of thousands of dollars over a two day meeting, why are officials including referees not paid? This way if an official, lap scorer or referee etc made inconsistent calls, they could be fired and a replacement fills the vancancy, which would surely promote more consistency, and professionalism, as per any job throughout the country.
When will the issue of prizemoney be adressed also? Tracks are allowed to vote on who gets to hold a national title, should the prize pool not also be set to a higher standard, as often the amount of money on offer for NZ titles appears relatively small compared to gate takings at the event.
Thankyou for your time Tim.
Richard
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 19:29:08 GMT 12
What i would like to see is you and others who work with you,put the sidecars with 1060cc engines back out there can you do that thanks.
Speedway NZ’s sidecar engine rules were aligned with the world governing body (the FIM) a number of years ago. This enabled competitors to race at the (now defunct) official world champs without making major changes to their bikes.
Having said that, Sidecar rules can change at any time, so a request from a member to increase engine size would be given due consideration by the Motorcycle Speedway sub-committee and the SNZ Board. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 19:30:27 GMT 12
Youth Ministock stoppages have long worried me. The red lights come on and there are some horrendous nose to tail crashes often far more serious than the cause of the red lights. I personally would like to see orange lights, maybe for anything other than a roll over, and single file restart. So basically saloon rules,
Now the clincher
It might be considered a racing rule and only be able to be changed by the proper remit proposal but I consider it a safety issue and should be able to be changed under that guise if the powers that be were of a mind to.
Sorry for the clumsy question but could that be a "thing" and if so how can it be changed ?
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 19:43:01 GMT 12
jimmyj asked:-
#1 is,// Why is it that at western springs this year where we have a big noise problem a visiting driver from America was shown the blackboard to retire from the race due to noise (103db)but then was allowed to carry on.Deffinately double standard as several NZ drivers have had to pull off for noise,.Referee's decision to let it go .
Not sure of the incident you refer to (if like me you weren't there its fairly broad), but sound is under the control of the Steward, not the Referee.
#2 is,//Why at a NZ title like what we have just had in Auckland for super saloons the referes will not accept video footage of an incident on track between cars that will later cause major errors in terms of points and overall results for championship place getters
See earlier post – the rules do not provide for it
#3 Western Springs again (sorry) Does the head referee have the capacity to stop a race meeting because the track is to rough.If so why don't they ??or is it the clerk of the course or the promoter
Rule M5-3-7(e)The Steward may declare a race or meeting concluded or completed, if in their opinion it would be unsafe for it to continue or is in breach of SNZ rules. They will consult with the Clerk of the Course prior to making the decision.
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Post by TimSOZ on Jan 13, 2014 19:45:24 GMT 12
Hi Tim Fantastic thread, thanks. Why is it that we are able to complete on line licensing etc, but are unable to move toward individual on line remit voting? Cheers, and good luck keeping up!  |
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Post by jimmyj on Jan 13, 2014 19:48:16 GMT 12
thanks for your time
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34T
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Post by 34T on Jan 13, 2014 20:01:21 GMT 12
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 ? Tim, The above post is valid and one that should be addressed especially for the tracks where many of the original experienced committee members have moved on leaving new chums to run a championship. The recent NZ Super Stocks at Meanee for instance appeared to need help in this respect. A "How to Run a NZ Championship" guideline book with check sheet of to do's and not do as well. The majority of tracks do a great job of running the premier events so input from several of these experienced people would go a long way. Ray |
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Post by meeaneemic on Jan 13, 2014 20:18:33 GMT 12
All I would really like to see is perhaps a little more consistency with ref calls and perhaps some sort of connection between the refs and the commentary box so then people in the stands can hear and then understand why certain calls were made? That comminication between the referee and the commentary team - especially at major meetings - is somethingI would like to see made compulsary. Can SNZ put forward a remit at the next Remit Conference to that effect, for the members to vote on? I don't spectate very often, and when I do it is only at major events, the ones where everythnig is on the line and you want to be able to follow it. There is nothing worse than not not being able to understand what is going on. Many people are born into speedway and accept things the way they are "because that's how we've always done it". Tim obviously isn't one of those people, but as somebody that came from a non-speedway background myself, I'm testament to the fact that the more you understand it the more fun it is, and eventually a non-believer can become a speedway junkie. Turning casual fans into true speedway fans should be one of our objectives, and every track can play a part in that....but it will likely take a nudge from SNZ to make that happen. Well done on the thread. Barry B Spot on Barry. A link from Ref to commentators would be a huge help and add value to a meeting. |
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