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Post by Admin on Mar 1, 2015 11:17:43 GMT 12
With all the groaning about the live feed and some of the racing and officialdom dramas I think one important aspect is being overlooked and that is that the Rotorua club did a mighty fine job with this meeting.
Number one achievement was getting 14 teams to attend including 4 from that 'other' island. My gut feeling is that we're unlikely to see that happen too many times in the future.
Number two was attracting a massive crowd along for a look .
Neither of the above happened by accident, many years of building a reputation for running great meetings obviously also helps.
The running of the event on both nights was flawless, the time keeping and the commentating great (even if a bit judgmental at times lol) and for the most part we knew what was going on behind the scenes. Despite the massive crowd I'm fairly certain most if not all would have had a good view of the racing.
The decision to continue with night one despite the deluge in the late afternoon was also the right one for both the drivers and the fans.
The format of the teams racing worked well as did the consolation races format. I was grateful for the Ministock races too, a bit of time for a breather and time to reflect and digest the action from the main event.
Really both nights were fine examples of a well run speedway with no unnecessary wasted time so well done to all involved.
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Post by cookster on Mar 1, 2015 11:26:39 GMT 12
I agree with the above. It sure is a well run outfit. Well done to all involved with the organising
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Post by BarryB on Mar 1, 2015 11:46:50 GMT 12
That consolation format was a winner, born, I believe, about 3am Saturday morning. The crowd really got behind ALL of the teams, and yes, it could be awhile before we see 14 teams again I suspect. Years of a growing reputation is what allowed Rotorua to do that. It's the behind the scenes work that makes Rotorua so good, so we'll done to all of the unsung heroes.
Barry B
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2015 12:48:55 GMT 12
Agree with all of the above , outstandingly run meeting and a credit to all involved. This meeting takes a lot of beating ..
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2015 15:53:15 GMT 12
agree all in all good meeting, unfortunately few little issues I saw , nothing worth discussing in public, but I have emailed the club with a little bit of constructive feedback that I hope doesn't get brushed aside
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Post by speedwaykitty on Mar 1, 2015 16:20:14 GMT 12
Yes, I found it was a good run meeting, something for everyone & every team.
The consolation races were awesome, and definitely kept the ground entertained.
Unfortunately, I do have to disagree with you on one point Macgor ( and this is my opinion).... Apart from Mintie & Barry B, I was rather let down with the commentary. After all the hype, I was expecting a top class commentary, but did feel that the main commentator kept dredging the same thing up eg, pole cutting. I did get to the point where I was trying to ignore his commentary, and just listen to Mintie & Barry.
Please do remember, as stated above, that is my opinion.
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Post by fearless on Mar 1, 2015 16:40:22 GMT 12
Really good meeting,would be one of the best meetings I have been to. All the drama of the the night put some feeling into the crowd. Was awesome to feel the buzz from the crowd all night. thank you Rotorua for a awesome Stockcar Teams Finals
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2015 17:06:48 GMT 12
Yes, I found it was a good run meeting, something for everyone & every team. The consolation races were awesome, and definitely kept the ground entertained. Unfortunately, I do have to disagree with you on one point Macgor ( and this is my opinion).... Apart from Mintie & Barry B, I was rather let down with the commentary. After all the hype, I was expecting a top class commentary, but did feel that the main commentator kept dredging the same thing up eg, pole cutting. I did get to the point where I was trying to ignore his commentary, and just listen to Mintie & Barry. Please do remember, as stated above, that is my opinion. Dunno if im right , but one got the feeling that at time the commentary went on repeating some incidents and asking for replays on the big screen . It kind of looked like they were trying to draw the referees attention to certain infringements , which I thought was totally unfair .All decisions should be left to those in charge. A bit like line umpires in rugby ... |
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Post by BarryB on Mar 1, 2015 17:23:39 GMT 12
Yes, I found it was a good run meeting, something for everyone & every team. The consolation races were awesome, and definitely kept the ground entertained. Unfortunately, I do have to disagree with you on one point Macgor ( and this is my opinion).... Apart from Mintie & Barry B, I was rather let down with the commentary. After all the hype, I was expecting a top class commentary, but did feel that the main commentator kept dredging the same thing up eg, pole cutting. I did get to the point where I was trying to ignore his commentary, and just listen to Mintie & Barry. Please do remember, as stated above, that is my opinion. Dunno if im right , but one got the feeling that at time the commentary went on repeating some incidents and asking for replays on the big screen . It kind of looked like they were trying to draw the referees attention to certain infringements , which I thought was totally unfair .All decisions should be left to those in charge. A bit like line umpires in rugby ... I can't imagine the officials have the time to tune in and listen myself.... Barry B |
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Post by mgninc on Mar 1, 2015 17:31:31 GMT 12
Anybody with a potential for influence is a target these days, ironically enough probably because other media have made such a big deal about it in highly televised sports
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Post by mcfly on Mar 1, 2015 17:45:19 GMT 12
I think it is a bit of a stretch to suggest that this meeting got 14 teams and a good crowd just because it was being held in Rotorua.
This is a prestigious title to win and an entertaining one to watch and this is why the numbers were good.
The format for the non qualifiers was a stroke of brilliance though!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2015 18:29:22 GMT 12
this was a well run meeting - with some serious work being done behind the scenes by all involved.
The teams in the finals themselves for the most part were impressive - especially the gisborne team - Im not a huge fan of the Ree's, but they certainly know what to do and when to do it! A well deserved win there!
Refs calls started out a bit political in some races ...
however after one race where a W car got pulled off for attacking from the grass and then near the end of the race an opposing car ran clear over the grass to take out the race leader and then continued on to win the race.
but after a huge argybargy in the refs office suddenly turned extremely consistent. Something drivers have been wanting for some time. The ref call on this race after the huge argument {i assume} was that the offending car had to be disqualified and that meant the W team went on to the final instead of the opposition. as I was sitting on that corner where both incidents happened - I totally agreed with this result. This meant that any pole line cutting and any attacking from the grass was a red light and cause removed from the track for the rest of the night. A darn good thing again.
I also agreed with peter rees being taken off in the final for doing the same thing. not that it mattered - the all tanks team of gisborne was fast paced and deadly. nothing wellington provided could match let alone slow it down.
The consolation races were a strock of genius, we could even see the teams working together to take certain cars out or to make sure they got through - very well planned and excecuted idea!
All night i was impressed by Gisborne, and Im happy they won - Im also happy i went. Rotorua you guys did a fantastic job, even with all the trials, tribulations and not a very nice personry that was going on behind the scenes.
Well Done.
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Post by boner87 on Mar 1, 2015 19:19:30 GMT 12
I was very impressed with the way that rotorua ran this meeting. I ticked over faultlessly racing wise. The clubrooms both night were open to anyone which myself and friends indulged in a couple of fizzy drinks. Leaving the speedway will always be a problem there which there's no real solution to it.
The only real grizzle and Sonja may want to pass this on is paul hickey, who I realise is a patriotic rotorua fan was just a little bias and perhap antagonising the reffs a little with big screen replays etc and complaining about incidents that were races ago. By all means he is a top commentator and as a seasoned spectator and crew member I can over look those "faults" but maybe to newbies and first timers it was a little confusing etc
But pretty much well done rotorua speedway club
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Post by percy on Mar 2, 2015 20:55:36 GMT 12
I thought this event was the crowning glory for the Hickey era at Rotorua. I know they have run many great World 240's. They have run a superb NZ Stockcar Title and NZ Superstock Title but this event was next level. mcfly I couldn't disagree with you more. 14 teams turned up for this event because they know what they are going to get at Rotorua. They are going to get a well run meeting with the best possible format (Disclaimer: I had a small role in formatting this event). Drivers are going to be taken care of and they feel valued when they come through the pit gate at Rotorua. Drivers came from far and wide to support the event. Spectators turned up from all over the North Island. We know because when asked for crowd support the Rascals crowd support was only equal to several other teams! We make the effort to take time off work at attend because we know the meeting will be well run and will finish on or near 10:30pm. We know the meeting will start on time. We know the commentary team will be on top of all the developments as they happen. All these things enhance the spectator experience. The crowd on Friday was outstanding, especially given a thunderstorm had passed over the venue 2 and a half hours prior to meeting start. The crowd on Saturday was insane. I'd estimate more than any other event I've seen at Paradise Valley and well in excess of the crowd that attended the event when held in Wellington or Palmerston North. The crowd was into it on Saturday night. The place was buzzing, spectators leaping to their feet in anticipation of a big hit. The officiating drama just added to the atmosphere with every spectator taking on the role of referee! The only negatives for mine were the toilet block which needs urgent replacement and the amount of alcohol being consumed by some spectators. I also felt sorry for the late arrivals who had a compromised view at a top dollar meeting. Simply put this event was the best Stockcar drivers in the country Teams racing at the best Stockcar track in the country in an event run by the best Stockcar promoters in the country. I had a great time at the meeting. I was almost cheering for the Rascals so we could do it all again next year. P.S Great to see the one team running their real numbers win the event  |
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Post by Admin on Mar 2, 2015 21:25:10 GMT 12
Spectators turned up from all over the North Island. One of the first people I spoke to on Friday was from Westport and yes he was in the North Island purely for this meeting and Auckland this coming weekend. |
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Post by sonjahickey on Mar 2, 2015 21:52:53 GMT 12
I would just like to thank Percy for his help back when l was putting the entry form together. It was great to have the input from somebody who sits on the terraces and was prepared to offer constructive suggestions. Many of which made up the format of this event. Not the consolation race though haha.
Sonja h
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Post by midway on Mar 2, 2015 21:53:56 GMT 12
Some elder Statesman on here said,Percy that you are just like a budgerigar.,after the meeting ,and showed little remorse for those ,who simply wanted sleep
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Post by steelpanther on Mar 3, 2015 7:01:17 GMT 12
I regularly travel to Rotorua from Auckland knowing you are going to attend a well run meeting. This weekend was no different not that I expected it to be. Fantastic job done by all involved. I'd hate to think of the countless hours spent by Sonja and her crew. Saying thank you just isn't enough.....
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Post by 4zfed on Mar 3, 2015 9:17:34 GMT 12
Most tracks around the country would be hard pressed to put on a more smoothly run event than Rotorua.
Gisborne will have to start planning now and not be too proud to ask for advice from other tracks or clubs.
Its a big event and you want to get it right to really capitalize on the financial side and to put on a great event for spectators and competitors.
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Post by percy on Mar 3, 2015 21:59:13 GMT 12
Further to Sonja's comment above I'm always happy to help anyone who wants some feedback on a format or would like to format a meeting from a blank piece of paper.
I spend every second post talking about how speedway meetings could be formatted in a superior way so it would be nice once in awhile to have the opportunity to stuff it up myself.
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