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Post by TQCrew on Jan 18, 2009 21:16:54 GMT 12
There is nothing like a cold beer after the meeting after a night of working on the racecar. But I WILL NOT drink before or during race meeting where I will be crewing.
I am a fan of the system Western Springs had when Willie Kay was running the place. There was one outlet that sold alcohol and that was to be consumed in a restricted area. No alcohol was allowed to be taken into the stadium.
Now the whole stadium is a licensed area, but some bags are checked for alcohol.
As others have said, if you cant go a few hours without a drink you need help.
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Post by Tony on Jan 18, 2009 21:21:52 GMT 12
Agreed petero - the guys who are told they can't drink might whinge and moan a bit, but they'll get over it fairly quickly. But the guy whose wife and kids gets sworn at and abused by a drunken hoon won't be back to speedway any time soon.
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Post by Ngahihi o te ra on Jan 18, 2009 22:05:09 GMT 12
So when the sign on the entrance and in the program states alcohol is prohibited, why then do we have to watch it flow through the gates by the chilly bin and box load. Then for the fuel to flow into the usual language and behavior that upsets all the family's around you The drunks blocking the walkways so you have to climb over them - and be abused. Why should we as paying spectator, with family in tow, have to continue to put up with the foul language and antics around you when alcohol is prohibited in the first place. Then try and raise your concerns with security and saw none the second night to sort it out. I certainly would not take my family to a one day cricket game for this exact reason, just not a place for kids anymore, yet it seems that some speedways seem to be happy to go the same way. We have not been back to the Palmy teams champs for the last few years as our kids (now teenagers) are concerned for their safety from what can happen around drunks. Speedways need to remember it is the all mighty (in short supply) discretionary spending that we use to go to these events. We want to enjoy the entertainment on the track, not have to worry about the potential trouble around you. The W240's is a great event at a great track and a must go to meeting - except for the alcohol which put a dampener on both nights for us and many around us. I am also sure this was repeated all around the track based on what was seem on trips to the toilet and food stands. Just maybe next year we will hook up the laptop to the TV and watch it on speedbox.tv for $10 rather than spend the $500-600 we probably spent traveling to the event. Peter O'Sullivan Kia ora Peter, You make very clear and relevant points which need to be addressed before it is seen as ok by some to continue in such behaviour. I am disappointed to hear that you have already voted with your feet for an event such as the Teams champs as I have never had any problem with such people on turn 4 of the Manawatu arena where I sit with my family and many other families. It is a shame when the minority spoil outstanding events for the majority and alcohol is often included. It would be cool if you were able to send an email to the likes of Sonja Hickey to table at the commitee level as I know they are very keen to maintain this as a premier event for everyone concerned. Thank you for the manner you have written your post which is news to me and I hope will be dealt with appropriately at the Valley of Paradise. Geen flags and green lights and no green bottles other then fizzy. |
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Post by eddiek on Jan 18, 2009 23:58:24 GMT 12
One of the things that get annoying are people in the stands who consume gallons of the stuff, and even if they are well behaved after excess consumption of alcohol it has a secondary effect on even the happiests of drunks: the bladder.
There is nothing worse than having to get up every 5 minutes because someone - who has been either drinking too many beers than their bladders can cope with, or pouring coca cola down their kids necks at an alarming rate and then comes the inevitable - they have to make a beeline to the toilets.
Now in most places this isn't really too much of a problem, but in the grandstand at Palmy, this just gets frustrating. You're trying to enjoy the racing, and someone is up and down like a yoyo, and because you're all jammed in like sardines, everyone has to get up every bloody time the call of nature sings out to those morons once again. Honestly I feel like telling them to get a catheter if they're going to do things like that. One kid at Teams 2007 got up so many times one night that we ended up refusing to let him back in until in between races.
(Rock concerts - much the same thing - one woman at def leppard went past numerous times, the last time, followed by a rather foul odour...)
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Post by wolfysmith on Jan 19, 2009 0:11:04 GMT 12
I think it's up to individual tracks to police this issue. Ultimately, they will be the ones losing out if families desert the sport because of the actions of a few who don't know when to stop.
Huntly did crack down on this when I was out in NZ due to some incidents of fighting due to the grog. After that, you were searched upon entering the track.
I think it's too draconian to impose a blanket ban. Common sense says, ban bringing beer etc into the stadiums, allow only sales from the track bars and have regular patrols by stewards to ensure that anyone starting to get out of hand is warned about their behaviour and if dosen't improve the offenders are ejected.
As a little side note, I 'smuggled' a couple of beers into the World Final in 07, which was against the rules (only beer sold at the stadium could be consumed). I was caught by a steward drinking the beer during the meeting. However, he could clearly see I wasn't drunk nor making a fool of myself. He just told me to keep the remaining beer in my pocket and not to drink it, finish the beer I was drinking and if he did catch me drinking again, he 'd confiscate what I had.
Common sense approach. He may well have taken a stronger approach if I'd have been clearly drunk and offending those around me.
Some tracks rely upon the income that the bars bring. If you ban it altogether it may result in a hike in entrance fees that hit everyone
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Post by tufty7 on Jan 19, 2009 8:43:42 GMT 12
Hey Wolfie, Sounds like they could do with the picnic police to man the gates like they do at Bellvue u.k.  ....lol, Laffing aside  , if its abusive and fans feel threatened, it needs sorting  but not a unique problem to NZ i am afraid. |
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Post by petero on Jan 19, 2009 10:01:01 GMT 12
some great feedback from any on this, and all taken in the way this thread was designed.
The comment from the above post " if its abusive and fans feel threatened, it needs sorting" is what it is all about.
The "problem" usually starts off slow and gets progressively worse as the night goes on. Most will recognise how this goes, then if you dare say anything to them, well we all know how the final chapter can end.
As our kids have got older, they also clearly understand how the last chapter can go as well, as have seen it too many times over the years and why we will not be back at the teams champs any time soon.
Some may say, simply move away from them, however that is not so simple. Do not encounter this issue at many normal meetings, mainly the bigger meetings, which means the house is pretty full, and we give up our good viewing position that usually we arrived early for.
For the likes of Rotorua, we have been traveled there for 20 years now and nothing has changed in this time - well alcohol wise anyway - so do not see any sudden change unfortunately.
Sonya and her team have made great advances in the value they provide to the spectator and racer alike, yet let us down in this area.
Hopefully those tracks that still "allow" alcohol will have a change in attitude and look after the stakeholders - us the paying spectators.
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Post by flanders on Jan 19, 2009 10:16:51 GMT 12
After all speedway is promoted as a 'family event', so why not make it safe for families to attend? ;D What about all the Smokers out there, why not make speedway Smokefree aswell, or set aside areas for the smokers and drinkers. I'm pretty sure secondhand smoke is just as unsafe (probably more as it can cause cancer) as someone who gets a bit rowdy after a few alcoholic beverages. |
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Post by petero on Jan 19, 2009 10:24:57 GMT 12
One of the things that get annoying are people in the stands who consume gallons of the stuff, and even if they are well behaved after excess consumption of alcohol it has a secondary effect on even the happiests of drunks: the bladder. There is nothing worse than having to get up every 5 minutes because someone - who has been either drinking too many beers than their bladders can cope with, or pouring coca cola down their kids necks at an alarming rate and then comes the inevitable - they have to make a beeline to the toilets. Now in most places this isn't really too much of a problem, but in the grandstand at Palmy, this just gets frustrating. You're trying to enjoy the racing, and someone is up and down like a yoyo, and because you're all jammed in like sardines, everyone has to get up every bloody time the call of nature sings out to those morons once again. Honestly I feel like telling them to get a catheter if they're going to do things like that. One kid at Teams 2007 got up so many times one night that we ended up refusing to let him back in until in between races. (Rock concerts - much the same thing - one woman at def leppard went past numerous times, the last time, followed by a rather foul odour...) This is another reason why we will not go to the teams champs. yes the racing is great, but at the end of the day it has to work for us a family. besides the alcohol issues, just maybe getting past it to queue up early to get your favorite seat. Nearly thought about going this year as Friday is a public holiday and do not need to take an extra day off work, book in the stand this time so do not have to queue etc. However all the prior horror stories come flooding back, and exactly what That Guy has described above. The constant interruptions of people going to the toilet etc, let alone all the other antics - even if much of it adds to the atmosphere - for a while at least At the end of the day we want to go and have a great family weekend, enjoy the racing, not feel threatened or the racing spoil by what is going on around you and felt you got great value for the heaps of money you just spent traveling away. Based on previous experiences the vote was still no. Palmy will still be full so they may not care, yet the Manuwatu misses out on our greater dollar spend as well. |
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Post by MadMarty13B on Jan 19, 2009 10:30:33 GMT 12
After all speedway is promoted as a 'family event', so why not make it safe for families to attend? ;D What about all the Smokers out there, why not make speedway Smokefree aswell, or set aside areas for the smokers and drinkers. I'm pretty sure secondhand smoke is just as unsafe (probably more as it can cause cancer) as someone who gets a bit rowdy after a few alcoholic beverages. Alcohol and processed meat(ie shaved ham etc) are the biggest causes of cancer |
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Post by Mark16 on Jan 19, 2009 10:46:24 GMT 12
 I cant see why you shouldn't be able to have a few beers when watching speedway as long as you can handle ya drink and don't be an idiot its not a problem and baning smoking from speedway would just be a joke.
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jan 19, 2009 12:49:40 GMT 12
I cant see why you shouldn't be able to have a few beers when watching speedway as long as you can handle ya drink and don't be an idiot its not a problem and baning smoking from speedway would just be a joke. From this post and many others (on the increase) I don't really hear a cry for the total ban on alcohol and or smoking within sapeedway venues - What I hear is that the minority who, for whatever reason, cannot hold off on either for a couple of hours, should partake in a manner that, isn't likely to, doesn't cause offence to, nor puts at risk, the majority. Absolute YES to defined drinking and smoking areas. NO to a ban. |
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Post by steeldog on Jan 19, 2009 13:10:22 GMT 12
None of the people I saw drinking at Rotorua last weekend were causing problems.
My problem is the signs posted outside (see photo previous page) - it is quite clear, well sort off, that "all alcohol is banned" and is "underage drinking is not tolerated". This does cause a problem because it says - you can't have alcohol but we know you will so make sure you are old enough.
Once one rule is broken why stop at breaking only one?
What are the rules at Rotorua about standing up by the fences while the racing is going on? - there were heaps doing that too.
I guess I'm saying don't set up rules you are not prepared to enforce - it only leads to more trouble.
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Post by petero on Jan 19, 2009 14:32:18 GMT 12
What are the rules at Rotorua about standing up by the fences while the racing is going on? - there were heaps doing that too. I guess I'm saying don't set up rules you are not prepared to enforce - it only leads to more trouble. Steeldog, you are correct, rules need to be enforced. We often used to sit in turns 1 & 2 at Rotorua as much action happens there, but also closer to the car park for the quick exit when traveling back home. However how can you enjoy racing when people stand on the fence in front of you. Not sure if the sign is still there now, but it used to state in huge letters - no standing in front of the fence - Now add lack of security policing that, say anything yourself to the people standing there - or come armed with tall chairs !! - and that usually causes an argument. Now add the alcohol factor and even more trouble, which has happened countless times, which is why we no longer sit there. Luckily not much of an issue in turns 3-4 Eventually it all becomes too much of a hassle, loose enjoyment and do not go ! |
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Post by urmama on Jan 19, 2009 15:09:48 GMT 12
I cant see why you shouldn't be able to have a few beers when watching speedway as long as you can handle ya drink and don't be an idiot its not a problem and baning smoking from speedway would just be a joke. Yeah but every tom,jim and harry thinks they can handle there booze just like everyone on american/nz/aus idol think they can sing. Reminds me of someone i know who tells everyone he can handle a night on the turps but after 6-7 drinks he is puking all over the show lol. |
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....lol,
, if its abusive and fans feel threatened, it needs sorting 
but not a unique problem to NZ i am afraid.
I cant see why you shouldn't be able to have a few beers when watching speedway as long as you can handle ya drink and don't be an idiot its not a problem and baning smoking from speedway would just be a joke.
