SHEFFIELD - ` A Bad Day at the Office ?’

Sheffield on 31st May has created a great deal of comment on forums which I will comment upon later however let’s start with a few positives. Talking to our Race Director Phil Morris this morning, he delivered a heartening story. Whilst getting changed on the car park after the meeting he bumped into a family who had attended Sunday’s event for the first time. They evidently Iive within walking distance of the stadium [ behind Mc Donalds somewhere in Hillsborough ], attended Greyhound Racing Saturday night and enquired about `stock car racing’the following day, having never visited. They were advised Saturday that it was more expensive than greyhounds, however they as a family decided to `give it a try’ - After the event they had really enjoyed it and commented that may also visit Belle Vue and were surprised to learn that by everyone’s standards, this was a `quiet’ meeting! I am sure Phil can add to this.

Moving on, we apologise for not advising that a £1 charge had been introduced for pit access although we had well publicised in advance needs for implementing a system that hopefully improved things for race fans in the longer term, details of this are covered separately on the news page and the rational behind it. However we omitted to mention that a modest charge of £1 would be introduced to cover the cost and we understand that the lack of transparency, our oversight, caused some ire for which we apologise. The system however did tick many boxes and there are improvements we can learn from. The administration of this also cost over £100 in staff costs and we have already pledged that any surplus generated will be ploughed back into the pit area with, for example, longer term plans for toilet facilities in the area - that on top of a substantial personal investment made into the pit area and in a stadium we do not own. Some of the comments on various forums are extremely disingenuous - and that is being polite, we do however acknowledge and apologise for the biggest criticism as to lack of advance notice, hopefully a fuller explanation will provide a better understanding. I would urge anyone really aggrieved to personally e-mail - we are not in the business of alienating our customers and work hard in that area.
Ironically the previous promotion charged £1 entry to the pit area for no real reason, we immediately abolished that, however there was not 3 pages of `well done' for that - although again, [sij] we did not pre advise that change either
We have more than most worked hard to absorb cost increases and keep admission prices at the same level for 3 years, invest £5000 on providing FREE parking at Showcase Cinema at Belle Vue and approximately another £2500 associated costs in having Showsec security patrol it, to look after our customers.
We have reduced programme prices, provided discounted season tickets and various advance ticket offers and invested in the two stadia within our means. Contrary to some of the more disappointing postings, hardly the efforts of an organisation that does not try to put it’s customers first - and understand when and why they may be let down.

Patrons must understand that both venues are major stadiums that host stock car racing to make money - and only allow the activity for that very reason. This is derived from a mixture of rent [ high in comparison to most venues ] and food and drink revenue, from which we derive nothing - if the stadium owners do not make money then there is no stock car racing.

With regard car attendances on the day. Well, firstly I would thank the drivers who did book in and race in all formulae - and put on a show. There are signs that the economy is beginning to catch up with everyone and in fixture planing terms last August we would have confidently expected mid fifities F2's for a WCQR and mid twenties F1's. With 16 F1 cars in the pits, the lowest to date this season it would be easy to `jump to conclusions’ however with several late cancellations for very genuine reasons - it is too early to reach conclusions on the economy.
Regulars such as Shenty had to work, Adam Slater and Ricky Wilson had to do `family’ things, regular Tony Smith was `hoping’ to be back after his NIR shunt but is now unlikely to be back until Scotland, another of the team cancelled last minute and another regular is on honey moon in Italy. F2 wise, signs are the economy is catching up plus a run of too many shale meetings - by my calculations there have been nineteen in 92 days, an average of one every 6.57 days! Meetings that previously would have attracted 55 - 75 cars have all been substantively down for a myriad of reasons - an increase in shale racing and choice, hard racing and damage and - blown engines - particularly after Scunthorpe and, of course, a much smaller shale driver base than tarmac racers. This is a trend as promoters we do have to review as the economy is unlikely to improve in the short term. Drivers are no different to the rest of the population having to work harder to stand still - and - have to think about what might be around the corner and like race fans, have to prune their appearances.
Whilst yesterday’s meeting was a loss for us as promoters, the crowd was better than we had feared which is a tribute to the hard core fans who are the bedrock of the sport - and those who deserve an explanation such as the above because without them, we really are in trouble.
Sunday events are increasingly difficult, with very odd exceptions, particularly preceded by a Saturday night event, a WCQR and NS at that and on a different surface [ tarmac ].
We also find it very difficult to find suitable Sunday dates for Sheffield - and if we had not run on the 31st, the late July date would have been the next opportunity!
A great deal of work recently has gone into Sheffield in terms of investment and improvements, Martin Ford should take a bow for continual improvements to the fence and whilst we have to fund these he does not extort huge amounts of money for materials, he just wants to do a good job. However people should bear in mind when making comparisons in admission prices between different stadia, different costs. Take this weekend, £13 at one track and £15 at Sheffield - there is 1. A major difference in stadium rental 2. Additional cost of putting a shale track back for Speedway 3. £3500 for erecting and dismantling the safety fence, nil in the other instance and 4. A greater burden on costs in terms of stewarding due to local licensing regulations. The actual difference in remuneration for 54 cars and 15 is actually only £1795 - Sheffield has an additional cost disadvantage of some £6000 nett! A £2 difference by comprison is actually not wide enough!

We must also realise particularly in the current economy that our race fans are not immune to economic reality and are forced to pick and choose. If fixtures were planned on a month and month basis trend may well indicate that the wise decision would have been to cancel Sheffield on this occasion - a fact suggested as an `easy’ option by a Superstar F1 driver who was planning to race but in the end went out for the day because of a technical issue in the Ministox formula which prevented his son racing - and the last nature of this cost us 3/4 cars.
[ On this subject, it was by Thursday a very major problem and it is a credit to a number of Ministox parents who went to extraordinary lengths in loaning and replacing cylinder heads to provide - in the end - a very credible 19 entrants who delivered great entertainment ] Back to the point, the 31st had become a `meeting off’ syndrome which happens from time to time, not helped by the extraordinary weather. However, to take the easy option as a promoter to `cancel’ because you expect a loss is not either an option as it equally sends out wrong messages and as promoters we have to take the good with the not so good and hopefully balance the books. There is also a fine balancing act in not `exploiting’ or taking for granted our `loyal’ fans.

In the final analysis, whilst shorter of cars than normal for the many reasons outlined above, take nothing away from the drivers in ALL formulae that did book in, turn up and race and provide some very good entertainment - Jackie and I very much appreciate that. The racing itself was certainly average and the drivers put on a good show, the track was as near perfect as you could get it in 27 degree heat and the staff ran a very smooth event. But, we are mindful of those people [ I could name them, but will not embarrass them ] that patronise our sport week in / week out and invest considerably their disposable income in enabling us to have a sport as promoters and drivers and it is they we thank for their support.

Sheffield has improved, grown and had a run of excellent events over the last couple of years, that this one was average for many reasons could not be summed up any better that by respected F1 driver, a model ambassador for our sport, Paul Hines, ` A bad day at the office!’
We return late in July and we will endeavour to ensure sufficient incentive for a good turnout of F1's and will advise later in the month.

Thank you for your support, it is valued and we could not continue without you. We respect and rely upon you to tell us when and if we get it wrong, at the same time we are equally self critical `as fans’ to learn and improve and look at it from your eyes - although you must understand that sometimes our hands may well be tied - That does not however mean we do not value you - or your constructive comments - and I am always available for personal questions/ comments.

Having now read all the threads with regard Poundgate - I never cease to be amazed by the amount of comment from people not actually at the event. One has to listen to and justify to, those who attended the event - they have that right but not those who did not who feel free to comment and `add their bit'

We have acknowledged that it could have been pre advised - this was an experiment to try and satisfy everyone's needs and was designed to at least cover itself - and, hopefully generate any surplus into further imrpovements - however, a system had to be implemented.

Whilst happy to answer comments - thus far not one pm, phone call or e-mail has been received from anyone who attended as of 6.50.pm today - which I am happy to answer although, perhaps, have pre-empted that.

What really concerns me is the tone of rhetoric which is leading us to consider, as is our right by suspending the license, to take a year out in 2010 at both venues.

Life is far too short for uneducated opinion and there are far too many bigger issues in life to get on with.

We receive criticism, some justified, most unjustified for events at both stadiums, many things we cannot influence and, the fact that they are also two of the most costly to operate. Many comments I have read are wholly inaccurate, inuendo - at the next Sheffield in July [ if it takes place ] we may well revert to what the stadium wanted - No public admission to the pit area - that will equally affect the crowd.

We haven't killed anyone, we have generally worked in trying to maintain or lower prices - but we have introduced a £1 pit entry charge at Sheffield - if the feeling is that as a result of it not being advertised on the net or in advance - an error - admittedly, not a stealth tax by any means - that the two venues are not going to be supported, the season can end now.

I chose to take the kids to Sheffield on Sunday. I went in the knowledge that there wouldn't be many F1's but as 15 cars at Sheff is better than no meeting at all I went anyway. I walked round behind the Sportsman's tavern to get in the pits and when i found It was a quid I turned round and went back to the stand on turn one. I chose not to pay to go in the pits because like many other people I didn't agree with the principal but unlike some , I didn't see this as a major problem. I didn't think what a rip off or I'll never go to Sheffield again and at no point did I want to hang the promotor. I chose not to go in the pits and put my pound towards an extra pint. It cost me and the kids (kidzclub members) £15 for the lot of us to get in which is cheaper than my local non-league football team. We watched 15 races (I think) and had an enjoyable afternoon. I find it absolutly amazing the stick that Startrax have recieved, mainly from people who didn't even go. If it wasn't for Steve and his team, Stock Car racing in the North would have died almost a decade ago and I for one am thankfull that isn't the case. I'm sure many others in the silent majority will agree with my sentiments and as long as Startrax provide me and my family with the platform on which to watch the sport we love, then we will support them.

Steve

Ive just been on the stoxnet site and read what i can only describe as a load of w++++rs talking out of their backsides.

First and foremost, in the health and safety crazy world we live in, i do find it suprising that public pit access is even still possible. So i think a pound for the priviledge of getting close to the drivers and machines is nothing.

Ok, as you have put in print, better advertising of the fact may have stopped the fallout, but i ask, a pound. One pound. One hundred pennies. Now i would not class myself as rolling in money. But i guess i must be cos i view a pound as nothing. If that is the difference with keeping this sport going at venues then so be it.

I know it must be difficult when you read all these loosers talking their nonesense, but for one i hope you dont loose the faith with the venues. As a driver who lives an hour and a half from both tracks it would be a disaster if the two tracks were lost from the fixture list. Im pretty sure i would not think it viable if my nearest shale track was 3.5 hours away (Scunthorpe now the exception).

Its the same in all aspects of life. Those who actually have the smallest amount of knowledge about things are the ones who shout loudest.

For what its worth i happen to think Startrax are as pro-active in the sport as anyone. You are obviously involved with the Scunthorpe introduction, you were also involved (i think im right in saying) in getting Coventry dates last year for the tooz.

If people are willing to stay away for a pound, and then risk the existance of stockcar racing in the north, then im afraid the so called fans of the sport, are not fans at all.

Keep up the good work, and i look forward to being at both startrax venues (3 inc Scunthorpe) later in the year.

Dean

Hi, this was my reply yesterday on allstox, just before i had to, unfortunatly, go to work! .....

"Before everyone goes on a Startrax bashing diatribe, remember that the meeting WOULD have been an NS round if there weren't any Scunthorpe fixtures this season (both of which are NS dates).

Steve's fault is in not being upfront re an extra quid, but as I said lets hear his side first, he is one of the brave promoters who do come on line to face their accusers! and no doubt will.

I would more question the fixture planning, looking at the number of F1 fans on line today, the meeting obviuosly didnt tick the boxes......

For me a guest appearance, maybe a one off of Spedeworth saloons for example would have had more appeal to the punter? Just a thought!"

I still pretty much stand by that Steve, especially the fixture planning point of debate. I think I am correct that the "spede....loons" have been a fixture consideration for some time, and is there not a plan to get them at BV later this year?

If, as has been said, that this particular date, was not a popular one with F1 fans and drivers, maybe a one off/guest visit of an exciting new formula would've been a better bet? I had to work, but can take days off (well...sometimes....) if booked in advance, and for a visit of a new (albeit seemingly old school) formula I definatly would have given one of my jokers!

Not a critisism, simply food for future thought

Well Steve, for someone not too keen on forum sites you certainly know how to "light them up"
If it helps to cheer you up, you may of seen I started a poll on hangapromoternet, oops, I mean stoxnet, and currently it shows an overwhelming number have no real issues with promoters, and you are included in that, glad I started it before the weekend though eh?
I also posted on there that nearly everyone ignored the bigger issue of car turnouts, I really find it depressing that considering a big % of drivers come from "up north" your tracks don't have bigger car turnouts, (suprisingly the poll shows biggest reason for not going is low car turnouts )
You suffer from the same issue Football chairman do - "you should spend MORE money."
Persevere with Sheffield, it has vast potential, get 50 + cars there somehow and you'll have a winner.

Keep smiling, it could of been worse - it couldof rained!

Tim

Those who have spoken with me in recent weeks will be well aware of my increasing concern for this date, particularly with declining F2 numbers - The timing simply was not right - It isn't a Sheffield thing, sometimes a date just does not gel. It happens, you learn and move on.

When doing the BriSCA dates, Sheffield always gets the thin edge of the wedge as a Sunday track in trying to find a date which is why we are trying Monday's next year.

Sheffield has enjoyed a good two years of building both sides of the fence - however F1 fans must realise that for us at the moment running F1's there IS a labour of love as `local' people simply want Bangers,Robins and cheap admission - not helped by local drivers rarely racing there for whatever reason. Reality is F1 stock Car Racing at Sheffield is subsidised by Banger Racing abd Battle of Britain - hence a move to four dates in 2010 for Bangers and probably a reduction to three in F1 - IF we do not decide to take a year out - which is a serious consideration at the moment.

In recent years we have put a lot into the sport, sacrificed to allow Scunthorpe in and spent money at Sheffield and Belle Vue - after spending our own time and money in re-opening the terracing on turns 3 & 4 we still get snide remarks and criticism.

I am prepared to accept fair criticism and justify, apologise or explain - I have to admit that the thread that really concerned me rather late in the day was the `chatter thread' and the bandwagon started by people not even at the event who have no right to profer an opinion. You pays your money and have an absolute right to complain - and that is to whom my comments are directed. Fair criticism or comment is no problem, the owners/moderators of these sites should stand back and actually wonder why promoters have an issue, I know from discussions with JH tonight, we will both be leaving them alone in the future and with immediate effect will return to commenting either to people who have the courtesy of contacting me or via startrax.info/forum.

My wife and myself are no longer prepared to accept the personal diorrhea when we work hard for the sport as well as to try and earn a living, I will happily respond to or answer any constructive points or complaints - however draw the line at the drivel being allowed to pour out on forums, some of which have a nerve to ask forprizes or tickets or whatever. As a promoter I have no desire to silence the net, it is good useful feedback - with however the way it seems to be managed where `anything goes' particpation is pointless, soemthing not lost on the many reasoned posters who `left the building' on these sites and now just `view' Sad really.

Both Belle Vue and Sheffield of late have enjoyed `good' car turnouts in recent years by currents stanards [ 30 on a Saturday night in EA ] perhaps a bench mark as to where we are economy wise.

JH adbised earlier in the evening how disappointed he was that I had knocked him from top sport as the sports most hated and would be working hard to find ways of restoring his rightful position

I think my previous post sort of sums things up as to my feelings and more detailed account.

Whilst J and I will stop posting and responding, we have only done so because we actually care but have sort of concluded that responding to the outspoken and disrespectful minority on public forums is pretty much futile.

Really sad to hear the how effects of the comments has affected you, but fully understandable.
Not everyone thinks the same way, I will continue to enjoy my visits to Belle Vue, and hope I can see F1's at Sheffield again next year.
Chin up mate

Tim

What these mini hiatus in our the sport does demonstrate is how many `decent' and balanced people there are in our sport and Jackie and I are grateful for those who have bothered to e-mail us including one from America. What puzzles me is why the self appointed demi gods of various forums cannot see that their defence and self righteousness claims of freedom of expression is driving the majority of `decent' and sensible people away from these forums who used to post yet no longer bothered leaving the greater majority of chaff.
They then wonder why promoters have disengaged with them. I have certainly now and talking with Jerry I believe he intends also to do the same.

No one minds fair and just criticism and responding to such, paying customers have a right to a courteous explanation if something is wrong - as we always have done. You can learn a lot from the forums - which is good for the sport. But when the moderators allow a valid point of view to be twisted into personal villification and inuendo you cross a line, not just morally but legally - as former Sheffield Wednesday Chairman Dav Allen who, incidentally owns Owlerton tested. He took legal action against a fans website and won substantial damages. If anyone from A&S Leisure read the drivel that has been posted, would you want the sport in your stadium ?

We learnt some time ago that stock car forums themselves actually do not increase gates - in fact quite the reverse, when you go to an event for the first time - perhaps enjoy it -have a cruise around the internet and discover the sports versions of Private Eye and read the minutia many will simply disengage and certainly Jerry and I have personal examples of potential sponsors who have walked rather than get involved.

Our abscence from the forums will not be any great loss - spending more time [ or the same time expended on current minutia ] developing internet awareness outside the sprt is more beneficial. The current advert on `Love the Dogs' for the August Belle Vues has produced far more enquiries including two corporate ones for coach trips on a tuesday than countless hours of wasteful bickering.

Whilst it would have been wise to advise the changed system carried a £1 tag, we believed it wasn't a big deal as we genuinely were developing a way of improving things for fans in the longer term rather than the opposite - absolutely only drivers and mechanics in the pit area. This system ticked the boxes, Sunday was a `trial' on so much as for the first event people were not turned away from the pit gate but advised at future events that they should first enter through the turnstiles.

As the system gets stablished, to be fair, there are two reasons for a £1 tag - one to cover the cost of it's administration - tags have to be bought [ although we are lucky that we had some wristbands left from WF to use up] and staff doing the job have to be paid - so it is to cover the cost. Secondly - and something we need to spend some time thinking about, it is designed to limit numbers, particularly kids and prams from going in the pits - it is common sense surely that this a dangerous area - and our insurers are currently visiting tracks conducting audits and without being predictable - what is an obvious disaster waiting to happen ? Not rocket science! We will relook at what age kids go into the pits and whether they should pay and will advise in due course. We agree a family with three kids, it probably becomes expensive and we understand the need for a happy balance.
We also advised those who bothered to conact us about the system that there was a £1 charge levied. We have also stated that any potential gain would be re-invested - do people not want stock car racing at Sheffield or Belle Vue - Is there a belief that these things are done to alienate the very people who are the lifeblood of the business. The investment by ourselves in opening the terracing at BV to mprove viewing has just been met with a generally not good enough mood. These views and public forums are destoying what, already is a minority sport and poisoning it rather than enriching it. By all means have private members areas password protected so those who want to be extreme or egocentric can be kept away from the more normal general public.
In wrapping the subject up I pose a question - by mentioning it a couple of weeks early - would it have made any difference other than 2 weeks of `opinion' and righteous indignation leading up to the event and coloured peoples judgements on actual attendance ? And then for it to erupt again SUnday evening....... Whilst the nature of Sunday's meeting in the current economy, exceptional weather and cluttered fixture list made it is a low key event in many peoples eyes - we accept that - it has distracted from what was not a bad event, efficiently run, reasonable racing and commitment from drivers that attended, well controlled dust - OK after 30 cars around a tight Brum the night before, it was probably always going to be the Day After the Lord Mayors parade - all this hiatus has done is create a misconception of this venue and, add lead nail into it's coffin - do stock car fans not want stock car racing, promoters or venues ?

The sport needs to grow up and join the real world not the dream world that many live in when they talk about reasons fans do not go - Money makes the world go round - more money from fans, more investment but to even begin that process crowds really need to at least double to provide meaningful funds. It's not going to happen, that is reality so rather than promoter baiting and stock cars version of MARXXISM, stoxidealism, support the promoters who are just ordinary people running relatively small businesses against a wealth of much bigger competition - and do they or the sport as a whole - really need this crap!

NB while this may/or may not be copied/edited or transferred onto other sites, if you want to interact as I have honestly 100% committed to no longer visit these sites - I wish to preserve my sanity and enthusiasm for the sport - I am happy to interact on here, debate or answer questions, you may write what you wish, be as critical as you like - however, as moderator posts will be edited if they are not to the point and made in a constructive nature!

Also, Hazel, who first alerted me to the negative threads has kindly offered a personal `ritual' burning pyre at the Skegness of my choice, there will be a charge, £1 per head, all proceeds go to Jackie!

I'm sure JH will re-take top spot after Saturday!!

Seriously, it all seems to have got a bit out of hand. Yes, the small fee should have been advised, as acknowledged, but is it really that bad??
I chose to pay it and go in, but wouldn't do it every meeting. You make your own choice. The programme went down by 50p so the real cost to enter the pits was 50p!?? You're season ticket also making meetings very affordable, so the £1 really not a big issue. I'm sure the trial did what it was meant to and keep numbers of people down in a potentially hazardous area. I sometimes think that you should only be allowed in pre meeting, with no access after the racings started, but i'm sure many would disagree.

Unfortunately some people, some of who never attend your meetings have their own agenda. Yes, we all have a gripe about things and i have to say i really do enjoy reading your responses which are honest and informative.
I'm sure that many who were threatening never to attend a stratrax meeting again will have calmed down by now, and almost certainly the same people will be seen at your next meeting!!
I do sometimes think there are venues i no longer wish to attend, but usually do continue- after all the only person affected by staying at home is yourself. The promotor isnt bothered- they wouldnt even notice, you just end up missing good meetings. Staying away isnt an answer- the sport needs people to attend or it will die. So long as a reasonable entry is booked for the next one we'll be there.

The only real gripe anyone could have is number of cars there. Most realised early in the year the fixture looked a little 'exposed'. The numbers thing isnt new though, a meeting 10 years or so back got 12 cars at sheff, Hartlepool and Buxton regular got 11/12 cars, 6 cars one day at Buxton, thankfully wasn't there, so no need to hit the panic button just yet. The meeting wasnt too bad imo anyway for all that so whats the problem with everyone? Surely you attend for the racing, if you can get in the pits its a bonus. Maybe you need to enter discussion with some drivers as to the real reasons for staying away from their local tracks, yet spend hundreds of pounds in diesel going to other tracks. Is there any reason for this, do they realise their actions may make their shale cars obsolete in the long term, nothing more than a pile of scrap? After significant recent investment at drivers request it must be very annoying. I still say leave the fence as it is for the wf- they should race it as it is, you will end up spending a fortune only for these same local drivers to load up after the main race i fear.

Belle vue also certainly is one of the best tracks in the uk. I hope you stick at it as even some of us (sometimes ungrateful!!) people do appreciate it. Things could sometimes be done differently but bv and sheff usually see some of the best races and most well run meetings for f1/f2.

Unfortunately i think some promotors are guilty of taking too much notice of whats posted on the internet which can in some instances be the views of the minority, and taking them as the views of the majority. As so often happens its sometimes the often silent majority that are ignored and those that shout loudest get more notice taken. At the end of the day the majority of people who attend meetings do not ever post anything on the net, maybe they are largely satisfied, it's the minority that have an axe to grind that have caused the problem it would appear. Out of say 600 at the meeting how many complained 10? Not bad, i would say, especially as some of these just seem to have a go, join in because some others were and do so at every opprtunity. If it was over something justified, endless delays with unreasonable late finish, unexpected hike in admission when you get there, rubbish support classes going on forever, i could understand!!