No more paying over the
odds for a copy of the current speedway regulations because now they are just a
clink away at http://www.acu.org.uk/uploaded/documents/The%20SPEEDWAY%20REGULATIONS%202007%20Final%20Print%20Version.doc
A
couple of questions spring to mind. The web page is labelled “Final Print
Version” so can one assume that there will no changes to the rules during the
season, due to errors being spotted or loopholes being closed, or if any
changes are made then these will be shown on the net or will the statement made
by a former SCB manager that “ there is an unwritten rule that we do not inform the
speedway press (or in this case the world at large via the net) of any rule
changes” still hold true.
In
2006 following problems with a number of high profile meetings, usually on Sky,
being rained off/abandoned the role of Meeting Co-ordinator was introduced.
They were appointed for high profile meetings and their role was to ensure that
the staging promotion had carried out all necessary track preparation to enable
meetings to take place especially in inclement weather, to act as on duty BSPA
Management Committee member to settle any disputes arising on the day and to be
involved in any discussions regarding track preparations, possible postponement
or abandonment. In 2007 the job description has been expanded to include
telling the TV company, press and the public about any decisions regarding
delaying, abandoning or curtailing a meeting once receiving instructions to do
so from their boss, the newly created official the meeting steward (aka God).
Like
the meeting co-ordinator the meeting steward is appointed to a meeting by the
SCB/BSPA when they deem necessary, one assumes Sky and major meetings. The
regulation 14.6B defines the role of the steward, who has no judicial powers,
as being,
-
to consult with the staging promotion, meeting co-ordinator and meeting referee
on all matters about the staging of the meeting especially when there is any
doubt about the running or the continuation of a meeting.
-
to hold a briefing meeting 1 hour before start time with all riders, team
managers, meeting referee, meeting co-ordinator, clerk of the course plus
anyone else he deems necessary.
-once
meeting has started he is to remain in pits area and he is the only person who
can carry out a further track inspection.
-
he has the sole discretion following discussions with the staging promotion,
meeting co-ordinator and meeting referee to order a delay to the start time,
postponement or abandonment of a meeting.
Considering
that speedway managed to exist for over 75 years with 1 person in charge of a
meeting - the referee, in two years we have seem this number increase by 300%
and whilst this may solve a possible unemployment problem in speedway the
proverb about too many cooks spoiling the broth springs to mind.
It
is usual for amendments/additions to the previous years regulations to be
highlighted in bold type but for some reason the rule regarding the new
official, the meeting steward, is not. I am sure that this is a genuine mistake
rather than the SCB/BSPA hoping that no one will notice this new appointment!
The
rule about when re-admission tickets are valid has also changed from up to
start of heat 6 to heat 8 and this is the first real amendment to this rule
since at least 1948 although the meetings which tickets can be used for remain
the same, re-run of the meeting plus any meeting at the track within one month
apart from BSPA shared events. Whilst I welcome this extension I wonder if
promoters will still think it is acceptable to amend the wording regarding
which meetings re-admission tickets are valid for as they see fit. Will tracks
continue to exclude the re-arranged fixture, cup finals, open meetings,
international meetings and test matches and other special meetings, will tracks
continue exclude all meetings other than the re-arranged fixture, will tracks
continue to amend a month to next 3 meetings/3 weeks and will the SCB/BSPA
continue to do nothing about tracks who bend the rules and short change their
public?
MCM
“The Voice” Issue No. 25 Summer 2007