POSTAL ENTRIES COME AT A COST – posted 26 April 2013

The news that British Cycling will again accept British championship entries by post, while welcome, comes at a price.

Earlier this year the sport’s governing body said it would only accept online entries but bowed to public pressure after some members argued that this was inequitable and contrary to British Cycling’s own equality policies.

However it will cost on average £4.40 more per rider to enter via post as opposed to online.

In a widely circulated email issued yesterday, British Cycling set out entry fees for this year’s national events.  For example a youngster entering the under-10s will be charged £5.60 is he/she pays online but £10.00 if they pay by cheque.  At the other end of the spectrum, a rider competing in the national open individual championship will pay £15.60 if entering online or £20.00 by post.

British Cycling has not explained their reasons for the two-tier system.

In 2012, over 100,000 entries were successfully submitted through the newly introduced BC Online Entry System.  British Cycling charged a supplementary 60 pence for each entry.

“Signs are already that this figure will be significantly higher in 2013” said a BC official.

BC REVIEWS CHAMPIONSHIP ENTRY ARRANGEMENTS – posted 25 April 2013

British Cycling has reconsidered its position on national championship entries.

Earlier this year BC advised that only online entries would be accepted but now, following widespread adverse comment about the new system, British Cycling has today confirmed that postal applications will now be accepted again provided these are accompanied by the relevant fee made payable by cheque.

The reversal was confirmed in a widely distributed email from BCHQ sent earlier today.

COVENTRY ADD HOTEL CAPACITY – posted 12 April 2013

Coventry cycle speedway club, proud hosts of the 2013 British Final, today announced that further discount rooms for visitors to the British Final have now been added.

With the initial allocation of rooms for Saturday 24th August and Sunday 25th August now almost sold, club officials moved quickly to ensure all visitors to the Godiva city will have access to discounted finals weekend accommodation.  It confirms expectations that the Coventry club are all set to attract a bumper crowd and that the sport is looking forward to witnessing a wonderful showpiece final.

A Coventry official said: "These booking are most encouraging and we are pleased to add additional rooms at a most affordable rate. The message is simple - book now before it’s too late".

To reserve your hotel room for the 2013 British Finals, which is expected to attract the biggest Cycle Speedway crowd for 30 years, could not be simpler. Just call: 0844 9808042, ask for room reservations and then quote "British Cycle Speedway Final 2013". Please note, no on-line bookings can be accepted in order to obtain the special £50.00 (or £55.00 family room) rate, only telephone bookings.

The Coventry club would like to wish an enjoyable stay to all those that attend our proud host city of Coventry for the 2013 British Final. Plans for the traditional pre-finals Sunday night party, at the Vibe Suite, within the Village Hotel complex, will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, the Coventry club are issuing a media release on Thursday 25th April at 12 noon to announce the identity of the main sponsor of the British Final.

BJ JUSTIFY ONLINE ENTRIES – posted 19 February 2013

British Cycling has justified its decision to only accept online entries for the various cycle speedway championships.  Previously the sport’s governing body accommodated postal and telephone entries but this often caused confusion with suggestions that entries had been mysteriously lost or maybe not sent in the first place! 

The new arrangements have attracted some criticism especially from those members who do not have internet access but British Cycling has defended its decision.

“I am aware that there has been some criticism of this change in process” said cycle speedway official Paul West.  Outlining the disadvantages of the present system, he explained that

“The submission of entries, either over the phone or by post, is open to disputes over entries having been submitted but either lost or perhaps never actually sent.  The current system of phoning in an entry is also reliant on BC Cycle Speedway Events Development Officer being in the office and available to take them.  The phoning or submission of debit and credit card payments leads to a security risk with the potential for such details being left in files or on desks” explained Paul.

Advocating the new system, West went on to say “The On-Line Entry System removes the hassle both completing and posting paper entry form or phoning in. The current transaction fee of 60 pence per entry more than compensates for the cost to the entrant of these alternative methods.

“In the first year (2012) of the BC Online Entry System over 100,000

entries were successfully submitted through this system. Signs are already that this figure will be significantly higher in 2013” said Paul reassuringly.

FAMILY ROOMS NOW AVAILABLE – posted 19 February 2013

Following representation from Spokesman readers, Coventry cycle speedway club has today confirmed that a number of family rooms will be made available at the Village Hotel, headquarters for the British finals weekend.

The news was confirmed in a statement by the club, issued earlier today, which read:

Coventry Cycle Speedway club, in association with the official British Finals hotel, the Village Hotel, Earlsdon, today announce the addition of family rooms at a reduced rate of £55 per night over the British Finals weekend (includes Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August).

This incurs just a £5 supplement for those booking a family room at the eagerly awaited 2013 British Finals, set to draw a bumper attendance.

Coventry Cycle Speedway club kindly advise all those booking the official hotel, the Village Hotel, also have the full use of the hotels luxurious leisure facilities, including 25m swimming pool, sauna and whirlpool spa. The Village Hotel also offers a full English breakfast for all rooms booked for the British Finals.

To reserve your hotel room for the 2013 British Finals, which is expected to attract the biggest cycle speedway crowd for 30 years, could not be simpler. Just call: 0844 9808042, ask for room reservations and then quote "British Cycle Speedway Final

2013".

Please note, no on-line bookings can be accepted in order to obtain the special £50 (or £55 family room) rate, only telephone bookings.

The Coventry club would like to wish an enjoyable stay to all those that attend our proud host city of Coventry, known throughout the world as the city of peace and reconciliation, wherever they choose to stay.

MEDICS ON STANDBY FOR BRITISH FINALS – posted 12 February 2013

Coventry cycle speedway club has confirmed that UK Life Medics with be providing an ambulance, paramedic and first aid crew, in uniform, for the entire duration of the British Final at Coventry including both the women's and men's final.

On final day, the ambulance will be the only vehicle allowed to

park on the grass verge near the main road, to ensure speed of passage in the event of any accident.

UK Life Medics will be on site at 11.30am. The Coventry first aid team of Karl Slatter, Lee Marsh and Myke Symon-Powell will provide cover for any run-off required ahead of this time.

COVENTRY ISSUE SPONSORSHIP PROSPECTUS – posted 5 February 2013

Coventry cycle speedway club, host city for the 2013 British finals, has today issued its sponsorship and commercial prospectus ahead of the sport’s showpiece competition to be staged at Hearsall Common on Bank Holiday Monday 26 August.

The championship title, together with worldwide television coverage on Sky Sports, perimeter and programme advertising, VIP hospitality marquee with private bar, LED large screed advertising is a modest £2,000.

The club is offering a host of commercial opportunities including catering rights starting from £250,  trade stands from £100, perimeter advertising from £100 and programme advertising from as little as £35 for a quarter page insertion.

For just £15 companies can sponsor a race.  Heat sponsors will have their company name and logo included in the match day programme as well as seeing their name prominently displayed on the LED video screen.

“I would welcome any enquiries surrounding this great event and its attendant television coverage” said marketing manager Joe McLaughlin who can be contacted on mobile: 07818 033766 or email: coventrycsc@yahoo.co.uk.

NO CHANGE TO BANK HOLIDAY FORMAT – posted 23 January 2013

Cycle speedway’s top brass have decided not to change the format of the sport’s blue riband event, British individual finals day.

Some delegates attending Sunday’s development conference in Birmingham suggested that the under-16, women and open finals could all be held on the same day, August Bank Holiday Monday.  However British Cycling officials have acted quickly to quash any suggestions that the big day at Coventry could encompass three events.

As a result the women’s and men’s finals will take place as planned at Coventry on Monday 26 August with the under-16 final taking place at Leicester the previous day.

Having consulted with the promoters, British Cycling issued a statement earlier today saying

“Promoting and marketing a six hour race programme creates its own challenges in retaining the interest of spectators for this period and therefore keeping the event to the high promotional standard desired and promised by the championship organisation. The BC Commission will however take the thoughts on board of the conference with a view to looking at this for future years.”

BRITISH FINAL TO BROADCAST TO 200 MILLION HOMES – posted 9 January 2013

Cycle speedway’s blue riband event, the British individual championship, will be broadcast to over 200 million homes worldwide.

The exciting news comes in a press release issued by Coventry CSC earlier today which said

“Coventry will be staging the 2013 British final, the biggest event of the year for the sport, on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August. The event will be a free to attend Bank Holiday attraction for the people of Coventry. The final will be broadcast four times on Sky Sports, and will be shown in over 30 countries and have a global reach of over 200 million homes worldwide. Our club, all volunteers, will be

thrilled to showcase our city in a positive way to this huge national and

international audience.”

MYSTERY SURROUNDS NATIONAL ROUNDS – posted 30 December 2012

Several of the country's top riders have been left confused following publication of the provisional fixture list for next season.

The 2013 schedule shows that the qualifying rounds for the blue riband British individual championship will be held an unnamed Midlands venue on Saturday 24 August with a repechage at Leicester on the following day.

It’s expected that all competitors in the open category will compete at the same track, believed to be Birmingham, on the Saturday. An undisclosed number will progress direct to Monday's grand final while the remainder will move on to Leicester on Sunday to contest the remaining places.

With the central location and the prospect of a showcase final at Coventry on August Bank Holiday Monday, organisers are hoping for a bumper entry, so at this stage want to build some flexibility into the weekend schedule.

There was widespread criticism of this year's qualifying process which saw only the top five riders progress to the final instead of the customary two semi finals with the top eight from each round qualifying.

COVENTRY TO HOST BRITISH FINALS – posted 22 November 2012

The allocation of the 2013 British Final to Coventry has been confirmed by the British Cycling Cycle Speedway Commission at a meeting held in Birmingham.

The Commission, as expected, rubber stamped the overwhelming endorsement and democratic process reached by regional clubs at the recent Midlands League AGM. The clubs had voted by a large 6-2 majority to award the British Final to Coventry, in the face of stiff opposition from Wednesfield Aces.

Coventry officials were overjoyed that the sports` blue ribband` event will race into the city over the August Bank Holiday weekend of 2013. The final will be on Monday 26th August.

The Coventry club plan a 2013 British Finals blockbuster which will be full of their previous promotional masterpieces, together with several new presentational features. A huge crowd is expected to be attracted by the club’s renowned promotional prowess.

Plans are already well advanced, with a 300 seat grandstand set to be added the entire length of the home straight. A large LED video screen on the back straight will complement the action by way of action replays, pits interviews and leader board graphics.

A stunning opening ceremony of noise, colour, music and images is now well advanced to project the 2013 British Cycle Speedway on a par with any professional sports final. The final will be screened on Sky Sports and will also be shown in 32 countries worldwide.

To ensure a proud and memorable staging, a classically trained soloist, attired in evening dress, will sing the National Anthem live and there will be pre-match entertainment at the Hearsall Common location, set in a spacious green setting just a mile from Coventry city centre.

A radio advertising campaign, together with half page full colour adverts in the local print media, is sure to fulfil one of the main aims of the Coventry final – to attract a vast non cycle speedway crowd and make it an `event` and not just a sports final.

The Coventry club have already secured, for a minority grass roots sport, sizable funding and sponsorship for the event. This figure already stands at over five figures. A full `British Finals Commercial Opportunities` brochure, including an on-line version, will be available soon.

Many of the Coventry club, the stalwarts who kept the flag flying in the wilderness years, and many of the scores of new riders, parents and volunteers are delighted with the allocation of the finals to Hearsall Common.

Lee Marsh, father of riders Josh and Sam, said: “This is brilliant news”.  Former top rider Ian Batley, the 1981 English League Junior Champion, in a message from Poland, said: “Well done to all concerned.”

One of the clubs many sponsors, Phil Moodie said: “A very well done to everyone concerned in bringing such a major event to Coventry.”  Former chairman Gary Pointer said: “Fantastic news”, whilst his wife Lorraine added: “Excellent work by everyone concerned.”

One of the club’s most recent volunteer recruits, Mike Simons-Powell, said: “Wow!” and Dave Kirrane, father of James, one of Coventry`s stars of the future, commented: “This is great news for a wonderful community sports club.”

And, the accolades kept coming in their scores. 2012 British finalist Myke Grimes said: “Count me in for every training session next year. This is fantastic news”. Long serving club secretary Jez Hughes added: “Excellent news.”

Professional promoter Joe McLaughlin could not be contacted for comment as he was at one of his music industry events and was said to be on his third bottle of Bollinger!

MIDLANDS NOMINATE COVENTRY TO HOST 2013 FINALS – posted 6 November 2012

The Midland region has nominated Coventry to host the 2013 national championships on August Bank Holiday Monday.

The region’s clubs voted to support Coventry’s nomination in a secret ballot at the Midland annual general meeting held at Langley Lodge Community Centre, Langley High Street, Langley on Sunday.  The Warwickshire club beat off a strong challenge from Wednesfield as both clubs vied to hold next year’s blue riband event.

Coventry provided extensive documentation in support of their application, detailing the preliminary work which had already been done, outlining the high level of sponsorship and publicity which would be forthcoming.  Coventry also hoped that a successful staging of the finals would result in the provision of a new purpose built racing track, funded by Coventry City Council.

Wednesfield provided verbal support of their application, drawing attention to the  successful finals they had organised in the past, and the extensive improvements which had recently been made to the facilities at their track. Wednesfield expressed the view that the awarding of the finals would be a very appropriate reward for their local community which had been so supportive following the recent arson attack at the club’s premises.

Both clubs stressed that if they were not successful in their request to stage the finals, they intended to fully support the other.

Although voting was by secret ballot it has been widely reported on social networks that the vote was 6-2 in favour of Coventry, a strong endorsement from Midland clubs.

Coventry’s nomination will be discussed by British Cycling’s Cycle Speedway Commission when they meet in Birmingham on Wednesday 21 November.  In the normal course of events, the Commission would be expected to rubber-stamp the Midland’s recommendation.  However it thought officials want to scrutinise next year’s applications more closely, particularly when it comes to track facilities.   

COUNCIL IN £5,000 BID TO SECURE NATIONAL FINALS – posted 3 November 2012

Coventry Cycle Speedway club this afternoon confirmed in a

media release their intention to make a dramatic late bid to stage the 2013 British Cycle Speedway Finals, due to be held in the Midlands in August.

The news comes after frantic activity all this week involving Coventry officials to generate enough sponsorship and funding to present a British Finals promotional showcase that not only the sport will be proud of but one that will promote cycle speedway to a national and international audience. The attraction of a non cycle speedway crowd is one of Coventry`s key objectives.

It is now confirmed that professional promotor Joe McLaughlin has secured a massive £5,000 grant - just to stage the actual racing on finals day. This will come complete with Sky Sports TV coverage, a full presentational package including start line girls, marching band and centre green podium dancers.

Coventry have also confirmed the presence of a huge LED vehicle based forty foot screen that will tower above the back straight on finals day, showing the leader board, pit shots, the previous races, interviews with the riders and sponsors logos.

In separate support, the Godiva city club have secured the provision of 250 tiered seats, supplied by the company that provides additional grandstands at the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Open Golf championship.

In addition, McLaughlin has secured substantial sponsorship from two major retail outlets, one a major international company. A further four figure sum has been obtained from a Midlands company. Coventry are also set to net £750 from heat sponsorships.

Coventry will be supported by Leicester, who will stage the British under-16s final and the British Open semi finals. Bretford are expected to stage the British under -10s final. To complete a logistically sound bid, the finals weekend headquarters will be the well appointed Village Hotel, 300 yards from the Coventry track. Two

other Midland clubs are to support the Coventry application.

Already, vastly experienced official Jez Hughes has been named provisional Event Manager, with Rob Maguire being Track Manager, jovial Dave Foster will be Master of Ceremonies, Shaun Reynolds handling PR, with Mclaughlin taking care of Sponsorship and Promotion. Coventry have also named 20 separate adult volunteers to help run the finals day.

This massive sponsorship, funding, promotional features and positions depend on Coventry being awarded the final at the Midlands League AGM this Sunday, 4th November.