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If we add the effects of our departure from the EU the days of cheap and simply-organised foreigners has hit the buffers. I suspect that apart from a fully amateur grass roots league the only way forward at the higher level is a semi-professional set-up based on riders who are based here for the season and can commit to a full season here. This would effectively be a rebirth of the highly successful National League model of the late seventies and eighties, with a pool of British and Commonwealth riders. Those who wish to take Poland's money could be allowed to, but at the Polish club's expense. If they can pay megabucks per point they can pay the air fares.... Whatever level emerges it must fit one simple principle. The costs must not outweigh the revenue.

I certainly don’t know all the answers but a scenario where it’s much cheaper to get in, meetings are more regular and riders are always present save for injury would only be a good thing. If speedway was reincarnated in this way and somebody who knows what they are doing could rebrand and market the whole thing properly and professionally it might grow again, you never know.

The top two leagues of British speedway has for many years relied on cheap airlines to enable riders to race in multiple leagues around Europe, however with the aviation industry collapsing the knock on effect for British Speedway is simple….. it will not have access to riders who wish to race in more than just the British league as the logistics will just not allow it. No star riders will mean a significant drop in crowds (I am guessing levels of 50% pre CV19) which will lead to lower revenues from ticket sales along with a significant drop in sponsorship/advertising revenue as well. If clubs have less money to spend then riders will also be paid less and some will probably turn their back on the sport as they cannot afford to ride, thus reducing the pool of available riders down even further. In my opinion British Speedway needs to give up on the idea of their rider assets holding any financial value and press the reset button to create a new blueprint to survive post CV19 ready to be launched in March 2021 (subject to government restrictions). I believe now is a great opportunity for supporters to share their thoughts and ideas on what British Speedway ‘reborn’ should look like and which clubs should be part of it so I can send them on to the current guardians of each club. I look forward to reading the thoughts you may share on this.

You have drawn a conclusion, without knowing how the question was asked. If people were asked for their top reason, then you cannot say only 40% are interested in teams/riders.

It won't simply because someone will always have the idea "Hey, what about four guys racing on a stadium track that all spectators can see, and have a team to support" It might fade away temporarily at the top but at grass roots there will always be speedway, it's a simple sport. The trick is not to mess it up by making it complicated. As long as there are bikes, tracks and guys mad enough to use both it'll survive.

Any rider on a British licence will have to ride just in Britain then surely.... If said rider wanted to be based in Poland and ditch the British Leagues then I would expect his licence to be revoked......

Becoming at least short term semi pro one league and long term second feeder league something like the late 60's early 70's ( Gulf league and NL) with fixed costs for points /start money.Riders can boost their income through their own sponsorship deals but some form of engine/ mod control ,maybe club engines with their own running gear .

On a sad note 2 ex comets no longer with us, Tony dart and Blair Scott, both seamed to have had some mental health issues. RIP both

I've been given some Old Pulteney 12 year single malt by my son in law when he came round to ask to marry my daughter, haven't opened it yet, is it good, or should I refused him permission?

The premise that people just want to be entertained and will turn up regardless is surely blown to bits by Poole alone? They went from a side with Rickardson, Adams, Loram etc turning out for them and attracted crowds to make most blush. They are now a watered down version of what they once were, and their attendances show that. All the while a track like Scunthorpe has never grown based solely on "entertainment" If people simply wanted to be entertained by the "love of the sport" why do so many bother spending the time effort and money going to the GP in Cardiff when they could just go to the National League Riders Championship? Surely both should attract similar sized crowds? "entertainment" typically goes hand in hand with the better standard of riders who generally provide a better level of entertainment. The lesser the quality of rider the lesser the standard of entertainment, the notion you can see a National League meeting as good as a Grand Prix meeting for instance, has never actually been a truism. British Speedway hasn't been on a mission to find its true belonging by "removing" the top riders, it has lost it's identity in loosing them and attempted to flip the narrative to "we didn't need them anyway" which has been held like a comfort blanket by those who have watched others walk away. Very few people only go for "the love of the sport" recent years have cemented that - people did want to see names, the best riders on show, it is why more people went when they were on show.

While I appreciate the element of speculate to accumulate etc, if tracks haven’t been in a place where they have the disposable income to spend on scoreboards before I doubt they will now, nor do I think it would be crowd growing if they did. I don’t think it is such things that have kept people away but rather a crap product across the board I would apply that same disposable income theory to possible attendees (and sponsors) as well, it will most likely be a while before a decent % of people have the money to keep attendances where they were (poor) let alone grow them or change the destiny of the sport. The majority of tracks will do well to survive this, which in turn will diminish the number of riders who choose, or actually have the choice to make it their profession or even hobby.

Why can't we run with the engine's they tried in the meeting that was run at the isle of wight? It would be cheaper for riders promoters ect. And the racing maybe better? What do people think?

I agree with all of that - maybe have a 'speedway app' that could enhance the experience for the watching fans as well (and the ones who can't be present at the meeting). The bikes don't have to be tuned up thoroughbreds, a good race is four riders closely racing, not follow your leader at high speed.

This is a great way forward IF it could be replicated as much as it has been in Sweden. But this is a medium term possibility as I doubt if it coul dbe "sold" to councils and or comminuty groups in a few months.( even in 12 months ). I suggest that it is entirely renamed - perhaps as "Dirt Track Racing" or somesuch. It needs to be on standard bikes with no tuner add ons and therefore easier to have a go and start riding for youngsters . F2? Perhaps even 250cc bikes ( as the 500cc rockets ships have inherent problems in their use inc safety & cost ) . Perhaps on a single manufacturer's machine. Get the empahasis on talent winning ( and having a beter chance of proving more reliable exciting racing ) and not the increasingly "first away wins". Boring! Include handicap racing - maybe in ability bands to offer a better on track experience for the younger new supporters. What is clear that the same old, same old of at least the last 20 years will not attract a sufficent new audience for the sport to survive. Definitely improve the P.A. everywhere ( so that interviews etc can be heard ) and Please DO change the music played and general style of 1970s presentation. That's the dim and distant past and a turnoff in trying to sell the new style action. Get those yawning time gaps deleted from meetings! Concrete starting grid - so NO gardening and more time wasted. I could go on!

I tend to agree. I'm sure that speedway will survive and hopefully common sense will previal and expenses looked at...the days of super-charged bikes costing thousands to tune may well be at an end as it's unsustainable at the present level certainly in this country. If that means that "The Stars" look abroad for the mega bucks then so be it.

Well you can sleep easier with the light on... and I bet you cant remember the last time you were hard!!! Or you could pee easier with the light on? you would be okay because you sit down... Regards THJ

Like you say, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to totally rebrand the sport. Will those in power have the balls and the knowhow to pull this off, lets hope so.

One is made in Ireland & the other is made in Scotland. No seriously, I think ruff is right in the grains used. Irish whiskey, with an "e", is made with malted & unmalted barley whereas the Scottish whisky, without the "e", is only made with malted barley.

Something for us older comets fans " bob valentine " was 80 yrs old yesterday now that makes me feel old!

His first bends almost became legendary how he would run in so deep and pretty much take anybody with him who got in his way. As Sugarray has posted, the drive he would get off the bends was unreal. You know he loved racing for Somerset too and was pretty passionate about it. I’m not sure why the numbers didn’t work out the following year as he would of been my first name on the team sheet, but he went to Peterborough and I think rode against us in a challenge match at their track and then was injured in the following meeting... and forced to retire

Not when I drove past there about 5 weeks ago. Bit small for a new track though I think.

Thanks for the response. Quite a few folk on Facebook have said they would be interested so I'll set it up this week. There are many unpublished old Black and white photos from the late 60's and 70's to keep any speedway fan interested :-)

No am working on a central heating pump would you believe... It's a 1977 Ford Capri with 69,000 miles on... 1600cc in a nice metallic green with a go faster black vinyl roof... I was the third owner in 1980... cost me 2800 after a got 400 quid for the mini I traded in... was offered 10k for it last year an if he had of went to 12k I may have relented but I think he will be back.... apparently he lost his virginity in a very simlar model... May not be a classic in the true sense of the word but it is something I have cherished over the years... Every day is a Christmas Day at the minute... just think about what the poor sods had to put up with during the war!!! 4 years they had it with no TV or gadgets to entertain them.... we will survive just got to keep smiling on through and remember there is always someone worse off... you could be dead... I have now lost several friends to this awful virus and we aren't out of the woods yet.... however and to be totally honest I am looking forward to getting back to some normality... but still need to keep a sense of reality and a smile on the dial... Regards THJ

You sound nice.

Most speedway fans have a favourite year depending on age and length of time watching our sport. Mine would be 1965. The British League was formed and we had a long league season. Many more teams to visit Custom House and many new riders to watch. West Ham won the league, the KO cup and the London cup. Bjorn Knutsson became World Champion and finished second in the Internationale. All in all the year that has remained in my memory when others have faded.

A few people have suggested that it might be a good idea to set up my own dedicated speedway Facebook page to feature the 1000's of old photos from the 60's & 70's and share some of my video clips from 2006 onwards. I've found some programmes that we produced for Motors TV back in the day too so what do you think? Are there enough speedway groups already on there or do you think more speedway fans would enjoy a dedicated page just for these videos and photos? Thinking along the lines of 'Bennett's Speedway Stuff' but open to suggestions! :-) Let me know and if enough people are interested I'll set it up this week.

Mike, I love reading your posts and respect your views very much. To consider though that any but a handful of CL tracks would break even let alone make money for such an event would be more accurate an assessment. I don't get the obsession with finals at the NSS either?.. I think a lot of promotors with a September start will be thinking 2 local derbies home and away to cut costs optimise crowds and make few quid for the long winter as season tickets and sponsorship next winter just not going to happen.

It isn't i agree but the attitude of some on this thread was very poor.

Just been reading Jason Garrity has been a naughty boy... Looks like he will be doing some compulsory social distancing and social isolating at Her Majesty's pleasure... What a tool... and a waste of a talent... Regards THJ

Well ave got an unopened one too as it happens from a guy I helped to get a job with a good reference but I have had it before and it wasn't to bad... bout 25 quids worth and fair play to the lad he's trying... like the thing I am watching now it's a starter for 10... you could have a good one there... ideal for wetting the head of the first grandchild and don't worry it won't go off... Never mind the daughter he's a keeper if he's buying you drink... Regards THJ

Sad.

Modern solos do enough damage, especially at the start. Side cars are carrying twice the weight.

La Reole and Muhldorf are both cancelled.

Is he " british" ? Or just when it suits?

I'd accept any form of racing right now. The lovely spring weather adds to the frustration. If it was pouring down every day, i wouldn't give it much thought.

YES it was cancelled 36 hours before it was due ! Had it gone ahead I would have been 5 weeks into my recovery period . No idea when it will happen now so just have to battle on in pain !!

The issue isn't the music that's available. It's the choice of whoever is selecting what to play. The best thing is to play a variety from all eras - from 60s to current - and mix it about. The idea of having meeting music broadcast through an app and through a pair of headphones is, in my opinion, a terrible idea.

I appreciate the wishful thinking but I doubt it. I don’t really think the narrative around the sport can be changed and it will most likely fade away after all of this.

Interesting that the old 15 year survey on another thread had only 30% of fans attending in the main to 'support their team', and only 10% went based on the quality of riders on show.. And that was when more 'top names' rode over here.. Therefore, presuming the %'s are still similar, (and I would think they are not a million miles away), what an opportunity to put on 'entertaining Speedway' in whatever guise it can.. When 70% go and watch and are not unduly bothered which team wins, then they are a real target market for each track to have them go away thinking "that night was great, I'll be back next time".. The promoters should spend this down time working out how to deliver 'a great night out' when the sport returns, rather than spending time getting slide rules out to determine whether 'Rider A' can guest for 'Rider B' in a meeting that only 3 in 10 fans in attendance are bothered who wins... A huge opportunity for fundamental radical change.. Will it be taken?

Aye, something like that, I learned some stuff at college. Dunno if whisky, (with or without E),,, is good for unblocking your sink, as it's the only place I would put it

I am ...... lost my old log on so had to use a new one

Probably by about 13 years!

Unfortunately I personally think that it's only a matter of time before Cowley Stadium goes the same way.

I doubt you will see any form of Speedway in the UK this year at all and this is being realistic.

That's brilliant business, more companies should try this! Let's introduce a lower selling product to kill of our biggest seller ...

Gave the chap on Tesco checkout a fiver yesterday to have a pint on me. You'd have thought I'd offered to pay he's mortgage he was so grateful. Made me think I don't reckon many had made the gesture. Then again I don't know where he's going to buy the pint

No question has to be 1965, getting to see all the Nat. League Teams and riders we'd read about coming to Somerton Park. Also seeing how the Prov. League stars did up against the "big boys"- not too badly-thinking of Charlie Monk, Eric Boocock, George Hunter etc. It was a wonderful year and I will never forget it. BTW Of the old Prov League tracks the highest placed finisher in the 1965 BL was Newport-won every meeting at home , plus two away and the never to be forgotten 2 point only loss to the Dons at Wimbledon. Jack Biggs unforgettable season as a Newport heat leader-surprised everybody.

PVC Basques........ Ha.

If you don't see the difference between someone selling weed and someone selling crystal meth, seems there is little chance of a sensible discussion...