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See the idiots back.

One rider, Vic Duggen, did not have his initials for a good reason. He just had Vic on his bib.

Exactly. I don’t get the point either. I enjoyed the reveal and it will have been well received by Edinburgh supporters. Why should the promotion ignore their existing fan base by delivering the expected or the norm and who is to say that was a waste of Edinburgh’s time? Their reveal was not a marketing opportunity, but some supporters will take literally any opportunity to shoot down the sports’s promoters. There are lots of people on this forum trying to convince others that they are knowledgeable in marketing and promotion, but I doubt many have any experience in this area. I for one am convinced that promoters are not idiots as many would like you to believe.

If you watch King at Foxhall,, he rides a different line into the bends,, he turns in metres later.,,, also when on his best form Heeps does the same. Last year Allen was going into bends,, over locking trying to keep it tight,,, thats how it looked anyway. Up in back straight stand you can see the different lines the riders take,,, maybe a few of them should go up there and watch where Danny turns,,, as its definatley the fastest way round Foxhall after a couple of races

Speedway Fans - we need to move forward not do the same old things also speedway fans - why did that club try something new surely a wee article on their website would have sufficed

Always find this odd… why should people part with there money when theres so many unknowns. Its up to Birmingham to entice people with a well put together side not fans to just part with there cash to watch rubbish

Surely they haven't let him get out again!

Connor should be in the Armadale Devils team

Is it anyone's business what a rider gets paid? It's not my business what you get paid, so it's not your business what I get paid...

You may need more shale than last season when you make the track bigger to accommodate the soccer pitch,allegedly this is what's being planned

Dinosaur mentality this.

They normally take them back just after Xmas...

80% of ‘ mechanics ‘ ( and a lot of them are kidding themselves to be called that ) do it for a pie and a pint. Most are ‘ mates ‘ and do it for the love of the sport, there are some very good ones out there but they know the state of the sport and usually the rate ‘their’ rider is on and don’t charge such silly fees.

He will be very fortunate to get 50 meetings in the UK unless he’s the most popular guest in both divisions and to be that he would have to be a lot cheaper than your wage estimates ! Richard is not a greedy lad but you appear to be making it out he demands high wages. Whilst every rider deserves as much as can get , please don’t make figures up just for impact.

I've got a BSPA rule book..... but I think it's well beyond repair!

I doubt that announcing the team members at the beginning of January for a season that won't start till April could ever have had any appeal to non-speedway fans no matter how different or glitzy you made it or where you presented it. It's purely aimed at those with an interest in the team.

Not sure why everybody’s getting their knickers in a twist over ‘ guarantees ‘. These can take many forms, i.e. a minimum guarantee mainly used for low average riders so they at least know they can cover their expenses. There’s an ‘ average ‘ guarantee, guaranteed payment upto your average and then a ‘ bonus ‘ for scoring extra points. They come in many forms, one club paid all 7 riders a ‘ guarantee wage ‘ so that he knew what his wage bill would be each match. It’s up to the promoter how he comes up with a deal and nothing to do with the rest of us.

Vinnie Foord announced this morning and with Dan Thompson being a cert you are doing ok with your first selection!

TJ 7.10 going by BSPA Website

I would challenge that. I think the seven Glasgow have lined up are the strongest they’ve had in a good while. Reasons to be confident.

Reading Woofy may be returning to Britain,,, wow he could have made a good third heat leader

No way should Woffinden be allowed to come in on a 7.03, the BSPA need to step in for the best interests of the sport.

Thank You @stewmac I see that the first race meeting in Sweden is scheduled for Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Örnsköldsvik.

First up the 50 meetings was just a number plucked out by geoff100 that i used as part of the rough figures. Second the £500 per meeting was a figure that Richard himself quoted: He said: “I’m owed just under £8,000. I hope Ian Jordan is never allowed back into speedway. I’m out of pocket. It’s not just the money he owes. The way I race it costs me £500 to ride every meeting. You’re putting your bike and body on the line and it’s not on. In fact im far from suggesting he is is greedy, im simply justifying the figure quoted and highlighting the costs involved with higher level speedway in th UK at present and the impact on riders when they go unpaid.

A good few years ago now, (2012 maybe), I got talking in the pits at a meeting with the major sponsor of a rider who was then riding as a "top rider" in both leagues, as he doubled up/down as a heat leader in both.. The rider in question had spent circa £30k the year before, only riding in the UK.. He also told me how much approximately the rider had earned which left me amazed given how few patrons are engaged enough to attend Speedway meetings... The figure quoted was "impressive" but realistically, upon reflection, was around the "normal expectant return" on such a huge level of investment in your "business", especially as you then have the usual day to day living costs to pay out of your "profit"... A level of investment which was described as "normal for his level of rider"... In a sport that attracts so relatively few through the doors you can clearly see why it struggles, with their "employees", quite naturally, wanting recompense to reflect their considerable outlay...

Cannot remember which forum contributor it is who sponsors riders but a fair while ago he mentioned that one NDL/Championship rider he sponsored was looking at £25k a season (minimum) in running costs... Wasnt a "big name" either...

So rough numbers using the 50 meetings quoted so 50 x £500 = 25k 50 meetings ave 5 races a meeting = 250 races. Engine service every 35 races = 7 services a year £500 per service = £3500 2 x Bikes to start the season less engines 5k each so current running total £13,500. Then throw in kit like boots, helmets, undersuits if all fresh another 2k so around £15,000 thus far. Then its running costs a set of clutch plates will be £100-160 (depends what he uses) and is likely changed every 1-2 meetings so anything from £2500-8000 Then of course there is all the other running costs, items that get bent, broken along the way, engine blow ups etc that need to be accounted for. If Lawson sources his own van that will have costs attached also so its not overly hard to see how the costs can rapidly add up for a better end UK based rider. Oh and of course there is around 6k on hairbands, shampoo and conditioner after ever meeting

GB are world champions and not a peep on BBC SPOTY. Have a pop at the top of the pile. They didn’t get their message across to BBC and millions of non speedway fans.

because it is.

I think the reaction to the way Edinburgh presented the 2022 shows you it was well received so I suspect you’re in the minority in your view thankfully. Not sure why we’re bothering with race suits either - will do nothing to attract newcomers……..

Sounds like they all need to sign you up as their commercial manager. Another marketing expert who has all the answers. It was a team reveal. Why would anyone who is not a speedway fan be remotely interested in that?

Not necessarily true. If the ‘ asset ‘ is not ‘ fancied by the owners then coughing up a few hundred for a rider they do ‘ fancy ‘ then that’s what will happen. There’s also the case of the ‘asset’ not wishing not to ride for his owners, Loads of examples of that in the past.

He's coming in for Belle Vue... Not Poole, Glasgow or Scunthorpe... His average will have doubled since he last rode here

Wish the Confirmed signings thread was updated!

paco has signed for Edinburgh

Committing to a full season is an issue.

Not sure facts and Lewy should be said in the same sentence!!

In the corners I would say Foxhall is wider than those 2 tracks,,, what it doesn't have is the amount of banking that they do,,,

Danyon an Ipswich asset

So I’ve heard it’s likely gonna be Tai. I’m not sure how I feel about that tbh.

Danyon's not an asset is he?!

Bit unfair that Adam Ellis is being judged on a rumour.

Need to wait and see if you can see at Newcastle with new lights needed for the dog track.

Why wait till September...? Sign Woffy and use guests all year long for him... "Unfortunatley Tai cannot be here tonight (again), due to (fill your own reason in), but instead we have been very lucky to book the services of Scott Nicholls, (again).. "We did try and book Bomber, (the other usual "go to" guest rider for all teams), but quickly realised that he was already riding for us"...

For anyone interested ive knocked together a list of riders and their commitments for 2022 Covers gb, denmark, poland and sweden Might just give people a bit of insigght as to whom belle vue could pick up at reserve and as the second second string as well as that all important third heat leader Click the photo links (note could be a couple of errors or omissions https://ibb.co/mbNH44H https://ibb.co/f22gsT6 https://ibb.co/RpYhw5R https://ibb.co/09jp8qH https://ibb.co/LS8rmfm https://ibb.co/jTw42z4 https://ibb.co/v4hJTbH Note the numbering next to riders with polish commitments donates what tier of polish racing they have a team spot in

These are personal feelings though arent they, you got the impression he was giving up, steve got the impression he was not trying on purpose, it's fine but are they not just your personal opinions not based on knowing any facts It's the same for all riders really, I'm privy to a little bit of information on Jake, but it's the same for all riders, it's their living I dont think many are deliberately trying to score 0's I'm sure there are reasons for most riders why they dont perform in certain meetings or for a certain duration of time, it's a very accessible sport so why not ask a rider why they are struggling rather than post it across forums, this isnt an aim at either of you personally just generally as you get a lot of people posting on all aspects of social media, just ask a rider, there are a few fans that do, you get an understanding from the horses mouth then you can put those words against your opinion then either change your opinion or come up with a new conclusion I'm all for opinions and people should have their own but some also cross a line at times which isn't necessary but then the world is filled with all types of people isnt it

You can have an opinion on what you want and I have no desire to change it but you're a contradiction to yourself You admit you're not in behind the scenes, you've said you've watched a lot of speedway, you can tell when someone is low on confidence and when someone is not trying. That isn't knowing facts, that's similar to just tossing a coin to come up with an answer that suits you, it's very much character assassinating to say someone isn't trying However you're not behind the scenes to know for sure why any rider might be struggling for points, there are numerous reasons why various riders struggle at times, why not go see them after a meeting and ask them

We have been through terrible times , almost going out of business on numerous occasions, had more homes than possibly any other team, but when the Facenna's took over, they were trying to save the fooball and speedway at Ashfield, don't know if you have ever been, but the stadium was an absolute dump, toilets a no go area, the Facenna's spent a lot of money upgrading it and the track, widening it and digging out the underlying holes and bumps. They paid riders on time without fail, and yes initially they overpaid to get riders to come , as the travelling was an issue, but since the guarantee with a previous rider who let us down on numerous occasions, we no longer give guarantees, riders are paid on performance. Glasgow were not the top payers in the league. We are just trying to raise the profile of speedway nationally. I hope no more teams are lost. Happy new year to all speedway fans and all clubs, hope we can get rid of this covid virus and get back to some sort of normality.

There was a time when you used to see a photo salesman with a large board outside the turnstiles selling all manner of home and away riders photos, and a selection of rosettes, badges. sadly don't think any of the current English clubs have enough fans interested in spending money on merchandise to make it a viable proposition. What I have seen of "merch" in track shops has generally been pretty poor quality. Have to say I do have a decent baseball cap from Kent Kings track shop.

BBC Breakfast News this morning featuring Dan Bewley and the TeamGB winners of the SoN. Could TeamGB be in line for the 'Team of the Year' award on SPOTY tomorrow?!