george.m

Why not the .... White Knight?

Is he being negative, or making an observation? I'd suggest the latter.

It's very hard for any of us to be impartial on the subject of speedway. We might think we are, but we're not. We're all emotionally involved in one way or another - positive, negative, whatever. We're all well intentioned, despite our differences on the BSF, and want the same end result - speedway to be successful. So what does success look like? Many on here look back to the good old days - sorry I've got bad news for you. But you knew that already. Some talk of encouraging the young to attend. The lifeblood for the future. Spot on! The only true way to measure the potential for speedway is to undertake professional market research, followed by a business plan. But what are you researching? Do you research in its current state or what we all think it should be? Well you can't research the latter. This is where we come to the crux of the matter. VIEWER WARNING If you don't want to hear it as it is .... stop reading. Speedway in its current state has a niche appeal. Yes we all love our speedway. We are all part of that niche. Have you ever stood at a railway station and thought ... "why is that grown man in the anorak filming a train going through"? Yes, we are all that man! We love our hobby. But we are in a minority. It's an outdoor sport. Held mainly at night time. So it can be cold. There's a lot of standing around for 15 minutes entertainment. It can be boring. Kids have school next day. So why bother? There's competition. Yes, speedway has competition! A night in front of the TV. A night down the pub. A take away with the husband/wife. Playing the latest computer game with your mates. Etc, etc, etc. So what can speedway be like? Entertaining races can be few and far between - those dreaded three words ..... gate and go! Then there's the rules. I've been going to speedway for 36 years and I still don't know them all! A family goes for the first time. Its Heat Two - everyone around them is cheering and they don't have a clue what's going on. "Dad who won?" "Err I don't know" "Dad, why not?" "Err I don't know" "Dad, in that first race ... I thought you said we'd have a good view standing at the fence on the first turn. We got covered in dirt!" We've all done it ... because we didn't know better. Do we really expect a newbie to understand what is going on? What do we really do to help them? (I digress here, but how many promotions have a simple explanation sheet they can hand out at the turnstiles to newbies - it would cost next to nothing. Imagine attending a speedway meeting for the first time and Gladys at the turnstile asks you if you'd like a little something to help you enjoy the night more - made to feel welcome or what?) The food and drink can be awful. "We'll have a chippy on the way home". Oh and then there's the cost. How much for a family of four? Or even a parent and kid? Going to a speedway meeting can be pretty dire! So which part of that do you sell to the non-believers? Of course I've painted an exaggeratedly poor picture. I do so intentionally, because speedway is our kid, and like real kids we don't see our own like others do. So getting back on track. If you research that lot, we all know what the results will be. And more importantly .... a total waste of money! Hurry up George, I'm losing the will to live here! Tell us something we don't know. OK. First and foremost, speedway needs to get its act together now! It needs to focus first and foremost on putting on an entertaining product, in an acceptable environment at an acceptable price. Tell us something we don't know! We'll it's quite simple. We all already know it. But what do you do about it? Do you tell the promoters? Do supporters clubs tell them? You're sport needs you! Get this sorted, then you can do the research to see what will make speedway more appealing to youngsters. Aye right George, that costs money and there isn't any in speedway. Yes and no. Yes it costs money, but it's an investment. No, there is the money to do it. How? One of two ways, or both. 1. A £1 levy at the British GP on every ticket bought - £30K+ 2. A £1 levy on everyone attending an Elite, Premier and National League meeting in one particular week - £25K+. This will buy you a lot of research and a NATIONAL marketing plan from a good research company. Then we need a BSPA committed to the greater good ... otherwise it's all been a waste of money! Your sport needs you! PS - Have a look at what the new Glasgow promotion are doing. Some bloody good stuff, from the outside there appears to be a business plan created from consultation with the playing public.

Absolutely right. And if your mates are somewhere else you want to be with them, not the black sheep.

Can anyone confirm if there was a dope test after the meeting?

Can't help but think some Berwick fans would be unhappy if the shale was the wrong colour.

Many have said the same on this forum and you're 100% right. To do that to best effect, there needs to be one body, the BSPA, initiating it. No point in each team/promotion doing their own thing, flock shooting in marketing has least effect. It would also be most cost effective due to economies of scale. it would be quite easy for the BSPA to have a 'development fund', which could be based on a percentage of each promotions gate receipts.

I respect you have your opinions, which you're entitled to. I can't agree. As what you are saying is less, is more. I've been to many meetings where the end result is influenced by heats 13 and 15 as the meeting is that close. May not be your experience, granted. I'd rather see as much of the top riders as possible, not less. Surely that's why so many go to the GP at Cardiff, to see as many top riders racing each other as possible? Interesting to see the views of others in the "Dissertation Questionnaire - Results" thread: Why do you personally like Speedway? - The racing 32% Not suggesting you're wrong in your opinion.

Because I'm an optimist! And can't get enough of a good thing. I go to speedway to see good racing first and foremost - entertainment! Have seen many great heat 13s followed by similar 15s. Often riders motivated by gaining revenge! The converse of that logic is move to 13 heats and speedway attendances increase. I'm sure you don't believe that. The familiarity in the Elite league is the lack of teams. Not the number of heats.

Just to get this thread back onto it's original theme.... My SKY TV doesn't have a GPS. Why do you need it and how do I get one?

I much prefer 15 heats. Especially the nominated heat idea. If a meeting's been decided prior it still gives something to look forward too. And my memory of second halves was the frequent disrespect shown by riders - uncompetitive riding, testing engines, finishing last in their first heat so they could leave and get to the pub before it closed, or just plain leaving the stadium due to a prior appointment (to get to the pub before it closed). Nowadays it would be leaving to get a flight to Poland. For £16 I want 15 competitive races, not 13. Second halves - no thank you.

It's official. The speedway season has opened at Berwick. With normal service resumed on BSF

Absolutely! After all, that's why we go to speedway meetings.

"He who casts the first stone" has relevance when one individual directly criticises another. However, in this thread I'd argue the majority of people are making reference to Darcy in his professional capacity and many of them are paying customers. Paying customers have every right to critique what they are paying for.

Understandably the focus in the majority of threads is on the drugs and drink element. We mustn't forget he also did a runner from the police and that in itself is pretty serious. And it shows poor judgement on his part.

Not knowing the details of his contract I can't say for sure. There may be the issue of image rights, which lets face it, you'd like to think Darcy or his representatives would have included in salary negotiations. Image is 24/7. Of course there could be other issues from the Swedish POV and who are we in the UK to tell them what to think/do.

Depends on the details of the contract. Sentiment doesn't override a legal document. Image rights may be part of the agreement between the two parties. Also, in Sweden they may not take as tolerant a view towards drugs as we do. So who are we to judge.

Would Neil not be contradicting his earlier statement that this is normal behaviour?

Has to be that, as there is no way Edinburgh will be 12th! Far too good a septet for that!

Last seen this afternoon in a bong shop buying a kid's birthday present.

I'm not giving an opinion here. Just trying to answer another poster's query ... for god's sake.

I wouldn't know the exact legalities at present, but from previous experience... Officially the authorities previously could only have on your record, what is "on record". However, I believe a lot changed after 9/11. National security and all that. Legal interpretation now less stringent .... if it suits. Whether 'drugs" comes into this I don't know.

It's all on computer linked to your passport number.

Still has a lot to offer speedway, hope we see that coming to fruition.

Done. Good luck