mikebv

I have said before, British Speedway needs to base itself on the BSB model as against Poland being the WSB model... BSB has mainly domestic riders, some of whom have tried the higher level and come back. Some of whom have ridden solely BSB and made a living out of it. And some younger lads who see the BSB as a stepping stone to a higher level.. What they don't try and do is compete with the WSB or let them impact their business and operating model.. British Speedway, like BSB has, needs to find its own niche, and it's own identity, which then delivers a solid fan base.. At whatever level it can afford to be profitable, racing on nights each track deem to be the best for them to attract that solid fan base.. And make it a success.. And then move on from there by organic, structured, annual growth, based on a clear development plan which has learnt from past mistakes....

Some clubs will pay their Number Ones more than that for just one season if the stories from many 'inside the sport' are accurate.. Maybe there needs to be a couple of years plan where clubs don't pay out such money but use this investment to bring their circuits up to the standards that suit the bikes more..? It currently forks out hundreds of thousands to riders every single year, yet often the spectacle is let down by the very 'canvas' these 'artists' have to use.. Get the track right and it could deliver years and years of return on that investment.. A much higher return maybe than the short term outlay to certain riders year on year who don't actually have any real impact, in the main, on crowd levels... Many of whom, given the way the sport is ran, might not even be riding for the same club the year after.. As is seen at certain tracks.. Give these lads the platform on which to perform and they truly do deliver an awesome spectacle.. Maybe time to invest in the infrastructure more rather than the employees? A bit of short term pain for the long term gain..

Part of a wider huge national retail business I am afraid Barry, just one small cog... I have tried to get my company involved locally but unfortunately the lack of media exposure and demographic/volume of fans doesn't make any sponsorship investment appear to have a viable return according to the bean counters... I am sure you already connect locally with retailers on the island directly..? Most national supermarket companies will allow their Managers certain autonomy when it comes to 'supporting the local community' initiatives especially when not in direct competition. (My company once had the Aces doing a roadshow (riders and bikes and video) one Saturday at another local store which was driven by the Store rather than Head Office). So it could well be worth getting into their individual ribs, particularly when so many self catering holiday makers will be using their shops to buy their weekly items.. Nothing like something tangible to look at, touch and feel to make people aware, rather than just giving out leaflets.. As I say, you probably do this already given the pro active way you and the team down there go about things.. Certainly admire your drive and determination and also the way you are prepared to seek every opportunity to grow your business and spread your message,..

Many German teams are ran by fans' committees.. "By the fans, for the fans"... A much different model than over here where the hundreds of millions guaranteed by just one season in the Premier League means greed really is good, and going into a huge amount of debt in a belief you may one day reach that promised land is very much what passes a business plan..

"If you dont like it, then dont come" seldom seems to work... Yet it seems to have been the mantra of quite a few promoters over the years.. "We are right, and you are wrong" being an often pervading view.. A funny way to run a business, by people who seem to (outside Speedway), often run businesses so well they can bank roll the very Speedway team they tell people not to come an watch.. Very strange...

If Cook gets a ban for his actions will he be banned for Kings Lynn too? Or... Could the person doing the hearing deem it 'in the interests of Speedway' for him to continue riding for them..?

In my work life I have ran several shops around the country, and over the past decade or so always joined any local community face book groups that exist. Not in an official capacity, just as me.. The reason being we, as often the biggest supermarket and employer in the town, will often get mentioned... And, as is often the way, we get mentioned in a not too positive way as people will moan publicly often, but praise much less so.. However, for me, it is great (if sometimes uncomfortable) to see such issues as I at least have a chance to correct them.. What I would never do is say "you're wrong" as perception is 100% the truth for that individual making the comments.. What I would do is agree for them to meet me to discuss their gripes and fix them if I can but explain why I can't if that is the outcome.. Listening to your customers (both the good bits, but more importantly, the bad bits) seems to work.. Looks like some should try it..

Been sat here for three quarters of an hour.... It opens at 11.... Going to use Tesco's website next time...

So fans now use this website to determine whether to attend a Speedway meeting? Wow.. Another alternative idea of course could be checking with the staging club whether the meeting is on or not.. And to be fair, whoever posted the wrong information, and ultimately dissuaded people from going, probably now knows what it means to be a promoter as many of them have been dissuading people from going for years... Anyhow.... Anyone know what time my local Tesco is open today?

The NSS.. And a few Polish ones with the best Sweden has to offer.. Add in the 'flagship ones' in Warsaw and Cardiff.. And you have 'the perfect storm'... Magic made a very telling comment. . He said that (in the heat of battle) how much he was enjoying the "crazy racing"... Give these lads the 'playing field' and they will deliver, time and time again...

And wear boot polish black leathers with no sponsors showing. .

But, but, but... The modern machinery doesn't allow for that.. Everyone should ride 2 valve japs.

Just need to get the first GP of the year at the NSS now to set it all off with a bang. ..

Translated.. "I am everythang".....

Bartosz is a split second from disaster time and time again with his moves.. Great to watch, but maybe has a limited shelf life compared to those who take less risks..? What a sport this is when done so well.. Awesome..

When he talks about the 'straightaway' I think you may be right..

That slow mo first turn should be shown as an advert to promote the sport in this country. Awesome..

Bartosz Pendergrass..

Bartosz Pasquale...

I believe Subbuteo donated them circa 1974.. Nigel going full on Partridge.. Aha!!!!!!!!

Not as exciting as F1..

Got to love Emil haven't you...?

Wroclaw, like the NSS, has an American Football pitch inside it.. Maybe that's the secret everyones been missing..

Scotts comments should resonate around British Speedway.. What the track 'used to be like' was narrow and passing at a premium.. Give Speedway riders a track with wide entrances and exits to wide bends, and just enough dirt to pass but still be smooth and safe, and you have great racing.. We seem to pride ourself in technical, difficult tracks.. Which invariably deliver pretty poor racing..

Just enough grip on this track.. Looks like a few 'spinning up' too depending on which part of the track they hit, so those behind never feel out of the race... Superb sport when done well isn't it?