Hawk127

At Ipswich it is roughly once a fortnight except for speed weekend. It is not just bangers but a range of cars from stock cars, hot rods etc. To get an idea of attendances at Ipswich, take a look at the face book page for Foxhall Stadium. I think it may also depend on who is running the meetings. Spedeworth run Birmingham, Arlington, Ipswich, Mildenhall, Great Yarmouth, Northampton and Aldershot. They run at a few other venues. Ipswich speedway would certainly like the level of punters that turn up for the four wheeled motor sport and given the number of speedway meetings likely in 2018, attendances on a like for like basis based on frequency of meetings will be easier to judge. I am not comparing one sport against the other but was simply saying if you look at the numbers turning up for the four wheeled sport they seemingly are generating greater revenue than speedway hence from a business perspective why would you battle with the way speedway is run with dwindling numbers through the gate when you can probably derive greater benefit with less aggravation from running stocks, hot rods and bangers.

Thanks for the offer. Magazine arrived this afternoon, albeit slightly soggy.

Having looked on You Tube a number of oval circuits that host banger racing/four wheeled racing some of which do not host speedway, is it any wonder that those promoters/owners do not host speedway or consider speedway secondary income and not worth the hassle given the regime that runs speedway. Simply take two examples of Ipswich and Kings Lynn and look at the numbers that appear to be on the terraces and turn up to watch Banger racing. If only similar numbers turned up for our beloved two wheeled sport. Perhaps those who have some control could learn a thing or two. If the entertainment value is offered and it is properly promoted then just maybe speedeay might see a revival. Until someone is brave enough to get to grips with what is wrong on the promotional front and recognise it for what it is, four riders, four laps and simple points scoring, cut the crap with highly tuned bikes and rules that make it laughing stock, let us see racers with skill and not simply powerful machines that propel the rider, then Speedway will languish as a pastime followed by a decilning and aging fan base. Even Ice speedway appears to get better support if you watch some of the Russian qualifying meetings. Time to wake up and see what is wrong and stop tinkering with the irrelevant. Speedway deserves better.

No sign of it so looks like arriving after Christmas now. Oh well two issues in one week to look forward to.

Wholeheartedly agree. Yes it is harping back to the good old days but being at Rayleigh and getting the many results through from the other clubs racing was always great and we were lucky to have Hackney on. Friday, Rayleigh on Saturday and could look forward to some great local derbies against Romford, Eastbourne, Canterbury, Crayford, Ipswich and Peterborough. Such a shame that so many clubs and characters have long since passed into history. For those fans who were not around at the time, criticise the old timers but the atmosphere and friendly rivalry was second to none so if you were not around don’t mock as you have no idea. Today is different but not the same and perhaps supporters were speedway fans then rather than club, SGP and world cup followers

Agree and to add to this, once the gates are closed the mechanics are not allowed on to the track following tape infringements and or other restarts (except for crashes where riders are down and being treated by medical staff). The other is six man teams given that most clubs seem to operate R/R. Ban R/R and all teams to have a named number 7 rider. No black & white for double points but allow all riders apart from the number 1 to take tactical rides after all riders have completed three races.

I understand the sentiment but that does not deal with the real problem. Dwindling numbers turning up to watch a live meeting. Do what they like tinkering with double up, r/r.etc. if no one is watching it is all rather irrelevant. Give the punter what they want and they will turn up. Allow the tail to wag the dog and you have what is a sad situation that speedway finds itself in. Someone seems to have forgotten about the customer which is what ever supporter is.

Wholeheartedly agree. To add to the debate I am not sure why promoters think that fixed race nights will solve the problem? Has anyone bothered to consult the fans who pay. Is a Monday or Thursday going to suit the majority who turn up having been used to Wednesday or. Friday or a weekend. What happens if many cannot make it because most have busy lives and many other commitments/options. It is pie in the sky to think that the top riders will flock back. Not many clubs can afford them and if it ends up reducing the fan base on a night that does not work locally it is game up for the team and track. The same applies to having a national league of teams dotted around the country. Financial suicide. Supporters do not travel in numbers to away matches unless they are relatively local (Ipswich/Kings Lynn/ Peterborough/ Lakeside/Rye House as e apples) so each club is relying on a dwindling number of locals to turn up come what may. Therefore to add to what has been said above, they seriously need to contsider a spell in the sport where it is regional leagues, north and south and finals in both then the winners of each contest a national championship which will give clubs some opportunity to fill the coffers and rebuild the business. Other team events and an individual championship could if structured correctly give clubs weekly racing assuming that they want to think outside the box. Carry on as is in the blind belief that anything other than radical changes are needed and the sport will become amateur in a very short while. Think about open licences for race tracks and turn the clock back a bit, it was not all bad in years gone by.

All to ride for on Thursday. Wish Rory well and look forward to seeing a large contingent of Panther fans at Foxhall for the showdown. Whoever wins thanks to all the riders.

No intention of meaning all of you. Met some great genuine Panther fans over the years and believe that th core are not represented by a few. Sad that a family sport with real good fans at heart has some down and outs in the r@nks of supporters. Whatever the result grateful that it is an East Anglian derby and hopefully also a good meeting on a Thursday.

Why such aggressive feedback/uncalled comments from Flappy and Jeremy Corbyn fan? Guess it is a reflection of the management riders and track staff of the once gracious Panthers. Sad how times have changed.

Allegedly an unhelpful start Marshall. Nice to hear that the Panthers track team believe in fair play and gentlemanly behaviour. What goes around comes around.

Farcical does not do enough to describe the situation. Such a shame that it has to go down to the wire because those with some authority have let the situation drift, irrespective of the current weather. It should never have reached this situation and when will those in charge of managing the sport, which they currently do very badly, have some balls and get a grip with what is going on and is so wrong about where speedway is today. Poor management is not solely the cause of where things are, self interest by a few in the higher league is killing the sport and it has become a joke. Is it any wonder supporters continue to drift away. Award the cup to the witches by default and use the next available date for the 16 Lapper and let all Ipswich fans watch a spectacle of eight riders in one race ( yes to the whinging wimps of riders who moan about five rider races, more than four in a race can work and some riders have no fear and get on with it).

I think in Poland riders get a siging on fee and then points money. I read this on the International page a short while back. I wonder if UK teams pay a fixed fee and the points money is on top. A bit like sales with a basic that is just enough to keep,the wolf from the door but the opportunity to earn more if you (get sales) read score the points. Surely they have a basic pay scale and the rest is up to individual negotiations including the 'additions' such as van, flights etc. No one begrudges them earning a living but I think it is some pleading poverty and treating the fans with contempt. Most of the young riders ought to know that most supporters were not born yesterday and do not like having the p.... taken.

OK concede defeat. Suggest that the final round is held at the off shore haven for tax exiles known as the Isle of Wight. Failing that I see in the Times that Canvey Island are seeking independence. As far as Canvey is concerned, stick some outboard motors on the west side and move it as far out into the Thames/North Sea as is possible. Having lived on the Island for a short while even moving it offshore is too good for it.

If you live in Wales you are independent. Why would you wish to associate yourself with the rest ✌️✌️. The point is that given it has no speedway teams and effectively it is Scottish and English teams that are the nearest you get you could in theory draw the same parallel by having it in a non speedway nation in Europe providing it is easy to get to by plane, train, car or shanksy pony. In reality who cares apart from the odd 10000 who bother to trek around Europe (exception being Poland and Wales who manage a few more).

Wales has no speedway clubs but the fans flock to this independent nation so clearly any country could in theory host a round assuming that close by you have a Country that hosts speedway on a regular basis. Why not try France, Spain or Portugal for the end of the season GP finale. As an outside option Cyprus or anywhere in Southern Europe/North Africa where the good weather is guaranteed.

Whatever the result it is still good to have speedway on TV and with only one more meeting to go with the GP one can only hope that speedway carries on on TV in 2018. A big thanks to BT sport.

Set realistic deadlines and not have it hanging on in the dying embers of the season. Fix deadlines for various rounds and stick to them of forfeit the fixture. It is down to the powers that be to run the sport and not allow things to drag on. I really don't get the excuses if on the basis of what you are saying it is rider availability. That excuse applies earlier in the season as it does now, so we can agree differ. Just a shame for the supporters to watch a good team look so poor because they cannot put out the best 1 to 7

Totally agree. It has become a farce with an unrecognisable Wolves team. Creditably no longer exists as far as speedway is concerned and those whose hands the sport is in should hang their heads in shame. You have failed the supporters and the sport.

Well done to the witches. Still hope of a trophy afterall. Look forward to the final and glory.

You are not alone, it has become farcical and the tale is now wagging the dog. What would happen if the fans protested by deciding not to attend a particular meeting simply to make the point that we have had enough. It seems in Poland that some riders get a fixed amount plus points money but team places are more competitive and they have to go out ride. Here in the U.K. Quite a few stick two fingers up at the punters without so much a by or leave and still expect people to turn up,week in week out. Time the fans said enough is enough. Without money on the turnstiles most clubs would be in trouble if fans boycotted a meeting or two. Perhaps that is what is needed to get the message across.

Is it televised next Monday or can we all rely on updates while watching something more interesting, such as the adverts.

Every team to have a R/R from the start of the season to make sure enough riders to around. No point in waiting start as they mean to go on. Ten Heat meetings with five bonus races to follow when the points are 4,3,2,1. No jokers apart from the referee. It could work, one never knows ✌️✌️

A genuine question, is it the riding order rather than a superior team. Heeps, King and Newman when riding for Ipswich at Sheffield do not seem as competitive. The void may not be as great other than for the riding order. Perhaps I am wrong but just an observation.