Hawk127

Plus other formats of speedway racing or make it a multi discipline meeting with side cars, short track and try to widen the interest. Just a thought but like many, the idea of attending weekly meetings has sadly gone. Do I miss it, yes, but the way it has evolved, the days are numbered and unless drastic changes are implemented the amateur racing will be the only game in town.

Totally agree. Today it is a circus now with a pool of riders who may be available on a particular night to represent and town or city but not your club. This has become a sport for individuals so the team concept has long gone. Why not refer to those meetings where riders can ride for themselves under a 'club' name as a 4TT then have Gt Britain championship and possibly league meetings for those clubs that can put six or five man teams together. Mix a match. Five man team league meeting followed by individual championship and then the equivalent of a second half for up and coming riders. Possibly three man teams a bit like the development league. Something needs to be done before it is too late if it has not already reached the point of no return. I hope not.

It is sad that this great sport is dragged down further by those who have scant regard for the paying public. I really hope that those in charge are proud of the performance. No blame can be directed at riders, they do what is asked of them but the promoters and BSPA are taking the patience of the fans to new limits. These so called guardians are killing our sport and perhaps it is time to show the utter disdain most have for those who continue to take the proverbial. No wonder those clicking through the turnstiles is going down. What will happen? Nothing. A wake up call is looming and when T V pulls the plug those from the BSPA will start to see the gravy train come off the rails. Onlya few promoters deserve the support the rest will hopefully get their comeuppance.

British riders are not up to the standard required to compete at the top level in Poland so while a good idea the reality is it cannot happen. Unfortunately two choices, bring the Poles down to the lowest common denominator (will not happen) or GB walk away because riders in the GB are simply not good enough and leave the Poles looking for some alternative opposition which with the Russians, Latvians and a combined Scandinavian presence could be provided. Maybe at individual or pairs but anything else Gab has no chance. Speedway in the U.K. needs to go back to basics and start again if it is to survive, the alternative is oblivion. Accepr that GB riders are not at the same level but might be in a few years

It is a £10 sport but not when it's is televised. £5 tops with kids and OAPs free (any one over 60). Radical maybe, reality yes. What ever way you look at it the product at this level does not lend itself to live television. People might have far more interest if it were highlights and the live meetings promoted so that the 'taster' of highlights attracts the punter to see a live meeting. Dress it up as you like but it is not rocket science, sell thrill seeking highlights, cut and thrust etc. and promote meetings on the programme, give out the fixture list and show where the sport is being held around the country. Do not rely on Nigel and his side kick spouting some crap, show the fixtures on screen, dates, times, track location/ details, not difficult but even this seems to beyond the comprehension of the average promoter to actually do what the word means, promote. Those who want live speedway get this, the sport is seen on T V and with some input from those running meetings, everyone gains/wins. Will it happen, unlikely. Bemoan all you like but the sport needs to take a real hard look at itself and realise that change is needed, not tinkering around the edges.

Possibly people are becoming more fickle. If they add up the cost of getting to the track, entrance money, possibly refreshments, and then the delays with an interval which is generally unnecessary and old hat and drags out the meeting and then on the other side the issues which are beyond the control of the punter that could mean anyone of the foregoing makes it a waste of time, they may think it is a better deal to stay at home and watch it on TV Other things that may put people off could be any slight doubt that a single black cloud forecast for the start time might mean rain and therefore better call off the meeting just after you enter the stadium or the track is prepared for gate and go merchants who would be better off doing drag racing rather than competitive racing and always the other possibility that the riders may not want want to race or just go through the motions or even refuse to ride because it is dangerous (surely a bike without brakes is dangerous, it is more a question of how a rider manages to use some technique to set the bike up,to suit the conditions and uses some throttle control) Given the credible and cost saving alternative of sitting at home watching the speedway soap opera unfold, I guess more than few would go for the TV option. Watch it in comfort at home with little of the hassle. Why has it got to this? Because it is no longer an attractive proposition to go along to a live meeting with all that is so wrong with the sport, presentation, racing and general disdain that promoters and riders have for the paying public. Hopefully it will change, but the question is when?

Is it correct that you have five guests and one R/R in the meeting? Why not just draw straws from available riders each night and pick the teams that way. Sadly it appears to sum up the sorry state of where racing in this Country is and until someone gets to grip, have one league and enough meetings to at least guarantee a decent level of income for those participating, then this ludicrous situation will continue until such time that the only punters watching will be the track staff and the referee. Here is hoping that someone wakes up to what a farce it has become. It pains me to say it but Mr Shovlar on another thread has a point re let teams build to any level etc. It was a bit like that in the 70's and I can remember going to Rayleigh every week be it a top performing club or unfortunately those that struggled. You went to see if you could beat the leaders or for the lower opposition, what sort of margin you could win by. People still went unlike today.

Could be some whinging Aussies who appear to dominate page 2 and 3 of this weeks speedway star. When will they give it a rest and move on. What is done is done and if all they are interested in is the Visa, then maybe the whole idea of Aussies riding in the UK. Needs reviewing.

Maybe this result is based on the 'you screw the club and the public and in these dire times, the sport and I will shaft you' so just a little bit of revenge but whether it is right or wrong the sport is a shambles, turnstiles are clicking less and with the hint of a shower, a meeting gets called off. Perhaps the next step is someone suggesting that the bikes have brakes. Imploding is an understatement. Forget the overseas riders. Time for Speedway England to have one league plus the NL, weekly meetings, a transfer window in July and no other changes with overseas riders committing to U.K. as priority and get back to basics. Forget Poland, Russia etc, the UK is in their wake. and the British are so far behind, time to stop pretending that we can compete. Aussies want to ride here, then set a minimum five or six average. Unless someone gets to grip with the sport, it will be amateur open meetings within five years, no league racing. The sport brought it on itself. Fixture lists are a joke with long gaps between home meetings and then fixture pile ups. who is responsible for this? they need sacking. All rather sad and when you think of the opportunities the sport has had with SKy etc. and you ask yourself are those in charge for real. Unfortunately the answer appears to be yes.

Perhaps we should not turn our nose up at the likes of Germany, Czech, France and Italy and consider having a European competition with them and full team meetings home and away (not 4TT) and have it as a knock out cup. This could be based on the top team in each respective league at a cut off date in the season, say 31st July, and then fix the meetings for September and final early October. With some positive thinking and the will to see it through why should it not work. Beats watching the same old Poland, Aussies and one of the Scandinavian nations. Is it not time to scrap the annual World Cup anyway and hold it every two or three years with full seven man teams rather than individuals pretending to race as a team in a 4TT.

Is this just part of the wider issue that is blighting speedway in the U.K. No one condones this type of behaviour with total disregard for the paying public but is this the turning point for racing in this country? The big names only want to ride on their terms and/or those of the Polish authorities so is it not time for promoters to stop kidding themselves about attracting the big names. The money, loyalty and commitment no longer exists so back to basics. What has the sport got to lose now. Standardise the bikes to suit the tracks rather than what you have now and the gate and go merchants can ply their trade elsewhere. If you want to see the best riders go to a GP. Run speedway on a weekly basis, £10 entry, introduce tickets that you can buy to attend any meeting at any club and those under 16 go free. The racing format may need changing and teams should run a development team who go on first. Six heats followed by a league meeting of 13 heats. No joker, no guests and referrees encouraged to get through a meeting a quickly as possible. Stop the gardening, stop the mechanics coming out if a restart is required and just get on with it. It is a simple enough sport that has lost the plot.

Rosco seems a little disinterested and not his usual upbeat self. Has he had enough? The track is the same for both teams and not a lot to get excited about which seems a sad indictment of where the sport is these days. Inhave said it before but the current set up simply does not work. Double up, treble up it is not working. Lack of riders and so much R/R and the powers that be really need to get a grip before sport disappears into oblivion. Admit it now BSPA you have got it wrong big time and only you can save it. You have p.. off supporters, you are asking too much from riders and offering through total mismanagement crap entertainment and having spent the gains from Sky you still expect the punter to line your pockets. All of you on the management committee hang you heads in shame. BT offer a temp life line but given the quality of presentation from the track/meeting how much longer will we see league racing on TV? An old saying is their are none so blind who do want to see. To sum up the current situation, so many still want to see it succeed but so few have have any idea on how to entertain. Time to get back to basics.

I agree but really hope that a great club like Ipswich survive but it becomes more difficult when those running the sport are so divided. I come from that generation who can relate to a team of riders who you follow but were your team. In my case it was Rayleigh and in those days when Ipswich came calling it was something really special. Similarly Romford, Crayford, Canterbury, Eastbourne with that derby rivalry was something to look forward to but nowadays it seems difficult and for the next generation of supporters to appreciate what has gone before might seem old hat but believe me it is streets ahead of what is served up now. Yes the bikes have changed as has many other aspects but it is simple as a sport. If you are a Witches supporter you will recognise the most recent example Witches versus Stars I guess it is a case of dream on but something really does need to be decided. It should be so simple four riders, four laps, no brakes and that is it. The rest is frankly detracting from the simplicity.

Good news and fingers crossed that this goes through and another new track comes to the tapes. On the question of racing and any opposition from the current owners of the licence to promote, what is to stop the the owners of the track holding open meetings or renting it out to another team? I am sure that if approval is granted, a way will be found if enough people work together, something which does not seem to happen too often these days in the current Speedway set-up

I am sure that with some thought these problems could be overcome and if the structure was right every club would not lose but as is usual on here more negatives than positives. The sport is dire as it stands and needs shaking up. I suspect that some would have the same view in cricket and the 20/20 versus boring matches. Watch the sport eventually disappear with the view that 'its a non starter'. Why not Suggest something positive that will save this good motor sport from the state that it is currently in then regular criticise. Time to close the topic.

Given the general quality of racing at the 4TT particularly at International level and the overall lack of team racing as it use to be (riders generally racing for themselves now days) would this type of meeting work even if it was team A and Team B in a League match. The overall winners of the combined totals get three points second highest scorers get two and third get one with those finishing fourth getting no points. A format needs some thinking about but you could have alternate heats for A and B classed riders and a final for each. The combined results count towards league Points/placing. This would also give tracks the chance to mix it up in terms of meetings to subject to rider availability. The main criteria being that every team must complete the same number of A and B fixtures but in any order that suits clubs and rider availability. Just a thought but what he heck, the club / team racing as is unsustainable going forward so perhaps it is time to think outside that box. This is just a thought for discussion not a topic for vitriolic responses.

I suspect that if the UK want to improve then the riders need test matches home and away, riders allowed to compete in the SEC and other invitational meetings and the powers that be should open their eyes and stop making crass decisions that make it difficult for riders to ride on overseas competitions. The alternative is stop competing at International level. If they are all on the same 500 cc machines why do the British riders more often than not look like they are not at the races. Anyway congratulations to all and thank goodness for event two and the play off.

Unless you are Pole this is pretty boring. Compared to the 2nd event and last nights race off I think this not that good but the racing lines may improve but not necessarily the finishing order.

If you stopped using the Joker would that change the attitude of the riders competing. Would they go all out in the knowledge that points doubling up was not a choice. We may never know but I think that it is about right in terms of the line up,for tomorrow and England may just have a chance if the Poles become preoccupied with Russia. Some tactical riding with Sweden and either England or Sweden could win this. Maybe a dream but why not.

Well done to all the riders for serving up,some good racing. Shame about the Australians but hey ho, good to have the Russians in the final and while Poland look odds on I suspect that they have a slight worry over them giving the Poles the odd tough race. With these emerging teams, is it not time that England held a few test matches against the Latvians and the Russians and UK looked beyond the usual suspects. It worked long back when The Daily Mirror sponsored a world event and I watched Russia ride at Hackney. That was a proper world team championship. Good luck to all the competing teams tomorrow and hopefully another round of close exciting racing

Give the punter what they want and they will turn up every week, see them as a way of filling the coffers no matter what is served up and you get empty terraces. Last nights world cup meeting is what the sport is all about. The weekly fodder with double up, rules that make the sport a laughing stock and the lack of a 'Real team' that a supporter can relate too leaves the average person with limited funds no real choice in the way of deciding where to spend the hard earned pound. Baldyman is right. Give us regular weekly meetings against different opposition, individual meetings., four T T (that is after all what the World Cup has become) with eveningly matched teams and perhaps things might change. Even if you had two 4TT in one eveining with Aand B graded riders and a final with the two two scorers from each meeting. Something needs to change or some teams will simply disappear. Even the regional option with a north and south divided is better than what is on offer now. It simply cannot pay its way as it stands. Loyalty is a two way process and not many clubs seem to get this very simple analogy. Riders in the main are not team players so stop pretending and structure the racing accordingly. Even the SEC is streets ahead of the league racing in this Country. Time for change maybe!!!

Simply one of the best meetings at this level in a long time and a special congratulation to Latvia. Moreover thanks to all the riders for making it such a good event to watch. I hope the final is as good.

Congratulations to team GB. The team rode to win and no one could ask anymore. They did what they had to do and let's wait and see what happens in the final. For now bask in the glory of a GB win.

I don't think it is about Doyle, Holder or any other top tier rider and whether they would or would not ride in the U.K.. It is about preserving the sport on a competitive basis here and building for the future rather than tinkering around the edges and pandering to those who do not want to commit to BL racing except on their personal terms. I still believe that True speedway fans want competitive teams and racing, to see team riding, identifying with your team hero, watching your No.8 break into the team, seeing the 6 and 7 challenge the heat leaders and even bringing back the golden helmet match race and silver helmet match race. Frankly the top tier riders can make a living out of riding elsewhere and compete at GP level. Those who want that upper echelon fix can get that from the GP'S and swell the coffers of those who run those meetings. On that basis Cardiff might exceed a crowd of 50k. Have an International meeting or two (Poland have done so recently so it cannot be all bad) but it is time to stop thinking that Tai or any of the others will want to ride regular UK league meetings, it's not going to happen without a cost to the sport as a whole be it financial or regular racing. German crowds are healthy and they don't seem to crave a Nicki P or similar. The UK are no longer a dominant force and the money is not here to command the top tier of the sport, except on the odd occasion (GP). Roll on some reality, but I won't hold my breathe

A good post. Was thinking last evening watching the Poole match and looking at the teams wondered why they are bothering with the double up etc. It Is becoming a little bit of a joke. I agree, amalgamate and have one league plus the NL. Weekly meetings with one home and away league meeting and knock out cup, four team tournament and an individual British championship knock out competition that has rounds at every single track with the top sixteen riders competing in a final in September. Let's face it the top riders are never going to return to the UK as fixed race nights will never happen. It is time that British racing looked after number one. Go back to basics with weekly racing at every track (where possible) and a series of International meetings. The World Cup is a joke being every year, it ought to be every two years if it has to be and should be team meetings and not four man teams racing as individuals. Some might say these ideas are a backward step but the sport is dying in front of us. Let tracks who don't want league racing have open meetings and individual events to suit the location. Wild it might sound but how about if the IOW could get the sponsorship to hold a IOW championship with invites to top riders such as Nicki P, Tai, Niels etc. Yes it would need sponsorship but if it worked and everything has a price, why not? The sport struggles and is limping along. Change is needed in my view and what 'the outsider' says is a start