Hawk127

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

I thought the presentation was better than Sky. Some comments re the camera work may be valid but I really did not notice the difference. The racing was good but that tends to be the case when it is individual meeting rather than league racing. That to me says it all. Gate and go in league racing and while I accept that the individuals have to earn a living, team riding is a thing of the past and for the seasoned punter league racing has become borefest. Have a level playing field with standard machines and relying on rider skill would sort things out but as it stands, I can only agree with many others who have posted on many other topics, the top two leagues are in decline. The NL will survive because of the level and the never say die attitude of some of the up and coming riders. A shame that this great motor sport has almost reached its nadir. BT sport offer s lifeline but virtually empty stadium for a league meeting is going to do nothing to enhance the viewing figures and improve the numbers at tracks. A gamble yes but for every TV meeting perhaps the promoters should charge £5 per adult and £1 for anyone under 16. Speculate to accumulate and you don't need to charge the earth. Adopt the pricing policy of Ryanair with base cost (entrance) but once in you have a captive audience. Make it attractive enough and the visitor will spend cash on other things. Not all clubs make money on food and drink but offer discounted pre-paid family tickets to future meetings and make it flexible. With football it is often difficult to simply turn up and buy a ticket, make it easy to get into a speedway meeting. Clubs working together so that the family ticket can be used at a number of local tracks. Example, Ipswich, Kings Lynn, Mildenhall, Peterborough and Rye house. Accounting wise it can be sorted and with a little imagination it could work. Hey oh what do I know, followed the sport since the late sixties and nothing will convince me to part with my cash in the way I did in years gone by to get the speedway fix every week.

Team meetings will never be what they used to be. Not enough riders to around and not enough home grown talent. Team riding is rare and a skill that the current crop of riders seem difficult to get to grips with. Maybe the bikes, tyres, tracks, I don't know but it seems more often than not a case of gate and go. If league racing cannot fulfil a season why not have individual riders attached to a 'team name' who ride a series of individual meetings around all UK tracks and the top seven scoring individual riders represent the teams they are attached to and then say the riders attached to the top eight teams then contest a play off and final. Those not in the play offs compete for the 'most' individual winners' event on an elimination basis over twenty meetings. For the league meetings, one home and one away for all league clubs with the top four finishers drawn to make play offs. Three competitions and weekly racing at every track if arranged properly. Just an thought but no chance of it happening but something needs to change dramatically for the sport to survive on anything other than a amateur basis

Spot on. Hackney, Friday, Rayleigh on Saturday and if I recall correctly Crayford Tuesday with the occasional trip to Wimbledon on a Thursday. Len would put all the effort in to get a meeting on. Remember one occasion when it had rained all day, flooding all around but Rayleigh were due to face Birmingham. A Few Birmingham riders made it through as did some of the Rayleigh contingent but alas a team meeting was not possible. Sawdust on the rack, a series of match races and other races were brought prematurely to a halt at around 8.50 when the heavens opened again and that lasted all night. Lighting, thunder and torrential rain. The riders put the effort in and those who turned up at least got to see some racing and appreciated the effort. Today this would never happen, more is the pity. But perhaps supporters then were more interested in seeing racing, not just league meetings and those riders recognised and respected the supporters who had made the effort to turn out. The racing today may be different but some things were better back then.

Len Silver has been a great advocate for speedway and as many have said he still believes in weekly meetings and does what he can to achieve something that runs through his veins, speedway racing. I go back to the days when he ran Rayleigh and Hackney and always put on a great show often in difficult circumstances Many of you may mock his efforts, many just want team racing but what about the riders, so often you hear about track time and all this is doing is trying to achieve that and yes you have to charge but for goodness sake is it not about the riders and the racing. Riders willing to turn out and do the best to entertain and all the supporters do is take the p.. out of the promoter. Rye House survived for many years on open meetings and true speedway fans turned up. Think on all who criticise people like Len, Speedway will be a lot worse without his type being around still after all these years.

Good advert on Premier website with Tuesday night is speedway night and they have a clock counting down to the start of the match. For £9.99 per month it does not seem over the top for what you appear to be getting. Hopefully viewing figures are good. Be interested to see the Polish match that follows the live Swedish fixture.

It is a shame that former riders and those who have recently stepped down then go all out at other two wheeled disciplines and end up coming a cropper. Yes they were legends and they gave many supporters so much entertainment. The thought was that they could be more of a teacher/training team and simply having some of the greats turn up and not only put on a challenge match but also pass on some of that experience. Even if it was a handicap match, I am sure that supporters would turn out if it was promoted well and it could even be part of say a two wheeled motor sport al day event with say short track and side car. No it is not meant to be like a league meeting but all that is good about oval track racing.

Maybe that is the problem for sponsors and the impression that those outside the sport get, half empty stadia in third rate countries. Why have GP's in Germany, Slovenia or Czech.. As I said reduce the number of meetings, two in Poland, one in Russia, one in Scandinavia, one in U.K. and possibly one in Australia and make more of it with for example a practice day that is open to joe public and perhaps another meeting. One in the morning and then the main event in the evening. Something does need to change if the product is to improve and people feel that they are getting entertained. If the latter is guaranteed, then price is not necessarily an issue. Still any comments and debate on the topic is actually a waste of time but it is always interesting that all the good advice and ideas of many on here are lost on those that run the sport.

It was not what a flag ship event should be like and as many have said this needs to start with a bit more oomph rather than the damp squib it turned out to be. Taking GP,s to third rate tracks in places like this is probably not the image that prime sponsors would want to be associated with and they are who you need for this to be taken seriously. Based on this meeting you might just as well hold the opener on the Isle of Wight, at least a decent track, guaranteed good support and imagine what it would do for the local tourist economy early doors. That aside, the mix of riders will I am sure throw up some interesting results as the season progresses. I do think that GP's need to go to another level but the current backers do no seem to be able to provide consistently good entertainment which can hold the interest of the regular supporter as well as the one off attendee. Perhaps the GP circus has had its day in the current form and maybe less meetings but those that are held are at quality venues and fans can get discounted tickets if they subscribe to all the meetings. Still let's see what sort of show the next GP offers.

It is very unfortunate that some of the icons such as Leigh Adams and the one and only Mr Gollob have sustained injuries. Having all but left speedway and tried other two wheeled sports it is sad that they seem to come a cropper having been in one of the most dangerous motor bike competitions in the world. Could the talent they had/have and others who hang up the Kevlars from competitive league racing be part of a touring team that grace tracks in challenge matches. These guys might no longer have got what it takes to compete at GP level but they could still entertain the public and pass on a few tips to the up and coming generation. Imagine (and unfortunately it will not happen but you can get the drift) if Leigh, Tomasz, Mr Crump, Chris Louis, Jason Lyons, Mark Loram and a number of others toured tracks in the U.K. and Europe with a series of challenge matches. Just need a sponsor and it could be one for the future. I am sure people would pay good money to see the legends, win or lose. Meanwhile, Mr Gollob you have been a joy to watch and having seen you at Ipswich I like many others have been honoured. May you make a good recovery.