Ray Stadia

IMO, the only way forward, is for all the remaining clubs to submit to a central point, such as a 'speedway finance officer', how their set up can break even, each season, based on people through the turnstiles, stadium costs, any other costs and riders costs. Then you look at the worst case scenario, in terms of the least number of fans who will turn up, over a given season. Once you have this information, the BSPA or whoever is the controlling body, then decides on how the speedway model should be going forward, for every club. The answer might turn out to be that the only way forward, is fully amateur and pay purely on results. It should allow speedway to rebuild from the bottom up. OK you will probably lose the big name riders, but we are more or less there now. If the costs for promoters mean they can break even each season, then we may see more tracks open.

Surely, if the sport was run on a purely amateur basis, all tracks could be run over the weekend, I know that might clash with greyhounds and stock cars, but there are 3 days over a weekend Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. That way, the riders can still do their day jobs or attend college or whatever.

So what would be your answer to the current crisis Philip?

Of course, you are assuming they can read!

I think what adonis is suggesting, is by having 'standardised' engines, the costs for the riders, should be lower and could/should 'level the playing field'.

Exactly, which is why the riders in this country should have proper jobs and ride speedway as a hobby and receive remuneration based on results. In addition, regionalise the speedway teams, to ensure the riders have reduced costs and reduced travelling time. And have more individual meetings based on ability, which means you could still have big individual meetings for the best riders offering big prize money.

Trouble is TWK, this subject has been discussed on here for years now. And, in the past, when it has been discussed, people got accused of being negative or being a troll etc. However, it does appear the brown stuff is hitting the fan. Not being negative, but perhaps being realistic, I don't think the situation can be easily reversed, which is perhaps stating the obvious and is also perhaps, the 'elephant in the room'?

The old prostate playing up?

Personally, I have never seen a Flat Track race in the UK or anywhere else, but if it keeps a stadium 'alive', such as the Rye House stadium, then it has a thumbs up from me.

Finland or England?

6 points! Surely that's worth a forum ban?

Now caught up, thank you. I am shocked. I thought he was a lot younger, but then the years roll by. I remember members ribbing him about him being a university student. He always had a good input of speedway chat.

I lead a sheltered life! Is it discussed anywhere on the forum?

Perhaps it was a young Tai Woffinden?

Oh dear, I didn't know he was doing porridge!

Speaking of SCB, is 'SCB' still a member of the forum?

OK, but Iwade have training days. Are the training days recognised by the BSPA/ACU/SCB or are they run in a similar way to Lydd? It appears that training days and actual meetings are perhaps treated in a different way? I accept that proper insurances should be in place for training days, with medical assistance and proper guidance, not just a free for all. I have a friend who does track days at places like Snetterton and Brands Hatch on his Triumph. As far as I know, the day is the responsibility of whoever is organising the track day, which may not be the track owner.

Licensed by who? And is the track recognised and endorsed by the BSPA or/and the ACU or/and SCB?

Surely, if there is an issue with being affiliated to a recognised body, the answer is for a non-BSPA track session to be classed as a grass track event, which can then be under ACU rules. The fact the surface is shale rather earth can't be a problem, can it? So long as the word 'speedway' isn't used, I would have thought it would be ok. I think the Iwade training set-up is run on a similar basis.

I wonder if the reason they are being brought in, is not necessarily to reduce the cost to riders, although a rev limiter may help with wear costs, but the main reason could be to try and level the 'playing field'.

I don't think it's been mentioned anywhere else, but on the Beeb this morning, they were going through those who have passed away in 2018 and when they got to the sports section, I was waiting for Ivan Mauger, but unless I blinked at that moment, no mention of the great rider.

The point was a topical point Sh, I mean Ch. The Severn Bridge is now toll free, so, my question was, as it is a forum, if there had been no toll during the days of Newport Speedway, could the track have survived, attracting more people from the other side of the river, without the additional cost to the fan of the toll charge.

I agree, one heck of a shame and one hell of an amazing achievement by Tim. You could probably make a short play/drama about one man's dream and what he achieved, when you consider the challenges and adversity. Remember the film 'Field of Dreams'?

I take your point, but I have just put in several variations on AA Auto-route and there is quite a bit of difference in some cases, i.e. Newport being nearer. Add to that, fans are used to going to Wales once a year for the Grand Prix. It certainly would have helped their cause, in my opinion.

On the news, they said it was £5.60, which I think was a one way payment only.