foamfence

What you have is an ageing audience, your suggestions might drive them away but wouldn't guarantee that younger persons would turn up in numbers. There is evidence in all the major participating countries, that Speedway is in decline, so it isn't just the promoters here, I think it is inevitable that the sport will downsize.

Too expensive.

It might help if there were more speedway games for consoles and more roll play, so you could go home and re-enact races on your console or be any rider you want in any meeting you want, the developers would probably say that the potential market was too small.

You seem to be very familiar with the jargon.Actually his prize was to make the rest of them look like the second rater's that they are, compared to him.

I think Speedway has to become trendy among the general public, that would eventually draw in more youngsters. The difficulty is in getting publicity, particularly in trendy magazines, on trendy TV shows and professionally run radio shows, BikerFM is OK for us seasoned oldies starved of information over the winter, but to anyone not involved it must come across as hopeless, the presenters are basically amateurs, and it shows! I remember Bradford used to visit local schools and dish out free tickets, the kids would arrive to find a virtually empty stadium, no information as to what was supposed to be going on, 90% processional racing and an imbecile of a centre green presenter who tried to get them to join him in embarrassing chants.

I see Darcy was on his usual form tonight. :-)

I already mentioned this idea, earlier.

I prefer the 13 heat format but would like to see a more structured second half set-up than we used to get, if it ran on the same format at every track, it could contribute to some sort of championship (maybe the British Open) and be used as a lure to increase sponsorship.

That's very true, but I think there was a bigger market in days gone by. Anyway, we have to remain optimistic that crowds will increase and the hunger for magazines also.

I wouldn't slag it off, but From what I've seen of it, it won't be to my taste. The Speedway Star has served us well and is even about to be available online, I wouldn't like to think that anything else would weaken it's position, this product is only to be available four times a year, but will it remain like that or will it become a serious rival if it gets established? If past examples are anything to go by, it'll probably fizzle out.

I would like to ask Philip if there will ever be an online subscription version of Speedway Star?

At least they are legible.

Or spicy even.

Yes it's called "thick as pig rubbish" lotion.

It takes one etc.

And does that matter? Personally I would prefer to see this country go it's own way. I don't agree about the standard of racing in Poland or Sweden, I watched a large number of meeting from both countries last season and in the main found them pretty featureless. As for Russia hiring EU riders (I don't doubt they will), Havvy was riding there years ago.

So how do you account for the decline in Poland and Sweden, clubs have gone bankrupt and some riders have had problems being paid, the Polish top league will only have eight clubs in it in 2014? They might have big crowds compared to here, but they used to have much bigger ones a few years ago.

Do you have reason to suspect that such a motive was behind this?

It is both sad and typical that a compromise or agreement couldn't be reached, I think those riders who had committed to this should feel very aggrieved.

Why is an Anglican Bishop going to the Vatican? Are they that desperate for a new Pope?

" No one is saying he is not a fantastic rider" That is all that should concern you, It's easy to condemn.

If he murdered someone, he wouldn't get a fine would he? He would be locked up! I personally think this is becoming something of a witch-hunt by those who are jealous of his success, he still hasn't sunk to the depths of a Havelock or a Lee (and look how much they are revered these days).

He hasn't been convicted of any crime in this country and he is still a better rider than 99% of his opponents. If I make some of you wimps sick......well tough! Hope he wins plenty this season.

Possibly, but he is also currently the best rider in this country or anywhere else (with the possible exception of his buddy Chris).

I think it will probably end up downsizing, there seem to be too many tracks and riders running at a loss. I could well imagine the day when there are just a few tracks and part time riders. Despite claims to the otherwise, we have seen how Swedish and Polish clubs have gone bust or been unable to pay riders, next season Poland's top league is only going to have eight clubs in it.Obviously a lot of people won't like reading this but I can well imagine it going that way. Imagine if the GPs took in Australia and Argentina and then travelled up to the USA and maybe added a couple more European venues, that would then virtually become a full time occupation in itself.