SteveLyric2

A bit rude about your grandma, but if she still supports speedway at her age then thats good enough for me, especially with you being a 'new' poster and all that!!

DW would be a real threat if he could gate consistently and he'll find it a little more difficult to overtake against the calibre of GP riders compared to what he faces in the EL each week!! But you're right it will be a much different 'dynamic' in the GP pit area this season.

Notwithstanding production costs, am I right in thinking that the audience of Saturday night GPs on Sky was less than the TV audience for Monday (or midweek) night EL Speedway?!

All very good 'old school' methods of promotion, and still have some value. What should also be utilised are the best of social media promotions if they want to reach a younger audience. Properly managed Twitter, facebook etc campaigns; audio (if not video) podcasts. promotional streaming of races. Shall I go on?

I didn't say that. But I don't believe this poorly thought-out attempt at something new and possibly different, using 2nd and 3rd division riders, will improve its direction either!!

Unfortunately - and meaning no disrespect - thats partly why young fans aren't being attracted to the sport!!

I thought their publicity stated 16 Speedway Superstars!!? Oh yes that Sky Sports sponsorship deal has been total b*****ks, hasn't it?!

Isn't a 'podcast' or simlar a bit more up to date for the younger fans!! A bit like the 'Piratecast' boys are doing at Poole. www.ThePirateCast.com Its free to listen/download and fans can interact by skype, voicemails, texts, emails etc.

Its a shame we haven't seen anything official, statement/update-wise from the Series Organisers?!

I always turn my nose up at 'poos presentation'!! or The stadium must be really crappy for the presentation to be that poos!!

Members of the BSPA (The track promoters) are attempting to provide weekly, or at least regular, league speedway and at the same time minimise any losses in so doing. Why wouldn't they have some objections to a new series of 'one-off' meetings, which unless they are 'admission-free', are highly likely to reduce attendance at their regular team meetings because people just don't have the money. We saw this last season at all levels when clubs were having to cram in 2 or 3 meetings in a week or 10 days just to complete the season.

They probably heard Nicki Pedersen would be there!!!!

Oh, the new training track at Lakeside just 'magiced' itself, did it?!!

BSI are no mugs. They will have got some of their sponsors on board on the strength of TV coverage - in UK and elsewhere! I can't see them allowing that sponsorship to be at risk!

With the exception of post #166. I think most on here who are against the series, are not suggesting the MCF cannot/don't organise and run apparantly successful events in MX, motorcross etc. The main issue is that under current regulations, to run a 'Motorcycle Speedway' event in this country, you have to have the SCB/ACU on board. The organisers appear to have ignored this and attempted to go ahead anyway. The upshot of it all is confrontation rather than agreement - which ultimately could prove damaging to many - riders, teams, supporters etc......

One would assume that indoor sports cost less to produce and with no risk of rain'offs!!! Cricket and Championship/Division 1 Footie still get good audiences, presumably.

Well said 21stCH. Does anyone know if the organisers did approach the SCB/ACU in the first instance?? If not, then one has to assume they knew they wouldn't get permission - but went ahead anyway (almost as if they had some sort of axe to grind against the SCB/ACU/BSPA?? Surely not!!!). If they did approach - as I was informed they did! - then one has to assume they were told 'No, go away', or 'Yes, work with us within the regulations' - neither of which seems to have happened!! Either way, it seems that a 'promising new initiative' has been attempted in totally the wrong way and may well fail before its even had a chance. On the subject of tracks, every track has to be given a SCB/ACU track licence in order to operate speedway. Notwithstanding who owns the stadium, surely the contract between the BSPA Promoter and the track owner would include some sort of condition that would stop any 'one-off' competitive events?! From the track/stadium owners point of view, why would you accept a booking for a one-off meeting that could jeopardise the longer term value of the March to October BSPA club contract? Short term gain for (possibly) long term pain!!

Well nobody can say there weren't questions being asked early on, after the initial announcement!!!!

Presumably Sky are just not bidding for the Live GP coverage?! They could still be interested in a highlights package, surely. As stated before they are going to need some GP footage to 'pad out' some of the EL coverage!!

Did Pearson and Tatum actually attend every GP venue. I thought they also did some commentary from a studio in Isleworth, just down the corridor from Mr Huewen and guests.?!

www.speedwayeuro.com Apologies if this is already on here somewhere, but with Eurosport giving a 3 year commitment to this new series, there's surely a chance for other negotiations to be undertaken?!

MOTUL - a french lubricants manufacturer - have just agreed a 3 year deal to sponsor the FIM. They already sponsor a whole range of other motorcycle and car disciplines, including the Ice Speedway series!!! Must be some mileage there?!

Interesting guestimates! I wonder what individual EL Team sponsorship would be? I suppose it could vary considerably.

Hardly a black-out if Eurosport have it!?

Not disputing your overall point, but where do you believe the biggest market for SGP television coverage is?! If you believe its the UK, then I think you are mistaken!!