Sings4Speedway

Speedway as a whole follows the same failing business model of many high street shops, namely products of differing quality but prices not reflecting. Its clear the there are plenty who will pay lower rates for a lower standard just look at Primark/Sports Direct for example. There are still those who will pay higher for better items but they are fewer transactions per year. Just look at the GP's Cardiff is packed, SON is packed but these are high level one off events. Weekly low grade showings need to reflect the prices. Speedway isn't the only area failing like this, Cinema's operate under the same model, chain restaurants are much the same but the takings and attendance in both have also been on a rapid decline (Pre Covid). If Speedway wants to continue weekly it needs to be at a weekly price, if it wants to make bigger events monthly then so be it. But don't bemoan people for asking for value for their money or choosing to spend it elsewhere. I don't bemoan clubs closing because either the product that was offered wasn't correct or the way the business was run wasn't up to scratch. Speedway will continue in this country but it will have to evolve to survive.

NDL riders above reserve level were never going to do the PL 2nd halves and why would they. Little or no money, little or guarantee that the meeting won't be binned if the main event over ran, limited benefit other than additional track time. Only emerging amateurs who were desperate to put themselves in the window would put themselves through that kind of torture with limited opportunities of progression.

I wonders if thats Danyon Hume? Im sure he won't but i would be sorely tempted to tell the Pirates to stick it as they went for unknown Aussies over a young Brit in the first place.

Im just glad they have stuck with stars, a couple are closer to rosette standard but try explaining that to a newbie

Dropping capacity wont work as you cannot sensibly supply enough riders from the youth classes across the league plus the majority of the teams are run midweek. I hope its a cap on the top riders averages creating more strength in depth sides as just reducing the team build averages artificially inflates the averages of riders and creates the impression they are better than they are.

I don't expect many Championship sides will feature 6 heat leaders. I don't debate that prices are too high across the board but just because all the riders feature in the Championship doesn't make it a Championship strength side.

Not an inspiring list to be fair with the exception of Bacon. Mountain worth another look? Kinsley is local-ish and unless ive missed something Stefan Nielsen would fit?

Bumper home side especially with the two Worrall's as second strings. Now it just needs Brady & Jye to confirm they will be coming over....and the season to start....and the weather to behave.....

Can't argue that the development of the 250 engine has been a major boost, sadly the 350 has been often overlooked as a usable class although there are still a few that worryingly jump from 125s to 500s steps are being taken albeit slowly. The 2v class that run on the IOW last year seemed to produce some decent racing? For the most part the bikes that can really explore the limits of a track are the 250cc machines where riders can almost take liberties looking for traction without the fear of being driven into the fence. More track craft would be required but unfortunately the development of engines would still follow the 500 led path and they are not really any cheaper to maintain than current machines.

sadly however most clubs aren't interested in running any level of second halves so the numbers and opportunities diminish even further. I in 100 may not be great but if you consider how many are taking up the sport each year 50 maybe? the figures look a lot worse.

Big financial differences between the two although high level team sports join a bubble and remain within it throughout travels etc. Individuals however will end up like the Tennis players in Aus at present i suspect. It could work if the same 7 riders rode for the same team in Poland, England and Sweden but as its all such a mish mash i fear all the Uk will see is UK based riders.

The Star will print stuff about speedway, other newspapers care little. As for Hurry i fully admire what he achieved over his career, his grass & longtrack record is excellent and was a sight to behold in full flight whilst making it all look very easy BUT the injuries he has accumulated over the years are nasty and the recovery from them incomplete. Whilst i feel greatly for any rider who has a career cut short or who is aiming to replicate the glory days i can ive encouragement to a venture where i fear that the rider health is at greater jeopardy than usual in an already dangerous sport.

Sad but true. Ive stopped attending week in week out due to price and now pick and choose my meetings. Id rather travel further for some variety than watch the same repetitive action. For entertainment amateur and grasstrack often serve up better interest anyways.

What fantasy land is football comparable to speedway? Even teams in the vanarama national league get crowds of 3500. You would have to drop into the semi pro leagues to even get anywhere close to a comparison and those sides are not fronting 30k for one player per season.

don't worry they are only taking away the vaccine that works

and plenty of speedway riders receive substantial signing on fees pre season (don't know jakes deal specifics) . What other sports that are remotely comparable to speedway would be fronting 20-30k as a guarantee for a season that is far from certain to even happen?

But how many grand would they have to lend / give him? Jake stated that he made a loss in 2020 so he would be looking for a guaranteed of a full season and/or a guaranteed amount plus the $3500 for the quarantine on the way home. That would set a precedent for every Aussie coming over that clubs and British speedway just can't sustain. I feel for Jake and others in the same boat but just giving away money like you suggested would close British clubs for good.

Good to see the last implementation of a 5 year plan is in full swing.....

I would have thought 'enry Atkins would be a strong contender for the rising star berth? Bowtell Could do a job but the big hitters are what's needed, can't help thinking BWD will be fixed up somewhere already and Roo Boy might want a few too many pennies?

There's been a power shift, the good rising stars can now name their price so will probably cost more now than they would have before the system was put in place.

Id like to hear the answer to that conversation, so we want you to ride but only the away meetings as Josh doesn't fancy them.....

Has Matt Ford found the best loophole for rising star scheme ever???

I think Rowe is on everyone radar, made huge strides over the past season and has disproven the doubts i had about him. Max would be a home expert but struggle away (but has plenty of company in that respect) sadly Max came through the ranks when youth backing wasn't as strong and has never had the backing to really push on consistently to the higher levels

An air/foam fence might pinch the track in a little but all shapes are there to be ridden. Love the idea of a weekend event, run different grades perhaps building from NL or even youth lunchtime, NL afternoon and higher grade comp in the evening the follow it with pairs on the Sunday but start lunch and finish early evening allowing people to travel home at will.

Both pushing for a rising star place....