Theboss

Also the demand will be lower because a big recession is on the cards and people will choose paying for food and accomodation over taking holidays on credit. Also businesses will want to cut costs and use online meetings to save on the cost of face to face ones.

I disagree with that however no one can be sure. I guess it is my nature to prepare for the worst rather than hope for the best.

I agree marketing is key however I think you have the wrong idea if I am suggesting we tinker with the sport. I am suggesting British Speedway will have NO OTHER OPTION but to completly REBUILD itself due to CV19. Surely you can see it will not be possible for the sport to operate as was planned? If so then what should the clubs do?

I plan on working that number out later today

I can understand why that may not be ideal but I am struggling with ideas on how to share around the limited number of riders that will be available?

So according to yesterday's national newspapers, when Poland start their 2020 league campaign they will only use riders who are willing to committ solely to their league AND LIVE IN THEIR COUNTRY. The PNZ obviously see the problems ahead with air travel and want to protect their league, so don't be surprised to see this also be implemented in 2021 and beyond. Surely this news will make British speedway promoters realise that the current set up with three leagues will no longer be possible and they need to use the time they have now to start again with a clean sheet of paper? I believe valid fans ideas which should be considered by the promoters are: - £10 entry - Regular meetings over a shorter season - Semi pro riders - Better sound systems and interviews (score boards are a good idea but too expensive) I would add that to reduce costs for everyone involved a fixed appearance fee rather than points money in year 1 which should be deter riders from spending money on fancy carbs and engine rebuilds. Then in year 2 move to standard engines and introduce money per point. If rider supply is an issue then it would be a good idea to set up north and south league and allow riders to ride for a team in each division.

These bikes look good enough to me, they are smooth due to not being too highly tuned. If they are reliable and reduce the amount of crashes because they are not picking up mid corner then they could fit the bill. Could stick to riders bringing their own bikes and engines or each club could provide the engines on the night which are drawn by ballot, riders only need to bring their frames and each club provides a practice session prior to the start of the meeting. For practice sessions riders would have their own stock engines. Any ideas how much these engines are?

Think you final idea would make sense if nothing is being done to create a new blueprint for the sport!

I never knew about this, what engines were these and how much do they cost?

I was literally writing about an app for hearing intervioews as you wrote this. I agree, an app could contain all the race information, scorers and advertisers. It would reduce the cost of attendance for fans as programmes would no longer be required.

I like the idea of 250cc bikes prior at the start of a meeting and then 500cc standard spec bikes for the main event. No idea why music is so bad at some tracks, many moons ago you could understand it as the cost of a DJ was prohibitive for some tracks but now we have spotify and can upgrade to ad free music for just £10 per month! Speaker systems have also been an issue for many moons because of the cost, however it would now be easy to broadcast through an app so supporters could hear it through their headphones connected to their mobile phone.

I think a 'festival fo speedway' is a great idea

Could community run/owned clubs be an option?

I have started a new topic in general discussions about wether this is an opportunity for the sport to be reborn.

I agree that team meetings should be written off, however if the government restrictions allow it I would hope a few open meetings could be held before end of October

I think this a great idea

Then they will fail as it can not carry on as it is, the world post CV19 will simply not faciltate it.

The top two leagues of British speedway has for many years relied on cheap airlines to enable riders to race in multiple leagues around Europe, however with the aviation industry collapsing the knock on effect for British Speedway is simple….. it will not have access to riders who wish to race in more than just the British league as the logistics will just not allow it. No star riders will mean a significant drop in crowds (I am guessing levels of 50% pre CV19) which will lead to lower revenues from ticket sales along with a significant drop in sponsorship/advertising revenue as well. If clubs have less money to spend then riders will also be paid less and some will probably turn their back on the sport as they cannot afford to ride, thus reducing the pool of available riders down even further. In my opinion British Speedway needs to give up on the idea of their rider assets holding any financial value and press the reset button to create a new blueprint to survive post CV19 ready to be launched in March 2021 (subject to government restrictions). I believe now is a great opportunity for supporters to share their thoughts and ideas on what British Speedway ‘reborn’ should look like and which clubs should be part of it so I can send them on to the current guardians of each club. I look forward to reading the thoughts you may share on this.

Yes the price will be lower.... Although not sure it would be presently worth much either way!

They are a joke, clearly wanted the referee to side with Poole.

Awesome performance by the Stars. The form team going into the play offs and fingers crossed they can bring home their first top league title!

After last night's results the Stars must now be favourite to finish top and Belle Vue to finish in 4th place. If these are the final standings then I forecast the following semis: Stars v Aces Pirates v Rebels With Stars and Pirates to meet in the final.

Me too, I can not imagine the devastation for Niklas and his fiancée. I hope they receive the support needed and take the time to heal and rebuild so they have the strength to try again.

A very simple solution and a great shame if not offered. Never know I few may go because of this offer with the intention of leaving after the first meeting, but enjoy the racing in the first meeting and decide to stay.

Sorry for late reply to this thread, but it was hidden away under a section I don't often look at. I don't think raising funding is the issue anymore as the only way to take the sport forward is to start from ground zero. This essentially means an amateur/semi pro sport which is run by promoters who want to rebuild speedway as a sport with 'grit' which every working person in this country can afford to be part of. I believe speedway needs an entrepreneurial type of leader to take this challenge forward, one with a track record in sport and business would certainly be helpful. Whilst truly flattered at the suggestion I am the person for this, I am restricted within my employment terms as Chief Executive of the British Assessment Bureau to take on ANY additional roles of responsibility (professional or non professional) without board approval. However, I would and could, happily offer my services as an unofficial advisor to a person or group who wished to take this challenge on. Hope that helps.