Pieman72

I'd suggest you go to Coventry but it has closed.

I think is is listed as a Heritage site?

If you do nothing else it''s probably affordable but we also do Grasstrack, Drag Racing and I Mountain Bike and Run. £4-50 for a pint is extortionate and £50 for us to have a seat is a bit unreal. Am I right in saying that no food or drink is allowed in the stadium other than what the caters sell? We tend to avoid eating fast or processed food particularly chips.

I went to Birmingham Speedway last year the facilities were awful and for two of us potentially a very expensive night out consuming rubbish. Never to be repeated. Can I add the Greyhound company are responsible for the facilities.

The one thing that no one mentioned is the culture in which speedway flourished. Motorbikes were very much part of our culture in the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's and bikes hurtling around at 70mph without brakes was seen as daring and risky but while it still spectacular the culture is not there to support it. Unfortunately Speedway is now very much a minority sport enjoyed by just a few die hards. It will survive but probably not in it's present state.

Has anyone been to Birmingham Speedway recently? What are the facilities (i.e. food, drink, cover, seating, spectating) like now?

I'm married lol That gives me an insight into why Speedway terraces are so empty. Families are an important component of motorsports and it's probably how most fans were introduced to Speedway.

Really excellent some very interesting replies. It's no point ignoring what's happening and we as supporters can affect change. It's good to see that alternatives can be explored and there is a future for British Speedway. Nobody can be blamed for the situation that exists but the books have to balanced and the current structure is not working.

Some excellent points but the main problem is how the leagues are managed. Rolling out a star rider and looking into looking into a Crystal Ball isn't going to stop the rot. We have to think 'outside the box unfortunately both the supporters and the promoters are not for change. A good analogy was Woolworth's it had been trading very profitably for years but their model of shopping was out of date and broken. So what's the answer give it a make over, charge top dollar and put up the prices...the rest is history.

Speedway has to adapt to changing times and as I've reiterated before variety and semi professionalism has to be the way to go.

I quite understand moxey's point but unfortunately younger people don't have that type of disposable income for a bit of midweek entertainment. For a good seat at Belle View that would be £48. How do we attract a younger supporter into Speedway who will return?

We have to roll out a business model that's sustainable. It's a bit lazy paying a crowd puller then sitting back waiting for for a trickle of fans who are prepared to pay the extortionate admission prices it's hardly surprising tracks are closing. I think we have conceded too much particularly regarding race nights. I take the view that the type of fan attracted by 'star' riders may also becoming extinct?

Is British Speedway holding it self to ransom paying for star riders? With tracks having to charge unrealistic admission prices to fewer supporters could it be that this model is accelerating the decline? Would it not be better to invest in the future encouraging British riders for British tracks. It's like buying a Ferrari but not having the funds to run it

Perhaps the best way forward is a not for profit approach?

Ultimately Grasstrack is in reasonable shape where as Speedway is facing extinction. I do like a spat but I'd rather keep to the original Guardian article.

I couldn't agree more and taking thread from Grasstrack; Speedway needs to learn from it. Spectacular diverse racing, multiple classes, value for money, a family day out and nearly a days racing with practice allied to a sensible time in which to race. Oh what's missing.... Promoters and Professional Speedway Riders need I say anymore. I take my hat off to the many dedicated individuals who support, assist and stage Grasstrack for nothing. Above all the vast majority of riders who race for no financial gain. That is the spirit required in Speedway; the current business model is broken.

Halting the decline is complex involving multiple issues. Fundamentally working people just don't have the finances for what is a very expensive midweek night out at the speedway. The sad situation is that there are many British Speedway/Grasstrack riders but few opportunities for the m to ride. I'm sure there is a solution to what is happening but doing nothing and carrying on regardless will just accelerate the slump.

We've been doing it like this for 50 years and we ain't going to change. Put a nail in it and that will fix it !!

An excellent article which critically analyses the state of speedway today. 1) Speedway is stuck in the 1920/50's the engines are unique, expensive and have no longevity. 2) The promoters and riders are overpaid and aloof of the supporters. Who solely pays the wages, bills and running costs? 3) Looking for a Barry Hearns or any other benefactor while the tracks close and attendances dwindle, is definitely not going to happen. Unfortunately it's a slow but predictable decline.

I agree completely I've only seen a few races at Stoke at the back end of last year it was really friendly. I'm just being diplomatic with my words and in now way do I imply your organisation I just used it as a general term for oval racing. Please accept my aplogies. Do you not agree that there is a need for another organisation to oversee amateur/semi professional speedway? We are stuck in a rut and the SCB seem to making it deeper.

Best option could be to affiliate as a Grasstrack under the guidance of the ACU. While I don't condemn 'practice tracks' out of hand, speedway can be a dangerous sport for all involved and basic medical cover, safety and insurance must be mandatory.Perhaps guidance, advice and diplomacy might be helpful. After seeing the mess that dirt track racing is in perhaps there is a need for an Amateur Dirt Track Authority? Understandably a lot of riders want to race but there a few places to do it somehow a less formal and looser set up could work?

I couldn't agree more Jason. Looking at the decisions made over a number of years it's quite understandable why speedway is in a dire situation. I would say a radical overhaul of the sport is the only answer. Long term I would say the riders will have to become amateur or semi professional as the financial rewards for the sport are just not there.

Congratulations to Pathfinder for an excellent report. While I totally agree with the findings and summary it is something only understood by the Speedway fraternity. The sport needs to reach out to a wider audience and quite honestly the present set up is not viable for both British riders and supporters alike. The sport needs to 'look outside the box' and decide where it wants to be, what it can afford and what will bring in the revenue?

500cc were planned but definitely too narrow. I'd not been to Stoke before, rough and ready but hey ho it's an operational track. 110% effort by the Helsby Junior GT Club for staging the event. Great to see such a variety of bikes and riders GT140's were competitive so too the 250's all went without any accidents too. For amateur/semi professional riders an excellent opportunity to have a run on a speedway track. Hopefully more tracks will stage similar events in the future. Solo's & Sidecars....bring it on as Grasstrack venue's are in short supply.

It was an official ACU sanctioned meeting and run by their rules the similar to Sidecar Speedway. An excellent mixed event a good pointer to the future of Grasstrack and Speedway.