waytogo28

This is the most progressive work on How the Future of UK Speedway might look like in only 7 months time and needs to be as revolutionary as possible as it coincides with the Give Us a B political upheaval V Momentum "new season / era". Much will change in the UK and much will not in order to maintain stability and as the Speedway Star says " managed decline awaits". With these proposals both old faded fans AND the new, young hordes can be fitted in. Perhaps in separate areas of the stadiums? In order to attract maximum numbers of over 75-year-old returnees, I am sure that special dispensation for them to pay for admission in pre-decimal coins or even old £5, £1 or even 10 shilling notes. Splendid glories await the brave! Start "ladies" in mini skirts and bee hive hairdos a must. Alongside some androgynous unsure or in transition role models in order to accommodate all kinds.

It will be interesting to a) see how they build in a crossover track shape ( or will it be speedway with gears?) and b) how many are attracted to flat track racing there. A genuine question so if someone goes perhaps they could review the meeting.

Sadly that remains the case for this century at least. It must be the only sport where the concerns of the paying customer are so disregarded and whose feedback is of no interest.

Some of what prompted my thinking was the "celebration" over the 69th. Anniversary meeting. Talking to a number of people who are not speedway goers ( and never were ) all concluded with no prompting from me, that any business that would make a marketing fuss of that, would do so because there was to be no 70th anniversary. As will be the case. Time will tell who deserves the epithets.

We are told on another thread that as, merely, paying fans we have no right to know anything or be told anything until the investing promoter so deems it. Whilst there is some truth in that, the only message that the deafening silence passes on would seem to be " You will find out after the final 2018 fixture that it was the final meeting at The Abbey". Most likely in an obituary style article in the Speedway Star. A neat and tidy closeure.

At least we know he considered it ( however briefly ). A great pity as it would have been easy and inexpensive to administrate.

My way or the highway is how it goes at King's Lynn. You should know that. You are merely a face in the crowd of 1000s, well hundreds or at least dozens.

Not a very enticing Wolves lineup. That means in speedway lore that they are likely to win both matches!

Me too.

Truly that would be problem solved but the promoters still seem unwilling to listen to the fans about what they want to buy. One of the reasons that so many shops close down. At least a few hundred, if not 1,000 ex-fans would return to King's Lynn if they liked what was on offer there now. Clearly, they don't and that is why attendances have more than halved in five years.

We KNOW that they don't want anyone to know - what was being discussed or even decided. History tells us that.

Riders will have to learn to offer up "more" ( in some way ) if they want to continue to earn a full time living from speedway racing ( for those not racing in other European leagues that is ).

I'll put my money on the second match starting at 21.00 and 'the end " to be around 23.30 ( but not before ). We'll let the Updater be the arbiter of what time the final race is completed, shall we?

I too remember him at Norwich and at Wimbledon when I was foolish enough to criss-cross the country to watch the cream of the action. One of the best riders I have seen in 60+ years of supporting speedway racing. The fact that the BSPA and SCB websites seem to have ignored his passing tells us much about what is wrong with how the sport is run nowadays. Certainly not being run by gentlemen, nor gentle men and women.

In reality, almost everyone knows there will be no new stadium. let's be honest and it is extremely unlikely that there will be speedway on track at Blunsdon in 2019. Once the houses were built so close it was inevitable. This year's final fixture is time to hold a This is It night.

Not all the ones offering criticism fail to go. I attend when I choose to and don't when I choose not too. Free will and all that. I don't go to the cinema if I don't like what they are showing either. They never say use it or lose it.

Yes, I too have been giving my honest forthright opinion for the last three years because I too DO care. I care very much about KLS. I have been a supporter since the first time the track opened to the public and every year since. When seeing the management being irresponsible and in denial of issues being there own fault I'm going to pipe up too! Like it or not - other posters and the KLS management.

What's new.

You have got me all wrong, or have the wrong end of the stick, I know not which. EVERY rider at whatever level is a hero for getting out on track and giving it of their best. But they are not able to "put on a show" which is attracting enough spectators. That is what I am concerned about. I want to see 3,000 people for every match at KL. No kidding Buster, I do ( so long as there is enough space in the disabled section for me ). But how it is run now, or is being forced to run ( UK speedway that is ) it can not lead to a revival. Speedway racing in the UK must change drastically or die out. Riders have to face that question as much as promoters and fans. If only 500 or 300 people, or less, will pay to watch you take part in mostly processional racing, how will you make a good living? So handicap racing and standardised bikes might be what riders have to accept. I can't attend the press conference because the people who give me a lift need to leave. You saw my excitement at being pictured with Robert and his British Champion trophy and I was there to talk to Lewis Kerr about his injury ( and thank him for his efforts ). Any business, including KL speedway that is not economically viable, will close down. Only Buster, Robin and Dale can prevent that ( and any other secret shareholder or major sponsor ).

This is a fact, not some bleating moaner going on and on ( and on, as I have been accused of doing ). When they do get together at the AGM so little seems to be fully thought through and fans with a bit of nous can see where the problems will crop up. So why can't those who are investing in it ( or taking out of it, as some must do when all income streams are taken into account ) see it as well? The death knell has already sounded for UK speedway ( as we know it ).

Regrettably, I have come to the same conclusion. I had the pain of losing "my" team Norwich Stars when they closed down at the Firs. And the joy of opening at King's Lynn where a group of us followed the Stars from Norwich for every match. Even when I went to college in Leicester I supported the Stars from there, when I could, and when I took a job in Northampton I went over to Saddlebow Road very regularly. There were some great times ( home and away ) with heroes like Terry Betts, Tiddler Turner , Michael Lee and even watching Darcy Ward and Tai Woffinden in the NL. Fantastic memories right through until that young lad Robert Lambert arrived ( to give me my latest and perhaps last heroic racer to watch ). Now that he has come of age ( as a rider ) the way that KL is now run ( and UK speedway in general ) does not appeal to me much. Culminating in the latest sin of doubleheaders V the same team which I am sure most fans do not find very appealing. Mind you in the last 70 years it has become so much more watchable on TV ( for me, better than being there now that in stadium atmosphere has almost vanished ) Swings and roundabouts and Ove Fundin remains for me the ultimate speedway rider since I witnessed his arrival at Norwich all those years ago. Now it's nearly died out as you say. Last legs at least! And Yes, Dinosaurs are dying out too.

Oh Yes! It won't be long ( just after the doubleheader V Wolves ) that we will get the "use it or lose it" plea. Sadly either the KLS management has a problem with short-term memory or it's a working strategy to put on doubleheaders V the same team. Must save lots of money. If you can get the crowd over 1,000 that is. As for NKI missing ( and who else we have yet to see), there is nothing positive that can be said. And yes again, if you are going in 2019 "get over it" - again.

Just posted in No Word from the BSPA, agreeing with you as to what is needed. handicap racing ( whether riders like it or not ) and standardised bikes. Must give the paying punters more of interest and thrills on track, if there is any hope of attracting new ones.

Wow that is the most positive thing I have heard you say about what needs to change in UK speedway IF new fans are going to be tempted back. Yes, handicap racing carries more risks but it will pull in new, different fans because it includes passing, which is exciting to watch. Riders are as guilty as promoters for the decline in interest in speedway in the UK because they don't have to take risks at the moment after coming out of bend 2 lap 1. They don't want to, in the main, either. Racing has mostly gone out of the window and 75% of heats are speedway following or chasing. So, yes, handicap racing and standardised bikes could be the salvation of UK speedway.

Well said mate! I am sure you are right, there are many missing regularly like yourself who include the much needed next generation. I am a well turned off fan who has been watching in the previous 7 decades. That makes me an old moaner in the eyes of many who say I want the sport to turn back the clock. The only "turning back" I want is for speedway to give as much excitement on track as it used to do but the way it is run in the UK nowadays the only way is down. Down in interest by many and down in numbers paying to watch regularly as the last 10 years have shown. Av great pity as the sport could still have much to offer that " new generation " of fans. Can't see them finding out what it's all about though.