waytogo28

You are right, I think that this would be the best we can hope for. But there are distinct possibilities that could mean we cannot run unti lthe summer of 2021 OR when a vaccine is widely available.

I imagine the BSPA will announce it on September 1st.

Oh Yes, How fortunate we are - who still love speedway racing in the UK - to have a person leading the sport who is so multi faceted and equipped with a wide variety of much needed skills.

With Rob Godfrey at the helm, I feel that UK speedway will offer more of the same old, same old, in the same slowly rusting manner until professional extinction looms and it keels over and dies. Even though he has got off his backside ( he claims ) and will bring us many new delights. I will believe that if I live to see it.

And today's poll adds to the idea that a very large minority ( 40% ) are fearful of going out from even a phased easing of lockdown. The majotity of these were in the Vulnerable Elderly category. I too can't see UK speedway operating in a meanigful way this year. And for those tracks that might fancy a dabble, if permitted, could see average numbers down by 50% or more.

This is what lies at the heart of the problem. The BSPA's increasing reluctance to see feedback as anything other than "doom and gloom" criticism. Of a group of five of us who got together six years ago to put forward a long list of constuctive ideas ( which were published in the Spedway Star at the time ) received not even an acknowledgement of our positive contribution - never mind a Thank You. All five are no longer regualr attenders to matches. That is perhaps the not so funny part of it. They walked away like many others.

There you have it - the perfect riposte to my post from Rob Godfrey " “We need to be more open about the work we are doing because our critics seem to think we sit on our backsides and do nothing.” All he and the rest of the BSPA have to do is to live up to the promises made with this statement - live streaming etc etc. We await actual progress and can then offer our feedback on it! And hopfully even our congratulations ( should real progress actually be made ).

I think that no-one within the BSPA is doing any post Covid 19 planning or decison taking other than -"when we can , we will open up for business and things will go on as usual". Deteriorating in my opinion. That is why UK speedway is in the position that it currently is - on it's uppers! Those with influence still believe that if it aint broke, why try to fix it!

It is that on track excitement that has strongly dimmed my love affair with speedway racing, which began in the early 50s ( when I had no choice but to go as both of my parents went and took me with them to The Firs in Norwich ), For at least the last 10 -15 years the draw of close racing and the possibility of passing ( or indeed the willngness od riders to attempt it - was it all pointless effort? ). Until those that put on speedway, address this aspect of what first pulled thousands of fans in. Less powerful bikes, tracks relaid to suit the current machinery or whatever. But it is an uphill rask of epic proportions and there is apparanelty still a feeling that "it's all alright as it is" among those putting their time and money into running speedway to a diminshing audience.

Those that went to Brandon in the era of Charles Ochiltree certainly saw every match starting on time ( unless cirumstances beyond the promoters control - eg UK weather prevented it ) . Always Prompt. But elsewhere, this century , I doubt it.

I suspect that the 2021 season may possibly start on time, although the announcememnt today that " Covid 19 is here to stay until an effective vaccine is available" . Bearing in mind that the vast majority of supporters are in or near the vulnerable elderly category, there may not be many of them risking a trip to the speedway in 2021.

I agree with some of that - The Clap for NHS & Carers may be a good idea for memebrs of the public but does not need orchestrated singing and dancing from Blue Light staff ( and now Carers ) In particular with some Carers moving from house to house withour any ( in some cases ) PPE and can so easily be a source of spreading infectiona. Staff in the NHS and Emergency Services are doing a splendid job - in dangerous and difficult circumstances. A Thank You for that but sutained "applause" and appreciation should be kept for when the virus is defeated ( if indeed it is - pre vaccine availability ). In a true emergency - as we have now - almost a war like setting - those in jobs where such max, sutained efforts are of course naturally demanded, have little choice but to do their best. My biggest concern is whay I consider to be a weak and woeful response to Vovid 19 by the recently elected Government and the Prime Minister. Almost anyone can govern the country when all is well but we need real leadership ( without political overtones ) in the current crisis. Where is it? These running things now ( who I voted for ) are proving not to be up to the task. Falling at the first hurdle in my opinion.

The biggest problem with that idea ( which I mostly agree with ) is that there does not seem to be - within the BSPA at least - a grpup of planners who could agree and handle effectively, this much needed UK re-boot. Those with key vested interests ( including financial ) want things to go ahead with as little change as possible ( IMHO ). Sort of Carry On Regardless, in front of a dimishing number of fans.

I agree and I would love to have the number of better riders increase, but I see little or no point in one "superstar" per team and then a gaggle of much lower riders. In the last few years there has been a big increase in the number of riders who say halfway into lap one " well I missed the gate, so I will wait until my next chance to trap".. Perhaps because they know they have little chance of doing better in that race?

Quality of racing with riders of a similar standard is also very important ( well to me anyway ), If Redcar, the NSS and Scunthorpe provide consistenly good racing, they should drawing in very decent crowds but they are not it seems .

It became much too hard in recent seasons to stomach what was on offer at King's Lynn. I found myself going less and less. but am still willing to sample it again - once, to see if the promised improvements to the racing surface do result in on track racing to make it wortjwhile.

That for me is sadly ineveitable. It's dinosaur promoters and not dinosaur supporters that endanger the sport in the UK.

Oh let it be so at King's Lynn where I have to, by necessity, sit on the disabled bench. That gives a reasonsble view but you can't hear much of any announcements and certainly no interviews. Riders seem to have practiced audo distancing for years and most regard the mic as something likely to do them harm. I have offered this as feedack for at least the last five seasons but with no improvement whatsoever. If you can have a word, please do. Sadly I don't have a smartphone, so I cannot go down the route suggested.

This is a great way forward IF it could be replicated as much as it has been in Sweden. But this is a medium term possibility as I doubt if it coul dbe "sold" to councils and or comminuty groups in a few months.( even in 12 months ). I suggest that it is entirely renamed - perhaps as "Dirt Track Racing" or somesuch. It needs to be on standard bikes with no tuner add ons and therefore easier to have a go and start riding for youngsters . F2? Perhaps even 250cc bikes ( as the 500cc rockets ships have inherent problems in their use inc safety & cost ) . Perhaps on a single manufacturer's machine. Get the empahasis on talent winning ( and having a beter chance of proving more reliable exciting racing ) and not the increasingly "first away wins". Boring! Include handicap racing - maybe in ability bands to offer a better on track experience for the younger new supporters. What is clear that the same old, same old of at least the last 20 years will not attract a sufficent new audience for the sport to survive. Definitely improve the P.A. everywhere ( so that interviews etc can be heard ) and Please DO change the music played and general style of 1970s presentation. That's the dim and distant past and a turnoff in trying to sell the new style action. Get those yawning time gaps deleted from meetings! Concrete starting grid - so NO gardening and more time wasted. I could go on!

UK domestic speedway ( as we know it ) IS truly a gonna ( IMHO)! Game over and it's just writhing around towards a slow agonising death. If it werea dog, we would want to rush it to a vet to be put to sleep. Pity, because it was such a good companion for many years.

Go For It! I would be very interested.

I have never seen those at any speedway stadium I have visted, but I do lust for one Right Now for my lunch! Most of the speedway fare I have sampled this centurey has been - well slightly worse than what is available elewhere - but considerably more expensive.

Far from unlikely! But please I pray not! Otherwise we are certainly dooomed!

There seems to be little doubt ( IMHO ) that she is Priti unempathic in much the same way that Raab also is. Looking down on the plebs.

As for will speedway survive - yes it will in some shape or form " but as we know it" ( or have known it ) IMHO. But it will become , I think, an even paler shadow of it's former self before being lost, like Peter Pan's shadow. As for Mr Godfrey saying that no clubs are likely to go to the wall - wasn't it Mandy Rice Davies who said " well he would say that wouldn't he?" . Or was it Christine Keeler?