waytogo28

It wasn't lacklustre, unless lacklustre is now his usual performance.

Shrouded in secrecy in true Masonic style. Of course the BSPA could announce the results of the AGM now ( as almost everything is decided ) and then enjoy the three or four days in the sun as a well earned break ( in their eyes at least ). England Expects Sport Saving Initiatives ( well, UK speedway fans anyway ).

Yes it is not about where you set the bar. But it needs setting somewhere sensible. Doubling up riders have been taking too much out of the sport recently and "taking it for granted" that they should be able to.

Darcy never grew up as a human being so we should not have high expectations of his thinking process ( 17 year old boy comes to mind ) Monster financial pressure will likely secure Holder a wildcard.

Trees wrote " It's a shame as it seemed a good idea." about the GTR engine project. A repeating problem within the BSPA is that they jump at anything that sounds like "good idea" without thinking it through or without talking it over with others. Just jumping onto the 'next Big Thing' that will save the sport is a recipe for failure.

I too know at least 10 0r 12 people who were regulars and who travelled a long way to watch the Stars ( one from 70 mlies away ) The reasons highlighted above are exactly what they too said about their evaporating interest ( love affair really ) with speedway. And I am at that point too. Speedway in 2018 is not something that I am "lusting" for, which even five years ago I would have been. Partly through cost but mostly for those highlighted reasons!. The magic has faded and with Scott Nichols riding for both sides in the final of a major competition, that destroyed any credibility the sport had left. Thankfully the outside world doesn't know about such a farce or they would be falling over laughing.

Either could easily be Delboy! But I have to plump for Godfrey as Trigger in this situation.

Much as I like to see NKI racing around Saddlebow Rd, his place in the team failed to attract any new fans - quite a number were lost during his time as a Star.

Going back five years or so we had many of these Big Name ( top dollar ) Riders in UK teams and they failed then, to bump up attendance numbers or attract new fans. Why will tempting them back work now?

Excellent idea here and others put forward on various threads. However it seems that almost everything is already decided and merely awaits the Rubber Stamp, so we know what we will get in 2018 is - More of the Same ( with a slight reshuffle of clubs in X league or B league ). There are no visionary thinkers within the BSPA who will bring about positive change and a revival of speedways fanbase. Only the collapse of what we currently have - due to lack of paying fans - will make the 8 or 10 clubs who survive the crash, come up with something like speedway racing which can attract new fans of dirt track racing in the UK. It's called "evolution".

Must have announced it on a day when there was real BIG news on Twitter. Nobody I knew that it existed and therefore could not enter. Usual Huge Marketing effort by the BSPA.

Oops - to spare my own blushes I should have added "there is almost always " a great Woman. But I acknowledge that preference of different partners is now more common. Although there are no outwardly gay speedway riders at present. Or any claiming any of the other gender choices becoming common nowadays.

Perhaps they are much to busy to read what is posted, or they can't read so well or they are so busy marketing speedway on social media. Could be something like that.

Doyle now needs to sit down over the winter and write the book about his transformation from speedway journeyman to - As Good As It Gets on track. That How To manual would be priceless for several young British riders who fancy their chances. And behind every Champion sportsman there is a Great Woman - Take a bow Emily.

Only Monster Joe can save him because he was not suggesting he was worth it on track.

Both of the wild cannons should be brought to book by the SCB and that censure should include the BSPA Chairman too. For bringing the sport into disrepute.

Go down in the history books Jason Doyle! As the man who has been the best rider in the world for the last two seasons ( by any reasonable measure ) the world title is well deserved. And Dudek's achievement of a likely Silver Medal in his debut year is incredible. Push on Tai ,for a Bronze medal to show your world class consistency. Let's hope for great racing to end an excellent GP speedway season.

GRW123 wrote " NB.. It would be interesting to find out what the Clubs 'Breakeven Figures' of attendance are, and how many of our clubs achieved that.." In the search for transparency in speedway - at the point where it's continuity is in question - the figures for a Break Even paid attendance figure for every club would be a revelation. Can it be possible and will someone at a club be the first to offer up their own figure? jchapman wrote " The best days are behind the sport and now it needs to go backwards to try and rebuild with a long term plan rather than living hand to mouth every year. I would personally have only two leagues of 12 teams (one semi pro and one amateur). In the top league restrict teams from building with any riders over a 6 point average, no GP riders and no riders who ride in more than one other country. Put in place a total team spend of £5k per match and riders pay terms have to be registered with BSPA. Any clubs trying to get smart and work a way around it will be fined £10k." ​I do hope that something like that is firmly on the agenda at the BSPA AGM. If not it should be. But sadly we all feel sure that it is not and Nero will continue to fiddle ( musically ) while "Rome" burns down and only the embers of the fire can be stood around for the next few years. The Centenary of 2028 is far out of reach it seems ( perhaps it really is 2021?).

jchapman posted the details below - Hurray someone on the inside helps the fans to understand the problem more easily. Thank You. A riders remuneration package is usually made up of multiple factors with different rates for each. 1. A sign on fee which a rider may use to purchase equipment and get set up for season ahead. 2. Contribution towards travel to each meeting, including flight costs. 3. Contribution to accomodation costs ( sometimes required by the home office to obtain a work visa). 4. Guaranteed minimum earnings per match. 5. Tyre, oil and insurance costs 6. Contribution towards or supply of a mechanic 7. A fixed rate per point scored (including bonus points) which may increase or decrease based on team position. It may also have a step up in rate if the rider scores more than his average points. When all this is combined and spread out across the whole team it is fair to say that based on 50 points being scored each meeting (including bonus points) the average cost per point was around £200 when I was running the team in the elite league. Since I left this has increased significantly and I would estimate it is around £300 per point. This means each home meeting requires £30k of income (after VAT) to cover rider costs plus another £5k to cover rent and auxiliary costs such as paramedics. The sky money (which ceases to exist after this season) would probably cover 30% of that and gate receipts another 30-40%. Each club then needs to rely on sponsorship and generous beneficiaries to make up the short fall. That ladies and gentlemen is unfortunately why the sport is in the doo doos and I do not see how it can survive next year without a major revamp including cost cutting. Believe me the fixed race nights are the least of its problems.

jchapman wrote " This means each home meeting requires £30k of income (after VAT) to cover rider costs plus another £5k to cover rent and auxiliary costs such as paramedics. The sky money (which ceases to exist after this season) would probably cover 30% of that and gate receipts another 30-40%. Each club then needs to rely on sponsorship and generous beneficiaries to make up the short fall. That ladies and gentlemen is unfortunately why the sport is in the doo doos and I do not see how it can survive next year without a major revamp including cost cutting. Believe me the fixed race nights are the least of its problems." Plus more enlightening info. on speedway finances. So now we know - Thank You jchapman - in the PL riders are currently well paid for their efforts. As it should be but without the Sky cash, where is the rest coming from? Essential cost cutting, more sponsors or what?

I greatly respect and enjoy your posts JC but cannot understand why no-one on the "inside" is prepared to shed some light on how it works - is there a basic pay rate scale or not? We do not want rider's private financial affairs to be known. just have an understanding of why some " cannot make it pay" without doubling up. That is where it all began, at least for me. Are they the lowest paid professional sportsmen in the country or are they grossing 4x plus the average national wage? Are promoters "abusing" riders by underpaying them for their desires to race? I repeat they are heroes for giving it their all on track, so this is not knocking anyone.

He could have and should have stepped down and recommended that the place go to the next young Aussie rider who needs the experience. He could then have taken a lap of "honour" which he truly deserved for his final - 8/10 Aussie season. I hope that he does not embarrass himself.

Even worse that those who do know are not prepared to say.

Face doesn't fit with the new owners it seems.

They are all on Twitter and Facebook and believe that millions of new would be supporters will turn up - out of the blue. Definitely believe in fairies! The Chairman of the BSPA did a live-ish Facebook appearance a few months back and people poured into his track, ( the toilet was packed one week )so it must work and be the "on the cheap"new miracle marketing tool.