waytogo28

Those clubs that have not closed are limping along financially , we are told ( and encouraged to donate to their survival ) - as so few have closed, is it the case then, that some promoters are having us supporters on? It's a kind of crowdfunding without the internet and from the die hard core of speedway addicts. Or is it in some cases just a top up needed by the promoter, every two or three years?

Are you a budding promoter?

It doesn't look like Peter Collins will be doing it at the NSS this winter or perhaps never, according to the piece in this weeks SS. It's crying shame if older riders who served the club well are not welcome.

It's the reasons he retired for that really count. He couldn't make a start and if he did he couldn't hold the place. Curiously he DID have a good season in the Southern Hemisphere but for some inexplicable reason he could not replicate any of that form Up North. Perhaps he suddenly going to "come good" in a spectacular way and amaze us all? Imagine that! He does.

Are there really any newbies around to explain it to? Therein lies speedway's real problem, most fans are too embarrassed to bother to "bring a friend" any longer ( or all their friends have been once and now politely decline ).

I suspect now that you are right, there is NO "basic pay rate". As the promoters have been so successful in cutting great rider pay deals in the past , let the Del Boy style continue to reap the dividends it has previously. Drop the blazers and have sheepskin coats all round? Every club does seem to have one or two Triggers around.

Someone needs to take the lead in bringing about positive steps for speedway but I think the FIM have long pushed it to one side as irreparable,

From those supposedly "in the know" posters! I did not believe them of course At least the top two in PL teams are on £200 a point plus. And I don't believe that anyone is on £50 per point in the PL. Not, at least without a meeting guarantee of £500 a meeting. But when a former promoter tells you you are "talking nonsense " and "plucking figures out of the air" it's best to let them go their own way. It was tongue in cheek "assurance".

No!

If he is capable of that kind of form - when in the mood, we are in for a great night's racing with Watt involved in a lot of dramatic heats. Or trailing in at the back, which is more likely.

If that could ever be achieved the sport of speedway might possibly be revived in the UK but we all know this will not happen and riders are almost as much to blame for the poor racing on offer. No, you meant Bored and Can't be Bothered. Not bothered to listen to new ideas or feedback.

Chris Holder did not come to KL with any sincere interest in the club. He only came because he had had a spat with Matt Ford and needed a job ( and possibly a visa ) in the UK - for his convenience. What happened is mostly down to his intransigence, although Buster was partially at fault.

drew2 wrote " I know the Hancock family love their speedway, and along with Garry May, put their heart and soul into running that club but this year has been extremely trying on so many fronts within the sport for them. The frustration maybe boiled over in the statement but that is probably because they love it so much. Whatever the outcome over the winter months within the sport I will certainly be back supporting the club next season along with my family though. I will also now try to support other functions within the club when I possibly can." However much their emotions and frustrations boiled over - they took their eye off the ball of why they run speedway and who for. If they run it for themselves then OK say what they want about "fickle" supporters but they have forgotten that they are customers who choose or not choose to spend their money there. No sympathy for the Somerset promotion who need to wake up to commercial realities especially within UK speedway. Look at King's Lynn which used to be my club, but who I have just given up on, after going regularly every year since they opened. Pay attention to the needs, likes and dislikes of your customers unless you are rich enough to run the club as your "toy".

Almost as funny as Fawlty Towers. You truly couldn't make it up.

Why on earth would NKI return to race for the Stars IF the pay rates - as we are assured, are way less than £200 per point in the PL? When he was racing it was common knowledge that the KL share of the Sky fee went on keeping him in the team. Now that there is no such thing ( is there? or not?) it would take another major sponsor to pay his wages.

It's already a done deal for the PL to be Mondays and Thursdays and will be set in stone very soon.

Some great ideas there but at what we are assured are current pay rates ( £50 per point all round max. ) a seven point rider will earn £17k from his racing. Hmmm. Sponsors will be very, very important then.

Doubling Up ( in the same league ) will be part of the Blessing we are to receive from Tenerife.

Part of Busting Chapman's Pick & Mix weekly teams in all leagues with Guests Galore. The BSPA really believe that is what supporters want on the new fixed nights.

That would likely be the final nail in the coffin of UK speedway.

Sadly the very good advice about controversial situations i.e. Tell the Truth, tell it promptly and completely. This never happen in the "old boys & girls" network of speedway promoters. If only it did then, supportes would feel more involved and a part of clubs.

RPNYC said " The guy has moved halfway around the world,,broken bones, ridden through the pain barrier, struggled through tough times, he deserves the send off. More importantly he got this position b right. He's unlikely to trouble the other 15 but so what, would it make that much of a difference in Kurtz or someone was in it?" YES! Someone like Kurtz would be getting invaluable further experience to develop his career. Watt doesn't deserve a "send off" IMO because he rode on for far too long when he had neither the appetite for racing nor the ability. His Sell By date for being paid for racing expired at least four years ago. We all have problems in our personal life and we have to get on with our working lives or as he should have done - retire.

That demands joined up thinking from the promoter and we know that collectively they are not well known for joined up thinking. The usually cannot "see" the terraces and only know the fans are there from the turnstile clicks.

Crowdfunding may well work but there is a % to be paid to the hosting website which varies between 5% and 20%.

I hope he does - to illustrate the mire that speedway as a sport worldwide is in. Or does he have the biggest circle of friends, family, acquaintances so that he could sell the most extra tickets? It must be something like that as his ability overall in the last three years demonstrates that there is no logical reason to include him, as an exciting speedway rider nowadays.