Speedtiger

Phil, Thanks to you and to your editorial staff, for the efforts in keeping going at this extremely challenging time. The sport needs the Speedway Star to survive and we should support and help them to weather this serious storm.

Matt. I’m a realist not a pessimist. Ive never said speedway clubs are not eligible to apply BUT there’s a big difference in being eligible to apply and actually getting financial help. Not all clubs are limited companies. Speedway doesn’t directly employ that many people as all riders are self employed and Clubs have lots of unpaid volunteers to make the sport work so will not be judge a priority to save jobs which is the main criteria of getting help. Any loans that clubs, who are probably already in debt, may obtain will be only adding to that debt and will no doubt be personally secured by the borrowers. Clubs may have to accept strict loan terms due to desperation because at this stage clubs will have paid out large sums of money in preparation and anticipation of the season starting and much needed cash coming in which leaves them very exposed. As always the devil in all of this will be in the detail.

Geoff, you need to get your head out of the sand, wise up, grow up and face up to the real world.

Agreed...WTG and that was my point I made previously....before even making an offer of help the government will audit Sports including BSPA-Speedway and a 1st year novice accountant will see the poor financial state the sport has been in for some time and that will be that. It would be like bailing out Woolworths and BHS.! Also the government will have much more pressing priorities to deal with than speedway. Money will be extremely tight...even for essential services. In the grand plan of this serious worldwide crisis Speedway, I’m afraid, is totally insignificant.

...seems like you do Geoff

Dream on...

Agree.

Ok but my point is I think Ashfield is still far better than EWR...which probably says more about how poor EWR is than how good Glasgow is!

Geoff, Ok but I wudnt hold my breath on that..the big problem is speedway is badly run and was in financial decline and effectively bust before this pandemic struck, plus riders are all self employed and won’t get a penny. The government will be all over the show with bailout requests from big hitters in industry such as airlines, bus, rail, retail and hospitality firms etc etc and small fry won’t get a look in. Speedway will be well down the pecking order. The only thing that maybe offered, and that’s a big ask, is a loan but that will just add to more debt on debt...

No need to be self-critical nob.!

Toruń is about 320m BV is about 350m. I read in SS that Morton and Gordon went all over Europe gettin info on different tracks and had the old Hyde Rd plans to design the best track possible. And they did that BV is world class. EWR ain’t. Glasgow is a far better Championship track than Scunny.

I think you are wrong again.

I think you may be wrong.

Agree with you BUT you carnt take away the Godfrey factor as he is the problem NOT the solution. Fans should never forget that he along with his clueless mate Chapman have presided over the biggest run down of the sport in recent years. His statements are total nonsense and if we are relying on him to deal with the current crisis we are going to be 100% let down. He has zero credibility.

I’m not knocking the club I’m merely pointing out how ridiculous Godfrey comments are about EWR being the best racetrack in UK...when by comparison to BV its a dump. It confirms what a prat he is. Just saying.

We’re proud that many supporters from all over the country has visited and branded our racetrack the best in Britain – that means a lot. “I believe we offer an unbeatable package, with plenty of entertainment and thrilling action.” Yeah right...see above extract from a recent PR....who is the clown Godfrey trying to kid...the tracks rubbish and stadium is a dump in the middle of nowhere! Best racetrack in Britain my backside. He should go to spec savers...and then go to Belle Vue or Sheffield and see the real deal. The prices Scunthorpe are charging are ridiculous should be £10 max...!

Agree with most of that Matt BUT name me anyone with a “proven track record”...who would take the job...? As you say the current bunch of clowns at the BSPA especially the Main Clown Godfrey...are completely useless and if we supporters are relying on him....then the sport is as good as dead and buried.

Not a chance...get real mate, this is a serious unprecedented situation that is with us for a significant period of time...the BSPA statement that they will monitor the situation 15 April 2020 is grossly misleading....and as such totally irresponsible...speedway will not run!

Totally agree acef...Godfrey is an incompetent clown and hasn’t been Up to speed with this serious problem...it is due to him and his equally useless mate Chapman that speedway has been run into the ground...still they will now be able to blame the virus! ”nothing to do with us mate”

Fair points mikebv, correct most clubs are currently running at a loss and on a hand to mouth existence and this will push clubs and promoters over the edge into bankruptcy, it is ultra optimistic that the public and sport will return financially in a better shape. The BSPA have historically proved to be totally incompetent and will be incapable of dealing with this major problem. A similar situation happened to grasstrack in 2000’s when foot and mouth epidemic more or less wiped out the sport. Also riders will have to find other jobs which will be difficult and may not return to speedway assuming the sport does resurface. The current situation is catastrophic and life changing for all and it is obvious that speedway and many other minor sports will not survive.

Just read that the 2020 Isle of Man TT has been cancelled. Expect a similar decision by BSPA-SCB tomorrow.

Phil, I wouldn’t hold out any hope of financial help for speedway. Trillions will be wanted by airlines, business, hospitals, social services, football etc etc...speedway will be well well down the list, if it’s even on it. Many Clubs and the sport were already in financial mess before Coronavirus and all riders are self employed and sadly won’t be helped. This is now a worldwide disaster of epic proportions and the ruin of speedway is just a very minor consequence.

Speedway was in serious terminal decline well before the Coronavirus struck and I fear that the consequences of the virus could be the final nail in the speedway coffin. The sport does not have the vast financial reserves to weather this catastrophe out. The clowns in Rugby have spent any rainy day money they held on a hair brained engine scheme. The way the pay structure of speedway is, i.e. riders only get paid when they race and score points, this will mean the majority of riders will have to go away from the sport to earn a living to pay their bills...clubs have rent and fixed costs to pay and with no income will rapidly become insolvent and go to the wall. Will the government help, I very much doubt it as they will have far bigger problems to deal with than spending tax payers money to save what is a minor (bankrupt) sport such as speedway.

In answer to the title of this thread: Not a chance...and sadly this could be the end of a number of clubs.

I really hope so as the BEN fund Meeting is a fantastic worthy event. Sadly attendance will no doubt be affected. The BSPA statement about Ayers Ashworth & Stead etc was stupid, Insensitive and disgraceful...whoever wrote it should be ashamed.