RobMcCaffery

Well, I think the sport in Britain's finally reached rock bottom .

Surely even you can understand that it's about how PL teams match up against PL teams, not EL. One day even the most deliberately obtuse will realise it's about close competition, not absolute strength. I'd rather watch two closely matched PL sides rather than the dying fiasco that is EL. I couldn't give a dam about the relative difference in strengths between the two leagues. That is totally irrelevant. Anyway, enjoy watching Poole run away with the title and hope you still have 8 tracks willing and able to prolong the farce in 2017. It's looking doubtful!

Somerset Speedway should start legal proceedings against Wroclaw for lost attendance revenue. It would be good to think that British supporters could stand up against yet more bullying by Polish Speedway by boycotting the King's Lynn match but sadly I can't see it.

There are obviously two fundamental aspects to online coverage: 1 - Full streaming of matches. This could be a useful source of additional revenue, if intelligently priced. With the cost of travel these days there must be many supporters who would love to follow their team away but are put off not by the admission cost but the cost of getting there. Putting such coverage behind a paywall could be a solution to getting at least some of the lost revenue back. Against that must of course be offset the risk of home fans following suit but it can't say too much for the quality of a promoter's product if supporters would prefer to sit at home watching basic, single camera coverage on pretty poor equipment, as with the sample offered from Poole. Sometimes a sport has to take risks, but obviously calculated ones, perhaps initially as an experiment featuring occasional meetings? Piracy would be an obvious problem but given that these 'services' are so widely discussed openly here and elsewhere I do not believe it would be that difficult for the BSPA or Go Speed to track them down and get them cut off. Perhaps sensible pricing (for once) would reduce the desire to 'pirate'? Just how many people were lost from gates during the Bet365 streaming in 2014 and did attendance figures leap back last year? If they did then fair enough. Do they actually know though? 2 - Clips for promotional use. This is VITAL. We live in a world where the publicity industry can see all of its expensive efforts overtaken by the amateur with the lucky clip that go viral. Supposing there's a great incident in a race, a wonderful, heroic finish, a dramatic race to the line or other incident (non-harmful) or even a star rider losing his patience and taking direct action against an opponent off the bike. Right now if anyone captures this, whether an official video crew or an amateur with his over-rated camera phone picture (hopefully landscape rather than pc or TV unfriendly portrait) if they post it they'll be in trouble. The track themselves can't say "Come see us this week - this is how good it IS - just £18 buys you your seat for the action!" Okay the price bit might be contentious ;-) It would appear that right now all of these online rights were sold in the Go Speed/Sky deal - and crucially unused by Sky. Well, you can see why Sky would want it. You can equally see why the BSPA/Go Speed should have dug their heels in. Perhaps it was a deal-breaker? Perhaps someone might clarify? (I know - April 1st isn't too far off). Last time I touched on this subject someone posted an idiotic response that I was saying we should have abandoned Sky coverage and instead have just online coverage from the small video companies. Why can't we have both? Is it simply a case of someone not being able to read or more importantly interpret the consequences of a contract? I'm relieved that the new BSPA management are aware of how the family silver was sold and that the situation will be rectified. I would gladly watch speedway seven nights a week, if I could, and watched the Bet365 coverage avidly despite its limitations. It did not affect my attendance at tracks or my willingness to attend one jot - to me it was an additional part of my speedway, just as conventional TV coverage is now. I'm sure I'm not alone. It is possible to watch TV or online coverage and be MORE likely to attend live matches. I lived the 2014 season thoroughly - the more I could see the more fascinated I was. I just wish I could have seen more PL but I was happy with what I had. Did anyone there read the contract properly rather than sudden;ly wake up to the fact that a refundable £5 deposit gave you the entire season? Not very impressive is it? What I DO want to see, and the sport deserves is hearing of a clip from speedway going viral and getting millions of views. We need people involved with vision and intelligence who can read a contract. I'm still awaiting my refund for the Polish Grand Final 2nd leg that I paid the contractors for. If cats can get millions of hits, why not speedway? Oh yes, we can't even try can we? The sport has allowed itself to be stifled just at the moment when others are leaping ahead with online marketing. In my day job I've seen the invoices sent to major businesses for online 'mentions. Next time you see a mention of a brand or product on Farcebook, Twitter, other social media or even forums just think. Is that person being paid to say that, even "It's like certain yeast-based products, you either love them or hate them". I think you'd be surprised to know how many aren't made by general members of the public. I've always believed the greatest form of marketing is word of mouth - personal recommendation by those we know and trust. It's what got me to my first meeting - pestering by a school friend. We need these forces working for US!

That may be the case and if so it's a huge move forward. The SCB Regulations used to be on sale at tracks over the years, well before the internet age. The point I was making that they didn't tell the whole story because the supplementaries were not made available. . If matters have now changed then that's excellent news.

I'd have said a demonstration ride by Chris Morton and Peter Collins (if fit enough) would have been a great way to launch the new track. I do hope it works out. As for weather, well it doesn't rain quite as much in Manchester as some would stupidly suggest. Mind you some on the south coast can't see that the sun comes from the sky, not from the promoter's nether regions ;-) Starman/weatherman? Well, you can't rely on either can you?

I'll never forget the night a referee tried to explain how ridiculous the situation was getting with the rule book. He pulled out his trusty copy of the Speedway Regulations - then pulled out a huge wad of paperwork that was the 'Supplementary Regulations'. Going just by what's in the book sadly doesn't tell the full story. It would be as useful if the SCB could release the supplementaries during the season but I suspect it might scare a few

Frankly Ben91 I don't care about your particular opinion since you are part of the problem at Rye House, along with several contributors here. I firmly stand by my comment. Now that Silver and most importantly those he surrounds himself with are gone I was planning to make only my second visit to the track in twenty years for the opener but when I look at the attitudes of several contributors here I'm really not keen on sharing my leisure time a long way from home in their company, even in the expanses of a stadium. For someone who spent 25 years devoted to Rye House, I never thought I'd have to say that. Clearly times and the people have changed, emphatically for the worst, even if this is just an obnoxious minority.

What has to be borne in mind is that BT have studio review, highlights and analysis shows during the week. It could be hoped that speedway will get a look-in even as part of the Moto GP coverage. There have been cut-backs though and a lot of the studio shows trimmed sadly. Congratulations to perkdon for posting that vitally important piece of nastiness about her. That kind of attitude will help the sport's relationship with BT superbly!

And the face of BT Sport's speedway coverage is...... Suzi Perry! Welcome back! http://sport.bt.com/more-sport-hub/more-sport/bt-sport-signs-tv-presenter-suzi-perry-S11364044894448

I find the negativity regarding Guy Martin sad, depressing and deeply frustrating. Okay, so many of you haven't heard of him or care about knowing him. Fine, you have freedom not to know people or their achievements, it's not a crime. I'd never heard of him - until he started hosting several reasonably high-profile programmes on Channel Four. It got to the point where it seemed that any programme about machines with motors involved would be hosted by him - bikes, plane restoration, general mechanical engineering. These are programmes that attract millions of viewers. Even if you haven't heard or seen them, others have and while he's no A-lister I'd suggest you're far more likely to find people who've heard of him amongst the general public than any speedway rider. It's clear he's had the services of an excellent publicist/agent, the kind of effective publicity that speedway is crying out for. If only we could get such a person interested in speedway. Oh wait........... Ultimately it does no harm and might do some good. Why not be positive for once and not just sit and bitch about previous promotions?

It would be very helpful if people stuck to the specific problem of how a UK exit would affect speedway rather than peddle their own political bigotry which really has no place in a sports forum. I really have no interest in finding out those who believe everything they are spoon fed by the Daily Mail and Daily Express. Regarding speedway, it will indeed restrict access to the UK labour market to non-UK citizens so a whole lot of work permits will be required, adding to the bureaucracy that we already face. Some will be hoping for the return of a mythical 'golden age' when white, English-speaking people would have free access to the country and remove all obstacles to Aussie and Kiwi riders. That would take a labour agreement with the countries involved. Would they want free access by UK citizens, despite historic links? Yes, it'll make it more difficult to hire Danes, Poles and Swedes to ride speedway and will open the gates to the huge pool of UK racing talent that is just waiting for its chance. In sporting terms though we'll be on the outside looking in, having to constantly negotiate agreements instead of having such matters dealt with centrally. It would, without doubt increase British Speedway's costs. Bureaucracy costs, whether you are in a free labour market or not. Can we sustain that?

Very odd how you seem to imply that the Swindon riders should have ridden at King's Lynn and ride in "a meaningless meet" when you have already conceded that the King's Lynn meeting was equally "meaningless". No point in letting honesty get in the way of a good stir-up is there? It was the Somerset fans and promotion that I was caring more about since I expect they were all looking forward to seeing Jason Doyle around the OTA again. I forget, the needs of the PL are irrelevant to you highly-superior Elite League supporters. Anyway, isn't all sport ultimately meaningless? I'd have thought a good night out seeing how your side copes against higher league opposition and seeing the former number one again would be enough 'meaning' for a first meeting of the year. "Meaningless" - the cancer of modern speedway. 'Meaningless' second halves 'Meaningless' match races 'Meaningless' pairs events 'Meaningless' fours 'Meaningless' individuals 'Meaningless' test matches 'Meaningless' cup ties .... 'Meaningless' league matches 'Meaningless' speedway? So, we gradually eat away at the sport with cynicism to achieve.....what?

Yes, instead of getting ripped-off by TV providers get ripped-off by people selling dodgy boxes that do things you can do for free if you can be bothered to find out how.

I do have a sneak preview of one of the squads. MC Piszingcashavay 1-Szymon Willpisczleicesteraroundfortwomonthsbeforegettingfiredczyk 2-Piotr Tesztingenginesonlyatlakesideworek 3-Pawel Wantedvanhouseanduseofukpromotyersdaughteryna 4-Jan Needspracticeinbritainforsixweeksinmarchandaprilthenwillpisczoffnek 5-John Bleedinghellithougtcopmingoverherewouldbeeasymoneyimoffbacktobolton 6-Shawn Imonlyinitfortheboozeandwomenmate 7-Antoni Naiveexploitedkidczak No resemblance to persons living or dead....................

Ask Virgin whether they have found Erith yet..... No such nonsense, no messing. All BT Sports channels in the XL package with all Sky Sports channels available as extras should you want them. BT set pricing simply to get people away from Sky or Vigin's broadband service. They only offer a limited number of Sky Sports channels for an unacceptable fee. When you try to add their channels to a Sky package you have to buy from them, not Sky and they again set huge prices. The ideal compromise is Virgin if you can get it, and you end up with broadband far better than either BT or Sky. You still have to pay too much but not as badly as the other options. Of course if Sky hadn't overcharged for so many years to put obscene amounts of money in the pockets of overpaid footballers and their parasitic agents the likes of BT wouldn't be trying to muscle in and undercut them.

Well, doesn't that just sum up the BSF? "Something great is about to happen" "It'll never happen"

That description applies to both matches.

Yes, we've always had an Atlantic temperate climate, chiefly governed by the Gulf Stream, helping us to avoid the massive freezes seen say in north America at latitudes far further south than ours. What we were warned about was that the rise in AVERAGE temperatures would give us milder but far wetter winters with far greater extremes than before. At no time has it been said that the unpredictability of our weather would end. I would suggest that has been borne out by the lower occurrence of snow but with the far higher incidence of flooding. As usual, it's not as simplistic as many would wish it was. Sometimes it's better to stick to speedway. On that subject, at least we have a wonderful new track to look forward to at Belle Vue. I can't wait to see it, weather permitting. (Educated, not brainwashed.)

From that very web page: Speedway Grand Prix 30 April - Krsko, Slovenia 14 May - Warsaw, Poland 11 June - Horsens, Denmark 25 June - Prague, Czech Republic 9 July - Cardiff, UK 13 August - Malilla, Sweden 27 August - Gorzow, Poland 10 September - Teterow, Germany 24 September - Stockholm, Sweden 1 October - Torun, Poland 22 October - Melbourne, Australia Speedway World Cup 23 July: Event 1 - Vojens, Denmark 26 July: Event 2 - Vastervik, Sweden 29 July: Race off - Manchester, United Kingdom 30 July: Final - Manchester, United Kingdom They haven't paid much compared to other sports deals that they have. It's just a minor addition to their motor sports that doesn't start for nearly two months.

It's mentioned here: http://sport.bt.com/watch-now/programmes/live-motorsport-on-bt-sport-S11363897479214 if it's anything like the Moto GP coverage it won't be on BT Sport 1. Since some of their direct (no-Sky or Virgin) customers still get BT Sport 1 free they've been shifting more and more to their other channels. BT Sport 2 is likeliest but it's still nearly two months before the first programmes.

I have long appreciated your information and insight regarding Swedish Speedway, but if you really believe that the relationship between British Speedway and BSI is anything like that I really would suggest you stick to commenting on your own country since you clearly have no clue at all regarding matters here. The stupidity of your comment beggars belief. Sadly you're not the only one who's fallen for the One Sport parasite's propaganda. I really thought better of you. It has been pointed out ad nauseam that the BSPA have boycotted One Sport Events because they deplore yet more insignificant international open meetings being added to the calendar and conflicting with British Speedway. I am beginning to wonder if it is wilful ignorance, not only by yourself but of those who cannot see that British Speedway is fighting for its existence here. Whether you agree with the BSPA's attempts to protect 80+ years of racing in this country, especially at weekends, at least understand that the last people that the BSPA or indeed the British Speedway community would worry about upsetting is BSI whose activities have sucked the sport dry in this country. But then it's easier to make cheap jibes than think or listen, isn't it? One Sport may work hand-in-hand with Polish Speedway but to suggest that the relationship between BSI and the BSPA is similar is quite frankly beneath contempt.

Report on Olle Ahnstrom racing at 96. No doubt Scandinavian members are already familiar with the story. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35686704

Conversations wander. Sincerest apologies for spoiling your thread. So, what do YOU have to contribute regarding Coventry's new stadium? I hope it happens but can't see it happening in time for 2017. What do you think the prospects are like and for the Elite League TV deal with Sky if Coventry drop out next year, even if temporarily? Please do enlighten us since we so clearly need your expert guidance and insight.

I knew I should have looked there since it's such an excellent site. I'm not surprised about Arlington but I wonder if more closely resembled grasstrack back then? The dividing lines were so much more blurred back then. We're lucky to still have these stadia that have served our sport so well for so long. I miss those that have fallen by the way though, even Crayford ;-) I'm hating the idea that I'll now have to say goodbye to Brandon and Blunsdon this year since these places have been part of my life for decades and I'm only an occasional visitor. The instability of our sport can carry a very heavy price, as I found when my own beloved Rayleigh closed just as I had fallen in love with it and the great sport it hosted. We need to cherish what we have, while we have it.