Deano

The powers that be should invite Roy Cropper to a meeting, in character with shopping bag and coat covered in defunct speedway badges. We could all play "Where's Roy" a bit of a Wheres Walley type game as I think he'd fit in so well, we'd struggle to find him in the terraces for the centre green interview.

Roy Cropper, Morris Minors and Speedway. I think the sport has found it's trend level.

I just do my own sheet, it smells and is a little sticky, but my gut feels better after making it.

Very sad news, RIP Tony,

Hi Matt, I love it when you quote my posts..... I have to think before I answer... lol. I don't claim to know the whole concept of sales promotion, but why would a company use an outlet like Groupon anyway if it weren't cost effective in some way or another. I can only speak for Birmingham, but since the offers have been around, crowds have increased. The promotion have been pleased with the response. Yes, the profit margin drops and the break even crowd figure increases.... but there must be some gain to someone somewhere or, the Groupon's of this world wouldn't exist. Birmingham Speedway appears to be a discount speedway club, but it has to make money at the same time...... that's the clever bit.

Kick up the backside Speedway needs perhaps? Sometimes hard times makes us work harder for the right reasons. Promote???... Groupon.... etc

I agree, cuts through the politics and sets a target for the riders.

To be fair to Danny, in Team GB terms he is a boarder line rider. He can be good enough and then he isn't and then he really really isn't. Passing (was it Gollob?) around the boards only to lose it again at Peterborough in the world cup a few years back, proves he can mix it on occasions. He needs to up his game, perhaps he's too nice a guy, most of the best riders are too focused to be nice people. Go Danny, good luck.

TWK, it's not the play offs that are killing speedways credibility and sending fans packing. The problems leading to fans apathy are more ingrained and long term, they have been discussed to death on here.

Someone gave speedway a mention on Simon Mayo's drivetime too, it was one Friday about 6pm and I was heading to the chippy for our tea.

Just found this topic from here. http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/groups/speedway-tracks-uk So to add to the thread, if the OP is still round.... http://www.britainfr...image/epw023476 https://www.google.c...7!2m1!1e3&fid=7 According to the easting and northing co-ordinates the track was situated under the M25 between the Thames and the canal at junction 13.

Even if they did get an agreement to share with the football, Wimbledon AFC would want the speedway out once the bigger leagues are entertained. The lease terms would make Oxford sound viable...

Some good points made, but can I add:- Firstly I think the financial penalties are too hard over here, Speedway is not really known for it's amazing rewards when a rider is doing well. For a three pointer in the PL, Maybe a fall with damage to a bike and a blown engine in the same meeting could kill a promising career dead. Secondly We could look at the Polish, the Danes and their systems, but in Britain, I think we need to also look at the reason why young lads do not want to ride speedway or retire early. There needs to be a carrot to get them in and keep them riding.

Felt a Springstein song coming on when I read the thread title.

Surely technology could just locate and send fines to the individuals using the sites, if the law was changed. It is still a form of piracy.

Why have they never moved to concrete bases? Would improve drainage surely?

Have a very large task force of volunteers to get it set up?

Personally I believe it needs to be driven by someone who is green to the sport, but likes and enjoys what they see. Someone who is able to "blue sky" and mould the sport into something that the public is prepared to pay to watch. Or grab that elusive corporate money to subsidise admission prices.

You'd struggle to find a more dedicated rider. Racing is obviously what he wants to do. I think though he should be looking into team management or hooking up with youth development. Perhaps learn the ropes promoting? Flip side of the coin, perhaps he's been lucky not to now be in a wheel chair. A future Team GB coach Manager in the making if he puts as much ambition into it, as he does his racing. The kid deserves it in my opinion.

Seemed to stand around for ages in the cold waiting for a "dodgy" parade to end at the Coventry versus Birmingham match. From where we stood, we really didn't know or see what was going on.. just a load of white noise and inane chatter from Yorkie.

This is great news and I'm glad it's almost as well read as the political subjects on this board.... Let's not get too technical on the track size... type... speed... house brick.. lol ..... perfection... etc. Lets just celebrate that THE most famous speedway team in the world is getting it's own stadium. It's own track that will be built to it's own spec (and not around... inside something else) and it will no doubt be the most spectacular purpose build speedway stadium to date. More of the same throughout the UK please...

They went up with Slough during the close season.

It was standing on the 2nd bend at the Perry Barr dog track across the road from where it is now that got me hooked. The sheer sight of four riders coming together on the first turn amazed me.

I've given up talking the sport 'up' to non speedway friends. I ask them in passing if they want to go when there is room in my car, but no one takes me up on the offer. The point of the matter is when ever I have taken them before, for some odd reason the match either drags on, the racing is naff or some stupid rule is thrown into the mix that confuses the life out of them. You have to like the sport for it's racing and qirkyness, if not they'll never be converted.

May not be speedway related at all, but perhaps the rules have changed across the board in regards to employing foreigners.