enotian

Enjoyable 1st Round. Thought Zmarzlik might be struggling at one point but he always pulls it out of the bag when required. He may be so good that the series is a race for silver but some of the action he provides is awesome. Like a pre-injuries Marc Marquez level above the competition.

I've been working on a 5 man 10 heat format (I'm not allowed out at the minute due to treatment so have time on my hands) which could be run as double headers. So that's 20 heats instead of 15 which has to be better VfM. If you're all about quantity. That would be 10 more rides for the home promoter to pay for at home matches but 10 less rides to pay for at away fixtures. And two less travel expenses if that's still a thing. Plus you'd get two sets of away supporters, which is more important if you're selling streaming. The number of teams in the league would have to increase or the season would be over in 5 weeks. So maybe playing each team twice would be required otherwise you don't solve the rider shortage. As well as adding a two to four more teams. But then you end up having a wider range of ability between the 1st and 5th riders. The trouble is once you reduce the rider numbers per match there's inevitably far more duplication of riders facing each other (making rider averages even less relevant) and covering injured riders becomes impossible or open to abuse. To the extent that I still get back to there being a two tier structure more akin to the old British League and National Leagues with a career path to develop British youngsters. Where each club can ride on the day that optimises their crowd levels. And not because Newcastle have a poor team (or rather are a No1 short of being competitive) as per a short sighted comment earlier in the thread. But because all the evidence indicates that the sport in this country is failing terribly, with fewer tracks and riders and most importantly supporters.

Love this. I'd always thought of it as the likes of Poole and Glasgow moving up but ultimately you're right the current six just drop down, forcing at least six to drop out of the CL. If those six dispense of doubling up and concentrate on developing young riders then the new CL (old PL) won't need fixed race nights. But without doubling up whose going to pay for the extra rider demands? This won't be popular but I agree that a track like Wolves (Newcastle and Eastbourne likewise) doesn't produce the high speed full throttle style of modern speedway. Like it or not modern speedway a la SGP and Extraliga is all about riders building speed and momentum to create a passing opportunity and the modern bikes are set up to produce that. Tight tracks like Monmore Green where speed is often scrubbed off looks ungainly in comparison. Which is different to not producing exciting action. It just produces a different type of action. Is there a place for different types of action? I loved the action at Brough Park growing up when the bikes weren't so quick and throttle control was key. But as bike speeds increased (or at least handling changed) the action at Newcastle has become a more difficult watch in comparison to the full throttle SGP or action from Belle Vue. So whilst it would be a shame to lose such a well run and historically important club as Wolves from the top flight I do agree that these technical types of track are more suited to a lower level where speeds are lower and youngsters can learn throttle control, a skill the best riders still possess even if they don't need to use it as often as before. I keep banging on about 'the Product' and British speedway needs to decide what they want that product to look like. Especially if they're serious about generating streaming income worldwide. It's a conundrum for sure.

weaker teams doesn't equate to less vfm. reduced entertainment does. you can argue that lower standard riders equal less entertainment and that would be a valid opinion but not necessarily shared by everyone. I'm watching the Polish Golden Helmet meeting now with the best Poland has to offer and it's a decent meeting but not a massive amount of passing unless Zmarzlik misses the gate. Most of the reasons why supporters have walked away from the sport include lack of variety i.e. less teams, and doubling up i.e. not enough riders. And where are we heading.... even less teams and even less riders. The trajectory is clear. The PJL might put a few more youngsters in the shop window but if CL clubs aren't going to give them opportunities (like this season) what's the point.

Depends on the definition of quality I suppose. I would say a quality product is two evenly matched teams facing each other on a fairly prepared race track such that any result is possible. Certainly a wide disparity in standard between the riders isn't the answer. I've posted in the Eastbourne thread what I think the standard of the 2nd tier should be. Yes the riders would be less skilled but would the entertainment be less if any ride was cable of beating any other and the racing and match scores were close? That lower cost product could be offered to supporters at a reduced entry fee, important in these times. What isn't quality are fixtures in which one team has absolutely no chance of getting a result. In the past there were always lower limits a team had to exceed. Indeed I believe Workington and Scunthorpe were expelled from the old 2nd division for not being able to field sides of sufficient strength. Now the answer is probably to expel the Diamonds but that's just another lost venue. Or not allow Oxford to join, equally unappealing. It all could have been avoided this season by restricting teams to one rider over 8pts knowing they are in short supply. I think it would only have effected 2 or 3 of this seasons line ups and meant the likes of Berwick, Scunthorpe and Newcastle could have fielded more competitive teams. By generating a situation whereby there are more riders than team places available changes the negotiating dynamic. Ultimately the richest/better run teams get the best riders, deservedly so, but if a promoter is prepared to wait the riders without a place must then decide if they want to accept reduced terms or not ride. It's like people who go to supermarkets late at night hoping to get some price reductions because the supply has exceeded demand and the super market has to decide if it's prepared to sell for less or scrap the goods. Probably happening with Easter eggs today.

Thats correct. They were permit free at that point and would have been able to ride permit free thereafter had they ridden in 2020.

BWD no because he'd previously rode here and may have a British passport, having rode in the National League way back, although I think there's some debate about that. I understand Congreve has a British passport. Again my information maybe out of date on this but I think new promoters have to wait over one year before they can apply for a license. It's why Pearson is a Belle Vue asset and loaned out to Birmingham. Despite never having ridden for the Aces. A bit of sensible rule bending there. Regardless of being able to acquire work permit riders or not, they're all signed to ride in Poland at the weekend anyway. So still waiting for valid suggestions of the No1 who would be available to ride for the Diamonds. Absolutely crazy that British speedway has just foregone operating on what is one of the key days of the week for leisure activities (including streaming audiences) because they can't agree a structure which would allow this to happen.

To make the product better. Especially if you're wanting to sell streaming to neutrals. Also to create rider supply in excess of demand which will reduce costs. Your turn to advise why the league should continue as is despite the evidence (ie track closures, falling attendances) that it isnt working. This isn't about Newcastle who clearly have made mistakes and can't afford to run at this level. It's about how the sport in the country is unsustainable at present. Eventually more clubs will fold (that's the trend) and the riders demands will increase until eventually all but those prepared to subsidise clubs will cease to exist. The BSPL know this is a problem. It's why they introduced the rising star scheme to develop more supply of riders. They didn't resolve that issue in one season.

As far as I am aware the Diamonds promoters don't have a sponsors license so even if they had found a potential newcomer they wouldn't be able to sign for the Diamonds. They're restricted to riders who don't need any permits. I could be wrong on this but that's my understanding. There are plenty of young Danes for example who could do well at CL but they all choose Poland because that's where you need to be. So not interested in a Sunday track even if they didn't need permits. The point is instead of young talent from abroad the 2nd tier should be providing opportunity to develop young British talent. Don't get me wrong there are plenty British youngsters in the current CL but no new ones this season. I think there's about 12 rising stars in the division already. It wouldn't have been a push to keep the original intention of 22. Plus restricting each team to one 8pt+ rider, on the basis there are only about 12 likely to be available, would have evened the sides out. Regardless the bottom line is that the Diamonds need a c10.00 No1 to be anywhere near the points limit and competitive. The other six will all more or less maintain their averages if they have a No1 to take the strain in heat 13 and 15. Bringing in another two 6 pointers is not the answer. BWD will eventually get to about that level if his injury can be healed. So suggestions of a c10.00 No1 on a postcard to Mr Grant of Brough Park please.

The point is you can't just pull a Number 1 rider out of thin air who isn't committed to a Polish club and riding on a weekend. The following link might help you realise who might have been available without a permit and isn't tied up in Poland. I can't think of anyone even before you think of cost. Continental European Speedway Teams 2022: PGE Ekstraliga squads 2022 The annoying thing is that this was all foreseeable and avoidable at the point the rules for 2022 team building were set. But clubs are looking after their own interests rather than the bigger picture. Interesting to see what the one match subscription figures were for last Friday night. The BSPL talk about increasing income from streaming and increasing supply of riders but have done little to support it.

More disaster area's. Plus I don't think they can sign permit riders so just Bates. I don't think they'll need to open the back straight to accommodate the extra supports from that one. Not sure which former Diamonds are available to return? Lasse Bjerre, Ludvig Lindgren, Palovaara. Again not sure if they require permits having missed seasons. The promotion have said they are trying but the truth is there just isn't anyone.

don't disagree but think he's been given a bum steer about building an asset base, hence the signings of Roynon, Wright, Complin and Congreve. Ultimately they'll all revert to BSPL ownership when he folds.

and replace them with whom? there just aren't enough riders available and that was obvious at the point the 2022 teams building rules were put in place. Birmingham have done well but you wonder how much they're shelling out on Ellis and Vissing. Just to put 7 riders out.

not exactly true but I do agree that it's not the format to blame but maybe it requires some further team building restrictions when there's not enough no1's to go around.

nail on the head. more and more people are struggling with priorities i.e food or heating even before you get into how to spend whatever disposable income may be left, their are plenty of choices. None better than speedway IMO, when it's good. appreciate Geoff's comments but records show that his and others devotion to the Comets in the early 80's didn't end well.

As if that would ever happen.... ahem. I don't think there are enough fixtures in the NDL for the Diamonds to contemplate it unless a different deal with the landlords can be brokered even then why bother with all the other fixed costs for so few meetings, And you can't increase the NDL meetings because it's mostly 2nd teams who only have limited fixture slots available. Also I don't think the public of Newcastle would support 3rd tier speedway. The first incarnation of the Gems were a decent side (Lawson, Robertson the Branney's) but hardly anyone stayed to watch even though they'd already paid. As I've posted elsewhere the 3 tier system doesn't work anymore thats clear by virtue of their only being 2 stand alone teams and no graduates from 2021 NDL in the 2022 CL. The 2nd tier obviously needs to be reduced in standard so that it is predominantly UK based riders and a career path for young British riders to develop. There was no 3rd tier in the 60's and 70's and there was no shortage of British talent becoming world stars. It's obviously a massively different environment now but all the evidence is their that 3 tiers don't work and the CL is unsustainable for most.

subsidising the PL by providing a 2nd income for PL riders. the PL promoters are probably terrified that, like the late 70's early 80's, the 2nd tier would be a more sustainable and attractive proposition by creating their own stars by providing opportunities for young British riders on their path to super stardom. All at an affordable cost.

setting a points limit in excess of the total combined average of riders available. Meaning there are teams starting the season under the points limit. Not just the Diamonds. Although admittedly the Diamonds promoters have displayed a total lack of talent in this area.

We might win the 2nd leg and still be in the cup!!! Shocking display from Harris. Scores way more in the PL against better opposition. Taking the P and taking his fee. Still more than BWD was contributing. Cracking effort from Wright, Clegg and Starke but if the reserves as this bad at home what chance have the Diamonds got.

Looks like snakes don't have a tail anyway. Shocking from the Diamonds. Or are they trying to bankrupt all the opposition by giving their promoters massive away pay days??

well my crystal ball is at the dry cleaners right now so I'm going to struggle to answer that one.

Your predictions are never far off but the Monarchs have a longer tail than a snake, while their newcomers acclimatise. 47-43 if the Diamonds can get themselves 10 points up after heat 12.

I'd say 10 points and finishing in the top 5 in that meeting is fit enough to score points at PL level. He's not been the rider he was for a number of seasons now but could still do a job in the PL. Not a top man but on a par with the majority of PL heat leaders I'd expect. Point is he can throw his leg over a bike and score points in what appears to have been a decent standard field.

Danish SGP and SEC qualifier 14th April Kildemand seemed to do well in a decent field last Thursday. More details in the International section of this forum.

Exactly and that's not going away anytime soon. I know the Diamonds have no other option at Brough but Sunday is a prime day for leisure activity and we're the only team in the top two divisions who operate on a Sunday. Crazy. It's one of the reasons I keep banging on about the standard of the 2nd division reducing so that the majority of riders are UK based and able to race every night of the week. There'll then be the opportunity for more tracks to operate on Sunday or whatever their optimal race day might be. But that won't suit the riders who want to ride 1st and 2nd division over here and whatever league in Poland/Denmark/Sweden etc. Some of them don't even get picked every week by their polish clubs. There's more to it than just a Sunday though as I don't think many riders like the shape of the track and if you've always got the begging bowl out I guess riders will wonder if the club will last the season. Of course one simple way of making No1's available to all this season would have been to restrict each team to one rider over an 8 point average. But that wouldn't suit those more desperate to win than see the sport prosper. Even if the Newcastle promoters find someone suitable to improve the team they'll have them over a barrel when it comes to negotiating terms. Every successful sporting series/league is all about product and brand. Some like Premier League football can do without restrictions as the top teams generate most of the international interest. Most motor sports have to have restrictions in place to make sure their product is competitive and exciting to watch. Sorry Poole fans but nobody outside of Poole is interested in you winning the title. But they might be interested if it was exciting to watch them win it.