John Postlethwaite

[RPNY]

But in a indirect way it has helped british league speedway as the profile of the sport has gone up, league speedway has been shown on TV since '99, Sky money has gone into Brish speedway, new tracks have oepned up all over the country.. It's just a shame the Elite league is run like a sh it show at the moment.

Ok so JP & BSI havent directly handed over cash but they have had a positve effect in some ways.. I get the feeling you wont agree though...

[Trees]

You haven't a leg to stand on Tex ................. JP and BSI have had a positive effect, in what way, from a fan's point of view I don't think league speedway has changed since BSI took over the GP league ................. of course if the FIM hadn't allowed BSI to buy the rights but let the leagues/countries run their own GP to benefit their own speedway infrastructure, then things would surely be different and speedway as a whole would have gained!

But in a indirect way it has helped british league speedway as the profile of the sport has gone up, league speedway has been shown on TV since '99

Surely you can't put this down to BSI, surely SKY would have taken on League speedway anyhow???

[Kevin Meynell]

But in a indirect way it has helped british league speedway as the profile of the sport has gone up, league speedway has been shown on TV since '99, Sky money has gone into Brish speedway

 

It has perhaps prevented speedway from completely sinking below the radar, but I would certainly argue that it hasn't benefitted domestic speedway in any practical way. I'd wager that average attendances are now significantly lower than before BSI got involved in speedway, and whilst I certainly wouldn't lay this downturn all at their door, they have certainly not contributed to any material improvement at the domestic level.

 

Some will argue that BSI were responsible for getting the BEL on television, and consequently getting some money from Sky. However, aside from the fact that the BSPA allegedly originally had to pay Sky to show speedway, the money has arguably only propped-up an ailing competition and allowed tough decisions to be put-off.

 

new tracks have oepned up all over the country.

 

That was more to do with introduction of the more cost-effective BPL (as a second division) in 1997, and arguably the BCL a year-or-two earlier. The spiralling costs of the 'big' BPL and BL2 before it had driven several tracks out of business, but the introduction of a three-tier structure provided more options.

 

I think you'll find most of the new tracks started-up in the 1997-2000 period, before BSI got involved in the sport.

[spiegal]

Well done you people.

 

Some very good, well blanced, thoughtful, and idot free discussion.

 

Whether you agree or disagree, it is good to raise the level above the banal and trivial.

 

I cannot comment as I am directly involved. But teh main gripe I have is that i didn't think of the whole series first.

 

Lack of nuts, lack of serious dosh.

 

Ah well...but well done everyone, an interesting series on this forum.

[BUDGIE]

Kevin, as you can see by the details below, I have only been kept interested in Speedway for the last 10 years by the SGPs.

 

No-one to support?, what about the English boys?, are they not worthy?

 

I must say not having a team to support has raised my patriotism!

 

 

Cheers

K

 

PS

Birmingham have benefitted this year from SGPs keeping me interested!

[BUDGIE]

Well done you people.

 

Some very good, well blanced, thoughtful, and idot free discussion.

 

Whether you agree or disagree, it is good to raise the level above the banal and trivial.

 

I cannot comment as I am directly involved. But teh main gripe I have is that i didn't think of the whole series first.

 

Lack of nuts, lack of serious dosh.

 

Ah well...but well done everyone, an interesting series on this forum.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Who's going to..............

 

Sorry only joking spiegal!

 

 

K

[The Know]

It has perhaps prevented speedway from completely sinking below the radar, but I would certainly argue that it hasn't benefitted domestic speedway in any practical way. I'd wager that average attendances are now significantly lower than before BSI got involved in speedway, and whilst I certainly wouldn't lay this downturn all at their door, they have certainly not contributed to any material improvement at the domestic level.

 

Some will argue that BSI were responsible for getting the BEL on television, and consequently getting some money from Sky. However, aside from the fact that the BSPA allegedly originally had to pay Sky to show speedway, the money has arguably only propped-up an ailing competition and allowed tough decisions to be put-off.

That was more to do with introduction of the more cost-effective BPL (as a second division) in 1997, and arguably the BCL a year-or-two earlier. The spiralling costs of the 'big' BPL and BL2 before it had driven several tracks out of business, but the introduction of a three-tier structure provided more options.

 

I think you'll find most of the new tracks started-up in the 1997-2000 period, before BSI got involved in the sport.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have no interest in british speedway really. Only interested in Grand Prix as far better. You can make a weekend of it and not be bored out of your mind within 30 seconds as with british domestic speedway.

[Subedei]

Interesting off-track times ahead for the GPs, I suspect. At the minute it is not altogether clear in which direction IMG see the circus taking. When the take-over was announced I speculated that IMG would perhaps look to have central contracts for the permanent fifteen. But that would entail IMG and the FIM significantly increasing payments to the riders in order to have a manner of control over them. But could the GPs sustain that? At the minute the GPs are largely subsidised by the various leagues - the leagues are the major paymasters of the riders, with the GPs being a "glory trip".

It all comes down to IMG's understanding of the dynamics of the sport and Postlethwaite's brief sojourn in the BEL didn't illustrate much understanding - all of a sudden he was on the other side of the fence and what a mess he made of it. The GPs were easy money for Postlethwaite.

[RPNY]

I think you'll find most of the new tracks started-up in the 1997-2000 period, before BSI got involved in the sport

 

Redcar, Brum, Somerset, Scunny, Weymouth, Plymouth.. They were all way after 2000 mate..

I also disagree with you saying crowds are down in domestic leagues since BSI involvemenet.. Look at last night for eg.. once again I'll say that in no way are BSI fautless, but to say that their involvment has not benifited British Speedway at all is just not true IMO

[Trees]

I have no interest in british speedway really. Only interested in Grand Prix as far better. You can make a weekend of it and not be bored out of your mind within 30 seconds as with british domestic speedway.

No league racing ............ no GPs! Or perhaps you come from Mars so you don't have a team to support

Edited September 25, 2007 by Trees

[The Know]

No league racing ............ no GPs!  Or perhaps you come from Mars so you don't have a team to support 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Read the post I have not said there should be no english speedway. What i said was i am not interested in it. I dont go to domestic meetings much, dont watch it on tele mondays very often as i find it very boring. Grand prix for me is much better and where my interest is. Others have different veiws but thats there choice as i make mine.