Revamp - Less Polish Contol Over The Sport

[dirt]

It occurs to me that Speedway is being taken over by Poles/russians/Danes/Swedes/etc etc, with the inventors of the sport, and producers consistently of good riders, Australia/New Zealand get treated like 3rd world countries with no upside in the governing bodys mind to staging meetings back here. Of course theres an upside, look at the talented riders that have come out of here! 2nd to none when you combine Aussie and NZ.

 

Sure its a bit of a trip over, but thats such a weak excuse when these other countries already have successful leagues helped by Aussies, they shouldnt be in total control of the GP and u/21 fixtures as well! as World Cups. where do u draw the line.

 

If continual descrimination occurs what are these peoples intentions....stop the quality riders riding overseas in Leagues, GPs, U/21 World Titles?

 

With no GPs and limited promotion of the oz champ's speedway is less known than other countries possibly IMO.

 

If a GP was done every year or 2, maybe u/21 round of the final when we have contenders and timings right, maybe world cup!!

 

If the crowds arent massive thats the fault of the world governing body for neglecting holding meeting here.

 

But natural skill isnt guaranteed to get a production line of great riders, and that is all saving the corrupt decision makers. Aust will be right, they make champions anyhow, we dont need to have GPs there or world cups....seems to be the attitude

 

Australia could develop many more talents if GPs and even big individual meetings took place esp now that new tracks are being made just for bikes. Make some air fences and it will be a meca for top class racing with few rain offs.

 

We are alrerady disadvantaged with no league possible, so the Aussies bolster and help others thrive,,,,so fairs fair, stage some gps back in oz, boost it a bit, and try and keep the production belt turning out class riders!

 

thats not even to mention the fans, who must have had a gut full, after having regular visitors through the years like Claremont got over 35 000 fans in to see Mauger for first time at Claremont in 75 for a club meeting I believe.

 

The crowds do come!

 

Finally Aussies havent ever had TV access to speedway here or overseas until this last season when fox showed live sky fixtures which is a step in the right direction, but much more should be done to - theres nothing like watching speedway at the track. We now have purpose bike only tracks which will only improve the racing to world class standard- plus we have a lot of sidecar teams which provide massive entertainment to compliment the bikes.

 

To be honest a TV production done right, with just the track announcer heard and the noise from the bikes - should be arranged with sky sports and show selected meetings from down under in your winter.

 

At an appropriate time maybe a few hours later etc.

 

Fox cable TV over here have just made a new 'speed' channel which focuses on motorsport 24/7 and should continue to buy the rights off sky for live/replayed Sky matches EL/PL/and world cup id imagine (speedway)

 

Of course ideally selected meetings such as tonights NSW titles would be what I mean, and a free to air station could pick this up it would be awesome, but not even fox would I wouldnt think. Hopefully new free 24/7 sports station ONE HD will use their brain and start showing Australian and international speedway, as it will be a golden era IMO, and nothing will stop these hungry riders.

 

The amount of WRC (Rally) touring cars, nascar, F1, motoGP, challenge races on min tracks with schumaker button etc, plus on other free channels V8 racing non stop, drags on ONE also, porsche etc special interest races, drifting etc. American Rodeo bull riding weekly! constant replys of old rubbish...old UFC.......How about some speedway bikes, local , cheap to video, great entertainment provided you put the camera correctly positioned on the bend! not straight. only need 1 camera 2 to make it even more great.

 

Rant over. Over and out. roger.

Edited December 11, 2010 by dirt

[Humphrey Appleby]

It occurs to me that Speedway is being taken over by Poles/russians/Danes/Swedes/etc etc, with the inventors of the sport, and producers consistently of good riders, Australia/New Zealand get treated like 3rd world countries with no upside in the governing bodys mind to staging meetings back here. Of course theres an upside, look at the talented riders that have come out of here! 2nd to none when you combine Aussie and NZ.

 

You cannot live on sentiment, and ultimately who pays the most will call the shots in any professional sport. In any case, the British and Australia speedway authorities largely only have themselves to blame for their declining influence on world speedway, along with disadvantageous economics.

 

I'm sure there would be a GP in Australia (and NZ) if it was cost effective, but that's the bottom line whilst the SGP is controlled by a profit-oriented third party. Even if it wasn't though, you still have to pay the bills.

 

As for the 'inventors' of the sport, riding motorcycles around a dirt track probably goes back to the invention of the internal combustion engine. I don't think there's any firm evidence the sport was invented in Australia, contrary to the popular myth.

Edited December 11, 2010 by Humphrey Appleby

[dirt]

Speedway needs sentiment! it is not a main line sport like Athletics or Gymnastics or Swinnming which Countries pay millions for training facilities/coaches/stadiums etc etc....for nothing more than being competitive at Olympics or winning Gold Medals.

 

With this type of funding unlikely, sentiment and doing whats right for the sport, should be done.

 

This sport needs to look after itself as Governments seem uncooperative, and that means looking after current fans because I dont see a huge influx of young fans jumping on board with little promotion or dodgy decisions being made left right and centre through vested interests and promoters wanting to make money for their back pocket ONLY.

 

Current fans if looked after could increase revenue significantly if a PPV service was adopted by leagues/clubs/tracks etc.

 

Like the meeting tommorrow morn (perth time) from California which is free, it proves webcams can work and be set up.

 

W****channels showed live speedway and got 500+ viewers at a time and 800 odd who become a member so to access it, and it wasnt even advertised.

 

you think paying a few bob or dollar or two, one or 2 pound etc would stop these people wanting to watchit, this is live figures too with some areas 2am in the morning, if an archive service got set up it would be even more popular.

Edited December 11, 2010 by dirt

[Bavarian]

Australia, and more so New Zealand, don't have any great speedway venues and promoters to hold the big meetings You talk about!

 

Gone are the days of the Sydney Showground, the Ekka or Claremont, all that is left for solo speedway are some obscure bush tracks like Mildura, Gillman, Kurri Kurri or Brandon. How on earth would the FIM select such places to stage world championship speedway.

 

Rest asure, the SGP desperately wants to spread into AUSSIE/NZ but it is the lack of decent venues to stage a GP down under, that makes it a mission impossible.

 

Tell me who is the greatest solo speedway promoter these days? Are there any promoters for solo speedway at all? Is it still a way to earn some dollar in Oz, or is it left to clubs that run the sport, more or less just for the fun of it?

 

Compare this to Poland, Sweden, or even Britain, and You must admit that Australia is way behind them.

 

It does not matter if the clubs still produce some great junior talent, as long as there isn't any senior solo speedway in Australia worth to take notice of. If there was, surely the top star Aussie riders and top level overseas riders would return and ride there, just as it was in the good old days.

 

No promoters, no top class venues and no money, simply means no top class solo speedway for You Aussie and Kiwi fans.

 

Forget about any FIM events, they would be too expensive and too difficult to organize. But there is another way forward for Australian solo speedway. Invite a touring team and stage Test Matches!

 

It would be great to see an OFFICIAL solo test series between Australia and England once more. Official, because anything less would devalue the product. Get it right from the start! This would be much more appealing for the general public, and possibly TV in Aussie AND Britain, than a five round Aussie Championship, that does not have much appeal for the fans and the riders, and where the best of Australia's riders don't bother to show up anyway.

 

Stage a five match test series instead, and a one-off Aussie Final. If YOu considder England as too weak, bring over an other nation (Poland, Sweden, Russia,etc) or a combined team (Europe, Overseas, Rest of the World).

 

Raise funds and sign the best available Australian riders to do the test series and the Aussie final and try to get some decent tracks/venues for these big six events, that You could sell as a package to a TV producer.

 

That would be a decent start to get things right.

[dirt]

Why would any touring party be interested as you say theres no money and a request to play a 5 match Ashes series or Poland v Aust etc, whats in it for Poland, or England will be their first question.

 

You are wrong about the FIM they are just too usless at arranging a venue, and implementing a track. Or use established great tracks like the new one at Kurri or proven world class venue at Gillman (not bushland, inner Adelaide) and have temp grandstands erected and hired I spose it works, cant be too hard.

 

You have Melbourne which support most known sports like they are going out of fashion, with Etihad- Telstra stadium, a possible ideal arena as it is designed for close to the action seating. It holds close to 50,000 and would get at least 40,000 IMO. But I dont like the idea of drop in tracks or temp tracks at all myself and I'd prefer to see a proper track like no1 Gillman, simply try and use temp seating which shouldnt cost much to set up. and no hiring of the venue or big costs would have to be paid except temp grandstands. IN future other tracks could rotate it for a GP, with Kurri a possibility as is Wayville showgrounds but if they have a big fence, you can forget it in my opinion. I dont know how much money temp stands cost so that would be the only hurdle for me- nor how many or how much seating you could hire? Nor the areas it could be set up at Gillman Kurri tracks,etc

 

Sydney has possible venues too but the grounds wont appreciate a dirt speedway track being set up, as they would fear it would wreck their surface and contract with League or AFL etc. Sydney has been starved of solos for so long they may be better to do Melb if you want a one off temp track.

 

Everything isnt impossible there are so many options that can be tried, if it doesnt work out great change the method and get it right...Telstra Dome Melb or similar sporting Grounds could make a temp track like cardiff!

maybe 1st best option, just shop round for an affordable good venue.

 

2nd clear option build seating and temp stands at Gillman? or possibly Kurri in future.

 

3rd FIM announce their intentions and let the public know what they discuss in their talks instead of globetrotting around the world looking at venues,,,then stay mute and give no hope , or idea , to interested Aussies.

 

Our best promoter that I know currently is Gillmans Dave Parker: Who is getting things right.

 

Grahame Boyd is promoting Kurri Kurri rnd of Oz series this year, and hes promoted Newcastle speedway before -has unquestioned amounts of drive to run these things and is especially good at getting sponsorship/sponsors. Owner of Suzuki Newcastle.

 

Your right promoters are rare for our bike tracks, but we have some and one of the best and consistent performers including track presentation and media releases is Gillman guru Dave Parker.

 

He should start the new breed, and show others how it should be done. Kurri will follow suit and quickly we will have great tracks with promoters.

 

When they can build a bigger version of Pinjar Park, it will truly replace Claremont with the added bonus of no big safety fence to see through. The current track is good but questionable for the biggest meetings. I wonder how long it will take....to build the big track out the back of the current one.

Edited December 11, 2010 by dirt

[HenryW]

It occurs to me that Speedway is being taken over by Poles/russians/Danes/Swedes/etc etc, with the inventors of the sport, and producers consistently of good riders, Australia/New Zealand get treated like 3rd world countries with no upside in the governing bodys mind to staging meetings back here. Of course theres an upside, look at the talented riders that have come out of here! 2nd to none when you combine Aussie and NZ.

Firstly, assuming my quick mental arithmetic is correct, Australia and New Zealand combined have provided 8 riders who have lifted the World title for a total of 19 times, while Sweden and Denmark combined have provided 10 riders who have lifted the World title for a total of 28 times....So, yeah, Australia and New Zealand combined are "2nd to none" as long as you don't let any other near neighbours combine as well...

 

Secondly, when did you become such a lover of New Zealanders? Did you just throw them into the mix to get some extra world titles? Did you miss the fact that they haven't had a rider worthy of World championship status in the last 25 years?

 

Thirdly, how did you drag Russia into this? There have been more FIM Speedway World Finals held in Australia than Russia. In case you aren't sure, there has been 1 in Australia, which obviously means that there have been NONE...EVER, in Russia...So where did Russia come into the equation of "taking over World speedway"?

 

Sure its a bit of a trip over, but thats such a weak excuse when these other countries already have successful leagues helped by Aussies, they shouldnt be in total control of the GP and u/21 fixtures as well! as World Cups. where do u draw the line.

WTF? Do you think that the leagues in Europe would die without Australian riders coming over to race here?

Do you really think the rest of the speedway World owes you something because you have some riders at the top level?

Flip the switch in your head, mate...Australians get a career in the sport BECAUSE of the leagues in Europe....and BECAUSE they pay them good money!

As soon as Aussie speedway offers good money to the European guys, they'll be over racing on your tracks...

 

If continual descrimination occurs what are these peoples intentions....stop the quality riders riding overseas in Leagues, GPs, U/21 World Titles?

I think you have lost me here....Are you suggesting that Australian speedway riders should hold the European Leagues to ransom by refusing to race in them?.

 

Hahahahaha!!! Good luck to them with that move.

 

With no GPs and limited promotion of the oz champ's speedway is less known than other countries possibly IMO.

I think you may be right with this statement, but who is to blame for that other than Australians?

If your promoters don't want to pony up the cash to advertise or attract the top riders over to your Country, what do you expect?

 

If a GP was done every year or 2, maybe u/21 round of the final when we have contenders and timings right, maybe world cup!!

Again...No chance of BSI or the FIM saying "no" if the cash was handed over...But don't expect the rest of the speedway world to give you gifts "just because"....

 

If the crowds arent massive thats the fault of the world governing body for neglecting holding meeting here.

Again....WTF? You blame the World governing bodies for the failure of the sport in your Nation? No offence, but look a bit closer to home for the problems. If Australia can't even get it's top riders to race in the National Championship, why would you expect the rest of the World to send their top guys over to race?

 

But natural skill isnt guaranteed to get a production line of great riders, and that is all saving the corrupt decision makers. Aust will be right, they make champions anyhow, we dont need to have GPs there or world cups....seems to be the attitude

Yep, Australia...A true production line of World Speedway Champions...Good on ya's for that...You've got Jason Crump (ironically, born in Britain) and, erm....who was the last one before him? Oh, that's right....Jack Young, back in 1952!!!

 

Australia could develop many more talents if GPs and even big individual meetings took place esp now that new tracks are being made just for bikes. Make some air fences and it will be a meca for top class racing with few rain offs.

Let's forget the GP's. You could have one every year if anyone in Australia was willing to put up the cash, but it's been proved that they aren't.

Similarly, you could have some great individual meetings with the World's best, but no-one is willing to pay for those guys to head over to Australia to race...

 

We are alrerady disadvantaged with no league possible, so the Aussies bolster and help others thrive,,,,so fairs fair, stage some gps back in oz, boost it a bit, and try and keep the production belt turning out class riders!

What's this???....You have "no league possible"? Is there some law against "sports leagues" in Australia? I'm pretty sure I have seen Rugby, "Football" and Soccer leagues from Australia on TV here in the UK....Do you actually mean that a league isn't financially viable for speedway in Australia, cos that would be an entirely different thing!

 

thats not even to mention the fans, who must have had a gut full, after having regular visitors through the years like Claremont got over 35 000 fans in to see Mauger for first time at Claremont in 75 for a club meeting I believe.

 

The crowds do come!

Prague saw 145,000 fans attend the first Czechoslovakia v Soviet Union test match in 1960...Does that prove anything other than speedway was more popular in the older days?

 

Don't get me wrong, I love your passion for the sport and your discontent at the lack of big meetings in Australia...but I think you are turning your anger at the wrong target when complaining about the FIM or IMG not running big events in Australia. Those guys will run their events where-ever the money is...

 

It's surely up to Aussie promoters to show that they can run professional speedway...Recent years have surely suggested that Australia can train the kids well, but if they want to see big events, they also need to show that they can attract big crowds and make the sport pay at a professional level...

[dirt]

Firstly, assuming my quick mental arithmetic is correct, Australia and New Zealand combined have provided 8 riders who have lifted the World title for a total of 19 times, while Sweden and Denmark combined have provided 10 riders who have lifted the World title for a total of 28 times....So, yeah, Australia and New Zealand combined are "2nd to none" as long as you don't let any other near neighbours combine as well...

 

Have they fought side by side in a war? are their flags remotely similar? are they both isolated from other land masses on this planet? do them countries share the disadvantage of being so isloated from other speedway areas?

Secondly, when did you become such a lover of New Zealanders? Did you just throw them into the mix to get some extra world titles? Did you miss the fact that they haven't had a rider worthy of World championship status in the last 25 years?

Thats irrelevant really, as Australia has taken up the slack has it not? World Cups, U21 champs galore, u/21 finalists galore, world finalists galore, GP Riders galore, while it took a long time for an Australian rider to get his name on the World Championship, Crump got their to lift the GP W.C. - he showed class to do it another couple of times also, showing the dedication and esteem riders from Down Under hold this sport in, and regard it. New Zealand are a strange one but they produced arguably the greatest ever contributer in the glory years, in Mauger, so they should have the right to benefit from a GP or 2 in their neck of the woods. (Australia)

Thirdly, how did you drag Russia into this? There have been more FIM Speedway World Finals held in Australia than Russia. In case you aren't sure, there has been 1 in Australia, which obviously means that there have been NONE...EVER, in Russia...So where did Russia come into the equation of "taking over World speedway"?

Spin it as much as you like, but you should know as well as everyone else that Russia has changed its name more than its rulers underware garments, who knows the truth? Latvia! Prague! Czech GP! If they arent parts of Russia nowdays they used to be! and must be pretty close I would assume? If Poland divided its country every year after holding a GP, would you say they have never held a World Championship? Whos fault is it they cant keep their country together? is it Australias fault, as it now looks like we have better treatment as we stayed as one country instead of confusing the world with constant separation and changes of name regions and parts of 'Russia'. Since they must deserve a lot how many World Champs have come from their? Who cares about that anyway its next door to a lot of current GP tracks compared to Australia! and if they didnt seperate, Latvia would be called 'Russian'? unless im too confused.

 

 

WTF? Do you think that the leagues in Europe would die without Australian riders coming over to race here?

 

You misinterpreted my sentence. I meant if world speedway wants such riders coming through the system and helping the world sport, why dont they give just an inch of help, for Aussie promoters in the winter months in Europe, and entice or help 1 percent... with travel -bike shipment costs etc? or isnt that plausable. The production belt and sport needs youngsters to get the bug, and get involved as a rider or fan and then the whole family follows and nobody is disappointed , but no BIG meetings is like starving a Lion it wont help anybody.

The riders cant afford to run big meetings back here, promoters cant risk spending fortunes and loosing money, the fact is the governing body should give the dog a bone....for once and do what they say they will be doing for years!!! stage some meetings in Australia just for the sake of this sport not being over run by Europeons/poles/latvians and Russians/danes etc. at least two Swedish lads themselves want to ride and enjoy it in Australia this season so that proves its not hard or expensive!! No brainer actually....its bloody snowing back in the regions!

I think you may be right with this statement, but who is to blame for that other than Australians?

If your promoters don't want to pony up the cash to advertise or attract the top riders over to your Country, what do you expect?

Something. Like the promised GP which cant be arranged!!!!! maybe oz is a goldmine but theylll never know by refusing to risk a few dollars by financing it themselves, instead they want an Aussie to foot the bill and incurr any losses.

Again...No chance of BSI or the FIM saying "no" if the cash was handed over...But don't expect the rest of the speedway world to give you gifts "just because"....

Hand over cash...what is this a mafia deal in 'insert chosen illegal trade'

Its their sport they run it...they sell TV rights they own it .....why ask seperate 'promoters' to pay? they should have their own promoters - who can do the job well.

If Australia can't even get it's top riders to race in the National Championship, why would you expect the rest of the World to send their top guys over to race?

Again you nicely avoid the main factor.... our speedway season starts when all internatiuonal riders have just finished gruelling schedules so arent always happy to come and start another less profitable one with more travel, etc, esp when their teammates in Europe and competitors can relax and recover! We cant run a big enough league in our winter!!!! to keep our best riders, as its winter. Why blame us for the worlds weather patterns.

Yep, Australia...A true production line of World Speedway Champions...Good on ya's for that...You've got Jason Crump (ironically, born in Britain) and, erm....who was the last one before him? Oh, that's right....Jack Young, back in 1952!!!

we have bolsted british teams for years and had major players in World Finals and GP series and you know it. Even greats dont always win World Champ's.

Let's forget the GP's. You could have one every year if anyone in Australia was willing to put up the cash, but it's been proved that they aren't.

Similarly, you could have some great individual meetings with the World's best, but no-one is willing to pay for those guys to head over to Australia to race...

Im sure it could be arranged but 50/50 at least should be paid by the governing body, with sure if a reasonable amount was needed to be put up by someone, they would go for it, but obviously all costs are expected to be paid which is asking too much. Prob overquoted also such is the FIM or governing bodys unfair/poor decisions they continue to make in not the sports best interests. when you get greedy you never have enough money and just want more and more!

Do you actually mean that a league isn't financially viable for speedway in Australia, cos that would be an entirely different thing!

Not in the bloody winter with travel considerations - however its perfect for summer - but the riders often want a break.

How would all the teams leagues from Europe go running a league in their winter?

Those guys will run their events where-ever the money is...

 

It's surely up to Aussie promoters to show that they can run professional speedway...Recent years have surely suggested that Australia can train the kids well, but if they want to see big events, they also need to show that they can attract big crowds and make the sport pay at a professional level...

As I think a promoter could take a punt and would but I dont believe he should pay every cent and foot any possible losses, as lets be honest it is an untried area and exact costs wont be known. For an initial Gp venture the promoter (since they need such a person to risk his own money???) should be quoted for not the full bill, or just hand the cash over!!! that is corruption.

 

Work out the approx costs and promoter if affordable and likely to succeed pays his share or what he can and the BSA FIM governing body fronts the rest of the bills, until it is established exact costs for future ventures.

 

What other international sports are run by businesses, where fairness in not considered, and money buys you everything, including home track adavantage!

 

 

what a waste of time - see you later.

[Hazzman]

The moneys in Poland currently, that's why they have the control. The riders arent daft, why keep signing contracts with rumours of riders going unpaid? Cos when it comes off, it's money abound. You have the most organised league too with actual purpose built stadiums.

[WIE-JA]

Firstly, assuming my quick mental arithmetic is correct, Australia and New Zealand combined have provided 8 riders who have lifted the World title for a total of 19 times, while Sweden and Denmark combined have provided 10 riders who have lifted the World title for a total of 28 times....So, yeah, Australia and New Zealand combined are "2nd to none" as long as you don't let any other near neighbours combine as well...

 

Have they fought side by side in a war? are their flags remotely similar? are they both isolated from other land masses on this planet? do them countries share the disadvantage of being so isloated from other speedway areas?

 

Thats irrelevant really, as Australia has taken up the slack has it not? World Cups, U21 champs galore, u/21 finalists galore, world finalists galore, GP Riders galore, while it took a long time for an Australian rider to get his name on the World Championship, Crump got their to lift the GP W.C. - he showed class to do it another couple of times also, showing the dedication and esteem riders from Down Under hold this sport in, and regard it. New Zealand are a strange one but they produced arguably the greatest ever contributer in the glory years, in Mauger, so they should have the right to benefit from a GP or 2 in their neck of the woods. (Australia)

 

Spin it as much as you like, but you should know as well as everyone else that Russia has changed its name more than its rulers underware garments, who knows the truth? Latvia! Prague! Czech GP! If they arent parts of Russia nowdays they used to be! and must be pretty close I would assume? If Poland divided its country every year after holding a GP, would you say they have never held a World Championship? Whos fault is it they cant keep their country together? is it Australias fault, as it now looks like we have better treatment as we stayed as one country instead of confusing the world with constant separation and changes of name regions and parts of 'Russia'. Since they must deserve a lot how many World Champs have come from their? Who cares about that anyway its next door to a lot of current GP tracks compared to Australia! and if they didnt seperate, Latvia would be called 'Russian'? unless im too confused.

 

 

WTF? Do you think that the leagues in Europe would die without Australian riders coming over to race here?

 

You misinterpreted my sentence. I meant if world speedway wants such riders coming through the system and helping the world sport, why dont they give just an inch of help, for Aussie promoters in the winter months in Europe, and entice or help 1 percent... with travel -bike shipment costs etc? or isnt that plausable. The production belt and sport needs youngsters to get the bug, and get involved as a rider or fan and then the whole family follows and nobody is disappointed , but no BIG meetings is like starving a Lion it wont help anybody.

The riders cant afford to run big meetings back here, promoters cant risk spending fortunes and loosing money, the fact is the governing body should give the dog a bone....for once and do what they say they will be doing for years!!! stage some meetings in Australia just for the sake of this sport not being over run by Europeons/poles/latvians and Russians/danes etc. at least two Swedish lads themselves want to ride and enjoy it in Australia this season so that proves its not hard or expensive!! No brainer actually....its bloody snowing back in the regions!

 

Something. Like the promised GP which cant be arranged!!!!! maybe oz is a goldmine but theylll never know by refusing to risk a few dollars by financing it themselves, instead they want an Aussie to foot the bill and incurr any losses.

 

Hand over cash...what is this a mafia deal in 'insert chosen illegal trade'

Its their sport they run it...they sell TV rights they own it .....why ask seperate 'promoters' to pay? they should have their own promoters - who can do the job well.

 

Again you nicely avoid the main factor.... our speedway season starts when all internatiuonal riders have just finished gruelling schedules so arent always happy to come and start another less profitable one with more travel, etc, esp when their teammates in Europe and competitors can relax and recover! We cant run a big enough league in our winter!!!! to keep our best riders, as its winter. Why blame us for the worlds weather patterns.

 

we have bolsted british teams for years and had major players in World Finals and GP series and you know it. Even greats dont always win World Champ's.

 

Im sure it could be arranged but 50/50 at least should be paid by the governing body, with sure if a reasonable amount was needed to be put up by someone, they would go for it, but obviously all costs are expected to be paid which is asking too much. Prob overquoted also such is the FIM or governing bodys unfair/poor decisions they continue to make in not the sports best interests. when you get greedy you never have enough money and just want more and more!

 

Not in the bloody winter with travel considerations - however its perfect for summer - but the riders often want a break.

How would all the teams leagues from Europe go running a league in their winter?

 

As I think a promoter could take a punt and would but I dont believe he should pay every cent and foot any possible losses, as lets be honest it is an untried area and exact costs wont be known. For an initial Gp venture the promoter (since they need such a person to risk his own money???) should be quoted for not the full bill, or just hand the cash over!!! that is corruption.

 

Work out the approx costs and promoter if affordable and likely to succeed pays his share or what he can and the BSA FIM governing body fronts the rest of the bills, until it is established exact costs for future ventures.

 

What other international sports are run by businesses, where fairness in not considered, and money buys you everything, including home track adavantage!

 

 

what a waste of time - see you later.

You really do need to go and study some basic European history and geography Burt.

[dirt]

You really do need to go and study some basic European history and geography Burt.

Im not interested wee -wee, I know the basics and enough to suffice.

 

Why, was Latvia not a part of Russia?

 

Is Prague, Czech Rep not close to or a 'type' of Russia/n?

 

I cant read your mind and a statement which shows no knowledge yourself worth contributing - other than condemning my geography has to be a bit more specific. What was I incorrect about?

[WIE-JA]

Im not interested wee -wee, I know the basics and enough to suffice.

 

Why, was Latvia not a part of Russia?

 

Is Prague, Czech Rep not close to or a 'type' of Russia/n?

 

I cant read your mind and a statement which shows no knowledge yourself worth contributing - other than condemning my geography has to be a bit more specific. What was I incorrect about?

Latvia was part of the USSR, still a country but controlled by another. Prague is in the Czech Republic and was formerly part of Czechoslovakia, a country in its own right but also controlled by the USSR, as were many other countries post second world war. They were not actually Russia. Prague has other countries separating it from the Russian border.

Europe is the center for speedway at this moment, which is why it has so much power over the make up of world speedway. The majority of riders are here, the majority of tracks and fans. Most people wouldn't notice if Australian speedway disappeared altogether, but hopefully it won't. Sorry to shatter your little world.

[HenryW]

It's going a bit off topic, but...

 

Why, was Latvia not a part of Russia?

Areas of what now makes up Latvia have been part of Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, Germany (and possibly others that I don't remember) over the years, but in the speedway era, it has never been part of Russia.

 

Is Prague, Czech Rep not close to or a 'type' of Russia/n?

I guess that Australian's maybe have a different definition of "close" given the expanse of their Nation, but Prague is about 1,200KM from Russia and there are a couple of not insignificant Countries between them.

 

As for a "type of Russia"...What do you mean by that?

[dirt]

It's going a bit off topic, but...

 

 

Areas of what now makes up Latvia have been part of Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Russia, Germany (and possibly others that I don't remember) over the years, but in the speedway era, it has never been part of Russia.

 

 

I guess that Australian's maybe have a different definition of "close" given the expanse of their Nation, but Prague is about 1,200KM from Russia and there are a couple of not insignificant Countries between them.

 

As for a "type of Russia"...What do you mean by that?

Are the women from that region considered true Russians, or could they claim to be Russian?

 

the good looking bombshells and models and stunners I mean?

Edited December 13, 2010 by dirt

[WIE-JA]

Are the women from that region considered true Russians, or could they claim to be Russian?

 

the good looking bombshells and models and stunners I mean?

It's quite simple Burt, if they're from Latvia they are, would you believe, Latvian. If they're from Estonia then they are Estonian. If they are from Russia then they are Russian. Are you getting the connection here?

[HenryW]

Are the women from that region considered true Russians, or could they claim to be Russian?

 

the good looking bombshells and models and stunners I mean?

Are we going further off topic now? It's a topic that I like, but just wanted to check

 

Thanks to their shared history of being part of the Soviet Union, there are a large number of Latvian citizens who have Russian ancestry, especially around the Southern areas of the Country. However, a large part of the Nation has some pretty bad feelings for Russia for the way they scooped them into the Soviet Union.

Most of the women are unlikely to be able to class themselves as true Russians, but how many I wouldn't be able to say. I am happy to carry out a further investigation of Latvian women if you want to sponsor it and get me over there to meet more of them

 

The Czech Republic is very different as despite being Communist for the latter part of the 20th Century, it was never part of the Soviet Union, so the Russians didn't really move there. A tiny portion of their population has recent Russian ancestry, and the Czechs probably dislike the Russians even more than the Latvians.

 

Essentially, the women from Central and Eastern Europe are generally pretty hot. They don't have to be Russian to be hot

[dirt]

It's quite simple Burt, if they're from Latvia they are, would you believe, Latvian. If they're from Estonia then they are Estonian. If they are from Russia then they are Russian. Are you getting the connection here?

If they have ancestory, or mothers or fathers from Russia evan though perhaps born in Latvia I bet some of them may like to describe themselves as Russian instead of less desired countries (by stereotype.) if such exist.

 

Like a Portugese Girl saying shes Portugese though one parent was Timorese, and only her mother Portugese and she was born in Timor, with bloodlines including Indian apparently, though many cousins from her mums side were Portugese and she migrated to Australia when they had no option during war. It happens, as I knew one. Meaning it appears she said she is Portugese, rather than saying or mentioning Timor in the equation as it suited her to do so.

Edited December 13, 2010 by dirt

[WIE-JA]

If they have ancestory, or mothers or fathers from Russia evan though perhaps born in Latvia I bet some of them may like to describe themselves as Russian instead of less desired countries (by stereotype.) if such exist.

 

Like a Portugese Girl saying shes Portugese though one parent was Timorese, and only her mother Portugese and she was born in Timor, with bloodlines including Indian apparently, though many cousins from her mums side were Portugese and she migrated to Australia when they had no option during war. It happens, as I knew one. Meaning it appears she said she is Portugese, rather than saying or mentioning Timor in the equation as it suited her to do so.

ancestry is a different thing. I have German relatives but don't consider myself to be German and as the area that my relatives were from is now part of Poland I don't consider myself Polish or indeed, Russian

[HenryW]

If they have ancestory, or mothers or fathers from Russia evan though perhaps born in Latvia I bet some of them may like to describe themselves as Russian instead of less desired countries (by stereotype.) if such exist.

Yep, as I said in my previous post, there are a good number of Latvians who have Russian ancestry, and some of them might prefer to describe themselves as Russian rather than Latvian. On the other hand, I bet there are more Russians that wish they could describe themselves as Latvian and have free and easy travel and work in the EU

 

An ex of mine called herself Russian despite not being born in Russia or ever having lived in Russia. Her Father was born there and apparently she preferred to be "Russian"

Edited December 13, 2010 by HenryW

[Humphrey Appleby]

Thanks to their shared history of being part of the Soviet Union, there are a large number of Latvian citizens who have Russian ancestry, especially around the Southern areas of the Country.

 

Latvia was where the Soviet Baltic fleet was stationed, so it received more Russian immigrants than the other Baltic states after they were occupied, although in reality, Latvia had long been within the Russian sphere of influence except for a short period between WWI and WWII. Something like 40 to 50% of the population is ethnic Russian, which is an ongoing issue in Latvia because they claim the Latvias are withholding Latvian citizenship from them. In turn, the Latvians claim the Russians refuse to learn Latvian and don't integrate into their society.

 

Needless to say though, there's little love lost between ethnic Latvians and Russians, largely because of what happened when Latvia was invaded by the Soviet Union. However, Daugavpils where Latvia's only speedway track is situated is the centre of the Russian population in the country, and the track largely seems to be run by Russian speakers.

 

The Baltic states are also a bit different to most of the other countries in Eastern Europe because they're not ethnically Slavic. Their languages and culture are historically completely different, although of course having been within the Russian sphere of influence for so long, there's obviously some assimilation whether or not anyone will admit to it.

 

If they arent parts of Russia nowdays they used to be! and must be pretty close I would assume?

 

Most of Eastern Europe has never been part of Russia, and the Baltic states haven't been part of Russia since before WWI (and even then I don't think they were actually considered Russia 'proper'). When Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were part of the Soviet Union they were separate socialist republics.

 

Whos fault is it they cant keep their country together? is it Australias fault, as it now looks like we have better treatment as we stayed as one country instead of confusing the world with constant separation and changes of name regions and parts of 'Russia'.

 

Only through the Grace of God has Australia stayed together as country. Western Australia voted to secede from the the country and revert to being a British colony, but the UK didn't want them back...

 

ancestry is a different thing. I have German relatives but don't consider myself to be German and as the area that my relatives were from is now part of Poland I don't consider myself Polish or indeed, Russian

 

Well Poland seems to have drifted westwards over time. It started out somewhere in what is now Ukraine, and is currently somewhere that used to be Germany..

Edited December 13, 2010 by Humphrey Appleby

[WIE-JA]

 

 

 

Well Poland seems to have drifted westwards over time. It started out somewhere in what is now Ukraine, and is currently somewhere that used to be Germany..

It's also beginning to cross the channel