big johnowls Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 I am one of the missing fans. Used to go every week up to a few years ago and pretty often until last year It was obvious before the season started last year that the team was far too weak to be competitive, and i didnt attend a single meeting . The signing of Stead is great news, and adding 2 decent heat leaders will see me return. Sorry to say with the Wells comment and no sign of anyone as good or better its looking like another uncompetitive season. Hope i am wrong and the 6th and 7th riders are good ones. I could easily be tempted back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Duppcomic Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 (edited) Spot on Montie! Maybe they signed Wells last season on a pay scale based on his potential to be a 7 or 8 point rider. He proved he was only a 6 point rider. OK he improved a bit towards the end of the season but he wasn't great was he? Also I worry that if the track is prepared to suit Stead and Hall, Wells will be less effective. He certainly didn't like going out in the dirt, and did you notice that his good rides usually came towards the end of meetings when the track became more slick? Usually his first rides seemed to be his worst ones. I'm not worried. There seem to be more 6 point riders unattached than ever before and only a couple of teams who can fit them in. Edited January 2, 2013 by Stan Duppcomic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilali Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 No rider could financially exist on "Elite League only" if he didn't combine with Poland or a Scandanavian club -- Ricky Wells needs to double-up, and it looks like being at Sheffield. Rob Mear can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RS50 Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 If a rider averaging approx 6.5 in the premier league can not make it pay, how do lesser riders survive, financially??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Rob Mear can. He has a full time job outside speedway. The point about Wells is that there is every reason to believe that he will improve (something that cannot be said of Hall or Sanchez) and I don't think its beyond the realms of possibility that he would be up there with Stead. Lose him and fail to get an adequate replacement - ie a rider with potential - and a poor side just gets worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 If a rider averaging approx 6.5 in the premier league can not make it pay, how do lesser riders survive, financially??? Agree,if riders are losing money every season perhaps they should get themselves a proper job instead of moaning about it. They are not forced to ride speedway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Eye Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Agree,if riders are losing money every season perhaps they should get themselves a proper job instead of moaning about it. They are not forced to ride speedway. A fair few lower end riders do have jobs outside of speedway. At the end of the day though a rider in a professional sport should be able to make enough money during the season to support themselves. Maybe promoters should actually work harder to get more punters through the gates rather than constantly trying to reduce their outgoings? Luckily for you enough riders do take up the challenge of riding speedway otherwise you would not have any to watch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 A fair few lower end riders do have jobs outside of speedway. At the end of the day though a rider in a professional sport should be able to make enough money during the season to support themselves. Maybe promoters should actually work harder to get more punters through the gates rather than constantly trying to reduce their outgoings? Luckily for you enough riders do take up the challenge of riding speedway otherwise you would not have any to watch. A fair few lower end riders do have jobs outside of speedway. At the end of the day though a rider in a professional sport should be able to make enough money during the season to support themselves. Maybe promoters should actually work harder to get more punters through the gates rather than constantly trying to reduce their outgoings? Luckily for you enough riders do take up the challenge of riding speedway otherwise you would not have any to watch. If the rider is good enough he will make enough money from the sport . IF rumours are true some of the points money being paid to mediocre riders is far too much,the sport is dying on its feet .The bottom line is that if expenditure exceeds income closure of tracks will happen Promotions will just fold.The Annual Conference did not come up with any solution to solve the financial trouble the sport is in IMO(or they didn't tell us much if they have) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifordukesfan Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Perhaps riders/teams should be offerered incentives over and above their normal pay rates. eg,win the match=bonus,up your average=bonus(perhaps monthly), win a trophy=bonus, & maybe, in my dreams,win the league=big bonus.All this may even encourage the team to work as a team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Brownell Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 how are the rest of the premier league teams making ends meet are they promoted better or have they got better sponcership we have the best stadium in league but is that the problem the cost of the stadium is it damageing the team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Duppcomic Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 He has a full time job outside speedway. The point about Wells is that there is every reason to believe that he will improve (something that cannot be said of Hall or Sanchez) and I don't think its beyond the realms of possibility that he would be up there with Stead. Lose him and fail to get an adequate replacement - ie a rider with potential - and a poor side just gets worse. Sorry Halifaxtiger, I don't agree. Wells was signed last season as someone with potential. He started the season on a 6.46 Average and finished it on a 6.47 average!! For most of the season he flattered to deceive. It's not like he was in his first season in the league. If he thinks he's better than what he's being offered then he needs to prove it on the track. He hasn't convinced me at all 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scaramanga Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Sorry Halifaxtiger, I don't agree. Wells was signed last season as someone with potential. He started the season on a 6.46 Average and finished it on a 6.47 average!! For most of the season he flattered to deceive. It's not like he was in his first season in the league. If he thinks he's better than what he's being offered then he needs to prove it on the track. He hasn't convinced me at all ive got to agree here there were loads of workington fans wanting wells to sign for the comets but were talking like he was top class rider for me hes a 2nd string or 3rd heat leaderon his day can beat the best but just not a rider you can rely on to score good points every meeting 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlieboy Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 I think the main reason ricky didnt up his average was riding at 5 on a track he had hardly ever raced on.Had he had the luxury of riding at 4 his average may have been higher.Hence the inflated average for hally hiding away in heat 14 instead of going in with the big boys in heat 13 on a track hes raced on for years.I would like to see ricky back for another season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friddy75 Posted January 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Everyone has a different opinion about the team and riders. Myself and a few other believe Ricky Wells will make strides and become a very good rider this year. In my opinion I think he can push for at least 8 points this season(if Sheffield sign him). I think we are looking at the other rider being Hall. Sheffield won't go splashing the cash flying riders in to the country or riders like North and Poole won't come back to the UK on a cheap deal just to ride in the Premier league. With 14.93 left to play with and the need for two heat leaders I'd like to know which two riders people suggest we can get instead of Hall and Wells on the budget that is obviously available?(Riders and averages on BSPA website) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcb7 Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Would Vissing and Wells fit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Is it just me or what kind of DEAL do these guys like North, Poole,Wells and, as he is Quoted in this weeks Speedway Star Justin Sedgeman want ,they are just average speedway riders and until they prove themselves do not deserve anything out of the "norm" Let them earn there living "working in AUS " instead of bankrupting British speedway. Promoters have to stop trying to put one over each other regarding riders demands and stick together for the future of the sport. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harman Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Probably no-one knows what the riders are getting paid exactly and I don't believe that anyone under an 8 point average is getting fantastic money. The riders have a lot of costs to cover. They only get paid around 10p a mile for travel which obviously doesn't cover the cost of the fuel, tax, insurance etc. They get paid their points money but the cost of a tyre and insurance is deducted from this, they have now had the bonus point payment for coming 3rd behind their team mate removed and on top of all this they have their service and bike running costs, methonol, parts etc to pay for. The situation is that promotions are cutting costs whilst riders costs go up or remain the same. If it means that Ricky would get into debt just so that he can ride for Sheffield Speedway then I don't blame him for saying no, riders need to make a living just like the rest of us. Why does he have to prove himself on a lower wage, if he would be financially better off not racing for Sheffield i.e. not accruing debts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 (edited) Probably no-one knows what the riders are getting paid exactly and I don't believe that anyone under an 8 point average is getting fantastic money. The riders have a lot of costs to cover. They only get paid around 10p a mile for travel which obviously doesn't cover the cost of the fuel, tax, insurance etc. They get paid their points money but the cost of a tyre and insurance is deducted from this, they have now had the bonus point payment for coming 3rd behind their team mate removed and on top of all this they have their service and bike running costs, methonol, parts etc to pay for. The situation is that promotions are cutting costs whilst riders costs go up or remain the same. If it means that Ricky would get into debt just so that he can ride for Sheffield Speedway then I don't blame him for saying no, riders need to make a living just like the rest of us. Why does he have to prove himself on a lower wage, if he would be financially better off not racing for Sheffield i.e. not accruing debts. Why would Ricky Wells ride speedway in Britain so as he could get into debt ! If you have been riding in Speedway for 4/5 years and not making money it is time to find another job . Points money and riding costs are a Taboo subject WHY . Fair enough if Ricky can't make PL pay but he won't get my symphathy.i'm afraid. Edited January 2, 2013 by Fromafar 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Whether he is worth it or not, why did Promotion go to rider who public states that he lost money riding in the Premier League last season and allegedly as we only have one side of the story less money. It just does not add up to me. , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted January 2, 2013 Report Share Posted January 2, 2013 Whether he is worth it or not, why did Promotion go to rider who public states that he lost money riding in the Premier League last season and allegedly as we only have one side of the story less money. It just does not add up to me. , Whether he is worth it or not, why did Promotion go to rider who public states that he lost money riding in the Premier League last season and allegedly as we only have one side of the story less money. It just does not add up to me. , Promoters and riders wont discuss figures.Riders being Self Employed just need a good accountant if they cannot make money,that will solve a lot of their problems. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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