The Start Of The Decline

[mickthemuppet]

Utter nonsense.

 

In my opinion SKY's coverage has brought people back to the sport and also introduced newcomers. I wonder what sort of state the sport would be in now without the last ten years of coverage.

Not really utter nonsense is it. When ever a Sky live match is shown on a Monday night there is nobody there. If the matches were not on TV they would all have bigger gates Fact. .That would probably apply to every match shown in the last decade. except the Arena Essex that was free

I have never been to a British Grand Prix but have been to many world finals(those were the days) and Grand Prixs abroad. If the British GP is not on TV I will go. In fact if the British GP is not shown live the gate will be bigger and will stop the decline of this last few years. If it is shown live the attendance will dip even further

[Blazeaway]

Not really utter nonsense is it. When ever a Sky live match is shown on a Monday night there is nobody there. If the matches were not on TV they would all have bigger gates Fact. .That would probably apply to every match shown in the last decade. except the Arena Essex that was free

I have never been to a British Grand Prix but have been to many world finals(those were the days) and Grand Prixs abroad. If the British GP is not on TV I will go. In fact if the British GP is not shown live the gate will be bigger and will stop the decline of this last few years. If it is shown live the attendance will dip even further

 

Now I will type this really slowly so you can understand.

 

Yes, the individual meetings shown on SKY may have a decrease in crowd numbers, not always the case tough as has been proved by Lakeside and Swindon if promoted properly they can still attract decent crowds.

 

But the overall exposure the sport receives by being shown on SKY can only be a good thing for Speedway on the whole. Casual viewers and lapsed fans (myself included) have been brought (back) into the sport by attending at their local tracks.

[The White Knight]

Like most of the posts on this type of thread. People simply list there own little dislikes, however trivial, and declare it the reason the sport is in the mire. Surprised Ian hasn't been on yet blaming it all on the tactical ride

 

It certainly hasn't helped the situation oldace me old mate.

 

My views on the various other reasons for the decline are well known.

 

However, sadly, I don't have a Magic Wand so I don't know the solution.

 

What I DO know is that of the various 'Cuts' planned by the Government - so far only about 20% have actually worked through to us, the Public. That means things are going to get considerably worse when the remaining 80% hit us. I have finally concluded that the MAIN reason that Speedway is/will be in trouble will ultimately be because of these 'Cuts'. My favourite 'hobby horse' the Tactical Ride, as I said, doesn't help - but - it pales in to insignificance compared to the Financial Strictures that are coming our way. It will affect ALL of us. Disposable income will become a problem for lots of people - you will find that Food comes in front of Entertainment as a priority.

 

I don't know what Socio Economic Group Speedway Supporters fall in to - but - I would bet that we will lose more Supporters than they will in Croquet or in the 'Horsey' Set, Badminton Horse Trials etc.....

[foamfence]

Not really utter nonsense is it. When ever a Sky live match is shown on a Monday night there is nobody there. If the matches were not on TV they would all have bigger gates Fact. .That would probably apply to every match shown in the last decade. except the Arena Essex that was free

I have never been to a British Grand Prix but have been to many world finals(those were the days) and Grand Prixs abroad. If the British GP is not on TV I will go. In fact if the British GP is not shown live the gate will be bigger and will stop the decline of this last few years. If it is shown live the attendance will dip even further

Total guesswork! You can't prove what you claim to be "fact".

[Gemini]

Perhaps speedway fans should insist to their loved ones that when they die, their funerals should be staged at a speedway match at their beloved club.

 

Oooh I don't know about that. I'd imagine if it was my funeral the likes of Shadders, Subedei, Squall etc. would make a special trip to Brandon, all lining up blowing their air horns and glad to see the back of me.

I have actually been to a funeral at the Coventry track of a good friend who used to stand with us on the 4th bend. His ashes were scattered on the starting gate and 4th bend. The lady vicar who conducted the service didn't even know the speedway track existed although her church was only a few miles away.

[iris123]

We'll all come with our deckchairs,blankets and flask of tea.Maybe a few will even have a bobble hat and a rattle to send you off right and proper lol

[oldace]

We'll all come with our deckchairs,blankets and flask of tea.Maybe a few will even have a bobble hat and a rattle to send you off right and proper lol

 

We can even bring a dog with us just for the occasion.

[stevehone]

i think a lot of it stems from the 'professional speedway rider'.

 

professional riders requiring more and more equipment, which in turn means more and more wages, then higher admission prices.

 

the days where you could turn up with a bike on a rack one week, have a practise and be in the team next week, are gone.

the need to have 2 bikes in the pits, both looking identical and imaculate, where does that money come from? so much harder for the 'bloke in the street' to have a go.

[iris123]

Yes,but don't leave them in the car during the srvice.....at least not without the window slightly open

[pandorum]

I think the most worrying thing for the sport is that the 'decline' is still ongoing and not slowing down.

 

Once the SKY deal goes (which seems likely after this year) then the EL will finally be allowed to breathe it's last as nobody is going to spend any real money on taking over the excellent coverage SKY have given the sport.

 

Speedway may even have trouble giving itself away to someone as it's not cheap covering the sport and there are a lot more indoor alternatives that will fill schedules a lot cheaper.

And whomsoever takes over from SKY will have to stump up for the cost of covering matches as unlike Sweden there won't be any footage to commentate on unless they do it themselves.

 

Perhaps the sport will have to become insular and as someone suggested on another thread drop down a notch to somewhere around PL level. Maybe at last try to bring on our own riders rather than everyone elses.

 

The excitement in the sport comes from racing not having someone on a big wage who has a nice van and really smart equipment who wins every race by half a lap.

 

Big names don't equate to exciting racing so maybe the idiots that run the sport might be forced come to up with a long term plan that would benefit the sport rather than just keep Poole's top two together every year.

Edited January 16, 2013 by pandorum

[orion]

Now I will type this really slowly so you can understand.

 

Yes, the individual meetings shown on SKY may have a decrease in crowd numbers, not always the case tough as has been proved by Lakeside and Swindon if promoted properly they can still attract decent crowds.

 

But the overall exposure the sport receives by being shown on SKY can only be a good thing for Speedway on the whole. Casual viewers and lapsed fans (myself included) have been brought (back) into the sport by attending at their local tracks.

 

Good post ...thou mickthemuppett best get his GP ticket quick as if he is right there will a record crowd at Cardiff this year now the GP's are not on tv .

[Pinny]

Also the fact people turn out at meetings dressed in wulfsport crap, donnay trackies, lonsdale trainers, kappa jumpers along with program boards, tip ex, assorted pens for the program etc etc... listening to a track that didnt even make the top ten in the 70s over the tannoy has a big part to play... try moving with the times!

[alan 1991]

Also the fact people turn out at meetings dressed in wulfsport crap, donnay trackies, lonsdale trainers, kappa jumpers along with program boards, tip ex, assorted pens for the program etc etc... listening to a track that didnt even make the top ten in the 70s over the tannoy has a big part to play... try moving with the times!

Thats it ,im ditching the wulfsport crap and lonsdale trainers and ill be on the terraces with my armani suit on why didnt i think of it before

[daveallan81]

Hello, promoter. What's that?

 

No, I don't have any ideas to boost revenue. Here, aren't you're the promoter, can't you think of some? Anyway, I'm already in your stadium, why are you hounding me? Buy a what? A 50/50 ticket? Well, OK. AND a programme? Three quid? What is this, a ski resort? Oh OK give me one then. Anything else?

 

No sorry, I don't have any friends left. You see, after an eternity of careful badgering about how this amazing sport really was the best show in town, I then made half of them stand around for an hour and a quarter watching a tractor re-arrange dirt while the person who failed to book the ambulance, booked the ambulance.

 

Pardon?

 

No, they threatened me with an injunction so we don't speak now. However the other 50% heard the tale and when I convinced them it was a rare, nay freak, occurance they agreed to come. But then it...no, I don't want a raffle ticket, thanks... rained for 24 seconds at start time and we all had to go home leaving our cash on...yeh I'm sure and I've got a 50/50 thanks...deposit for another day. They won't be back though, which is a real shame because I'd spent fourteen hours going through the basics of speedway and they were definitely beginning to get it.

 

Except for that part where the rider can ride for any team who pays him. And that double points rule thing. And the fact the points limit is less than the points needed to win a match. All that trivial stuff, you know? Some members of the group felt slightly perturbed at the thought of requiring a miners lamp and a divers' helmet to visit the toilet but you know newbies - always finding something to complain about...

 

Now what's this you're pressing into my hand? A leaflet eh? O M G! This says you're really skint and on the brink of closing? Not again surely? Did you not tell me this last year? And the year before. Come to think of it have you not been telling me this since the day I first darkened your doors? Ah, but this time it's absolutely really for totally real is it? And you want me to help you out? Oh right, not help as such just to give you money. OK, so you want me, who has faithfully handed over the requisite readies at your turnstile since Adam was a boy, to give you even more? Hang on a minute here. How much does it actually cost to stage a meeting?

 

THUMP...

 

Sorry, passed out there. How much? For what? Everyone's a volunteer surely? Well, yeah we've all got utility bills and rent and maintenance to pay but where does the rest of it go? The riders' wages? Aye I know it's a dangerous sport and they deserve adequate compensation but there's only 500 folk in your midden - who does your budget, Imelda Marcos? So let me just see if I've got this correct. You want me to give you money over and above what I pay every week because you can't do your job and facilitate enough bodies to cover the outrageous wage bill you persist in paying when you don't, frankly, have a styrofoam cup to fill with yon stuff? And if I don't you'll take away my men on motorbikes? Hmmm, I'm not sure I care for your tone...

 

Tell you what. You do some promoting. Aww don't give me the petted lip routine you'll enjoy it once you've started. Why not talk to the guy at the bowling club that gets 400 through his door to watch a man dressed as Elvis singing, he seems to know how to get them in? And reduce that wage bill a bit and you won't need to keep begging the 500 for a handout. Oh, and stop talking about 'bringing in the kids' will you?

 

This is an adult sport in which adults compete for adult prize money run by, and I use this word advisedly, adults. They're not poncey holiday park entertainers - they're hard men, in a hard sport, where when the going gets tough, the tough punch you in the face even though you're still wearing a helmet. You can't get tougher than that.

 

Any sport peddling 'family' as a byword is either desperate or coughing its' last, doomed to eeking out a meagre existence amid deserted crumbling stadia to the decaying strains of the announcers' favourite band. Sell the sport to the grown ups and then worry about the weans later. No mummies and daddies (other parenting options are available) equals no kiddies but not vice versa. This isn't Crackerjack you're punt...oh, you've gone. Bye, promoter.

 

So in answer to the question posed by this thread - the day promoters stopped promoting and began huddling for warmth around the begging bowl. Bikes, tracks, telly, weather, stadia, music, prices. All irrelevant. The buck stops at the person who's sole purpose in speedway life is to get as many paying customers through the door and maximize revenue at every possible opportunity.

 

Happiness was once 40-38, now it's five quid off. Go figure.

[FAST GATER]

How long is a piece of string sums up what is wrong with this sport ,IMO there is no one factor or reason but my main concern is those that have and do run the sport now.There is no doubt that the costs to riders has had an affect ,the desperate urge for more power and speed which quite frankly is hard to appreciate as a spectator .The ridiculous annual rule changing that seems in most cases to be knee jerk reactions to say the least and the fact that the rule makers have in most cases vested interests in the sport.What has happen to the sport from a youth point of view is that the cost and demands to get involved have increased while the appeal of the sport in general has diminished to the point that I believe the average age of a fan is about 40 yrs old.The product is old dated and in most cases presented in less than desirable conditions in all but a handful of cases ,my wife will not go because of this anymore.The GP'S prove this well presented marketed my one complaint is that there are too many and it has damaged the British league through rider availability ,plus I believe that it has given Olsen far too much power and influence on the sport.The TV rights should belong to the sport and not one individual thus under the right guidance putting much needed revenue into the sport.I am not more dirt on the track ,two valve upright and open face helmet preacher ,the sport can't go back but standard engine and frame specs are possible and workable if peop[le want them to be .To sum up this sport fell apart over many years because of the attitude of no long term planning some very greedy people taking more than it could give.

Edited January 17, 2013 by FAST GATER

[The Voice Of Reason]

I agree with so much of what's been said.

 

However, the single most important issue in my eyes, is the price of admission.

 

Particularly in these austere times, it's one hell of a lot of money to pay; particularly for a family.

 

Despite an argument to the contrary, at the end of the day we are actually getting around 15 minutes of sport to watch for our £16+.

 

Now I'm a Speedway die-hard, but even I can appreciate that's a lot of dosh to pay out - particularly in The Elite League whereby the increasing number of 6 man teams consist of, what appears to be, a never-ending stream of guests and lower league riders (no offence intended to these blokes).

[E I Addio]

Dog racing, stock-cars, and grass track racing have all declined a lot in the last 20 or 30 years. County cricket generally gets poor crowds and maybe wouldn't survive if not for the one day game Pubs have fared even worse, so have a whole range of other things.To assess speedways decline we have to look at a whole range of factors outside as well as inside the sport.

[Soul Crew]

There was an article in the Daily Mail the other day regarding Mr Judd Trump who is currently Snookers World Number 2, the poor little mite is moaning that Snooker players are not paid what they are worth, this is a man who has "won" over £750,000 pounds in prize money in his career so far.

 

Snooker has been kept stable as the prize money paid out is no more than what Sponsorship, attendances bring in.

 

Now if only Speedway could adopt that attitude, sure we may lose some "star" riders, but in time they will be replaced, new "stars" will be created, its about time promoters started sitting down at the start of the season and asking what they can afford and not how much they are willing to lose.

[g13webb]

Having read all the comments, everyone has their own opinions why the sport is in the state it is today. It’s a shame but nothing will ever change. We go from one issue to the next and nothing is ever learnt from the problems we have. Just recently, we have had issues about rider assets and the problems it creates for some of the clubs. But instead of sorting it out in the long term, a short term answers are given hoping the problem will go away. If we had an independent body, with no bias towards certain clubs, solutions could be sort to overcome all the problems that exist.

Long standing supporters have problems, understanding some of the rules and the decision made. If we have these problems, imagine what new supporters must think. Having followed this sport for nigh on 50 years, I’ve given up hope it will ever change. Just except it for the way it is run knowing one day there will be no more speedway to watch..

At least I will be fortunate to be able to reflect back to the wonderful sport we once had…

[BluPanther]

Speedway's decline is mirrored by quite a few sports, and i can only tell you what my son tells me. He knows of very few people at his school that go to speedway, but when i was at school most of the lads in my class always went. Youngsters are no longer into sports like angling either, they all save their money to buy the new PS3 game or latest iphone. Times have changed im afraid.