The State Of British Speedway

[Animal]

is surely reflected in the fact rthat there are only 15 British riders in this years Elite League. The 15 are Cook, Harris, King, Barker, Auty, Nicholls, Roynon, Stead, Bridger, Mear, R Worrall, Howarth, Kennett, Birks and Woffinden.

 

How can we encourage more British riders to compete at the top level?

[Conkers in Gravy]

I have a feeling 15 is an improvement on some recent seasons. It's a depressing situation and even more so when you think that Britain's only representative in the Grand Prix series is effectively a product of the Australian system.

 

It's always been a problem, even in the heyday of the British League in the 70s when many teams packed their teams with foreign imports. Of course in those days the second tier was restricted to British and Commonwealth riders, opening up more opportunities for young home riders. And of course, there were far more second half chances in the days when promoters seemed to have no difficulty fitting 20 races into a couple of hours.

 

It's hard to know what the solution is. After all, we have a whole league set up specifically to give young British riders the chance to progress - maybe some questions should be asked as to why so few make it through from NL/Conference to the Elite League. We are held back by the vested interests inside the BSPA. An independent body controlling British speedway would be far better placed to set up a serious programme of rider development.

 

Perhaps we could also invest in a team of sports psychologists for British riders. It may be my imagination, but many British lads seem either to lack the belief to make the step up to real top level status, or seem content to settle for a lower level (where they may be able to earn a better living).

 

Or maybe these things just go in cycles and somewhere there's a 12-year-old Peter Craven, Peter Collins, Mike Lee or Mark Loram. No harm in hoping.

[rickster]

Give them a team place for a start! Only 8 of them riders have taken up the doubling up spots! Where have the rest of them gone???

[comebackkings]

A mandatory number of Brits per team, 10% average discount for Brits and no non Brits in a reserve berth. For both the EL and PL, for at least the next 5 years.

[foamfence]

There are too many foreign riders in both leagues, most other EU countries with league racing manage to include set rules for their own riders, we should do the same. There will be a lot of guests used this year, particularly in the Elite league, it should be made compulsory that all guests are British.

We need a working youth policy like in Denmark, where riders can already ride when they graduate to adult racing.

Imagine how boring and gate or nothing, the Elite league would be without that great list of battlers in post #1.

[The White Knight]

There are too many foreign riders in both leagues, most other EU countries with league racing manage to include set rules for their own riders, we should do the same. There will be a lot of guests used this year, particularly in the Elite league, it should be made compulsory that all guests are British.

We need a working youth policy like in Denmark, where riders can already ride when they graduate to adult racing.

Imagine how boring and gate or nothing, the Elite league would be without that great list of battlers in post #1.

 

It was offered by Erik Gundersen.

 

The truth is - NO-ONE WANTS TO KNOW. :sad: