Irk Deflector Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Surprised you don't take your slippers with yeh WK, ? without US old folk going wouldn't speedway be in the mire.? so true but not good for the sport in 10-20 years time - not enough youngsters watch the sport. Be interesting to know the average age of supporters, I think it might be close to 50! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 so true but not good for the sport in 10-20 years time - not enough youngsters watch the sport. Be interesting to know the average age of supporters, I think it might be close to 50! You could be right sadly. :sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 (edited) so true but not good for the sport in 10-20 years time - not enough youngsters watch the sport. Be interesting to know the average age of supporters, I think it might be close to 50! Its actually 78. Always prefer to watch racing under the lights.Its definitely a family sport, but too expensive for most familiies thesedays. You don't see many families there now, certainly not at Blunsdon on a chilly Thursday. Too many cheaper alternatives. Edited June 11, 2013 by bertie boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 there were plenty of families with kids at central park last night. the 6.30 start time works for some people. i was leaving the stadium at 8.15 in bright sunshine!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Know Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 No ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagonshocker Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Its actually 78. Always prefer to watch racing under the lights.Its definitely a family sport, but too expensive for most familiies thesedays. You don't see many families there now, certainly not at Blunsdon on a chilly Thursday. Too many cheaper alternatives. You dont see hardly any individuals either....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickthemuppet Posted June 12, 2013 Report Share Posted June 12, 2013 The starting time did not seem to stop youngsters attending years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 12, 2013 Report Share Posted June 12, 2013 The starting time did not seem to stop youngsters attending years ago But there were less attractive things to tempt them elsewhere in those days...or stay indoors 'surfing the web,' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msc1874 Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 I have gone to speedway since I was less than one. I spent hours in the car sleeping off a journey back from Newcastle on a Sunday night. The start time for me is not a massive issue. I along with many others were brought up on the 7.30 start. Speedway is still friendly banter with rival fans. Pleasant to stand and watch. For me it will always be a family sport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 Another factor is that many people prefer Speedway under floodlights. I used to like it when the terrace lighting went off during races, more atmosphere!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 I used to like it when the terrace lighting went off during races, more atmosphere!!!! Me too - I had forgotten about that. (gosh - my memory is rubbish). Bit difficult in Midsummer (not the Murders, before anyone comments ). They would have to start the Meetings at 2100hrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 (edited) I also used to like when the riders got on their bikes outside the pit gate, that way anyone you detested could start receiving abuse as soon as they appeared LOL = all Ipswich riders .................. Nah it added to the meeting somehow Edited June 14, 2013 by Trees 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted June 14, 2013 Report Share Posted June 14, 2013 I always thought that the reason speedway was described as a "family sport" was to somehow make it more appealing to families than football, when it suffered from what was commonly known back in the day as "aggro". Now times have changed, football is more of a family sport than speedway is, with many clubs providing family areas, kids' clubs, mascots etc in a trouble free atmosphere. Add the fact that the game is bloody everywhere and any kid who's into it can relate and "be cool" with most of the other kids around. How would the little chap fare if he wore a Brummies Wulf jacket to school? Long gone on the days when speedway could boast that it was the country's second sport, I dread to think where it appears in the pecking order now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Shaker Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 I always thought it strange that Speedway touts itself as a family sport, yet I can't think of a single track I've visited which provides any specific facilities for families with children or kids clubs etc. Most of the time, kids appear to be fed up by around heat 5 and end up running around the terraces annoying people trying to watch the racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longlivefrankie Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 I used to like it when the terrace lighting went off during races, more atmosphere!!!! Wimbledon was particularly effective in the sixties & seventies when all lights went out except the track lights great atmosphere i think speedway started stressing the family sport tag when football had huge problems with crowd problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalan Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 I also used to like when the riders got on their bikes outside the pit gate, that way anyone you detested could start receiving abuse as soon as they appeared LOL = all Ipswich riders .................. Nah it added to the meeting somehow Something we are trying to implement at Poole but getting a bit of resistance from certain people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillpool Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 Every time I've been to Rye House I can't help but notice that there seems to be quite a few great great great Grandparents in attendance. So well done to Len Silver for upholding the family sport tag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLStars1 Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 I think a lot of the start times are governed by local council bye laws, there is also the fact that when speedway was at it's heights in the 60s & 70s (when speedway was the second highest spectator sport in the country, behind football) there was very little unemployment so they had to allow for people to get home from work, have their tea and travel to the track. As for it being family friendly, it is the most family friendly sport ever, fans of both teams can mix together, have a drink, chat and cheer on their own riders, yet are still more than ready to appluad the other side for a good ride.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 Every time I've been to Rye House I can't help but notice that there seems to be quite a few great great great Grandparents in attendance. So well done to Len Silver for upholding the family sport tag! And looking at your mugshot you're in that category as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Ore Posted June 15, 2013 Report Share Posted June 15, 2013 Every time I've been to Rye House I can't help but notice that there seems to be quite a few great great great Grandparents in attendance. So well done to Len Silver for upholding the family sport tag! If Norwich ever come back it can definitely be branded as a sport for the whole family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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