The White Knight Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 With Mr. Osborne announcing even further 'Cuts' in 2015/16 plus the one's that have STILL to take effect I worry desperately for Speedway's survival. As people's disposable income is shrinking, as Wages continue to lag behind Inflation I find it difficult to see anything other than a further drop in Attendances over the coming years. Whether or not reducing Prices would help - today I'm not sure. As long as the General Public are being squeezed and people find it ever more difficult to feed their Families - I believe that Speedway and other types of Entertainment are going to take a BIG hit. I just hope, that when all of this Austerity business is over, that Speedway still exists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboy cookie returns? Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 If the sport offered value for money & had respect from outside I think things might change remember the crowds were dropping while times were good, The big problem is not what has happen over the past couple of years the problems go way back to the 1980's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 If the sport offered value for money & had respect from outside I think things might change remember the crowds were dropping while times were good, The big problem is not what has happen over the past couple of years the problems go way back to the 1980's. I think further back than that - how about the period from the mid-1950s onwards until Mike Parker formed the Provincial League at the start of the 1960s? Looks like Speedway Star could well be an interesting read next week. I just hope that the powers that be take onboard now that things need to change & start the planning for that to happen from next season. Is it time for another Lord Shawcross type of thing as was done in the 1960's? Wasn't the Shawcross Inquiry into the adverse situation existing between the National League and Provincial League rather than what was wrong with speedway? But that's an off-the-top-of-the-head memory from an oldie - I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Lots of stuff I appreciate what you mean Mike, but that article doesn't include anything that isn't posted on here week in, week out. I would like to see the Speedway Star put together a blue print for what they think British speedway, or at least the Elite League should look like. The main difference between SS and us (as in fans on here) is that we can only speculate on costs and income, whereas you'd like to think that SS at least as an idea of ballpark figures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 I appreciate what you mean Mike, but that article doesn't include anything that isn't posted on here week in, week out. I would like to see the Speedway Star put together a blue print for what they think British speedway, or at least the Elite League should look like. The main difference between SS and us (as in fans on here) is that we can only speculate on costs and income, whereas you'd like to think that SS at least as an idea of ballpark figures. Absolutely right. Many people have written almost exactly the same as Philip Rising has done. Some more articulately. With the resources available to SS one would have expected a whole lot more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboy cookie returns? Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) [quote name='gustix' timestamp='1372454431' I think further back than that - how about the period from the mid-1950s onwards until Mike Parker formed the Provincial League at the start of the 1960s? Wasn't the Shawcross Inquiry into the adverse situation existing between the National League and Provincial League rather than what was wrong with speedway? But that's an off-the-top-of-the-head memory from an oldie - I could be wrong. Not sure either i'm too young however were the British & National leagues not formed off the back of it & the expansion of tracks & the mini crowd boom of the 70's & 80's? Edited June 30, 2013 by cowboy cookie returns? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 at rye house last saturday they played showaddywaddy's greatest hits throughout the whole meeting!. that stuff was in the charts when i was in my teens and it gave me a headache just listening to it!. someone really needs to get a grip on what music is played at some of these tracks. Unless my ears deceived me we had a blast of showaddywaddy at the Parken GP last night,other offerings included Elvis,Little Richard and Duran Duran Seems the fascination for playing music from another era is not confined to these shores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Absolutely right. Many people have written almost exactly the same as Philip Rising has done. Some more articulately. With the resources available to SS one would have expected a whole lot more. NOT quite sure what resources you are referring to. The finances of speedway tracks in the UK are difficult to ascertain. Attendance figures are not published, nor riders' wages or stadium agreements. What we do know for sure is that at present no tracks are in profit. I am certainly not suggesting that any of my comments are particular new or carry any more weight than those of others or that there is any immediate, miracle cure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Unless my ears deceived me we had a blast of showaddywaddy at the Parken GP last night,other offerings included Elvis,Little Richard and Duran Duran Seems the fascination for playing music from another era is not confined to these shores As GP music goes, last night was terrible! The GPs are normally pretty good for their choice of music. Incidently, music from another era is not an issue, its when the whole night is music from another era or when you get a bit of relaxing easy listening. It needs to be upbeat all night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Interesting seeing Perry Barr crammed today with people going to see grown men and women running round in circles around Perry Barr's "other" stadium...Also interesting is the pricing of the tickets. I've not been able to find out what today's prices were but here's some prices for upcoming events. Seems that there are those who think that there IS brass in pockets, and they also seem to be getting attendances that prove that they are right, http://www.bigticketshop.co.uk/sports/british-athletics-tickets.html?lid=british-athletics-1&gclid=COyi06SMjLgCFUfLtAodEVcAQw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthur cross Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 The athletics at the "other Perry Barr" features plenty of well-known names off free-to-air television so that gives it a big head-start compared to speedway for attracting a big crowd paying big money. It's a bit tricky trying to compare athletics with speedway for crowds/revenue because there are relatively few major athletics meetings each year around the whole country compared to each of the Elite, Premier and National League clubs staging a full schedule of home meetings. Speedway relies much more on people attending plenty of meetings at the same place each year ... athletics is aiming for more folk looking for one or two good days out each year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Why not trying to make it cheaper, £5? for under 23s perhaps? If we want young people to attend, encourage them with cheap prices and get it advertised on Facebook and Twitter!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 The athletics at the "other Perry Barr" features plenty of well-known names off free-to-air television so that gives it a big head-start compared to speedway for attracting a big crowd paying big money. It's a bit tricky trying to compare athletics with speedway for crowds/revenue because there are relatively few major athletics meetings each year around the whole country compared to each of the Elite, Premier and National League clubs staging a full schedule of home meetings. Speedway relies much more on people attending plenty of meetings at the same place each year ... athletics is aiming for more folk looking for one or two good days out each year. agreed, no comparison to be made, similar to how we cannot compare the cardiff gp crowds with the league racing numbers... i wonder how many attend a weekly/monthly 'club' athletics event? - not many if don valley is a barometer.. it does show though that there are enough people willing to pay for the 'right product' if the show is good enough, today in birmingham they saw the world class mo farah, however how many would pay 66 quid next time if they had announced today, after you had arrived at the stadium, that mo couldnt make it so he has been replaced by someone from the local athletics team? you wouldnt get away with that too many times would you?? speedway in this country tries to get away with it almost weekly it seems, hence it is where it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 NOT quite sure what resources you are referring to. Journalism. That is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 IF only it were that easy ... trying to get any information out of the BSPA these days is like getting blood out of a stone let alone anything that involves finances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 IF only it were that easy ... trying to get any information out of the BSPA these days is like getting blood out of a stone let alone anything that involves finances. Oh Really! SS must have the phone number of every promoter current and past and every rider current and past. You must have friendly relations with people from every rank of the Speedway community from Sponsors, to creditors; from referees to track staff. And you are telling me that you do not have the journalistic ability in Surbiton to come up with more important detail to inform the debate than me. Give any of those people half a shandy and they would spill all sorts of beans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Oh Really! SS must have the phone number of every promoter current and past and every rider current and past. You must have friendly relations with people from every rank of the Speedway community from Sponsors, to creditors; from referees to track staff. And you are telling me that you do not have the journalistic ability in Surbiton to come up with more important detail to inform the debate than me. Give any of those people half a shandy and they would spill all sorts of beans. I bow to your superior knowledge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 (edited) I bow to your superior knowledge... Your genuflection is understandable. Though not creditable. . Edited June 30, 2013 by Grand Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Why not trying to make it cheaper, £5? for under 23s perhaps? If we want young people to attend, encourage them with cheap prices and get it advertised on Facebook and Twitter!! You know you're going to be accused of telling old people to bugger off and die now don't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny the spud Posted July 2, 2013 Report Share Posted July 2, 2013 I own two pubs, one has been open for ten years and works very well and the other is a year old and performing above expectations. In the years i've owned my pubs i've realised that just opening the doors and expecting it to be enough to pull people in doesn't work. They can drink anywhere, you have to give them a reason to come to you rather than other bars, cafés, restaurants, tea rooms, etc... What do i do ?? Live music quiz pool / darts competitions promotions on drinks live sports on big screens etc, etc. In short, being just a pub isn't enough, people can spend there money anywhere, I have to make it worth their while to come to mine and provide something other than an open door and keep expecting people to keep coming back. If i had my way there'd be Led zeppelin playing and just motorcycle racing on the giant screens, but i would be probably the only person there . However i employ young staff who keep the music choice fresh and come up with as many ideas as possible to make my bars more attractive than any other local ones. Believe it or not, just the choice of music is VERY important in setting the mood, it can make or break an evenings entertainment, We advertise our local rugby clubs matches , how ? they provide an upload able poster that anyone can print off at home and spread the word. ( I've seen the posters popping up in some of the most unusual places) There is no 1 thing that will change everything but there are lots of small things ( that don't cost anything) that will help improve matters. I hate hearing Gary Glitter, Alvin Stardust, cliff Richard etc at a meeting. There is no need for it and playing it week in week out it's just plain laziness Why do the GP's work and pull in Monster sponsorship ? razzmatazz.... make it enjoyable to go for god's sake,put a questionnaire in a programme that people can fill in during one of the (too long) intervals and READ IT, more importantly ACT ON IT . A business that doesn't listen to its customers is a business that fails 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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