Guest Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 http://formula2speedway.com/ Does this have a future on its own - or will it be run in conjunction with mainstream speedway? And how many years will it take F2 to gain international recognition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 http://formula2speedway.com/ Does this have a future on its own - or will it be run in conjunction with mainstream speedway? And how many years will it take F2 to gain international recognition? At least Pete is trying to do something FOR Speedway in this Country. More strength to his elbow I say. :approve: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 I've seen quite a lot of the bikes this year and do believe they could produce some good racing. As a cheaper way to get youngsters into the sport it just has to be worth a go as what has been happening the past 20 years hasn't got them flooding in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 I've seen quite a lot of the bikes this year and do believe they could produce some good racing. As a cheaper way to get youngsters into the sport it just has to be worth a go as what has been happening the past 20 years hasn't got them flooding in. Maybe because fewer young people go to speedway these days with the obvious reduction in those who are interested in trying the sport. And they are so many alternative outlets for young people these days any way. Sadly, I cannot see any interest outside the UK - and that not very much in the UK either - for F2 speedway. There are lower cc bike level race classes for youngsters anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewer Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 dont see the point, mx engines are not really readily available off the shelf,(you genrally buy the whole bike, not an engine) probably less so than a speedway engine,, if you go onto manufacturerers websites parts are not much cheaper, ie valves, pistons, rods etc (good standard), what happens to the gearbox, can see the radiator going in a first bend pile up (expensive), do you run on petrol which has already been ruled against in speedway or methanol then you have the same wear problems on the engine. negative view , yes, and have explained my reasons why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 What I've read so far suggests this might not be a bad idea at all. It could be used to attarct a few motor-xers across to give the sport a go, if they become any good at this they could find themselves taking up standard speedway. Anything that makes breaking into speedway cheaper is a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 you have the chance to see for yourself next sunday at buxton Aidan Collins will be riding one in the meeting against laydowns and uprights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 Should be introduced at NL level immeadiately and as soon as production levels have increased, to the PL (or next league level up) asap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 dont see the point, mx engines are not really readily available off the shelf,(you genrally buy the whole bike, not an engine) probably less so than a speedway engine,, if you go onto manufacturerers websites parts are not much cheaper, ie valves, pistons, rods etc (good standard), what happens to the gearbox, can see the radiator going in a first bend pile up (expensive), do you run on petrol which has already been ruled against in speedway or methanol then you have the same wear problems on the engine. negative view , yes, and have explained my reasons why. Availability of engines is a valid point in my opinion although more do come up for sale than seems logical. It would also be quite possible to buy a complete bike and end up paying very little for the engine by the time you sell off the rest. You can buy an older bike for about £1500 and get £600 back for the wheels and suspension alone. If you only get £200 back for the rest of the bike that gives you an engine and ancillaries for £700. Parts aren't much cheaper but their lifespan is huge compared to a Speedway engine, it would be reasonable to easily expect two or even three full seasons of Speedway without touching the motor in my opinion. Most manufacturers suggest 15 to 20 hours before stripping a 450 mx engine. 15 hours is getting toward 900 Speedway races! Nothing happens to the gearbox, you just use 2nd or 3rd gear and change rear sprockets same as any Speedway bike. Running on petrol means less compression which has a big influence on reliability. Radiator damage is always possible but you often see MX bikes take horrendous tumbles without damage. Radiator repairs are about £75 and in two seasons of being a bad shortrack racer who falls over a lot I have had to get one repair and that was only because I was daft enough to try and straighten a twisted rad. One big advantage I can see is that young riders could get into Speedway and ride every chance they get without having to spend anywhere near so much time working on the bike. It would literally be a case of washing down, change the air filter and lube the chain with an oil change every few meetings. No clutch plates or carbs to do and the bikes don't vibrate near as much so frames and engine plates and so on would last forever. It wouldn't be a replacement for current Speedway machines but a sensible route into the sport and well worth consideration. If passion for a project could make it successful you only need to talk to Pete Seaton for 5 minutes and you'll be convinced :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelle Posted September 21, 2013 Report Share Posted September 21, 2013 F2 is the way forward, its the only way to get the the likes of Yamaha,Suzuki,Honda,Bmw,etc etc on side which could lead to extra sponsorship,higher profile maybe constructors teams, it wont happen overnight but maybe Speedway needs to take a step back to go forwards, its not only beginners that find it expensive its top riders as well..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophykid Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 F2 is the way forward, its the only way to get the the likes of Yamaha,Suzuki,Honda,Bmw,etc etc on side which could lead to extra sponsorship,higher profile maybe constructors teams, it wont happen overnight but maybe Speedway needs to take a step back to go forwards, its not only beginners that find it expensive its top riders as well..... Absolutely agree with the above comments. To make partnerships with companies such as BMW, Honda etc surely has to be a good thing? I believe well known marques in the sport can make it more attractive to the casual punter too, as people often connect to brand names. Is it also possible that these companies, their dealerships, importers could also be partners in sponsorship. I think speedway has to think outside the box, and this may be the start of positive change. MotoGP had a radical rethink of its bikes circa 2000, I.e. two strokes to four stroke. Why can't speedway have a similar evolution? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete cc Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 something has to be done, it can't go on the way it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 Turn speedway into Bitzabike racing , no thanks ,it's already been tried and has neither riders flocking to it nor spectators , take a look at poor mans speedway and you will lose interest after about 10 minutes , a few over the hill speedway riders on anything with 2 wheels is not exactly an internatioinal sport , and too much messing around with the speedway formula will risk what is an international sport turning into an amateur attraction for weekend warriors and dreamers . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilb Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 Sorry disagree Raced Grasstrack for years on MX motors, Readily around, Cheap to build, and some companies do sell just motors, but need to keep basic engines for lower leagues, no tuning, will do about 12 meetings before any work needed, so its a real good cheap alternative, also old, has been ,call them what you like the more bikes built the more the Japs want to know, I have dealt with Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda in the past if they think the will sale units and make money they will get involved, and they are already making these motors so they dont have to do anything, I think its a great idea, and it helps modern day bikes being so twitchy, and will cut down the amount of injuries, so its cheap safe, easy to buy, cant see a down side, and speedway needs a up side, and Pete is not the first person to say it, Graham Hurry, John Berry etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 (edited) Turn speedway into Bitzabike racing , no thanks ,it's already been tried and has neither riders flocking to it nor spectators , take a look at poor mans speedway and you will lose interest after about 10 minutes , a few over the hill speedway riders on anything with 2 wheels is not exactly an internatioinal sport , and too much messing around with the speedway formula will risk what is an international sport turning into an amateur attraction for weekend warriors and dreamers . That's the way it's going - sad to see. When I look back over the years I have supported the sport I shudder at what goes on in it. Edited September 22, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skodaman Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 you have the chance to see for yourself next sunday at buxton Aidan Collins will be riding one in the meeting against laydowns and uprights And at Leicester next Saturday at the MDL Championship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewer Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 i do see why this is being looked at and fully agree with the prospect of major manufacturers coming into the sport, something that has been tried in the past, speedway was seen by honda as a minority sport when speedway was pretty big still. but getting back to the engines, the rules would have to be changed totally, petrol, gearboxes, wet clutch as opposed to dry etc, i know not hard to do but many are saying bring it into nl now, so what does the lad doubling into pl have to do have one of these and his usual speedway bikes for pl, that makes it expensive. vince you say the parts last longer, but why is this, surely conrods/pistons etc are made of the same materials regardless of the sport, if not why not, if it is due to petrol being used and not methanol, surely it would be of more benefit to everyone to look at petrol again (i know it was tried before),then riders would not have to just dump there current equipment and start again, an expense thast would put many out of the sport as you would have no market to sell your gm/jawa to. again sorry for my original negativty and i am reading what everyone is saying, but it seems very kneejerk, and cant see that it will help speedway in its current state, which is primarily down to lack of crowds due to poor promotion/poor stadia (not always speedway promotions fault). i dont believe it will bring more riders into the sport either, this can only be done with tracks and tracktime being more available to those that want to try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 Turn speedway into Bitzabike racing , no thanks ,it's already been tried and has neither riders flocking to it nor spectators , take a look at poor mans speedway and you will lose interest after about 10 minutes , a few over the hill speedway riders on anything with 2 wheels is not exactly an internatioinal sport , and too much messing around with the speedway formula will risk what is an international sport turning into an amateur attraction for weekend warriors and dreamers . They have ALREADY, as you say, "messed around" with Speedway's Formula FAR TOO MUCH!! :mad: I fear for the future of our wonderful Sport which I have supported for nigh on Fifty years. It certainly isn't the same Sport that I loved in my early days. :sad: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 They have ALREADY, as you say, "messed around" with Speedway's Formula FAR TOO MUCH!! :mad: I fear for the future of our wonderful Sport which I have supported for nigh on Fifty years. It certainly isn't the same Sport that I loved in my early days. :sad: get yourself to buxton on sunday .it will be the speedway you loved. japs jawas weslakes. ex riders ,no stupid rules .a dip into the past to secure the future and just £10 to get in 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 get yourself to buxton on sunday .it will be the speedway you loved. japs jawas weslakes. ex riders ,no stupid rules .a dip into the past to secure the future and just £10 to get in I really wish I could but I have a prior engagement then. :sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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