Robins 2014

[noggin]

Peter scored 13 points in the Speedway European Championship last night and in the final came second behind Emil Sajfutdinow and now stands in 2nd place in the championship behind Emil. Emil has 39 points and Peter 36 with one round to go which is at Peters home track in Poland in September.

http://speedwayeuro.com/stats.html

And according to Sam's buddy, he won't do much there, at least their researcher has his finger on the pulse lol

[van wolfswinkel]

Well done Peter the Killer, but according to one of his sponsors I was chatting to his European commitments are affecting his EL form because of tiredness.

Swindon need to improve their promotion of the sport,( a pile of leaflets on this guy's business counter), a few fans including myself would surely be prepared to distribute leaflets into businesses to get more fans interested locally. Needs someone local to promote the Robins, cant expect Rosco to do it alongside his trucking. They have a massive catchment area but apart from the ever-dwindling Adver readership and BBC Radio Wiltshire a lot of people are unaware of the sport. Need to attract the hundreds of fans that have stopped going since Leigh left, and riders not trying because of non-payment, and the thousands in the area that have attended a meeting at The Shabbey. Was due to a couple of sponsors financial input that kept the Robins going last year.

Hopefully a new stadium, if it ever comes to fruition, can get some fans back even if it might not be EL speedway! EL speedway is not a seventeen quid sport.

Edited August 10, 2014 by keef van cross

[BuzzCagney]

^{Good post keef.}

^{For sure something needs to be done. Among the Robins great sponsors the club could surely hand out Free tickets to a match for a purchase from the sponsor. For example, a car service at Pebley get a free ticket. A van rental at M&S get a free ticket. Most people won't go alone so they'll likely pay for another ticket. Its a win/win. The sponsors look great by giving their customers something and the club will have enticed someone, hopefully a newbie, through the turnstyle. Even if they hand out only 200 tickets and then monitor the uptake it will give some idea of its success. Its then very much up to the club and the team to put on a great show and make them want to come back. I do realise that's easier said than done- but something needs to be done. The sport is haemorrhaging support and the powers that be appear to be looking on without any answers.}

^{Does the Club even Data capture emails or mobile numbers somehow? To activate that free ticket they must supply an email address. That's a way of getting the word out about meetings and special offers. Its a simple enough thing that just about every business does.}

^{Speedway is in the business of entertainment so it really needs to promote itself with flair and pizzazz. Those few suggestions alone won't turn the tide but it is at least trying. Speedway really is on the raggedy edge and will need many new and innovative ways of tempting people along.}

[remembertheracers]

Well done Peter the Killer, but according to one of his sponsors I was chatting to his European commitments are affecting his EL form because of tiredness.

Swindon need to improve their promotion of the sport,( a pile of leaflets on this guy's business counter), a few fans including myself would surely be prepared to distribute leaflets into businesses to get more fans interested locally. Needs someone local to promote the Robins, cant expect Rosco to do it alongside his trucking. They have a massive catchment area but apart from the ever-dwindling Adver readership and BBC Radio Wiltshire a lot of people are unaware of the sport. Need to attract the hundreds of fans that have stopped going since Leigh left, and riders not trying because of non-payment, and the thousands in the area that have attended a meeting at The Shabbey. Was due to a couple of sponsors financial input that kept the Robins going last year.

Hopefully a new stadium, if it ever comes to fruition, can get some fans back even if it might not be EL speedway! EL speedway is not a seventeen quid sport.

 

Those of us who have loved speedway for years deep down know that it can be an embarrassment. Who is going to be impressed by Shabbey Stadium with its lack of seating, its poor PA system, its parrot like centre green presenter(full and official results, full and official line ups), its high drink and food prices that are a rip off, a car park full of potholes, grass or broken tarmac banking to stand on?

 

And very few stadia are any better than Swindon.

 

Then there is the most important product - the racing. A badly maintained track, they never start ON TIME, Long, boring track grading and zero entertainment other than 15 races, just over 16 minutes of track action.

 

I thought a former Swindon Town goalie had taken over the commercial/PR side. But if he gets extra people there will they be entertained and want to return?

 

I lost my track 6 years ago and I'm amazed I still do about half of Swindon's meetings, think that was the Zagar effect!

 

Probably I always will go while it is there, but it is visibly dying on its feet.

[van wolfswinkel]

 

Those of us who have loved speedway for years deep down know that it can be an embarrassment. Who is going to be impressed by Shabbey Stadium with its lack of seating, its poor PA system, its parrot like centre green presenter(full and official results, full and official line ups), its high drink and food prices that are a rip off, a car park full of potholes, grass or broken tarmac banking to stand on?

 

And very few stadia are any better than Swindon.

 

Then there is the most important product - the racing. A badly maintained track, they never start ON TIME, Long, boring track grading and zero entertainment other than 15 races, just over 16 minutes of track action.

 

I thought a former Swindon Town goalie had taken over the commercial/PR side. But if he gets extra people there will they be entertained and want to return?

 

I lost my track 6 years ago and I'm amazed I still do about half of Swindon's meetings, think that was the Zagar effect!

 

Probably I always will go while it is there, but it is visibly dying on its feet.

yes it was sad to see Smallmead locked and derelict when I drove past after the sad death of Rico last year. A Rico tribute hung on the rusted gates. Had thousands of fans when at Tilehurst 60s and then Smallmead, 70s/80s/90s.. sometimes getting better crowds than the Royals struggling at Elm Park. Good derbies with Swindon and Oxford. My last visit there was in 2007 when Swindon won easily, Adams and Zagar in opposition, Mad Wellie Reading manager.

[BuzzCagney]

I think its a bit harsh to knock The Abbey. The old girl has done us proud and it will be a tearful day, as with Smallmead et al, when we see it gone. But I can't blame them for not spending any money on the place now. For the best part of 10 years now its been on the cards that there will be a new stadium so why would they?

No, the problem isn't the stadium. If only speedways problems were that simple.

[A ORLOV]

The meeting at Coventry has been rained off, so does that now mean that Rory can guest for us on Monday?

[mdmc82]

The meeting at Coventry has been rained off, so does that now mean that Rory can guest for us on Monday?

Could use Rory or rider replacement.

[stratton]

I think its a bit harsh to knock The Abbey. The old girl has done us proud and it will be a tearful day, as with Smallmead et al, when we see it gone. But I can't blame them for not spending any money on the place now. For the best part of 10 years now its been on the cards that there will be a new stadium so why would they?

No, the problem isn't the stadium. If only speedways problems were that simple.

I will shed a tear when the abbey goes Buzz i love the track and its been a big part of my life growing up and and i wouldn't change a thing.But if?? the new stadium has to be progress like the GPseries (( which i was not always a lover but i was wrong!!)

[van wolfswinkel]

The track(or it's size) will be a loss for Swindon's home advantage. Cant wait for a new stadium with decent facilties, and decent views, where you don't have to take your own seats. The biggest loss will be the back-straight bogs, perhaps this listed building can be transferred to the new stadium. Or they could sell pieces of it as souvenirs to raise cash

They should call it the Rosco Arena, with some sort of tribute to past Robins Greats such as Briggo, Adams, Ashby, Crumpy, Kilbs, Broady. Good to see roads named after Kilby, Richardson, Holloway...should name more.

[mdmc82]

Crazy to think Swindon only have 6 meetings left (3 home & 3 away) yet other teams still have a lot (bees have double)

[thecoombdog]

Crazy to think Swindon only have 6 meetings left (3 home & 3 away) yet other teams still have a lot (bees have double)

Why is it crazy?! You have had more rain than us!

[Sienna Ryan]

Why is it crazy?! You have had more rain than us!

that is true although I thought Swindon had a few rains offs (must have just been when I decided to go lol)

 

When you think though of how close bees and swindon are in the table though, it is a lot of meetings for bees to have in hand. that said though they have to complete them which with weather forecast for midlands on monday is looking tricky all the time

[Crazy robin]

that is true although I thought Swindon had a few rains offs (must have just been when I decided to go lol)

 

When you think though of how close bees and swindon are in the table though, it is a lot of meetings for bees to have in hand. that said though they have to complete them which with weather forecast for midlands on monday is looking tricky all the time

Let's hope the weather is good so The Bees can get their fixtures in as this season has been a disaster already without a team missing out due to the weather.

[mdmc82]

Let's hope the weather is good so The Bees can get their fixtures in as this season has been a disaster already without a team missing out due to the weather.

agree. don't think Wolves at home is being rearranged in time but now with weather looking bad for our double header on monday, thinks are looking bleak.

[SteveLyric2]

Let's hope the weather is good so The Bees can get their fixtures in as this season has been a disaster already without a team missing out due to the weather.

If that happens its bound to be Poole's fault anyway!!!

[DunRobin]

If that happens its bound to be Poole's fault anyway!!!

Known in the medical trade as "Paranoia Bluitis" :rofl:

[BuzzCagney]

I just discovered footage of the 1984 16 Lapper at Ipswich ( no prizes for guessing the winner ) on YouTube. I know this probably isn't the place for it but figured it was worth putting it here lest it gets overlooked elsewhere....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dnRgHIoI9k

[stratton]

I just discovered footage of the 1984 16 Lapper at Ipswich ( no prizes for guessing the winner ) on YouTube. I know this probably isn't the place for it but figured it was worth putting it here lest it gets overlooked elsewhere....

 

The Master.

[Chalkie]

I just discovered footage of the 1984 16 Lapper at Ipswich ( no prizes for guessing the winner ) on YouTube. I know this probably isn't the place for it but figured it was worth putting it here lest it gets overlooked elsewhere....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dnRgHIoI9k

Thanks Buzz really loved that-what a spectacle-the ref got it spot on-doubt there are many current day referees who would have called it that way!