When Will The New Race Format Be Out & How Can Teams Name Riders When They Don't Know It?

[SteveLyric2]

Whilst I feel extremely sad to read of the Coventry situation, it doesn't surprise. Instead of the BSPA being a united front, we have always had factions fighting each other and I'm sure, what happened few years ago has some bearing on the decision to sell Brandon.

 

I take it from your posts on this thread, you see nothing wrong in the way speedway is run. You obviously think they are doing a grand job. I wonder how many teams have to fall by the wayside before you except the dire situation speedway is in and unless there are some drastic changes, in Costs, Attendances, VFM , Organisation the sport will be lost forever..........

You clearly haven't read many of my posts then!! Where have I said there's nothing wrong in the way speedway is run?

 

I agree with most of your final sentence - its just that I do not place the announcing of a new race format before the season starts as a high priority!! The EL promoters are trying to dig themselves out of a large hole - which is mainly (not solely) of their own making - and this season's changes should be seen as a first step to cutting costs, whilst retaining some top riders! The alternatives would have seen the demise of the EL; possibly no TV contract and what would have remained would be an enlarged PL which the PL promoters didn't want !!

 

I am aware of a proposal from 2 (senior) EL promoters to reduce the EL adult admission charges by upto £2, to reflect the Brit reserves, but that would have meant the PL being more expensive, which is i) crazy and ii) had the PL promoters flatly refusing to reduce their admission prices or introducing the '2 Brit rule' to the PL!

Edited February 22, 2014 by Skidder1

[Crazy robin]

You clearly haven't read many of my posts then!! Where have I said there's nothing wrong in the way speedway is run?

 

I agree with most of your final sentence - its just that I do not place the announcing of a new race format before the season starts as a high priority!! The EL promoters are trying to dig themselves out of a large hole - which is mainly (not solely) of their own making - and this season's changes should be seen as a first step to cutting costs, whilst retaining some top riders! The alternatives would have seen the demise of the EL; possibly no TV contract and what would have remained would be an enlarged PL which the PL promoters didn't want !!

 

I am aware of a proposal from 2 (senior) EL promoters to reduce the EL adult admission charges by upto £2, to reflect the Brit reserves, but that would have meant the PL being more expensive, which is i) crazy and ii) had the PL promoters flatly refusing to reduce their admission prices or introducing the '2 Brit rule' to the PL!

Can you honestly say that more fans go to speedway because it's shown on Sky because I don't think that's the case at all.

 

The sport was thriving in different era's without television & people always seem to ignore that.

 

It amazes me how parents can afford to pay £17 to watch speedway the same way it amazes me that they can find £26 to watch Swindon Town.

 

Reality always seems to escape these people who just think that the well will keep producing water when it's been bled dry for most of the normal society.

 

In short both leagues at £16 or £17 are to expensive.

[orion]

Can you honestly say that more fans go to speedway because it's shown on Sky because I don't think that's the case at all.

 

The sport was thriving in different era's without television & people always seem to ignore that.

Your first point is hard to prove either way ...as has been say before who is to say that the crowds would be a lot lower if sky was not about .

 

Speedway with tv or not has just fallen away year by year for ages I Don't see it not being tv suddenly bringing in a whole lot of fans .

Edited February 22, 2014 by orion

[Crazy robin]

Your first point is have to prove either way ...as has been say before who is to say that the crowds would be a lot lower if sky was not about .

 

Speedway with tv or not has just fallen away year by year for ages I Don't see it not being tv suddenly bringing in a whole lot of fans .

 

Quite agree that it's hard to prove but so many on here use Tv as a plus for the sport & I don't think you can say that.

 

The way the promotors seem to think that they can keep spinning the fans the same old stories just simply doesn't cut it anymore where there is so much choice for leisure out there.

 

I really do hope it works out as it's such a great sport.

[orion]

Quite agree that it's hard to prove but so many on here use Tv as a plus for the sport & I don't think you can say that.

 

The way the promotors seem to think that they can keep spinning the fans the same old stories just simply doesn't cut it anymore where there is so much choice for leisure out there.

 

I really do hope it works out as it's such a great sport.

My opinion is that it can't be saved now ..the horse bolted the chances have been wasted and time has moved on .

 

It's going to be a slow death as track by track shuts down .

[The White Knight]

My opinion is that it can't be saved now ..the horse bolted the chances have been wasted and time has moved on .

 

It's going to be a slow death as track by track shuts down .

 

Even I'm not that gloomy orion.

 

It's still not too late - provided that the correct decisions are made at the top.

[Crazy robin]

 

Even I'm not that gloomy orion.

 

It's still not too late - provided that the correct decisions are made at the top.

Have to agree with Orion as the lack of talent is scary & to many chances have been wasted over the years.

 

I love the sport & football as well but simply can't justify spending the amount they both charge out of the family budget.

[g13webb]

You clearly haven't read many of my posts then!! Where have I said there's nothing wrong in the way speedway is run?

 

I agree with most of your final sentence - its just that I do not place the announcing of a new race format before the season starts as a high priority!! The EL promoters are trying to dig themselves out of a large hole - which is mainly (not solely) of their own making - and this season's changes should be seen as a first step to cutting costs, whilst retaining some top riders! The alternatives would have seen the demise of the EL; possibly no TV contract and what would have remained would be an enlarged PL which the PL promoters didn't want !!

 

I am aware of a proposal from 2 (senior) EL promoters to reduce the EL adult admission charges by upto £2, to reflect the Brit reserves, but that would have meant the PL being more expensive, which is i) crazy and ii) had the PL promoters flatly refusing to reduce their admission prices or introducing the '2 Brit rule' to the PL!

 

The fact that PL and the Elite are run as separate entities is a complete farce. We discuss the virtues of BSPA intentions, but what chance has speedway got of surviving when they can't put on a united front themselves. The two leagues are run in opposition to each other. There should be 1 organisation,1 set of rules, all driving for the same cause. Until such time, the existing 'them and us' syndrome will continue to destroy any chance of survival.

 

Reminds me of British Leyland........

[B.V 72]

 

They should have done ALL of that before announcing to the World that they were changing Systems and Format. Everything should have been worked out from an Operational, Ramification, Systemic and Administrative point of view. ONLY then should anything have been said.

 

THAT is the only logical thing to do from a Business perspective.

 

 

Precisely. They are both too dear - but at least you have a good idea of the type of Meeting that you are going to see in the Premier League, largely with Riders of similar abilities. You simply can't say that about the Elite League.

 

The QUALITY of at least one third of the Elite League Races in a Meeting will simply NOT be up to an Elite League standard. My contention is that if the quality of Product has dropped that much - then so should the Price.

 

This is my opinion - I accept it isn't everyone's - however, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

The whole point of my last post was how can Belle vue drop its prices when it is only 50p dearer than Rye house.I listed the teams to show the difference in the

wage bill for each club so on gate takings after paying the riders which club makes more money.So if a prem team cant afford to drop its prices how can an elite team drop theirs when they have far greater running costs.Remember that they have had to cut costs to keep most of the clubs running so if i have to pay the same money for a little weaker league and put up with a change in the race format then so be it, The alternative is to keep it the same and after this season god knows how many clubs may have had to close their doors. At least they are trying to keep the league going and for that i thank them and will continue to give them my support by buying a season ticket.

[barrow boy]

The fact that PL and the Elite are run as separate entities is a complete farce. We discuss the virtues of BSPA intentions, but what chance has speedway got of surviving when they can't put on a united front themselves. The two leagues are run in opposition to each other. There should be 1 organisation,1 set of rules, all driving for the same cause. Until such time, the existing 'them and us' syndrome will continue to destroy any chance of survival.

 

Reminds me of British Leyland........

Totally agree

[B.V 72]

 

 

If i lived nearer Rye House than Belle Vue it wouldn't matter a jot who was cheaper or who was in what team but would just be down to me watching speedway at my nearest track.

 

They both are to dear in my opinion & the more gaps in the terraces this season will emphasise that as fans are no longer able to pay this much to watch it.

The problem is that most clubs are loseing money so how can any club cut its prices.Keep the prices as they are and perhaps lose fans,drop prices a little would this bring back fans in their droves of which it needs to be viable i doubt it.So the truth is the sport is in big trouble.i for one will do my part and turn up every week and pay my money because i love speedway its up to the fans really do we want speedway do we pay our 16 to 17 pounds or are we going to walk away and let it die.Time will tell.

[The White Knight]

The whole point of my last post was how can Belle vue drop its prices when it is only 50p dearer than Rye house.I listed the teams to show the difference in the

wage bill for each club so on gate takings after paying the riders which club makes more money.So if a prem team cant afford to drop its prices how can an elite team drop theirs when they have far greater running costs.Remember that they have had to cut costs to keep most of the clubs running so if i have to pay the same money for a little weaker league and put up with a change in the race format then so be it, The alternative is to keep it the same and after this season god knows how many clubs may have had to close their doors. At least they are trying to keep the league going and for that i thank them and will continue to give them my support by buying a season ticket.

 

There is a THIRD possibility and that is to combine the Leagues - do away with Expensive Foreigners - everyone starts on a level playing field. THEN, and only then in my opinion, can we start to rebuild British Speedway from bottom to top.

 

The TRUTH is that we cannot continue to pay out 'big bucks' for Foreign Riders - until this is realised by the Promoters Speedway will continue it's long slow decline in to oblivion.

Edited February 23, 2014 by The White Knight

[Gambo]

 

There is a THIRD possibility and that is to combine the Leagues - do away with Expensive Foreigners - everyone starts on a level playing field. THEN, and only then in my opinion, can we start to rebuild British Speedway from bottom to top.

 

The TRUTH is that we cannot continue to pay out 'big bucks' for Foreign Riders - until this is realised by the Promoters Speedway will continue it's long slow decline in to oblivion.

 

So now you DO want to reduce the QUALITY?

 

ATB

 

Dave

[The White Knight]

 

So now you DO want to reduce the QUALITY?

 

ATB

 

Dave

 

Also the COSTS!!!

 

If those don't fall - Speedway is doomed altogether.

 

Come on - think about it.

[stevebrum]

 

There is a THIRD possibility and that is to combine the Leagues - do away with Expensive Foreigners - everyone starts on a level playing field. THEN, and only then in my opinion, can we start to rebuild British Speedway from bottom to top.

 

The TRUTH is that we cannot continue to pay out 'big bucks' for Foreign Riders - until this is realised by the Promoters Speedway will continue it's long slow decline in to oblivion.

 

 

 

Also the COSTS!!!

 

If those don't fall - Speedway is doomed altogether.

 

Come on - think about it.

 

It will never work. People WANT to see the big stars so unfortunately it is a necessary evil.

If i had a pound for the amount of times season after season i have read the sport is doomed i would be on my second round the World trip by now.

As soon as you cut of the `foreign ` talent we would then become a doomed sport resulting in virtual amateur status. Now, that IS NOT the way forward.

[fish keeper]

 

 

 

It will never work. People WANT to see the big stars so unfortunately it is a necessary evil.

If i had a pound for the amount of times season after season i have read the sport is doomed i would be on my second round the World trip by now.

As soon as you cut of the `foreign ` talent we would then become a doomed sport resulting in virtual amateur status. Now, that IS NOT the way forward.

I agree we would end up like the Yanks they have been trying for years to bring riders on with only a few making it not enough to make a league we need foreign talent.

[The White Knight]

 

 

 

It will never work. People WANT to see the big stars so unfortunately it is a necessary evil.

If i had a pound for the amount of times season after season i have read the sport is doomed i would be on my second round the World trip by now.

As soon as you cut of the `foreign ` talent we would then become a doomed sport resulting in virtual amateur status. Now, that IS NOT the way forward.

 

I'm afraid I don't see it as necessary at all. Evil yes (because of the money being paid for them) - but not necessary.

 

People don't watch the 'Big Stars' at Premier League or National League level and they survive. THAT is what it is all about at the moment - survival. In these times of Financial Austerity everyone is affected - yes, even Speedway. With falling Crowds in ALL Leagues we cannot continue to pay outrageous sums of money to the so called 'Stars'. Perhaps when these times of austerity are over things may change and we can go back to employing these foreign 'Stars' but at present - we cannot afford them.

 

Simple Economics really.

Edited February 24, 2014 by The White Knight

[stevebrum]

 

I'm afraid I don't see it as necessary at all. Evil yes (because of the money being paid for them) - but not necessary.

 

People don't watch the 'Big Stars' at Premier League or National League level and they survive. THAT is what it is all about at the moment - survival. In these times of Financial Austerity everyone is affected - yes, even Speedway. With falling Crowds in ALL Leagues we cannot continue to pay outrageous sums of money to the so called 'Stars'. Perhaps when these times of austerity are over things may change and we can go back to employing these foreign 'Stars' but at present - we cannot afford them.

 

Simple Economics really.

 

 

 

Of course you don't agree. You are a PL fan and EL hater.

Your support of of the PL is a blind one.

So you just choose to ignore that if all EL clubs joined the PL they would shed many many fans who do NOT want a lower level of racing to watch and support, therein losing many fans and quite possibly few clubs too. But i guess you would see that as a `necessary evil` so all clubs run at a level you think is the best. It isnt.

And they arent `so called stars` - you really think that Woffy, Iversen, Bjerre, Zagar, Harris, Andersen, B Pedersen, Kylmakorpi, PK, Watt, Ward, Pawlicki, Janowski, Beck, Kildermand, Batchelor ARENT Stars??

 

To have a top level of racing top riders ARE the necessary evil. And thank god for that because Speedway would shed huge numbers of fans in one swoop without them.

If it is weakened to such a point we can afford some then that is the way it has to be.

Only bringing in the top guys will make MORE come thru the turnstiles.

 

We all know the EL is the weakest its ever been, but thank god we have an EL.

[The White Knight]

 

 

Of course you don't agree. You are a PL fan and EL hater.

Your support of of the PL is a blind one.

So you just choose to ignore that if all EL clubs joined the PL they would shed many many fans who do NOT want a lower level of racing to watch and support, therein losing many fans and quite possibly few clubs too. But i guess you would see that as a `necessary evil` so all clubs run at a level you think is the best. It isnt.

And they arent `so called stars` - you really think that Woffy, Iversen, Bjerre, Zagar, Harris, Andersen, B Pedersen, Kylmakorpi, PK, Watt, Ward, Pawlicki, Janowski, Beck, Kildermand, Batchelor ARENT Stars??

 

To have a top level of racing top riders ARE the necessary evil. And thank god for that because Speedway would shed huge numbers of fans in one swoop without them.

If it is weakened to such a point we can afford some then that is the way it has to be.

Only bringing in the top guys will make MORE come thru the turnstiles.

 

We all know the EL is the weakest its ever been, but thank god we have an EL.

 

I don't 'hate' the Elite League - I think that is a pathetic response steve. I am concerned about the future of ALL Speedway not just one League.

 

Actually my thoughts on the Elite League are that it is a drain on Speedway in general - precious little SKY money reaches other Leagues. Even with most of the cash from SKY - certain Elite League Clubs are STILL struggling. Seems like Financial ineptitude/suicide to me.

 

However - we shall see who is right - eventually. I do hope it is you and not me - but I don't think so.

[stevebrum]

 

I don't 'hate' the Elite League - I think that is a pathetic response steve. I am concerned about the future of ALL Speedway not just one League.

 

Actually my thoughts on the Elite League are that it is a drain on Speedway in general - precious little SKY money reaches other Leagues. Even with most of the cash from SKY - certain Elite League Clubs are STILL struggling. Seems like Financial ineptitude/suicide to me.

 

However - we shall see who is right - eventually. I do hope it is you and not me - but I don't think so.

 

 

Well you could say attacking the EL and `so called stars` at every opportunity is `pathetic`.

You blindly believe that the PL is a stable league with no issues or problems.

Lets face it, without a top level of Speedway the sport would become an amateur sport without any serious credibility.

The problems facing SPEEDWAY is a drain - not just one league.

ALL clubs struggle - in ALL leagues. Perhaps your coffee lacks any smell.

 

If we go down your route then it seems you would be happy that vast numbers would disappear from supporting the sport, but hey, i would imagine you are OK with that because the precious PL would be OK.

Like i said blinkered to the faults of one league and ignore the faults of the rest.

Edited February 24, 2014 by stevebrum