THE DEAN MACHINE Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 And of course ferry space then becomes a problem. I am sure that Wightlink would not want to give up valuable space to non paying speedway riders and officials but no suggestion should be put down without adequate thought.weekends are not an option .the ferry company wont allow free weekend travel for speedwayA problem that not just the IOW has got is teams paying too much money to riders. Everyone knows who the culprits are and the IOW was one of them but now when the IOW try to pay sensible money (still above the minimum) the riders go elsewhere to the teams that will . What some riders were paid to ride in the NL last season was just stupid and its all very well these riders saying they need this money to compete because they move on to premier or elite and it dosent matter to them about the finaces of the NL clubs they leave behind 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 weekends are not an option .the ferry company wont allow free weekend travel for speedway A problem that not just the IOW has got is teams paying too much money to riders. Everyone knows who the culprits are and the IOW was one of them but now when the IOW try to pay sensible money (still above the minimum) the riders go elsewhere to the teams that will . What some riders were paid to ride in the NL last season was just stupid and its all very well these riders saying they need this money to compete because they move on to premier or elite and it dosent matter to them about the finaces of the NL clubs they leave behind Perhaps the NL needs to get back to something similar to how it started, when it was the Conference League and was a training/nursery league. I am reading Len Silver's book at the moment, probably a third of the way through and you realise Speedway was always run on a shoestring, with promoters either making a bit or losing a lot, but what is apparent, so far in the book, is the riders costs were a lot lower. Most riders had only one bike to fork out for and maintain and also, they arrived at the track with a trailer behind a car or a simple bike bracket, no fancy transporter. It wasn't so long ago that the Speedway riders choice of transport was a Citroen estate car. Speedway is trying to live beyond it's means and it is not necessary. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 weekends are not an option .the ferry company wont allow free weekend travel for speedway A problem that not just the IOW has got is teams paying too much money to riders. Everyone knows who the culprits are and the IOW was one of them but now when the IOW try to pay sensible money (still above the minimum) the riders go elsewhere to the teams that will . What some riders were paid to ride in the NL last season was just stupid and its all very well these riders saying they need this money to compete because they move on to premier or elite and it dosent matter to them about the finaces of the NL clubs they leave behind Its all very well saying weekends are not an option, but its pretty apparent, IOW struggle to survive on week days, and they cant rely on locals to support the Team, thats been apparent for some years now, so the alternative is change to week ends, and try to draw more support from the mainland. Now this thorny problem of rider pay, there is absolutely NO way this can ever be policed, so we have to live with the system as it is, Buxton havent done to badly over the years, though its become apparent with each year that its become increasingly difficult for them, and 2 of the main culprits i would imagine are my own Team, and possibly Mildenhall, the first who have fantastic support but NO Track, the 2nd Team are generally to strong for the NL, but cant sustain a PL Team. Live within your means, Im pretty sure Cradley & Mildenhall do that, but there means are far greater than Buxton, IOW, and KL. The alternative to that is to reduce the points limit further, so that the Teams with greater financial ability dont have such an on track advantage bcuz of there finance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skthecat Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Garry Middleton once turned up at Leicester in his Rolls Royce!!!!!!!!! Citroen Safari was the car Les Collins used at Leicester, he could squeeze 2 bikes in and associated kit, and I am sure I once helped him manhandle 3 out his Citroen (TARDIS) Safari!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 (edited) Its all very well saying weekends are not an option, but its pretty apparent, IOW struggle to survive on week days, and they cant rely on locals to support the Team, thats been apparent for some years now, so the alternative is change to week ends, and try to draw more support from the mainland. . and how do you propose to get the riders on to the isle without ferry crossings at the weekend?. Wightlink wont give free weekend ferry crossings to the speedway therefor weekends are not an option. Without wightlink isle of wight speedway does not exist. For the record its £83 per van if you pay Edited December 24, 2013 by THE DEAN MACHINE 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 and how do you propose to get the riders on to the isle without ferry crossings at the weekend?. Wightlink wont give free weekend ferry crossings to the speedway therefor weekends are not an option. Without wightlink isle of wight speedway does not exist. For the record its £83 per van if you pay Plus , fans change over during the weekend, and a Tuesday night race night allows them to settle in and get more aware that speedway is on. In the past the IOW used to also hold meetings on the Thursday night, to fit it postponed meetings, which would have been great to have two meetings during their stay on the island. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Perhaps the NL needs to get back to something similar to how it started, when it was the Conference League and was a training/nursery league. I am reading Len Silver's book at the moment, probably a third of the way through and you realise Speedway was always run on a shoestring, with promoters either making a bit or losing a lot, but what is apparent, so far in the book, is the riders costs were a lot lower. Most riders had only one bike to fork out for and maintain and also, they arrived at the track with a trailer behind a car or a simple bike bracket, no fancy transporter. It wasn't so long ago that the Speedway riders choice of transport was a Citroen estate car. Speedway is trying to live beyond it's means and it is not necessary. No more expensive to run a van than a big car these days and as most use them as everyday transport you wouldn't save a penny. I am sure most riders would be very happy to run one bike now but the teams and more importantly the fans wouldn't accept it. Fans expectations of professionalism are probably the biggest reason for the cost increases over the years. Once upon a time they would accept that Fred had to work for a living and may not have the finances or time to turn up with immaculate equipment. No such acceptance these days, just look at the posts on here if a rider has a spell of breakdowns or turns up with dirty kit. It's not even acceptable in the NL where everybody has to work (if not the riders then the parents do). It used to be notable for a rider to turn up for every meeting with really immaculate kit (somebody like Jimmy Squibb was well known for it) now it is the norm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 No more expensive to run a van than a big car these days and as most use them as everyday transport you wouldn't save a penny. I am sure most riders would be very happy to run one bike now but the teams and more importantly the fans wouldn't accept it. Fans expectations of professionalism are probably the biggest reason for the cost increases over the years. Once upon a time they would accept that Fred had to work for a living and may not have the finances or time to turn up with immaculate equipment. No such acceptance these days, just look at the posts on here if a rider has a spell of breakdowns or turns up with dirty kit. It's not even acceptable in the NL where everybody has to work (if not the riders then the parents do). It used to be notable for a rider to turn up for every meeting with really immaculate kit (somebody like Jimmy Squibb was well known for it) now it is the norm. I hear what you say Vince, but if a rider is a family man, is he really transporting the family around in the 'Transit'? Although, I suppose the wife would have a car of her own. So are we saying that if riders turned up with one bike, the fans would disappear? I find that unlikely, personally. Also, you just have a system of team members lending their bike to others. And perhaps a track spare, which I know adds cost for the promoter, but if riders are saving on their own kit, the riders can ride for less. As for clean and shiny equipment, not really that difficult and if you only have one bike, even less difficult. Speedway needs to 'cut it's cloth accordingly', otherwise it will gradually fade away. I truly hope it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george.m Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 I hear what you say Vince, but if a rider is a family man, is he really transporting the family around in the 'Transit'? Although, I suppose the wife would have a car of her own. So are we saying that if riders turned up with one bike, the fans would disappear? I find that unlikely, personally. Also, you just have a system of team members lending their bike to others. And perhaps a track spare, which I know adds cost for the promoter, but if riders are saving on their own kit, the riders can ride for less. As for clean and shiny equipment, not really that difficult and if you only have one bike, even less difficult. Speedway needs to 'cut it's cloth accordingly', otherwise it will gradually fade away. I truly hope it doesn't. Maybe by the same logic you suggest to speedway frugality, the wife shouldn't have her own car and the family should be happy being transported in a Transit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Maybe by the same logic you suggest to speedway frugality, the wife shouldn't have her own car and the family should be happy being transported in a Transit. Exactly George! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Maybe by the same logic you suggest to speedway frugality, the wife shouldn't have her own car and the family should be happy being transported in a Transit.ford transit still the greatest vehicle ever produced. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 So we can see the problems potentially caused by weekend racing, we see the lack of support for Tuesday racing, what do you guys suggest the IOW do?, rather than throw in the Towel.Its pretty apparent relying on locals and a few holidaymakers, just isnt enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Maybe by the same logic you suggest to speedway frugality, the wife shouldn't have her own car and the family should be happy being transported in a Transit. My young family were driven everywhere in a van, the kids wanted to race bikes as I did, the missus didn't drive so we used a van as everyday transport for years. The wife now has a car, I still want to race bikes so use a Transit for pretty much everything. When my youngest was riding Speedway I had a Trafic van that was actually cheaper to run than the wife's Megane, hence I can't help but be offended on their behalf when it is suggested that riders could save money by using a car rather than a 'fancy transporter'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george.m Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 My young family were driven everywhere in a van, the kids wanted to race bikes as I did, the missus didn't drive so we used a van as everyday transport for years. The wife now has a car, I still want to race bikes so use a Transit for pretty much everything. When my youngest was riding Speedway I had a Trafic van that was actually cheaper to run than the wife's Megane, hence I can't help but be offended on their behalf when it is suggested that riders could save money by using a car rather than a 'fancy transporter'. Think I've had too much Christmas cheer as I'm missing the relevance to my post. Hic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 My young family were driven everywhere in a van, the kids wanted to race bikes as I did, the missus didn't drive so we used a van as everyday transport for years. The wife now has a car, I still want to race bikes so use a Transit for pretty much everything. When my youngest was riding Speedway I had a Trafic van that was actually cheaper to run than the wife's Megane, hence I can't help but be offended on their behalf when it is suggested that riders could save money by using a car rather than a 'fancy transporter'. Ooooh! Sorry you are offended! Poor poppet! All I am trying to do is illustrate past and present Speedway costs and trying to see a way forward. If I am totally out of the 'ball park', fine. I would still 'suggest' a fancy up to date, sign painted, fairly big engined diesel van to be more costly than a modest car towing a trailer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Suggest what you like, Trafic 1.9TD - up to date van of the kind used by many riders, cheaper to run than modest 1600cc Megane without a trailer - fact. Poor poppet? get over your arrogant self. Isle of Wight are not going to be saved by any possible miniscule reduction in rider costs, possibly by a large cash injection and finding ways to increase crowds. Spent a great many Tuesdays and Thursdays there and the difference between the school holidays and the rest of the year is incredible. Don't really know what the answer is as it only takes a few rain offs during those important weeks and the season must be trashed. Be a great shame to lose yet another big track from the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny the spud Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Ooooh! Sorry you are offended! Poor poppet! All I am trying to do is illustrate past and present Speedway costs and trying to see a way forward. If I am totally out of the 'ball park', fine. I would still 'suggest' a fancy up to date, sign painted, fairly big engined diesel van to be more costly than a modest car towing a trailer! What a stupid post. Most riders use modern, economic, small engined, unwritten vans as they are the cheapest and most reliable way of getting them and their equipment to work. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 What a stupid post. Most riders use modern, economic, small engined, unwritten vans as they are the cheapest and most reliable way of getting them and their equipment to work. Do they? So all Speedway riders have a profession, outside of Speedway, that needs an unwritten van? What world are you in? Obviously the same one as the (retired) Mr T! Get real guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny the spud Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 Do they? So all Speedway riders have a profession, outside of Speedway, that needs an unwritten van? What world are you in? Obviously the same one as the (retired) Mr T! Get real guys! No most riders need an unwritten van as speedway is their work. The world I live in ??? Actually I'm just about to provide the aforementioned so that a rider can do just that. Of course I could help them with an old car and trailer that's uneconomical and may break down and cost more in the long run in repairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 No most riders need an unwritten van as speedway is their work. The world I live in ??? Actually I'm just about to provide the aforementioned so that a rider can do just that. Of course I could help them with an old car and trailer that's uneconomical and may break down and cost more in the long run in repairs. If you are sponsoring a rider, that is great!, well done! What point are you making? Let's assume you are sponsoring a rider that owns a car. If you provide a trailer and a bike, you have reduced your outgoings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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