BluPanther Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 What is the point......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorum Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Quite the opposite, the new numbers will do everything for the fans, you will know exactly who your rider is. Any casual fan watching the odd GP here or there will soon know who the riders are. It can be used for riders merchandise (if the merchandise is of good quality) and be a major boost. until of course the rider gets knocked out of the GP then it is pretty pointless. Can't wait to get my Chris Harris #37 commemorative ashtray as my computer desk has been crying out for one. As long as it's good quality of course. Poor old Chris will have to hope he gets rid of all this #37 merchandise in 2014 as his chances of 2015 or ever whining himself another GP spot must surely be over And how many casual fans will remember KK is #507 darcy is #43 and Emil #89. I am an Emil fan but his new number won't help me in the slightest I will just use the really stupid method of remembering which helmet cover he has in the four man race he takes part in. The actual numbering system now is confusing, The guy wearing 1 could be in 6th place in the championship. Last season means nothing, so the numbers are worthless anyway. Your statement is confusing. So the 1-16 confuses fans because 'The guy wearing 1 could be in 6th place in the championship'? But having KK as #507 is as clear as crystal? Apart from the top 8 there is no certainty that they will be in the GP the next year so all this merchandising will be plain daft if they are not using these numbers anywhere else. Even the riders in the SEC will not be sure they are going to be in it the year after. Any Nicki is now #5 because he was 5th last year but will he use #5 in 2015 if he comes 4th this year? And what if he is 7th in the championship after 3 rounds surely fans will be confused by this? In a sport where stupid ideas are endemic this must surely rank as the daftest idea of all time and that's saying something with speedway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) What is the point......... Quite the opposite, the new numbers will do everything for the fans, you will know exactly who your rider is. Any casual fan watching the odd GP here or there will soon know who the riders are. Oh I see, I thought their name gave us a big clue. Are you suggesting that they will announce "in red, it's number 45, in blue number 37 rather than say/display their name? It can be used for riders merchandise (if the merchandise is of good quality) and be a major boost. I can remember owning a Mikael Max cap with the No 5 on it, out of date the season after. Without the number 5 it would've been timeless! No, but they will have their numbers next to their names at all times. You can knock it all you wish, but the reality is, it's a system used in other sports that works. http://www.allstarsdirect.co.uk/brands/46-Valentino-Rossi/ What do we have there, ah even in the name of the website its no 46 Valentino Rossi. All his merchandise has his number. As already explained, its brand recognition. http://store.nascar.com/Dale_Earnhardt_Gear What do we have there, oh look the number once again is prominent everywhere. This is a guy who was killed 13 years ago too, yet to this day anyone who has the tiniest interest in Nascar will know who No 3 was. http://store.nascar.com/Dale_Earnhardt_Jr_Gear And again. But hey, they're idiots, they haven't got a clue how to make money from merchandise have they.... Edited January 29, 2014 by BWitcher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Rider numbers have been used in US domestic speedway for over 40 years and its great the GP has caught on. Whats more odd than this new system is a rider changing his number every year. Actually I have restrained from buying merchandise more than once for GP riders knowing it will be out of date by seasons end unless my rider of choice finishes in the same position again. It may take a while to get used to, but within a year or two the numbers going with names will be very familiar. A fan can now go to Cardiff and buy merch without fear it becomes outdated. Good news for riders and fans! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Have to ask what is the significance of 507 for KK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 Have to ask what is the significance of 507 for KK Days in Florida it would take to get a suntan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) Actually I have restrained from buying merchandise more than once for GP riders knowing it will be out of date by seasons end unless my rider of choice finishes in the same position again. It may take a while to get used to, but within a year or two the numbers going with names will be very familiar. A fan can now go to Cardiff and buy merch without fear it becomes outdated. Good news for riders and fans! So anyone going to cardiff will have to be careful of buying any of Tai's stuff unless he is miles out in front and sure of winning the title again or his stuff will be out of date next year.And then if next year he chooses #75,who is going to buy any of his merchandise at Cardiff in 2015 if it looks like he might finish top...... Actually the general idea of merchandise is that it will be out of date quickly so you buy the next lot.The idea of buying some merchandise that lasts years isn't that good,although it does sort of fit the speedway image as you still see people in their Bradford or Cradley jacket at meetings.That is the big deal normally with football tops.The big outcry by parents that they have bought young Jimmy a top for Xmas that a few months later is out of date and they have to buy a new one.That is how football clubs make their money from merchandise and well football is fairly good at the game And i am wondering just how many US speedway riders make a mint out of their numbered merchandise? Edited January 29, 2014 by iris123 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) So anyone going to cardiff will have to be careful of buying any of Tai's stuff unless he is miles out in front and sure of winning the title again or his stuff will be out of date next year.And then if next year he chooses #75,who is going to buy any of his merchandise at Cardiff in 2015 if it looks like he might finish top...... Actually the general idea of merchandise is that it will be out of date quickly so you buy the next lot.The idea of buying some merchandise that lasts years isn't that good,although it does sort of fit the speedway image as you still see people in their Bradford or Cradley jacket at meetings.That is the big deal normally with football tops.The big outcry by parents that they have bought young Jimmy a top for Xmas that a few months later is out of date and they have to buy a new one.That is how football clubs make their money from merchandise and well football is fairly good at the game And i am wondering just how many US speedway riders make a mint out of their numbered merchandise? The saving grace with Tai is that if you buys something with #1 its from when he was champ, so it has history attached to it. Who'd care to buy a Hampel #2 hat when there is no promise he will have that # again? You can't really compare US Speedway which is somewhere between PL and NL level with smallish crowds to Cardiff with close to 50,000. Valentino Rossi #46 Michael Jordan #23 Tai Woffindon - anything from 1-15 under the old system.... Get used to it, its here to stay! Edited January 29, 2014 by SteveEvans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted January 29, 2014 Report Share Posted January 29, 2014 There isn't anything negative to it whatsoever, but hey, this is speedway and some folk just want to moan... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Have to ask what is the significance of 507 for KKUsual sequence of scores as coventry number one? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 The saving grace with Tai is that if you buys something with #1 its from when he was champ, so it has history attached to it. Who'd care to buy a Hampel #2 hat when there is no promise he will have that # again? You can't really compare US Speedway which is somewhere between PL and NL level with smallish crowds to Cardiff with close to 50,000. Valentino Rossi #46 Michael Jordan #23 Tai Woffindon - anything from 1-15 under the old system.... Get used to it, its here to stay! This is the thing though,your argument doesn't really stand up.You say you were wary of buying something because next season it might be out of date.Then ignore the fact that Tai's stuff will be out of date if he doesn't win.The fact that someone else might win and his stuff from this season will be out of date as next year he is also #1 and a few others will be out of the GPs.It isn't like basketball or roadracing etc where the same guys are in a team for years.And of course if US speedway is like NL or PL what do you think speedway GPs are like compared to Superbikes,F1 or football?Speedway is a different kettle of fish.A different market altogether.Football fans seem to buy the latest stuff.When a top changes the majority of fans are wearing the latest top,not the old one.With speedway fans you get a fair number who wear with pride some old gear from a decade or more ago. It isn't 'moaning' as someone puts it.There is a discussion going on and so far it seems a lot haven't been convinced this is anything positive even if it is here to stay.And i am not saying it is a negative either,so no moan.I just don't think it is going to make any difference to the money in most riders pockets if any rider...........we shall have to wait and see,but i don't expect to walk down the street in 2 years time and see speedway merchandise alongside Wayne Rooney or Valentino Rossi gear in the high street shops. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) This is the thing though,your argument doesn't really stand up.You say you were wary of buying something because next season it might be out of date.Then ignore the fact that Tai's stuff will be out of date if he doesn't win.The fact that someone else might win and his stuff from this season will be out of date as next year he is also #1 and a few others will be out of the GPs.It isn't like basketball or roadracing etc where the same guys are in a team for years.And of course if US speedway is like NL or PL what do you think speedway GPs are like compared to Superbikes,F1 or football?Speedway is a different kettle of fish.A different market altogether.Football fans seem to buy the latest stuff.When a top changes the majority of fans are wearing the latest top,not the old one.With speedway fans you get a fair number who wear with pride some old gear from a decade or more ago. It isn't 'moaning' as someone puts it.There is a discussion going on and so far it seems a lot haven't been convinced this is anything positive even if it is here to stay.And i am not saying it is a negative either,so no moan.I just don't think it is going to make any difference to the money in most riders pockets if any rider...........we shall have to wait and see,but i don't expect to walk down the street in 2 years time and see speedway merchandise alongside Wayne Rooney or Valentino Rossi gear in the high street shops. Its better marketing than changing numbers every single year. Both #1 merch or your regular number are sellers based on brand recognition. Any merch can go slightly out of date - riders sponsors change so pit shirts and hats reflect that, but the number, unless you won the ultimate prize, don't. You won't see speedway merch in high street stores but you will be able to sell to your fan base, both those who attend GPs and those who watch on tv with such. Its up to the riders to make this work but I can say that the rider who has been at the forefront of the number push, Greg Hancock, probably has the best merchandise sales of any rider over the past few years and coincidentally, he has already been marketing the #45 brand for a few years now. You've got to think outside the box sometimes, but your last line about Rossi effectively confirms the point that a rider with a famous career is good marketing. Better than Valentino #1, #4, #7, #2 #? for example! He's number 46!!!!! Edited January 30, 2014 by SteveEvans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDY69 Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 Its better marketing than changing numbers every single year. Both #1 merch or your regular number are sellers based on brand recognition. Any merch can go slightly out of date - riders sponsors change so pit shirts and hats reflect that, but the number, unless you won the ultimate prize, don't. You won't see speedway merch in high street stores but you will be able to sell to your fan base, both those who attend GPs and those who watch on tv with such. Its up to the riders to make this work but I can say that the rider who has been at the forefront of the number push, Greg Hancock, probably has the best merchandise sales of any rider over the past few years and coincidentally, he has already been marketing the #45 brand for a few years now. You've got to think outside the box sometimes, but your last line about Rossi effectively confirms the point that a rider with a famous career is good marketing. Better than Valentino #1, #4, #7, #2 #? for example! He's number 46!!!!! In my view it isn't better marketing at all. They have a brand already, it's their name! As was pointed out earlier, if you want to sell more then you have to make sure the product is changed regularly so that it becomes out of date - the number to me is a complete irrelevance and when number 45 rides in sweden as number 3 that makes it all the more confusing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) So let me get this right. The numbers are so riders can sell merchandise without it becoming outdated? So why not just make merchandise without a number on? My 2007 Chris Harris shirt doesn't have a number on it. Or my Scott Nicholls shirt. How the hell will non-GP riders sell merchandise without a number? All all a load of bollocks that will not make one iota of difference, those definding it are a fecking mad as those slagging it off. Edited January 30, 2014 by SCB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted January 30, 2014 Report Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) So let me get this right. The numbers are so riders can sell merchandise without it becoming outdated? So why not just make merchandise without a number on? My 2007 Chris Harris shirt doesn't have a number on it. Or my Scott Nicholls shirt. How the hell will non-GP riders sell merchandise without a number? All all a load of bollocks that will not make one iota of difference, those definding it are a fecking mad as those slagging it off. Ignorance is bliss. Maybe you should inform some of the worlds foremost marketing experts.. as they think different and believe brand recognition to be massive. Edited January 30, 2014 by BWitcher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 I've left messages at the NBA and Moto GP Offices to get #23 taken away from Michael Jordan and #46 from Valentino as its bad marketing and doesn't make a difference. So far no call backs, I guess a bunch of staff are out with the flu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinMills Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 if this makes the riders more income, it will be good for them, but personally, I don't think the sport is big enough, and not yet perceived by the mainstream as credible.... whilst at Cardiff once a yr, a few caps/tshirts may be sold, on a normal league fixture, id doubt on average, no more than 2 items would be purchased on a weekly basis...... id suggest, the powers that be, need to start attracting at least a half page coverage on a regular basis in daily newspapers, not just gp weekends, and until speedway results appear on end of news, id suggest this sport is a long long way for this sort of move.. but as I said at start, if this creates finance for the riders, then who could complain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 If you've ever been to F1 / Moto GP you'll see how much merch is sold and worn a weekend. Same with football, most of the crowd buy a jersey. Its up to the SGP organizers and riders to market and sell it, numbers or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinMills Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 totally agree. and as I said, good luck to the riders.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDY69 Posted January 31, 2014 Report Share Posted January 31, 2014 If you've ever been to F1 / Moto GP you'll see how much merch is sold and worn a weekend. Same with football, most of the crowd buy a jersey. Its up to the SGP organizers and riders to market and sell it, numbers or not. Yes, but F1/Moto GP are not speedway! How many of those competitors are racing three other times in the same week in different countries for different teams at different riding positions. Their brand is their name, same as with other sports stars. Football is a team game and the shirts relate to the colours of that team and these are changed regularly so that fans but new ones - the ones with numbers on nearly always have the name of the person as well! I don't think these numbers are either a good or bad idea but I really can't get excited by it because to me they are irrelevant. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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