jimmy jimmy Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 I actually think the fast track reserve initiative is a good one, the future of UK speedway is to have more British riders,,as it became reliant on the overseas riders, so the interest wained. Belle Vue have picked up their attendances markedly since we have 5 UK riders in it, the supporters have a connection with Scott Nicholls and Craig Cook that they wouldn't with Martin Vaculik as he would only ever hang around for one season, for example. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Don't get me started on folk who get in to Speedway for nothing. :mad: Well I'll get you started! Please tell me (at every track?) and tell me why they shouldn't please. MY experience over the years is that clubs have specific people who are listed as able to get in free e.g. trackstaff, sponsors etc. Would you say they should be charged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhamboy66 Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Well I'll get you started! Please tell me (at every track?) and tell me why they shouldn't please. MY experience over the years is that clubs have specific people who are listed as able to get in free e.g. trackstaff, sponsors etc. Would you say they should be charged? You are right of course however AT OTHER TRACKS WHERE THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A SERVICE? Thats where it falls down . If say the announcer at Rye House turned up at Ipswich to watch would he expect to pay? White Knight is right far too many hangers on who contribute nothing to the sport and yet smack down others who do part with their hard earned cash when they question how the sport is being run. I actually think the fast track reserve initiative is a good one, the future of UK speedway is to have more British riders,,as it became reliant on the overseas riders, so the interest wained. Belle Vue have picked up their attendances markedly since we have 5 UK riders in it, the supporters have a connection with Scott Nicholls and Craig Cook that they wouldn't with Martin Vaculik as he would only ever hang around for one season, for example. The fast track may be a good idea for some but with riders riding in three divisions the guest situation has now become epidemic. No fun for example for an Ipswich supporter to watch his team minus Adam Ellis replaced by an inferior rider because he was riding for Lakeside. The future of British speedway is to have more British riders agreed but there are not more British riders around just some who are riding for two or three clubs on a regular basis. Simon Lambert springs to mind, a likeable young man but does the future of British Speedway look better with Simon riding for Kent, Rye House and Birmingham? Reality of the fast track riders is that it makes the Elite League cheaper to run, i doubt anyone other than the likes of Neil Vatcher and Phil Morris could care less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy jimmy Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 You are right of course however AT OTHER TRACKS WHERE THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A SERVICE? Thats where it falls down . If say the announcer at Rye House turned up at Ipswich to watch would he expect to pay? White Knight is right far too many hangers on who contribute nothing to the sport and yet smack down others who do part with their hard earned cash when they question how the sport is being run. The fast track may be a good idea for some but with riders riding in three divisions the guest situation has now become epidemic. No fun for example for an Ipswich supporter to watch his team minus Adam Ellis replaced by an inferior rider because he was riding for Lakeside. The future of British speedway is to have more British riders agreed but there are not more British riders around just some who are riding for two or three clubs on a regular basis. Simon Lambert springs to mind, a likeable young man but does the future of British Speedway look better with Simon riding for Kent, Rye House and Birmingham? Reality of the fast track riders is that it makes the Elite League cheaper to run, i doubt anyone other than the likes of Neil Vatcher and Phil Morris could care less. Better fixture planning should eliminate more of the 'who rides where' problem you allude to, which I agree is a problem. But one way or another, we need more British lads (or lasses) in speedway, so this has to be the start. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattK Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Have an independent body, but soon as a decision goes against a promoter and they threaten to shut up shop, what happens then? Would an independent body stand by and watch team after team fold? Exactly. Rather than reducing the chances of a Coventry/Peterborough type situation, I think an independent committee would actually cause it to happen every year. At least with the current BSPA/AGM set-up, every club gets a vote and most seem to accept the democratic flaw that you will not always get what you want. I can't see clubs accepting an independent body effectively dictating rules and regulations which will effect their businesses and potentially cost them money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Well I'll get you started! Please tell me (at every track?) and tell me why they shouldn't please. MY experience over the years is that clubs have specific people who are listed as able to get in free e.g. trackstaff, sponsors etc. Would you say they should be charged? RIGHT!!! I worked as a Starting Gate Attendant and Raker at Sunderland - NONE of us were paid - and we even PAID to get in Bryn.. That was so that we could do our best to keep the Speedway running in Sunderland by keeping Costs down. However, myself and lots of others were aware that there were free loaders watching at the Track. There was nothing we could do about it but mention our concern to the Promoter - which we did. After that it was up to him - and the freeloaders kept coming. The result, due in no small part to this was that the Track closed and there has been NO Speedway in Sunderland for FORTY years. I have no problem at all with Track Staff getting in free - we must have been extra keen in Sunderland or stupid. You could argue that anyone who works for the Speedway should have a Free Pass - I would not argue against that. The Post to which I replied specifically mentioned 'Hangers On' who do NOTHING for Speedway and get in on the backs of the PAYING Spectators. Believe me - there are plenty of those, or there used to be. I am not 100% certain nowadays because I do not work at my Track - so I don't, in all honesty know - I just go to watch. I bet it still does happen though. The ONLY exception to those working for the Speedway, in my opinion should be ex - Riders who should also get Free Passes. I expect criticism for my views, particularly on ex - Riders - however - in my humble opinion - they have earned it. You DID ask Bryn. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenspoon Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 The old chestnut of freeloaders at Speedway has been around for years. It is up to the Promotion to sort it out at their own track, as they are the ones losing the revenue. If only 100 people get in for nowt, that is over £1000 of lost income for the track. I have seen 100s of people given the VIP treatment at Belle Vue and taken on to the centre circle, a lot of them may be possible sponsors, but I would imagine that less than 5% end up putting any money into the club. Ex riders of the club, fine if they get in free, what I object to is the hangers on of these riders who get in for free as well.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 RIGHT!!! You DID ask Bryn. And I've PM'd you my reply! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 And I've PM'd you my reply! Thank you for that Bryn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
refereerick Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Where is British speedway going? Round and round in circles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Clemens Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Where is British speedway going? Round and round in circles! Ever decreasing ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Ever decreasing ??? Like Teddy Bears!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hulvik Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Personally I thinks that as a product Speedway is still basically sound the problem is some of the knee jerk desicions made in the past. Such as the 3 league system it wasn't that long ago that we only had 2 leagues and it worked well enough. But we also have to give value for money. people. While speedway is still cheap to go to in compasison to other sports. £15 plus for 15- 20 mins racing could be seen as a bit steep, Maybe it's time to bring back rider of the night and other things like that. I accept that this is not always possible on very race night and with some clubs having curfews meets can be curtailed as it is. But for clubs to keep going they have to give the fans a reason to go to the track rather than just watch it on Sky. In the past I have seen ice speedway backs race, the vintage lads racing the bikes of yesteryear on other things as well. All things that have added to the night. Yes Sky as a place in the sport. But as things go Speedway is going to go the same way as many other sports that Sky show the top league falling over themselves to give the brocaster what it wants when it wants it at the exspence of the lower leagues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Jones Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 And I've PM'd you my reply! Why don't you post your reply on here? Then we can all have a look at it and debate the pro's & cons, after all I thought that was what a forum was for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 There are many ideas being put about, regarding what's wrong with speedway. We all know it isn't a quick fix, but we must begin by questioning why people who are still actually attending meetings... are on this website, asking what's wrong with speedway? Many things come to my mind. I know people change over the years, some things don't seem as important as they were back in the day, and speedway is like that to me. But I still have a great fondness for the sport, just that I cannot be bothered worrying about something, frustrated when things are changed in the sport that are out of my control, and therefore I have gradually (and unwittingly) distanced myself somewhat from it. I suppose it's a bit like a family member with, say... a drug problem, an alcohol issue. You spend so much time trying to watch out for them, hoping they will eventually come round to your way of thinking and stop being a god damn pain in the rear, that you eventually become less caring as time goes on and they get worse. They will carry on doing what they do; you are just helping them out of guilt or habit. Best thing, is to cut away and stop using wasted energy and time on something you cannot control and it is a pointless issue. I often think, the introduction of the GPs have taken the sport into the realms of Formula One racing, where it's the individual that is king and team racing secondary? Me, personally, I get the impression that league speedway has suffered by the introduction of the GPs, as it has with the needless use of riders racing for so many different clubs, and in so many countries. I read Phil Collins’ piece in the Star last week, and it is hard to believe he actually walked away from the sport in the mid-80s... because he was finding it more and more difficult to pass, his strong point. I recall there was talk about speedway getting by, using less and less dirt on tracks, and fans wanted dirt on circuits increased, allowing the chance of better racing. At the time, a quarter of a century on, I still remember how frustrated I was when promoters decided to ignore fans' call for better racing, more dirt, and instead chose to ditch the tried and tested 13 heat format and go to 15 heats, thinking a little polish of the format would bring better racing, more overtaking and halt the army of fans drifting away… Unfortunately, Phil Collins was one of the first to see the light, heading off to other climbs. Sadly, many terrace folk followed in his tyre-treads and, a bit like the tracks he left, terraces have become bare. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Clemens Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Reading a book called 'Never Had It So Good' A History of Britain From Suez to the Beatles Dominic Sandbrook Abacus Books A Passage on Page 130 Speedway was a popular spectator sport, second only to football; it attracted 6 million observers annually and boasted a track in almost every large town. In cities like Birmingham and Coventry, where the motorcycles were actually manufactured, there was tremendous interest in the thrilling speed and excitement of speedway races. The book is a good read in general. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowboy cookie returns? Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 There are many ideas being put about, regarding what's wrong with speedway. We all know it isn't a quick fix, but we must begin by questioning why people who are still actually attending meetings... are on this website, asking what's wrong with speedway? Many things come to my mind. I know people change over the years, some things don't seem as important as they were back in the day, and speedway is like that to me. But I still have a great fondness for the sport, just that I cannot be bothered worrying about something, frustrated when things are changed in the sport that are out of my control, and therefore I have gradually (and unwittingly) distanced myself somewhat from it. I suppose it's a bit like a family member with, say... a drug problem, an alcohol issue. You spend so much time trying to watch out for them, hoping they will eventually come round to your way of thinking and stop being a god damn pain in the rear, that you eventually become less caring as time goes on and they get worse. They will carry on doing what they do; you are just helping them out of guilt or habit. Best thing, is to cut away and stop using wasted energy and time on something you cannot control and it is a pointless issue. I often think, the introduction of the GPs have taken the sport into the realms of Formula One racing, where it's the individual that is king and team racing secondary? Me, personally, I get the impression that league speedway has suffered by the introduction of the GPs, as it has with the needless use of riders racing for so many different clubs, and in so many countries. I read Phil Collins’ piece in the Star last week, and it is hard to believe he actually walked away from the sport in the mid-80s... because he was finding it more and more difficult to pass, his strong point. I recall there was talk about speedway getting by, using less and less dirt on tracks, and fans wanted dirt on circuits increased, allowing the chance of better racing. At the time, a quarter of a century on, I still remember how frustrated I was when promoters decided to ignore fans' call for better racing, more dirt, and instead chose to ditch the tried and tested 13 heat format and go to 15 heats, thinking a little polish of the format would bring better racing, more overtaking and halt the army of fans drifting away… Unfortunately, Phil Collins was one of the first to see the light, heading off to other climbs. Sadly, many terrace folk followed in his tyre-treads and, a bit like the tracks he left, terraces have become bare. Well written & spot on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc1874 Posted June 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2014 I think a lot of people harp back to the good old days. Maybe we will never get back there but hey I still think if we could new folk in they would enjoy it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 "I read Phil Collins’ piece in the Star last week, and it is hard to believe he actually walked away from the sport in the mid-80s... because he was finding it more and more difficult to pass, his strong point. I recall there was talk about speedway getting by, using less and less dirt on tracks, and fans wanted dirt on circuits increased, allowing the chance of better racing." watched the gp at the weekend for about 15 mins - racing rubbish - no overtaking - two idiots shouting over nothing -same old names - turned it off and believe me i was an obsessive fan at one time - imagine how the casual fans feel 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 (edited) Modern laydown bikes don't handle deep dirt very well, so I have been told on several occasions by riders and ex riders alike..... And the silencers make them even worse.., add in to the mix super light flywheels, slipper pistons and the engines just die in the dirt....... Edited June 2, 2014 by Shale Searcher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.