speedibee Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 And by getting riders who are loyal to Britain, who may even decide to ride in he league that pays the least (Britain?)... because they care... and... dare I say... just a tad bit loyal? On one hand, British riders are willing, threatening even, to skip the Elite League... and yet, little Englanders (fans with painted faces, used-once flags) roll out in numbers to support some of the same crew, that are threatening to bid farewel, for a watered down meeting in Norfolk on a Saturday night. The Elite League has lost most of its big names anyway. Will it miss the remaining two? Is it more important to have a credible league, with riders committed to it... or a league that's being held together, in the hope that its two remaining stars may up and leave. It does make you think why SKY have suddenly concentrated on Premier racing. My views... SKY exist to transmit entertainment. The Elite League (and all its starnames - not) is about as appealing as a kiss off your grannie. we would manage without the remaining 2 ok . and we must take steps to ensure that we don't train any more for polish and swedish league , shut the the door on Australians and Plastic british , born here and lived here for the last 10 years or no British License , Only allow non british riders of the highest averages and scrap assets . how many bought and paid for riders are no longer riding here , it's a joke . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 And by getting riders who are loyal to Britain, who may even decide to ride in he league that pays the least (Britain?)... because they care... and... dare I say... just a tad bit loyal? On one hand, British riders are willing, threatening even, to skip the Elite League... and yet, little Englanders (fans with painted faces, used-once flags) roll out in numbers to support some of the same crew, that are threatening to bid farewel, for a watered down meeting in Norfolk on a Saturday night. The Elite League has lost most of its big names anyway. Will it miss the remaining two? Is it more important to have a credible league, with riders committed to it... or a league that's being held together, in the hope that its two remaining stars may up and leave. It does make you think why SKY have suddenly concentrated on Premier racing. My views... SKY exist to transmit entertainment. The Elite League (and all its starnames - not) is about as appealing as a kiss off your grannie. An outmoded concept these days moxey63. Sadly. :sad: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwalker Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 (edited) Why doesn't British speedway have the same rules as i.e. Sweden and Poland regarding mandatory presence in the domestic league system? In Sweden, according to the rules (*1.4), a rider using a Swedish license are obligated to be registered for a team in the Swedish league system else he/she will not be allowed to get a starting permit for riding in another countries league. In this case it would mean that if Tai wanted to ride in Sweden and or Poland next season he would have to ride in either Premier League or Elit league as well to be allowed to ride in another country. Edited July 29, 2014 by Ghostwalker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Eye Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Why doesn't British speedway have the same rules as i.e. Sweden and Poland regarding mandatory presence in the domestic league system? In Sweden, according to the rules (*1.4), a rider using a Swedish license are obligated to be registered for a team in the Swedish league system else he/she will not be allowed to get a starting permit for riding in another countries league. In this case it would mean that if Tai wanted to ride in Sweden and or Poland next season he would have to ride in either Premier League or Elit league as well to be allowed to ride in another country. Or just take out a licence from another federation..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Or just take out a licence from another federation..... or go back to be Australian sooner than anticipated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 we would manage without the remaining 2 ok . and we must take steps to ensure that we don't train any more for polish and swedish league , shut the the door on Australians and Plastic british , born here and lived here for the last 10 years or no British License , Only allow non british riders of the highest averages and scrap assets . how many bought and paid for riders are no longer riding here , it's a joke . Fair comment but neither that nor any other plan will work unless there is serious programme for training youngsters and that in turn depends to some extent on the popularity of the sport. In the short term I don't see how we can manage without a reasonable number of foreign riders until we get a good supply of British youngsters coming through. As I understand the situation at the moment the problem is not lack of training facilities (although there are not many) it is the lack of young riders to fill them . Until we get sufficient numbers of good riders of our own coming through the system we will need foreign riders. But if we do get good riders of our own coming through they will want to earn a decent living or they will be off to pastures new so its very much a circular problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Why doesn't British speedway have the same rules as i.e. Sweden and Poland regarding mandatory presence in the domestic league system? In Sweden, according to the rules (*1.4), a rider using a Swedish license are obligated to be registered for a team in the Swedish league system else he/she will not be allowed to get a starting permit for riding in another countries league. Because it's totally immoral, and probably a restraint-of-trade issue. Not wanting to ride in Britain comes down to not being paid enough, and you can hardly force a rider to accept minimum wage because you happen to have issued them a licence. Enforcing such a rule would simply mean riders crying off meetings on spurious grounds, or them taking out a foreign licence and then being unable to represent the country. I might disagree with riders wanting to change the BEL to suit their own circumstances, but I'd certainly support their right to earn a living how and where they like. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 (edited) I think what Britain needs to do, is to make it almost impossible for riders to race other leagues. I know one league has been discussed, but, as Britain is supposedly the lowest payers to its riders, surely the time is about right, almost 20 years since it was last tried, to give an 18-strong league another go. Make it so that almost half the week, riders are racing and therefore can't be elsewhere in Europe. Allowing riders the chance to earn their living how they wish.. well, that swayed all the power into their corner and look where British speedway is right now. I mean, when was the last time the Poles or Swedes discovered a talent from overseas? For example, did Chris Holder ply his early years in Poland and then was courted by Poole? Did Darcy Ward learn his apprenticeship in Sweden? No, usually they arrive on these shores first. I know it has probably happened, the so-called more lucrative leagues in Europe finding overseas (to them) talent. Usually, though, it is soft-old Britain that firstly entertains them, then trains them.. eventually, other countries simply drain them. Edited July 29, 2014 by moxey63 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 Allowing riders the chance to earn their living how they wish.. well, that swayed all the power into their corner and look where British speedway is right now. I didn't suggest bending over backwards for the riders. The British leagues should be run how they need to be run - which is regular speedway with the same riders from week-to-week - and riders make their choices accordingly. Usually, though, it is soft-old Britain that firstly entertains them, then trains them.. eventually, other countries simply drain them. I'm sure the Poles and Swedes train plenty of riders of their own, especially from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Russia. The simple fact of the matter though, is that Britain isn't economically advantageous enough to keep the top riders, and why should they ride indefinitely for lower rates because they might have started their professional careers there? Would you continue to work for apprentice rates out of gratitude to your original employer? That's even assuming the British teams are actually 'training' these foreign and Commonwealth riders anyway. In many cases they'll already be reasonably accomplished riders who are maybe refined by their host teams, but equally are providing their labour to fill their sides. There should be a European-wide scheme for compensating tracks that genuinely train or bring-on riders, financed by all the professional leagues and the SGP, but that's another story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 (edited) Truth is... we, as speedway fans, often compare the sport to the more professional game of football, when trying to make a point. Well, football wouldn't allow players to partake in several other leagues. We are forever trying to think of ideas to attract new fans. But other sports fans, the football ones, for an example, they would laugh at speedway and its travelling circus of top stars. Football fans have been brought up on there players playing for their club. Full stop. Speedway will never be taken seriously... not when men are dashing here, there and every blooming where, trying to make a living... at the same time, to the detriment of the sport as a whole and when trying to attract new fans and needed media coverage. It makes me cringe when Nige Pearson forever provides the knowledge... that this rider rides in England on a Monday; Sweden, Tuesday... Alright, you can't stop riders from earning a living... but, as the likes of Tai Woffinden recently, they are burnt out and cannot be giving their all... in every meeting, never mind every race. It is robbing speedway, its few remaining die hards... but as long as the riders are earning a living. Perhaps British speedway isn't as attractive to top riders anymore. So it should look at ways of making itself a better proposition. The Elite League is about five years passed its sell by date. A restructure is needed, not some bright ideas of giving a team extra points, should it turn up with at least two guys who were in the press day photo. We need to be serious... to be taken serious. If Britain can't afford to pay top stars, then so be it. Plan for a future and make new top stars. But get the structure right. I know people on this forum will get all pinicky and come back with smart mouthed replies. But it is frustrating, watching something you know has the makings of a decent sport... drifting along, as not in control of where it may end. Edited July 30, 2014 by moxey63 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 29, 2014 Report Share Posted July 29, 2014 I think what Britain needs to do, is to make it almost impossible for riders to race other leagues. I know one league has been discussed, but, as Britain is supposedly the lowest payers to its riders, surely the time is about right, almost 20 years since it was last tried, to give an 18-strong league another go. Make it so that almost half the week, riders are racing and therefore can't be elsewhere in Europe. Allowing riders the chance to earn their living how they wish.. well, that swayed all the power into their corner and look where British speedway is right now. I mean, when was the last time the Poles or Swedes discovered a talent from overseas? For example, did Chris Holder ply his early years in Poland and then was courted by Poole? Did Darcy Ward learn his apprenticeship in Sweden? No, usually they arrive on these shores first. I know it has probably happened, the so-called more lucrative leagues in Europe finding overseas (to them) talent. Usually, though, it is soft-old Britain that firstly entertains them, then trains them.. eventually, other countries simply drain them. I thought we already had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Comparing speedway to football is ridiculous. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crump99 Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Comparing speedway to football is ridiculous. It's the entertainment industry and both are asking the general public to fork out their hard earned to watch it, so not entirely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigcatdiary Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Interesting comments but surely 2 nights is the way forward, Wednesday & Thursday with one home and one away each week on either night. No guests would be needed for double up riders if PL ran on any nights other than the fore mentioned and let everyone double up, why not, if a team wants to include someone on a 12 or 13 point average so what, they will surely be exposed somewhere else. The top riders could then just ride 2 nights in the UK and those that wanted more could double up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Comparing speedway to football is ridiculous. Exactly! Therefore, people on here must stop doing it. Speedway is less organised... even than the table football we used to play on our wobbly coffee table, back in the 70s. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Comparing speedway to football is ridiculous. No it isn't!!! They BOTH have Corners. :rofl: I'l get me coat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 No it isn't!!! They BOTH have Corners. :rofl: I'l get me coat. You should. Last time I looked, speedway had no corners, only bends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 You should. Last time I looked, speedway had no corners, only bends. Joketic License my friend. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ch958 Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Interesting comments but surely 2 nights is the way forward, Wednesday & Thursday with one home and one away each week on either night. No guests would be needed for double up riders if PL ran on any nights other than the fore mentioned and let everyone double up, why not, if a team wants to include someone on a 12 or 13 point average so what, they will surely be exposed somewhere else. The top riders could then just ride 2 nights in the UK and those that wanted more could double up. Thursday is speedway night on Teesside and has been since forever Who is going to compensate them if things go ** up having to change race night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted July 30, 2014 Report Share Posted July 30, 2014 Monday and Wednesday would be the best two nights if EL went that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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