British Speedway 2015

[Hackney Speedway]

Okay, I know the 2015 speedway season in months away yet. Serious thought has to go into the makeup of the leagues in 2015 now.

When it was announced air fences were to become compulsory in 2014, the general thoughts of a lot of people that clubs would close. Apart from the shambles that appeared to take place at the Isle of Wight which regrettably did close [some say it was nothing to do with getting an air-fence] every club survived.

As we get into August, surely the BSPA should be asking what the fans want in 2015? I guess all of what the paying public want the BSPA will be unable to deliver.

You or I don’t need telling what a state UK speedway is in. There will be differing answers, but the one theme that always seems to appear is the lack of world class riders currently not riding in the British Elite League. We are very lucky we have a British World Speedway Champion who races here in the UK. But should Tai retain his crown or not, after taking a break from speedway just before the World Team Cup, will Tai return to the 2015 Elite League in the UK?

Of course the other question, will there be a British Elite League in 2015? Looking at the Elite and Premier Leagues I don’t think there is much difference rider wise between the pair of them. When EL riders drop down, they never keep to their starting average. I recall several years ago Ben Howe who rose for Ipswich, moved to Newport in 2000 on an 11plus average yet finished the season just over 8 points per meeting. Edward Kennett this year is similar, comes into the PL just over a 10.5 average yet is now only averaging just under 9, Danny King comes in at Newcastle at just over 11, and I’m sure his average will drop accordingly.

So should the Elite League fold, and clubs join the Premier League, but on the PL terms? Could we reduce the not so good foreigners who seem to in my view take up a birth a British rider should be taking?

Virtually every business today wants to know how they’ve done. Whether that’s BA, Government, British Gas, Virgin Trains, Hoteliers, the list could go on and on, but they all want your feedback. So surely why aren’t our promoters on behalf of the BSPA asking us, the paying public what we want!

So many people are walking away from speedway in the UK and they won’t come back.

For clubs out on a limb geographically, there’s nothing wrong with asking your fans what they want.

Where there are clubs fairly close together you could have a regional gathering of supporters and members of the BSPA to get the feeling of the supporters.

Cradley I know are an exception to the rule, but they get packed houses for meeting the likes of Hamill and Hancock in a kind of fans forum. Certainly Tai Woffinden had a packed out forum last year after winning the World Championship.

These are just a few of my thoughts. I’m sure you have other views. Let’s hope someone who promotes speedway in the UK reads the comments [which I hope will be listed below] and starts to listen to what the fans want. Although of course I’m realistic enough to realise we can’t have the earth…….