Shared No. 1 For 2015 El Season?

[Aces51]

BUT, like it or not, there are still people out there who want to see the top riders racing in the Elite League. If "shared number ones" for want of a better phrase, are on the same deal where is the additional cost?

Presumably, they would each want to have their own machinery over here if they were fully committed to giving it their best and not just using it to supplement their richer pickings from Sweden and Poland. In that case it seems highly likely that the combined cost will be greater.

[thecoombdog]

Maybe they should ask the fans then what they want instead of always certain riders or teams.

 

I would rather watch riders who race hard and show commitment to the British leagues & also the development of young riders, than riders who are half hearted & think they can dictate the rules.

Can always watch Tai etc in GP if want to see them as never ride same for league anyway.

 

Out of the current GP riders in the EL, I would only miss Iversen & Harris if didn't ride here.

Bomber will be riding plenty over here for years to come because it wont be long until hes doubling up in the premier league. Woffy is a world champ and a winner and people should listen to him because hes talking sense.

[Star Lady]

WOULD get more commitment from a squad rider than a guest most likely

 

Not denying that BUT if a club has 2 riders for the no 1 position, they should have no need of a guest except in the case of long term injury. They can't have their cake and eat it.

If a club has a single rider at number one, they don't have a back up so should have guest. Simples

[Adder]

I still don't see how an Elite League will run next year.

 

Eastbourne are likely to fold. Coventry uncertain. Swindon only just the right side of things financially. Birmingham can't sustain EL speedway.

 

On the premise that Sky insist on a certain number of teams being in the Elite League to continue their contract and there is little likelihood of reaching that number then the only way I can see things going is for an expanded PL without the riders who demand top dollar.

[PHILIPRISING]

Presumably, they would each want to have their own machinery over here if they were fully committed to giving it their best and not just using it to supplement their richer pickings from Sweden and Poland. In that case it seems highly likely that the combined cost will be greater.

DON'T think that is as big an issue as some make out. If each rider knew what fixtures he was in he could plan accordingly and also have stuff on hand if he was required as a late replacement (injury, illness or even a team change, which would add something different)

I still don't see how an Elite League will run next year.

 

Eastbourne are likely to fold. Coventry uncertain. Swindon only just the right side of things financially. Birmingham can't sustain EL speedway.

 

On the premise that Sky insist on a certain number of teams being in the Elite League to continue their contract and there is little likelihood of reaching that number then the only way I can see things going is for an expanded PL without the riders who demand top dollar.

WHERE would that leave Sky? A super league with eight teams (Belle Vue, Coventry, King's Lynn, Lakeside, Leicester, Poole,Swindon and Wolverhampton) racing twice home and away with squads, no guests, and using vacant dates for some secondary competition without top riders against PL teams. We just need some thinking outside the current box which is rapidly becoming a coffin for the Elite League at least.

[Kester]

 

WHERE would that leave Sky? A super league with eight teams (Belle Vue, Coventry, King's Lynn, Lakeside, Leicester, Poole,Swindon and Wolverhampton) racing twice home and away with squads, no guests, and using vacant dates for some secondary competition without top riders against PL teams. We just need some thinking outside the current box which is rapidly becoming a coffin for the Elite League at least.

 

Super League? More like a Last Legs League.

[mudflaps]

Most clubs haven't got a pot to piss in, so are hardly going to pay for two number ones.

The Elite league is a load of number twos!!

[PHILIPRISING]

 

Super League? More like a Last Legs League.

BUT it doesn't have to be ....

[Midland Red]

I doubt anything would get the likes of Nicki Pedersen interested in riding over here again and promoters wouldn't be able to afford them anyway. I've got a better idea - let those riders who can't commit to a full season of riding in every match for their club clear off and ride elsewhere.

Absolutely spot on, m'am!

[PHILIPRISING]

Absolutely spot on, m'am!

And no doubt you will be warming your hands on the dying embers of the Elite League ... most of them have cleared off already and where has that left us?

[Bagpuss]

So its ok for Tai to suggest it to suit his needs - but not Matt Ford who was berated and criticised when he proposed this 2 years ago!!?

A bit dramatic, and not really sure who you are arguing with as most people on the thread are against the idea anyway?

 

Personally I'm all for proper squads (ideally with less natches on a set race night(s)) but wouldn't want shared number ones. Would lead to top riders picking and choosing and the richer clubs would 'stockpile' the best riders. And I don't think there would be enough genuine number ones for everyone to have two. Bad idea.

[Trees]

If we carried on with home and away twice I'd want to see both riders doing all the tracks, not picking and choosing.

 

If this is the only way to keep certain riders racing here and perhaps encourage other talented riders over here again let's do it, I do enjoy watching top riders racing here and am sure I'm not alone.

 

I dunno about Monday nights, I got used to Wednesday speedway instead of Saturdays so if the stadiums were all available then no probs for me I guess.

A bit dramatic, and not really sure who you are arguing with as most people on the thread are against the idea anyway?

Personally I'm all for proper squads (ideally with less natches on a set race night(s)) but wouldn't want shared number ones. Would lead to top riders picking and choosing and the richer clubs would 'stockpile' the best riders. And I don't think there would be enough genuine number ones for everyone to have two. Bad idea.

Something the promoters would have to find out?

[heathen chemistry]

yet another stupid idea , if it comes in it wont last , remember one rider over 8 ? and many many other ideas that promoters have had that simply do not last

i sincerely hope the british draft reserves doesnt suffer the same fate, but i wouldnt be surprised,

 

when will the bspa stop messing with the rules,

what we need is a proper structured 1-7 .....it worked for many years in the 60's 70's 80;s

 

as for the arguement that top riders carnt commit to a full season well nothings stopping a team making changes and bringing in a top star half way into the season

 

commitment , more brits , a proper well thought out fixture list which accounts for as many fixture clashes as possible

 

or

 

a standard 1-7

[SPEEDY69]

A little bit dramatic no?

 

It would only be for No. 1's and not the entire squad.

 

And I think Torun's dream team may be more down to the lack of a points limit in Poland.

 

If it's a squad system then why restrict it to just the number 1s? Many number 2s and 3s ride all over the place as well. Let's share all the positions so that teams can pick and choose track specialists and those who only ride over here can see their earnings cut dramatically - got to be the way forward

 

In reality, this only panders to those who want their cake and to eat it. British speedway may well do better with more committed setlled sides with less chopping and changing of the line up which just creates injustices and conspiracy accusations.

[Aces51]

I don't believe that lack of GP riders is the main reason for falling crowd numbers. It is one of the reasons but the truth is that crowds have been dropping since the 1980's and the top riders didn't really start to disappear until after 2007.

 

I agree with what others have said that far more relevant is the need to get back to settled teams with riders that fans can relate to as theirs. To me a major part of the enjoyment used to be watching riders from the second half reserve races progress into the team and then, in some cases, to becoming stars of the team. You identified with them, you had a loyalty to them and they had a loyalty to the team. You knew that if they were doing their job they would probably be there year after year. The implementation of rider allocation and then maximum team averages started to have an affect but up until the 90's team changes from one year to the next were relatively minimal.

 

We need to get back to that continuity where kids and fans in general can identify with their favourite rider and follow him riding for their team over many seasons. If that can be achieved by squads and it is a practical and affordable option then let's go for it. If not then we need to build a system involving only those riders willing to commit to the EL, encourage local riders and discriminate in favour of producing British talent.

[g13webb]

Although I don't like the squad idea, I believe the system is the better than using Guest and R/R like we have now.

 

I think the idea of Joint No 1 is a good compromise. We all appreciate the need of top riders in our league, and any help that would persuade additional top riders to race has to be considered.

Probably next year we could have teams (squads) of 9 riders. 2 x No1's; 2 x FTR's; and No's 2,3,4 and ,5 , plus another standby rider with a 6pt average to cover those pre-mentioned positions. Anything that would enable to get rid of that GUEST facility has to be better than we use at present.

[ch958]

I don't believe that lack of GP riders is the main reason for falling crowd numbers. It is one of the reasons but the truth is that crowds have been dropping since the 1980's and the top riders didn't really start to disappear until after 2007.

 

I agree with what others have said that far more relevant is the need to get back to settled teams with riders that fans can relate to as theirs. To me a major part of the enjoyment used to be watching riders from the second half reserve races progress into the team and then, in some cases, to becoming stars of the team. You identified with them, you had a loyalty to them and they had a loyalty to the team. You knew that if they were doing their job they would probably be there year after year. The implementation of rider allocation and then maximum team averages started to have an affect but up until the 90's team changes from one year to the next were relatively minimal.

 

We need to get back to that continuity where kids and fans in general can identify with their favourite rider and follow him riding for their team over many seasons. If that can be achieved by squads and it is a practical and affordable option then let's go for it. If not then we need to build a system involving only those riders willing to commit to the EL, encourage local riders and discriminate in favour of producing British talent.

 

spot on mate

[Gemini]

Absolutely spot on, m'am!

I feel like I've won an Oscar with so many likes. I'd be quite happy with a P.L. type team who were going to turn up every week instead of what we have at the moment. Danes/Poles having to ride in their own country (understandable if fixtures clash) or making up silly excuses to miss meetings, doubling up/down, or whatever it is, like Howarth and Garrity who seem to be more often than not absent from the Bees team. I'd really love Speedway to be more settled before I kick the bucket but I wonder if it will ever happen. Probably not as each season seems worse than the one before.

[DC2]

I feel like I've won an Oscar with so many likes. I'd be quite happy with a P.L. type team who were going to turn up every week instead of what we have at the moment. Danes/Poles having to ride in their own country (understandable if fixtures clash) or making up silly excuses to miss meetings, doubling up/down, or whatever it is, like Howarth and Garrity who seem to be more often than not absent from the Bees team. I'd really love Speedway to be more settled before I kick the bucket but I wonder if it will ever happen. Probably not as each season seems worse than the one before.

 

 

Agreed, Gem.

 

If we're to retain the EL as a cut above the PL all we need is a smattering of international riders to mix with doubling up PL riders but this only works without so many fixture clashes.

 

So why not at least have PL fixtures on different days from EL fixtures (eg Fri -Sun)? Yes, EL tracks would be left to ride Mon-Thurs but they would have a much better chance of full teams.

 

As for Tai, he can pick & choose his leagues to further his career if he wishes but he should not be allowed to represent GB if he does not ride here full-time.

[pandorum]

BUT it doesn't have to be ....

But sadly it will be

 

These #1s we are talking about won't be riding for points money so how will teams afford 2 when most can't even afford 1 because anyone who thinks 2 will cost the same as 1 is bonkers.

 

Like one night racing it's a pipedream. The EL can't even afford what it's got let alone flying in Greg or Nicki.

These people only want this because it suits them so they can stay sharp and test equipment for the big leagues and GP etc.

I preferred watching 7 non big names who turned up every match and gave 100% for the team I supported rather than some superstar who was there when it suited him.

 

And where is there any proof that these #1s make racing and therefore entertainment better?

My favourite racing was old NNL/NL back in the 70/80s which was great compared to old BL which I watched a lot also.

Stars don't make the league better racing does.

 

Speedway here is clueless and potless with no investment from sponsors that is worth anything nationally, no vision or leadership and dwindling interest from it's own diehards who like TWK have given up altogether.

The idea that somehow they can go from that to having a Polish type super league with GP stars thick as flies at every meeting is too ridiculous for words.

 

The sport needs radical changes and needs to take several steps back to survive.

It needs to consolidate by having a league system it can afford which is a PL level.

Then it needs to build by investing in home grown riders.

It needs to invest in structures that provide a sensible rule based system that is not open to fiddling and provide racing which means investing in track surfaces..

Then it can move forward and perhaps grow by promoting itself.

 

Sadly all this needs leadership and some one with vision and speedway does not have anyone like that so what will happen next year will likely be price increases, dilution of team strengths and petty rule tinkering.

 

Speedway in the UK is the Panda of the sporting world.

A waste of time putting money in as it is determined to become extinct

Edited August 21, 2014 by pandorum