marko Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 I agree whole so strongly with the letter in the star and discussed above i would like to copy it here Verbatim (I hope this is allowed because i feel that it is something all fans should see regardless of whether they subscribe to the Star or not) Having taken on the role of sponsor and manager of Niklas Porsing, this season has been an eye opener to me, seeing the sport from more than a fans point of view. I have looked after Niklas’ affairs in the UK and Europe this year and driven him to each Elite track and from this experience, my belief is that British speedway is attempting suicide. The debacle at Poole last week has only confirmed this belief further. Having arrived at Poole, myself, Niklas and Robert Lambert walked the track at 5pm Monday. Yes, rain had fallen throughout the day but at this time it was dry with no more rain forecast. The track was soaked and the track staff were attempting to blade off some water and some shale or, at this time, liquid slurry. It was on the first bend that Niklas, as all riders do, toed the track for grip. The track immediately broke up creating a four inch deep hole, down to a base of loose gravel. As other riders inspected the hole, it was obvious this hole would continue opening up and so would other areas leading into bend two. The whole area of loose track could have been repaired by filling the holes with fresh shale and compacting it. The rest of the track was not perfect due to the rain, but would have been made satisfactory to race. Sadly, it was found that Poole do not have a supply of shale, so the holes were filled with unsuitable gravel. Track staff then attempted to pack it with a small van running over the area, I’m sorry, but i thought speedway was a professional sport? This was so amateurish. It is meant to be the ‘Elite’ League. As we know, all the riders deemed the track unsafe and the meeting was postponed until Wednesday. The forecast for the week including Wednesday, was dreadful. However, Niklas and I set off for Poole at 11am from Norfolk and drove through torrential rain on the M25 and M3 with dark clouds ahead of us towards Poole. The weather radar was showing heavy rain at Poole at this time and continuing into the afternoon. We drove on, expecting a call to say the meeting was off, but none came. We arrived at the track at 3pm, where we was told all was in order and the track would be fit. Then we saw the track, with the inside of the third bend flooded. Even without more expected rain, it was obvious the track would not be ready. To have it ready (without further rain), all the track surface, down to the base, would have had to have been bladed off and then new, dry shale laid and prepared. One saviour may well have been track covers, but you also need good drainage to enable the water to flow off. As a fan, having seen the forecast, I would not have travelled. But Niklas does not have that choice. In my view, the Poole management, knowing the situation of the track and the weather forecast, and with riders and fans from kings Lynn having a 200 mile journey, should have made the call off decision before lunch, not at 4pm. Some say Sky TV are to blame but what influence Sky have, I do not know. But whether it is Sky or the tracks management, decisions have to be made earlier going on the known facts. British Speedway is dying! And i think I know why. If you re-call a couple of decades back, the Bradford football disaster, Hillsborough, Heysel and hooliganism. Football was dying then, fans didn’t want to go to be poorly entertained, possibly attacked and stand in run down stadiums. But football woke up and business people invested in the sport. Facilities were improved and football knew it had to entertain. Look at where football is now, It’s not perfect, but the facilities for fans are excellent and speedway would love even a tenth of the money thrown at it. Without fans, either paying to attend a meeting, buying TV subscriptions, buying food/drink/merchandise at stadiums, you don’t have a sport. I could go through my thoughts on each Elite track I have visited but here are just a few comments which spring to mind. Swindon hasn’t had a coat of paint since electricity was connected to replace the gas lamps; Coventry, I have never seen such disgusting toilets and changing rooms; Belle Vue, track preparation was a man standing on the back of an old harrow to weigh it down. I could go on. Promoters wonder why crowds are so low but perhaps they are because of poor racing as no effort is put into creating fair, safe, race tracks for good, exciting and competitive racing and offering fans run down, poor facilities. Set race nights would help, so fans can plan in advance. Get rid of the ridiculous guest rider system and have squads. I want to see the best, not the also-rans. It would be easy to go on and on. Speedway needs to be marketed to bring in the fans, kids love it. It used to be a great family sport but you cannot market the dross we have at the moment. Take someone new to a speedway meeting and they will probably enjoy the racing but won’t come back! Why? They don’t want to go to a dump! The sport needs to look forward. With insight and investment, we could have some stadiums like Poland and fill these with 5,000 plus fans each week. But sadly promoters and management will only look after their own interests, seeing no further than the end of their noses. I’m sorry but in a few years time, without change, people will be saying, “do you remember that motorcycle sport, what was it called?” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packerman Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Thank you for that Claret73. every track has it's problems. Poole's is it's antiquated main stand and I won't go on about the track work the other week. Belle Vue , well the less said the better because hopefully the new stadium is coming and are leaving the Dogbowl soon. Coventry I have only been their once and the racing was awful with a really heavy track with next to no passing in the Title playoff in 2010. The viewing on the home straight where you are head height to the track is odd. Eastbourne sadly leaving the league but the facilities again leave alot to desire but the racing isn't too bad. Kings Lynn Having been there only once on a wet night about 15 years ago I think. The racing looks exciting tho Lakeside just too far from the action and no seating unless you bring your own seat facilities more suited for the banger racing fans. Leicester I haven't been to but going by other comments here is no passing unless a rider makes an error. Swindon great racing but the untold horrors of the back staight toilets to go with the above comments. From a fans point of view the catch fencing on the bends spoilt the track action. Wolverhampton as much as I hate to say it the stadium is great for viewing the racing probably the best facilities from a fans point of view. Birimingham another track I have I only been to once great facilities but from my view point on the 1st bend could hardly see the riders on bends 3&4. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Brilliant.Just relies on about 8 or 10 guys to come along and build state of the art stadiums.Preferably with sliding roofs,sort of mini-Cardiff jobbies and then have enough money left over to attract all the top riders........ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 What we need is great stadium etc to brink the fans back ....Like Brum ,Oxford and London ...looks at the crowds and how well they done . just go's to show how important it is to speedway fans how plush the stadium is . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 The sport needs to look forward. With insight and investment, we could have some stadiums like Poland and fill these with 5,000 plus fans each week. But sadly promoters and management will only look after their own interests, seeing no further than the end of their noses. What a great idea. All we need now is a bank that will lend several million pounds and to find a few plots of land to build these Polish-style stadiums, local councils to give planning permission, local residents who are not going to complain about the noise and extra traffic, and all the sports problems are solved. I don't think so. Its amazing that people who come up with these bright ideas never tell us where the money is coming from. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packerman Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 What a great idea. All we need now is a bank that will lend several million pounds and to find a few plots of land to build these Polish-style stadiums, local councils to give planning permission, local residents who are not going to complain about the noise and extra traffic, and all the sports problems are solved. I don't think so. Its amazing that people who come up with these bright ideas never tell us where the money is coming from. the good news is that the stadiums are enclosed which will help keep the noise levels down a bit, but still too expensive here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 For me the stadiums don't matter that much,i except that most are rented so the improvements won't be made.All i want is to be entertained and feel i have had value for money,get back to simple rules drop the Micky mouse double points rule and have a proper winner of the league title over a full season.If need be have a separate competition for the top four to satisfy SKY? to keep the season alive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 (edited) Stadiums don't mean too much... remember how the old Hyde Road looked, even back then. It needed a lick of paint, and the toilets weren't a place you'd want to hang around.. But Hyde Road had the track... and that's all you need with this sport - a track. The Likes of Somerset and Scunthorpe have built up neat stadiums from virtually nothing. So it can be done. As long as it's presentable, the main objective is to provide a sport that's enjoyable. I didn't stop attending speedway, and now stay at home on Mondays, because the stadium at Kirky Lane was not up to my living room standards. Edited October 18, 2014 by moxey63 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Stadiums don't mean too much... remember how the old Hyde Road looked, even back then. It needed a lick of paint, and the toilets weren't a place you'd want to hang around.. But Hyde Road had the track... and that's all you need with this sport - a track. The Likes of Somerset and Scunthorpe have built up neat stadiums from virtually nothing. So it can be done. As long as it's presentable, the main objective is to provide a sport that's enjoyable. I didn't stop attending speedway, and now stay at home on Mondays, because the stadium at Kirky Lane was not up to my living room standards. Exactly!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 (edited) Stadiums don't mean too much... remember how the old Hyde Road looked, even back then. It needed a lick of paint, and the toilets weren't a place you'd want to hang around.. But Hyde Road had the track... and that's all you need with this sport - a track. The Likes of Somerset and Scunthorpe have built up neat stadiums from virtually nothing. So it can be done. As long as it's presentable, the main objective is to provide a sport that's enjoyable. I didn't stop attending speedway, and now stay at home on Mondays, because the stadium at Kirky Lane was not up to my living room standards. Don't agree.Us old 'uns were used to crappy stadia.When we started going all stadia were pretty run down.There was hardly a new stadium built within a 30 or 40 year period.Football stadiums were more or less of a standard to compare to speedway stadiums and most cinemas were flea pits!!But that has all changed now and people are used to decent facilities at other sports and newbies will be put off by shabby facilities and crap food........The trouble is who is going to cough up for new stadiums? Edited October 18, 2014 by iris123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted October 18, 2014 Report Share Posted October 18, 2014 Don't agree.Us old 'uns were used to crappy stadia.When we started going all stadia were pretty run down.There was hardly a new stadium built within a 30 or 40 year period.Football stadiums were more or less of a standard to compare to speedway stadiums and most cinemas were flea pits!!But that has all changed now and people are used to decent facilities at other sports and newbies will be put off by shabby facilities and crap food........The trouble is who is going to cough up for new stadiums? Fair and good question. Answers on a Postcard.......................................................................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillipsr Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Im not looking for brand new stadiums but not standing in a complete s##t hole would be nice. Its not that expensive to buy some paint and get a cleaner for the toilets is it? I realise some dont care as long as the track is good but many do care and i cant see any value of paying £20 ( admission + drink) to stand in a dump praying that i dont need to pee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 Fair and good question. Answers on a Postcard.......................................................................... Well, for a start it may be appropriate to study other sports and rationalise how they managed to turn things round. A good example in my mind is Rugby League. It has a small base of support in 3-4 countries but has largely succeeded in turning from a winter sport played in poor stadia, to a well-funded, media-savvy sport with the majority of top clubs in modern 21st Century facilities. If I was part of the SCB or BSPA, a phone call to the Rugby League HQ might be a good place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) Don't think the stadiums are a big factor in bike sport if you look at other forms such as BSB,Mx the spectators stand in a field to watch the racing,it's the value for money and the daft rules that need to looked at.the sport cannot be taken seriously as a Team sport IMO . Edited October 19, 2014 by Fromafar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) Don't agree.Us old 'uns were used to crappy stadia.When we started going all stadia were pretty run down.There was hardly a new stadium built within a 30 or 40 year period.Football stadiums were more or less of a standard to compare to speedway stadiums and most cinemas were flea pits!!But that has all changed now and people are used to decent facilities at other sports and newbies will be put off by shabby facilities and crap food........The trouble is who is going to cough up for new stadiums? I agree, speedway stadiums have stayed the same as back in the day or been allowed to fall behind the times. People expect more when they attend a sporting event... but we are simply talking about a sport that has its a*** hanging out. Belle Vue's decision to be awarded a brand new place goes against the grain of a sport or perhaps any business that has continued to lose custom and money over many decades. Belle Vue's new stadium won't draw any beneficial increase in numbers at the gates... and newcomers won't come back because they were allowed to use a neat toilet. They can pop in a fast food place and use their facilities for free. On the other hand, if it were a food outlet, seeing dirty toilets... now that would put me off going there again. I'd probably leave the grub that I'd ordered and make a swift exit. Attending a sporting occasion, a minority one, usually means you are attending for that one thing. Grubby loos won't put you off watching the racing; but they would turn your guts if you used neglected WC rooms at a fast-food place. Belle Vue's new place will see the same faces that Kirky Lane has kept hold of. Perhaps a few old stagers will return, may remain or give it a future swerve, as the sport isn't what they remember. Most fans stopped going, not because facilities went stinky, but because they were frustrated or they used their speedway cash on more needier things. As for newcomers... personally I don't see any rush of newcomers. I feel most newcomers only come in the first place because they are brought along by family or friends. I suspect there aren't many that are persuaded by what dross they've seen from the Elite League these past few season, courtesy of SKY. The sport, and not facilities, needs to be addressed fully. Hopefully, it'll keep what fans still attend, and they may live to introduce other people. Apart from that, speedway, or British Speedway, could go the same way as those sweets from the seventies, you no longer see because nobody bought them. I, for one, don't care what is going on at a speedway meeting... as long as the sport's structure, line-ups, rules... as long as it is a product that your inner belief is in full trust of. And that isn't the case right now. Edited October 19, 2014 by moxey63 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 I don't think the state of the stadiums has that much effect to be honest. Yes clean toilets should be a must. As should a safe environment, not crumbling terraces. However some of my favourite venues are those that have grass banks, where in good weather you can sit on a blanket and have a picnic and enjoy the sun. You can wander round and talk to folk, some of whom you know and some you don't. Terracing is fine but not as nice as grass to sit on or look at. I hate being confined to a seat in a stand. You are stuck next to someone you possibly can't abide or someone who smells and cannot escape without a fuss. Half the fun of an away match is a wander round the terracing/grass banks trying to spot people you may not have seen for years or watching the racing from a different viewpoint. Stadiums like Cardiff have their place but in all honesty I'm far happier on the back straight grass at Peterborough or Stoke. Maybe I'm just strange The sport needs to attract newcomers, of that there is no question but I doubt many will be tempted by a sparkly new stadium whilst the same old farcical rubbish is shown on TV. Once that is sorted out may be the time to reconstruct or build. Buster Chapman has turned what was more or less a ploughed field with terraces into a great smart, stadium with seating, accessible safe terracing, clean toilets and all that goes with it . Apart from the WTC round I doubt the attendances are any higher that they were before he started, probably less. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 If I was part of the SCB or BSPA, a phone call to the Rugby League HQ might be a good place to start. Rugby League's immense fortune was Rupert Murdoch (or his executives) looking around for a sport they could buy into relatively cheaply and control. I think it had very little to do with the marketing ability of the Rugby League, and whilst I'd agree that the sport was transformed, it still hasn't really managed to break out from its heartlands in the North of England and NSW/Queensland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted October 19, 2014 Report Share Posted October 19, 2014 (edited) I don't think the state of the stadiums has that much effect to be honest. Yes clean toilets should be a must. As should a safe environment, not crumbling terraces. However some of my favourite venues are those that have grass banks, The sport needs to attract newcomers, of that there is no question but I doubt many will be tempted by a sparkly new stadium whilst the same old farcical rubbish is shown on TV. Like i said the traditional fan has grown up with crumbling stadiums.We take it as normal.New fans don't.They are not used to such things and i know from taking someone new to meetings that the state of the toilets(portaloos in one stadium)is a big turn off.Silly rules aren't as it generally takes a newbie a month or two or more before rules really play much of a part and most don't stay that long.If promoters owned their own stadiums they would be their own master and a large number of problems should be easier to solve.At the moment they get what they are given.Race days facilities and a chance to work on the track..... As for King's Lynn i can't say,never having been there.I'd guess it is just in the wrong place anyway.A pretty quiet part of the country that my Aunt + Uncle retired to from London to get away from it all.Well they have a King's Lynn postcode and live in Narborough.... Edited October 19, 2014 by iris123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 One of the best letters Ive read in the Speedway Star, couldnt disagree with anything he wrote. Just wonder whether the promotors read and took on board his points because thats what most fans think....and now that leaves you with two wishes left... If you believe in fairy godmothers then you can believe that they will all come true as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorum Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 . It's all about impression and if they don't give a toss about the toilets then maybe the rest is pretty poor too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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