Poll: Age Of Speedway Fans....

[tootyberry]

I like speedway, I used to go with my dad, loved the noise and the smell :-)

Some of the older fans were great, sociable and freindly, but there was an older lady, with a dog who didn't like children having fun and running around.

"you might fall and get hurt", if I fall in your dog pooh, you'll be the one crying, ha,

some older guy said "grow up", what, into a bigoted old chuffer, I thought,,, and some of them were swearing at the referee,,,

there's alway's some bad apples :-(

[YerRopes]

Interesting that 66% of the forum in this poll are over 40...

 

Anyway, can I ask that those in charge of the music play some 'Green On Red' from the late 80's, early 90's...

 

Thank you very much..

[LagutaRacingFan]

I'm 15?

[weatherwatcher]

What needs to change is the majority of the speedway stadiums. That have not had anything or very little done to them for years. They look very tired and dilapidated now. It seems some of the owners are very much against spending anything on the infrastructure in the stadiums.

Most of them are still in the 1960's mode. I go to Leicester a new purpose built track that is clean and friendly to the fans. When you go to other stadiums, not all of them but some it is no wonder that the fans stay away.

It is not the older generation that stops people going, you don't actually go to look who is there, you go to watch the meeting.

I went in the 60's and 70's when the barriers where wooden posts with steel cables so at least we have come on a long way since then, but we still have a long way to go.

When you see speedway in Poland you can see why they have such a huge fan base, the stadiums are all far superior to anything we have over here and they make an effort to make the fans feel welcome in a stadium that is all seating, with top notch facilities

Plus they charge a lot less admission than over here, they may earn less, but most of the clubs have the worlds top riders over there, something that most have turned their back on. Making British speedway a second rate el to what we had a few years ago. .

[Skid Sprocket]

What needs to change is the majority of the speedway stadiums. That have not had anything or very little done to them for years. They look very tired and dilapidated now. It seems some of the owners are very much against spending anything on the infrastructure in the stadiums.

Most of them are still in the 1960's mode. I go to Leicester a new purpose built track that is clean and friendly to the fans. When you go to other stadiums, not all of them but some it is no wonder that the fans stay away.

It is not the older generation that stops people going, you don't actually go to look who is there, you go to watch the meeting.

I went in the 60's and 70's when the barriers where wooden posts with steel cables so at least we have come on a long way since then, but we still have a long way to go.

When you see speedway in Poland you can see why they have such a huge fan base, the stadiums are all far superior to anything we have over here and they make an effort to make the fans feel welcome in a stadium that is all seating, with top notch facilities

Plus they charge a lot less admission than over here, they may earn less, but most of the clubs have the worlds top riders over there, something that most have turned their back on. Making British speedway a second rate el to what we had a few years ago. .

A clean tidy well cared for stadium would certainly be an encouragement to attendance figures but someone has to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in to get the desired effect.

 

Although maybe the subject for a separate topic but still relevant to this one, of the stadiums that are well turned out are there any unsung hero's who voluntarily pick up a paint brush, sweeping brush, litter pick etc. behind the scenes and never get a mention? (Please, no names without permission)

[weatherwatcher]

At every speedway stadium throughout the country there are loads of unsung hero's who spend many hours of their own time with no financial gain for themselves doing jobs in and around the stadium, with very little in the way of thanks for what they do.

If the clubs had to pay wages to all this kind and generous people, who love their sport and think the world of their club, who tirelessly, spend hours doing those jobs, who if the owners had to pay that wage bill, we the fans would have to pay far more to get in to watch the meetings. So I think we should all say a very big thank-you to all the people up and down the country at our speedway tracks who give up their own time, to clean toilets, pick up litter and do all the other roles they undertake a very big thank-you, because without you our speedway stadiums would be even more un-welcomiming

[The White Knight]

At every speedway stadium throughout the country there are loads of unsung hero's who spend many hours of their own time with no financial gain for themselves doing jobs in and around the stadium, with very little in the way of thanks for what they do.

If the clubs had to pay wages to all this kind and generous people, who love their sport and think the world of their club, who tirelessly, spend hours doing those jobs, who if the owners had to pay that wage bill, we the fans would have to pay far more to get in to watch the meetings. So I think we should all say a very big thank-you to all the people up and down the country at our speedway tracks who give up their own time, to clean toilets, pick up litter and do all the other roles they undertake a very big thank-you, because without you our speedway stadiums would be even more un-welcomiming

So very true. These people should never be forgotten because without them - some Tracks might not even be operating.

 

A big THANK YOU to you all - everywhere.

[foamfence]

I like speedway, I used to go with my dad, loved the noise and the smell :-)

Some of the older fans were great, sociable and freindly, but there was an older lady, with a dog who didn't like children having fun and running around.

"you might fall and get hurt", if I fall in your dog pooh, you'll be the one crying, ha,

some older guy said "grow up", what, into a bigoted old chuffer, I thought,,, and some of them were swearing at the referee,,,

there's alway's some bad apples :-(

Well that sounds to be quite sociable compared to going to a football match.

[The Voice Of Reason]

Well, not surprisingly, I fall into the most popular bracket.

 

Maybe, if this information is shared for marketing purposes, we could get new sponsors into this sport - Brut, Old Holborn and 'Hernias R Us' spring instantly to mind!

[ruffdiamond]

Ye forgot to mention fisherman's friend, lol

[Skid Sprocket]

Just done a quick count of forum member and there looks to be almost 14000 although many will be inactive it would make a more meaningful result for the poll if we could reach 1000 responses Any more takers?

[Guest]

Just done a quick count of forum member and there looks to be almost 14000 although many will be inactive it would make a more meaningful result for the poll if we could reach 1000 responses Any more takers?

Some of the members joined the BSF as much as 10 years ago and never seem to have made another visit or sent a Post.

How many responses have there been so far - is the poll really going to prove anything meaningful? Good luck with your endeavours anyway.

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

I'm 15?

usernames maybe - but you get just 1 vote.

[customhouseregular]

I have been a speedway fan since 1960 but find it impossible to attend meetings. Therefore I am ineligible to take part in your poll.

[The White Knight]

I have been a speedway fan since 1960 but find it impossible to attend meetings. Therefore I am ineligible to take part in your poll.

You are entitled to a view though. Therefore - you are entitled to a Vote CHR.

[customhouseregular]

Just voted and see that 174 votes cast...not enough to be a reliable sample but precious few under-25's.

 

If people have not started following speedway by age 25, are they going to start at all?.

 

It seems the majority of fans are male over 40...why is the sport not attractive to young people anymore?.

 

When I was a regular in my teens and twenties there were large numbers of my peers at meetings.

 

Hopefully a lot more members will vote so a truer picture may emerge.

[Alan_Jones]

If people have not started following speedway by age 25, are they going to start at all?.

 

I did.

[ruffdiamond]

Just voted and see that 174 votes cast...not enough to be a reliable sample but precious few under-25's.

 

If people have not started following speedway by age 25, are they going to start at all?.

 

It seems the majority of fans are male over 40...why is the sport not attractive to young people anymore?.

 

When I was a regular in my teens and twenties there were large numbers of my peers at meetings.

 

Hopefully a lot more members will vote so a truer picture may emerge.

But probably won't,,,

[arnieg]

Hopefully a lot more members will vote so a truer picture may emerge.

 

However the nature of internet polls is they tend to under represent older people - so it is quite possible that the actual age profile of speedway fans is even older than shown by this poll.

 

From my attendance at a wide variety of tracks I'd guess the age profile is not far off but the gender split under represents women.

[customhouseregular]

I did.

And hopefully you love it as much as ever

 

However the nature of internet polls is they tend to under represent older people - so it is quite possible that the actual age profile of speedway fans is even older than shown by this poll.

 

From my attendance at a wide variety of tracks I'd guess the age profile is not far off but the gender split under represents women.

There did seem to be plenty of girls and young ladies at meetings I attended way back when.

But probably won't,,,

If people are bothered to sign up and post, why be apathetic about a poll?. It takes 10 seconds to vote