Coventry Stadium - The Promotion Men Vs Boys !

[markyb]

Have just returned from an highly enjoyable evening watching Stox at Brandon for the first time in I guess 15 years. The whole event was ultra slick and unfortunately put the speedway guys to shame massively !

 

Having been an attendee as a regular since the Olsen era circa 1976, hand on heart the track even after race 2 of the Rebels and Stox was the best I have seen in years - this even despite a very wet morning in Coventry.

 

I guess one word good news for speedway fans is that I can not see Mr Sandhu giving up the cash cow of sport at the Brandon Stadium as the crowd for a very cool night at the start of April was fantastic, with the Grandstand, bends 1,2,3 & 4 plus the back straight being reminiscent of the early Olsen days for speedway. One major thing that stood out for me was the immediate tractor track preparation within seconds of a race being completed and made me realise that speedway fans are being treated as mugs for having to put up with half hearted promotions.

 

I hope and prey that at some stage Horton and Watson come along and watch the professionals at work.

I had been a critic of Jeremy Heaver in the past - but hey, so regret that now having not realised the good efforts he was putting in - which ultimately is recognised by the public and will pay rewards, deservedly so.

 

one further point is the age demographic tonight vs speedway.

 

Tonight at the Stox was a mixed bag of ALL ages. Speedway at Coventry is like a convention mainly of SAGA holiday shareholders - needs a massive injection to bring the younger people along - ok they offer free admission to the under 11's but somebody need to promote big time - it won't take much, and can provide great rewards as ultimately it is a fantastic sport with some massive celebrities and even at the lower ranks.

(My 9 year old is a massive fan of Ryan Terry Daley and has told me that we have to go and see him at Stoke some time this year as no longer a rider for the Storm)

 

I don't like being negative all the time with my posts on the Forum - but the things I hear and read about the management commitee of the BSPA paint a different picture to reality in my eyes. are they in funded roles ?

The words tinted, rose and spectacles spring to mind.

 

come on fellow speedway forum persons, rip me to shreds and tell me how wrong I am !!!

[P T Preece]

I havent been to the stock cars for a long time but like most other Motor sports it moves on and trys to keep up with the modern era, Speedway is ten years behind other motor sports and I have to agree with everything the above has stated.

A few years ago when the Brummies were in the EL they took a mini bus to the Peterborough meeting and yes it was like an old peoples outting, there was even one bloke on a simmer frame.

Unfortunally a lot of the Promotions dont seem to know how to get the youngers supporters in and there inablity to do this will eventully kill the sport.

[kingbee]

I havent been to the stock cars for a long time but like most other Motor sports it moves on and trys to keep up with the modern era, Speedway is ten years behind other motor sports and I have to agree with everything the above has stated.

A few years ago when the Brummies were in the EL they took a mini bus to the Peterborough meeting and yes it was like an old peoples outting, there was even one bloke on a simmer frame.

Unfortunally a lot of the Promotions dont seem to know how to get the youngers supporters in and there inablity to do this will eventully kill the sport.

nothing wrong with old people you will be old one day .And if one fan needed a frame to walk with why not at least we behave ourselves and show respect

[SteveLyric2]

I havent been to the stock cars for a long time but like most other Motor sports it moves on and trys to keep up with the modern era, Speedway is ten years behind other motor sports and I have to agree with everything the above has stated.

A few years ago when the Brummies were in the EL they took a mini bus to the Peterborough meeting and yes it was like an old peoples outting, there was even one bloke on a simmer frame.

Unfortunally a lot of the Promotions dont seem to know how to get the youngers supporters in and there inablity to do this will eventully kill the sport.

I bet he came to the boil at some point in the meeting?!

[SCB]

nothing wrong with old people you will be old one day .And if one fan needed a frame to walk with why not at least we behave ourselves and show respect

Another one who totally misses the point when someone comments on the age of speedway fans and goes off on a rant.

 

The point is in 20-30 years time the current crop of fans will all be ages 80-110 (which basically means most will be dead or in too poor health to get to speedway). Without the favs the sport will die.

[Bruiser McHuge]

Stock cars place some good adverts in the paper round our way...they make it look exciting and attractive to take the kids....the problem I have with stock cars is that when you are there, and I've been a couple of times, it's bloody boring !...even speedway at its worst is better in my opinion but other people maybe feel different...

But it's not just in the UK...I've watched plenty of meetings in Australia and people seem to prefer the sprintcars, speedcars and sedans than the solo speedway even when all on the same bill on the same night and if a demolition derby is put on then the crowd was heaving.....no accounting for taste

I think speedway has to re define itself as a dangerous, extreme sport and place adverts that emphasise this...try to go down that road and try and appeal to an X Games type of crowd....not easy when it's staged in old stadiums with not much crowd or atmosphere but it's the route they should be trying to go down.

[kingbee]

Another one who totally misses the point when someone comments on the age of speedway fans and goes off on a rant.

The point is in 20-30 years time the current crop of fans will all be ages 80-110 (which basically means most will be dead or in too poor health to get to speedway). Without the favs the sport will die.

Shawn I'm not going of on a rant if you take us so called oap away now there probably wouldn't be any speedway in thi country as the stadiums would be half empty. My lad used to go but it got to expensive and then they just drift away a few years ago there used to be a group of us about 15 altogether that stood on the second bend I'm the last one I am starting to loose interest now and I wouldn't have said that a couple of years ago .i don't know what the answer is but the excitement has gone somehow

[Woz01]

There are plenty of kids that do go to watch speedway but the issue is keeping them interested during their teenage years then as adults. My daughter has just turned 13 but still seems interested in going. I had a gap between 18-24 when I rarely attended (mainly because of money) but I got back into going regularly after that.

[Shale Searcher]

What is the prize money/put meeting on costs for a stock car night, compared to Speedway? Just I remember from the old days at Leicester, stock cars (the old BRISCA F1) was miles and miles cheaper than a Speedway meeting to put on........

[Gemini]

 

 

......SCB.....Another one who totally misses the point when someone comments on the age of speedway fans and goes off on a rant.

 

Shawn I'm surprised at you. Call that a rant? You of all people know what a good rant is and that one certainly didn't even class as a mild one.

[Mixy230]

£19 to get in

Loads of top cars

3 formula racing

Most cars cost more than a Speedway bike (Ministox £3k/£4k for a new motor - Rebels £3.5k to £5k for a car - F1 Stox £££££££££lots + trailers transporters etc )

Top amateurs who race for little return but for the love of what they do

Sponsored in some part, mainly out of there own pocket or own business

Big crowds (because people like the product)

 

People moan about admission price, price of food etc all as normal!!!!

 

But we must ask ourselves why the crowd flock into this and not Speedway?!?!? (Speedway would be elated to get this type of crowd numbers)

It runs on Saturday night? more racing? more action? more atmosphere? better product? value for money?

 

I do not know what the answer is? but Speedway will seem a little flat after watching last night (and I like Speedway!)

 

Answers on a Postcard to BSPA

[kingbee]

£19 to get in

Loads of top cars

3 formula racing

Most cars cost more than a Speedway bike (Ministox £3k/£4k for a new motor - Rebels £3.5k to £5k for a car - F1 Stox £££££££££lots + trailers transporters etc )

Top amateurs who race for little return but for the love of what they do

Sponsored in some part, mainly out of there own pocket or own business

Big crowds (because people like the product)

 

People moan about admission price, price of food etc all as normal!!!!

 

But we must ask ourselves why the crowd flock into this and not Speedway?!?!? (Speedway would be elated to get this type of crowd numbers)

It runs on Saturday night? more racing? more action? more atmosphere? better product? value for money?

 

I do not know what the answer is? but Speedway will seem a little flat after watching last night (and I like Speedway!)

 

Answers on a Postcard to BSPA

but it only runs once a month could that be the answer ?

[Trees]

but it only runs once a month could that be the answer ?

Probably and of course there is no accounting for taste!

[SCB]

Shawn I'm not going of on a rant if you take us so called oap away now there probably wouldn't be any speedway in thi country as the stadiums would be half empty. My lad used to go but it got to expensive and then they just drift away a few years ago there used to be a group of us about 15 altogether that stood on the second bend I'm the last one I am starting to loose interest now and I wouldn't have said that a couple of years ago .i don't know what the answer is but the excitement has gone somehow

I agree with you wholeheartedly. We need everyone we can get, the sport shouldn't be alienating anyone. But you first comment, "take us so called oap away now there probably wouldn't be any speedway" is exactly why there is a problem. Sadly, nature will take away the OAPs over the next few years - one of the harsh realities of life. It's been happening for the last 30 years, the people in their 70-80s are dying and not being replaced so crowds are dwindling. We're now at a point that 50 year olds at speedway are the youngsters!! If you assume that speedway has as even spread of 50-80 year old people attending that means in 10 years time when the people 70-80 now pass away you'll have lost 33% of your crowd.

 

So this isn't about not wanting old people or hating on old people it's about wonder, "what the hell is going to happen when they die".

 

Older favs are stuck in their ways now, they're going to go to speedway forever. It a habit now. So the sport needs to drag its into the 2010s to start attracting those aged 10-40

[marko]

I have said time and time again that Speedway needs to make each event mean something and put everything into making that event a "can't miss"

We have twice home and away which means its no big deal if you miss the odd meeting plus the play offs have rendered the league matches less valuable.

All too often in this country the race night is just "another meeting" and thus has that just "another meeting" feel about it.

And as for the age thing, blimey! that is the most frightening thing for the future of our sport, can only really comment on Lakeside and i would think at around 60% are of pensionable age and another problem we have is its all very well getting the kids involved but if your a Friday or Saturday track once they get well into their teens the lure of a night on the town clubbing is far more appealing and you wont get them back if at all until maybe they have settled down and have kids of their own.

Youngsters always like to be seen in places where its cool to hang out and they don't feel out of place, a speedway track is not such a place.

[jeremy heaver]

I enjoy speedway its a great family sport and one I would like to see regain its place in the wider public's hearts. I have no axe to grind or any input into the sport since we as Coventry stopped being a promotion but this is my take on speedway as a once insider and now like most on here a supporter.

 

To me it's really simple and the EL should adopt the following

 

No guests

Squad system with a maximum of 10 riders per squad. Points system stays but applies to the squad not the team used on track.

Riders signed for three year terms no substitutions unless the rider removed is done so from all teams until next three year period

No rule changes unless h&s related in each three year period

Young British riders should be assigned under a draft system to fill one spot in each EL club for three years then they have to earn the place in order to make way for next draft.

All assets should be purchased by the BSPA from clubs using Sky money and new riders via premier/national league should be purchased after they reach a prefixed level by the BSPA to protect lower division incomes

All points money administered and paid out by the BSPA then invoiced to clubs as a method of making sure riders get paid on time

Big competitions by the BSPA once a month that make British speedway attractive to highly paid overseas riders and to run these events at a big capacity stadium low entry price with all gate receipts less staging costs paid out to riders. Only riders racing in UK squads can take part.

All clubs to race same night

Reduce the number of fixtures to allow for the big competitions

Transparency and consistency on decisions

Rain offs decisions taken before fans travel and replaced fixture arranged by BSPA within three weeks or its a draw

Win bonuses payable for away fixtures plus expenses no points money.

 

I could go on but until the BSPA stop putting self interest ahead of the sports interest then nothing will change. My views will no doubt be different to BSPA members and I am sure some on here but it's time for change I just hope they are brave enough to Take two steps back to see how it's no longer a team sport just a collection of indervidual riders available for hire.

 

The days of pride in riding for a particular club seems to have gone and I would like to see that return by actions rather than just words.

 

Stock cars has had to take some massive decisions in the last ten years and we are enjoying the benifits of those decisions as we do have a maintained audience which is not fair weather. Speedway fans need the smallest of excuse to not bother which is fair enough if the results start to go south but all it does is damage the club further making it easier to not bother the following week. Top riders cost a lot of money so every time the attendance drops due to results it makes any changes to the team harder to do but a squad system allows flexibility to drop out of form riders with no penalty to the promoter and gives fans a reason to attend.

 

Look it's dead easy for posters including mine today to vent opinions and all to often its negative I just hope the above shows some positivity and will get more pisitive thoughts going in a great sport which deserves better than where it has found itself in recent times.

[Bagpuss]

Probably and of course there is no accounting for taste!

Trouble is many more people have the taste for stocks and bangers than speedway by the sound of it, at Lynn the place is packed to the rafters for four wheeled action.

[Mixy230]

but it only runs once a month could that be the answer ?

Maybe...................................................... One meeting on at a time spread around the country............ But it appears many travelling fans

 

Friday 3rd Skegness 6.30.pm Saturday 4th Coventry 6.30.pm Monday 6th Belle Vue 3.30.pm

[IainB]

Prices and fixture planning need looking at, look at last week for example:

 

Fri: Cov vs Wolves - £18

Sun: Bombers Bash - £20

Mon: Wolves vs Cov - £18

Fri: Cov vs Leicester - £18

Sat: Leicester vs Cov - £17

 

There's £91 quid and that's before you've even got there! add in a prog, maybe something to eat and drink and you're looking at £150 for the week. You could have a week in Spain for that

[SCB]

 

Maybe...................................................... One meeting on at a time spread around the country............ But it appears many travelling fans

 

Friday 3rd Skegness 6.30.pm Saturday 4th Coventry 6.30.pm Monday 6th Belle Vue 3.30.pm

 

And in the same period (had it not rained) you had 24 planned speedway meetings. So thats 1 stock car meeting for every 8 speedway meetings.