Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

The Trouble With Speedway Is, Too Many Things Can Go Wrong


Recommended Posts

The real trouble with speedway is that it has lost it,s way. A simple easy to follow sport has become over-complicated.

 

As an aside, I was at Cardiff last year...my first meeting in 30 years. I did not fill in my programme (do they call it a race card now?) as i did not understand it...and this from a life-long fan who used to attend 2/3 meetings a week. :o

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Speedway has lost its true identity. Fans don't relate to their teams, as riders are whizzed up and away to ride for other teams on other nights, even in the same league or different countries. League and team speedway has lost any real interest, many sides now having a feel of a testimonial line-up, rushed together just to serve the latest few speedway folk that can be bothered to put in a show.

 

Right from the first day of the season, one tends to feel most teams are waiting the earliest opportunity to throw points away, weaken, and then set off for a Play-Off slot. Until the Play-Off battles, one tends to believe not all matches are worth winning, as it's possibly best to have some riders off form, dropping averages and then they'll be rewarded by a new team mate, a rider likely to strengthen the side, before the summer sun is past.

 

A true sport is only as worthy as its real ethics, proper racing in speedway case. But now, it seems proper racing is only served in the more important dates, as league speedway is just another mundane office shift for a zero hour intern.

 

Riders should have affinity with the club, so fans can build up a bond with them. Otherwise it won't work, and team speedway will remain on the slide.

 

Every winter we say the same - a rethink and restructure is required.

 

This close season will no doubt be the same.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

That is the main reason I don't go anymore, the Premier League is now a farce. The other reason is the poor presentation, music and unnecessary delays and intervals. Fortunately I can still watch good Swedish League speedway on TV, good tracks, top riders, a squad system, and no double point tacticals.

Edited by oldtimer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Speedway has lost its true identity. Fans don't relate to their teams, as riders are whizzed up and away to ride for other teams on other nights, even in the same league or different countries. League and team speedway has lost any real interest, many sides now having a feel of a testimonial line-up, rushed together just to serve the latest few speedway folk that can be bothered to put in a show.

 

Right from the first day of the season, one tends to feel most teams are waiting the earliest opportunity to throw points away, weaken, and then set off for a Play-Off slot. Until the Play-Off battles, one tends to believe not all matches are worth winning, as it's possibly best to have some riders off form, dropping averages and then they'll be rewarded by a new team mate, a rider likely to strengthen the side, before the summer sun is past.

 

A true sport is only as worthy as its real ethics, proper racing in speedway case. But now, it seems proper racing is only served in the more important dates, as league speedway is just another mundane office shift for a zero hour intern.

 

Riders should have affinity with the club, so fans can build up a bond with them. Otherwise it won't work, and team speedway will remain on the slide.

 

Every winter we say the same - a rethink and restructure is required.

 

This close season will no doubt be the same.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

That is the main reason I don't go anymore, the Premier League is now a farce. The other reason is the poor presentation, music and unnecessary delays and intervals. Fortunately I can still watch good Swedish League speedway on TV, good tracks, top riders, a squad system, and no double point tacticals.

 

I've never watched Swedish Speedway. If this is true I may well adopt a Team and follow it in the Swedish League.

 

Definitely worth consideration. :t:

 

Glad you mentioned that oldtimer. Thank you.

Edited by The White Knight
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems the running of last nights british semi final at king's lynn (again!) has upset a few punters. Am I allowed to call this a farce or a fiasco or will I get shot down again!

Fairly common place now Tony especially when a weak referee is involved and we can't even blame Watt, Schlein or Batchelor this time. From what has been said last night I think some riders need to re-consider their career options!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never watched Swedish Speedway. If this is true I may well adopt a Team and follow it in the Swedish League.

 

Definitely worth consideration. :t:

 

Glad you mentioned that oldtimer. Thank you.

It's on Eurosport every Tuesday night.

Not really ...the point is in no other sport does the amount of time someone is on tv affect the crowd so why would it in speedway ..as I said just another myth .

Orion - you are obviously a horse racing fan?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never watched Swedish Speedway. If this is true I may well adopt a Team and follow it in the Swedish League.

 

Definitely worth consideration. :t:

 

Glad you mentioned that oldtimer. Thank you.

Go for Indianerna, Kumla is a fantastic trace track.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The real trouble with speedway is that it has lost it,s way. A simple easy to follow sport has become over-complicated.

 

As an aside, I was at Cardiff last year...my first meeting in 30 years. I did not fill in my programme (do they call it a race card now?) as i did not understand it...and this from a life-long fan who used to attend 2/3 meetings a week. :o

 

 

How has it become over-complicated?

 

3 pts for a win, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd, 0 for last?

 

What is complicated about it?

 

My 4 year old niece could fill in the Cardiff programme with no problems...

Edited by BWitcher
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

How has it become over-complicated?

 

3 pts for a win, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd, 0 for last?

 

What is complicated about it?

 

My 4 year old niece could fill in the Cardiff programme with no problems...

 

slightly facetious reply - for one thing its not 321 if its a joker or golden double or some such crap

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

How has it become over-complicated?

 

3 pts for a win, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd, 0 for last?

 

What is complicated about it?

 

My 4 year old niece could fill in the Cardiff programme with no problems...

Maybe your 4 year old niece doesn't go round looking for something to find fault with or complain about for the sake of complaining.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Perhaps we can compare things to speedway now and the value for money aspect. We are living in multi-professional times and speedway has been left in the past.. still being run from porto-cabins, a Sunday carboot kind of set-up.

 

You pay £20 or something and expect a decent night, not one in which you have to endure countless waits for re-starts, preparation of the track (which should have been done beforehand), and riders having so many other clubs, they simply cannot summon up that regular heart-on-the-sleeve passion that happened in the past.

 

Speedway does look good, with riders never getting dirty in their expensive helmets and racegear, the bikes that cost an arm and another arm. But the tracks remain back in the day.

 

People will compare speedway to football, but you get a feeling that football is here for good. Speedway is surviving with that ridiculous comb-over many pensioners adopt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe your 4 year old niece doesn't go round looking for something to find fault with or complain about for the sake of complaining.

 

dozens of thousands no longer go - what are we supposed to do - pretend its not happening?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

dozens of thousands no longer go - what are we supposed to do - pretend its not happening?

There is one tac sub now in league racing and using double points once is hardly rocket science compared to other sports ...when crowds were massive speedway had most of the rules it has today .

Edited by orion
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is one tac sub now in league racing and using double points once is hardly rocket science compared to other sports ...when crowds were massive speedway had most of the rules it has today .

The operative word in your Post is 'most'.

 

Speedway then added some stupid Rules and some people stopped going including me.

 

I wonder if some of the Rule changes has anything to do with falling attendances - I can hear you thinking 'of course not - that's stupid'.

 

I wonder?.................................................... :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy