Speedway Star Item

[topaz325]

In this weeks Speedway Star Philip Rising puts the current situation of British Speedway in Black and White.

What the fans have been saying for some years now , falling crowds , disjointed fixtures, teams that bear little resemblance to the fans idea of the team they support, etc.

 

Significant changes must be made this year and a forward thinking plan put into action by the promoters as a whole to save the sport............or maybe its too late now.

[Fromafar]

In this weeks Speedway Star Philip Rising puts the current situation of British Speedway in Black and White.

What the fans have been saying for some years now , falling crowds , disjointed fixtures, teams that bear little resemblance to the fans idea of the team they support, etc.

 

Significant changes must be made this year and a forward thinking plan put into action by the promoters as a whole to save the sport............or maybe its too late now.

He will get shot down just like the rest of fans showing concerns,everything Hunky Dory in the Speedway World it's just the old timers having a whinge according to some.Nothing to worry about !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ommer Mon]

In my experience it looks like it's only the old timers who are still going!

[Bruiser McHuge]

What's the answer though ?

 

The fixture list is far too disjointed but there's only 8 teams in the Elite.....you can't get a great fixture list out of that many teams , especially when you have so many international events and leagues that you can't clash with....it's not like the old days with more teams and far less international events and other leagues to consider.

 

Teams are too packed with guests but there doesn't seem to be enough riders to go around and you've got teams full of international riders or doubling up riders.....promoters have already said double up riders save money so I can't see that changing next season so it stands to reason that international riders, double up riders plus the the normal injuries mean that teams are reliant on too many guests....I have no problem with a guest for top riders but having 4 or 5 loses any identity a team has......but how does that change ?

 

Also, from experience , once a fan stops attending then it's very difficult to get them back.....I think most fans retain a fondness for following the sport but just not in person......too many tracks have folded and those fans have been lost, plus many have stopped for the reasons in the opening post, plus there are just so many more things on offer these days to stop people attending in person.

 

I really don't know what the answers are though

[Fromafar]

What's the answer though ?

The fixture list is far too disjointed but there's only 8 teams in the Elite.....you can't get a great fixture list out of that many teams , especially when you have so many international events and leagues that you can't clash with....it's not like the old days with more teams and far less international events and other leagues to consider.

Teams are too packed with guests but there doesn't seem to be enough riders to go around and you've got teams full of international riders or doubling up riders.....promoters have already said double up riders save money so I can't see that changing next season so it stands to reason that international riders, double up riders plus the the normal injuries mean that teams are reliant on too many guests....I have no problem with a guest for top riders but having 4 or 5 loses any identity a team has......but how does that change ?

Also, from experience , once a fan stops attending then it's very difficult to get them back.....I think most fans retain a fondness for following the sport but just not in person......too many tracks have folded and those fans have been lost, plus many have stopped for the reasons in the opening post, plus there are just so many more things on offer these days to stop people attending in person.

I really don't know what the answers are though

You point is valid but it is up to the Promotions to get together and work for each other not just for themselves .Everyone has a different solution of how to help the situation so a compromise should be able to reach that will at least to someway to rectifying some of the problems in the Sport.I for one do believe there are problems In the sport and I am not just having a whinge .

[Bruiser McHuge]

You point is valid but it is up to the Promotions to get together and work for each other not just for themselves .Everyone has a different solution of how to help the situation so a compromise should be able to reach that will at least to someway to rectifying some of the problems in the Sport.I for one do believe there are problems In the sport and I am not just having a whinge .

There are massive problems in the sport at our domestic level.....I don't know the answers but like you said the promoters need to work as one and forget self interest ....it's not an easy task though

[RPNY]

I personally would write off the Wards/Holders/Woffindens/Kildermans etc and just go for a one unified, strong, Premier League. Riders such as Bomber, Scotty Nic, even people like Hans Andersan could be heat leaders but there wouldn't be the extreme gulf in quality between Elite league #1's and reserves like there is now.

Plus with little to no GP riders, Thu/Fri/Sat night tracks would be less disrupted and therefore likely to get bigger crowds. Costs will go down, Seems like a no Brainer to me. Yes it's nice to have the Best riders in the world In the UK, but whats the point when they are winning races by the length of the straight and are bankrupting their clubs...

[New Science]

I personally would write off the Wards/Holders/Woffindens/Kildermans etc and just go for a one unified, strong, Premier League. Riders such as Bomber, Scotty Nic, even people like Hans Andersan could be heat leaders but there wouldn't be the extreme gulf in quality between Elite league #1's and reserves like there is now.

Plus with little to no GP riders, Thu/Fri/Sat night tracks would be less disrupted and therefore likely to get bigger crowds. Costs will go down, Seems like a no Brainer to me. Yes it's nice to have the Best riders in the world In the UK, but whats the point when they are winning races by the length of the straight and are bankrupting their clubs...

While I agree the writing off of the Elite league is the logical solution,if the Premier League does become the top division it will be run along the same lines/standard that we have at present.Premier league clubs are looking to reduce costs,don't expect them to meet the Elite league half way.If we take Craig Cook as our yardstick aka the best rider in the current Premier league,then all number one riders will be of a similar standard or below. Unfortunately this effectively rules out most of the Elite leagues top 20 including Andersen,Harris and Scott who lets be honest are international riders not Premier league riders.

[sparkafag]

there wouldn't be the extreme gulf in quality between Elite league #1's and reserves like there is now.

 

Really?

 

In a one league system where Number 1s like Nicholls met the standard of reserves sides would have in a one tier/no DU league….there would be an absolute chasm.

 

It would mean Nicholls would be racing guys like Konopka, Edberg and Clegg, and that would be in a weak race, in a strong race it would likely be guys like Lanham, Davies and Hansen.

 

I am not saying guys who are good at sport competing against guys aren’t good at sport is a bad thing, but you would be talking length of a straight stuff in the majority of races.

 

You would also have the caveat of removing Ward, Holder etc doesn’t necessarily cut costs, as you’re simply handing the “big hitter” tag to the like of Nicholls, Harris etc who would carry 10+ averages and expect the money to reflect that….remove them….the next group would expect the same.

 

The counter point will be don’t pay them it then….sure take that stance, but someone will, you also then have to deal with the reality of removing riders, means less riders to fill spaces, thus you end up having to pay absolute guff money simply to fill a jacket.

 

It also means Ward, Holder, Zagar etc aren’t in the league, Worral, Garrity etc aren’t doubling up. You are removing the best part of 40 riders…it would be R/R guests galore by week 2, by midseason sides would barely be able to track a side of guests let alone their own 1-7.

Edited August 6, 2015 by sparkafag

[Humphrey Appleby]

In this weeks Speedway Star Philip Rising puts the current situation of British Speedway in Black and White.

What the fans have been saying for some years now , falling crowds , disjointed fixtures, teams that bear little resemblance to the fans idea of the team they support, etc.

Significant changes must be made this year and a forward thinking plan put into action by the promoters as a whole to save the sport............or maybe its too late now.

 

Philippe is stating the bleeding obvious really, and doesn't offer much in terms of a suggested way forward.

 

Reduce the numbers of guest, well yes, but how? By reducing the number of riders per team - erm.. but then what happens when those riders get injured?

 

North/South split, big yawn.

 

Of course, whilst Philippe identifies that many choose to watch speedway on television, no questioning about whether British speedway is well served by the deal arranged by the current 'commercial rights holder', or mention of whether British speedway should get a cut of the SGP money.

[Fromafar]

Philippe is stating the bleeding obvious really, and doesn't offer much in terms of a suggested way forward.

 

Reduce the numbers of guest, well yes, but how? By reducing the number of riders per team - erm.. but then what happens when those riders get injured?

 

North/South split, big yawn.

 

Of course, whilst Philippe identifies that many choose to watch speedway on television, no questioning about whether British speedway is well served by the deal arranged by the current 'commercial rights holder', or mention of whether British speedway should get a cut of the SGP money.

Gather from your posts your not a Philip fan all you do is criticise his posts on any subject IMO .

[RPNY]

 

Really?

 

In a one league system where Number 1s like Nicholls met the standard of reserves sides would have in a one tier/no DU league….there would be an absolute chasm.

 

It would mean Nicholls would be racing guys like Konopka, Edberg and Clegg, and that would be in a weak race, in a strong race it would likely be guys like Lanham, Davies and Hansen.

 

I am not saying guys who are good at sport competing against guys aren’t good at sport is a bad thing, but you would be talking length of a straight stuff in the majority of races.

 

You would also have the caveat of removing Ward, Holder etc doesn’t necessarily cut costs, as you’re simply handing the “big hitter” tag to the like of Nicholls, Harris etc who would carry 10+ averages and expect the money to reflect that….remove them….the next group would expect the same.

 

The counter point will be don’t pay them it then….sure take that stance, but someone will, you also then have to deal with the reality of removing riders, means less riders to fill spaces, thus you end up having to pay absolute guff money simply to fill a jacket.

 

It also means Ward, Holder, Zagar etc aren’t in the league, Worral, Garrity etc aren’t doubling up. You are removing the best part of 40 riders…it would be R/R guests galore by week 2, by midseason sides would barely be able to track a side of guests let alone their own 1-7.

 

I understand what you are saying and I know my idea wasn't perfect by any stretch, But what I was suggesting was a stronger Premier league that would consist of say 20-22 teams so those who are currently doubling up still get their fair quota of racing - as well as the Richie Worrall's of the world who currently not getting a DU opportunity get more meetings.

With regards to Nicholls Bomber etc wanting money that Holder Zagar etc currently get, well the Promoters need to stand strong. What are their other options? They aren't getting many opportunities in foreign leagues are they...

I just think on big league would provide lower costs, more competitive racing, greater variation of opposition for the fans...

[oldtimer]

In my experience it looks like it's only the old timers who are still going!

I'm not going anymore.

[BWitcher]

I personally would write off the Wards/Holders/Woffindens/Kildermans etc and just go for a one unified, strong, Premier League. Riders such as Bomber, Scotty Nic, even people like Hans Andersan could be heat leaders but there wouldn't be the extreme gulf in quality between Elite league #1's and reserves like there is now.

Plus with little to no GP riders, Thu/Fri/Sat night tracks would be less disrupted and therefore likely to get bigger crowds. Costs will go down, Seems like a no Brainer to me. Yes it's nice to have the Best riders in the world In the UK, but whats the point when they are winning races by the length of the straight and are bankrupting their clubs...

 

The top riders aren't winning races by the length of the straight because they are mainly racing riders around their own level and don't race reserves.

 

The Premier League is a different kettle of fish where you get riders such as Craig Cook and Danny King racing reserves way, way below their level.

[Fromafar]

I understand what you are saying and I know my idea wasn't perfect by any stretch, But what I was suggesting was a stronger Premier league that would consist of say 20-22 teams so those who are currently doubling up still get their fair quota of racing - as well as the Richie Worrall's of the world who currently not getting a DU opportunity get more meetings.

With regards to Nicholls Bomber etc wanting money that Holder Zagar etc currently get, well the Promoters need to stand strong. What are their other options? They aren't getting many opportunities in foreign leagues are they...

I just think on big league would provide lower costs, more competitive racing, greater variation of opposition for the fans...

I agree that 1 big league would be a good option to start with.Promoters have to stand strong regarding riders demands,trouble is some Promotions have always found a way round this issue in the past and would probably do the same in the future if a pay cap was put in place.

[BWitcher]

One big league would see an absolutely massive discrepancy in the standard of riders and lead to more strung out races than you see now in any league.

 

The teams at the bottom end of the table would be closing before season end.

[waiheke1]

I personally would write off the Wards/Holders/Woffindens/Kildermans etc and just go for a one unified, strong, Premier League. Riders such as Bomber, Scotty Nic, even people like Hans Andersan could be heat leaders but there wouldn't be the extreme gulf in quality between Elite league #1's and reserves like there is now.

Plus with little to no GP riders, Thu/Fri/Sat night tracks would be less disrupted and therefore likely to get bigger crowds. Costs will go down, Seems like a no Brainer to me. Yes it's nice to have the Best riders in the world In the UK, but whats the point when they are winning races by the length of the straight and are bankrupting their clubs...

That would be the holder who dropped to 2md string this year? And woffy/killer who haven't raced el this year (bar a handful of meetings). The el with current format has more evenly matched races than ever, evidenced by most riders averaging around 6, with the very best averaging around 8? Compare to the pl where cook averages over 10

[RPNY]

 

The top riders aren't winning races by the length of the straight because they are mainly racing riders around their own level and don't race reserves.

 

The Premier League is a different kettle of fish where you get riders such as Craig Cook and Danny King racing reserves way, way below their level.

 

Well the Elite league big hitters still trounce the 2nd string riders as the gulf is so wide. In a stronger PL (Mid way between current PL and EL) would like to see riiders like Simon Lambert as a reserve as opposed to NL level riders...

Again, I know my idea is way off perfect!

That would be the holder who dropped to 2md string this year? And woffy/killer who haven't raced el this year (bar a handful of meetings). The el with current format has more evenly matched races than ever, evidenced by most riders averaging around 6, with the very best averaging around 8? Compare to the pl where cook averages over 10

I stand corrected, the EL is a great product on the up...

[tigerowl]

I still go most weeks, out of habit rather than enjoyment. It's not the difference in the standard of riders that puts me off. I can remember Ivan Mauger and Hans Nielsen averaging over 11 points per match and our reserves not having a chance in hell of beating them, but I still wanted to see them.

 

What bothers me and is making me disillusioned is that half the riders on my team ride for somebody else. It doesn't apply so much this year but I can think of a rider who rode for my team who didn't seem to put in nearly as much effort as when riding for his parent track at the higher level.

 

I can only speak for myself and give the reason why I don't go as often as I did.

[BWitcher]

 

Well the Elite league big hitters still trounce the 2nd string riders as the gulf is so wide. In a stronger PL (Mid way between current PL and EL) would like to see riiders like Simon Lambert as a reserve as opposed to NL level riders...

Again, I know my idea is way off perfect!

 

 

No they don't no matter how many times you say it.

 

Your plan is to get rid of the Elite League big hitters, merge the EL with the PL and somehow make the league stronger? Where are the riders going to come from for this?