Speedway Star Item

[RPNY]

 

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?

Well it seems you see more EL matches then I do so I will hold my hands up and say Im wrong but from what Ive seen on Sky the big hitters tend to be winning pretty easy.

 

My point with a stronger PL is that Harris, Nicholls, Hans A, are quality riders who would be #1s but could still be beaten by current PL #1's and some PL 2nd string where as if we go back to 1995 and merge the leagues but keep 'elite' riders it wouldnt work...

[E I Addio]

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.

So dear old Phil Space is short of news so writes a column telling us what we already know. Investigative journalism at its best.

 

A few answers would be worth reading, or maybe an interview with one of the sports promoters or, administrators would be a good start.

[tigerowl]

Philip Rising gets stick when the Star doesn't mention the ills of the sport, accused of pandering to the promoters, and then gets criticism when he does.

 

He says in his article that 'over the next few weeks we will be canvassing the opinions of many right across the speedway spectrum...'

 

But the same faces want to offer criticism without reaching the end of the article.

[g13webb]

I for one think Philip Rising did right to comment on the state of the game in his editorial in the SS. Also, he aired some creditable suggestions to discuss about the dire situation our sport finds itself in. Its so easy to dismiss positivity and do nothing, That's the reason the sport is in the mess it is at present.

 

What a pity these comments came from the SS magazine instead of from the BSPA. .

[stratton]

I for one think Phil Rising is in impossible position,whatever he does on this forum and 99 per cent of it is good he gets stick.Makes me wonder why he bothers to be honest,he gives alot of relevant imformation which has been helpful to alot of people on here.

[MattK]

 

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!

 

Any amalgamation of the leagues would have to offer benefits to both the current Elite League and Premier League promoters.

 

Clubs like Scunthorpe, Berwick and Workington struggle financially in the current Premier League. How are they supposed to afford a competitive team in an even stronger league with higher costs?

 

I am a strong proponent of one big league, but it has to be pitched at current Premier League levels, which means getting rid of any rider with an Elite League heatleader average over 6.50.

[orion]

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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not seen one fan said everything is Hunky Dory or there nothing to worry about so your telling lies to start off with . what has been said if going moan about rules at least come with something that is workable bar going back to the old days so a few over 70 years come back or a brain dead idea to rid the uk of the remaining riders that the fans pay money to see .There are clubs in the pl who no star riders in there side who find themselves in big trouble due to small crowds ..

Well it seems you see more EL matches then I do so I will hold my hands up and say Im wrong but from what Ive seen on Sky the big hitters tend to be winning pretty easy.

 

My point with a stronger PL is that Harris, Nicholls, Hans A, are quality riders who would be #1s but could still be beaten by current PL #1's and some PL 2nd string where as if we go back to 1995 and merge the leagues but keep 'elite' riders it wouldnt work...

Yea like Hans ,AJ ,Holder ,Freddie etc really smashing it up ...what myths people put up .Of course in the old days you never had the likes of Hans Nielsen winning easy

Edited August 6, 2015 by orion

[g13webb]

How I see it, We have two chooses:

 

The Elite aspect of this sport is all but brain dead, and survival relies totally on guests and RR. The high percentage of top riders 'do the rounds' and ride in 3 or 4 countries on a weekly basis. They do that because the 'Powers' of Poland, Demark and Sweden, arrange their league program to allow these riders to compete in it.

 

Now if we want too attract those top riders, to compete in a comparable league in this country, then we have no option than to arrange our league similar, to run alongside those already in existence and run an Elite League on a 'One day' basis. (Probably Thursdays ?) . If the census of opinions are against that, then we have no alternative then to scrap the Elite pretence, and have the clubs that are interested competing in a single League, running on the days they choose....

 

Comply or Give up .....

[kelvinht]

Elite League need to run on one maybe two nights a week avoiding foreign leagues as much a possible. PL then need to avoid those nights.

Double uppers/downers are probably a necessity (costs, help riders develop) but should be limited to riders only riding in this country and if the leagues night do not clash then guests for that reason should disappear.

You can't account for injuries but hopefully above would help keep number of fixture clashes and guests to more acceptable levels.

I also think the race format in EL is good so should be adopted in PL. PL also need to limit no's 6&7 to british youngsters like the EL. EL 6&7 should just be a higher standard

[sommelier]

 

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.

May i ask how many meetings a week you go to ??

[Trees]

I for one think Phil Rising is in impossible position,whatever he does on this forum and 99 per cent of it is good he gets stick.Makes me wonder why he bothers to be honest,he gives alot of relevant imformation which has been helpful to alot of people on here.

The majority of his input is in the gp section.

[The White Knight]

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

Good job they are really - isn't it?

 

 

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.

I didn't know Philip was French poor man. :lol:

 

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.

You are not the only one to comment on this Tigerowl.

 

Someone said to me only last week that he held the same opinion as yourself regarding certain Riders who rode for his Team. It wasn't Sheffield by the way.

[PHILIPRISING]

So dear old Phil Space is short of news so writes a column telling us what we already know. Investigative journalism at its best.

 

A few answers would be worth reading, or maybe an interview with one of the sports promoters or, administrators would be a good start.

IF you read it all you will have noticed that I said we would be doing just that ... starting next week

Edited August 6, 2015 by PHILIPRISING

[YerRopes]

TBH, I can put up with guests as it doesn't slow the meeting down like R/R does, and if there is an injury the consequences are less..

 

Changing the subject, I believe BWitcher posted elsewhere that the admission price is irrelevant (apologies if I'm wrong), but I'm afraid that is complete bollocks..

 

There remains just the one guy I know who is happy to go these days (he lives in Lechlade, but ain't Chalkie) and we both work late at different times so we go together when we can, occasionally I will go by myself..anyway the point being..

 

My wife would be happy to accompany me but says the cost is too much as she ain't really that bothered - she only goes when the family Aussie bike riders come over - not often..

[Mike.Butler]

I still go regularly (to various tracks), but there is no doubt that 15 heats in 2.5 hours is trying my patience....personally I think that providing less than 20 heats is poor value

[YerRopes]

I still go regularly (to various tracks), but there is no doubt that 15 heats in 2.5 hours is trying my patience....personally I think that providing less than 20 heats is poor value

 

I am quite happy with the 15 heat formula, but get it done within 90 minutes, we are especially busy people these days..

[SCB]

For me the issue is not that the top guys are winning too many races (as they don't) but more than the format doesn't allow them to win enough and have an air of invincibility around them, meaning when they are beat its a bit thing. Go back to the 13 heat format, all rider meet all other riders. Then you'd soon see Puk, Magic, Holder, Harris etc averaging between 9.5 and 11. They'd be big names, it would be a big thing to see one of them beat. But seeing them ride against each other all the time and only averaging 6.5 as a heat leader makes it harder to promote that the superstar that is.... Puk/Magic/Holder/Harris is in town.

[stratton]

The majority of his input is in the gp section.

Is that not relevant to all of us? i prefer team racing but still watch the series!

[BWitcher]

TBH, I can put up with guests as it doesn't slow the meeting down like R/R does, and if there is an injury the consequences are less..

 

Changing the subject, I believe BWitcher posted elsewhere that the admission price is irrelevant (apologies if I'm wrong), but I'm afraid that is complete bollocks..

 

There remains just the one guy I know who is happy to go these days (he lives in Lechlade, but ain't Chalkie) and we both work late at different times so we go together when we can, occasionally I will go by myself..anyway the point being..

 

My wife would be happy to accompany me but says the cost is too much as she ain't really that bothered - she only goes when the family Aussie bike riders come over - not often..

 

So your wifes view isn't really relevant.

 

She ain't really that bothered. There in is the rub.

 

My point about the admission price is whatever the cost, you will struggle to attract NEW fans unless the perception of the sport is changed. Should some marketing genius change the perception of the sport, people will pay.

[New Science]

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!

 

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

Repeat : Premier league clubs are looking to lower costs

No Premier league club will be willing to up their costs to compose a league some way between Elite and Premier.

Its either Elite or Premier not Premier with a few of your favourite Elite league riders thrown in.

As Matt k says anyone with a lone average of over 6.5 in the Elite league would be a casualty.

Its hard buts that's where we are at !

As much as today's Speedway Star comment was on the state of British speedway got the impression that the future of Speedway Star may be running parallel with it.