Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

Elite League 2016 - What Is Required?


Recommended Posts

So here's my plan for Britsh Speedway

 

1) Faster bikes

We up the engines to 1000cc.

 

2) Shorter riders

Riders should be no taller than Kenneth Bjerre. This will add a much needed comical jockey style element to British Speedway and is also likely to raise awareness in Ireland.

 

3) New promoters

All new promoters to be trained by Matt Ford.

 

4) Sexier grid girls

#nomoreoompaloompas

 

5) Change in commentators

Nigel Pearson and Kelvin Tatum to be replaced with Ant and Dec respectively.

 

6) Change in race suits

All kevlars to be replaced with Game of Thrones style armor. This will make the sport look far more epic and will draw in larger crowds.

 

7) Minimum hair length

All riders to have long hair that flows behind them on the bike. This will make the bikes look faster.

 

8) Extra corners

We replace the standard oval with a new and more exciting hexagonal shaped track. More turns = more action.

 

9) A ramp on the main straight

If a rider is caught moving at the tapes he will be required to "take the ramp" on one of his laps. The rider can choose when

 

10) F1 style refuelling

Riders to stop for refuelling and tires on the second lap.

 

 

That has to be the post of the month :approve: Absolutely brilliant :D:t::rofl:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Before they even think about heat formats or points limits they need to address the issue of costs, does not matter how good the sport looks if its does not pay then its only a matter of time before it goes away.

 

My main concerns are:

Bikes are too quick and too expensive

Not enough riders around and what riders we have get injured all too frequently sometimes seriously, more must be done to enhance safety.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The bikes are far to fast and unmanagable now, they are not even viable on the much larger Polish tracks you only have to look at all the serious injuries that have occured over there this year.

Things need to be slowed down before someone ends up being killed.

The likes of Garrity etc should never have been kept at reserve this year, they are being used as a stop gap at r/r and are beeting so top class riders, if that does't prove the point that they are far better than what they had offered to them this year, bet they are not complaing though with the points money they are getting.

The EL is almost dead on its uppers, they can't get the big names over here because they will not ride for what most of the promoters are offering, only a few of the clubs have the money available to offer them to get them over here.

They only good outcome that has come out of the FTR scheme, is that we now have a hand full of young and not so young British lads that can make it in a full team place, that is if the promoter will give them the chance.

They seem to be happier bringing in a young Swede or Pole than give the Brits a chance to prove themselves, which they have already shown they are quite capable to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The bikes are far to fast and unmanagable now, they are not even viable on the much larger Polish tracks you only have to look at all the serious injuries that have occured over there this year.

Things need to be slowed down before someone ends up being killed.

The likes of Garrity etc should never have been kept at reserve this year, they are being used as a stop gap at r/r and are beeting so top class riders, if that does't prove the point that they are far better than what they had offered to them this year, bet they are not complaing though with the points money they are getting.

The EL is almost dead on its uppers, they can't get the big names over here because they will not ride for what most of the promoters are offering, only a few of the clubs have the money available to offer them to get them over here.

They only good outcome that has come out of the FTR scheme, is that we now have a hand full of young and not so young British lads that can make it in a full team place, that is if the promoter will give them the chance.

They seem to be happier bringing in a young Swede or Pole than give the Brits a chance to prove themselves, which they have already shown they are quite capable to do.

Yet you get a rider like Richie Worrall saying that he might be packing in because of a lack of meetings when his twin brother, Newman, Charles Wright, Garrity, Kerr all have higher Premier League averages than him & are allowed to be draft reserves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know the whole system stinks and needs changing. Can't for the life of me know why he could ride in the PL as you say the other are allowed to do so. Just one of those stuppid rules that the wise and wonderful who run our sport sit around a table and dream up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Elite League needs to survive as it is a platform for riders to either achieve or get extra meetings by doubling up.

 

However drastic changes are required but it needs the Elite and Premier League to work with each other in order to get British Speedway on a more secure footing for the future.

 

The Elite League needs to either be made bigger to create more fixtures and more frequent home meetings than the 14 at present over a 30 week period or it has to go Mondays only and encourage big names to rerun as part of a so called squad system.

 

 

There is suggestions saying tracks could then compete in both leagues to create a squad and more consistent home fixture list.

 

This however needs to be with Elite tracks also fielding a team of Premier League strength and not like before getting the others to improve.

 

 

It could work but would fans only be interested in the big meetings and cut down on matches they attend ?

 

Maybe they would but it could go the opposite way and be just what is required to get British Speedway back in the present day.

 

 

It appears that many are now thinking the Elite League should finish and all be in one big league again and that would give variety of different opposition.

 

However with the Elite League using the current format riders like Lindgren Andersen and Bjerre could be used and that would see current Elite League tracks dominating the results with such riders.

 

 

Whichever way it goes it needs stripping back and rebuilding from scratch if it is to continue or improve the service offered to the paying public

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The state the EL is in and the state some clubs are in they can't afford to attract the big names to ride over here, I think a lot of the 8 clubs other than around half of them would find it very hard to find the money to pay for one of the top riders,

As for what makes up the rest of the team, most of them are young overses riders or PL lads, so really other than a few of the top clubs we are seeing nothing much different than you would get at a PL meeting

Uless the big guns would come over for less money, which was part of the reason most of them stopped riding over here, as the Swedish and Polish clubs where prepered to give them the silly money they where asking for, I doubt that much will change.

The way things are going, there will be a few more clubs calling it a day in the EL and dropping down the leagues, because they can't make ends meet, less meetings less income.

The ones who only rent their stadiums for the dog tracks etc, are not losing that much as they are paying less out but they still have a short fall in income.

It is the ones who have their own stadiums that are sitting idle for weeks on end with nothing coming through the gates, it would be interesting to see what difference it has made to their profits with them having less meetings.

One big league would work out better I think, you may not have the top names there, but at least it would keep British speedway alive, how many people actually go just to s8ee so and so race, I don't I go to watch the racing, no matter who is riding,

If it gave more meetings, at a price that was far fairer than what they are charging for some of the rubbish they are turning out, then I would be more than happy to see it happen.m

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I own and promote MMA which is similar in many ways to speedway, there are lots of promotions like there are clubs, there is no governing body, and people are only in it for themselves.

 

I do what is best financially for me, I bring up the stars of the future who can go on to become stars in the UFC, speedway should do the same, bring on the woofindens who then go on to leave Britain to race in the better paid leagues.

 

I have a plan for speedway but it's far too much to type out

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Elite League needs to either be made bigger to create more fixtures and more frequent home meetings than the 14 at present over a 30 week period or it has to go Mondays only and encourage big names to rerun as part of a so called squad system.

 

I always thought the big name riders didn't like riding in Britain on a Monday, as they prefer to do directly from Poland to Sweden?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The state the EL is in and the state some clubs are in they can't afford to attract the big names to ride over here, I think a lot of the 8 clubs other than around half of them would find it very hard to find the money to pay for one of the top riders,

As for what makes up the rest of the team, most of them are young overses riders or PL lads, so really other than a few of the top clubs we are seeing nothing much different than you would get at a PL meeting

Uless the big guns would come over for less money, which was part of the reason most of them stopped riding over here, as the Swedish and Polish clubs where prepered to give them the silly money they where asking for, I doubt that much will change.

The way things are going, there will be a few more clubs calling it a day in the EL and dropping down the leagues, because they can't make ends meet, less meetings less income.

The ones who only rent their stadiums for the dog tracks etc, are not losing that much as they are paying less out but they still have a short fall in income.

It is the ones who have their own stadiums that are sitting idle for weeks on end with nothing coming through the gates, it would be interesting to see what difference it has made to their profits with them having less meetings.

One big league would work out better I think, you may not have the top names there, but at least it would keep British speedway alive, how many people actually go just to s8ee so and so race, I don't I go to watch the racing, no matter who is riding,

If it gave more meetings, at a price that was far fairer than what they are charging for some of the rubbish they are turning out, then I would be more than happy to see it happen.m

There is only one EL team (Wolves) who don't currently have at least one GP rider in their side. There is only Leicester and Kings Lynn that own their own stadia - and whose to say their costs/revenue are any better/worse than those who rent from a landlord, be it greyhounds or other motor sport?! Costs MAY be less but revenue will also be less as the stadium owners usually take all the food, beverage and car park income.

 

Even Jon Cook has said that Lakeside would only operate EL despite the uncertainty of their facilities.

 

Any cost cutting has got to be with the machinery, as that would make things less expensive for the riders who would then in theory not need to be paid as much by their clubs. That saving could and should be passed on as a reduction in admission charges to fans.

 

Finally EL meetings should be restricted to just 2 days a week eg Mondays/Wednesdays or Weds/Thurs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always thought the big name riders didn't like riding in Britain on a Monday, as they prefer to do directly from Poland to Sweden?

For some they don't like Monday with the mad rush between Poland and Sweden but it is the extra flights and meetings added on Wednesday or Thursday or Friday that burns them out and affects their scoring and earnings elsewhere.

 

 

Woffinden has stated he would be looking for one night a week and we already have Iversen Holder Ward Lindgren etc that have been here already. I am sure you would see the big names return even if it's for half the time and while it would mean possibly a £20 fee it would be value for money when you look at the prices for the ELRC or other big events.

 

 

It would be beneficial to have an Elite League that is strong but overall British Speedway needs to concentrate on regular speedway at a lower level and price in most cases

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Even Jon Cook has said that Lakeside would only operate EL despite the uncertainty of their facilities.

 

rs.

What he actually said in his programme notes was "We have no interest in th Premier League in its present form but a regionalised version of it would be right up our street"

 

We can only speculate on what he meant by a regionalised version of the PL or whether it would include other clubs currently in the EL.

 

He has also not ruled out running a NL side in 2016 if the decision on the stadiums future comes too late for an EL team to be entered when the AGM takes place in October.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 leagues with promotion and relegation all using the same rules a 40 point limit and a salary cap.

 

All meetings should take place on either a Friday,Saturday or a Sunday with a real emphasise on getting families through the door.

 

All reserves should be british and come from a proper draft system out of a hat so no ringers. All of these reserves cannot be replaced unless injured and will be paid a set amount.

 

NL should be an u21 league for all British riders who fit the criteria.

 

Oh and £10 entrance or £18 for a family of 4

Edited by dazpanther
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 leagues with promotion and relegation all using the same rules a 40 point limit and a salary cap.

 

All meetings should take place on either a Friday,Saturday or a Sunday with a real emphasise on getting families through the door.

 

All reserves should be british and come from a proper draft system out of a hat so no ringers. All of these reserves cannot be replaced unless injured and will be paid a set amount.

 

NL should be an u21 league for all British riders who fit the criteria.

 

Oh and £10 entrance or £18 for a family of 4

Sounds sensible.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For some they don't like Monday with the mad rush between Poland and Sweden but it is the extra flights and meetings added on Wednesday or Thursday or Friday that burns them out and affects their scoring and earnings elsewhere.

 

Woffinden has stated he would be looking for one night a week and we already have Iversen Holder Ward Lindgren etc that have been here already. I am sure you would see the big names return even if it's for half the time and while it would mean possibly a £20 fee it would be value for money when you look at the prices for the ELRC or other big events.

 

It would be beneficial to have an Elite League that is strong but overall British Speedway needs to concentrate on regular speedway at a lower level and price in most cases

 

My personal preference would be one big Premier League without all the "top" riders. I think as it stands this is the only sustainable model for British speedway.

 

However, I don't believe all promoters would be able to agree on a single league, so a compromise would be the Elite League running on three nights a week and the PL running on a different three nights. This would be a stepping stone to a single race night for the Elite, but let's not run before we can walk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to clarify my reference to costs in my previous post was not geared towards lowering gate charges, what i think needs to happen is to address the costs incurred by the riders, talk in the star this week that we need more training tracks and that is true but once a kid has got so far on a 150cc they will eventually need to buy there own bike etc and that costs a lot more money than most parents can afford.

 

Your modern speedway bike costs too much to buy and too much to run, plus they are more unstable, its one area which has never been addressed, we have air fences but they are reactive to the problem, not proactive in solving the underlying cause which is the bikes.

 

A large part of a promoters outgoings are in wages to riders and the wages are high because the riders need to earn more to offset the costs of the bikes and tuning.

Bring those costs down and then your typical promoter will have more chance to make a profit which hopefully will then be put back into the club either via advertising or improving facilities.

Makes British Leagues a more standardized form of racing, get the youth coming through and give them places in teams instead of going for some unknown foreign import, the PL is terrible for this, i have lost count of the number of riders in that division i have never heard of before they came here to ride.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

 

However, I don't believe all promoters would be able to agree on a single league, so a compromise would be the Elite League running on three nights a week and the PL running on a different three nights. This would be a stepping stone to a single race night for the Elite, but let's not run before we can walk.

As I said before this is one of the best idea's on here ...I would like to have less speedway in the top league with better teams with one home match a fortnight if possible .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

However, I don't believe all promoters would be able to agree on a single league, so a compromise would be the Elite League running on three nights a week and the PL running on a different three nights. This would be a stepping stone to a single race night for the Elite, but let's not run before we can walk.

As next year only Wolves would be a Monday track and no team a ride on a Tuesday because of Sweden and not many cam operate on a Sunday due to Poland.

 

That leaves little room for movement with the other tracks who are in the Premier League happy with what they have by and large.

 

 

Getting the two leagues to work together is the big gesture stumbling block ahead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't 'have a real problem' with Poole Speedway. They don't personally cause me any 'real problem' whatsoever.

 

I just dislike it's promotion, and it's lapdog whinger of a manager.

 

I don't think I'm alone?

 

And as for what happens in 2016 - well okay to keep you happy, I'll tell you what I'd like to see.

 

- The break up of this farce known as the 'Elite League' and two divisions as outlined above (or along those lines)

- Lakeside to secure its future

- Sky Sports to do one, and for Lord Shoutalot and "no question" Tantrum to get proper jobs commensurate with their ability - stacking shelves in Happy Shopper springs instantly to mind

- For Speedway to get national coverage on either BBC or ITV

- For the farce known as the GP series to revert to a one-off meeting World Final at Wembley

- For second halves to come back, along with Golden/Silver helmet match races, so that punters actually get value for money once again

- For tape-touching to be reintroduced to SAVE time

- For less accidents than we have seen particularly this season - maybe re-introduce 2 valve engines?

 

Outside of Speedway, for Jeremy Corbyn to have a 40% lead in the opinion poles over Cameron.

 

Oh, and finally, to allow full immigration to refugees via Dover - and for all those newcomers to be housed in Poole, and surrounding areas of Dorset.

You really don't have a clue...................

 

The above has been tried and tested.............and the majority of it is out dated...............the only thing you have put that I agree with is the Golden/Silver match races.................

 

Oh and your tongue in cheek comment about housing immigrants in Dorset did not go amiss............how childish can some people be............

 

RP

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