Elite League 2016 - What Is Required?

[MattK]

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.

I don't believe PL teams are happy, as they have as many guests as we do due to doubling-up and draft riders missing meetings.

 

EL Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, PL Friday, Saturday and Sunday should require the minimum number of race night changes.

[Trees]

Sounds a decent plan but will the PL clubs go for that\can they?

[Red Panda]

I don't believe PL teams are happy, as they have as many guests as we do due to doubling-up and draft riders missing meetings.

 

EL Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, PL Friday, Saturday and Sunday should require the minimum number of race night changes.

Two obstacles with one night racing............Local authorities and other stadium users...............add to what you have just said there are some PL riders who are riding in Poland now..................

 

Even if they could run it over three nights you are still looking at the same issues............

 

RP

[Big Al]

Reduce the number of teams to 6.

No matches to take place on Tuesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

Ten home matches at home, and ten away.

Teams to have only one match (home or away) per week (there will be occasional need for two matches in a week to catch up previously postponed fixtures).

No league matches until April.

4 points for a win, 5 for an away win by 6 or more.

Bonus point for aggregate match points total from all 4 matches between teams.

Second and third placed teams race-off home and away, to qualify for playoff final against the table-topping team.

League season to be completed by 30 September.

FTR scheme to apply to No.7 position in team only.

Minimum of 2 under-26 riders (regardless of nationality) in positions 1-6.

Riders 1-6 have averages which determine team position

Scrap the 2-year restriction on EL/PL doubling-up (probably illegal anyway).

 

The flaws in the current FTR scheme have been badly exposed this year. There isn't enough depth in the pool when the injuries toll mounts. No disrespect, but you can't go on with the league having to rely on Hall and Wilkinson to make up the numbers. Young Brits will have to earn their place in the 1-6 alongside/in competition with young riders from other countries such as Jorgensen, Busk-Jacobsen etc.

 

Having any team with a Saturday race day, weakens the overall product quality. Leicester really shouldn't have been allowed into the league with a Saturday race night. Keeping the number of teams limited to 6 will help to enforce that requirement. Clubs with easier access to their stadiums could stage 4th-tier events on non-home match weeks.......double-header matches, 4TT's, Individual events.......they can use the opportunity to help produce their own No.7 riders of the future.

[MattK]

Two obstacles with one night racing............Local authorities and other stadium users...............add to what you have just said there are some PL riders who are riding in Poland now..................

 

Even if they could run it over three nights you are still looking at the same issues............

 

RP

I don't believe with the choice of three race nights all clubs can't be accommodated. Similarly, PL clubs already race in a Sunday, so this shouldn't introduce any additional problems.

 

The alternative is promoters burying their heads in the sand and continuing with three or four guests and R/R while crowds dwindle.

[Electric6]

Can someone explain how the averages work?

 

- What happens to National League riders moving up if they are british

- What happens if they move up and they are non-british

 

- What happens to Elite League riders dropping down to Premier League who are british

- And the same for non-brits

 

- What average do foreign riders go on from european/international leagues?

 

 

I'll then have a crack at putting together a bullet proof plan

[Christopher Bcmma Cook]

When riders move from premier league to elite what is the reduction and the additional reduction for brits?

[heathen chemistry]

And of course the squad system would do away with the need for guests and rider replacement..................

 

RP

 

It wont thou ..... clubs wont want to drop that ability to have a track specialist on a low average as match winning guest

 

 

with no fall back of guests or r/r , clubs will be in a position where by they would be forced to track certain riders (due to injuries to other rider/s) in there squad that could be either off form or like some foreigners not particularly reliable meaning riders missing ....then wat?

 

and some riders who ride over here make there money from being a favourite amongst guest bookings, No guests - meaning less matches = less salary

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.

 

certainly agree about corbyn !!

Edited August 17, 2015 by heathen chemistry

[E I Addio]

Here's a radical idea. How about the rules to be applied as written down in the Speedwáy Regualations and interpreted in accordance with the English Language, instead of promoters able to form little cartels and change the rules at will as and when it suits them.

 

Or what about when EL clubs sign a PL rider with an EL average they have to use the EL average instead of fiddling it through on the PL average?

 

Or how about some sort of penalty for referees who don't know/don't apply the rules correctly and thereby rob the paying public?

[Electric6]

You need a variety and freshness bringing to the sport, why try and make the sport bankcrupt for the 6 or 7 GP riders you will entice, when you go back to grass roots and produce the GP stars of the future - riders want lots of meetings, thats why most go abroard who are not the top stars, offer them lots of meetings in the UK and it will work.

 

3 Leagues in 2017 - Premier League North - Premier League South - Conference League

 

10 teams in each Premier League North & South - riding Home & Away - 18 meetings

2 points home win, 1 point home draw, 3 points away win, 2 points away draw, 1 point if lose by 6

6 rider teams, no double points rider in this, simply 2 opportunities between heats 4-12 to run tactical rides if more than 6 points behind.

15 heat format with heats 14 & 15 being non programmed, heat 14 to be contested between 3rd/4th highest point scorer, heat 15 between 1st/2nd highest scorer.

 

Whoever finishes top wins the Regional Trophy - Teams will be rewarded for finishing top 4 keeping the interest alive.... (see below)

 

- British Speedway Association Cup

All teams from both North & South go into the draw for a 2 legged knockout competition, first 12 drawn out have "byes" to round 2, 8 teams then contest the remaining 4 places in the last 16 - this will create excitement if teams from north/south are drawn together and offers a variety of the league format.

- These meetings will be contested over 16 programmed heats with no nominated heats. No tactical subs but a "Double Points" can be played once per meeting by the losing side if trailing by 8 points or more, however with a twist, ALL riders in the heat where double points has been played can score double points - so it can backfire!

 

Premier League Cup

4 groups of 5 teams riding home & away once, top 2 teams from each group qualify for the knockouts, this to be run under the 13 heat format, no tactical riders or double points allowed, however points in heats are awarded 4-3-2-0

 

Premier League Trophy

Knockout contested between Top 4 sides in the North & South... 1st in north vs 4th in south etc. same format as league racing tho aggregrate scores obviously deciding the winners.

 

Premier League Challenge

Same as above but with the bottom 4 clubs....

 

BRITISH FINAL - this can become a mini grand prix series contested over 3 venues.....

Finally - all attendances should be published with the away team taking 25% of the gate meaning that all clubs are generating income at every meeting they have rather than relying on home meetings.

 

 

 

All of the above offers a refreshing variety that speedway needs, most are local derbies, then added interested of racing against the "other section" also i would say guests have to be from the other section.

[Electric6]

Also I would say build the 6 rider teams using 38 point average maximum - What would you pick based on the list of riders? #5 & #6 being reserves #1 & #3 being heat leaders, #2 & #4 main body riders....

 

ANDERSEN H - 7.95

AARNIO T - 3.46

ALLEN O - 6.11

ANDERSEN J - 5.20

AUTY J - 5.80

ATKIN T - 3.00

 

 

BJERRE K - 7.22

BRANFORD R - 3.00

BECH M - 7.11

BARKER B - 5.53

BATCHELOR T - 7.18

BERGE D - 3.82

BLACKBIRD L - 4.92

BENKI R - 4.00

BJERRE L - 5.98

BOWEN L - 3.35

BOXALL S - 4.69

BELLEGO D - 4.51

BATES J - 3.00

BIRKS A - 4.34

 

COOK C. - 7.44

CLEGG M - 3.00

CRANG L - 3.00

COVATTI N - 5.53

CHAPMAN S - 3.00

CASTAGNA M - 4.00

COMPTON A - 5.02

COCKLE J - 3.00

CARR L - 3.00

 

DOYLE J - 8.61

DOOLAN K - 5.07

DOUGLAS R - 4.98

DAVIES A - 3.98

 

EDBERG A - 3.40

ELLIS A - 3.00

 

FRICK M. - 7.04

FISHER R - 4.85

 

GRACZJONIK J. - 7.40

GARCIA F - 4.00

GOMOLSKI - 5.97

GRAVESEN J - 3.74

GRONDAL E - 5.20

GREENWOOD O - 3.00

GARRITY J - 5.87

 

HARRIS C. - 8.09

HOWARTH K - 5.76

HALL R - 3.00

HOLDER C - 7.78

HEEPS C - 4.62

HOLDER J - 4.82

HENRY - 3.98

HOLUB Z - 5.20

HARRISON R - 4.59

HANSEN K - 4.50

HOPWOOD B - 3.00

HALSEY D - 3.00

 

IVERSEN - 8.55

 

JONASSON A/ - 7.56

JANOWSKI M - 8.80

JORGENSEN T - 5.68

JACOBSEN N - 5.37

JENSEN R - 4.68

 

King D - 6.71

Kylmakorpi J - 7.00

KRCMAR E - 5.50

KARLSSON P - 7.04

KILDEMAND P - 7.86

KENNETT E - 6.56

KURTZ T - 4.48

KUS M - 5.07

KONOPKA - 4.00

KLINDT N - 5.01

KURTZ B - 6.57

 

LAMBERT R - 6.95

LAWSON R - 6.06

LINDGREN F - 7.48

LINDGREN L - 5.20

LAMBERT S - 4.24

LYKKE K - 4.46

LYAGER A - 5.20

LUNNA N - 3.38

LANHAM L - 5.04

 

MILIK V - 7.42

MASTERS S - 5.41

MUSIELAK T - 5.60

MICHELSEN M - 6.67

MORRIS N - 7.07

MANZARES G - 4.26

MORRIS A - 3.51

MORLEY B - 3.00

MELLGREN A - 4.65

MAAESSEN D - 4.00

 

NICHOLLS S. - 7.24

NILSSON K - 6.88

NORTH D - 6.86

NIEMINEN K - 5.35

NIELSEN STE - 3.60

NIELSEN SIM - 3.42

NEWMAN K - 5.00

 

OSTERGAARD O - 5.80

 

PORSING N - 6.25

PEDERSEN B - 6.55

PALOVAARA V - 3.81

PALM TOFT M - 4.72

PIJPER T - 4.86

PERKS E - 3.00

PROCTOR T - 5.01

PERRY T - 3.00

 

ROBSON - 4.92

RISS E - 4.00

ROSEN A - 4.60

RISAGER M - 4.75

ROYNON A - 3.63

 

SWIDERSKI P - 6.34

SUMMERS A - 5.45

SEDGMAN J - 5.40

STICHAUER H - 3.74

SARJEANT J - 4.22

SMITH K - 4.52

SIMOTA Z - 3.82

SKIDMORE H - 5.10

STEAD S - 7.25

SISSIS A - 4.16

STARKE P - 4.17

 

THORNBLOM - 4.20

THORSELL J - 6.26

TUNGATE R - 5.24

 

VOLDRIM M - 4.00

VISSING C - 5.52

 

WALASEK G - 6.00

WOZNIAK S - 6.63

WOLBERT K - 5.93

WATT D - 6.41

WARD D - 8.53

WELLS R - 6.59

WORRAL S - 5.85

WRIGHT J - 4.68

WILKINSON C - 4.60

WILSON B - 3.89

WETHERS M - 3.45

WILLIAMSON M - 3.00

WORRAL R - 5.33

WRIGHT C - 5.12

WELLS R - 5.70

WAJKNECHT Z - 3.00

WILSON-DEAN B - 4.00

 

ZAGAR M. - 7.39

[Electric6]

I meant 34 points sorry

[MattK]

Here's my idea for the draft system in 2016:

 

I'd like to keep the draft tiers as they are this season, but revert back to the old heat format, so draft riders are no longer protected and they get a proper average by riding all opposition riders.

 

This will allow tier one riders to join make 1-5 in 2017 and tier to riders to step up and so on.

[john birch]

Eight teams two X home and away on Wednesdays and Thursdays only. Same team strengths as now including fast track for at least one position in the team or minimum requirement of 2X english in the team. Anyone only able to race on one of the two nights due to stadium availability must be given preference or maybe every fifth week left blank to accommodate this and rainoffs. Riders must be available for all weeks between 15 March and the playoffs except for the World cup. This is the only real change that hasn't been tried and must be. And don't tell me anyone would rather ride in the Allsvenskaan or Danish league as opposed to 28 matches here. Coventry, Lakeside and Leicester on those nights is a complete joke with doubling up / FIM events etc.

[Christopher Bcmma Cook]

I tend to agree with why try and attract the big names when so very few will support british speedway, It won't bring the fans back, its all about the quality of the racing i.e. entertainment not quality of rider on offer...

 

Regionalised leagues are the way to go, may be left with 1-2 gp riders if any but so be it

[Crazy robin]

Stefan top scores for Belle Vue last night & only has 2 points from 4 rides for Ipswich tonight at Somerset.

 

That just shows how much of an easy ride they get in the top league.

[SCB]

Stefan top scores for Belle Vue last night & only has 2 points from 4 rides for Ipswich tonight at Somerset.

 

That just shows how much of an easy ride they get in the top league.

Stefan has always been a rider who performs better on his home track. He's really got dialled in at BV these days, he's not half the threat away though.

[waiheke1]

I tend to agree with why try and attract the big names when so very few will support british speedway, It won't bring the fans back, its all about the quality of the racing i.e. entertainment not quality of rider on offer...

 

Regionalised leagues are the way to go, may be left with 1-2 gp riders if any but so be it

But its a myth that good racing leads to bigger crowds. Or do the likes of Somerset and Peterborough get bigger crowds than poole? I would suggest that star riders, a successful team and good marketing contribute more to attendances than the standard of racing.

The key for me is that meetings should be completed in 90 minutes and there should be entertainment throughout that period

[Christopher Bcmma Cook]

A successful team, good marketing and entertainment yes, it's time to save the sport

[speedibee]

Eight teams two X home and away on Wednesdays and Thursdays only. Same team strengths as now including fast track for at least one position in the team or minimum requirement of 2X english in the team. Anyone only able to race on one of the two nights due to stadium availability must be given preference or maybe every fifth week left blank to accommodate this and rainoffs. Riders must be available for all weeks between 15 March and the playoffs except for the World cup. This is the only real change that hasn't been tried and must be. And don't tell me anyone would rather ride in the Allsvenskaan or Danish league as opposed to 28 matches here. Coventry, Lakeside and Leicester on those nights is a complete joke with doubling up / FIM events etc.

who will make up the numbers when Wolverhampton drop out because ladbrokes have dog racing on wed/thurs. and Coventry drop out because no one wants speedway on thursdays at coventry .