le sorcier Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 ....on talksport this afternoon. Inviting suggestions on which sport Barry can take on next!! Maybe we should bombard them with emails/calls etc!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingkiwi Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Woffinden tweeted him not so long ago asking if he would be interested in sorting out the mess that is British Speedway, Hearn said that he wasn't young enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 HE was also approached years ago ... as was Bernie Ecclestone by his mate Barry Briggs who told him that the only way he would be interested was if he owned all the stadiums and all the teams. In others words, the sport needed a dictator in charge and he was probably right. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 HE was also approached years ago ... as was Bernie Ecclestone by his mate Barry Briggs who told him that the only way he would be interested was if he owned all the stadiums and all the teams. In others words, the sport needed a dictator in charge and he was probably right. That reminds me of the early Mike Parker days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldace Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Indeed, and for all of his faults that period mid-60s to mid-80s were successful. Lot of growth then, new tracks and British rider development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rainman Posted January 20, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 HE was also approached years ago ... as was Bernie Ecclestone by his mate Barry Briggs who told him that the only way he would be interested was if he owned all the stadiums and all the teams. In others words, the sport needed a dictator in charge and he was probably right. Don't we have someone like that running a team in Dorset ? 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Well something soon has to be done speedway needs a boost similar to what 20/20 has done for cricket- something needs to happen and soon with speedway in the UK 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 That reminds me of the early Mike Parker days. EVEN MP didn't own all the teams let alone the stadiums. Well something soon has to be done speedway needs a boost similar to what 20/20 has done for cricket- something needs to happen and soon with speedway in the UK COULD be on the cards. Don't we have someone like that running a team in Dorset ? NO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 EVEN MP didn't own all the teams let alone the stadiums. COULD be on the cards. NO. well let's hope it happens ASAP if things carry on the way they are certainly EL speedway will be a thing of the past - let's get the top boys back over here even it means paying £20-£25 a meeting . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 well let's hope it happens ASAP if things carry on the way they are certainly EL speedway will be a thing of the past - let's get the top boys back over here even it means paying £20-£25 a meeting . A rush into bankruptcy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 well let's hope it happens ASAP if things carry on the way they are certainly EL speedway will be a thing of the past - let's get the top boys back over here even it means paying £20-£25 a meeting . NOT very easy to emulate what cricket has done, at least on the track, but some serious thinking outside the box to provide non-stop entertainment for fans on and off the track is feasible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherwatcher Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 We only have to take this coming season as a good example, the top riders or very few of them can even be bothered to come over here now. They just don't earn enough and for one the promoters can ill aford to pay the wages they ask for, we saw what happened when they went along that road and a lot of clubs almost folded. Mybe the EL has just com,e to the end of it's life span and they will have to go along another route. Because, they are not going to get the top riders back ubtil the Polish and Swedish clubs have to close because they have been silly enough to pay the riders the stuppid demands they are asking for. Gone are the days when as long as a rider covered his expenses and managed to keep his bikes and a van or the car with the bike on the back running, he was happy, why because he emjoyed riding speedway. Now unless they are making enough to run 6 or 7 bikes and have a big team of spanner monkeys and a graet big ven or motor home, they are not happy, All they ride for is to be the top of the tree, they have no interest in the fact that they are even enjoying what they do as long as the money keeps rolling in. So yes it is time for a change. But not one that manages to shut all the clubs down. If we have to put up with the lesser riders, and have the ones left that love the sport, that that is ok with me. It it means finishing with the EL and going with a North South league, then at least we may see some better racing and it may be the only way forward. I know we have said this a thousand times now. But in the end do the powers that be really listen to what Joe public has to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 NOT very easy to emulate what cricket has done, at least on the track, but some serious thinking outside the box to provide non-stop entertainment for fans on and off the track is feasible. I really hope something can be sorted out I agree it can't be easy to come close to what cricket has done - also take a look at Arenacross again it's a complete show I attend every winter . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odds On Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 NOT very easy to emulate what cricket has done, at least on the track, but some serious thinking outside the box to provide non-stop entertainment for fans on and off the track is feasible. thinking out of the box it is most certainly is a possibility......whats to stop having an indoor tournament, similar to the old four team tournament but inside with a few different rules here and there?...yes it would mean laying a proper indoor track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 We only have to take this coming season as a good example, the top riders or very few of them can even be bothered to come over here now. They just don't earn enough and for one the promoters can ill aford to pay the wages they ask for, we saw what happened when they went along that road and a lot of clubs almost folded. Mybe the EL has just com,e to the end of it's life span and they will have to go along another route. Because, they are not going to get the top riders back ubtil the Polish and Swedish clubs have to close because they have been silly enough to pay the riders the stuppid demands they are asking for. Gone are the days when as long as a rider covered his expenses and managed to keep his bikes and a van or the car with the bike on the back running, he was happy, why because he emjoyed riding speedway. Now unless they are making enough to run 6 or 7 bikes and have a big team of spanner monkeys and a graet big ven or motor home, they are not happy, All they ride for is to be the top of the tree, they have no interest in the fact that they are even enjoying what they do as long as the money keeps rolling in. So yes it is time for a change. But not one that manages to shut all the clubs down. If we have to put up with the lesser riders, and have the ones left that love the sport, that that is ok with me. It it means finishing with the EL and going with a North South league, then at least we may see some better racing and it may be the only way forward. I know we have said this a thousand times now. But in the end do the powers that be really listen to what Joe public has to say. CANNOT agree with much of that. Speedway is a career for these guys, not a hobby. They are not riding for expenses but a wage and hopefully the chance to invest for a long future when they stop. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that what Joe Public wants to see is the top riders here. The trick is come up with something new that fits their schedule and appeals to the public. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odds On Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 CANNOT agree with much of that. Speedway is a career for these guys, not a hobby. They are not riding for expenses but a wage and hopefully the chance to invest for a long future when they stop. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that what Joe Public wants to see is the top riders here. The trick is come up with something new that fits their schedule and appeals to the public. I think your mentality on the subject is what is wrong with speedway, the sport needs its owners/promoters just as much as the top riders, if not I would say even more than the top riders......the top riders have creamed the sport and its sponsors for too long, the well has nearly run dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 CANNOT agree with much of that. Speedway is a career for these guys, not a hobby. They are not riding for expenses but a wage and hopefully the chance to invest for a long future when they stop. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that what Joe Public wants to see is the top riders here. The trick is come up with something new that fits their schedule and appeals to the public. I think it more likely that those who respond would like to see top riders. Joe Public doesn't give a hoot. As far as "wage" goes, I have long thought that a semi-professional league, clustered around weekends (so riders can have off-track employment) was a likely future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 CANNOT agree with much of that. Speedway is a career for these guys, not a hobby. They are not riding for expenses but a wage and hopefully the chance to invest for a long future when they stop. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that what Joe Public wants to see is the top riders here. The trick is come up with something new that fits their schedule and appeals to the public. There is no trick needed merely enough money as you say it is not a hobby to these riders "cash " is king and quite right too they should get as much as they can but PLEASE don't blame schedules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobber junior Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 CANNOT agree with much of that. Speedway is a career for these guys, not a hobby. They are not riding for expenses but a wage and hopefully the chance to invest for a long future when they stop. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that what Joe Public wants to see is the top riders here. The trick is come up with something new that fits their schedule and appeals to the public. Agree with your first point - we cannot blame these riders, who are riding to earn a living not a hobby (National League excepted) as the cost of maintaining equipment and keeping up with latest regulations has increased way beyond revenues being generated in this country ..... even allowing for the Sky input. Whilst "Joe Public" might want to see the top riders, the promoters have not got deep enough pockets (in the absence of enough revenue) to entice these top riders to ride in the UK. The money on offer in Poland & Sweden (to a degree) seems to outweight what 99% of UK promoters can afford. New ideas are indeed required .... but have been for a while now and one has to wonder if it will all be too little too late. I hope not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Game On Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 A rush into bankruptcy. I thought £20-25 was cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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