RobMcCaffery Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) The EL ceased to be viable from the point where riders could make far more money racing in the GP and Poland at weekends, plus a few 'extras' in Sweden and Denmark rather than up to six days a week in Britain. It's taken far too long for the BSPA to realise this. British speedway needs to stop kidding itself, rebuild from the ground up, not top down and by developing the sport make it capable of attracting these 'names' in the long term. Having top international names may attract the odd speedway supporter but it's the outside world we need to attract and most of them have no idea who Tai Woffinden, Greg Hancock or Nicki Pedersen are. Time indeed to stop living in the past, employ only riders who have a commitment to Britain and let the others go off and bleed the sport dry abroad - while the gravy train's still on the rails, that is. If we are to try to get them to race here it clearly needs a very short series of meetings on high money to attract them - unlikely to be a league as we know it and running as an addition to the normal domestic season. Edited January 20, 2016 by rmc 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g13webb Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Went to Anfield last weekend to see one of the Premier League cherished match. The place was heaving, full to the rafters. I would like to say the quality of the football was good, but I'd be lying. In fact it was probably the worse match I seen for some time. The point I'm trying to make is that I paid £52.00 to watch that drabble, but because of the atmosphere and the occasion, I would do it all over again....... Getting back to speedway, Of cause we want to see top riders, but to me to draw of big crowds, they will only go regular if they are treated to a good night of entertainment , with excitement and atmosphere, and that is down to the promotions..... ........ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 The EL ceased to be viable from the point where riders could make far more money racing in the GP and Poland at weekends, plus a few 'extras' in Sweden and Denmark rather than up to six days a week in Britain. It's taken far too long for the BSPA to realise this. British speedway needs to stop kidding itself, rebuild from the ground up, not top down and by developing the sport make it capable of attracting these 'names' in the long term. Having top international names may attract the odd speedway supporter but it's the outside world we need to attract and most of them have no idea who Tai Woffinden, Greg Hancock or Nicki Pedersen are. Time indeed to stop living in the past, employ only riders who have a commitment to Britain and let the others go off and bleed the sport dry abroad - while the gravy train's still on the rails, that is. If we are to try to get them to race here it clearly needs a very short series of meetings on high money to attract them - unlikely to be a league as we know it and running as an addition to the normal domestic season. Spot on this is exactly what people need to realise the sport was changed for ever once Olsen got his hands on the world title by forming the SGP and the big money reared it's head in Poland ,Sweden and so on . Went to Anfield last weekend to see one of the Premier League cherished match. The place was heaving, full to the rafters. I would like to say the quality of the football was good, but I'd be lying. In fact it was probably the worse match I seen for some time. The point I'm trying to make is that I paid £52.00 to watch that drabble, but because of the atmosphere and the occasion, I would do it all over again....... Getting back to speedway, Of cause we want to see top riders, but to me to draw of big crowds, they will only go regular if they are treated to a good night of entertainment , with excitement and atmosphere, and that is down to the promotions..... ........ Work with what you've got and concentrate on making the product you have better I have been to Sheffield a number of times over the last couple of years no super stars were present but great racing in a good stadium with fans who love their speedway and a credit to British speedway . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadProWebsite Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 If we want to emulate football and cricket, perhaps we stage the EL playoffs and the EL final at Cardiff indoors in October all on one day! The Cardiff GP is undoubtedly the premier speedway event in the UK, perhaps in Europe and so why not build on that success? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LagutaRacingFan Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Speedway is a minority sport, just accept that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 As I said earlier we need in speedway what 20/20 has done for Cricket I was never a cricket fan until this foremat came along I started watching on Sky I then went to a match at Trent Bridge I paid £15 admission to sit were I liked other than members area I got 2 hours of none stop entertainment with 10 thousand fans in the ground all ages was there young and old alike now I'm interested in all foremats of cricket having never been a cricket fan until 20/20 now if speedway somehow could generate that kind of interest just imagine what it could do for the sport . The other sport that has a kind of connection with speedway is Arenacross Uk again it's none stop entertainment all ages attended full stadium more expensive for a seat but it's a show from start to Finnish all ages race from kids to the pros and freestyle, I've been to the Sheffield event the last 3 winters 13 Feb is this years date - another thought I had was why in a speedway city why wasn't Sheffield speedway there with a stand ? talk about wasted opportunity. I'm not a marketing expert and I,m not sure how either 20/20 or Arenacross ideas could be used in a speedway foremat but they have ideas that speedway could use I would have thought , it's making a night out at the speedway special an event - that's been lost over the years- a slick show not watching tractors go round on a school night gettin kids involved.we need the big names back as well even if admission prices rise lowering the standard isn't the answer . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Surely if a massive company like IMG cannot market to entice folk to fill Cardiff for the SGP, what else is gonna work, let's see ...... I will always enjoy league racing, supporting my team, shame more don't do the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 I'm sure many more would Trees if the product was right and at a sensible price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) 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.So sadly this will never happen will it? Everyone can see that the sport is screaming out for a visionary akin to Hearn but the Promoters will never allow an 'outsider' to tell them how to run their business... Imagine explaining to any 'Barry Hearn' who is looking to break into the sport that last season my team (BV) got to the play off final aided and abetted by three points they gained last May with their defeat of Lakeside away... That night we had four guests. Therefore effectively the Aces had riders from (including their own) FIVE different teams representing them and assisting them to reach the final (of a supposed professional sporting competition)! What successful sports administrator would risk their own reputation taking over a sport that actively encourages such nonsense by its very own fixture planning? That situation, as we all know, isnt seen by the promoters as something in any way shape or form as being 'unusual' and again, as we all know, isnt an isolated incident when it comes to the sports lack of integrity when measured against other 'professional sports'... An ever decreasing circle is surely the only future for what could be a great sport if only it was administrated with integrity and promoted with 21st Century technology and innovation.. Would Barry Hearn be interested in running the sport? In its present situation I would suggest you would be lucky to get even Barry Chuckle involved.. Edited January 21, 2016 by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damosuzuki Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 (edited) The fact is Speedway could be much bigger than it is, ANY sport could be. Look at what Matchroom has done with the Darts and also the way Eddie Hearn promotes boxing. Matchroom could make Speedway big, fact. Everything is a minority sport other than football, and there is a massive audience for the minority sports out there. As I say, look at the job Matchroom have done with Darts at the PDC, and with Anthony Joshua in the boxing. I'd LOVE to see the Hearns involved in Speedway. Listen to the first few minutes of Hearn here, in fact the whole thing is good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3NSpGE8dTY Edited January 20, 2016 by damosuzuki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini 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 . Do you really think the average supporter would be willing to even pay £20, let alone £25? Speedway is already too expensive so loads more would be lost to the sport. Getting the top riders back here is not the answer because for every fan that wants to see them there is another who isn't bothered who rides as long as the racing is entertaining. I fall into the latter category. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 (edited) A really difficult decision Gemini,i would love to see the top boys back even if most can only do ten meeting's a season.But you are right i think we should cut our cloth accordingly try to get the product right entertaining value for money and use it to push some of our Brits through speedway i think is a 10/12 pound sport no more. Edited January 21, 2016 by Sidney the robin 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Do you really think the average supporter would be willing to even pay £20, let alone £25? Speedway is already too expensive so loads more would be lost to the sport. Getting the top riders back here is not the answer because for every fan that wants to see them there is another who isn't bothered who rides as long as the racing is entertaining. I fall into the latter category. I agree totally too many people think that the problems with the sport will go away if the Big Boys return ,all that will happen is what little money is left will disappear as they will again . 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TesarRacing Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 (edited) Went to Anfield last weekend to see one of the Premier League cherished match. The place was heaving, full to the rafters. I would like to say the quality of the football was good, but I'd be lying. In fact it was probably the worse match I seen for some time. The point I'm trying to make is that I paid £52.00 to watch that drabble, but because of the atmosphere and the occasion, I would do it all over again....... Getting back to speedway, Of cause we want to see top riders, but to me to draw of big crowds, they will only go regular if they are treated to a good night of entertainment , with excitement and atmosphere, and that is down to the promotions..... ........ Excellent post GRW, fully agree with you. At the other end of the spectrum I am a season ticket holder at a non-league football club. The football is usually not great and there are no superstar footballers but the club is well supported and it is the great atmosphere created at the club that makes me get my wallet out every year and buy a ST. Edited January 21, 2016 by TesarRacing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topsoil Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 I've said it before on other links but I don't think it would cost too much to keep fans entertained between heats. Here's some examples I have seen done at other sporting events:- fan quizzes, interviews with riders / managers on the infield, interviews with fans, fans running in zorba balls, kids running races (Glasgow do this successfully), junior tag rugby (a speedway equivalent could be cycling round a track once), live music (any up and coming local bands willing to pay for free publicity?). Interact with fans, have family days where riders mix with fans, have photos taken, speak face to face with fans, have autographs, give kids a ride on the bike (is this allowed in the era of health and safety?). And each club employ somebody who can promote the club to death. Each week should be a big build up to the meeting, getting more and more attention in local and social media as the week goes on. The more the public is aware of a club, the more chance is they are going to come along. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 I've made this point before on the 'Barry Hearn' topic, but his success and business acumen has been with 'individual' sports - Snooker, Darts, Boxing - where he or his company manage, control and dictate to all (or most) of the participants and the venues that he promotes in. All those sports are also indoors (not sure if that is relevant when comparing to speedway?). He - or a company like his - would need total control of speedway which could make it more of a 'sporting circus' ( a bit like the WWE in America and now worldwide) - not necessarily a bad thing but totally against many of the 'purists'. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Do you really think the average supporter would be willing to even pay £20, let alone £25? Speedway is already too expensive so loads more would be lost to the sport. Getting the top riders back here is not the answer because for every fan that wants to see them there is another who isn't bothered who rides as long as the racing is entertaining. I fall into the latter category. Yes. And they do so on a regular basis when they think its the 'in' thing to do. However, as long as the sport promotes itself on tv with empty stadiums, they will never think its the 'in' thing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Yes. And they do so on a regular basis when they think its the 'in' thing to do. However, as long as the sport promotes itself on tv with empty stadiums, they will never think its the 'in' thing to do. What price do you think is a fair price? do you think the diehard supporter is taken for granted Witcher.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damosuzuki Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Speedway is mega cheap in comparison to other sports in the UK. At the end of the day there is no way ticket prices are going to drop to 10 or 12 quid. And the purists / diehards won't keep the sport going. I get annoyed when people complain about the Razzmattaz etc - if it brings young people in then go for it. Look at how Matchroom attract a new crowd to boxing - Stormzy rapping in the ring, DJs, massive entrances, singers - I'm not complaining because Glasgow are delivering the goods, but the kind of people who complain about the razzmattazz bemuse me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris4gillian Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 (edited) Do you really think the average supporter would be willing to even pay £20, let alone £25? Speedway is already too expensive so loads more would be lost to the sport. Getting the top riders back here is not the answer because for every fan that wants to see them there is another who isn't bothered who rides as long as the racing is entertaining. I fall into the latter category. Well I for one would be willing to fork out £20 - £25 a meeting if every EL team consisted of the so called 'stars' from 1 - 5 that are now ignoring the UK. I'd rather see heat after heat of say N Pedersen/Hancock/Woffinden/Holder than what we have now and if that costs me £20 - £25 then so be it. Edited January 21, 2016 by chris4gillian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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