Shale Searcher Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Ok, so if the Premier League is so much better to watch, cheaper to get in, closer racing, the place to be.... How come that Scunthorpe, who supposedly have the best racing track in the UK for close racing, why did their match against Peterborough on Sunday 10th April 2016 (yesterday) Only attract a crowd of around 450 spectators??? This really needs answering..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Ok, so if the Premier League is so much better to watch, cheaper to get in, closer racing, the place to be.... How come that Scunthorpe, who supposedly have the best racing track in the UK for close racing, why did their match against Peterborough on Sunday 10th April 2016 (yesterday) Only attract a crowd of around 450 spectators??? This really needs answering..... Speedway is dying on its feet in GB is my answer. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 EL is better than the PL. PL is better than the EL. Who cares? Speedway in this country is a mess regardless of the level! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Nicki Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 Ok, so if the Premier League is so much better to watch, cheaper to get in, closer racing, the place to be.... How come that Scunthorpe, who supposedly have the best racing track in the UK for close racing, why did their match against Peterborough on Sunday 10th April 2016 (yesterday) Only attract a crowd of around 450 spectators??? This really needs answering..... You need to ask the question? Do you have a clue what is happening in and around Scunthorpe? Next you'll be comparing attendances at Redcar to those at Poole. Words fail me with some people at times. Expletive Deleted. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 EL is better than the PL. PL is better than the EL. Who cares? Speedway in this country is a mess regardless of the level! I know it is, but 450 spectators? That's got to be borderline on run/not run? At, and I agree, Scunney is a great little racetrack, done a few laps there myself, but if they can only attract 450 spectators, and I bet there's a few in there for free, how can they survive? Or, say 1,000 at an Elite League track... Something has to be done, and done quickly, otherwise we won't have a sport left....!! I don't have any answers, except, I can't believe how many people I bump into through my work, haven't heard of, or know what speedway is, but don't know where there local track is!! I kid you not.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike.Butler Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 the future is as an amateur sport for most tracks. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted April 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 the future is as an amateur sport for most tracks. A bold statement, so how do you see the future structure of speedway in the UK then? The split/difference between amateur and professional, there still will be a professional level of speedway in the UK, but how do you see it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted April 11, 2016 Report Share Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) the future is as an amateur sport for most tracks. Indeed...Speedway needs to go back to when riders didn't see Speedway as their major source of income. Speedway riders seem to want to be the equivalent of their road racing and Moto x counterparts....without the backing. For the average fan or person off the street...are they really going to be more entertained by top riders, on expensive machinery, being paid a fortune, than four riders on 'standard machinery' of Premier league or National league standard? I'll add to this as a form of edit...was really looking forward to watching Somerset v Scunthorpe on Friday...however I am reconsidering going now, as I always feel cheated when a team uses RR. I'd get rid of RR...guests or reserve contracted rider only. I want to see a full team...what other sport turns up with a team member missing? Edited April 11, 2016 by Gresham 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 (edited) what other sport turns up with a team member missing? Lots of sports do, even football. I don't get the issue with R/R, you are still seeing 4 riders in a race and at least the replacement rides are taken by members of their own team. Far better than a guest. You don't see Ice Hockey fans with a team short of a defenceman complaining because other players have to take extra shifts on his line to cover for him. NBA teams have had reduced rosters, other players play extra mins to cover. No different to riders taking extra races to cover a missing team mate in reality. Edited April 12, 2016 by BWitcher 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted April 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Indeed...Speedway needs to go back to when riders didn't see Speedway as their major source of income. Speedway riders seem to want to be the equivalent of their road racing and Moto x counterparts....without the backing. For the average fan or person off the street...are they really going to be more entertained by top riders, on expensive machinery, being paid a fortune, than four riders on 'standard machinery' of Premier league or National league standard? I'll add to this as a form of edit...was really looking forward to watching Somerset v Scunthorpe on Friday...however I am reconsidering going now, as I always feel cheated when a team uses RR. I'd get rid of RR...guests or reserve contracted rider only. I want to see a full team...what other sport turns up with a team member missing? I know what you mean, at Leicester on Saturday, there was a rider there that was not in either the Leicester or Belle Vue line up, we did have a MDL encounter, Long Eaton Invaders v Belle Vue Colts after the EL match. I will not name him, I don't want to embarrass the lad, but he had a fairly new, fully sign written van, with: First Name, Surname RACING emblazoned all over the van. Now, I am not knocking the fact he had a van, but it just goes to show how the younger generation of would be riders prioritise equipment!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countershaftcounter Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 I know what you mean, at Leicester on Saturday, there was a rider there that was not in either the Leicester or Belle Vue line up, we did have a MDL encounter, Long Eaton Invaders v Belle Vue Colts after the EL match. I will not name him, I don't want to embarrass the lad, but he had a fairly new, fully sign written van, with: First Name, Surname RACING emblazoned all over the van. Now, I am not knocking the fact he had a van, but it just goes to show how the younger generation of would be riders prioritise equipment!! did he pay for the van out of his own pocket or did someone else supply it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Lots of sports do, even football. I don't get the issue with R/R, you are still seeing 4 riders in a race and at least the replacement rides are taken by members of their own team. Far better than a guest. You don't see Ice Hockey fans with a team short of a defenceman complaining because other players have to take extra shifts on his line to cover for him. NBA teams have had reduced rosters, other players play extra mins to cover. No different to riders taking extra races to cover a missing team mate in reality. I can't ever remember a football team turning up and starting a game with 10 men. Without being pedantic...it is one thing in Speedway that really irks me and I know from speaking to others in the past, I'm not alone. As someone returning to the sport after a long lay off, I'm trying to see with fresh eyes, ways of improving the sport and thinking of ways to make it more appealing to the public and bring back fans who have left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 I maybe wrong but did not most NL( now Pl ) riders in the 70's have jobs aswell by memory Tom Owen ran his own plant hire company it was only the likes Joe Owen .John Jackson etc that were full time and that was a purple period for the sport ,so prehaps it is time for the sport to become semi pro again . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Ok, so if the Premier League is so much better to watch, cheaper to get in, closer racing, the place to be.... How come that Scunthorpe, who supposedly have the best racing track in the UK for close racing, why did their match against Peterborough on Sunday 10th April 2016 (yesterday) Only attract a crowd of around 450 spectators??? This really needs answering..... I'm sure Scunny are 'steeling' themselves for an improvement in attendances now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 I can't ever remember a football team turning up and starting a game with 10 men. Without being pedantic...it is one thing in Speedway that really irks me and I know from speaking to others in the past, I'm not alone. As someone returning to the sport after a long lay off, I'm trying to see with fresh eyes, ways of improving the sport and thinking of ways to make it more appealing to the public and bring back fans who have left. It's a ridiculous thing to be 'irked about'. You'd prefer a guest from another team took the place then, which is far more 'irksome' surely? Or you'd prefer a junior rider stepped in who'd be out of his depth and lessen the spectacle as a whole? Guests I can understand peoples frustration about. R/R for an injury not.. Where the problem comes in is when it is used too often for riders racing for another team in the same country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkafag Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 How many people should be attending Speedway meetings in an area like Scunthorpe (not to pick on them) it is an area where unemployment is high and an area of austerity. If there was 700/800/900 + attending would this be enough? What sports are being used as a comparison when it is referenced that 450 people attending? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gresham Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 It's a ridiculous thing to be 'irked about'. You'd prefer a guest from another team took the place then, which is far more 'irksome' surely? Or you'd prefer a junior rider stepped in who'd be out of his depth and lessen the spectacle as a whole? Guests I can understand peoples frustration about. R/R for an injury not.. Where the problem comes in is when it is used too often for riders racing for another team in the same country. Actually...yes I would prefer to see a Junior rider move up in to the 7. Like many other sports...injuries take place, and the club have to use a 'squad' member to replace that injured team member. Why does it make it less a spectacle? If anything...it does the opposite. The fans get behind the replacement rider and urge him to do well...knowing it's a struggle. You watch that rider doing his best...hopefully improving, and getting better with each ride and gaining invaluable experience. Plus we have rules in place where tactical rides can be taken from other riders. So I don't see a problem. Your last sentence is very relevant though...and another reason why the rulebook needs to be torn up and started again. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 I know it is, but 450 spectators? That's got to be borderline on run/not run? At, and I agree, Scunney is a great little racetrack, done a few laps there myself, but if they can only attract 450 spectators, and I bet there's a few in there for free, how can they survive? Or, say 1,000 at an Elite League track... Something has to be done, and done quickly, otherwise we won't have a sport left....!! I don't have any answers, except, I can't believe how many people I bump into through my work, haven't heard of, or know what speedway is, but don't know where there local track is!! I kid you not.... I think it's subsidised by their stockcar meetings. I don't know about Scunthorpe but a lot of tracks get much bigger attendances for stockers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Ok, so if the Premier League is so much better to watch, cheaper to get in, closer racing, the place to be.... How come that Scunthorpe, who supposedly have the best racing track in the UK for close racing, why did their match against Peterborough on Sunday 10th April 2016 (yesterday) Only attract a crowd of around 450 spectators??? This really needs answering..... I think the fact that Scunthorpe drew their opening home match, lost the next one and then weakened their line up might have something to do with it. Sadly, all speedway fans aren't happy with top quality racing (because EWR is the best in the country) and want a winning team. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Actually...yes I would prefer to see a Junior rider move up in to the 7. Where as I'd prefer to see riders of similar standard racing and if that means 6 riders in the team and 4 of them take an extra ride that works for me. Why 7 riders? It's an arbitrary figure. There are 15 heats with 2 riders in each so why not 30 riders in a team? Why is 6 bad for you but 7 good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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