Boring

[Fromafar]

Rather than just write off the post it may be worth considering that perhaps there may be some credence with the observation and perhaps one of the reasons why the sport is now so desperate for new fans?

 

I would agree,Berwick last night was boring a few factors didn't help things,but it was embarrassing the distance that the Edinburgh riders were winning races.They were gating but!!.

[orion]

 

 

Re the TV meeting, my worry is that Swindon are working their averages so the meeting wasn't a 'proper' competition? With the advent of the playoffs we've seen this loads.

 

I haven't seen the meeting at all I hasten to add!

What riders are working there averages and what riders are going to get dropped ?

Edited April 17, 2016 by orion

[BWitcher]

 

Secondly, poorly matched teams with too bigger gulf from 1-7. This particularly applies to the EL.

 

 

 

 

It does make me laugh when I read posts like this... added into the 'predictable' comment earlier, also aimed at the EL.

 

Once again a falacy.

 

Elite League races are now more unpredictable than they have ever been.

[Stoke Potter]

 

 

It does make me laugh when I read posts like this... added into the 'predictable' comment earlier, also aimed at the EL.

 

Once again a falacy.

 

Elite League races are now more unpredictable than they have ever been.

 

The sport obviously has no problems, that's why tracks are packed out and every race is a thriller.

Edited April 17, 2016 by Stoke Potter

[New Science]

Most races are boring. That's the reality, more so in Britain I believe.

 

There are 2 main reasons for this.

Firstly, the tracks are generally dire, only one line and poorly prepared surfaces.

Secondly, poorly matched teams with too bigger gulf from 1-7. This particularly applies to the EL.

 

Don't expect anything to change as most people are in denial about it. Track sizes need to change.

Unfortunately the new silencers and clay based tracks like we have in Britain are not very compatible and have reduced the quality of racing that we used to have.It still works in Poland but their tracks are of a different material and composition.And yes the original poster was correct speedway in the main in Britain is boring and is the reason why crowds are the lowest for a generation,not averages,team suits,double points etc,etc,etc

[BWitcher]

 

The sport obviously has no problems, that's why tracks are packed out and every race is a thriller.

 

Which has nothing to do with your jibe at the EL where the riders in each heat are of a closer standard than they've ever been.

Edited April 17, 2016 by BWitcher

[Stoke Potter]

 

Which has nothing to do with your jibe at the EL where the riders in each heat are of a closer standard than they've ever been.

Fair point, it wasn't a jibe, more an observation and not just directed EL.

[poppetman]

There is one simple and inexpensive way to improve racing--let the riders practice before the start of a meeting instead of having to second guess their set up.

[Vince]

Why is it that people can't like the positive side and enjoy Speedway without being accused of burying their head in the sand and thinking everything is brilliant?

 

I still think Speedway is a fantastic sport and in the 45+ years I've been going believe the racing now is as good as it's ever been and the overall skill level of the riders better. That doesn't mean I think that nothing can be improved or that everything is wonderful. It does mean that I think way too many people have rose tinted spectacles about how good the racing was during their favourite era, which usually coincides with their first years of watching Speedway.

 

The current crowd levels really don't help the atmosphere but I don't believe that's because of lack of effort or knowledge from the majority of promoters. I might think I know ways to improve things but like the majority on here I don't stand to lose a small fortune experimenting. The sport has major problems but none of the solutions are easy to identify or fund.

[BWitcher]

Fair point, it wasn't a jibe, more an observation and not just directed EL.

 

An incorrect observation.

 

The difference between top riders and bottom end riders is less now than it was in the 'glory years'.

[Trees]

There is one simple and inexpensive way to improve racing--let the riders practice before the start of a meeting instead of having to second guess their set up.

Totally agree with that, certainly worth a try .....

[iris123]

There is one simple and inexpensive way to improve racing--let the riders practice before the start of a meeting instead of having to second guess their set up.

They do that in the Bundesliga,and you know what,we still get good and bad heats and good and bad meetings........not saying it wouldn't make a difference,but not a great one from what I have seen

[mrss]

I think speedway is more boring now than it was 20 years ago. There are no riders that the fans love to hate no atmosphere and I can't remember the last really good meeting I've seen. I have seen some good races but you don't get many in a meeting.

[BWitcher]

I think speedway is more boring now than it was 20 years ago. There are no riders that the fans love to hate no atmosphere and I can't remember the last really good meeting I've seen. I have seen some good races but you don't get many in a meeting.

 

Just as its always been then, apart from the odd few.

 

As I've said many times on threads of this nature, if I just simply think back to the 1990's my brain tells me speedway was far better.. the racing was brilliant etc etc so I can totally see why people think that way.

 

However, I have ALL of those meetings I attended on DVD and when I sit and watch them I soon find out that the racing wasn't what I remember. Sure there are some good races, but punctuated by many strung out ones. Back then I didn't care, I was younger, watching my heroes and if my team was winning all was good.

[Trees]

You're all older, that's always a problem, older and less enthusiastic hahaha

[billybikespeedway]

I Don't think the racing is any more boring than it was 20 years ago, I haven't been to a speedway meeting since Newport Closed, been Attending since 1964, it quickly became my equivalent of a night out at the pub /club . met up weekly with ( our gang ) and all the banter that goes with it. when Tim Stone re-introduced speedway, most of us met up again at our new club, the racing ,it was there some good some bad some breathtaking, it never seemed to matter,I find watching speedway as a neutral boring

[poppetman]

The constant rebuilding of teams every season doesn't exactly help people to identify with a team as in the 'good old days' but I suppose the other side of the coin is that riders are familiar with a lot more tracks hence the less predictable results we see nowadays.IMHO speedway's main problem is one of image.I've always believed that given a professional makeover by someone from outwith the sport--even change the name god forbid--speedway could be easily as popular as the mainstream sports.But of course there is the question of both the entrenched attitudes and (some of) the stadia!!!

Edited April 17, 2016 by poppetman

[Daniel Smith]

For me, the biggest factor that has made speedway more boring is all tracks are super slick. This then allows for less mistakes from the rider's which they'd prefer.

For the fan's, mistakes allow for overtaking thus creating a better atmosphere. Whether that be to your teams advantage or disadvantaged.

 

Another is Speedway's refusal to absorb modern technology. Instead they're rapping on the knuckles & banning it.

[Trees]

We want them to be making mistakes don't we ...... NOT!

[Nobblytriers]

We want them to be making mistakes don't we ...... NOT!

I'm not so sure about that.

With the tracks now seemingly being a lot slicker than they used to be (for whatever reason), it's getting to be the rider with the best engine wins. A lot of the skill has been taken away from the rider (though credit to them all as I think it's a brave and skilful thing to do) and many can't seem to handle a deep track. At the under 21 at Leicester a couple of years ago, the top of the track had to be taken off to allow the youngsters a chance to race. Until then, there were plenty of mistakes but a few got stuck in and showed their ability to ride in the dirt. (maybe it's a setup thing?)

 

Formula 1 is now looking at putting the emphasis back on the driver to make his input just as important as that of the car he's driving. Hopefully the better drivers will move to the front because of their ability, not just because they're in the best car.

 

At Leicester last Wednesday, the racing was very strung out until the latter heats. Glynn has come on here and explained why the track was prepared the way it was (thanks Glynn) and that the racing improved due the dirt building up on the outside. I agree with Danny Smith above, put more dirt on and see what happens.