Is It Me

[Hawk127]

I use to be a regular attendee from the late 60's until around 2012 and the four main tracks were Rayleigh, Rye House, Arena Essex and from the early 90's Ipswich plus Mildenhall. It all became a bit run of the mill and for me the real entertainment when the likes of Mark Loram were lost to the sport. The enthusiasm went therefore it was just Sky sports a more latterly Eurosport were the one way that one could get some sort of speedway fix.

Then those in the know sold out the so called Jewel in the crown to BT and with the cost of Sky Sports beyond a joke, the only affordable access for many is the highlight on Eurosport plus the pairs meeting.

 

Given the way things have gone is it any wonder that many people like myself are almost lost to the sport.

 

The live version may be ok up to a point but is it real entertainment and value for money.

 

Sky repeats of Elite league meetings (even on catch up is poor) and BT is not good value hence a very disillusioned former advocat has all but given up on what could be an exciting form of two wheeled sport.

 

Rain offs, poor presentation, the failure to have track covers after far too many years, the GP taking precedent and Mainland europe offering attractive options for riders compared to racing in the UK plus fans with limited budgets who simply do not follow their team away from home, Is it any wonder it has sunk as low as it seems to have reached

 

Are those in charge seem so far removed from what the paying punter would like to see? Are they hell bent on making it even more of a minority sport? Is it any wonder that the open spaces on the terraces continue to increase.

 

Will it become an amateur sport and just a few surviving tracks offering the equivalent of NL racing which in itself is very good as the lads that are riding seem to want to race, not simply go through the motions.

 

What is the future and can new fans be found and old ones enticed back.

 

I know that no one in authority really listens to the fans/supporters but is it a case that the new breed of promoter have lost their way and as a business case financially it no longer stacks up.

 

A shame that a once great sport has reached such a low.

 

Anyone else feel the same?

[ColinMills]

I use to be a regular attendee from the late 60's until around 2012 and the four main tracks were Rayleigh, Rye House, Arena Essex and from the early 90's Ipswich plus Mildenhall. It all became a bit run of the mill and for me the real entertainment when the likes of Mark Loram were lost to the sport. The enthusiasm went therefore it was just Sky sports a more latterly Eurosport were the one way that one could get some sort of speedway fix.

Then those in the know sold out the so called Jewel in the crown to BT and with the cost of Sky Sports beyond a joke, the only affordable access for many is the highlight on Eurosport plus the pairs meeting.

 

Given the way things have gone is it any wonder that many people like myself are almost lost to the sport.

 

The live version may be ok up to a point but is it real entertainment and value for money.

 

Sky repeats of Elite league meetings (even on catch up is poor) and BT is not good value hence a very disillusioned former advocat has all but given up on what could be an exciting form of two wheeled sport.

 

Rain offs, poor presentation, the failure to have track covers after far too many years, the GP taking precedent and Mainland europe offering attractive options for riders compared to racing in the UK plus fans with limited budgets who simply do not follow their team away from home, Is it any wonder it has sunk as low as it seems to have reached

 

Are those in charge seem so far removed from what the paying punter would like to see? Are they hell bent on making it even more of a minority sport? Is it any wonder that the open spaces on the terraces continue to increase.

 

Will it become an amateur sport and just a few surviving tracks offering the equivalent of NL racing which in itself is very good as the lads that are riding seem to want to race, not simply go through the motions.

 

What is the future and can new fans be found and old ones enticed back.

 

I know that no one in authority really listens to the fans/supporters but is it a case that the new breed of promoter have lost their way and as a business case financially it no longer stacks up.

 

A shame that a once great sport has reached such a low.

 

Anyone else feel the same?

agree with every word

[bruno]

Instead of following the heathens away this year we have decided to go to different tracks who maybe won't be around much longer like speedway in general. Bored of going to the same tracks as the last 5 years so off to Edinburgh tomorrow and Workington Saturday then Glasgow over the bh at the end of May. Not sure if we follow the speedway anymore or we just enjoy the crack on a day out. Good days or sad times, not sure

[Countershaftcounter]

The EDL/FTR system was in theory a good idea, a plan to help advance young British riders get on in the sport. Unfortunately the powers that be conspired to cock it up to such an extent that it's being abused now, (without breaking any rules) and providing unrealistic results to matches .

 

Our sport is already being seen as a joke by many sports fans and journalists alike, with its obsession for averages which is only matched by train spotting enthusiasts looking for "the 7.42 from Gillingham which has an unusual perkins straight cut diesel injectors with a double spring flange valve .. zzzzzzzz" For gods sake, it's a simple bloody idea. 4 blokes riding flat out for 4 laps. How complicated does it need to be?

 

While the powers that be are willing to dick around with the small details whilst ignoring the major problems that are driving the sport into extinction, and the major media outlet ( Speedway Star) are willing to kiss their arses as long as the advertising revenue keeps coming in, things aint gonna improve anytime soon .

[Arson fire]

I use to be a regular attendee from the late 60's until around 2012 and the four main tracks were Rayleigh, Rye House, Arena Essex and from the early 90's Ipswich plus Mildenhall. It all became a bit run of the mill and for me the real entertainment when the likes of Mark Loram were lost to the sport. The enthusiasm went therefore it was just Sky sports a more latterly Eurosport were the one way that one could get some sort of speedway fix.

Then those in the know sold out the so called Jewel in the crown to BT and with the cost of Sky Sports beyond a joke, the only affordable access for many is the highlight on Eurosport plus the pairs meeting.

 

Given the way things have gone is it any wonder that many people like myself are almost lost to the sport.

 

The live version may be ok up to a point but is it real entertainment and value for money.

 

Sky repeats of Elite league meetings (even on catch up is poor) and BT is not good value hence a very disillusioned former advocat has all but given up on what could be an exciting form of two wheeled sport.

 

Rain offs, poor presentation, the failure to have track covers after far too many years, the GP taking precedent and Mainland europe offering attractive options for riders compared to racing in the UK plus fans with limited budgets who simply do not follow their team away from home, Is it any wonder it has sunk as low as it seems to have reached

 

Are those in charge seem so far removed from what the paying punter would like to see? Are they hell bent on making it even more of a minority sport? Is it any wonder that the open spaces on the terraces continue to increase.

 

Will it become an amateur sport and just a few surviving tracks offering the equivalent of NL racing which in itself is very good as the lads that are riding seem to want to race, not simply go through the motions.

 

What is the future and can new fans be found and old ones enticed back.

 

I know that no one in authority really listens to the fans/supporters but is it a case that the new breed of promoter have lost their way and as a business case financially it no longer stacks up.

 

A shame that a once great sport has reached such a low.

 

Anyone else feel the same?

Great post.

[The White Knight]

Sadly, I have to agree with absolutely everything Hawk127 says.

 

A very good Post.

[Gresham]

But what's the solution?

 

I agree with what has been said...but from previous discussions on here, it has become apparent that any solution suggested, gets thrown back in your face with a ' that will never happen' or 'the riders/promotors wont like it'.

 

When people talk about making changes for the better...it seems there is always an excuse for it not to happen.

 

I get the impression that Speedway has evolved into something that works for both riders and promotors, at the expense of entertainment for the fan.

 

By that I mean, the set up of bikes and tracks.

 

Tracks are so much easier to ride these days...each year they seem to get slicker and slicker, and harder. It's almost like racing on concrete.

 

I watch riders fly out of the start, and pretty much keep the throttle wound on for four laps.

 

I watch riders trying different lines, trying to catch up and pass...but they very rarely do...as there is very little extra grip on different lines to the main one they are riding. In fact, when they try a different line, searching for something extra...they often go backwards. Frustrating.

 

Obviously having less shale keeps costs down...keeps things cleaner...and keeps sponsors happy, as everything is nice and shiny.

 

Speedway has almost become like road racing in that perspective.

 

All those things mentioned, help riders and promotors in many ways. As an observer, I find it hard to understand how the riders don't get frustrated at the lack of opportunity to pass on a track. Perhaps they are happy as it is, and have just got used to it being like this now.

 

However...all those things I've mentioned, are why I think many fans who have been going for many years like the OP have dwindled over the years.

 

Seeing four riders going round flat out in these conditions soon become monotonous .

[Trees]

And if there is material on the track they let it build up a metre from the fence so riders get in difficulty if they don't intend to go in it .....

 

Alao if they can't do the GP tracks right, there is no hope ....

[pugwash]

Deja Vu?

[ch958]

genuinely there seems to have been no research on tyre/track interface which could make traction and therefore racing better - in fact the only advance appears to be in making the bikes faster and more expensive

thats not what fans want -

[Gresham]

tbh...I think the one thing that needs to be looked into, is covering the track surface.

 

After nearly 100 years of racing, how Promotors have not invested in finding a suitable way of protecting the track is beyond me.

 

They found money to invest in safety fences...so why not this?

 

We live in a country that is predominately wet.

 

Yet riders can't race in the wet? Even more so it seems.

 

Rain off's are therefore more frequent it seems.

 

Fans have to travel further and take longer to get to stadiums.

 

After a while...certain fans get sick of this, and find something more regular to do with there hard earned.

 

I know for certain, if there is even a slight risk of rain or call off I won't travel these days.

[Trees]

genuinely there seems to have been no research on tyre/track interface which could make traction and therefore racing better - in fact the only advance appears to be in making the bikes faster and more expensive

thats not what fans want -

So right, we want action, passing, close racing, team riding .....

[RobMcCaffery]

What the BT argument comes down to is "Sky are charging me so much that I can't afford another service. How dare speedway sell rights to anyone but Sky?"

 

Ever thought of stopping Sky bleeding you dry?

[pugwash]

Speedway was better on Screensport. The presenter was crap though.

[Tsunami]

tbh...I think the one thing that needs to be looked into, is covering the track surface.

 

After nearly 100 years of racing, how Promotors have not invested in finding a suitable way of protecting the track is beyond me.

 

They found money to invest in safety fences...so why not this?

 

We live in a country that is predominately wet.

 

Yet riders can't race in the wet? Even more so it seems.

 

Rain off's are therefore more frequent it seems.

 

Fans have to travel further and take longer to get to stadiums.

 

After a while...certain fans get sick of this, and find something more regular to do with there hard earned.

 

I know for certain, if there is even a slight risk of rain or call off I won't travel these days.

You obviously didn't read an excellent thread, on here a few weeks ago, outlining the difficulties you experience with track sheets, which makes the investment pretty much a waste of time. The frequency of rain, the duration and it's timing, and continuation during a meeting makes the whole idea not viable over a season. Riders can't race in the rain due to viability probs, whilst the crowd stays at home not believing it could be on.

Edited May 13, 2016 by Tsunami

[Hawk127]

I thought it was just me but some of the feedback would suggest otherwise. Now before anyone lambasts me about the good old days, yes I did use to visit Rayleigh, Hackney and Crayford in the same week, three decent meetings per week all of which were one hour maximum drive and from what I can recall good crowds because they were 'local' teams. Even Ipswich, Canterbury, Eastbourne and Peterborough were within reasonable distance and you had good travelling support. If the sport is to survive within a reasonable budget then regionalisation and not inviting the top riders is the answer. Year end British domination would be North versus South but good competitive racing and British pride as opposed to gate and go merchants who cream off the income simply to.balance over stretched books is not the way forward

 

Allow doubling up, give decent tracks that allow good competitive racing and start treating the paying punter with some respect might be a start.

 

Thanks to all who have given some feedback, it's much appreciated and I feel a lot less guilty but I really do hope that someone is brave enough to take on the authority and tell them as it is.

 

I think this topic is now exhausted, time to call a halt

 

Onwards and upwards.

[customhouseregular]

agree with every word

Hard to fault your views my friend.

[Shale Searcher]

Double up/down/sideways, is not the way to go, two riders get injured on Monday riding for the Slough Stealers, cum Wednesday, Rob Smith and Daley Jones, the high flying heat leaders for Frolesworth Flyers aren't there!! Got injured riding for their "other clubs" on the Monday, and the Flyers have to have two guests!!!

End of......

Edited May 15, 2016 by Shale Searcher