Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

Which Teams Will Line Up To Contest The 2017 Elite League?


Recommended Posts

Monday as one of the fixed nights won't work if we hope to attract the top riders. Both Wolves and Belle Vue, when they raced on a Monday, have said how difficult it is to attract those riders because most don't want to do Poland Sunday, UK Monday and Sweden Tuesday. In any event, to save on travelling and the costs any fixed nights need to be consecutive days, not Monday and Wednesday. Monday is also a bad day for attracting crowds.

Edited by Aces51
Link to comment
Share on other sites

well if no team comes up and leicester do drop out isn't that the end of the EL sky contract?

could be interesting....

 

Somebody will be offered three years indemnity against losses and free choice of a pool of riders to come up.

 

Changed minds last time.

Edited by Vincent Blackshadow
Link to comment
Share on other sites

After what happened to Birmingham , I doubt any PL club would be tempted to move up a division . Trouble is , the crowds don't increase by enough to make it affordable

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Monday or Wednesday designated race night, more teams and more meetings.

 

That will help bring more riders back and address fans concerns that the fixture list seems to be forever shrinking. Bring back one of the cups as well.

 

Well, BV certainly looked like learners on Monday night then, judging by that logic. Isn't some variety a good thing? Or do you want all tracks to be big, fast and continental?

Preferably yes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It needs to be something different, 8 teams ain't enough, I don't know how we sort this mess out but the way it's going the top 3/4 clubs won't have anybody to race soon, people are not watching our sport on a weekly basis, the play offs prove there are still fans out there, but not going every week, a ten team EL would be ideal but where are the riders going to come from?

 

Is it squads that are needed or does the points limit have to come down, that won't please the biggies but it might give all teams a chance, don't think it can be solved at one agm so a longer plan needs to be the way to go, self interest plays such a part nowadays which I can understand but is it really helping the sport as a whole or is it killing it off very slowly, take a hit for 4/5 years with a weaker product and bring the youngsters through at PL level and hope they develop which will make our nation stronger, but with that will we lose the existing supporters ?

 

I don't think any of us know the way forward, someone must!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The difficulty is that the sport is being pulled in too many directions. You have riders who want fixed race nights to fit in with other schedules, stadia that are not available on this basis, not enough supporters through the turnstiles to make EL pay without considerable sponsorship, Sky with a hit and miss T V schedule and the publicity from this exposure is not providing the hoped for increase in numbers watching it live, the BSPA who apparently are unable to agree on how the sport is run and the fickle supporter who only wants league racing and not speedway racing in a number of formats that would enable the riders who remain in the UK to earn a living from the sport. Threats from other countries restricting rider availability and a GP format which on its own is not enough for any rider to earn a living without regular league racing. All in all a conundrum and good luck to anyone who has the answer. I doubt that one format will fit the bill across the sport and unfortunately some clubs will go under simply because the owners cannot sustain the losses week in week out. It may well come down to the riders having other jobs outside the sport and speedway being a part time activity with lower pay rates. Whatever the solution it will not be resolved in 2017 and the issues are going to take a few seasons to sort out. Therefore who will be in the EL in 2017, it is anyone's guess but only the fool hardy would suggest that any team will move up.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unless there is some sort of cost cap (as Formula One tried) there's no way that a PL club will step up. As a Belle Vue fan I'd love to see Sheffield step up to reignite some local derbies, but I can't see it happening.

 

The old Rider Control system in the 70s was very unpopular, but it DID work and kept things more even and therefore interesting. It would need to be an independent panel (or supremo) who would decide where the riders went - and with the current promoters it won't happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why do people keep saying race on one night a week and that should be a Monday. The worst night of the week for attracting an audience. That would mean teams would only be seen at home every other week. How many riders will want to do Poland Sunday, GB Monday, and then Sweden Tuesday. Then with a Sky TV match every Monday . the EL would be bankrupt before the end of the season because most would stay in and watch it.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why do people keep saying race on one night a week and that should be a Monday. The worst night of the week for attracting an audience. That would mean teams would only be seen at home every other week. How many riders will want to do Poland Sunday, GB Monday, and then Sweden Tuesday. Then with a Sky TV match every Monday . the EL would be bankrupt before the end of the season because most would stay in and watch it.

What about a Wednesday then?

 

A fixed night is clearly needed either way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ths fixture list needs to be expanded not shrunk. We gad great big holes in the fixture list this years and need fixtures to fill them.

 

An expanded EL of 12 teams would be great, with home and away twice. Plus playoffs for the top six. Plus each club running an individual if they wish. 22 fixtures guarenteed plus playoffs.

 

Squads so riders can use different riders on different weeks.

 

A minimum of two Brits in teams. Edr to stay.

 

Guests banned unless for a team coming from PL. No guests for established EL teams.

 

Glasgow, Ipswich, Rye House, Sheffield invited up.

 

I have been told that Rye House and Sheffield have already refused.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

I have been told that Rye House and Sheffield have already refused.

And missed out on increasing their costs by tens of thousands whilst at the very best marginally increasing their turnover...

 

And if getting beat at home regularly, certainly decreasing their turnover..

 

Don't know what their issues are!!😁

 

"Roll up! Roll up! Cam an get yer Elite League place 'ere! Ooo wants wan? Lavverly Jabbly"...

Edited by mikebv
Link to comment
Share on other sites

we don't attract the crowds they do in Poland and Sweden plus we don't usually own the stadiums. Its completely mad trying to compete with that at the moment - it may change in future but for the moment budgets should be set to reflect current crowd levels and riders need to fit into that budget even at the risk of severe big name dilution.

 

i use the phrase big name rather than talent because crowds would very soon develop new heroes - young local improving riders are always popular. The PL needs to be drastically weakened and more NL riders need to be given the opportunity to step up and develop without having to compete with EL double downers who should not be in the PL in my opinon.

 

if clubs are allowed the chance to break even or even make a small profit that has to be healthy doesn't it?

 

As for PL teams moving up - not in a million years at the moment

Edited by ch958
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Punters want more meetings

Top riders want less meetings

In a way i half hope sky swallow speedway and it goes back to being run for fans, promoters and riders

 

At the minute its run for the russell mob and a few big wigs at the bspa who refuse to see the trees for the wood

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There needs to be a rethink of some sort for this to work. Poole would have to accept a weaker overall team structure (I'd expect) to allow other teams to compete. There would have to be strict rules to stop rich teams bringing in ringers for the playoffs. We all want to see top riders but it would need to be done in a more transparent and open (fair) way.

Clubs objecting to others ace nights would have to be scrapped. :D TV matches should be branded by the EL, surely wouldn't be that difficult. Make it look attractive. IE stadiums provided with a kit out and club officials looking like club officials (I know I sound old fashioned but it does make a difference). Coventry looks like a bunch of dope smokers have broken into an abandoned stadium and are having a bit of a carry on.

 

Cut the season window down. Playoffs finished by End of September barring catastrophe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy