Bagpuss Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Makes you wonder why the 6-man-teams idea wasn't followed through. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Well you can cut out that kind of talk! I've seen promoters riding round in their fancy motors so they must be raking it in. And as for the riders.............in my day, a top rider would strap his speedway bike onto the back of the trusty Citroen estate, throw a few tools in the back and drive off to proudly represent their club wherever it might be. These days even National League riders are turning up in flashy vans and some even have more than one bike! I am led to believe that some of these people even have hangers-on who drive their fancy transporters and faff about with spanners for them. So, speedibee, it probably best if our illustrious leaders keep their hands on the bulk of this money because they might need it for an urgent re-branding exercise or to buy a large stock of green helmet covers. Be seeing you. Have to admit , I have been known to do a bit of driving and faffing with spanners for a national League rider . hard to say no with the amount of money he pays me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Thumper Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Have to admit , I have been known to do a bit of driving and faffing with spanners for a national League rider . hard to say no with the amount of money he pays me I'm sure that all that (don't tell the tax man) dosh must be nice but I'd heard that it was the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and the groupies that was the big attraction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Makes you wonder why the 6-man-teams idea wasn't followed through. Or five like Denmark? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Little Un Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Wow !! you're missing the point here. A big point... The riders are financed by the fans and the paying public, if there were no FANS and support, then riders would not have the facility to race. Whereas if there were no riders the fans would spend their monies in supporting other ways. The finances dictate the importance of the situation. A riders needs the fans input, Its the supporter who has the deciding choice....... I understand the importance of D/U but implementing it causes many problems. I get the impression every rider wants to race in as many matches as possible. This obviously has its draw backs and effect the riders body and soul. How can he possibly give 100% to every race would he is feeling tired and knackered. But their availability is the governing factor. With the best will in the world there will always be fixture clashes where the parent club takes preference, but if we introduced a rule where there was not guests or RR allowed for these D/U absentees probably clubs would look at DU in a different light. I'm just trying to eliminate the need for Guests and RR except as the extreme emergency cover..... I did not miss the point, if potential and current riders do not lay out a lot of money to race the fans will be looking at bare tracks, so the fans need the riders financial input and if the fans were not going to speedway then the riders would race in another form of track racing. When they introduce division specific race days for the 1st and 2nd divisions the number of guests or R/R meetings will greatly reduce as they would only be needed for injuries and FIM events. I am quite happy to keep doubling up and to its extension to almost any rider but those specific race days are needed for it to work. Poland have (for all I know they still might) and Sweden still do have doubling up, so doubling up is not limited to this country. Not a truer statement made... Not true at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 It seems the Fast Track system is finished then.....what will the reserve system be now? Anyone know? in the domain of the PL were it should have started in the first place. Its all to do with Cradley, if they weren't blocking alternate Mondays we could have fitted in rained-off meetings earlier in the season. This situation was forecast by Wolves fans before the season started! I put that very question to CVS at the talk in and he suggested that if the weather was an issue then it would affect all clubs and leagues. Current cost of GM engine (before tuning) circa £3000, current cost of GTR £6600. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for reducing costs and I think the GTR engine is definitely a step in the right direction. I just think it a bit dangerous for the BSPA and/or SCB to be jumping into bed with any one engine manufacturer. What speedway has needed is to diversify and not be a one make series in respect of engines/carbs/frames etc. But we already know that gerhards are already cost effective with way less spent on tuning and the like. Great move to try and make our league also more cost effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enotian Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Get rid of doubling up or just have one league and you need 133 riders. There are not 133 rider interested in riding in the UK. It just wouldn't work. 16 teams of 7 riders each requires 112 riders (Redcar, Scunthorpe & Workington can't afford Premier League standard teams) The list I provided contains 117 riders not including any potential new foreign riders. The top 112 averages of those total 657 points so 7 man teams could be built to 41 points which is equivalent to the 2016 PL given the reduction of 3 pointers to 2 points. It could have been done but doubling up benefits the promoters and riders so its unpopularity with current supporters, the negative perception of new supporters, the fact that it has failed to deliver what it was meant to (more world class British riders) and its detrimental effect on the product is irrelevant. Too hard to put the lid back on Pandora's box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 One change that, although mentioned in posts, hasn't really been challenged and that is why change the names of the two leagues? how is it going to help? I see it as a poor unnecessary change. Ignoring the fact that fans on the terraces, and on the BSF, have consistently said it was stupid to have Premier below Elite. The BSPA have now bowed to their wishes, and get criticism from the likes of you. At the end of the day, does it matter a jot what it is, but if it keeps some fans happy, then so be it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Beevers Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 I like the fact that the name has been rebranded and the leagues now offer promotion and relegation. This was always going to happen whether it would have been now or in 5 years. Will also be interested to see if the Development League grows enough to have a similar impact matching with the National League but I cannot see the National linking promotion and relegation to the Premier League now it is relating to the Elite. I suppose I better get used to saying the 'Championship' League. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted November 5, 2016 Report Share Posted November 5, 2016 Makes you wonder why the 6-man-teams idea wasn't followed through. It didn't work in 1997 and didn't work in the test meeting at Kings Lynn in the Autumn. Too many nominations and difficulties when a rider is missing/injured. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June01 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) We need to look at what the Polish, Danish & Swedish Leagues are doing to make British Speedway easier to understand. I have many friends that talk to me about speedway but I find it hard to get them down to watch it. I'd suggest that's exactly how the promoters came up with their current ideas. Promotion/relegation is already used in Sweden and Poland, although teams do still pick and chose whether they want to be promoted. Riders like AJ double up in two leagues in Sweden. Now if we could only copy the Danish league's progression scheme where they offer track days and the use of a bike to get youngsters interested in the sport, we might be a goer. Edited November 6, 2016 by June01 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) It didn't work in 1997 and didn't work in the test meeting at Kings Lynn in the Autumn. Too many nominations and difficulties when a rider is missing/injured. I don't think 97 was too bad but then in 98 they tinkered with the format introducing four nominated rider races throughout the programme which pandered to the top heavy sides. Testing out the format in the autumn was the best way to discover the pros and cons and a great idea so if it was decided it wouldn't work then fair enough. Just hope that doubling up doesn't lead to excessive amounts of rider absences again as it has in past seasons as I believe thats one of the main bugbears of supporters. Edited November 6, 2016 by Gordon Bennett 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 I am at a loss to see what has been done that would encourage an increase in attendances 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Thumper Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 I am at a loss to see what has been done that would encourage an increase in attendances To potentially lower costs by a few quid is fine but as you say, wealdstone, at the end of the day, it is all about bums on seats and once again this issue has been filed under "too difficult". I'd suggest that's exactly how the promoters came up with their current ideas. Promotion/relegation is already used in Sweden and Poland, although teams do still pick and chose whether they want to be promoted. Riders like AJ double up in two leagues in Sweden. Now if we could only copy the Danish league's progression scheme where they offer track days and the use of a bike to get youngsters interested in the sport, we might be a goer. Surely, this is one of the primary functions of BSPA's National Speedway Academy based at the Belle Vue Arena? In cycling, we used to have taster sessions and junior leagues. The promising youngsters would be taken into the Talent Team and mentored and guided accordingly. I feel sure that the National Speedway Academy will be operating a comparable system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June01 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 Surely, this is one of the primary functions of BSPA's National Speedway Academy based at the Belle Vue Arena? In cycling, we used to have taster sessions and junior leagues. The promising youngsters would be taken into the Talent Team and mentored and guided accordingly. I feel sure that the National Speedway Academy will be operating a comparable system. You tell me. Have spent 20 minutes Googling and can only see articles that said academy exists. Nothing on how to join in, prices, times, or any other details you'd expect. Even the BSPA's website doesn't have a "get involved" tab with such information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 You tell me. Have spent 20 minutes Googling and can only see articles that said academy exists. Nothing on how to join in, prices, times, or any other details you'd expect. Even the BSPA's website doesn't have a "get involved" tab with such information. There are 'experience days' at Scunthorpe and I think at Redcar, Northside and a few others. http://www.speedwaygb.co/training Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poole keith Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 I am at a loss to see what has been done that would encourage an increase in attendances closer more competitive racing and possibly a league table with only 10pts covering the field first to last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 closer more competitive racing and possibly a league table with only 10pts covering the field first to last. reversion to a conventional format, and likely use of 2/3 point brits to get under the points limit, i think the racing this year will be less competitive than in 2016. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Third Man Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 closer more competitive racing and possibly a league table with only 10pts covering the field first to last. Or the opposit view that the standards in both leagues has been reduced, but there will not be a corresponding reduction in admission costs always an opposing view Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Thumper Posted November 6, 2016 Report Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) You tell me. Have spent 20 minutes Googling and can only see articles that said academy exists. Nothing on how to join in, prices, times, or any other details you'd expect. Even the BSPA's website doesn't have a "get involved" tab with such information. It was a key point in the Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee document that there would be an Academy to, "nurture new talent for the sport". So, it must be up and running by now and you would have thought it would have been discussed at the recent Promoters' chin wag. Even if it is not quite fully operational, I would imagine that there must be a strategy document at BSPA Towers explaining it's purpose and objectives and suggested budget. I'll perhaps drop them an email and enquire. closer more competitive racing and possibly a league table with only 10pts covering the field first to last. These are commendable objectives. How many extra bums on seats do you estimate that there will be as a result? Edited November 6, 2016 by Little Thumper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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