Speedway Agm

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

So in essence tuners have become like football agents, leaches on the sport

to be fair to them they only do what the riders want but when they start to be a well known as the riders you have a problem , costs have rocketed in the last few years and I believe that's part down to tuners sourcing their own parts which are for that little bit of something extra but ultimately costs a lot more

[Woz01]

I was reading an approx 6 week old issue of the Speedway Star at work today.

I can't remember the guys name but he's commercial manager or similar at Sale rugby and had an article about him in the Star last year.

The article this year was about him saying it was wrong for Poole to bring Antonio Lindback in for the playoffs.

Right at the end it was mentioned that in his interview last season he'd said if any Speedway promotions wanted his advice in helping to increase attendances if he could help he would. 2 teams approached him the IOW was one but the other the other team wasn't mentioned.

Coventry announced a year or two back that they were going into partnership with Wasps. I said it was an excellent idea as Wasps have made a huge success in moving to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Since then we have heard literally nothing about it. Shame because Coventry Blaze (Ice Hockey) seem to have a decent partnership with Wasps.

[TB1]

to be fair to them they only do what the riders want but when they start to be a well known as the riders you have a problem , costs have rocketed in the last few years and I believe that's part down to tuners sourcing their own parts which are for that little bit of something extra but ultimately costs a lot more

I get it now cheers, take away someone's earning power ( the tuners) and they'll make Genghis Khan look like a pacifist.

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

I get it now cheers, take away someone's earning power ( the tuners) and they'll make Genghis Khan look like a pacifist.

the real point is never expect a fair solution from someone who benefits or loses from the outcome because they will always look after no1 , a tuner will never put himself out of business to make the sport better, but you go and talk to them and they are the first to tell you the sport is knackered , they may be right but then tell them they are a part of the problem

Edited October 26, 2016 by THE DEAN MACHINE

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

one aspect which I do think should be addressed is the extra's that riders get from clubs , firstly I would just like to say riders deserve millions however the millions are not there so something has to change ,I recently saw the demands of a premier league rider and points money aside he was asking for the equivalent of £10000 in add on's up front , add on's being flights,van,mechanic ,workshop,signing on fee + a few other things and this seems to be the norm these days, ive even heard of national league riders asking for some of these things , now can clubs really afford this ? if all 7 wanted this then that's £70000 even before a wheel has been turned , I heard today of one of the tracks in financial trouble hadn't paid the lease money for their reserve riders van and it was returned to the company ,why is he even getting a van ? this didn't happen 10 years ago, i really do think that some riders have lost perspective of why they ride and where the sport is financially ,maybe these deals are ok in the elite league but I do think the premier has got to return to be a semi pro league as it was at the turn of the millennium ,we are getting national league riders turning down meetings because they only pay £10 a point, some will say its not enough we are struggling to make it pay , its the national league your in its not supposed to make it pay, we have to nip this in the bud now ,this is about the future of our sport if it has one

[Fromafar]

Good Post,think many people have same opinion,but Promoters don't want to address it the proper way they just want to weaken the product by paying lesser riders more money than they are worth,everything is in a downward spriral because of this.

[Trees]

one aspect which I do think should be addressed is the extra's that riders get from clubs , firstly I would just like to say riders deserve millions however the millions are not there so something has to change ,I recently saw the demands of a premier league rider and points money aside he was asking for the equivalent of £10000 in add on's up front , add on's being flights,van,mechanic ,workshop,signing on fee + a few other things and this seems to be the norm these days, ive even heard of national league riders asking for some of these things , now can clubs really afford this ? if all 7 wanted this then that's £70000 even before a wheel has been turned , I heard today of one of the tracks in financial trouble hadn't paid the lease money for their reserve riders van and it was returned to the company ,why is he even getting a van ? this didn't happen 10 years ago, i really do think that some riders have lost perspective of why they ride and where the sport is financially ,maybe these deals are ok in the elite league but I do think the premier has got to return to be a semi pro league as it was at the turn of the millennium ,we are getting national league riders turning down meetings because they only pay £10 a point, some will say its not enough we are struggling to make it pay , its the national league your in its not supposed to make it pay, we have to nip this in the bud now ,this is about the future of our sport if it has one

One if the alleged reasons Lynn went EL again as PL is as expensive re wages .....

[FAST GATER]

I think that Dean is spot on the sport at PL and NL level has to be treated as a semi pro sport ,there have always been the the chosen few in the Pl who can command high pay ( normally an ex EL star topping up his pension pot ) but in general riders have to accept that they are being rewarded for doing something they like .I would be the first to admit that for risking life and limb they are not paid enough but it it is not there then it can't be given.

 

I don't think that any sane person would honestly say that tuners are beneficial and merely represent a huge drain on riders incomes ,IMO they belong in the GP series where there appears to be much more money sloshing about .A fixed pay structure within the NL & Pl league and standardised motors are a must for their suvival ,with regards to the EL I think they have a little more latitude with the Sky Money but still think standard motors are the way to go .

Edited October 28, 2016 by FAST GATER

[ch958]

once again great sense from Deano - i've said it before but he could run this sport - I'd certainly invite him to be part of a much needed independent body

[g13webb]

Totally aggree with Deano, but we get back to the same aged problem, the sport has endured for years, in that when decision come to a vote at the AGM the PL will always out number the opposition. The sport has been demanding a new structure for years and until that happens nothing will change. My one hope was Buster would be able to implement these structural changes and that the sport can be run as one. While the divides of the 2 divisions exist the sport will continue its downward spiral.

 

Individually, I've always respected Promoters for what they do and try to achieve. But collectively they must be some of the most self minded people you'll ever meet. Surely they must see when all the promoters are singing from the same hymn sheet, the sport and everybody associated with it, would benefit....

[The White Knight]

Totally aggree with Deano, but we get back to the same aged problem, the sport has endured for years, in that when decision come to a vote at the AGM the PL will always out number the opposition. The sport has been demanding a new structure for years and until that happens nothing will change. My one hope was Buster would be able to implement these structural changes and that the sport can be run as one. While the divides of the 2 divisions exist the sport will continue its downward spiral.

 

Individually, I've always respected Promoters for what they do and try to achieve. But collectively they must be some of the most self minded people you'll ever meet. Surely they must see when all the promoters are singing from the same hymn sheet, the sport and everybody associated with it, would benefit....

"Once upon a time"............................................... :rolleyes:

 

You are right - but will it ever happen? :unsure:

[weatherwatcher]

The huge Sky pot is nowhere as large as it was last year, the promoter only have themselves to blame with that one. Speedway is dieing and unless they come up with some great big soution, speedway will soon be a thing of the past bar a few true amatures who get together, doing as riders di years ago and fiddling with a bike in the shed and stapping it on the back of his car.

That I think has been the biggest issue with the sport along came Sky and the GP's started and the riders just got to big for thier boots, making themselves out to be some sort of demi-god. Then it came to pass that they started to ask for to much money and they clubs where finding things hard, rather tahan exept the fact, they the clubs could not pay what they where asking, the top riders turned thier back on British Speedway and went to Polan and Sweden who seem to pay them the silly money they are asking for. I am sure though that soon the day will come when even they can no longer pay them the stuppid money they ask for.

If they where just happy riding a sandard bike that could be sourced cheaper and do away with having bikes tuned up to something that could take off from Cape Kennedy and go into space, then they may find that, they could actually start to enjoy the sport, instead of only bothering that they come first over the line at every meeting they go to. We may actually see a return of some decent team riding. Will it happen doubt it very much.

[Long Eye]

The huge Sky pot is nowhere as large as it was last year, the promoter only have themselves to blame with that one. Speedway is dieing and unless they come up with some great big soution, speedway will soon be a thing of the past bar a few true amatures who get together, doing as riders di years ago and fiddling with a bike in the shed and stapping it on the back of his car.

That I think has been the biggest issue with the sport along came Sky and the GP's started and the riders just got to big for thier boots, making themselves out to be some sort of demi-god. Then it came to pass that they started to ask for to much money and they clubs where finding things hard, rather tahan exept the fact, they the clubs could not pay what they where asking, the top riders turned thier back on British Speedway and went to Polan and Sweden who seem to pay them the silly money they are asking for. I am sure though that soon the day will come when even they can no longer pay them the stuppid money they ask for.

If they where just happy riding a sandard bike that could be sourced cheaper and do away with having bikes tuned up to something that could take off from Cape Kennedy and go into space, then they may find that, they could actually start to enjoy the sport, instead of only bothering that they come first over the line at every meeting they go to. We may actually see a return of some decent team riding. Will it happen doubt it very much.

You really are thick. What do you think competition is about?

[AlanF]

I have long thought that many of the problems in UK speedway began with the decision to allow Jens Rasmussen and Peter Shroek to sign for Rye House. That decision opened the floodgates to average foreigners and air fares resulting in increased costs, fewer spots for British riders and an inconsistent fixture list as so many riders are unavailable due to other commitments. I think it is worth exploring that the Premier League should only be open to riders prepared to base themselves in the UK and not riding in any overseas leagues. May need to get there slowly over 3 years bit I think it could resolve a lot of problems.

[The White Knight]

I have long thought that many of the problems in UK speedway began with the decision to allow Jens Rasmussen and Peter Shroek to sign for Rye House. That decision opened the floodgates to average foreigners and air fares resulting in increased costs, fewer spots for British riders and an inconsistent fixture list as so many riders are unavailable due to other commitments. I think it is worth exploring that the Premier League should only be open to riders prepared to base themselves in the UK and not riding in any overseas leagues. May need to get there slowly over 3 years bit I think it could resolve a lot of problems.

We ought to be able to do that - now that we are getting out of the European Union.

[John Leslie]

I have long thought that many of the problems in UK speedway began with the decision to allow Jens Rasmussen and Peter Shroek to sign for Rye House.

You are dead right.

It's not the only reason for speedway's current troubles, but it is the single biggest reason for speedway's current troubles.

[proud panther]

Jens Rasmussen lived in Whittlesey, near Peterborough, when he rode in England.

[Red Flag]

Jens Rasmussen lived in Whittlesey, near Peterborough, when he rode in England.

not relevant

[AlanF]

Jens Rasmussen lived in Whittlesey, near Peterborough, when he rode in England.

 

Correct and the actual reasoning given at the time was that he had lived in the UK for 5 years and was married to an English girl. If it had stopped with Jens then no problem. Unfortunately, once the crack appeared the floodgates opened.

We ought to be able to do that - now that we are getting out of the European Union.

 

Nothing to do with the EU and everything to do with promoters short term self interest. There is no EU regulation forcing anybody to sign these riders.

[proud panther]

Red Flag, it's completely relevant if you read all the thread correctly.