Gemini Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 British speedway must focus on employing riders only willing to assure they are here for every match... and hastily re-arranged ones. In other words, willing to commit to Britain. Full stop. Yes I agree but then you'd have some fans moaning about the drop in quality riders again and refusing to attend because there aren't many so called top stars riding over here. Personally I couldn't care less not being able to watch Hancock, Pedersen, Woffinden etc., but others feel deprived so you'll never please everyone. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) Yes I agree but then you'd have some fans moaning about the drop in quality riders again and refusing to attend because there aren't many so called top stars riding over here. Personally I couldn't care less not being able to watch Hancock, Pedersen, Woffinden etc., but others feel deprived so you'll never please everyone. So who wins.... fans who are willing to have a school PE pick-on-the-day sort of league, or a serious product, so alright, which is weakened, but gets back to the ethics of what team speedway, speedway as a whole, is really all based upon in this country? Like you, I am not bothered about seeing the likes of Hancock and Woffy, if they feel the league in the UK is not big enough for them. Just a believable product, is what most want. Let the so-called Stars earn their living elsewhere, while those shores can accommodate them, as it won't last forever. It is important to re-set British speedway. Afterall, someone will fill the boots of the Too-Good-For-The-UK Stars.... just look at what Jason Doyle almost achieved before he was struck down last year. Someone will still have to score those double-figure points for your team that Pedersen would score... but at least you'll know, he wont be galavanting all over the globe, doing the same for another set of fans, another set of colours. It just doesn't feel right, even after all these years, to a long-in-the-tooth speedway fan... or, I bet, even the newbies we're trying to entice. Edited January 2, 2017 by moxey63 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waytogo28 Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 I too prefer that idea of using riders who are 100% committed to riding in Britain only. In one big league - probably North and South divided except for the playoffs. I enjoy watching Iversen, Doyle, Holder etc but home gown stars would quickly emerge. And then it could be for a more reasonable admission price. £10 - £12 max. And definitely only one "old hand" per team in the National League. And something new must be tried in terms of reaching out to potential new fans. If not then I genuinely believe that the centenary of 2028 will not be reached. If the decline in attendances continues as it has over the past five years the sport will become extinct or exist only in an amateur form at a handful of tracks. There is a difference between being negative and being realistic about the state of the sport now. Quite why the BSPA don't like constructive feedback I can't understand. There is definitely an " I know best " approach to how they are going about things. Please listen much more carefully to supporters and implement their ideas which are a consensus of fans concerns. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 Please listen much more carefully to supporters and implement their ideas which are a consensus of fans concerns. It's impossible to get a consensus of fans opinions on here with about 30 people on a thread let alone find something that all fans want. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 It's impossible to get a consensus of fans opinions on here with about 30 people on a thread let alone find something that all fans want. In the main, I don't there is a huge amount of conjecture on what the majority of fans want... "A league ran and organised with integrity and credibilty, with meetings taking place on the same nights regularly and consistently, with an off track entertainment package to augment the on track action, with all teams' riders being available every time a match is scheduled not 'somewhere else', and an admission fee that is actually reflective of the sports standing and the actual value for money entertainment level on show, rather than a random inflation busting number generated to help fend off spiralling out of control rider salary costs due to their financial outlay around the globe"... Would I suggest be a good starting point for promoters to address...? And not too difficult to deliver I would say if the promoters were mindful to achieve it.. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Sounds logical but as always there are issues once you claim to represent what the majority want: "A league ran and organised with integrity and credibilty, Integrity and credibility sounds like something everybody wants but depends on the situation and your point of view what is credible. with meetings taking place on the same nights regularly and consistently, Cant argue with that and can't imagine many would, there are many reasons why it may not be achievable though. with an off track entertainment package to augment the on track action Many have said on here that the off track entertainment is immaterial to them. with all teams' riders being available every time a match is scheduled not 'somewhere else' Again some would argue that we need the top riders in league action and are willing to accept the issues that brings. and an admission fee that is actually reflective of the sports standing and the actual value for money entertainment level on show, rather than a random inflation busting number generated to help fend off spiralling out of control rider salary costs due to their financial outlay around the globe"... That depends I guess on what your view is of whether you want the top riders involved and how much you are willing to pay for the off track entertainment if you want it. Of course nearly everybody wants it to be as cheap as possible but will have different ideas of what can be sacrificed to keep admissions low. Would I suggest be a good starting point for promoters to address...? You could and it wouldn't be unreasonable but you can't claim that it is what every or even a majority of fans wants or that it will bring any new fans along which surely should be a primary consideration. I've no real argument with most of what you say but just pointing out the difficulties of assuming you know what the majority want let alone finding ways of achieving it. I would say that the majority of people I know would like to do away with the play off system but any sane promoter would immediately point to the fact that it produces the biggest crowds of the season as proof of it's popularity. It's difficult to argue with their point even if you are sure it's not what the majority want in your own mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skid Sprocket Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) Sounds logical but as always there are issues once you claim to represent what the majority want: I've no real argument with most of what you say but just pointing out the difficulties of assuming you know what the majority want let alone finding ways of achieving it. I would say that the majority of people I know would like to do away with the play off system but any sane promoter would immediately point to the fact that it produces the biggest crowds of the season as proof of it's popularity. It's difficult to argue with their point even if you are sure it's not what the majority want in your own mind. There is a way to find out what the majority want and that is an anonymous poll but the BSF doesn't seem to have that option for members. If polls could be run on this site the problem then is knowing the subject for a particular poll, maybe members could list their top ten voteable subjects in one short sentence (eg, Do you want to do away with the play off system?) and then a priority list could be drawn up to vote on. As in all forums there is a silent majority who will not post for fear of being shot down by the more "forceful" members, polls would get a true picture of supporters wants and feelings and would send a very strong message to the promoters. Edited January 3, 2017 by Skid Sprocket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Although I realise there are some anti-Speedway Star posters on here, there is an excellent 4 page article by Peter Oakes in the current edition which attempts to analyse some of speedway's issues from the new 'branding' and what is behind it, to should we revitalise the British Championship by making it a 4-round competition? whilst also looking back at how the sport has evolved or regenerated itself in the past. For me its interesting to note that we continue with 30+ teams across 3 (hopefully competitive) leagues. OK, the top end of the league structure may be 'declining' by way of not attracting as many of the top star riders, but does that really mean that the whole sport is in decline?!! IMO the sport will always continue in some form or other, if not in the current form. Hopefully there are still more than a few promoters in it for the longer haul who will try to be a bit more realistic with their pricing policies!? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted January 4, 2017 Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) Just watching a film about Poole speedway in 1948-50, it got me thinking, should we go back to concrete start gates ? No more gardening , no more ruts , less traction so will lead to less engine revs on start line so will save engines , no more bloke with chalk roller machine painting a white line as it can be painted on permanent , no more advantage starts gate,this is not really about how great it used to be even though that's what inspired me to write this but I'm thinking of making the starts a bit more modern and more efficient Edited January 4, 2017 by THE DEAN MACHINE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shale Searcher Posted January 4, 2017 Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 Just watching a film about Poole speedway in 1948-50, it got me thinking, should we go back to concrete start gates ? No more gardening , no more ruts , less traction so will lead to less engine revs on start line so will save engines , no more bloke with chalk roller machine painting a white line as it can be painted on permanent , no more advantage starts gate,this is not really about how great it used to be even though that's what inspired me to write this but I'm thinking of making the starts a bit more modern and more efficient Dean, this was discussed on this forum last year....... If I remember, most people that were riders/ex riders thought that it would be dangerous with the bikes used now, did you not comment on it last time?? Or am I losing the plot? Cheers Dean...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted January 4, 2017 Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) Dean, this was discussed on this forum last year....... If I remember, most people that were riders/ex riders thought that it would be dangerous with the bikes used now, did you not comment on it last time?? Or am I losing the plot? Cheers Dean...... i can't remember lol ,I probably didn't like the idea , I'm just currently mulling over ideas, I think the main objection would be if the concrete didn't sit level with the shale and it made a ramp Edited January 4, 2017 by THE DEAN MACHINE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted January 4, 2017 Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 Dean, this was discussed on this forum last year....... If I remember, most people that were riders/ex riders thought that it would be dangerous with the bikes used now, did you not comment on it last time?? Or am I losing the plot? Cheers Dean...... Yes, there seemed to be only one guy who proposed and wanted them and that was Gresham. All the difficulties were pointed out to him but as usual he had a hissie fit and chucked off because we weren't looking forward, despite the idea was done away with decades ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert72 Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 Yes I agree but then you'd have some fans moaning about the drop in quality riders again and refusing to attend because there aren't many so called top stars riding over here. Personally I couldn't care less not being able to watch Hancock, Pedersen, Woffinden etc., but others feel deprived so you'll never please everyone. I think the best meeting I have seen at Leicester was the kids meeting, they all gave 110% and all wanted to be there, ok so not as fast but far more enjoyable to watch. I would like to see the second league have at least 4 Brits per team and cut out the foreign journeymen. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 (edited) Some years ago in the USA it was suggested that speedway and other motorcycle sport had not gained the same attraction there as car sport because basically the general public was more interested in cars than motorcycles. Could that also be a factor in what is happening in Britain and has led to speedway even finishing in some countries? Countries Where League Racing Has Failed Edited January 7, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 Yes I agree but then you'd have some fans moaning about the drop in quality riders again and refusing to attend because there aren't many so called top stars riding over here. Personally I couldn't care less not being able to watch Hancock, Pedersen, Woffinden etc., but others feel deprived so you'll never please everyone. The main problem for me with top riders being forced out isn't so much that I don't see those riders but the inevitable drop in crowd levels each time the league is weakened. If teams of the current strength performed in full stadiums with a great atmosphere I'd be happy with the product, but they continually push people away from attending by weakening teams. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 The main problem for me with top riders being forced out isn't so much that I don't see those riders but the inevitable drop in crowd levels each time the league is weakened. If teams of the current strength performed in full stadiums with a great atmosphere I'd be happy with the product, but they continually push people away from attending by weakening teams. Sadly you are right. Apparently we just do not have enough Riders to staff all of the Teams in the British Leagues - so what is the answer? I certainly don't know how you would square that particular circle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Thumper Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 Sadly you are right. Apparently we just do not have enough Riders to staff all of the Teams in the British Leagues - so what is the answer? I certainly don't know how you would square that particular circle. Perhaps have less riders in less teams? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 Perhaps have less riders in less teams? That would be the logical answer - however - I cannot see anyone wanting their Track to close in order to help other Teams staff theirs. I know I wouldn't if it affected me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Thumper Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 That would be the logical answer - however - I cannot see anyone wanting their Track to close in order to help other Teams staff theirs. I know I wouldn't if it affected me. With regard to the number of teams, It will be survival of the fittest that sorts that problem, I believe. Reducing the number of riders in a team is a decision that needs to be made now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 With regard to the number of teams, It will be survival of the fittest that sorts that problem, I believe. Reducing the number of riders in a team is a decision that needs to be made now. I brought note of what has happened elsewhere in regard to team racing in Post 154 - Countries Where League Racing Has Failed Some years ago in the USA it was suggested that speedway and other motorcycle sport had not gained the same attraction there as car sport because basically the general public was more interested in cars than motorcycles. Could that also be a factor in what is happening in Britain and has led to speedway even finishing in some countries? Countries Where League Racing Has Failed ...and the above comment also seem to be by-passed as this thread continues on its unhappy way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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