What If....

[Aces51]

"many fans gave it as their reason"

 

Why do I have a Trump voice in my head saying "everybody says" ?

You won't be joining my "Make speedway great again" campaign then.

 

Whatever you want to believe about what I have said or however you want to look at it the quality of racing at the dog track was significantly poorer than at Hyde Road, I doubt you will find many who disagree with that and the crowd numbers dropped noticeably even during the first season.

 

Last year at the NSS I spoke to people I had not seen at speedway since the Hyde Road days and it was the quality of the racing that had brought them back. There are also people on the Belle Vue Army site and the Aces Facebook pages saying exactly the same.

[Halifaxtiger]

 

Now that you mention it, yes, it very likely would.

 

There has never been any link to 'quality of racing' equalling 'bigger crowds' in the history of the sport.

 

In that case, you might suggest that teams should save themselves the expense of decent track preparation because its not going to attract anyone. The racing might be rubbish but because we have a big screen we'll attract more people.

 

I suspect about half the people on this thread have stated they stopped going because speedway was no longer value for money - in other words the product wasn't worth the entry price. Make the product better and it just might be.

 

Its most certainly the case that crap racing drives people away.

 

Speaking for myself - and I'd admit I am passionate - I went to Lakeside 4 times last year and Sheffield 5. Lakeside is almost 300 miles and a 4 hour drive away, Sheffield is 35 miles and about an hour.

 

The reason for that is that the racing at Lakeside last season was very good, at Sheffield rubbish. Scunthorpe's gates are poor, but they'd go down significantly if the racing wasn't as good as it undoubtedly is.

 

To me, a suggestion that the quality of the product makes absolutely no difference to the number of people that buy it is nonsense.

[ouch]

Your absolutely right about the racing attracting crowds back to Belle Vue.

The quality of racing is the reason I don't visit away Prem tracks anymore as it's just not worth it. I never watch live speedway, I just record it so I can fast forward after the third bend.

Before the NSS opened I assumed tracks and bikes had changed so much that good racing was no longer the norm. That's not the case and I believe all tracks should be prepared for good racing first and not the surface that offers the best chance of a home win.

IMO this has been central to the demise of the sport over the last few decades.

The 60 seconds is all in this sport, get that right and a delay here, poor announcer, crap

food or dodgy car park become less of an issue and folk are more likely to return.

[Woz01]

This was actually one of the reasons they didn't think it was a good idea, it would potentially reduce programme sales.

I'd think you'd get more revenue through sponsorship on a big tv screen that everyone can see instead of a small advert in a programme not everyone buys.

Edited March 13, 2017 by woz01

[New Science]

 

Now that you mention it, yes, it very likely would.

 

There has never been any link to 'quality of racing' equalling 'bigger crowds' in the history of the sport.

Wolves regular crowds are at the lowest I can remember them in modern times, this coincidentally at the same time that the standard of racing has probably been at its poorest since I can remember.

[waytogo28]

Now mid March and in my area at least no sign of the enormous marketing effort promised by the BSPA for 2017. Is it coming after all the tracks are up and running? The number of "hotbeds of the sport" have declined so much, if what we read about Wolves attendances is correct. Is Poole the only track holding it's crowd levels up?

[Starman2006]

Now mid March and in my area at least no sign of the enormous marketing effort promised by the BSPA for 2017. Is it coming after all the tracks are up and running? The number of "hotbeds of the sport" have declined so much, if what we read about Wolves attendances is correct. Is Poole the only track holding it's crowd levels up?

Probably..

[Theboss]

Now mid March and in my area at least no sign of the enormous marketing effort promised by the BSPA for 2017. Is it coming after all the tracks are up and running? The number of "hotbeds of the sport" have declined so much, if what we read about Wolves attendances is correct. Is Poole the only track holding it's crowd levels up?

 

I remember (not sure what year) when the launch of the speedway season was set up at the MCN show at the excel in London, I arranged the stand, promotional material and the attendance of the Super7even girls.

 

After the show we held a press conference on board the SUNBORN yacht (moored up just outside the Excel) where a special season preview was produced by the team at Sky Sports and shown on a large screen projector with a full volume sound system rigged up..... it certainly put hairs on the back of my neck. It was a well attended and gained lots of national press for the sport, but unfortunately members of the BSPA (led by the promoters up in Scotland) voted it out the following year due to it NOT representing 'Value for money' for all the clubs (think it cost around £10k all in).

 

I think this highlights the problems the sport has faced in the past, and as this years MCN show was held on the weekend of 17th February and the season starts in 4 days time, we can only assume that things HAVE NOT changed. Looking back at the potential this sport has had at numerous points of its life it is very sad to see it so lifeless and relying on the attendance of the remaining hardcore supporters to keep it going.

Edited March 14, 2017 by jchapman

[The White Knight]

Well - if they got rid of 'Double Points' they would get me back straight away.

 

As long as that Rule exists - I will not attend.

[ray c]

Well - if they got rid of 'Double Points' they would get me back straight away.

 

As long as that Rule exists - I will not attend.

no double points this season hope you enjoy your speedway this season then.

[The White Knight]

no double points this season hope you enjoy your speedway this season then.

Since when?

 

As far as I am aware the Double Points System is still in operation.

 

It would be a big help if you could provide a Link - in order that I can confirm this for myself.

[mikebv]

I remember (not sure what year) when the launch of the speedway season was set up at the MCN show at the excel in London, I arranged the stand, promotional material and the attendance of the Super7even girls.

 

After the show we held a press conference on board the SUNBORN yacht (moored up just outside the Excel) where a special season preview was produced by the team at Sky Sports and shown on a large screen projector with a full volume sound system rigged up..... it certainly put hairs on the back of my neck. It was a well attended and gained lots of national press for the sport, but unfortunately members of the BSPA (led by the promoters up in Scotland) voted it out the following year due to it NOT representing 'Value for money' for all the clubs (think it cost around £10k all in).

 

I think this highlights the problems the sport has faced in the past, and as this years MCN show was held on the weekend of 17th February and the season starts in 4 days time, we can only assume that things HAVE NOT changed. Looking back at the potential this sport has had at numerous points of its life it is very sad to see it so lifeless and relying on the attendance of the remaining hardcore supporters to keep it going.

A good few years ago I met with a Promoter offering to help him increase his crowds after he had put out an appeal for help with the aim to increase the atmosphere at his track by the big crowd presence.....

 

In my work life I had made several good contacts with local School Heads and did loads of work alongside them. This helped them and obviously helped my Companies brand in the local area (not to mention the fantastic impact it had on my own Stores sales)..

 

Therefore I requested that the four schools I dealt with (4000 pupils, 300 teachers and other staff), all recieved free family tickets..

 

I said I would provide people to look after the schools, my Companies name would be very prevalent, and that ideally we would try and flog them discounted tickets for the next few meetings to encourage them to get into the habit of attending, we would also take personal details of as many as possible for further contact and marketing. Names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays etc...

 

He took out his calculator and started tapping away for what seemed an enormous amount of time, his brow often furrowed as he re tapped in again and again some numbers..

 

"No chance" was his response, "It will cost us about £30,000 in lost income"...

 

I asked him how he came about that figure and he showed me 4000 tickets at '£x' times three meetings at a reduced rate, adult tickets for teachers, parents etc...

 

I tried to explain to him that all it would cost in reality was the production of the tickets as the likelihood of anyone of these people currently attending, whilst admittedly not impossible, was definitely remote..

 

He may lose 'the odd few quid' but overall hardly anyone of the potential crowd would know Speedway existed never mind attend now....

 

The Schools were within 4 miles of the track so relatively local, and having done such 'freebies' before as part of my role the uptake is between 8 - 15% on redemption...

 

Put simply, these people would have hardly known what Speedway was, they would probably have not known this particular club even existed, yet giving them free tickets would prevent the club from earning around £30k in the eyes of this promoter...(Amazing logic!)...

 

He then asked me about the chances of my Company getting more formally involved. I tactfully reminded him of his crowd levels and the demographic of them and suggested probably not as there wouldnt have been anything in it for us to be associated with such a failing business...

 

I decided then that Speedways situation is very much 'self inflicted' due to its lack of a long term vision and modern thinking, and several years later still believe very much the same...

Edited March 14, 2017 by mikebv

[The White Knight]

A good few years ago I met with a Promoter offering to help him increase his crowds, and ultimately, the atmosphere at his track by the big crowd presence.....

 

In my work life I had made several good contacts with local School Heads and did loads of work alongside them. This helped them and obviously helped my Companies brand in the local area (not to mention the fantastic impact it had on my own Stores sales)..

 

Therefore I requested that the four schools I dealt with (4000 pupils, 300 teachers and other staff), all recieved free family tickets..

 

I said I would provide people to look after the schools, my Companies name would be very prevalent, and that ideally we would try and flog them discounted tickets for the next few meetings to encourage them to get into the habit of attending, we would also take personal details of as many as possible for further contact and marketing. Names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays etc...

 

He took out his calculator and started tapping away for what seemed an enormous amount of time, his brow often furrowed as he re tapped in again and again some numbers..

 

"No chance" was his response, "It will cost us about £30,000 in lost income"...

 

I asked him how he came about that figure and he showed me 4000 tickets at '£x' times three meetings at a reduced rate, adult tickets for teachers, parents etc...

 

I tried to explain to him that all it would cost in reality was the production of the tickets as the likelihood of anyone of these people currently attending, whilst admittedly not impossible, was definitely remote..

 

He may lose 'the odd few quid' but overall hardly anyone of the potential crowd would know Speedway existed never mind attend now....

 

The Schools were within 4 miles of the track so relatively local, and having done such 'freebies' before as part of my role the uptake is between 8 - 15% on redemption...

 

Put simply, these people would have hardly known what Speedway was, they would probably have not known this particular club even existed, yet giving them free tickets would prevent the club from earning around £30k in the eyes of this promoter...(Amazing logic!)...

 

He then asked me about the chances of my Company getting more formally involved. I tactfully reminded him of his crowd levels and the demographic of them and suggested probably not as there wouldnt have been anything in it for us to be associated with such a failing business...

 

I decided then that Speedways situation is very much 'self inflicted' due to its lack of a long term vision and modern thinking, and several years later still believe very much the same...

Very sad to read. :sad:

[ray c]

Since when?

 

As far as I am aware the Double Points System is still in operation.

 

It would be a big help if you could provide a Link - in order that I can confirm this for myself.

agm last november

[foamfence]

agm last november

 

http://www.britishspeedway.co/2017_speedway_regulations_website.pdf

The above link is for 2017 and still indicates double points for tactical rides.

Edited March 14, 2017 by foamfence

[ray c]

http://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/index.html Not so. http://www.britishspeedway.co/2017_speedway_regulations_website.pdf

My top link was for 2016, the above link is for 2017 and still indicates double points for tactical rides.

i stand corrected i thought they got rid of it

[foamfence]

i stand corrected i thought they got rid of it

Well we all hoped they would :-)

[Forknights]

A good few years ago I met with a Promoter offering to help him increase his crowds after he had put out an appeal for help with the aim to increase the atmosphere at his track by the big crowd presence.....

 

In my work life I had made several good contacts with local School Heads and did loads of work alongside them. This helped them and obviously helped my Companies brand in the local area (not to mention the fantastic impact it had on my own Stores sales)..

 

Therefore I requested that the four schools I dealt with (4000 pupils, 300 teachers and other staff), all recieved free family tickets..

 

I said I would provide people to look after the schools, my Companies name would be very prevalent, and that ideally we would try and flog them discounted tickets for the next few meetings to encourage them to get into the habit of attending, we would also take personal details of as many as possible for further contact and marketing. Names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays etc...

 

He took out his calculator and started tapping away for what seemed an enormous amount of time, his brow often furrowed as he re tapped in again and again some numbers..

 

"No chance" was his response, "It will cost us about £30,000 in lost income"...

 

I asked him how he came about that figure and he showed me 4000 tickets at '£x' times three meetings at a reduced rate, adult tickets for teachers, parents etc...

 

I tried to explain to him that all it would cost in reality was the production of the tickets as the likelihood of anyone of these people currently attending, whilst admittedly not impossible, was definitely remote..

 

He may lose 'the odd few quid' but overall hardly anyone of the potential crowd would know Speedway existed never mind attend now....

 

The Schools were within 4 miles of the track so relatively local, and having done such 'freebies' before as part of my role the uptake is between 8 - 15% on redemption...

 

Put simply, these people would have hardly known what Speedway was, they would probably have not known this particular club even existed, yet giving them free tickets would prevent the club from earning around £30k in the eyes of this promoter...(Amazing logic!)...

 

He then asked me about the chances of my Company getting more formally involved. I tactfully reminded him of his crowd levels and the demographic of them and suggested probably not as there wouldnt have been anything in it for us to be associated with such a failing business...

 

I decided then that Speedways situation is very much 'self inflicted' due to its lack of a long term vision and modern thinking, and several years later still believe very much the same...

Excellent post. And a pity they couldnt see the wood from the trees

 

It makes me laugh. They call themselves "Promoters", but how often do you actually see these so called Promoters actually out and about promoting there club and the sport we love. Its always an appeal to the faithful fans to bring your work mates along friends and family, but there is very little or no advertising anywhere around the towns or villages in a 10-20 mile radius.

 

In the summer there are banger racing meetings in the nearest town to me which is about 15 miles away, and there are always posters up everywhere in shops, pubs,

and such like, and I made a few enquiries to ask if they had been given any free tickets as they were advertising the event, and all said no, they were just happy to help advertise something that might help bring people to the area. So you don't always have to give away free tickets to try and up your gates, just needs them to get out there and spread the word, and keep doing it.

 

I'm dam sure if it was my business I would be out there 24/7, doing whatever I could to increase the exposure and my footfall, even if I did cost me a few free tickets

[bruno]

Like twk I hate the double points although it doesn't stop me attending. How many times though do you watch a meeting and the double points brings the scores closer and you think that's good it's a closer meeting now but I hope the team who used the tactical doesn't win. So, what's the bleeding point

[Trees]

Like twk I hate the double points although it doesn't stop me attending. How many times though do you watch a meeting and the double points brings the scores closer and you think that's good it's a closer meeting now but I hope the team who used the tactical doesn't win. So, what's the bleeding point

Whatever tactical they use it falsifies the scores, at least with the double points system the riders get their alloted rides and we don't get the top men having heat 8 races against easy opposition. I would not have double point tactical but the chance to change gate positions when 6 down ...

A good few years ago I met with a Promoter offering to help him increase his crowds after he had put out an appeal for help with the aim to increase the atmosphere at his track by the big crowd presence.....

 

In my work life I had made several good contacts with local School Heads and did loads of work alongside them. This helped them and obviously helped my Companies brand in the local area (not to mention the fantastic impact it had on my own Stores sales)..

 

Therefore I requested that the four schools I dealt with (4000 pupils, 300 teachers and other staff), all recieved free family tickets..

 

I said I would provide people to look after the schools, my Companies name would be very prevalent, and that ideally we would try and flog them discounted tickets for the next few meetings to encourage them to get into the habit of attending, we would also take personal details of as many as possible for further contact and marketing. Names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdays etc...

 

He took out his calculator and started tapping away for what seemed an enormous amount of time, his brow often furrowed as he re tapped in again and again some numbers..

 

"No chance" was his response, "It will cost us about £30,000 in lost income"...

 

I asked him how he came about that figure and he showed me 4000 tickets at '£x' times three meetings at a reduced rate, adult tickets for teachers, parents etc...

 

I tried to explain to him that all it would cost in reality was the production of the tickets as the likelihood of anyone of these people currently attending, whilst admittedly not impossible, was definitely remote..

 

He may lose 'the odd few quid' but overall hardly anyone of the potential crowd would know Speedway existed never mind attend now....

 

The Schools were within 4 miles of the track so relatively local, and having done such 'freebies' before as part of my role the uptake is between 8 - 15% on redemption...

 

Put simply, these people would have hardly known what Speedway was, they would probably have not known this particular club even existed, yet giving them free tickets would prevent the club from earning around £30k in the eyes of this promoter...(Amazing logic!)...

 

He then asked me about the chances of my Company getting more formally involved. I tactfully reminded him of his crowd levels and the demographic of them and suggested probably not as there wouldnt have been anything in it for us to be associated with such a failing business...

 

I decided then that Speedways situation is very much 'self inflicted' due to its lack of a long term vision and modern thinking, and several years later still believe very much the same...

What a stupid promoter he was/is!!!