Daniel Smith Posted June 12, 2017 Report Share Posted June 12, 2017 Would you call any of the clubs professional? ?? looks very amateurish from what I see or read. Just 1, Glasgow Tigers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted June 12, 2017 Report Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Well finally the BSPA have confirmed this for everyone, This is not something that has come out of the blue Sky sports firstly made Go Speed and BSPA aware at the end of last season that they were unlikely to broadcast Speedway in 2017 unless they could find a sponsor to help support the production costs. Each Speedway meeting costs around 38k to get on air and if the weather is poor you could end up with no live content, that is a risk that has always been known but previously the excitement and the money available for fringe sports was more readily available. Unfortunately due to the rising costs of securing Premiership football,F1 and a strong need to keep Championship football and ECB & 20-20 Cricket some lower level sports like Speedway have to miss out of they are unable to get sponsors to help with the production costs. Netball and Greyhound racing have been put in the same position but have been able to find a sponsor to help. The move to BT sport is a good one for fans and I am sure the team will do a good job in producing some top quality action which some I am informed will be in 4K they are planning on using 8-10 cameras which is a couple less than the 12 that Sky used but may possibly add to this if they feel they need too. I don't believe that this is the end of Speedway on Sky sports as there are a couple of technical developments happening in the next 12-18 months with Remote production which will that you will literally just have the camera operators at the track and will all plug into one small unit on wheels that fits in back of a car. This unit is them connected to a good quality internet connection and broadcast like this. So all the replays,graphics,vision mixing,camera racking and directing will be done from Sky HQ meaning that you will not need the big HD OB units,satellite uplink trucks,generator trucks,graphics van or provide hot 3 course meal for 25-30 staff. so this in turn will bring the production costs right down to around 5K a meeting which is a lot more manageable. The technology is there now but needs a bit of time to mature first and also for UK internet speeds to rise in some areas. Interestingly the Sky Executive producer of Speedway is very much interested in this area and did actually do quite a few technical trials for us in January Its very true, speedway is not more expensive than filming netball, ice hockey or other sports. The problem with sky was the deal they were tied into was not value for money, as the sport is not growing they could not sell it to advertisers which they can with other sports. Sky, if they wanted to could broadcast speedway on a budget, ALOT less than it paid to do so in the past, but it dropped it as the sport did not offer value to its sports mix. Yes they overpaid for football but if speedway had a massive following and was a buzz sport they would not have dropped it for the reduced price they could have got it for it would have been kept as part of their portfolio. Ive been involved with broadcasting in particular sports thats aired on stream and BT Sport, multi camera teams etc and sky could have reduced their cost of filming but they've left it to die and suffer at the same time BT Sport will no doubt do the same in a couple of years when the BSPA talk them into a new deal and then BT realise the lies and pull out Unfortunately the sport cannot sustain two "professional" leagues, it can really only warrant one Super League of 12 clubs maximum with the rest semi professional Thats the direction the BSPA should have done last winter but they've made their beds now must lay in them for a number of years How about reading this, rather than bringing in your own biases. Edited June 12, 2017 by Tsunami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieIpswich Posted June 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2017 Not my own bias at all, and reading that supports my argument, £48k per meeting to film speedway wow, 12 cameras,why do you need 12 cameras? Its a round race track Speedway can be filmed and broadcasted on much less reducing the cost sufficiently, when working in another sport industry we had a team of 9 filming that was one static camera, three for filming, one for backstage, and the rest working on live editing, graphics and of course directing BT Sport now film the same sport using less people, Sky of course will put their own spin on things but if speedway was a sport on the rise it would still be part of their portfolio, end of. The sport is dieing on its arse in every area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 The Sport is going the same way that it has for the past 20 years, as the ever decreasing numbers through the gate testify, just look around you the next time that you go to a meeting whats the average age ?. Then you have concessions at Tracks have you noticed how much this has increased its almost not worth asking for a concession now, why because there are more concessions than full adult payers. Promoters dont have a clue how to stop this drop in numbers, I will just say this get the average age of the spectators down, then you are part way there. How do they do this is the question. I suggested some 1 lap dashes be included in the race format, but no one seemed interested, Im basing this on Crickets revival for quick limited overs Cricket, bring back the instant excitement and the crowds will come back. Get some razza mattaz into the presentation, some loud background music , i think some 1 lap dashes in the middle of a meeting would be worthwhile experimenting with, they would need to be quickfire in rapid succesion with riders waiting at the gate, so that as one races riders leave the track, the next four riders come out, probably four of these 1 lap dashes in the middle of a meeting, they have to be quickfire not 10 minutes between a race.. This could be trialled in the KO Cup, and half price admission given to Under 30,s on proof of age, we have to get them in the Stadium first. Yeah i know its Gimmicky but if its what the younger generation want then it has to be tried, we have gone so far down now, trying, and tweaking the old rules and regs, it cant get any worse than where we are now, its almost last one out turns out the lights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldyman Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) I say the same about the age thing. Without the next generation the sport is dead anyway. That's the first thing that needs addressing. Maybe promotions on drinks my help. Just look at the darts . plenty of jugs of beer flowing. Maybe put on a free bus from the town? Maybe make it more like the darts. So it's more than one meeting at a venue, maybe a weekend. 2 meetings per day. Then a couple of weeks later the same again it a different venue. And so on. Edited June 13, 2017 by baldyman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieIpswich Posted June 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 Only problem with drinks is the tracks have no control apart from a few, and running multiple meetings same day or weekend won't pay the riders good ideas though. I've suggested ideas even got as far as arranging a meeting with Mr Chapman but did not go any further. I think something like the following is needed 12 team Super League similar to Rugby League, with a cup competition thrown in, minimum average a rider has is a 5 maybe even working a squad system of 10 riders maybe? 16 heat format for league, 13 heat format for cup to spice things up. The rest of the clubs divide into regionalised National League which includes a national cup. More individual meetings aimed at under 21's like a summer/winter series to entice new riders British Championshio to be run over a 5 round Mini Grand prix say Kings Lynn, Somerset, Belle Vue, Glasgow and somewhere else Thats just the start in terms of structure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldyman Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 One thing I can guarantee, is what ever ideas anyone comes up with, someone will always have a reason why it won't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norfolk Bear Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 How can you sell / explain the DU /DD rule or the use of guests ? If the riders cannot survive on 1 club then they need to get a second job. Which other sport allows a player to play for 2 teams or to use another teams rider , ? Injuries are part & parcel the sort , the promoters need to live with it . Supporters I am sure would rather back a local than a rider from another team. Not all guests give 100% The RR can stay but massive changes are required. The 1 lap dash is a good idea , maybe draw them so there is a bit of a change. Going the same way that we have for a number of years is going backwards. If riders want extra rides go back to 13 heats & a second half. This is always a good way to bring youngsters through. Has anyone worked out how the promotion/ relegation is going to work , impossible with the current dd/du 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldyman Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 But how is any of that gonna get the next generation of followers through the gates? Most speedway fans are nearer to death than not, it's all about getting new younger people to watch. In my opinion that should be upper most in any revamps. the whole evening needs to change to attract new people and to get them going back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieIpswich Posted June 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 To be honest younger fans will come if the sport is promoted in an extreme sport kind of way, crashes, crashes and crashes it does have an appeal. The odd punch up helps, riders can do more after winning races to pump the crowd up not just talk to his mate on the warm down lap from the other team! Or just go past with a stationary hand up Cheer leaders, mascots, free air horns or clappers, and more access, if riders had one team only let them be available every meeting not just the odd occasion for organised autographs What 12 clubs have the best fan base and best facilities to form a Super League? BT Sport will pull out once the relegation play off is done as they won't get the double up rule at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scunny2012 Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) Personally I don't think it's ever been so bad. Sky didn't even want it anymore. I didn't even bother going on Thursday, and that's gonna happen more and more. Just a quick look around the crowd will show you how long speedway has left. I would say about 75 percent of an already small crowd is over 60 years of age. So where is the future of speedway? Edited June 13, 2017 by Scunny2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldyman Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 (edited) Not sure. Kids may go, but it's getting them still going once they have reached adulthood. so people in there 20 and 30s like to party, and drink a lot. And if that's not happening at the speedway they will be somewhere else. How about getting it into the x games? But that would be individual speedway. I don't think team speedway will be here much longer. I've taken a teenager before, only once, he would never go again. Cheer leaders have been tried before. Edited June 13, 2017 by baldyman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieIpswich Posted June 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 How naked were these cheer leaders and were there photo opportunities? Free season tickets to ALL under 18's is a must also 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 Ipswich Town FC have announced a new pricing structure for next season with the aim to attract a younger fan base. Under 23s will be able to obtain entry for £15 (standard is £25) and prices 12-19 and for under 12 slashed against previous season figures. That shows its not just speedway will an ageing demographic and similar concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieIpswich Posted June 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 Plus ipswich town are #/!# so nobody wants to go anymore lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScotsman Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 Plus ipswich town are #/!# so nobody wants to go anymore lol A bit like the Witches then! Nah didn't mean it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomerang Posted June 13, 2017 Report Share Posted June 13, 2017 They probably couldn't afford turning up for all the rain offs. So decided to show other things. Wasn't it in the original agreement that clubs got covers for the tracks? Whatever the reason, speedway is only heading one way, and it's not up. agree all clubs so have track covers would save a hell of a lot of meetings over a course of a season Berwick a prime example they have saved 5 this year so far been working for years in Sweden and Denmark that would avoid rain offs and costs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieIpswich Posted June 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) Super League 12 for me would be Wolverhampton Belle Vue Kings Lynn Ipswich Poole Glasgow Sheffield Rye House Swindon Somerset Peterborough Edinburgh Best supported? Best facilities? Edited June 14, 2017 by CookieIpswich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldyman Posted June 14, 2017 Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 (edited) Can I just ask how re naming it again would bring people in to watch it? Come on sell it to me. Some promoters may read this, unless you are thinking of doing a complete takeover? I didn't bother going last week and I'm not gonna bother going this week. What could you do to get me back the week after? And remember I want to see good racing. Also..What's in it for a club to want to be in it? Is there going to be a prize structure? I'm not against your idea, but just trying to see how good it is Edited June 14, 2017 by baldyman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieIpswich Posted June 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2017 I can't sell going to foxhall this week as its Berwick who are woeful and they have a guest at no.1 no news on a guest at no.2 and R/R for their no.5 lol so a boring big home win expected. I'll have to think about how to sell my proposal, hopefully no doubling up, better quality riders, £££ based on league position, more individual meetings etc Is the sport so poor that you cant field 12 teams with no double uppers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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