Time To Scrap Doubling Up?

[TheReturn]

When I first started watching speedway in the early 80s, there was doubling up, but it actually worked. If memory serves, often the number one rider from the old National League side (in our case Dave Perks) would double up in reserve for a British League side (Cradley and I think then Coventry in Perks case). The national league side would retain priority of course.

 

Of course there was a clear different in class between both leagues back then, and far less average overseas riders clogging up the British leagues. But the rider always felt like 'ours', Long Eaton's. It never felt like he was a travelling journeyman rider who was riding for a different club every night.

Edited August 14, 2017 by TheReturn

[moxey63]

The racing, the sport, it is still great... a brilliant spectacle. But every good game must also have rules that are credible. It only takes a certain amount of time for most to fathom that speedway can be very strange - cheering on one rider one night, when he's up against you the next week. A double-point gimmick that very rarely swings a match and only sheds light on a mere novelty thing that a serious sport doesn't need.

 

When the likes of TigerOwl begin questioning the lure of speedway to them, someone who must have spent many a midnight hour researching his love of the sport, we may as well get our coats.

 

Isn't every match nowadays just two teams resembling a Testimonial meeting?

Edited August 14, 2017 by moxey63

[The White Knight]

When I first started watching speedway in the early 80s, there was doubling up, but it actually worked. If memory serves, often the number one rider from the old National League side (in our case Dave Perks) would double up in reserve for a British League side (Cradley and I think then Coventry in Perks case). The national league side would retain priority of course.

 

Of course there was a clear different in class between both leagues back then, and far less average overseas riders clogging up the British leagues. But the rider always felt like 'ours', Long Eaton's. It never felt like he was a travelling journeyman rider who was riding for a different club every night.

Absolutely Spot On!!!!!

 

That is what is missing now, 'our Riders' - nowadays they are anybodies Riders.

 

Unless the Authorities cotton on to this, ultimately Speedway is finished.

[ch958]

definitely - if there is a top league next year they should sign a number 8 and 9 from the second level and use them and RR when people are missing - no guests, no DD just managed DU

[Sidney the robin]

The racing, the sport, it is still great... a brilliant spectacle. But every good game must also have rules that are credible. It only takes a certain amount of time for most to fathom that speedway can be very strange - cheering on one rider one night, when he's up against you the next week. A double-point gimmick that very rarely swings a match and only sheds light on a mere novelty thing that a serious sport doesn't need.

 

When the likes of TigerOwl begin questioning the lure of speedway to them, someone who must have spent many a midnight hour researching his love of the sport, we may as well get our coats.

 

Isn't every match nowadays just two teams resembling a Testimonial meeting?

When i first started going getting used to seeing a regular 1-7 was brilliant you got to know your teams riders and ended up with a affinity with them.Even if someone was out injured (ect) a no 8 who could be a future regular team member came in the second half helped along in that happening.The rules and averages in speedway now are madness all i want now is to enjoy the racing and have a decent night out Winning is not the be all and end all for me.

[iris123]

Back in the 70s it also happened.maybe we didn't bother about it too much.Maybe it didn't happen as much as today.BL1 tracks had a relationship with a L 2 track often enough.Riders got a chance to ride in the top division fairly quickly,but also seemed to move up much quicker than today

 

Look at Bob Coles for instance who moved up fairly quick to his local track Exeter,but found the going hard,so in 1971 rode for both Romford and Exeter.Then in 1971 rode for the West ham/Barrow team in BL2 whilst turning out for Exeter,then had a couple of years in the top division before again riding for Newport and Mildenhall in 1974.....

[moxey63]

When i first started going getting used to seeing a regular 1-7 was brilliant you got to know your teams riders and ended up with a affinity with them.Even if someone was out injured (ect) a no 8 who could be a future regular team member came in the second half helped along in that happening.The rules and averages in speedway now are madness all i want now is to enjoy the racing and have a decent night out Winning is not the be all and end all for me.

 

I know people won't like this... but I get the same feeling watching my football team - the nervy excitement of a tense match, cheering a goal etc - that I used to get watching the likes of PC, Tyrer, Wilkie etc at Belle Vue. I didn't get why people liked football until about 15 years ago, as speedway was a great team sport.

 

Speedway is a poor second right now. You can't just support your local speedway team because you like the sport. There has to be something to have you wanting to support it... that team ethic. Football is tribalistic. Speedway, to me, used to offer as much as football does now.

 

Individual meetings were once that open-date-filler, but you could wait the next week to see your team back in the fold.

 

Every meeting nowadays has an air of individuality about it. You can't throw any seven riders (sometimes) together that'll fit within the rules and call it a team. Any fan with a genuine love of team speedway should are having the wool pulled over their peepers.

[frigbo]

The main difference in the past is very few doubling up riders were in the declared 1-7 of both teams.

 

I can just about stomach div 2 riders filling in for top flight teams but the current situation is nothing more than a circus of riders in a different costume as it suits their needs.

[moxey63]

When i first started going getting used to seeing a regular 1-7 was brilliant you got to know your teams riders and ended up with a affinity with them.Even if someone was out injured (ect) a no 8 who could be a future regular team member came in the second half helped along in that happening.The rules and averages in speedway now are madness all i want now is to enjoy the racing and have a decent night out Winning is not the be all and end all for me.

 

I know people won't like this... but I get the same feeling watching my football team - the nervy excitement of a tense match, cheering a goal etc - that I used to get watching the likes of PC, Tyrer, Wilkie etc at Belle Vue. I didn't get why people liked football until about 15 years ago, as speedway was a great team sport.

 

Speedway is a poor second right now. You can't just support your local speedway team because you like the sport. There has to be something to have you wanting to support it... that team ethic. Football is tribalistic. Speedway, to me, used to offer as much as football does now.

 

Individual meetings were once that open-date-filler, but you could wait the next week to see your team back in the fold.

 

Every meeting nowadays has an air of individuality about it. You can't throw any seven riders (sometimes) together that'll fit within the rules and call it a team. Any fan with a genuine love of team speedway should are having the wool pulled over their peepers.

[Paulco]

They are now more self employed speedway riders rather than a member of a particular team .

[moxey63]

They are now more self employed speedway riders rather than a member of a particular team .

 

So true. Get the feeling riders get more out of it than the fans.

Edited August 14, 2017 by moxey63

[iris123]

Looks like you are doubling up with the posts Moxey!!! Even tripling up now

Edited August 14, 2017 by iris123

[Sidney the robin]

Swindon in the 70s had some pretty average teams but alot of those riders were real racers and trier's the fans loved them Hitch and Keen of the lesser lights were my favourites both had long service ( Hitchey come and go not his fault). I loved the teams who had loyal servants riders like Haley,Smith,Wilson(2) Wilko, Cartwright, Wyer,Paulson,PC,Mort, Lewis, Louis, Keen, Ashby, Kilby, (ect) loads more we could name speedway then was a great team sport.

[moxey63]

Looks like you are doubling up with the posts Moxey!!! Even tripling up now

 

I know... blooming computer. Not like they were in the 70s.

[Trees]

Not like it used to be.

No, because you are older and not full of life and enthusiasm...

Absolutely Spot On!!!!!

 

That is what is missing now, 'our Riders' - nowadays they are anybodies Riders.

 

Unless the Authorities cotton on to this, ultimately Speedway is finished.

You don't know now, your team don't race anymore, you'll never have that feeling again unfortunately, unless your team starts up again?

 

So true. Get the feeling riders get more out of it than the fans.

The fans are the clubs and if they feel pride and 'love' for their club it will rub off on the riders and management of the time hopefully.

[Hawk127]

As has been said here du is killing the sport, for me equally killing it is GUESTS . Last week at Redcar Sheffield used Lawson from their nearest rivals Glasgow. What other sport would allow that. If riders are injured tough..

If the riders need more rides , go back to 13 heats & second halves to get their xtra rides , bring back the Golden Helmet etc . Surely the BSPA could sort a sponsor..

The second halves used to be the source of extra rides for the youngsters to monitor the progress

Totally agree.

 

Today it is a circus now with a pool of riders who may be available on a particular night to represent and town or city but not your club.

 

This has become a sport for individuals so the team concept has long gone. Why not refer to those meetings where riders can ride for themselves under a 'club' name as a 4TT then have Gt Britain championship and possibly league meetings for those clubs that can put six or five man teams together. Mix a match. Five man team league meeting followed by individual championship and then the equivalent of a second half for up and coming riders. Possibly three man teams a bit like the development league.

 

Something needs to be done before it is too late if it has not already reached the point of no return. I hope not.

[Trees]

So one league, 5 man teams?

[Hawk127]

So one league, 5 man teams?

Plus other formats of speedway racing or make it a multi discipline meeting with side cars, short track and try to widen the interest. Just a thought but like many, the idea of attending weekly meetings has sadly gone. Do I miss it, yes, but the way it has evolved, the days are numbered and unless drastic changes are implemented the amateur racing will be the only game in town.

[phillwhitewasmad]

One league 6 man teams every rider has 5 rides , if a rider is injured during the meeting the rider directly above or anyone below in averages can take his rides only one extra though, no long term rr or guests injured riders to be replaced in 10 days. No black and white rides.

[The White Knight]

No, because you are older and not full of life and enthusiasm...

You don't know now, your team don't race anymore, you'll never have that feeling again unfortunately, unless your team starts up again?

The fans are the clubs and if they feel pride and 'love' for their club it will rub off on the riders and management of the time hopefully.

Age has nothing to do with it.

 

I know when I saw a Team of Riders - and I know when I see a group of Riders.

 

I watched Team Speedway years ago - nowadays you watch whoever the Promoter can get in and put out in front of you. The 'Team' (in it's true sense) ethic has gone from the Sport, and the Public, the Customers, are recognizing this and are not buying it.

 

No it won't - how can you build up Team Spirit and Camaraderie when you have different Riders in your so-called Team every week? The answer is you can't.