mikebv Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) More Guests = Less Credibility.. Less Credibility = Less Fans.. Its a simple equation.. Yet the person in charge of the Sport has a 'better idea'...😨 Wow....😓 Edited September 1, 2017 by mikebv 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 Just when I was thinking "it cant get any worse"...See, that is why we have problems; some people will take statements like that as a challenge... The same reason why nothing is "foolproof", as a true fool will always find a way... Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) The state the sport is in at the moment it's very fortunate that it has such an Excellent Publication, other sports I follow have nothing so good, How thay continued to produce such a Publication when there circulation must have plummeted is a mystery, and NO I'm not a relative of Mr RisingIt certainly belies British Speedway's Mickey Mouse image.. Any non Speedway fan coming across a copy would ask themselves why they haven't heard of the Sport, given it must be so popular if their rationale is based on the standard of 'its' magazine... A Professional publication doing its best each week to portray the Sport in the same light... (Which let's be honest, must take some doing)...😮 Edited September 1, 2017 by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 It certainly belies British Speedway's Mickey Mouse image.. Any non Speedway find coming across a copy would ask themselves why they haven't heard of the Sport, given it must be so popular if their rationale is based on the standard of 'its' magazine... A Professional publication doing its best each week to portray the Sport in the same light... (Which let's be honest, must take some doing)... MORE thanks and next week we will be reflecting some of those comments made about guests, etc. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 Do people really have to make a judgment call on spending £2 odd a week reading about the sport they love/like? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_martin Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 In another conversation I had a few days ago, I compared standing up for British Speedway to standing up for British Leyland in the 1970's. However you wanted to tart up and "sell" the Austin Allegro and the Morris Marina, they were just bad cars surrounded by better products in a competitive environment. So hats off to Speedway Star for being the modern day British Leyland Sales Brochure, extoling the positives and making sure that the sport is seen in the best light possible. (Even if some truths don't make it into print) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted September 1, 2017 Report Share Posted September 1, 2017 (edited) I've just read the piece and agree that it clearly sums up the serious problems and I really sympathise with all at Pinegen in what must be very worrying times for a genuine group of people who have worked tirelessly to produce a weekly magazine that quite frankly is far too good for the sport it serves. I can't see many other minor (specialist?) sports getting such professional, weekly coverage and for what is still a bargain price at £3. While some seem to think it's easier to get all that it contains for free online they may be able to get information about their own track but the sport as a whole? You also pay for journalism and editing - checking information rather than the random publication of what is often pure uninformed and unchecked rubbish online. I've got a concern regarding the online subscription though. I subscribe to several magazines away from the sport and the electronic subscriptions are cheaper, yet in the Star's case the online annual sub is £119.99 against £116 for the print version. With this in mind I can understand Pinegen wanting or needing to add content to the online version and I expect that they see more of the sub but this lack of discount is unusual. The online distributor mentions Android access but the only link on the website is to the Apple Store. There is no link to an Android source such as the Google Play Store. There appears to be no option to read the electronic edition on a Windows pc, tablet or laptop. I can understand not being able to buy individual copies but it is probably cutting off a few extra sales rather than pushing people towards longer-term subs. I appreciate that much is in the hands of the online distributor but Exact Editions don't seem to be making it easy or financially tempting to switch to an online sub which I suspect is a handicap that the Star could do without in what I am sure is a battle to survive. I'm proud to have made my minor contributions to the magazine over the years, mainly just match reports, so I do respect the magazine and those who write it and do wish them and the magazine well. Edited September 1, 2017 by Rob McCaffery 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted September 2, 2017 Report Share Posted September 2, 2017 (edited) As a correction to the above post. Online version of the Speedway Star works very well on my iPad, laptop and windows PC. Via either the app or at their website. Simples. Edited September 2, 2017 by Grand Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) As a correction to the above post. Online version of the Speedway Star works very well on my iPad, laptop and windows PC. Via either the app or at their website. Simples. Well it's 'simples' if you are informed that you can use it. Sadly the website doesn't and all the Star ads do is tell you to visit that website. There's mention of web and Android access 'via Exact Editions apps' then sloppily only gives the Apple app link. In any case the significant point is the lack of discount regarding printing and distribution savings in the price. It re-emphasises the point that Exact Editions are doing a lousy job of explaining exactly what services they actually offer. A magazine like the Speedway Star deserves better. Sorry, I avoid adverts so I have no quote from one to close the message with Edited September 3, 2017 by Rob McCaffery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Central Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 (edited) Well it's 'simples' if you are informed that you can use it. Sadly the website doesn't and all the Star ads do is tell you to visit that website. There's mention of web and Android access 'via Exact Editions apps' then sloppily only gives the Apple app link. In any case the significant point is the lack of discount regarding printing and distribution savings in the price. It re-emphasises the point that Exact Editions are doing a lousy job of explaining exactly what services they actually offer. A magazine like the Speedway Star deserves better. Sorry, I avoid adverts so I have no quote from one to close the message with Well, it was simple enough for me to do straight after I subsribed. It does represent very good value at the current price and with the plan to add extra pages will add to that. But that is just the opinion of this old duffer. My name? ... Oh yes, J.. R .. Hartley. Edited September 3, 2017 by Grand Central Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepturningleft Posted September 3, 2017 Report Share Posted September 3, 2017 As a occasional buyer of speedway star, I was keen to obtain this weeks copy after reading above comments, but, amazingly, the speedway star is not available at the NSS at Belle Vue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldRacer Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 I subscribe to the electronic version, but hate the Exact Editions app with a passion. I run it on my kindle and it crashes every few pages on average. It doesn't do the content justice which is a real shame. I am considering ditching my subscription just because of the poor platform. To the guests discussion, I am fine with guests. Running meetings with juniors riding in heat leader spots is much worse for the sport in my opinion. I support the race jacket rather than the individual and with teams churning regularly throughout the season, the loyalty angle seems laughable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 As a occasional buyer of speedway star, I was keen to obtain this weeks copy after reading above comments, but, amazingly, the speedway star is not available at the NSS at Belle Vue... IT should be in the club shop. Presume that was on Friday. Will investigate. Thanks. I subscribe to the electronic version, but hate the Exact Editions app with a passion. I run it on my kindle and it crashes every few pages on average. It doesn't do the content justice which is a real shame. I am considering ditching my subscription just because of the poor platform. To the guests discussion, I am fine with guests. Running meetings with juniors riding in heat leader spots is much worse for the sport in my opinion. I support the race jacket rather than the individual and with teams churning regularly throughout the season, the loyalty angle seems laughable. SORRY to hear that. We have had very few complaints about the digital version but will enquire of Exact. As a occasional buyer of speedway star, I was keen to obtain this weeks copy after reading above comments, but, amazingly, the speedway star is not available at the NSS at Belle Vue... APPARENTLY SS was on sale in the BV club shop on Friday. Can I ask if you tried there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkirkbandit Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 My interest in British speedway has dwindled quite a bit this year. So much so, that i haven't even went down to Berwick this season at all. In fact, i've only attended three meetings this season. The Ben Fund at Glasgow, a Bandits meeting there a couple of months back and the Caledonian Riders Championship at Armadale on Friday past. Make no mistake, Berwick have had a torrid season with injuries etc, and a 170 mile round trip just hasn't been appealing at all if i'm honest. I'm really chuffed they've won the last four home meetings though. Onwards and upwards! The other reason that my interest is gone in domestic speedway. I changed jobs last summer. After five years working every weekend in a hotel, i now have every weekend off, bar the very occasional Saturday morning for two or three hours. I live a 25 minutes drive from Knockhill. Be it the Scottish car racing club, Super Touring Car festival, British Touring Car Championship, or as i attended yesterday, my first ever bike racing event on track. I absolutely loved it. The superbikes and sidecars were amazing to watch. And the admission? I was an advanced ticket at £13. On the gate on the day was £15. But that's from 9.30am until 5pm. You're £17 at Glasgow and Edinburgh for about 2 hours! Despite my dwindling interest, Speedway Star has still been the weekly regular when i get my weekly shopping. I'm very lucky that my local Tesco stocks it, as does Morrisons occasionally i believe. My interest isn't totally gone though. I'm still an avid viewer of all the televised GP's, SWC, Pairs and domestic league meetings. Tonight's meeting was a decent one. Hopefully i'll get my speedway "ooomph" back for next season. But when you have weekends off again, there's always other options rather than a 170 mile round trip for "home" meetings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted September 5, 2017 Report Share Posted September 5, 2017 However you wanted to tart up and "sell" the Austin Allegro and the Morris Marina, they were just bad cars surrounded by better products in a competitive environment. Oh memory flashback... My first car, an old blue Allegro. I passed my test on a Thursday and remember driving up the M1 that same evening to watch Long Eaton race at Sheffield. Burned so much oil in that 50 odd mile trip and would cut out at about 70mph dropping me back to about 30mph.... an inexperienced driver on a busy M1 in a dodgy car... I was totally relaxed... not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmauger Posted September 6, 2017 Report Share Posted September 6, 2017 (edited) Oh memory flashback... My first car, an old blue Allegro. I passed my test on a Thursday and remember driving up the M1 that same evening to watch Long Eaton race at Sheffield. Burned so much oil in that 50 odd mile trip and would cut out at about 70mph dropping me back to about 30mph.... an inexperienced driver on a busy M1 in a dodgy car... I was totally relaxed... not! Had a simlar experience in the 1990's, 1996 to be precise. The water pump was leaking on my Vauxhall Nova so I was forced to carry about a gallon of water (!) to make the trip to Bradford and back to cheer on the Vikings. Bit silly I know, but the away meet came before I had the opportunity to renew the pump (what a palava) but needs must (musted ?) at the time. Back on main topic:I still take the 'Star every week, paper version, I 'sub' to it - much cheaper - and, despite my speedway viewing kinda restricted to watching on TV at mums / mates houses and too few trips to Scunny, I wouldn't dream of missing it.... Edited September 6, 2017 by Martin Mauger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.