How Many Of Us Are Losing Interest.?

[ch958]

No,they are not

 

TWK stays away because of 1 rule!!! There are a number of meetings throughout the season that run without this rule,yet he still doesn't go to any individual meetings or NL meetings etc.......

yes but that one rule is not popular. If its dropped I will drive from Heaton to Sunderland and ferry him to Redcar or Brough Park.

I would point out that the nearest NL track to him and me in Belle Vue - I'd love an NL track to support nearer home.

[waytogo28]

It's not the ones who some call "moaners" you need to be concerned about for leaving the sport, it's all others who say nothing and just stop going after missing one to two meetings. Then realising that they didn't miss the experience very much - that is how so many have drifted away in the last few years. Why they left is what the BSPA needs to be interested in and concerned about. However they seem not to be not very concerned and still have this air about them of "this is what we are offering, take it or leave it".

[moxey63]

It's not the ones who some call "moaners" you need to be concerned about for leaving the sport, it's all others who say nothing and just stop going after missing one to two meetings. Then realising that they didn't miss the experience very much - that is how so many have drifted away in the last few years. Why they left is what the BSPA needs to be interested in and concerned about. However they seem not to be not very concerned and still have this air about them of "this is what we are offering, take it or leave it".

 

Exactly!

 

I think the BSPA website should have a feedback forum or something, try and plug the hole that the silent disillusioned leak through. Do members of the BSPA ever come on these sites... or are they content to just increase admission for the loyal fans to plug every lost fan?

 

Just thinking back, one of the reasons I'd had enough was the double points rule. Not that I felt it silly, but it did take some of the interest away from seeing the opposition throwing all their big guns at you for the next few races to try to reduce the deficit. To me, seeing a programmed rider with a black and white helmet colour on for double points isn't the same. The destination of the match seemed too predictable.

Edited September 10, 2017 by moxey63

[Barney Rabbit]

I (and Mrs R) attended my first speedway meeting in this country for a few years a couple of weeks ago and decided to give it another try today. Since Cradley, the only team operating at the time of my regular attendances at meetings I hadn't seen ride, were at Mildenhall I decided to give it another go. That was before I looked at the (visiting team's) website to see that they were using four guests and R/R - now five guests and R/R. How can I honestly claim I have seen Cradley ride when what they are putting out is no more than a NL select side?

 

That's lost the bit of interest I got back a few weeks ago.

Edited September 10, 2017 by Barney Rabbit

[The White Knight]

I (and Mrs R) attended my first speedway meeting in this country for a few years a couple of weeks ago and decided to give it another try today. Since Cradley, the only team operating at the time of my regular attendances at meetings I hadn't seen ride, were at Mildenhall I decided to give it another go. That was before I looked at the (visiting team's) website to see that they were using four guests and R/R - now five guests and R/R. How can I honestly claim I have seen Cradley ride when what they are putting out is no more than a NL select side?

 

That's lost the bit of interest I got back a few weeks ago.

................... and I can understand why.

 

As for my none attendance mentioned by a couple of people - I said all I wanted to say on the subject earlier in the Thread. (At least I think it was this Thread. :unsure: ).

 

Memory isn't what it was.

[Sidney the robin]

I've only been to 4 meetings this season...... But then again my nearest track is over 1,200 kms away. The likes of TWK will always find a reason not to go, just leave them in their 1950's bubble and look forward.

Very harsh indeed and my son played pro football for a few years and we went and took him training as much as possible four meetings only do you stay at home and watch Eastenders.? Dont be that brutal four meetings really??.. surely you have the money but dont bother dont be so brutal when you dont know what other people's situation is think about it.??... Edited September 10, 2017 by Sidney the robin

[iris123]

I (and Mrs R) attended my first speedway meeting in this country for a few years a couple of weeks ago and decided to give it another try today. Since Cradley, the only team operating at the time of my regular attendances at meetings I hadn't seen ride, were at Mildenhall I decided to give it another go. That was before I looked at the (visiting team's) website to see that they were using four guests and R/R - now five guests and R/R. How can I honestly claim I have seen Cradley ride when what they are putting out is no more than a NL select side?

 

That's lost the bit of interest I got back a few weeks ago.

Can absolutely understand your view.What i find hard to understand is how it can get a 'like' from someone who was busy trying to promote a meeting with a team made up of 'guests'.i.e a team that was purely made up becauee they don't exist any more!!!!!My team,Wimbledon

[ch958]

Cradley 5 - FIVE guests and a RR

 

I mean FFS

[The White Knight]

Cradley 5 - FIVE guests and a RR

 

I mean FFS

................... and THAT is supposed to be a TEAM!!

 

Don't make me laugh.

[iris123]

I would again emphasise this comment by me in regard to how I view speedway these days:

"I still have a keen interest in speedway history - from the sport's beginnings probably into the early 1970s. But from then onwards it's all rather meaningless to me. Gone long ago are the days when I practically knew the composition of every team and the background of most riders. Times move on I suppose? And this is the opinion of a speedway follower who saw their first meeting at New Cross in April 1946 - it was New Cross v The Rest in a challenge match as I recall."

You do though constantly put the sport down,constantly compare it to stock cars to put it in a bad light,even went so far as to get some stock car fans to join the forum to help promote the other sport,have stated that your years involved with speedway were wasted years and have only been 3 or 4 years out of the last 25 seasons or so.So for this thread which is about losing interest in attending,you are a lost cause and will never ever go regularly again,i think i am right in saying

 

You do complain about how the sport is run,but have never really expanded on that and have never as far as i knw ever put a way of doing better on here.........

 

You were actually involved in the sport just at the time it went into its greatest ever decline from the 40s into the 50s and on to the 60s when it finally pulled itself out of trouble,by which time i think you were no longer as closely involved any more

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

Both semi finals today of the polish extraleague were fantastic adverts for the sport played out in front of huge crowds , it proves speedway can be great if you get the basic product right which Poland do , they excel at the team aspect

[bruno]

I went to Peterborough today and watched more ex Cradley riders than current riders riding for us today, absolute shambles.

[mikebv]

"You do have people that stay away when you're not winning and it is not helpful in the slightest"..

 

This is a direct quote from the Workington Promoter lifted from this week's excellent Speedway Star...

 

May I respectfully point out that the way the Sport is ran is definitely also not "helpful in the slightest" if Promoters want to get (and keep) crowds attending their tracks...

 

Fans will actually put up with a losing team far longer if they can at least associate themselves with 'their' riders...

 

However, following a losing team made up of 'guests', 'guests' and more 'guests' every week and/or seeing your team getting beat by teams turning up with track specialist 'guests' every week will test the resolve of even the most die hard follower...

 

Any Promoter currently complaining about numbers coming through the turnstiles when they all have delivered collectively the shambles that currently exists won't, I would imagine, have much sympathy from the Sport's followers...

 

No Chris Harris at Peterborough because he was taking part in a seperate Sport, and FIVE guests riding for 'One Man Cradley' are just today's examples of 'planned in complete nonsense' that Promoters still expect people to attend, and pay good money to them for the privilege of doing so..

 

When such ridiculous goings on are fully endorsed as part of the Sports Operating Model and allowed to happen, public appeals to the Speedway fan base to keep loyally watching must be a very hard sell...

Edited September 10, 2017 by mikebv

[Jonny the spud]

Very harsh indeed and my son played pro football for a few years and we went and took him training as much as possible four meetings only do you stay at home and watch Eastenders.? Dont be that brutal four meetings really??.. surely you have the money but dont bother dont be so brutal when you dont know what other people's situation is think about it.??...

Not harsh at all, i live in a different country to where my son rides, (your club ! ) I've racked up thousands of miles and have spent tens of thousands of euros over the years on speedway and grasstrack. People will always moan, (and sometimes with reason) but TWK doesn't do speedway anymore but won't stop moaning over it. Stop looking back and see what can be done to improve the sport, not whining about 2 valve Jawa's and Black leathers.

[The White Knight]

Not harsh at all, i live in a different country to where my son rides, (your club ! ) I've racked up thousands of miles and have spent tens of thousands of euros over the years on speedway and grasstrack. People will always moan, (and sometimes with reason) but TWK doesn't do speedway anymore but won't stop moaning over it. Stop looking back and see what can be done to improve the sport, not whining about 2 valve Jawa's and Black leathers.

You know why I don't go. Should a Rule change happen then I WILL return to Speedway.

 

I have the right to complain about the things I feel are wrong in the Sport just as you have the right to disagree with me.

 

I don''t complain about your Postings, many of which I disagree with, but neither do I deny you the right to say what you think.. This is a Forum where all views, within reason, can be expounded. You drag my name up every chance you get - I have a view of what I think will benefit Speedway and I will express it, with or without your permission.

 

Edited September 10, 2017 by The White Knight

[Halifaxtiger]

 

I didn't stop going because the racing was boring, or the presentation, or that the centre-green was a mess, or that the chippy on the way home was closing down.

 

I stopped going because the of the rules and the make-up of the sport. Speedway is still exciting as a spectacle, but when you want a reputable sport that has strong foundations, the racing value is secondary.

 

 

 

So if the racing was fantastic every week, the presentation incredible, the centre green like Kew Gardens, food 5 star and entry free, you still wouldn't go ?

 

On the other hand, if the racing was rubbish, the presentation non existent and it was £20 to go in but the rules spot on you would ?

 

 

The racing is everything, because that's why we go. The corruption at the heart of the sport, doubling up and heaven knows what else are infuriating but when I am watching 4 blokes on bikes with brakes tear round a track they rarely count for anything.

Edited September 11, 2017 by Halifaxtiger

[Trees]

 

So if the racing was fantastic every week, the presentation incredible, the centre green like Kew Gardens, food 5 star and entry free, you still wouldn't go ?

 

On the other hand, if the racing was rubbish, the presentation non existent and it was £20 to go in but the rules spot on you would ?

 

 

The racing is everything, because that's why we go. The corruption at the heart of the sport, doubling up and heaven knows what else are infuriating but when I am watching 4 blokes on bikes with brakes tear round a track they rarely count for anything.

My thoughts entirely! And can I just reiterate again for those who don't go anymore but who are still interested in the sport 'you're a long time DEAD`.....

[steve roberts]

My thoughts entirely! And can I just reiterate again for those who don't go anymore but who are still interested in the sport 'you're a long time DEAD`.....

...yes but I get great satisfaction in talking, discussing, debating the sport with people and will meet up again with my uncle (who was track photographer at Cowley for a while) when he visits next week for a holiday.

[moxey63]

 

So if the racing was fantastic every week, the presentation incredible, the centre green like Kew Gardens, food 5 star and entry free, you still wouldn't go ?

 

On the other hand, if the racing was rubbish, the presentation non existent and it was £20 to go in but the rules spot on you would ?

 

 

The racing is everything, because that's why we go. The corruption at the heart of the sport, doubling up and heaven knows what else are infuriating but when I am watching 4 blokes on bikes with brakes tear round a track they rarely count for anything.

 

Easy pleased then? Without strong and stable rules, a firm foundation, just how real do we know the racing is? We've all experienced races in which the leader suddenly drifts wide without reason, then is overtaken. Great racing or a more sinister reason?To allow a tactical ride for his team or deny one for the opposition. A sport that allows this to enter a fan's way of thinking has to ask itself why most - even its fans - think its a joker sport.

 

The fans who will accept anything will no doubt be glad that the X-Factor entertainment season is upon us.

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2017 by moxey63

[Aces51]

Most knowledgeable fans don't accept anything. We are aware of the problems within the sport and want them to be sorted out so that the sport has more credibility. However, most knowledgeable fans can also identify the difference between a genuine race and the relatively rare occasion when a rider deliberately drifts out to gain a tactical advantage.

 

What do you want us to do moxey63, stop going so that the sport dies? If you still live in the Manchester area get along to the NSS and if you ever enjoyed speedway you will understand exactly what Halifaxtiger means. Whatever your reservations about the integrity of the sport you cannot help but forget them in the excitement of some of the truly excellent racing. If you can't enjoy that experience then it's not just the credibility of the sport that you can't accept but speedway itself.

 

Nothing wrong with that. I've taken lots of people over many years who just didn't enjoy the racing but don't decry those who can put the problems of the sport aside whilst watching a brilliant race. Of course the whole experience would be better if the BSPA could get their act together but I was recently talking to a Promoter and he was aware of many of the problems. He wants to do something about them and thinks there is a growing recognition by his fellow promoters that things have to change. If I and others followed your example and stopped attending he and others, will never have the chance to bring about the changes that many of us want to see.