Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

The continuing decline of Speedway


Recommended Posts

17 hours ago, E I Addio said:

The idea of a rider sticking to one team is a thing of the past. You only have to look at the threads on this forum to see that as soon as a rider has a few below par meetings and people want him replaced . The growing change over the years is that an increasing number of fans are only interested in supporting a winning team. As soon as a team stars losing so called fans stop coming. 

Speedway is really doomed then, if what you said is true. It is supposedly a team sport where secondly individual riders can chase certain glory in the likes of the GPs. Once we had the Team Exide thing with Hancock and Hamill 20 years ago and the bikes began resembling the plastic Sinclair C5s of the mid-80s, perhaps it began going like other highly-polished motorsports where image overshadowed personality. 

As for an off-form rider and people wanting them replaced as soon as. Me, personally, I loved watching an off-form rider eventually finding his form. For example, my first favourite was Paul Tyrer, who was often given a hard time at Belle Vue by sections of the crowd. I supported him because of this. It added interest to the evening. Likewise with Ryan Fisher and Chris Manchester, when they had disastrous spells at Belle Vue. In fact, some of my best speedway was watching some of the weakest BV sides that were near the bottom.

But I see where you're coming from. A guy that stood beside us at Belle Vue once threatened he wouldn't bother coming again if a certain rider was in the team the following week. I suppose Poole fans are going through a bit of this now, judging by Matt Ford's uncertainty.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, moxey63 said:

Speedway is really doomed then, if what you said is true. It is supposedly a team sport where secondly individual riders can chase certain glory in the likes of the GPs. Once we had the Team Exide thing with Hancock and Hamill 20 years ago and the bikes began resembling the plastic Sinclair C5s of the mid-80s, perhaps it began going like other highly-polished motorsports where image overshadowed personality.

As for an off-form rider and people wanting them replaced as soon as. Me, personally, I loved watching an off-form rider eventually finding his form. For example, my first favourite was Paul Tyrer, who was often given a hard time at Belle Vue by sections of the crowd. I supported him because of this. It added interest to the evening. Likewise with Ryan Fisher and Chris Manchester, when they had disastrous spells at Belle Vue. In fact, some of my best speedway was watching some of the weakest BV sides that were near the bottom.

But I see where you're coming from. A guy that stood beside us at Belle Vue once threatened he wouldn't bother coming again if a certain rider was in the team the following week. I suppose Poole fans are going through a bit of this now, judging by Matt Ford's uncertainty.

 

...I personally felt that the middle order riders were the ones who often gave loyal service in the past and get easly passed over when talking of the 'greats'. Oxford had a great servant in Rick Timmo and riders like him were the life blood of the sport.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, waytogo28 said:

It seems clear that the problem in Poland is not a lack of fans but the ridiculous level of payment they make to riders. At a £1,000 a point even with a 10,000 crowd you barely pay the wages bill. Home & Away. Poles are paying less than £10 to get in, we have been told. 

BANKROLLED by sponsors, TV money and wealthy local basinessmen ... bit like England's Premier League only on a much lower scale.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, steve roberts said:

...plus the fact that one could associate with the riders who often rode for the same team before the points limit dictated team make-ups which was not always based upon ability but rather on a convenient workable average especially within the middle order and reserve department. The one junior per team (although admirable in conception) was a classic example.

I was fortunate at Oxford and White City as I saw the development of riders thru' the old second halves and our association with sister clubs Eastbourne and Peterborough. Riders who progressed into the main body included Gordon Kennett, Malcolm Ballard (whatever happened to him?), John Davis, Richard Greer, Trevor Geer, Paul Gachet and Steve Weatherley to name a few plus many others who turned out for various other teams (Bobby McNeil and Roger Johns for example)

The riders you mentioned there, Steve, had the ambition to race in the top flight and were seen as part of your team for the oncoming years. In 1976 we had it with the likes of Chris Turner and Les Collins at Belle Vue. In 2018 it isn't the same, as most double-up and downers use it as another paynight and will be off elsewhere in 12 months. And I feel a lot of fans know the difference. A rider from the lower division doesn't need the ambition to ride in the top flight now, as he can do both throughout his career if he wishes. It's simply the best of both worlds.

Edited by moxey63
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

BSPA General Council meeting today ... will anything happen and if it does will they even tell us?

This could be just a ploy by the Tory party to take the limelight off them for a day or two. Nobody does a cock-up better than the BSPA.

  • Like 2
  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

59 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

BSPA General Council meeting today ... will anything happen and if it does will they even tell us?

Is the General Council different to the Management Committee?  Is the GC the full BSPA?

Where can you go to see an Organisation Chart showing how the sports' authorities are structured?

Edited by Stoke Potter
Added question
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Stoke Potter said:

Is the General Council different to the Management Committee?  Is the GC the full BSPA?

Where can you go to see an Organisation Chart showing how the sports' authorities are structured?

The ACU (Auto Cycle Union) is the internationally recognised ruling body of all motorcycle sport in Great Britain and it is affiliate to the F.I. M which is the International ruling body for motorcycle sport. 

The ACU has delegated the Speedway Control Bureau to control the sport of motorcycle Speedway in this country. The SCB has in turn delegated the BSPA manage the day to day running of the sport.

Details of the SCB and its officials can be found on the SCB website and in the Speedway regulations which are available on line . The BSPA is a bit more secretive and doesn't say much about itself on  it website, and  generally acts under a cloak of semi secrecy. A lot of its disciplinary decisions for example  as well as results of protests and complaints handling never seem to be made public.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

54 minutes ago, E I Addio said:

The ACU (Auto Cycle Union) is the internationally recognised ruling body of all motorcycle sport in Great Britain and it is affiliate to the F.I. M which is the International ruling body for motorcycle sport. 

The ACU has delegated the Speedway Control Bureau to control the sport of motorcycle Speedway in this country. The SCB has in turn delegated the BSPA manage the day to day running of the sport.

Details of the SCB and its officials can be found on the SCB website and in the Speedway regulations which are available on line . The BSPA is a bit more secretive and doesn't say much about itself on  it website, and  generally acts under a cloak of semi secrecy. A lot of its disciplinary decisions for example  as well as results of protests and complaints handling never seem to be made public.

Accordingly, each season  the SCB produces a Rule Book entitled The Speedway Regulations, that covers all the rules applicable to the sport in Great Britain. It is available in booklet form at a small cost from the SCB Office or as a fre download from the SCB Website www.scbgb.co.uk

Financed entirely by fees generated through the issue of Track Licences, Rider Registrations and Officials Licences the SCB seeks to act as the independent body to ensure that the BSPA, Member’s Tracks, Riders and Officials all act within the Rules and Regulations of the SCB and most importantly within the best interest of Speedway motorcycle racing.

The SCB is managed on a day to day basis by the SCB Co-ordinator (Neil Vatcher: neil@scbgb.co.uk) and an Administrator (Nikki Jameison: info@scbgb.co.uk). They are augmented in specialist areas by Track Inspectors (Alan Bridgett: alan@scbgb.co.uk & Mick Bates: mick@scbgb.co.uk) and a Technical Advisor (Jim McMillan: jim@scbgb.co.uk).

Further specialist advice concerning Medical and Environmental matters are obtained via the ACU Committees; Environmental Advisor (Peter Gregory: pgregory@ntlworld.com), Medical Panel Secretary (Debbie Walmsley:  dg@acu.org.uk)

The Bureau consists of 4 nominated Members, two representing the ACU are Tony Steele and Graham Reeve (ACU Members) whilst Alex Harkess (BSPA President) and Gordon Pairman (BSPA Promoter) represent the British Speedway Promoters Association under the independent Chairmanship of Tony Gillias (a former Rider with Coventry & Scunthorpe).

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, E I Addio said:

The ACU (Auto Cycle Union) is the internationally recognised ruling body of all motorcycle sport in Great Britain and it is affiliate to the F.I. M which is the International ruling body for motorcycle sport. 

The ACU has delegated the Speedway Control Bureau to control the sport of motorcycle Speedway in this country. The SCB has in turn delegated the BSPA manage the day to day running of the sport.

Details of the SCB and its officials can be found on the SCB website and in the Speedway regulations which are available on line . The BSPA is a bit more secretive and doesn't say much about itself on  it website, and  generally acts under a cloak of semi secrecy. A lot of its disciplinary decisions for example  as well as results of protests and complaints handling never seem to be made public.

MANY moons ago the RAC was the ultimate authority for all motorsport, two wheels and four, in the UK. The Secretary of the RAC was also the appointed Chairman of the Speedway Control Board. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, PHILIPRISING said:

THAT ain't the half of it!

Come on, ALL of us that have been around for 40+ years are cynical!  Thing is, I know that, the older we get, the more cynical we get, but in the case of British speedway, there are very good reasons for our cynicism!

Steve

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

MANY moons ago the RAC was the ultimate authority for all motorsport, two wheels and four, in the UK. The Secretary of the RAC was also the appointed Chairman of the Speedway Control Board. 

Ah, the days of Mr. Nelson Mills Baldwin OBE...

Steve

Edited by chunky
Link to comment
Share on other sites

41 minutes ago, chunky said:

Ah, the days of Mr. Nelson Mills Baldwin OBE...

Steve

AND Michael Limb, MBE ... a great Chairman who actually got involved and run a very tight ship at the SCB with Dick Bracher as Secretary. Trust me, none off today's nonsense would be taking place on his watch.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:

AND Michael Limb, MBE ... a great Chairman who actually got involved and run a very tight ship at the SCB with Dick Bracher as Secretary. Trust me, none off today's nonsense would be taking place on his watch.

...what the same Dick Bracher who initially refused both Per Jonsson and Jimmy Nilsen racing permits until pressure was exerted in the way of a local MP amongst others?

To quote Bob Radford

"...his judgement on Per and Jimmy stands as testimony to his lack of knowledge and understanding of speedway racing and the riders"

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy