Sings4Speedway Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 11 hours ago, Speedtiger said: Good question! I hear people saying uk speedway admission is generally overpriced and should be £10. But compared with other sports £18 to £22 range is good value. The track and racing at BV is so good I think the admission is very fair. I certainly don’t think the admission cost is to blame for the mess Speedway is in! As said many times before Speedway isn't comparable to most sports. The action time vs cost is getting out of hand in some places. Sister sports like grasstrack are usually under £15 and for 40+ races, Stocks and bangers again far more races for the entry fee's. The fact is that the sport currently is competing with other amateur ventures but attempting to charge professional prices. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, Sings4Speedway said: As said many times before Speedway isn't comparable to most sports. The action time vs cost is getting out of hand in some places. Sister sports like grasstrack are usually under £15 and for 40+ races, Stocks and bangers again far more races for the entry fee's. The fact is that the sport currently is competing with other amateur ventures but attempting to charge professional prices. Spot on... Should just sell the spectacle... Which currently gets completely diluted by trying to shoe horn it into a team concept... (A very, very inadequate, and nowhere near fit for purpose team concept which does the actual spectacle absolutely no favours).. Running once a month at the NSS for example, at weekends, with circa 40 races on show of differing levels eg kids to juniors to experts, (maybe a 'Festival Of Speedway' over two days?), in competitions with some authenticity, would generate pretty decent crowds I would think.. Ran once a month, with credibility, and properly marketed in the weeks leading up to it, with circa four thousand in attendance, would deliver a much better impression of the sport and enhance its brand far more to help it's long term sustainability than running contrived meetings, four times a month on a Monday or a Thursday, with a thousand at each meeting.. Run one 'biggie' individual during the season, and bang in a couple of Test Matches, and maybe it could kick start a renaissance of the sport in this country.. There definitely is still a fairly large following out there for Speedway, its just not being engaged by the current way it is ran.. So find an operating model that does.. Edited June 12, 2019 by mikebv 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 4 minutes ago, mikebv said: Spot on... Should just sell the spectacle... Which currently gets completely diluted by trying to shoe horn it into a team concept... (A very, very inadequate, and nowhere near fit for purpose team concept which does the actual spectacle absolutely no favours).. Running once a month at the NSS for example, at weekends, with circa 40 races on show of differing levels (maybe a 'Festival Of Speedway' over two days?), in competitions with some authenticity, would generate pretty decent crowds I would think.. Ran once a month, and with credibility, with four thousand in attendance, would deliver a much better impression of the sport and enhance its brand far more to help it's long term sustainability than running contrived meetings, four times a month with a thousand at each meeting.. Run one 'biggie' individual during the season, and bang in a couple of Test Matches, and maybe it could kick start a renaissance of the sport in this country.. My only disappointment is that i can only like the above once. Ive thought very similar for a long time and buried somewhere is an equivalent post. Qualifying rounds, differing levels, handicap races, sidecars whatever it takes make it razzle dazzle. Look at the X games and arena cross. They pack huge stadia and in reality is no more thrilling than speedway. 4 riders could go round a 100 meter circular track and make it entertaining if the abilities and bikes were matched. Bring back the pantomime villains, arm waving and just entertainment. If newbies go and think its alright they won't come back, if they attend and leave thinking its amazing they will return and will bring others. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 28 minutes ago, mikebv said: Spot on... Should just sell the spectacle... Which currently gets completely diluted by trying to shoe horn it into a team concept... (A very, very inadequate, and nowhere near fit for purpose team concept which does the actual spectacle absolutely no favours).. Running once a month at the NSS for example, at weekends, with circa 40 races on show of differing levels eg kids to juniors to experts, (maybe a 'Festival Of Speedway' over two days?), in competitions with some authenticity, would generate pretty decent crowds I would think.. Ran once a month, with credibility, and properly marketed in the weeks leading up to it, with circa four thousand in attendance, would deliver a much better impression of the sport and enhance its brand far more to help it's long term sustainability than running contrived meetings, four times a month on a Monday or a Thursday, with a thousand at each meeting.. Run one 'biggie' individual during the season, and bang in a couple of Test Matches, and maybe it could kick start a renaissance of the sport in this country.. There definitely is still a fairly large following out there for Speedway, its just not being engaged by the current way it is ran.. So find an operating model that does.. 100% correct. I've made a similar case on the forum before for a festival-style model offering much better value to the whole family. Sadly, sensible voices like this get drowned out by a dying generation of hard core followers who get their knickers in a twist over trivialities like doubling up. The sport in Britain needs revolution not evolution. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 6 home meetings a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Eck Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 1 hour ago, mikebv said: Spot on... Should just sell the spectacle... Which currently gets completely diluted by trying to shoe horn it into a team concept... (A very, very inadequate, and nowhere near fit for purpose team concept which does the actual spectacle absolutely no favours).. Running once a month at the NSS for example, at weekends, with circa 40 races on show of differing levels eg kids to juniors to experts, (maybe a 'Festival Of Speedway' over two days?), in competitions with some authenticity, would generate pretty decent crowds I would think.. Ran once a month, with credibility, and properly marketed in the weeks leading up to it, with circa four thousand in attendance, would deliver a much better impression of the sport and enhance its brand far more to help it's long term sustainability than running contrived meetings, four times a month on a Monday or a Thursday, with a thousand at each meeting.. Run one 'biggie' individual during the season, and bang in a couple of Test Matches, and maybe it could kick start a renaissance of the sport in this country.. There definitely is still a fairly large following out there for Speedway, its just not being engaged by the current way it is ran.. So find an operating model that does.. That really would only work (maybe) on one track in the country. Are you suggesting the other 22 close down? Many people suggest that UK should copy Poland - but Poland thrives on team racing. Individual meetings are just an add on and seldom attract big crowds. In UK, supporters don’t turn out in big numbers for individual events either - compare crowd levels for play-offs versus league riders’ championships But, if you really believe a two day festival of speedway as you envisage it would work - sidecars, juniors, and solos - why not get a group of like minded individuals and rent the NSS for a couple of days and run the event? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray c Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 15 minutes ago, Wee Eck said: That really would only work (maybe) on one track in the country. Are you suggesting the other 22 close down? Many people suggest that UK should copy Poland - but Poland thrives on team racing. Individual meetings are just an add on and seldom attract big crowds. In UK, supporters don’t turn out in big numbers for individual events either - compare crowd levels for play-offs versus league riders’ championships But, if you really believe a two day festival of speedway as you envisage it would work - sidecars, juniors, and solos - why not get a group of like minded individuals and rent the NSS for a couple of days and run the event? some people are now clutching at straws Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray c Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 why is all this on the poole thread anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 14 minutes ago, Wee Eck said: That really would only work (maybe) on one track in the country. Are you suggesting the other 22 close down? Many people suggest that UK should copy Poland - but Poland thrives on team racing. Individual meetings are just an add on and seldom attract big crowds. In UK, supporters don’t turn out in big numbers for individual events either - compare crowd levels for play-offs versus league riders’ championships But, if you really believe a two day festival of speedway as you envisage it would work - sidecars, juniors, and solos - why not get a group of like minded individuals and rent the NSS for a couple of days and run the event? Whilst there are no bad ideas on saving the sport the UK will never compete with Poland in terms of team support. It is institutionalised in Poland plus most clubs have the support of the local councils (financially and otherwise) as opposed to the UK where its the total opposite and it takes immense amounts of work to keep tracks open. The vast majority of venues are open as either dual concerns or supported by backers who are prepared to lose a fortune. I would personally love to promote an individual event but have neither the time or backing at present to do so (plus it would probably have to sneak under another banner to avoid the anger of the current authorities who do everything to prevent progress). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, ray c said: why is all this on the poole thread anyway Distraction from the poor state of the track. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie456 Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 Just asking for advice from Poole fans.Am travelling down on Monday for Wolves meeting usually come down M5 then past blunsdon ,Salisbury and Ringwood.Is that the best route or is there quicker way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waytogo28 Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 16 minutes ago, Sings4Speedway said: I would personally love to promote an individual event but have neither the time or backing at present to do so (plus it would probably have to sneak under another banner to avoid the anger of the current authorities who do everything to prevent progress). Indeed, any two day event or even a 2 or 3 hour event with the name "Speedwinks~ or "Tiddlyway" would incur the wrath of the Top of the Toppermost ( Mssrs Chapman & Godfrey ). Never mind filming it or broadcasting it in any shape or form. I suspect all participating riders would also get banned. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aviator Posted June 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 12 minutes ago, Wolfie456 said: Just asking for advice from Poole fans.Am travelling down on Monday for Wolves meeting usually come down M5 then past blunsdon ,Salisbury and Ringwood.Is that the best route or is there quicker way? There are “faster” routes but they often get clogged up with late afternoon traffic. To be honest, in terms of journey time I think your route is as good as any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie456 Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 6 minutes ago, Aviator said: There are “faster” routes but they often get clogged up with late afternoon traffic. To be honest, in terms of journey time I think your route is as good as any. Cheers thanks for reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Wee Eck said: That really would only work (maybe) on one track in the country. Are you suggesting the other 22 close down? Many people suggest that UK should copy Poland - but Poland thrives on team racing. Individual meetings are just an add on and seldom attract big crowds. In UK, supporters don’t turn out in big numbers for individual events either - compare crowd levels for play-offs versus league riders’ championships But, if you really believe a two day festival of speedway as you envisage it would work - sidecars, juniors, and solos - why not get a group of like minded individuals and rent the NSS for a couple of days and run the event? Don't think anyone would seriously say we should follow Poland.. The sport wouldn't last a month... Woffy's one match salary alone would need every club in the land to pay it as Wroclaw would have a crowd of more than double what the whole of Premiership would get combined at home in a week.. Sadly, don't have the money to set up as an 'independent' and let's face it, anyone trying to muscle in would face insurmountable opposition.. However, if I was burning money hand over fist doing the same thing over and over again I might consider trying something different and even if I end up burning more cash, at least I had tried to see if another way would work... But, ultimately you are right, probably best keep running the sport in the country the way it has been now for donkeys years without any radical, innovative changes.... Especially, as it's all going so very, very well. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 32 minutes ago, mikebv said: Don't think anyone would seriously say we should follow Poland.. The sport wouldn't last a month... Woffy's one match salary alone would need every club in the land to pay it as Wroclaw would have a crowd of more than double what the whole of Premiership would get combined at home in a week.. Sadly, don't have the money to set up as an 'independent' and let's face it, anyone trying to muscle in would face insurmountable opposition.. However, if I was burning money hand over fist doing the same thing over and over again I might consider trying something different and even if I end up burning more cash, at least I had tried to see if another way would work... But, ultimately you are right, probably best keep running the sport in the country the way it has been now for donkeys years without any radical, innovative changes.... Especially, as it's all going so very, very well. . Maybe every promoter could promote a meeting monthly with solos, sidecars, juniors etc but would that keep our speedways going, I'd hate it, I want team speedway myself .... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 3 hours ago, Wolfie456 said: Just asking for advice from Poole fans.Am travelling down on Monday for Wolves meeting usually come down M5 then past blunsdon ,Salisbury and Ringwood.Is that the best route or is there quicker way? Try and get past Ringwood before 5pm!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aviator Posted June 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 3 hours ago, Wolfie456 said: Just asking for advice from Poole fans.Am travelling down on Monday for Wolves meeting usually come down M5 then past blunsdon ,Salisbury and Ringwood.Is that the best route or is there quicker way? To avoid Ringwood, you could take the Blandford Forum road as you leave Salisbury. From Blandford Forum simply follow the signs for Poole. You will know when you are approaching Poole as you will see a dust cloud!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tellboy Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 2 hours ago, mikebv said: Don't think anyone would seriously say we should follow Poland.. The sport wouldn't last a month... Woffy's one match salary alone would need every club in the land to pay it as Wroclaw would have a crowd of more than double what the whole of Premiership would get combined at home in a week.. Sadly, don't have the money to set up as an 'independent' and let's face it, anyone trying to muscle in would face insurmountable opposition.. However, if I was burning money hand over fist doing the same thing over and over again I might consider trying something different and even if I end up burning more cash, at least I had tried to see if another way would work... But, ultimately you are right, probably best keep running the sport in the country the way it has been now for donkeys years without any radical, innovative changes.... Especially, as it's all going so very, very well. . What sort of changes would you suggest? With Poland it is totally different,don't think the clubs would survive there if it wasn't for things like TV,and government fundings.Basically clubs wouldn't be able to pay their riders the vast amounts they are supposedly on just from admission from fans alone. We really need the big company sponsors of years ago to get the sport back on it's feet here i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted June 12, 2019 Report Share Posted June 12, 2019 (edited) 19 minutes ago, tellboy said: What sort of changes would you suggest? With Poland it is totally different,don't think the clubs would survive there if it wasn't for things like TV,and government fundings.Basically clubs wouldn't be able to pay their riders the vast amounts they are supposedly on just from admission from fans alone. We really need the big company sponsors of years ago to get the sport back on it's feet here i think. No big company would touch it with a barge pole... Taking away the fact the level of crowds attending, the media interest that gets generated currently, and the small TV audiences that watch it wouldn't justify their sponsorship outlay given the lack of brand awareness delivered... Just put yourself in a major company CEO's shoes going into last year's play offs where you have your name (and therefore 'brand values' in the publics eyes) emblazoned across all the pre meeting publicity, and then get told by the sports governing body that they have sanctioned that both teams will be sharing two competitors and swapping them during 'half time'... Neither of whom are actually contracted to either of the finalists by the way, but ringers brought in for the occasion.. The watching public would consider the final a laughing stock and your companies name will be associated with it.. And this scenario was actually signed off by those who run the sport don't forget... I would suggest Speedway is a long, long way off from getting any major sponsorship given its operating model allows such things to take place.. I would also suggest if Poland ran Britain's current operating model it too would be in a similar position.. Hence it doesn't. .. Edited June 12, 2019 by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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