The Dog Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Jimsboy said: seriously I know I know, was just hoping it wasn't all down to the Speedway side of things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 21 minutes ago, Halifaxtiger said: I agree with much of what you have said but you have to question why Eastbourne are on the verge of closure when 70 miles along the south coast it is - by all accounts - boom time at Isle of Wight (I am reliably informed that last nights attendance was the biggest ever under the present promotion). Smallbrook is no less inaccessible than Arlington, and you need a car to get there (you can walk but having done so a few times I certainly wouldn't recommend it - with no streetlights and no pavements, its like a rather nasty game of chicken with speeding motorists). I think the stupid BSPL decision to run before Covid restrictions were removed and before the vaccination programme got into its stride hamstrung Eastbourne (and indeed all the other clubs) That meant reduced capacity (Wolverhampton, for instance, described that as a 'financial disaster') and people - rightly or wrongly - still being nervous about attending spectator events. Isle of Wight, in contrast, waited until all Covid controls were lifted and more had been vaccinated, and therefore suffered no limited attendances nor misgivings about actually being there, nor were they burdened by financial loss in the early part of the season. Covid has actually worked in Isle of Wight's favour, at least to a point. Its likely that the amount of domestic holidays in 2021 has been greater than at any time since the early 1970's (every day I seem to read about how packed Cornwall is) and the Warriors have really cashed in on it. You have to ask why Eastbourne - which is in no less of a holiday area - have not done the same. Part of the reason might be Isle of Wight's furious attempts to publicise the sport on the Island, recognising that many visitors might be unaware of the speedway's existence. In my many trips to Eastbourne, I don't recall any such attempts at all. Then there's the fact that Isle of Wight have substantially diversified their activities on race night. That might not be to everyone's taste (me included) but is anyone going to suggest it doesn't work ? The main factor, though, I think is financial responsibility and that is taken extremely seriously by the Isle of Wight promotion. Whatever else might have been said about the Warriors, they operate on the basis that income must reasonably cover expenditure. To me, its seems clear that Eastbourne grossly overestimated income and/or grossly underestimated expenditure and that's why one club is in the black (more than that, much more, I suspect) and the other is on the brink of closing down. iow is speedway ran on a holiday island in holiday time . As for covid Eastbourne crowds were bigger at the start before covid restrictions were lifted .Do you really think that the iow circus act would work elsewhere ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 1 minute ago, orion said: iow is speedway ran on a holiday island in holiday time . As for covid Eastbourne crowds were bigger at the start before covid restrictions were lifted .Do you really think that the iow circus act would work elsewhere ? I don't think that IOW's 'circus' would work everywhere else. What i do think/know is that they know their audience and how best to please them / attract greater numbers. Its obvious that under the BSPL handcuffs that wasn't possible and is proving the same for a number of other clubs. I know fans can be fickle, there were calls at several NDL teams to step up to CL level for multiple reasons and yet the step up has brought financial issues to most of these (publicised or otherwise). What has often been needed is a brutal dose of honesty, we would like to move up but we just can't afford it or this is the best team we can build without breaking the club. Circus or otherwise IOW have two ringmasters who are calling their own shots, riders prepared to entertain and not be intimidated by the mafia and the only ones left looking like clowns are the BSPL. 6 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) 18 minutes ago, orion said: iow is speedway ran on a holiday island in holiday time . As for covid Eastbourne crowds were bigger at the start before covid restrictions were lifted .Do you really think that the iow circus act would work elsewhere ? Wolverhampton promoter Chris Van Straaten said : “It’s a dire situation for us, we are suffering severe losses every time we stage a home meeting because we simply cannot get any more supporters in due to the restrictions. Eastbourne is no less speedway in a holiday destination in a holiday time. I don't know if it would work elsewhere but I know it definitely works on the Island and what we presently have is, at best, scarcely working anywhere. Just because you regard it is a 'circus' and don't like it is absolutely no reason to dismiss it as a way forward for the rest of the sport. The way I see it, the one thing that speedway cannot do is continue as it is. Edited August 25, 2021 by Halifaxtiger 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 1 minute ago, Halifaxtiger said: According to Wolverhampton promoter Chris Van Straaten, running with a Covid reduced capacity lost him thousands and was a 'financial disaster'. Eastbourne is no less speedway in a holiday destination in a holiday time. I don't know if it would work elsewhere but I know it definitely works on the Island and what we presently have is, at best, scarcely working anywhere. Just because you regard it is a 'circus' and don't like it is absolutely no reason to dismiss it as a way forward for the rest of the sport. The way I see it, the one thing that speedway cannot do is continue as it is. It certainly is not a circus tiger is it? being prudent listening to what the people want god that is a pretty good model.Speedway here has to change but we have been saying that for 30 years plus nothing happens.Come Nov/Dec the promoters meet tinker around with the rules and that is it that can’t go on for much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: It certainly is not a circus tiger is it? being prudent listening to what the people want god that is a pretty good model.Speedway here has to change but we have been saying that for 30 years plus nothing happens.Come Nov/Dec the promoters meet tinker around with the rules and that is it that can’t go on for much longer. I would not term it as such but I have to admit that speedway for me is 15 heats with 14 blokes, nothing more. The difference between me and some others, though, is that I will embrace changes of the kind that Isle of Wight have introduced if it is going to benefit the sport and they won't, despite the fact that they know only too well that the one thing that speedway cannot do is carry on the way it is. You would think that the near closure of Birmingham and Newcastle and Eastbourne now in the balance - I am told they are relying on someone taking over - might have changed a few minds but it seems not. Edited August 25, 2021 by Halifaxtiger 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Halifaxtiger said: I would not term it as such but I have to admit that speedway for me is 15 heats with 14 blokes, nothing more. The difference between me and some others, though, is that I will embrace changes of the kind that Isle of Wight have introduced if it is going to benefit the sport and they won't, despite the fact that they know only too well that the one thing that speedway cannot do is continue as it is. Totally right for me speedway is just four guys giving there all entertaining us.Like you i like a meeting to start at 7.30 finish say at 9.30 job done come hopefully seeing a few good races.I have grand kids now and if you take them get them to enjoy it the speedway and other activities it has to be good something for everyone.My wife who is not a massive fan would love that model now at IOW go off and have a nose around at the other activities with money being spent makes sense.Both my boys followed speedway from 1995/ 2008 and are now aged 29 and 27 they don’t go they say it is overpriced and they both have other things to do now.But both still follow the sport still know what’s going on which is bloody frustrating but as you said things need to change. Edited August 25, 2021 by Sidney the robin 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Halifaxtiger said: Wolverhampton promoter Chris Van Straaten said : “It’s a dire situation for us, we are suffering severe losses every time we stage a home meeting because we simply cannot get any more supporters in due to the restrictions. Eastbourne is no less speedway in a holiday destination in a holiday time. I don't know if it would work elsewhere but I know it definitely works on the Island and what we presently have is, at best, scarcely working anywhere. Just because you regard it is a 'circus' and don't like it is absolutely no reason to dismiss it as a way forward for the rest of the sport. The way I see it, the one thing that speedway cannot do is continue as it is. The subject is Eastbourne .. Eastbourne had bigger crowds at a early stage so there plight the subject we are talking about has little to do with covid just rank bad mangerment .. To much is made of what is going on in the iow .. its a captive audience in Holiday season .Fair play to the people who run it because they have maximize it but the chances of it working elsewhere are zero Edited August 25, 2021 by orion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnybegood Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 5 minutes ago, orion said: The subject is Eastbourne .. Eastbourne had bigger crowds at a early stage so there plight the subject we are talking about has little to do with covid just rank bad mangerment .. To much is made of what is going on in the iow .. its a captive audience in Holiday season .Fair play to the people who run it because they have maximize it but the chances of it working elsewhere are zero Everyone needs to embrace change .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bob at herne bay Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 1 hour ago, M.D said: I may be wrong but I thought that Martin didn't have anything to do with the Stadium anymore? I agree with you MD …. remember reading that Martin and Connor “stepped aside” when the successful NDL team was closed down afterJordan/ Fineing/Cook took the reins. Looking on the Companies House Website no sign of Martin Dugard as a director …. nor listed as a promoter . Must only be waiting for BSPL to approve the final statement from the club … with every other club cancelling their EB fixtures weeks in advance, and Tom Brennan unable to guest for Newcastle as not being registered in a teams 1-7? How the club has sunk so quickly from the start of 2021 with 2 teams lined up ….To such a position of debt …. We shall never know …… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crescent girl Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 1 minute ago, old bob at herne bay said: I agree with you MD …. remember reading that Martin and Connor “stepped aside” when the successful NDL team was closed down afterJordan/ Fineing/Cook took the reins. Looking on the Companies House Website no sign of Martin Dugard as a director …. nor listed as a promoter . Must only be waiting for BSPL to approve the final statement from the club … with every other club cancelling their EB fixtures weeks in advance, and Tom Brennan unable to guest for Newcastle as not being registered in a teams 1-7? How the club has sunk so quickly from the start of 2021 with 2 teams lined up ….To such a position of debt …. We shall never know …… Just not true. A tale that has grown wings. Any rider, currently in any 1-7 (including Eastbourne's, until anything changes permanently) can guest for anyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orion Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 6 minutes ago, Jonnybegood said: Everyone needs to embrace change .. Only if its for the better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 1 hour ago, orion said: iow is speedway ran on a holiday island in holiday time . As for covid Eastbourne crowds were bigger at the start before covid restrictions were lifted .Do you really think that the iow circus act would work elsewhere ? Stock Cars seem to work at Eastbourne... A proper "circus act"... Have you seen the bangers? The same track that is in exactly the same place, ie still miles away from the town, when either Stock Car racing or Speedway is there.. Yet one sport pays for itself and one obviously doesnt.. You can only therefore presume it's down to what's on offer, rather than how far from town it is.. Maybe that IOW "Circus" could work too given Eastbourne through this summer in particular will be packed with holiday makers..? I suppose sadly we will never know... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrybishop Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, mikebv said: Stock Cars seem to work at Eastbourne... A proper "circus act"... Have you seen the bangers? The same track that is in exactly the same place, ie still miles away from the town, when either Stock Car racing or Speedway is there.. Yet one sport pays for itself and one obviously doesnt.. You can only therefore presume it's down to what's on offer, rather than how far from town it is.. Maybe that IOW "Circus" could work too given Eastbourne through this summer in particular will be packed with holiday makers..? I suppose sadly we will never know... And the truth of this is.... we have based our "circus" on my experience travelling to speedway in the US, Canada, across Europe where with the exception of Poland it is run very successfully... I know its not for everyone but there is no reason AT ALL, why the "Circus" cannot be run at the same time as a league meeting... We do not proclaim to be the font of all knowledge, please remember we were in our view bullied out of the BSPL and then took the bull by the horns and sad no, no this isnt right and decided we will now run speedway how we wanted to run it 6 years ago but were stopped. There is no one to stop it now, and it will, without doubt, grow. Enjoy your speedway wherever you view it and keep supporting your clubs. Edited August 25, 2021 by barrybishop 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackett Posted August 25, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 Have no interest in "Banger Racing" but Bob + Martin both made it clear that bangers generated far more revenue than speedway ever did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torpointfanatic22 Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 12 hours ago, Hackett said: Praying for the miracle - but reading between the lines and seeing how speedway is organised I see today's non-announcement more about the SCB sorting out the situation with other promoters - lost points effecting the league and riders situations etc - rather than the delay being sorted to allow Eastbourne to find further funding. This is spot on. However I cannot help but think this is about finding a way for certain promoters not to lose out rather than any greater good. If I were in the Eastbourne team I'd be seeking legal advice for loss of earnings as right now they could be signing for other clubs and earning money, something they can't do while those while the BSPA / SCB mess about trying to find a way for them not to lose out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 So what if IoW is a circus... have you seen Nitro Circus? Pulls in the punters... The real Circus are the clowns running the BSPL vehicle until the wheels and doors fall off 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckerroo Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 I still cant see how theyve got in so deep, unless of course someones done a moonlight flit with the readies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 Where were all these controls regarding riders being paid,though the Team Captain had to watch over these situation and report any riders not being paid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee jay Posted August 25, 2021 Report Share Posted August 25, 2021 just to back up hackett's post , martin/connor put a couple of pictures up on social media during the n.l.years after murmurs of discontent from fans about having 3 and 4 week gaps between home meetings in july and august while the bangers and possibly a firework display ? took over . one showed the crowd literally shoulder to shoulder with no obvious gaps anywhere around the stadium . the other was a post meeting view of an empty stadium showing the mess left behined from the food and drinks which absolutely covered the floor as far as you could see in the photo . i remember thinking then that they must take in as much , if not more from the food and drink alone from a stock meeting than they do from the entrance money from the speedway . i'm absolutely gutted that it looks certain that it spells the end , i feel sorry for the fans of the cars as well as there's no way the stadium will stay open on the back of half a dozen or so meetings a year . after covid and a few leg problems plymouth away was going to be my big comeback meeting , now i read all the away fixtures have been wiped off teams fixture lists . following on from the wasps which was my local team i find it all very depressing . for all the outside criticism , and some from the inside that Tim , Bob & Martin received both clubs lasted precious little time after they had gone . right i'm off to cheer myself up which will probably consist of around 2,000 calories . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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