mikebv Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 9 hours ago, Ghosty said: I said that every effort should be made in 2021 to get those 3 tracks up & running in 2022. To know "your team" has 5 of it's riders borrowed from the other league for the night doesn't give the fans any ownership of their team, as you say just as well get 14 riders turn up & pick your team on the night. Moves have to be taken that riders can earn a wage riding for one UK team. Sadly what we have is the obvious legacy to years of running the sport with a very narrow insular view which, when added to a lack of any clear direction, resulted in what we have today.. And you wont solve these issues 'overnight', however.. There does appear to be more of a forward thinking collection of promoters out there nowadays, who can see the bigger picture that they desperately need to follow.. This year might end up "a bit Mickey Mouse" given teams may end up sharing riders all over the place to get meetings on... But let's be honest it's been "a bit Mickey Mouse" for many years hasnt it? So lets give them a bit of slack this season with the hope a 'new dawn' is around the corner.. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShyTalk Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 On 2/1/2021 at 10:26 AM, Sings4Speedway said: The only benefit i can see of an app would be to remove the need for a physical program. A scorecard with the actual riders and updated meeting scores and actual times so that nobody has to rely on shoddy PA systems. They would get around any cancellation and reprints plus the dreaded insert. Obviously there are plenty who still enjoy the physical program but in a green sustainable world e-programs feel like the future. Forgive my technical ignorance, but what is the advantage of using an app, as opposed to just accessing a website? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringitsneck Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 14 hours ago, Ghosty said: I said that every effort should be made in 2021 to get those 3 tracks up & running in 2022. To know "your team" has 5 of it's riders borrowed from the other league for the night doesn't give the fans any ownership of their team, as you say just as well get 14 riders turn up & pick your team on the night. Moves have to be taken that riders can earn a wage riding for one UK team. So you want a wage cap ( your point 3 ) but then want riders to earn a wage in one league? Can’t have both surely ? your other 6 points aren’t going to happen in our life time either unless there’s a total change at the top of speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted February 16, 2021 Report Share Posted February 16, 2021 Just heard on the radio, the government are briefing the media that fans will be allowed back to sporting events from June. I wonder if the sport will push the season back by 1 month or try and run behind closed doors for a month? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enotian Posted February 16, 2021 Report Share Posted February 16, 2021 On 2/13/2021 at 12:04 PM, ShyTalk said: Forgive my technical ignorance, but what is the advantage of using an app, as opposed to just accessing a website? functionality on a hand held device. It's basically a user interface, and accessing a website is what your grandad used to do when he was a lad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 6 hours ago, iainb said: Just heard on the radio, the government are briefing the media that fans will be allowed back to sporting events from June. I wonder if the sport will push the season back by 1 month or try and run behind closed doors for a month? Don’t think any Club will want to run behind closed Doors IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 Early days I know but doesn’t sound good for Cardiff GP this year, maybe a few thousand in speedway stadiums but not 40 thousand ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, Fromafar said: Don’t think any Club will want to run behind closed Doors IMO. I agree, makes you wonder whether British Speedway will start something they possibly can't finish then... I wonder if there's a plan? Edited February 17, 2021 by iainb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 7 minutes ago, iainb said: I agree, makes you wonder whether British Speedway will start something they possibly can't finish then... I wonder if there's a plan? Plan B or C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 The biggest problem for the British domestic season is not starting, but keeping going. ( see for example spectators being thrown out mid session in the Australian open tennis and Leipzig having to stage their home leg in Hungary because Liverpool FC weren't allowed into Germany.) In some ways, the later the start the better, because it reduces the risk of short notice re-imposition of restrictions. Even then there are no guarantees ( what if a vaccine resistant strain emerges?) I suspect that with Cardiff the biggest problem is the inability to get cancellation insurance (which is what did for Glastonbury) to guard against such issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) 16 hours ago, iainb said: Just heard on the radio, the government are briefing the media that fans will be allowed back to sporting events from June. I wonder if the sport will push the season back by 1 month or try and run behind closed doors for a month? I'd think the main problem is that the UK government has proved totally inconsistent and unreliable when it comes to deciding something. We were all told that 'Christmas wasn't cancelled' and everyone made plans, only for that to be changed a couple of days before. Same with the schools 'definitely opening' and then being closed one day later... Even the whole story about the vaccine is inconsistent and has changed several times, with one minister saying one thing and another saying another. What sensible business is going to plan events that rely on spectators - with the inherent costs that entails - in this climate? If I were speedway, which is pretty much totally reliant on spectators for its income, I wouldn't even be bothering to try to run this season. Edited February 17, 2021 by Humphrey Appleby 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 32 minutes ago, Humphrey Appleby said: I'd think the main problem is that the UK government has proved totally inconsistent and unreliable when it comes to deciding something. We were all told that 'Christmas wasn't cancelled' and everyone made plans, only for that to be changed a couple of days before. Same with the schools 'definitely opening' and then being closed one day later... Even the whole story about the vaccine is inconsistent and has changed several times, with one minister saying one thing and another saying another. What sensible business is going to plan events that rely on spectators - with the inherent costs that entails - in this climate? If I were speedway, which is pretty much totally reliant on spectators for its income, I wouldn't even be bothering to try to run this season. Tend to agree,things certainly are going to be far from normal for the rest of this year.Big gamble to rely on main income from fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGould Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 32 minutes ago, Humphrey Appleby said: I'd think the main problem is that the UK government has proved totally inconsistent and unreliable when it comes to deciding something. We were all told that 'Christmas wasn't cancelled' and everyone made plans, only for that to be changed a couple of days before. Same with the schools 'definitely opening' and then being closed one day later... Even the whole story about the vaccine is inconsistent and has changed several times, with one minister saying one thing and another saying another. What sensible business is going to plan events that rely on spectators - with the inherent costs that entails - in this climate? If I were speedway, which is pretty much totally reliant on spectators for its income, I wouldn't even be bothering to try to run this season. There is a lot of evidence in non League Soccer, Cricket (ECB) and other outdoor Sports that restricted Crowds will be permitted from early May. It's pretty nailed on that major Events won't be allowed any more than 33-50% capacity but as we've discussed many times before most Speedway venues can open and break even at 25-33% capacity. Allowances will have to be made for internal areas like Bars and Toilets. Take your own flask and sausage rolls if you have to. The biggest danger I think would be to abandon the season or to reduce it so much that the majority of venues can't open. That would probably be the death knell for most of them and a large number of semi professional riders (the vast majority) who would have no income from speedway for a second season and quite likely flog all their gear and never return and focus on the day job. If Europe remains slow to vaccinate; UK may yet find itself a safe haven where some will want to come and race. If 50% of the population and those with 90% of the deaths and infections so far are vaccinated by March and increasing number after it, can't see any reason or excuse not to start by June. It's then completely down to the individual to risk it or not. Where would I be safer, surrounded by mask-less kids and covididiots running round in Sainsburys and the CoOp or socially distanced with my friends outdoor on the steps at Perry Barr once a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 41 minutes ago, Humphrey Appleby said: I'd think the main problem is that the UK government has proved totally inconsistent and unreliable when it comes to deciding something. We were all told that 'Christmas wasn't cancelled' and everyone made plans, only for that to be changed a couple of days before. Same with the schools 'definitely opening' and then being closed one day later... Even the whole story about the vaccine is inconsistent and has changed several times, with one minister saying one thing and another saying another. What sensible business is going to plan events that rely on spectators - with the inherent costs that entails - in this climate? If I were speedway, which is pretty much totally reliant on spectators for its income, I wouldn't even be bothering to try to run this season. Agreed, I think it'd be more prudent for clubs to run their own regional competitions and open meetings this season, much like what happens in Australia and the USA. They don't have TV contracts to fulfil though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 2 hours ago, HGould said: That would probably be the death knell for most of them and a large number of semi professional riders (the vast majority) who would have no income from speedway for a second season and quite likely flog all their gear and never return and focus on the day job. Yes, but if you try to run in 2021, who's going to invest in new kit or get their engines tuned for a half-a-season or one that might be cut short at a moment's notice? As with many other people in the entertainment and sporting industries who've had to find alternative employment, it may already be too late. 2 hours ago, HGould said: If Europe remains slow to vaccinate; UK may yet find itself a safe haven where some will want to come and race. No-one is going to be travelling to the UK to race whilst quarantining is mandatory for a minimum of 10 days, especially now with the threat of being forced to stay in a hotel and pay for it yourself. And that's even before we get to the random transport cancellations that makes it nearly impossible to plan anything. 2 hours ago, HGould said: If 50% of the population and those with 90% of the deaths and infections so far are vaccinated by March and increasing number after it, can't see any reason or excuse not to start by June. It's still unclear whether the vaccinations prevent further infections or indeed completely reduce the risk of the recipient contracting COVID. The UK government is saying one thing on one hand, and then on the other saying the lifting of all restrictions is not likely for another year (and they said that last year too). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 2 hours ago, iainb said: Agreed, I think it'd be more prudent for clubs to run their own regional competitions and open meetings this season, much like what happens in Australia and the USA. They don't have TV contracts to fulfil though. The reason that fully professional sports have been allowed to continue is partly because so much television money is at stake, and partly to keep the population 'entertained'. Fully professional squads also allow 'bubbles' to be formed and routine testing to be carried out, but that's not possible for semi-professional sports where the competitors have other jobs, and certainly not speedway where everyone travels independently to the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humphrey Appleby Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, HGould said: It's then completely down to the individual to risk it or not. Where would I be safer, surrounded by mask-less kids and covididiots running round in Sainsburys and the CoOp or socially distanced with my friends outdoor on the steps at Perry Barr once a week. You could have said that was the case all along, but that hasn't prevented the country from being locked down under the guise of 'protecting the NHS' (which actually is a legitimate consideration). Whilst that philosophy remains and the government's scientific's advisors continue to predict doom, I don't see a lot changing until much later this year. Edited February 17, 2021 by Humphrey Appleby 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 3 hours ago, iainb said: Agreed, I think it'd be more prudent for clubs to run their own regional competitions and open meetings this season, much like what happens in Australia and the USA. They don't have TV contracts to fulfil though. The leagues should have been regionalised for this season. If parts of the country are in different tiers with no spectators allowed, it would be financial suicide for some clubs to run meetings behind closed doors. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 25 minutes ago, cityrebel said: The leagues should have been regionalised for this season. If parts of the country are in different tiers with no spectators allowed, it would be financial suicide for some clubs to run meetings behind closed doors. Personally don’t think any club will want to run without spectators, this season could become very disjointed if you bring in different tier situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 2 hours ago, Fromafar said: Personally don’t think any club will want to run without spectators, this season could become very disjointed if you bring in different tier situation. I'd be suprised if the whole nation (including Scotland) came out of lockdown in the same tier. Surely the infection rates will differ by region. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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