SteveLyric2 Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 13 hours ago, Haza said: How about some new original ideas that’s going to get the public interested - can’t just keep plodding along as we are - next season two rising stars per team no disrespect to the hopefully young rising star riders but it’s yet another devaluation of the product but will admission costs go down ? More likely to go up causing more fans to walk away - new ideas needed promotions need to think outside the box and it needs to be done now . In some threads it is suggested that the '2 Rising Stars per team' has been dumped - or at least deferred for a year due to the Covid shutdown!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 18 hours ago, Haza said: How about some new original ideas that’s going to get the public interested - can’t just keep plodding along as we are - next season two rising stars per team no disrespect to the hopefully young rising star riders but it’s yet another devaluation of the product but will admission costs go down ? More likely to go up causing more fans to walk away - new ideas needed promotions need to think outside the box and it needs to be done now . What do you suggest then Haza? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 Let's have some serious suggestions, forget "fun" speedway ala IOW, we can't have leagues of fun speedway. People say do what Poland do, they do nothing different to us but their towns' folk absolutely adore their clubs and the riders that race for them and they absolutely hate other clubs. Their supporters absolutely make it known with shouting, clapping and drumming what their riders mean to them! Hands up who shouts and claps their team on parade and after each race and between!! In my experience many British fans continue to chat amongst themselves when the parade is happening ffs!! Polish promoters don't have to try very hard to "promote", fans, riders and sponsors queue up to support the clubs, they don't even have to pay any rent as the stadiums are state owned!! For Polish promoters speedway is a piece of cake!! I've been to a Polish league meeting, I know what happens. Yes of course our promoters can do more, they can offer fans to do the track walk, to do the coin toss, to watch from the centre, kids to walk out as mascots, to have press conferences after their meetings, allow fans access to the pits before and after meetings, offer VIP packages, meals in their restaurants if they're lucky enough to have them, to entertain the kids with club mascots, to let the kids ride bikes and/or have running races round the track, to have a junior meeting after the main meeting, to have the mic man commentate on the meeting, to have the mic man engage with the fans etc etc! Are we using young people's social media outlets enough, tick tock, Instagram etc? My son thinks that the fact that motorbikes are taboo to parents these days they actively keep their children away from the sport, which is a problem football, cricket, tennis etc etc doesn't have! All we can hope is that councils might help our clubs survive by way of cheap hoarding advertising maybe, advertising in town centres, in schools etc. Of course we need more youngsters interested in racing in the sport but we 100% need more people supporting our teams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 40 minutes ago, Trees said: What do you suggest then Haza? One thing for certain the same old isn’t working and hasn’t been for a few seasons now so change has to come - Maybe a return of the Ko cup though with just 6 teams would be difficult - or 13 heats and a proper second half rider of the night final or perhaps 18 heat meetings but need to try something And some thing really revolutionary promotors putting a bit of effort in to promote the sport would be a starting point - return of themed nights like when Jonathan was there corny yes but the kids loved it though hang on not many kids now go so we are back to promotors promoting again - 15 heats more downgrading for 2022 for £20 or more only going to lead to even lower crowds if some effort isn’t made to up the value for money feeling . They have to try something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 Even the numbers up in the two top leagues Minimise doubling up Sort out the guest rule which has got ridiculous Clamp down hard on any club who can't prepare a track properly Schedule the fixtures better so riders arent missing with other commitments especially on Fridays and Saturdays Provide more variety to the season with cups, 4TT, pairs, inter league comps etc. Make racesuits compulsory That's just some ideas for a start, not everyone will agree and they wont all work but some certainly will. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haza Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 26 minutes ago, Trees said: Let's have some serious suggestions, forget "fun" speedway ala IOW, we can't have leagues of fun speedway. People say do what Poland do, they do nothing different to us but their towns' folk absolutely adore their clubs and the riders that race for them and they absolutely hate other clubs. Their supporters absolutely make it known with shouting, clapping and drumming what their riders mean to them! Hands up who shouts and claps their team on parade and after each race and between!! In my experience many British fans continue to chat amongst themselves when the parade is happening ffs!! Polish promoters don't have to try very hard to "promote", fans, riders and sponsors queue up to support the clubs, they don't even have to pay any rent as the stadiums are state owned!! For Polish promoters speedway is a piece of cake!! I've been to a Polish league meeting, I know what happens. Yes of course our promoters can do more, they can offer fans to do the track walk, to do the coin toss, to watch from the centre, kids to walk out as mascots, to have press conferences after their meetings, allow fans access to the pits before and after meetings, offer VIP packages, meals in their restaurants if they're lucky enough to have them, to entertain the kids with club mascots, to let the kids ride bikes and/or have running races round the track, to have a junior meeting after the main meeting, to have the mic man commentate on the meeting, to have the mic man engage with the fans etc etc! Are we using young people's social media outlets enough, tick tock, Instagram etc? My son thinks that the fact that motorbikes are taboo to parents these days they actively keep their children away from the sport, which is a problem football, cricket, tennis etc etc doesn't have! All we can hope is that councils might help our clubs survive by way of cheap hoarding advertising maybe, advertising in town centres, in schools etc. Of course we need more youngsters interested in racing in the sport but we 100% need more people supporting our teams The social media thing is almost dead the amount of comments on Twitter sometimes is 0 comments a few more on Facebook but generally it’s because of the ageing support a lot isn’t on Facebook or Twitter . I to have been to Polish league meetings the biggest asset they have isn’t much of what you say above it’s because it’s weekend racing rather than here Monday Wednesday Thursday with school the next day when I was a kid my parents would have taken me it was only because it was Saturday racing I got to attend . The Isle of Wight have put the fun back into speedway and that’s what all clubs need to do 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattB Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 On 9/10/2021 at 5:35 PM, old bob at herne bay said: Whats the need for change - its been a highly succesful season, the p.offs got record crowds , and after the challenges of operating with limited crowds due to COVID restrictions, every club has enjoyed a wonderful season. ...... In the fantastic Championship League ......sadly Eastbourne closed, Birmingham suffered financial problems, Newcastle are looking for new owners, Poole are in discussions over the continued use of their stadium, but other than that it has been a wonderful season with entertainment from the top drawer. The stand out "Premiership" tier has once again delivered first class entertainment, and goes from strength to strength, with the BSPL once again struggling to decide who to admit to this "elite" division of racing. This season we had 6 clubs fighting tooth and nail for the coveted 4 play off spots. The qualifiers for the 4 spots were in doubt until early May and this made for some top quality racing of the highest standard that England can offer. Of particular note in 2021 has been the huge success of the rising star programme which has developed so many new potential world champions for English speedway. None of the rising stars were known in the sport at the beginning of the season, and all are truly the product of the rising star programme. Next season will see twice as many rising stars in teams , and England will once again have top calibre riders to challenge the worlds top Speedway Grand Prix stars. Frightening thing is that this is exactly the sort of statement that the BSPL would likely put out... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 14 hours ago, Haza said: The social media thing is almost dead the amount of comments on Twitter sometimes is 0 comments a few more on Facebook but generally it’s because of the ageing support a lot isn’t on Facebook or Twitter . And when ever you do make a comment, asking a legitimate question like what the weather is like, you'll get no reply 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dog Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 9 minutes ago, iainb said: And when ever you do make a comment, asking a legitimate question like what the weather is like, you'll get no reply You can find out a weather forecast by the time you've typed your question out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 1 minute ago, The Dog said: You can find out a weather forecast by the time you've typed your question out... I don't want a weather forecast, they're totally unreliable! I want a report from the track, which is the easiest thing in the world to do these days 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 6 minutes ago, iainb said: I don't want a weather forecast, they're totally unreliable! I want a report from the track, which is the easiest thing in the world to do these days Although such reports are not always 100% reliable or impartial! I find rainfall radar a useful tool, but ultimately there is an element of judgement and an element of luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 1 minute ago, arnieg said: Although such reports are not always 100% reliable or impartial! I find rainfall radar a useful tool, but ultimately there is an element of judgement and an element of luck. Agreed... but a club replying to a question on Twitter is as easy as me or you replying on here... and they don't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dog Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 I'm sure your clubs promotor has better things to do on race day than count the clouds in the sky, but put your idea to them, they might put a weather update on the website leading up to the start of the meeting. Let's hope there's no downpour at 7.25pm tho.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sidney Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 16 hours ago, Trees said: Let's have some serious suggestions, forget "fun" speedway ala IOW, we can't have leagues of fun speedway. Denigrating the IOW again. What have you got against them? You completely miss the point of how they operate and why they are operating that way this year. Remember, they would have raced in the National League this year had not changes been imposed without consultation, and with no guarantee that the same wouldn't happen in the future. I am a neutral supporter- I don't have a team to follow and so no axe to grind. I want to see British speedway flourish. IOW are putting on serious speedway. I'm not sure what you mean by 'fun speedway. However, they wrap that up in first class customer service and extra fan engagement. Every other club could do the same. There must be tens of thousands of people like me who used to go, but have lost their track. IOW through its social media content attracted me to go, impress me when I attend, and keep me posted. I feel a part of their club. Kings Lynn , or any other club, could do the same, but they don't. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post barrybishop Posted September 14, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 (edited) 19 hours ago, Haza said: The social media thing is almost dead the amount of comments on Twitter sometimes is 0 comments a few more on Facebook but generally it’s because of the ageing support a lot isn’t on Facebook or Twitter . I to have been to Polish league meetings the biggest asset they have isn’t much of what you say above it’s because it’s weekend racing rather than here Monday Wednesday Thursday with school the next day when I was a kid my parents would have taken me it was only because it was Saturday racing I got to attend . The Isle of Wight have put the fun back into speedway and that’s what all clubs need to do I am fortunate enough to have attended many meetings in Poland, and across the globe really, but I can say in Poland their greatest asset is their fan base. People go because other people go, win, lose or draw, and of course it creates atmosphere, drama and a belonging. It would feel odd not to go on whatever race day it is and attend. And speedway takes place on most days of the week if you include the lower leagues. It's how we felt as kids and young adults at our local speedway tracks across the UK. Large crowds generate large revenue, large interest and every meeting is an event. From the bars and eateries outside the stadium with music and stalls, walking up the road with hundreds of other fans, every bar is full, queues at every food stall or souvenir stall, every fan in their club or national colours. This just doesn’t happen here really - we have lost momentum; we MUST build from the start again. It is the only way, in my view. No one will put a lot of money into speedway to take over the league. It is so different to darts and snooker when effectively the owner of the championship owns the "club" as all the players are individuals.... and nowhere is the business model of darts and snooker a big success in speedway except for the GP - just look at Cardiff, where individuals race under an ownership of the GP... same for F1, stocks, pretty much all other motorsport. So, my view remains steadfast... if we want team speedway we build from the base up, gaining maximum riders interaction to rebuild the sport in the UK. It's interesting to read the odd overly vocal person who says our speedway on the island is a joke, circus, funfair....mainly it comes from those who have no club or who are not satisfied with their own clubs, but oddly no one who attends our meetings thinks its a joke, and yet I see time and time again criticism at all levels for league speedway (which by the way breaks my heart as we want speedway to thrive in the UK and also because we actively "big it up" to tourists who visit us). Most complaint boils down to getting the basics right. And when you get the basics right, peoples opinions changes, people enjoy the show, circus, funfair and bring their mates, people write positive feedback and then privately send feedback of areas they believe promoters can improve, the crowds grow organically, they give feedback on the show... and the cycle is self-perpetuating and as in Poland a 30,000 crowd has a fan base return of 1% their crowd is 30,300, then 30,630 the week after... for a track with lets say 300... its 303, followed by 306 and so on... so we must start from scratch, a blank piece of paper... a new dawn. We should not believe this is a five-minute job either. It isn’t. But my view again is, done correctly it will be the building blocks of speedway for tomorrow's fans. Enjoy your speedway, remember its always easy to put someone down, a club down, a rider down, but takes a stronger person to stand up and shout positivity publicly and not just for hearts, likes or a reaction. All the best and see you trackside, Barry Edited September 14, 2021 by barrybishop typo 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dog Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 Brilliant post!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 3 hours ago, The Dog said: I'm sure your clubs promotor has better things to do on race day than count the clouds in the sky, but put your idea to them, they might put a weather update on the website leading up to the start of the meeting. Let's hope there's no downpour at 7.25pm tho.... Yes I'm sure the promoter of my club has better things to do on race day than look after the fans... even though they find time to continually tweet race results etc. I've put my ideas to them... they didn't even have the courtesy to even acknowledge them with a reply of any sort Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronScorpion Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 3 hours ago, The Dog said: I'm sure your clubs promotor has better things to do on race day than count the clouds in the sky, but put your idea to them, they might put a weather update on the website leading up to the start of the meeting. Let's hope there's no downpour at 7.25pm tho.... He puts that many ideas on here, then rambles on about them, that if he put them to his own promoter, his promoter would not have time to do his own jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
False dawn Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 51 minutes ago, barrybishop said: I am fortunate enough to have attended many meetings in Poland................. Barry. There is much that you describe that will resonant with those of us that lived through the "golden speedway years". It's hard to accept that those days have gone but the closures and threats of closure can no longer be ignored. It occurs to me that the small number of clubs who's future is assured, in the short term at least, are increasingly the problem. They have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, despite the many clubs who are clearly clinging on by the skin of their teeth, financially. Maybe we need a two pronged approach. Let us continue with a traditional league structure among those clubs that can support it and at the same time create a grass roots rebuilding programme along the lines you describe. Some might say that this is what we have already. Well, in a way we do with the National Development League and the British Youth Championship. But, the thing that is missing is an approach to the high level management and development of the sport that is fully integrated. A plan that brings together all levels of the sport from the purely amateur (including grasstrack racing) right through to the international. Idealistic? Well maybe. But two things are clear. Firstly, if we don't do something the whole house of cards will collapse. Secondly, and more importantly there is the talent out there to solve this problem. The thing that's really missing is the forward looking mindset of those currently in control. The patient isn't dead yet but I guess it's in intensive care. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted September 14, 2021 Report Share Posted September 14, 2021 16 minutes ago, IronScorpion said: He puts that many ideas on here, then rambles on about them, that if he put them to his own promoter, his promoter would not have time to do his own jobs. What jobs are they then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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