bluebee Posted February 15, 2022 Report Share Posted February 15, 2022 We have Oxford back. Newcastle and Birmingham are still running. It's important we don't talk the sport down. Times are tough and money is tight but speedway is still a reasonable option in these times. It's not as expensive as football and some other sports. I just hope that the promoters think about this and give value for money - decent tracks, promptly run meetings, some s smiling faces when I buy a programme or a drink - and no last minute cancellations. Oh and have a word with the riders about making sure they turn up properly prepared. I personally cannot understand why people on this forum don't attend meetings. This is a speedway forum after all! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 15, 2022 Report Share Posted February 15, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, bluebee said: We have Oxford back. Newcastle and Birmingham are still running. It's important we don't talk the sport down. Times are tough and money is tight but speedway is still a reasonable option in these times. It's not as expensive as football and some other sports. I just hope that the promoters think about this and give value for money - decent tracks, promptly run meetings, some s smiling faces when I buy a programme or a drink - and no last minute cancellations. Oh and have a word with the riders about making sure they turn up properly prepared. I personally cannot understand why people on this forum don't attend meetings. This is a speedway forum after all! ...if I still lived in Oxford (Littlemore) I would certainly attend but I won't travel 60 plus miles to attend a meeting personally for reasons I have given previously. Edited February 15, 2022 by steve roberts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 15, 2022 Report Share Posted February 15, 2022 1 hour ago, bluebee said: I personally cannot understand why people on this forum don't attend meetings. This is a speedway forum after all! Worse than that, I don't understand why people REFUSE to watch it on TV or online. Yet they claim to be speedway "fans". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruckerroo Posted February 15, 2022 Report Share Posted February 15, 2022 I supported reading for years, iow in the prem after, nomadically ended up attending several eastbourne matches a season for last 5-6 yr. The goings on there has soured me so much im not sure wether i can be assed to a, attend a few fixtures in 22 and b, go back to being a nomadic eastbourne supporter in 23. That slimeball jordan has a lot to answer for too a lot of people . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 10 hours ago, chunky said: Worse than that, I don't understand why people REFUSE to watch it on TV or online. Yet they claim to be speedway "fans". I can somewhat equate with that and I occasionally dip in and out of "televised" races (although I have never subscribed to any "pay" channels") but I always prefered watching racing "live" and the banter one could have with regular collleagues on the terraces and the general atmosphere that creates. Even during the heady days of "World of Sport" (which I viewed religiously) it never replaced actually being present and all that entails. On a seperate issue I tend to avoid watching sport on TV because of all the hype, over analysis with all those studio "experts" and screaming commentators. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 1 hour ago, steve roberts said: I can somewhat equate with that and I occasionally dip in and out of "televised" races (although I have never subscribed to any "pay" channels") but I always prefered watching racing "live" and the banter one could have with regular collleagues on the terraces and the general atmosphere that creates. Even during the heady days of "World of Sport" (which I viewed religiously) it never replaced actually being present and all that entails. On a seperate issue I tend to avoid watching sport on TV because of all the hype, over analysis with all those studio "experts" and screaming commentators. My thoughts entirely. It’s not a question of refusing to watch speedway on TV more a matter of not being bothered most of the time. There is something special, almost magical, about the atmosphere of being present at a meeting, the noise, the smell , the feeling of being part of things, that just doesn’t convert to sitting in an armchair in front of a TV screen. Like others , I was a regular week in, week out supporter , until my track closed. The feeling of disgust towards those in charge these days doesn’t engender much enthusiasm either. I never though my view of the sport would become so tarnished. I agree with you about TV sport generally now. Most of the time it is all about money , not the true ethos of sport. Even the Olympics now pass me by as if they haven’t happened. I can still enjoy watching local cricket in the park but agree totally with you that the baggage that goes with televised sport is often a turn off. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 17 hours ago, bluebee said: I personally cannot understand why people on this forum don't attend meetings. This is a speedway forum after all! For me it is simple, my working hours don't allow me to. I suspect that applies to quite a lot more people than in the 70's or 80's as well. Additionally for so many it means an hour or more each way travelling although I have to admit that didn't stop us, as a family, going in earlier decades, travel is more expensive now though I think. I can only do weekends but there is nothing local and most weekends I would rather be riding bikes than watching somebody else anyway. Never miss a GP on the TV but league meetings are recorded and the fast forward button used frequently unless it is an especially good meeting. I have never been a typical fan though having always preferred individual meetings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 18 hours ago, bluebee said: I personally cannot understand why people on this forum don't attend meetings. This is a speedway forum after all! Poor VFM for me. Also its a massive rush around to get to Lynn for me after work in the summer months. I used to be a week in week out fan but only go very occasionally now and enjoy it far more. And I never, ever take the risk now if the weather forecast is dodgy as riders are very rarely interested once there's a spot of rain. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebee Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 15 hours ago, ruckerroo said: I supported reading for years, iow in the prem after, nomadically ended up attending several eastbourne matches a season for last 5-6 yr. The goings on there has soured me so much im not sure wether i can be assed to a, attend a few fixtures in 22 and b, go back to being a nomadic eastbourne supporter in 23. That slimeball jordan has a lot to answer for too a lot of people . I understand. I supported Reading when I lived there and Coventry again when I moved back to the Midlands. It's always hard summoning up the enthusiasm to go to another track but I'm glad I did. I can appreciate how you feel about Jordan as I felt pretty much the same about some involved in the demise of Brandon. However, going to Leicester reminded that a promotion can be welcoming and that there is something about the mix of fans that is good as well- , that it still has some connection with its working class roots and being a bit quaintly old-fashioned is a good antidote to the hyper-real presentation of other sports. It may be that this can actually be a selling point, I don;t know. I do hope you go again. As El Addio has said there is something magical about a good live speedway match. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 The working enviroment for most of us has changed so much, Where I was working when I used to go all over to watch Speedway there were 12 to 15 blokes on the floor so if I wanted to shoot off early to a speedway track there was cover as long as I stepped in when they wanted to get away early, Now there are only 4 blokes & 2 of them are drivers so the cover is not there. Then there is the cost of fuel now at record prices. But the biggest issue is plain & simple the timing & the VFM I used to go & expect to see the first race at 7:30 with the parade 15 minutes earlier then there would be a whole meeting 13/15 races, To the bar for a pint & a chat & watch 6/8 second half races & I could leave happy at 9:30 latest. For speedway to save it's self & encourage people like Steve Roberts back as regulars it needs to be run in a manner that gives the paying public any chance to believe they are getting VFM 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 41 minutes ago, Technik said: The working enviroment for most of us has changed so much, Where I was working when I used to go all over to watch Speedway there were 12 to 15 blokes on the floor so if I wanted to shoot off early to a speedway track there was cover as long as I stepped in when they wanted to get away early, Now there are only 4 blokes & 2 of them are drivers so the cover is not there. Then there is the cost of fuel now at record prices. But the biggest issue is plain & simple the timing & the VFM I used to go & expect to see the first race at 7:30 with the parade 15 minutes earlier then there would be a whole meeting 13/15 races, To the bar for a pint & a chat & watch 6/8 second half races & I could leave happy at 9:30 latest. For speedway to save it's self & encourage people like Steve Roberts back as regulars it needs to be run in a manner that gives the paying public any chance to believe they are getting VFM Hopefully, (Covid willing), I will get to travel around Europe watching the Polish Leagues, the GP's and the SON.. Got my Cardiff ticket already... Will spend a fair few quid taking me and my lad on flights, hotels and tickets etc, however.... The Speedway I watch will be a credible offering featuring the best in the world... Sadly neither will be on show in the UK... Hence, on the main, I keep my money away from the UK promoters, save for (maybe), a couple of last minute decisions on "pleasant evenings" during the summer when you can guarantee the meeting is on (and no guests are there)... The Peter Craven meeting always seems to provide great racing so that too may get a visit depending on line up and weather on the night... Who knows, maybe one day UK Speedway will at least equal the sum of its parts, and crowd levels rise accordingly.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 Interesting reading here, a good starting point for 2022 the promoters would be to get their priorities rearranged maybe something more like this: 1. Promote & advertise your race meetings, set your gate targets much higher then break even. 2. Present the riders with a well prepared race track & put extra effort/cash in as & when when required. 3. Have a few pre-season seminars for promoters & presenters in "How to present a speedway meeting for YOUR fans". 4. Have clean & presentable toilets that you would be happy for your own Wife, Daughter or family member to use. "5" Delete from your existing mindset "Must get in the playoffs @ all cost". My 55 years in speedway tells me I will have more chance of seeing pigs fly then even one promoter taking on board what I've said! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sidney Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Ghosty said: Interesting reading here, a good starting point for 2022 the promoters would be to get their priorities rearranged maybe something more like this: 1. Promote & advertise your race meetings, set your gate targets much higher then break even. 2. Present the riders with a well prepared race track & put extra effort/cash in as & when when required. 3. Have a few pre-season seminars for promoters & presenters in "How to present a speedway meeting for YOUR fans". 4. Have clean & presentable toilets that you would be happy for your own Wife, Daughter or family member to use. "5" Delete from your existing mindset "Must get in the playoffs @ all cost". My 55 years in speedway tells me I will have more chance of seeing pigs fly then even one promoter taking on board what I've said! Interesting to note that one promotion that are doing that is Isle of Wight. They certainly do 1, 2, 4 and 5 (and much more besides) and I am sure Barry and Martin would be quite happy to do 3. Any yet they have opted to operate outside the BSPA and league structure. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris116 Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Ghosty said: Interesting reading here, a good starting point for 2022 the promoters would be to get their priorities rearranged maybe something more like this: 1. Promote & advertise your race meetings, set your gate targets much higher then break even. 2. Present the riders with a well prepared race track & put extra effort/cash in as & when when required. 3. Have a few pre-season seminars for promoters & presenters in "How to present a speedway meeting for YOUR fans". 4. Have clean & presentable toilets that you would be happy for your own Wife, Daughter or family member to use. "5" Delete from your existing mindset "Must get in the playoffs @ all cost". My 55 years in speedway tells me I will have more chance of seeing pigs fly then even one promoter taking on board what I've said! One promotion already do what you have suggested but sadly are not in the BSPL but last season ran a successful season on the Isle of Wight. Hopefully in the future they will be able to back into the league AND allowed to provide the show they did this last season. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted February 16, 2022 Report Share Posted February 16, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Sir Sidney said: Interesting to note that one promotion that are doing that is Isle of Wight. They certainly do 1, 2, 4 and 5 (and much more besides) and I am sure Barry and Martin would be quite happy to do 3. Any yet they have opted to operate outside the BSPA and league structure. They are using a model which seems to bring success in the USA and Oz in particular... Having seen it at first hand in the States it certainly "brings the town out", and you can easily spend 3 hours watching what goes on due to the variety of racing that is on offer, without once thinking, "this is dragging"... For some, Speedway will always be about team racing (ironic given it is such an individual sport), but sadly, in this country, the lines get blurred somewhat meaning it isn't really a "proper team sport", hence in lots of places only die hards remain... A shame really, because the raw product is a good as it ever has been for me, hence the IOW use it as their "core product", then build the rest of the "event" around it.... With VFM being the overall aim of what they deliver... Give people what they want, at a price point that they are willing to pay, and guess what? They more than likely will come back... Who knew? The next couple of years will see who can really promote their business and provide a credible offer at a price point which enough find acceptable to purchase, and that just isn't in Speedway but all business's... Maybe two teams per meeting, seven riders per team (any ad hoc seven riders per team I should have said), has had its day after so many decades and new ideas will flourish...? And that radical overhaul and reset that should have taken place during lockdown, actually does take place, and subsequently delivers a bright new dawn...? (He laughed knowingly as several porcine looking animals were flying passed his window..).... Edited February 16, 2022 by mikebv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 5 hours ago, mikebv said: Hopefully, (Covid willing), I will get to travel around Europe watching the Polish Leagues, the GP's and the SON.. Got my Cardiff ticket already... Will spend a fair few quid taking me and my lad on flights, hotels and tickets etc, however.... The Speedway I watch will be a credible offering featuring the best in the world... Sadly neither will be on show in the UK... Hence, on the main, I keep my money away from the UK promoters, save for (maybe), a couple of last minute decisions on "pleasant evenings" during the summer when you can guarantee the meeting is on (and no guests are there)... The Peter Craven meeting always seems to provide great racing so that too may get a visit depending on line up and weather on the night... Who knows, maybe one day UK Speedway will at least equal the sum of its parts, and crowd levels rise accordingly.... At least you will be watching some creditable speedway for your money.Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 9 hours ago, mikebv said: Hopefully, (Covid willing), I will get to travel around Europe watching the Polish Leagues, the GP's and the SON.. Got my Cardiff ticket already... Will spend a fair few quid taking me and my lad on flights, hotels and tickets etc, however.... The Speedway I watch will be a credible offering featuring the best in the world... Sadly neither will be on show in the UK... Hence, on the main, I keep my money away from the UK promoters, save for (maybe), a couple of last minute decisions on "pleasant evenings" during the summer when you can guarantee the meeting is on (and no guests are there)... The Peter Craven meeting always seems to provide great racing so that too may get a visit depending on line up and weather on the night... Who knows, maybe one day UK Speedway will at least equal the sum of its parts, and crowd levels rise accordingly.... For Great VFM I'd recomend the Golden Helmet weekend in Pardubice, Czech Republic. in 2022 they will host the final round of the SEC on the Friday, On Saturday there will be the FIM Flat Track GP round & their U21 Golden Helmet event followed on Sunday with The Golden Helmet. That will be around 80 speedway stars from around the World on show + the Flat Track riders all taking part in over 100 races over three days. All on the same track. If that is still not enough On the Monday night you can get to Prague for the Lubos Tomicek Memorial meeting. This will normally feature many SGP stars + some that will have ridden in the previous events in Pardubice. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, Fromafar said: At least you will be watching some creditable speedway for your money.Enjoy The Div 1 pairs event that is being ran in the UK could also be worth a visit... Depending on who is there obviously... If it ends up with Scott and Bomber riding for three teams each on the night it gets to your track then it might not be worth it... Edited February 17, 2022 by mikebv 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted February 17, 2022 Report Share Posted February 17, 2022 With speedway all but dead here in the South East, the last race is fast approaching for me. I will support Iwade's return to the NDL, but my nearest professional venue will be Oxford. A costly midweek round trip of over 150 miles, and all the traffic and weather uncertainties that go with it. I always felt that when there was no local tracks left, the game would be up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dog Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 On 2/16/2022 at 6:35 PM, mikebv said: Hopefully, (Covid willing), I will get to travel around Europe watching the Polish Leagues, the GP's and the SON.. Got my Cardiff ticket already... Will spend a fair few quid taking me and my lad on flights, hotels and tickets etc, however.... The Speedway I watch will be a credible offering featuring the best in the world... Sadly neither will be on show in the UK... Hence, on the main, I keep my money away from the UK promoters, save for (maybe), a couple of last minute decisions on "pleasant evenings" during the summer when you can guarantee the meeting is on (and no guests are there)... The Peter Craven meeting always seems to provide great racing so that too may get a visit depending on line up and weather on the night... Who knows, maybe one day UK Speedway will at least equal the sum of its parts, and crowd levels rise accordingly.... Just as a sidenote, a friend at work has just been home to Poland for 10 days and got a return flight for £9 in and out of Stansted, so if you have the time on your hands, a trip to see the top riders might be cheaper than commuting here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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