Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

The future of British Speedway after the 2023 season


Recommended Posts

It is difficult to pinpoint what is and who are to blame for the decline. Could it be riders earning expectations are too high, promoters who do not promote, a rule book that is overly complicated, the British public who want more, for their buck than fifteen minutes of racing over two plus hours for something like circa £20.

Sad to seem the momentum in terms of the demise of the sport and it may not have reached its nadir yet but for it to survive drastic changes are needed to encourage more participants. Standard bikes to start with to reduce costs, a push for lower c c classes and not just the 500 cc guided missile that go around every track, yet are probably unsuitable for most race venues.. Many on here will have great ideas and some credible options and the IOW have made a start but those running the sport who put up the money for each club are not interested and it is akin to the masons in the way it is run.

I guess it is a case of watch it now for as long as it lasts and hope that someone somewhere has the vision to reinvent the sport and can create interest from a wider audience. I won’t hold my breath.

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Piotr Pyszny said:

Four tiers to UK ice hockey.

Leeds Knights, a relatively new club, set up in 2019, usually sell out their arena - which I gather holds about 1,800. Knights have just won the NIHL National Division (tier two) play-offs.

I don't believe Speedway should be compared to any indoor sport eg. Darts, Ice Hockey etc which have a comfortable, hospitality-driven atmosphere as well as being exciting in their own way and also building up (promoting?) Individual players.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Skidder1 said:

I don't believe Speedway should be compared to any indoor sport eg. Darts, Ice Hockey etc which have a comfortable, hospitality-driven atmosphere as well as being exciting in their own way and also building up (promoting?) Individual players.

Speedway could "build up its players"...

It just decides to not do so...

Instead it comes up with "a family sport", and "bring a friend" nonsense...

More bang for your buck these days is needed I am afraid to say...

Speedway in the UK doesn't even have a marketing company pushing its name out there..

Instead, each track does its own thing which is often led by well meaning amateurs, but hugely wide of hitting the fit for purpose mark...

One track a season has closed on average for the past decade..

Coventry, Swindon, Rye House, Lakeside, Newcastle, Eastbourne, Buxton, Workington, Stoke, Somerset and Kent. The IOW "got out" and will no doubt be glad they did, and now Wolves and Peterborough look like going the same way as so many before...

With Poole looking like it faces some challenges as the Greyhound Companies pull up the drawbridges, and Edinburgh looking for land elsewhere after being informed of future closure...

Indeed, if it wasnt for Mcr Council and Messrs Gordon and Morton then BV would also be no more..

And Birmingham seem to be on the brink each season over the past few years..

Oxford, Iwade and "New Worky" offer some light at the end of a very dark and long tunnel but you do fear for the sport in the UK..

Phil Morris has his work cut out, that is for sure...

I thought post Covid it was a real opportunity for radical change given so long a time had passed, meaning that those in charge had that time to come up with innovative ideas, and completely relaunch the sport to an audience desperate for action again..

What an opportunity to entice the tens of thousands back who have deserted the sport over the last two decades off the back of 12 months of no Speedway..

Instead. 

We had the same old, same old, and ended up with the same old, same old issues...

You do the same thing each time, then unsurprisingly, you get the same result...

Who knew that happens? :rolleyes:

Edited by mikebv
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Whatever the plan is for 2024 & beyond, the most certain thing is, every club whose renting has to look to purchase it's own land. 

It doesn't matter if it's grass banks 'bring your own deckchair' stadiums, portaloos, bring your own picnic etc. Without this, closure is coming to you, very soon. Recent ( & predicted) closures:-

Swindon Robins

Lakeside Hammers

Coventry Bees

Peterborough Panthers 

Wolverhampton Wolves

Workington Comets

Birmingham Brummies

Edinburgh Monarchs

Newcastle Diamonds

Rye House Rockets

Reading Racers

Somerset Rebels

Just look at the stature of those names within this sport. It's a horrid horrid look. Pretty much all these closures not because they've gone bust, but the stadium being pulled from underneath them. 

 

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Daniel Smith said:

Whatever the plan is for 2024 & beyond, the most certain thing is, every club whose renting has to look to purchase it's own land. 

It doesn't matter if it's grass banks 'bring your own deckchair' stadiums, portaloos, bring your own picnic etc. Without this, closure is coming to you, very soon. Recent ( & predicted) closures:-

Swindon Robins

Lakeside Hammers

Coventry Bees

Peterborough Panthers 

Wolverhampton Wolves

Workington Comets

Birmingham Brummies

Edinburgh Monarchs

Newcastle Diamonds

Rye House Rockets

Reading Racers

Somerset Rebels

Just look at the stature of those names within this sport. It's a horrid horrid look. Pretty much all these closures not because they've gone bust, but the stadium being pulled from underneath them. 

 

I would have thought Eastbourne Eagles would get a mention but I take your point..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know it’s said every year, but the AGM for 2024 will define the future of the sport. 
 

If I was Phil Morris, I would forget about trying to make 2023 work and just focus on 2024. I cannot see any option than a merger of the Premiership and Championship, be that a North/South split or just one big league, but if there is to be league racing, then a 5 team top flight would be an embarrassment.

I know we’ve had our fair share of rebrands, but Phil in his interviews has spoken of ‘uniformity’ across the top flight. Next season could be the chance to launch it fully. A top flight, at Championship standard (which I don’t see as a bad thing), with a professional image and branding.

 

oh, and make 2 minute clocks mandatory 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, SouthernComet said:

I know it’s said every year, but the AGM for 2024 will define the future of the sport. 
 

If I was Phil Morris, I would forget about trying to make 2023 work and just focus on 2024. I cannot see any option than a merger of the Premiership and Championship, be that a North/South split or just one big league, but if there is to be league racing, then a 5 team top flight would be an embarrassment.

I know we’ve had our fair share of rebrands, but Phil in his interviews has spoken of ‘uniformity’ across the top flight. Next season could be the chance to launch it fully. A top flight, at Championship standard (which I don’t see as a bad thing), with a professional image and branding.

 

oh, and make 2 minute clocks mandatory 

What gets me the 2023 season has only just got underway and we seem to have written off 2023 season- can’t go through the next 6 months like this British speedway needs to get its act together ASAP or more clubs will go by the way side . 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

48 minutes ago, Haza said:

What gets me the 2023 season has only just got underway and we seem to have written off 2023 season- can’t go through the next 6 months like this British speedway needs to get its act together ASAP or more clubs will go by the way side . 

Like what? Nobody has pulled out this year it’s 2024 where the doubts are coming from. The only ones who have “written off” the 2023 season are TTT and his Panthers mates and that’s simply because of their crap start to the season!

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, Aries said:

Like what? Nobody has pulled out this year it’s 2024 where the doubts are coming from. The only ones who have “written off” the 2023 season are TTT and his Panthers mates and that’s simply because of their crap start to the season!

I agree - even this thread so early in the season seems premature to me the season is a month old and already talking about 2024 - Pboro and Wolves need to make the most of this season as we all do .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was nice to read Rob Godfrey's rallying Churchillian war cry, FINALLY for some reason this Wolves news seems to have hit home with him despite his Charimanship since 2018 seeing the closure of Rye House, Somerset, Swindon, Lakeside, Newcastle, Workington, Buxton, Cradley, Eastbourne, Kent, Stoke and the expulsion of IoW. Like others have said with Edinburgh & Peterborough highly doubtful for next year and question marks around Poole's future and the annual Birmingham crisis it could be a total of 15 clubs gone in 5 years under his stewardship... FIFTEEN! Even if you factor in the return of Oxford, Worky & Kent... that's still 12 a number higher than any of the current 3 leagues we have running

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This season started with so much promise - the return of Bewley, Sayfutdinov, Kasprzak and Pedersen seemingly signalling the return to a more glorious era with star names. The birth of a new Workington to add to the success of Oxford last season, Leicester taking the plunge in the top league again, and the promise of some British youngsters continuing their upward careers.

How could this turn so toxic and disappointing already? Peterborough's awful statement regarding their loss of Pedersen seemed to write off their season before it started, and now terrible news about Monmore Green has put another black cloud over the sport's future and it seems we're keen to discuss the death of British speedway again next season.

So many people were saying how they were looking forward to this season - a month in all optimism has gone! How about we revel in what we have for this summer? By all means protest and petition but let's enjoy what we have and spread a positive message - what this sport needs is fans, paying money over the gates and this negativity already this season isn't going to help. 

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 minutes ago, glenantony said:

So many people were saying how they were looking forward to this season - a month in all optimism has gone! How about we revel in what we have for this summer? By all means protest and petition but let's enjoy what we have and spread a positive message - what this sport needs is fans, paying money over the gates and this negativity already this season isn't going to help. 

This is exactly the problem with British Speedway right here. 

Every, season it's "wait until next year". Bury head in sand, happy clap, pretend all is rosy. 

This is the sort of stuff that needs to stop.

The ACU, SCB, BSP Ltd need to accept & take responsibility that there's a substantial problem.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 minutes ago, Daniel Smith said:

This is exactly the problem with British Speedway right here. 

Every, season it's "wait until next year". Bury head in sand, happy clap, pretend all is rosy. 

This is the sort of stuff that needs to stop.

The ACU, SCB, BSP Ltd need to accept & take responsibility that there's a substantial problem.

You’re such a bloody drama queen you have to be one of the biggest glass half empty whinges on here you absolutely reek of negativity! You were trying to tell everyone yesterday that THIS season was basically over because of the news from Wolves and that everyone should now basically shut up shop. LOL what an absolute load of b0llocks. Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s an awful lot of people out there who are still very much enjoying their speedway and will continue to look forward to their speedway fix this season. 
 

Nobody was pleased to hear the news coming out of Wolves yesterday and of course it’s a big concern going forward as is the uncertainty from Peterborough and one or two others. But supporters can’t control what happens in 2024 so why should we all just join you in wallowing in complete misery? From what’s been said since, the white flag hasn’t been waved at Wolves in any case and the fight now commences. Have you joined in and signed the online petition to keep Wolves in operation? Let me guess, it’s not worth it because it’ll make no difference as you’ve already decided Wolves are now dead and buried. Am I right?

There will be British Speedway in 2024, guaranteed. 

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, Haza said:

What gets me the 2023 season has only just got underway and we seem to have written off 2023 season- can’t go through the next 6 months like this British speedway needs to get its act together ASAP or more clubs will go by the way side . 

It needs a six month, five year plan...:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, glenantony said:

This season started with so much promise - the return of Bewley, Sayfutdinov, Kasprzak and Pedersen seemingly signalling the return to a more glorious era with star names. The birth of a new Workington to add to the success of Oxford last season, Leicester taking the plunge in the top league again, and the promise of some British youngsters continuing their upward careers.

How could this turn so toxic and disappointing already? Peterborough's awful statement regarding their loss of Pedersen seemed to write off their season before it started, and now terrible news about Monmore Green has put another black cloud over the sport's future and it seems we're keen to discuss the death of British speedway again next season.

So many people were saying how they were looking forward to this season - a month in all optimism has gone! How about we revel in what we have for this summer? By all means protest and petition but let's enjoy what we have and spread a positive message - what this sport needs is fans, paying money over the gates and this negativity already this season isn't going to help. 

Let's be honest, most of us know that winning any of the leagues or cups counts for very little from a kudos, publicity or financial reward angle..

So the best thing to do is just enjoy watching Doyle, Emil, Fricke, Holder, and Dan..

True World Class talent..

Tobi M too is always worth paying to see too, as is Brady Kurtz..

Add in the likes of Bomber and Wright and you can see some cracking action around the country...

Whichever team wins, don't worry about it, and just enjoy it, hopefully seeing 15 heats of decent entertainment.. 

Something I am sure will be "cobbled together" for next season which will be very similar, and not much different, to all the other seasons that have been "cobbled together" to deliver some racing..

Speedway in the UK still has a decent following when done well eg The PCMM at the NSS, and all the FIM events generate decent crowds over here..

Which shows there is still a fair old desire to watch it when delivered with some credibility and reward...

UK Speedway will continue to do what UK Speedway does so well..

Which is to make things up as they go along to deliver an evening of racing under the most tenuous team concept imaginable.. 

It's all they can do, and all we will have..

So just go along and watch the racing (which is as good as anything else I have seen in over 50 years of following the sport), without bothering about the outcome..

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, iainb said:

It was nice to read Rob Godfrey's rallying Churchillian war cry, FINALLY for some reason this Wolves news seems to have hit home with him despite his Charimanship since 2018 seeing the closure of Rye House, Somerset, Swindon, Lakeside, Newcastle, Workington, Buxton, Cradley, Eastbourne, Kent, Stoke and the expulsion of IoW. Like others have said with Edinburgh & Peterborough highly doubtful for next year and question marks around Poole's future and the annual Birmingham crisis it could be a total of 15 clubs gone in 5 years under his stewardship... FIFTEEN! Even if you factor in the return of Oxford, Worky & Kent... that's still 12 a number higher than any of the current 3 leagues we have running

Minor point but IOW jumped ship of their own accord , they were not expelled.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy