UK Speedway in Turmoil?

[Humphrey Appleby]

19 hours ago, truthsayer said:

20 heats in two hours is still only one race every six minutes.

It needs to be better than that to capture the imagination of a trackside audience.

I was even including an interval in the 2 hours! You could run 20 heats in 1.5 hours if the will was there.

[Deano]

A few times this season, I’ve experienced a parade and warm up. Then a rider almost missing the two minutes for heat one. You’d think they’d be ready. You are then left waiting the full two minutes while three riders dig, have a chat, drink a beer, have a slash, polish their helmets, admire tattoos etc.

[JamesHarris]

OK - for what it's worth my opinion on this matter. Speedway in the UK will see it's 100th season and beyond but it needs to change and change fast. Someone has mentioned on here that British Speedway needs a single dictator running the show. I actually agree. I understand a lot of people may not like the idea as such but you only have to look at Barry Hearn with Darts and Snooker and even Bernie Ecclestone with F1. One person running the show can work. Then again some can say Speedway GB as it stands is a dictatorship with a small inner circle calling the shots. However I firmly believe that this "inner circle" only have their own short term interests at heart and don't really have the mental capacity to see the bigger picture. In comparison to the BSPL one only has to look at the mess that is now England Rugby. They have run the English Premiership as a posh boys closed shop for years. They don't want the smaller teams anywhere near their patch and they think they know best. And guess what? Three well established clubs have gone "t*ts up in the last 2 years simply because the people who run this closed shop could not open their eyes. 

Moving forward. Teams need to be run as motorsports clubs rather than promotions. I saw this when I spent some time in Denmark. The clubs have public membership and have riders of all calibre on their books from 50cc kids to the Elite riders. These clubs run several teams in several leagues and held practice days in the week. For this to happen here in the UK though we would need all clubs to actually own their own tracks/stadiums such as Belle Vue, Scunthorpe, Redcar, etc. I think the same system operates in Germany but I'm sure Iris will correct me if I'm wrong. Based on the above system if we continue to run an Elite League it would need to be on a set race night that didn't interfere with Poland and Sweden. 

And finally - If you can't beat them join them. I've always been an advocate over the last few years on entering a British team into the Polish League. It would take a hell of a lot of money and would rely heavily on sponsorship but if the British team could be based at a track near to an international airport then maybe it could work. On the flip side of the coin a lot of British fans could have a few long weekends in Poland or Germany. TV exposure would also be a good way of bringing in businesses that do trade with Poland and visa versa. And Yes if I had Lord Sugars money I would have a pop at it  

[Najjer]

On 8/5/2023 at 1:14 PM, midlandred said:

I still can’t get my head around the idea that streaming is the answer, when all that does is take away the spectators paying their entrance money at the tracks

Because probably 90% of these people weren’t ever going to be attending anyway - therefore only ever creating additional income.

[Fromafar]

On 8/5/2023 at 11:14 AM, midlandred said:

I still can’t get my head around the idea that streaming is the answer, when all that does is take away the spectators paying their entrance money at the tracks

Also at half the price,does this show they charge too much or is the hope only away supporters will buy the stream.Think Edinburgh have a block on stream within a certain radius of the track.

[Garry1603]

Oh for a John Berry type 'supremo' who could bash a few heads together for the common good. 

I think it needs someone to take control with the clubs falling in line with him / her. Who it could be I've no idea sadly.

[steve roberts]

2 hours ago, Garry1603 said:

Oh for a John Berry type 'supremo' who could bash a few heads together for the common good. 

I think it needs someone to take control with the clubs falling in line with him / her. Who it could be I've no idea sadly.

An opportunity missed in my opinion when his name was put forward. Not everyone's cup of tea but he would have certainly made things happen.

[truthsayer]

12 hours ago, Garry1603 said:

Oh for a John Berry type 'supremo' who could bash a few heads together for the common good. 

I think it needs someone to take control with the clubs falling in line with him / her. Who it could be I've no idea sadly.

It needs someone not currently involved in the sport. It needs a complete breakaway from the existing bodies (like the darts split) and it needs to think outside the speedway-as-a-team- sport concept.

It's not going to happen. British speedway is on life support and has a few more years left. Like so many things in this country, it's a victim of short term thinking and a failure to invest. It's failed to invest in developing its own talent, importing ready made riders. With costs rising the already not very sustainable business is now dead.  

[Fromafar]

Speedway in GB needs a total revamp.It’s really just like a Circus Act nowadays , same riders appearing at your track weekly riding for different Teams.( even your own some weeks).One main league ,riders committed to riding in GB(no GP stars taking all the money out the sport).NDL riders as reserves or even in the Team if necessary.No guests except for injury to No1.The standard will drop the racing will not suffer IMO with riders of the same standard racing each other more often than present day (Premiership is 2 standards in 1 Team).Rearranging fixtures will become more easy.Teams riding on what night suits the Club.It just cant go on like this if it too survive.(hard hat on).

ps
the NDL proves you only need riders of the same standard to provide entertaining racing.

Edited August 11, 2023 by Fromafar

[cinderfella]

On 7/9/2023 at 7:12 AM, ch958 said:

if thats what you take from it, fine. My point was and is that the 'progress' in machinery means nowt to fans and merely adds huge costs that the sport cannot afford. It certainly adds nothing to the racing. 

Apart from the Ridge 4 valve there were several innovations back in the day that disappeared then made a comeback such as leading link forks.

 

[JamesHarris]

13 hours ago, truthsayer said:

It needs someone not currently involved in the sport. It needs a complete breakaway from the existing bodies (like the darts split) and it needs to think outside the speedway-as-a-team- sport concept.

It's not going to happen. British speedway is on life support and has a few more years left. Like so many things in this country, it's a victim of short term thinking and a failure to invest. It's failed to invest in developing its own talent, importing ready made riders. With costs rising the already not very sustainable business is now dead.  

I would have to disagree a bit with you there. Unless you mean someone who has been involved in Motorsport in general. In the early 2000's there was a chap called Adam Crozier who for some unknown reason all the big companies were all over. He was a disaster at the FA then f*cked up the Post Office and then ITV hired him! So sometimes it doesn't pay to hire an outsider.  

[truthsayer]

18 minutes ago, JamesHarris said:

I would have to disagree a bit with you there. Unless you mean someone who has been involved in Motorsport in general. In the early 2000's there was a chap called Adam Crozier who for some unknown reason all the big companies were all over. He was a disaster at the FA then f*cked up the Post Office and then ITV hired him! So sometimes it doesn't pay to hire an outsider.  

No one involved in speedway at present has the funds to make it happen, even if they did have the vision.

It needs a proven sports promoter with deep pockets and a thick contacts book. It needs someone who can transfer what's working in boxing/darts/snooker and use it to reinvent speedway. It's not about finding a random CEO, it's finding an entrepreneur who can bring in the right people and create a new sport. Not a group, not a broadcaster, but a real sports promotor who gets modern sports.

It won't happen, because the numbers can never stack up, but that's what would need to happen for the sport to have a fighting chance.

[mikebv]

On 8/11/2023 at 10:16 PM, truthsayer said:

No one involved in speedway at present has the funds to make it happen, even if they did have the vision.

It needs a proven sports promoter with deep pockets and a thick contacts book. It needs someone who can transfer what's working in boxing/darts/snooker and use it to reinvent speedway. It's not about finding a random CEO, it's finding an entrepreneur who can bring in the right people and create a new sport. Not a group, not a broadcaster, but a real sports promotor who gets modern sports.

It won't happen, because the numbers can never stack up, but that's what would need to happen for the sport to have a fighting chance.

To have any fighting chance it must ensure its competitions become relevant...

And to do that means giving them credibility, integrity, and some kudos for winning..

Currently none of the above 3 key elements apply, meaning nothing else anyone does will sort it's current struggles..

[IainB]

19 hours ago, mikebv said:

To have any fighting chance it must ensure its competitions become relevant...

To be fair they have done this... The Jubilee Trophy, that was very relevant and really captured the zeitgeist.

[mikebv]

24 minutes ago, iainb said:

To be fair they have done this... The Jubilee Trophy, that was very relevant and really captured the zeitgeist.

Must have missed that one...

Sounds a great idea...

Who won it? 

[Hawk127]

Probably needs a total revamp.

The bull...te fours made up of three riders and Mr R/R with each team facing each other ten times during the season. The U.K. Pairs will be re-introduced however to avoid doubling up second strings and mechanics will only be  allowed to compete.

The British Championship to be held over four rounds with each team in the top league required to track their number one rider. All meetings will be held on Sundays during August with the final to be on the 5th November.  The league meetings to be held only in September and October with the play offs to take place the following March to give teams time to regroup.  

New governing body to take over the running of the sport, the Women’s Institute will hold their annual conference on the first Friday of each month. Finally all riders must revert to Jap and Jawa engines.

All of the forgoing should fix British Speedway’s problems.

[OGT]

On 8/1/2023 at 8:17 PM, steve roberts said:

Something that John Berry questioned in one of his books.

Make the tracks out of rubber and the tyres out of shale. Job done. 

[TheWellBehavedWorrall]

I think it’s safe to say the answer to this question is a resounding ”yes” and I take no pleasure in typing that.

I attended religiously for over 10 years; travelling up and down the country, from Berwick to Poole and Belle Vue to Oxford, but a combination of work commitments and a notable decline in many aspects of the sport in the UK meant I was unable to commit.

What I‘ve returned to (I’ve started watching on TV, BSN and will be in attendance at Ashfield on Friday) is wild.

How on earth does the Elite League have only seven teams in it? That isn’t a league, that’s the group stage of a cup. It’s been renamed, though, I see.

I watched the CLRC and Wolves versus Sheffield meeting on TNT, both of which involved referee’s failing to apply the rules. I want to stress that Charles Wright’s ride in the re-run of the final was what speedway is all about, but he should not have been there; he single-handedly caused the stoppage. Then, at Monmore Green, the referee’s failure to implement the rules around moving at the start line caused Sam Masters to raise the topic on live TV. These are basic rules.

Regarding the CLRC, that line-up was a disgrace. The PLRC used to be a highlight of mine, going as far back as Bradford’s Odsal Stadium. I don’t even know where to start with with it. I’m a fan who’s trying to return, but is being left disillusioned.

Craig Cook is a rider I admire greatly, but his conduct in the CLRC was unacceptable. He was a notable name in a depleted line-up, but gave-up in his first ride, then withdrew because he ”didn’t have a bike”. Who is holding him accountable to the fans who pay good money to watch him?

[Deano]

7 minutes ago, TheWellBehavedWorrall said:

I think it’s safe to say the answer to this question is a resounding ”yes” and I take no pleasure in typing that.

I attended religiously for over 10 years; travelling up and down the country, from Berwick to Poole and Belle Vue to Oxford, but a combination of work commitments and a notable decline in many aspects of the sport in the UK meant I was unable to commit.

What I‘ve returned to (I’ve started watching on TV, BSN and will be in attendance at Ashfield on Friday) is wild.

How on earth does the Elite League have only seven teams in it? That isn’t a league, that’s the group stage of a cup. It’s been renamed, though, I see.

I watched the CLRC and Wolves versus Sheffield meeting on TNT, both of which involved referee’s failing to apply the rules. I want to stress that Charles Wright’s ride in the re-run of the final was what speedway is all about, but he should not have been there; he single-handedly caused the stoppage. Then, at Monmore Green, the referee’s failure to implement the rules around moving at the start line caused Sam Masters to raise the topic on live TV. These are basic rules.

Regarding the CLRC, that line-up was a disgrace. The PLRC used to be a highlight of mine, going as far back as Bradford’s Odsal Stadium. I don’t even know where to start with with it. I’m a fan who’s trying to return, but is being left disillusioned.

Craig Cook is a rider I admire greatly, but his conduct in the CLRC was unacceptable. He was a notable name in a depleted line-up, but gave-up in his first ride, then withdrew because he ”didn’t have a bike”. Who is holding him accountable to the fans who pay good money to watch him?

You are going through exactly what I went through. I came back last season after about six years out. I couldn't believe the difference and what people now put up with. I've resided myself to just enjoying the racing and my team rather than try and get my head into it. Teams have just vanished! With absolutely no rumbles of life to get them going again.. it's tragic.

[TheWellBehavedWorrall]

7 minutes ago, Deano said:

You are going through exactly what I went through. I came back last season after about six years out. I couldn't believe the difference and what people now put up with. I've resided myself to just enjoying the racing and my team rather than try and get my head into it. Teams have just vanished! With absolutely no rumbles of life to get them going again.. it's tragic.

It’s incredible. It’s difficult to avoid coming across negative, but at the same time, failing to do so is burying your head in the sand and that has gross consequences for speedway in the UK.

There are so many things I’ve noticed, like the volume of heats involving a retirement or the fact that it’s difficult to distinguish between an Elite League line-up and a Premier League line-up (I refuse to acknowledge the Premiership and Championship name change, given the deeper issues), never mind a heat leader and a two or a four.

Also, I’m about to start calling the sport “Premier Inn” because of the number of guests. It’s every single meeting.

Edited September 6, 2023 by TheWellBehavedWorrall