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Skid Sprocket

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Posts posted by Skid Sprocket


  1. 8 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said:

    As a neutral , I risked the trip and the forecast (yet again ) but was rewarded by sharp presentation and a decent meeting. 21 races completed in 1 and a half hours with lightening and rain all around. Congratulations to all concerned in getting the meeting completed.

    Not the best racing I've seen at Redcar but the Diamonds didnt put up much of a fight  and when they did gate the Bears top end were simply too good for them. Jorgensen and Østergaard had there moments but Worrell was a pale shadow of his former self and race wins weren't coming easily. Wright, Riss, Palm-Toft and Stewart were class acts and Andersen , despite his lack of points, was in the thick of it.The Bears are a good side but Wooley looks out of his depth which could prove costly come the play off's.

    The junior match was rattled through, understandably, but credit where it's due for the club running it at all when other clubs would simply have cancelled it.

    Rathbone looks a prospect and the Kids races were excellent.

    Looked a good crowd and a great atmosphere around the place but parking was an issue as the main car park was full by 6:45 . Not many Diamonds fans in attendance which was surprising but perhaps the weather forecast put them off as not as many of the Workington fans there as I've seen before.

    As Arnie says..." I'll be back ".

    We pulled into the car park at 6:55 and it was just over 3/4 full.


  2. 18 hours ago, lukeellis said:

    The problem is not with the crowd size as such,probably better than most.The Owners are not capable of being Promoters so they need someone to do that job and all it entails for nothing as Kevin has done very well for 2 years.I can’t see anyone else doing that,so really they need to sell the club.

     
    Kevin is Redcar Bears greatest asset and Kevin's greatest asset has always been communication. There has been no communication so for the sake of Redcar and the whole of British speedway I hope that its not true. 
    British speedway cant afford to loose forward thinking promoters like Kevin
    • Like 2

  3. 2 hours ago, waytogo28 said:

    That is almost the only way to build up a new" fan base." Long may your efforts succeed! And please gather up some fellow disciples among the other promoters! A fun filled show and 15 heats of exciting quality racing. Yes Please! 

    The forward looking promoters like Barry Bishop are around we have one at Redcar in Kevin Keay, time to listen and will try anything new.  It seems to be the few (or maybe more than a few!) that are only looking out for themselves and dont care about the sport as a whole that are doing the damage.

    Barry Bishop

    Kevin Keay

    Any more to add to the list?


  4. 38 minutes ago, Trees said:

    The promoters are THE only ones who know financially how many fans and how much sponsorship they need to run their clubs, fans don't have a clue. 

    I think between them all promoters have got all the right ingredients to run their clubs. But they need to do more.  They need to get out on the terraces during meetings with the fans, see what show/racing/promotion they are dishing up, hear what the fans have to say. I'd love to think that they could then put things right? Combined they have lots of the right skills. 

    How bloody ridiculous is it that the fans have been complaining year after year about riders not celebrating with them after a race, a simple thing that means so much that promoters and riders cannot get their heads round ffs! There are 101 little things like that that would improve  fans' race night experiences which cost nothing! 

    Promoters and riders need to communicate with supporters. Gone are the days when promoters could say "Its none of your business" like it or not we have social media now hopefully newer promoters will come with more s.m.skills. 

    If the promoters will not talk to the supporters then the supporters will have to talk to the promoters, if not name and shame or is that too drastic?

    • Thanks 1

  5. The popular cartoon booklet that has been on sale over the past few years is now sold out but if there is any interest I will order another batch and all profit will go to the SRBF. 

    The booklet depicts over 70 speedway cartoons drawn by Reg Smythe some 7 years before he created the world famous Andy Capp.  The cost is £7-70 including postage or £6-50 if collected in person at this years Ben Fund meeting at Redcar.

    Please let me know if you are interested so that I can see if the numbers justify ordering more copies. 


  6. 3 minutes ago, Dave Jones said:

    Not my intention at all. 

    My view is that that it is controlled by a select few who are entrenched in their out of date thinking  and  ideas,they refuse to accept the type of changes that are required to put the sport on a better footing. A fair and transparent set of rules which apply to all would be an excellent starting point, but I'm not about to hold my breath. 

    All the more reason to find the like minded promoters as the one quoted. It must be a step forwards rather than going round in circles on here.


  7. On 9/10/2018 at 7:26 PM, Skid Sprocket said:

     

    Speedway in the future;  Where are we going?
    A lot of you will be aware that meetings are taking place to discuss the future of speedway in the UK.
    Ideas  and proposals are being put forward and arguments are being had. The topics range from league formats, how many riders in a team to how many races in a match.
    We all know the sport is in trouble. Crowds are down all over the country and costs are on the up and up. Everyone has an opinion on the issues within the sport but no one, it appears, has the answers.
    Since I attended my first A.G.M. last November I've been astounded at the lack of unity, cohesion and clarity within the sport and nothing has changed since.
    Decision are made behind closed doors without explanation to the rest of the (promoters) association or the fans and conspiracy theories then abound as to what has happened and why.
    So what do we do?
    Meetings keep getting planned, arguments being had. The sport is crying out for a resolution, a new way forward, positive leadership with new ideas and energetic leadership, not more of the same, quick fix ideas without thinking of the future.
    Will it happen?
    Will someone step forward from the gloom and take the sport forward?
    I simply don't know. I dearly hope so for the sport I love but there are massive dark clouds around and there doesn't appear to be a change in the weather very soon.
    We need to listen to each other, the riders and the fans and formulate a framework for the good of the sport as a whole.
    Let's hope a storm is coming.

    Can I drag us all back to what I hope some will see as a positive sign at "head office". One promoter seeing what he thinks is wrong with speedway today and prepared to seek opinions of all concerned.  Show your promoter the above statement and ask if they will give their backing to a more open minded future.  Its ok discussing on here what is wrong but only promoters can make changes. Lets have a few more promoters statements, it is us paying supporters that keep them in their job!


  8. 40 minutes ago, mikebv said:

    Is this really a Promoter or someone off here?

    If they can see the 'bleedin' obvious' then why can't all the others?

    The ultimate irony of course is that the Competitions so many attempt to win by trying to put one over their rivals, are rendered absolutely worthless by their very actions of doing what they do...

    Rather than working together to build up Competitions to give them some kudos, they instead often work in splendid isolation, (or cliques), and find more and more imaganitive ways to discredit them...

    Couldn't make it up sometimes could you..?

    This is 100% a genuine promoter.  I was personally given their ok to quote it. I have withheld names and club as I dont want to push my luck and say too much.  There must be other (honest) promoters who could speak up!

    • Like 1

  9. 1 hour ago, waytogo28 said:

    If this is from someone on "the inside" there clearly is little hope for the kind of radical change needed to ensure the sport does continue in the way that current supporters will go on supporting. Is UK speedway a kind of vanity project with benevolent, wealthy promoters underwriting it? Their unwillingness to work together ( seemingly ) or uncover the man or woman who can take them in a sustainable direction in the short term ( and build for the medium term ). 

    Fans have turned away from what they see on track as well as the " good of the sport" decisions syndrome ( which is often laughable and of course unexplained ). The Chairman should step down as he has been increasingly invisible, as should the Deputy Chairman. Their leadership era has only made everything worse and has improved virtually nothing. They have failed perhaps for a variety of reasons, but they have failed, as have all of the leadership of the last 20 years. They failed to capitalise on the Sky years and find other major sponsors.

    What is shown on BT is mostly excrable racing on trick tracks in grotty 1950's stadiums with hardly anyone watching on. With one or two exclusions. BT may be happy with the viewing figures but it is not an edifying sight nor one which is attracting the general public nor sponsors. If anything it shows that Pay Per View could have been a success and may still be.

    This is from an insider written out of "sheer frustration" but I look at it as a little bit of hope if there are promoters willing take into account the views of ALL concerned.

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

  10. On 9/7/2018 at 11:52 AM, moxey63 said:

    I don't know if it's the case, but not visiting this forum as much as I used to, I recall some names that used to be quite prolific on here that no longer post. I wonder if it's through disillusionment. Have they just got out of the routine of not only attending matches but actually commenting on the sport?   

    Same here not been on for a while, problem is there are as many different solutions as members and never any real consensus. These are the thoughts of one forward thinking promoter, there must be other promoters with similar views who need our backing and drag the sport out of the "pits";

     

    Speedway in the future;  Where are we going?
     
    A lot of you will be aware that meetings are taking place to discuss the future of speedway in the UK.
     
    Ideas  and proposals are being put forward and arguments are being had. The topics range from league formats, how many riders in a team to how many races in a match.
     
    We all know the sport is in trouble. Crowds are down all over the country and costs are on the up and up. Everyone has an opinion on the issues within the sport but no one, it appears, has the answers.
     
    Since I attended my first A.G.M. last November I've been astounded at the lack of unity, cohesion and clarity within the sport and nothing has changed since.
     
    Decision are made behind closed doors without explanation to the rest of the (promoters) association or the fans and conspiracy theories then abound as to what has happened and why.
     
    So what do we do?
    Meetings keep getting planned, arguments being had. The sport is crying out for a resolution, a new way forward, positive leadership with new ideas and energetic leadership, not more of the same, quick fix ideas without thinking of the future.
     
    Will it happen?
    Will someone step forward from the gloom and take the sport forward?
     
    I simply don't know. I dearly hope so for the sport I love but there are massive dark clouds around and there doesn't appear to be a change in the weather very soon.
     
    We need to listen to each other, the riders and the fans and formulate a framework for the good of the sport as a whole.
     
    Let's hope a storm is coming.
    • Like 5

  11. 41 minutes ago, Grachan said:

     

    Ice Hockey has play-offs, but they don't decide the league champions.

    The league champions are the team who finish top of the league table, and the winners of the play-offs are the Play Off Champions.

    For example: 2016-17: Cardiff were League Champions and Sheffield were Play-Off Champions. Last year Cardiff won both.

     

    Exactly as it should be in speedway.  It is a travesty of justice for a team to fight all season to get to the top and have it all taken away in one meeting.  League Champions top Play Off Champions second.

    • Like 2

  12. 21 minutes ago, ch958 said:

    i hear what you say i just think getting the core product right would preclude the need for gimmicks. But i accept it may be worth a go

    Just to clarify I am wondering if you misunderstand me, I am not talking about having kids on bikes on a speedway meeting night, that would be a bit gimmicky, I am talking about weekends or when the track is not in use.  Get them into the arena and maybe some of it will make them want to see more.

    You are right getting the core product right is a priority but all that seems to be out of our control as these forums just turn into a talking shop with as many different ideas as there are members.   


  13. 38 minutes ago, ch958 said:

    well it doesn't encroach its just not what i go for. Besides if extras come for the gimmick, who's to say they'll come back unless the actual speedway is good

    But you dont have to go and watch the kids on bikes if you dont want to. You dont know if any newcomer will come back you can only show them the way.


  14. 31 minutes ago, ch958 said:

    must admit when i hear gimmicks proposed, although meant well and i mean no disrespect, i despair - it should be a speedway meeting, don't need the white helmets, scooter racing, or anything else if the product s good.

    which it currently isnt of course

    Referring to my idea can you explain where the "gimmick" would encroach on a speedway meeting?

    • Like 1

  15. 24 minutes ago, moxey63 said:

    I think we're going a bit far here by wanting other forms of entertainment. It's speedway ffs and there should be no reason to attract people for any other reason than watching a properly run sport. Speedway is thrilling, but the thrill goes for the newcomers the longer they have to stand around waiting for the next race. waste of time trying to introduce newcomers if you're going to instantly lose them. No gimmicks like double points, no teams being near the bottom after a few months and then signing a few better riders and coming good just at the right end of the season (I didn't even mention Poole). It's like Popeye eating some spinach and growing big muscles. The qualifying matches for the Play-Offs allows this. As long as the team gets there, even if they just scrape it with a much better side than began the season, then they are quids in. Belle Vue lost some fans that they managed to win back a few years ago when Wolves brought in Woffinden to eventually come good in the PO Final after BV had made all the running. Ridiculous. Get the rules right, make it simple, fewer gaps between heats and fewer restarts because of a rider getting a quicker start. There is nothing worse on a cold night than gaps between heats. Nothing worse on a cold night than gaps and having to watch someone trying to entertain you with another form of a show while there's a speedway match going on. Again, the latest BT Sport matches have overrun. Why? 120 minutes to do 15 heats and we still run out of time. It's wrong to make the public think they're getting value for money the longer they're out of the house, but most of the time is spent wishing they'd hurry up with the next race.

    You are right in all you say rules etc need changing including the BSPA but when I suggested a supporters group to try and influence the BSPA with clearly defined priority changes as a group (ok so it might not have worked)  only one other forum member took the idea seriously.

    If a supporters "influence" group is a non starter then all we can do is try and encourage supporters through the turnstiles. The vast majority of the public dont even know they have a local speedway track.  My idea is not to have other forms of entertainment but to get more kids aware of their local track.

    • Like 1

  16. 1 minute ago, 2ndbendbeerhut said:

    Tbh cycle speedway has more action than most speedway these days.... and free to watch.

    In my original post suggesting using the track it was not to bring cycle speedway in as an alternative (maybe something in that) but more as a fun run around the track much as kids kick a football in the park.


  17. I have often thought that what attracts kids to football is the fact that they can play themselves whether it is organised at school or out of school in the local park playing in their hero's shirt.

    Speedway cant do that, except for the very few, what speedway could do is open the tracks up on a weekend or even summer nights and let the kids race on their pedal bikes. maybe a couple of laps per heat.

    Organised into age, ability and bikes you could even have "trainee" start marshals and refs for those interested in that side.  I'm sure once the kids got into the stadium and onto the track they would start to think about coming to see the big lads ride especially if there was a rider on site to give a demo and advice.


  18. On 7/18/2018 at 7:37 AM, waytogo28 said:

    I think motivating supporters is an almost impossible task because we have had 20 years of total submission / acceptance of continuing to pay to see what the BSPA put on.  Very few care enough to form some kind of Supporters Action Team because they realise that we have no power to put pressure on Promoters, collectively or individually. It is they who will decide on the destiny of the sport here and whether or not it reaches the Centenary in 2028. There will still be a few tracks racing amateur speedway matches and these will be staffed and organised by grassroots enthusiasts. Or, will speedway be just another lost sport...

    Is there no one with any motivation or has apathy taken over and a possible positive outcome been lost again?

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