Jump to content
Beat the Bookie GP prize competition 2024 Read more... ×
British Speedway Forum
Beat the Bookie GP prize competition 2024

Pieman72

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    870

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Pieman72

  1. Posted

    6 hours ago, Gordon Pairman said:

    Buster Chapman is not on the Management Board. He’s not had any say since he stood down two years ago. 

    Having been a member of the BSPA, it’s my view that having a sports’ professional with no affiliation to any club as CEO would be far better than the current situation which tends to rely on well intentioned - and hard working - amateurs. Running a sport needs different skills to running a team, and needs to be a full time job

    A difficult ask there probably isn't anyone with those qualities who has a comprehensive knowledge of speedway. What it needs is someone with those qualities who has no financial interest but with realistic proposals for the future. Mike Parker did try to get an Isle of Wight format with Grasstrack bikes and deep track at Wolverhampton back in 1981 but all riders were threatened with a lifetime ban from the BSPA if they did compete. That probably gives the DNA for the today's situation.  Mike Parker was a wily character but knew the sport and could see then where it was heading. Unfortunately he died not long after.

    • Like 1

  2. Posted

    8 hours ago, Speedtiger said:

    Let’s not get sidetracked that having an independent body/person will save speedway as is often put forward as a solution, the sport already has an ‘independent’ body in place, for what it’s worth, and that’s the SCB. Now stop laughing, I know the SCB are about as much use as a chocolate kettle. But that’s the point, no matter who or what body is appointed it will make no difference to the way the sport is run or prevent the downward spiral. In addition to the sports ineffective management by the BSPA who are devoid of any bold initiative, the reasons for speedway’s decline are many and complex and there are no simple answers or quick fix solutions, the sport is an unsustainable business and sadly it’s inevitable it will continue to fall apart.

    Nice to read someone who understands what's going on. It's falling apart but I think something useful may come out of this mess speedway will continue but probably more semi -professional. Speedway should be accessible by anyone who's willing to give it a go. Presently that's just not possible. Unfortunately the 'Anorak' supporter has taken over and that's not good for the future.

    • Like 1

  6. Posted

    51 minutes ago, heathen52 said:

    Nope they aint listening and never seem to listen, the majority at the top seem to regard supporters as someone to be put up with rather than treated as customers, this is an attitude thats prevailed for far to long and continues to be the case, those at the top need only look to the Island near to you to see what can be done with a little effort, at least whenever Iv visited there the promoters have always made the effort to make me feel welcome, rather than someone who is there on sufference.

    With regards the websites again you are right, the first thing I would do is have a different website server rather than the standard thats the norm for most Teams, PR! do they even know what it is ?.

    Were not customers were commodities to be used and abused. I can't believe what I am reading on the Wolves thread are these people for real.

  7. Posted

    15 hours ago, Beowulf said:

    So you are saying Wolves are run on a business like basis, but are blaming the Wolves management for the demise of British Speedway because other tracks aren't run as a business?  It seems to me that you do not have a clue what your own point is. By the way I think all of our riders last year were UK based i.e. no Swedes etc.

    Wow a severe handbagging that's fine lads !! I said that Wolves are deploying a model of speedway that's perhaps unsustainable for the future. I really don't know perhaps you and you mates could tell me what can be done to stop tracks closing. Arguing about reserves is the last thing on my mind.

  8. Posted

    2 hours ago, phillwhitewasmad said:

    Thing is your lack of knowledge is shown here agreed there is no training school however Wolverhampton constantly run competitive second half's with all British lads riding and give track time at every meeting to the British 250 champion . Unfortunately lots of teams are made up of foreign riders due to the lack of British based riders currently at premier league standard .

     

    What knowledgable element of Speedway do I need to brush up on? It's very expensive with dwindling attendances, financially bereft teams, a management committee that is autocratic and riders who can't be bothered.

  9. Posted

    2 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said:

    Is he defending it ?, he hasn’t even mentioned the subject.

    You appear to have an issue with Wolves policy, that’s your opinion and your entitled to it.. I’ve never heard of any rider ever getting ‘ appearance money ‘ and I’m very experienced in clubs finances over the years. You may be getting confused with ‘ start money ‘ ( mainly done away with now ) or even a’ guarantee’ which is quite common with some clubs.

    As for promoting local riders, your track needs to have the track time available to do it, few do . I’ve seen many a ‘ second half ‘ at Wolverhampton over the passed few years so they are definitely  trying.

    I am having a severe Anorakking on here lol. I can see why it's all going wrong....reconstructing. Speedway is in a mess and obviously your more in the 'know' than me. How many times have I heard that. So if Wolverhampton have a successful programme of Second Halves why do they fill the team with non aligned foreign riders?

  10. Posted

    1 hour ago, Trackerman48 said:

    Wolves riders are not any more expensive than a lot of British riders Wolves do not pay for flights ect.

    Wolves riders get appearance money and having no British riders is detrimental to the future of the sport. If you have no programme of promoting local riders with a training school what is the future. We all know fielding a team full of foreign riders is wrong why defend it?

  11. Posted

    42 minutes ago, Sir Sidney said:

    I think it would be a good idea if some kind of survey could be carried out to see how many people that would attract on a regular basis.

    For me, that would not be an attractive proposition and I doubt I would go. Solo speedway is the attraction for me but sidecars, quads and flat track would be a complete turn off. I'd also be unlikely to go for a full day. What does attract me is the sort of programme the Isle of Wight put on this year - circa 25 races over a 3 hour period, predominately speedway based - and the British Youth Championship with multiple speedway classes. 

    I may of course be in the minority, and I certainly do fall into the age demographic that's viewed as a problem for the sport.  

    A stadium/grasstrack style race programme will probably become a new and refreshing deviation which will draw in a broader type of spectator. Rather than compete it could be useful in supporting league speedway particularly bringing in/on youth talent from other disciplines.

  12. Posted

    I completely understand you have Wolves running through your body. They have managed to continue because the VS are/were very business orientated and the model they run depends on top class foreign spectacular riders drawing in healthy crowds. Unfortunately other tracks aren't run so business like and depend on lower attendances bringing in foreign riders has broken some of these tracks. We need other tracks to sustain the league on an affordable basis which means more local talent. Wolves can't race themselves and are victims of their own success. I remember Dan McCormick at Cradley Heath and Birmingham he had 7 riders capable of being No1 at any track end result they destroyed all opposition and started the decline of British Speedway.

    • Like 1

  15. Posted

    8 hours ago, Trackerman48 said:

    Why the hell are so against wolves and the promotion? And from alot of your posts speedway in general. 

    So many tracks are closing or in financial dire straights and the BSPL and carrying on with a speedway league model that in broken. I can see your enthusiasm but we have to look to the future Wolves and their foreign riders are not the answer with only 6 teams in the Premier league and eye watering admission costs. Speedway is in a lot of trouble.

  17. Posted

    5 hours ago, falcace said:

    It needs a complete revolution, not fiddling while Rome burns. The reality is the product and package isn't good enough...and people outside of the speedway bubble couldn't give a toss over doubling up or whatever the latest rule tweak is. 

    My vision is for the British speedway to:

    • move to a family-friendly weekend model
    • be part of a multi-motorsport experience including sidecars, quads, flat track etc

    That's the core offering from any other motor sport experience in the UK road or off road. People of all ages get a full day out and people get to see disciplines they enjoy and others that they may want to grab a burger/pint during. I know I am biased, but I still believe (possibly foolishly) that with its stadium setting, speedway can offer a much more engaging spectacle that other motorsports. So, I still have hope.

    Faith is another matter. British speedway doesn't have....and never really has had....the leadership or appetite to make wholesale changes to reflect public opinion. Nor, sadly are the remaining hardcore fans blameless, they too will (largely) stubbornly oppose change even whilst their fellow hardcore supporters are slowly dwindling away before their very eyes. It requires a Barry Hearn/Dana White figure...but the potential is ultimately limited, so people of that ilk are never going to come forward. And so, we will trundle on.   

    What an excellent post brilliant in fact. The dreadful promoters (CVS) and their sycophant hardcore supporters are running the sport into the ground. I'm not interested in watching some posy American with a dozen bikes and a bulging wallet. I want to watch some affordable racing with variety. The Anorak type supporter who knows nothing about the bikes covered in badges has always been around but is ruining speedway as they are acceptant of anything while propping up the despotic promoters.  Bring on some variety please my brain needs it. 

    • Like 1

  18. Posted

    7 hours ago, phillwhitewasmad said:

    Agreed I do wonder though if the returning clubs had any talks with the breakaway club about the potential of a small mini league to form the basis of a league 

     

    If there is an alternative to the massive financial commitment of league speedway then it's a positive way forward for amateur or semi-professional to operate on an Isle of Wight style model similar to grasstrack. I'd happy to watch speedway of any form if it's affordable and well organised. We've had some fantastic days out watching grasstrack as it's so interesting such a variety and open to all ages and genders.

  20. Posted

    1 hour ago, The Dog said:

    I think the Birmingham promotion agree with you totally but if the stadium owners want to enforce those rules, there's not much they can do about it. Like Speedwayfan says, they have tried to reason with the owners but they don't seem to want to see reason. It's the way landlords operate unfortunately. 

    They're probably angry because they can't knock it down because it's listed greedy £$%**.

  21. Posted · Edited by Pieman72

    I completely understand sorry but if their behaviour is not addressed then the situation will get worse. If a supporter is prepared to pay £40 plus a couple of pints then look after them it's not rocket science. Most travelling people would probably bring a flask and sandwiches and probably supplement that with some chips and a couple of pints. Banning consumption of bought food is going to annoy most people it's not a pub. I always take something as you never know what facilities if any are available. It's so petty and stupid. Good luck to hopefully a new era at Birmingham.

  22. Posted

    14 hours ago, Speedway fan said:

    who stopped you going in the bar ? Where was this "hole in the wall serving £4.50 lager plus stodge and chips"? ----  chips unfortunately were not available as many fans wanted ...only chilli and rice, curry and rice, pie and mash and if ordered sausage and mash and this is all controlled by the stadium with the speedway having nothing to do with the catering and bars. It is their ruling that food and drink cannot be brought in as it is at some other stadiums. The promotion did try to request different menus but they are awaiting their kitchens being renovated and extractors replaced hence no chips, burgers etc . Sorry you regarded it as a dreadful experience . 

    I'm not getting into spat. I stated what happened I don't tell lies and I'm not justifying what I said. If the speedway and greyhounds can't or won't accommodate loyal genuine decent paying customers it very sad. No wonder attendances are falling through the floor.

    • Like 1

  25. Posted

    That's fine mate  don't worry. A lot of the clientele at Birmingham are rather old and rather poor and it's disgusting to treat anyone like that let alone someone who has probably forked out more than they spend on food. Absolutely disgusting I don't think there is much hope for continuation. I have dealt with companies like that in the past and usually they are in financial difficulties and are desperate.

×

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

  I accept