waytogo28

Speedway is not dead and will survive, but not in the form it is now. Within the sport the BSPA fancy that their sport IS something like the top end of football. That is delusional and regular crowds of around a 1,000 ( or less ) are not viable and not attractive to sponsors, There will be 8 -10 tracks running in 2028 when the centenary arrives but it will be a semi-pro setup ( or even completely amateur ) along the lines of non league football. The Hot Young Guns who are good enough in that set up will make their way to Poland to follow their dreams. As Lapworth suggests they will be in rural / just out of town locations where the demand for land for housing / industrial estates does not make it so valuable. The opportunity for real change in the UK was lost ten or fifteen years ago. But, Oh Yes a great race with two or more riders committed to passing and determined to win IS a thing of beauty to watch. It long lives in the memory!

I think the views of those who have recently stopped attending live matches are very important as they give vital feedback as to why they have turned away from the sport. IF anyone at the BSPA is listening and interested in those reasons. I am teetering on the brink of not going to live in-stadium matches this coming season - after not missing most of any season since 1956. I am a great fan of live TV broadcast matches and intend to see them all during 2017. They contain so much more content and interest than what is on offer at live, in -stadium matches. It is not age nor infirmity that is driving me away but the overlong empty desert between races and the poor facilities ( even something as basic as clear tannoy announcements ) With only 25% of heats having any passing in them ( if you are lucky enough to get that many! ) Poor quality overpriced food and drink on offer. The list of cons far outweighs the list of pros as reasons to go. And that is without the cost of admission! Far too expensive - for me to see every televised speedway match of last season inc Sky and BT cost less than £10 per meeting. Great value and very enjoyable for such a professional package. The worst thing is the "is it on or off" decision taken after poor weather and that often takes another wasted 45 - 60 mins before it is declared as "off". Once last season it was "we will crack on at 7.30 pm because more rain is forecast later " ( but then further remedial work was demanded by some of the riders ) and it was then called off at 8,30 pm. We had been standing there since 7 pm. on what was anyway not a pleasant evening weatherise. Sadly nothing organisationally nor presentation wise has change much since the 1960's. Speedway matches need to be £!2 /£10 and free for under 16's. If you want a continuing and growing future audience. In this weeks Speedway Star the Polish Speedway "overlord" was quoted as saying re British Speedway " most importantly you must enhance the marketing strategy" AND " renaming the leagues is not enough". Things may not be perfect in Polish Speedway but they DO have "bums on seats" in meaningful, viable numbers .

It's an entertainment business. The sporting part of it and equipment used means is not a level playing field for it to be considered a genuine sport.

Another enormous "red herring" for those trying to turn around the fortunes of speedway as a well supported spectator sport. Jeremy Corbyn's idea was much ridiculed, as it should be. Even in communist controlled China they long ago gave up such unworkable ideas. What speedway promoters need to do is listen to those fans who are left on the terraces, about what they would like to happen in the sport and identify what are the major turn offs for them. Otherwise the decline will continue. These ideas about fan's preferences have been well documented on forums and it is not rocket science, but the BSPA clearly want to remain in full control of the changes in direction and show that they "know best" about how to turn around speedway. All the spin in the world such as name changes of the leagues and a blind faith in one type of machinery ( instead of bringing in a mandatory and inexpensive rev limiter ) will only speed up that seemingly inevitable decline.

So the critics of the forums are quite right - a frank and honest exchange of differing opinions is not possible without some of the posters reverting to mindless, moronic levels of exchanges , nothing to do with the subject. How sad.

I think before we rush into " all riders must use the GTR" we need at least a season to see IF it is all that it claims to be re longevity, cheapness to run and results on track. Human nature means that some proportion of riders are not going to "get on" with the GTR. One of speedway's worst points is that there is a tendency to grasp at the " next best thing" that will revolutionise and save the sport. This has happened with rule changes, name changes etc etc and often six months later is proves to be a dead end. The GTR will not be a an economic saviour if all riders have one or two and then it turns out to be be not much better than what we currently have. Clearly it is MUCH more cheaper and seems likely to be no less effective to install a rev limiter on existing engines. Karger may be right that that rule may well be brought in by the FIM anyway before too long.

I hope that among all those things that might "come out" is where did the turnstile revenue go, if it did not go to pay riders promptly and up to date? What bills were made a priority and were they in fact paid. Who took what out of the turnstile income? In speedway too many people, sadly, like to draw a veil over such things but if the truth does come out, I hope it comes out fully. Someone has to be responsible for the collapse.

Neatly sums up the situation - "IF British promoters were to run the sport properly and people got value for money they wouldn't need any Barry Hearn type." Too much vested interest and far too much of " I know best" from those in a position to influence the direction of speedway within the BSPA.

I would like to see Josh Bailey given a decent run in the Stars for 2017at No.7 . I hope that they do not go back to Wilkinson because although he will always have a go, he is past his best and there is no further progress in him. Although it was great to see him beat Woffinden that is not a true refection of what he is capable of consistently achieving. If Josh was given the support and advice he needs that would accelerate his progress in general.

I too prefer that idea of using riders who are 100% committed to riding in Britain only. In one big league - probably North and South divided except for the playoffs. I enjoy watching Iversen, Doyle, Holder etc but home gown stars would quickly emerge. And then it could be for a more reasonable admission price. £10 - £12 max. And definitely only one "old hand" per team in the National League. And something new must be tried in terms of reaching out to potential new fans. If not then I genuinely believe that the centenary of 2028 will not be reached. If the decline in attendances continues as it has over the past five years the sport will become extinct or exist only in an amateur form at a handful of tracks. There is a difference between being negative and being realistic about the state of the sport now. Quite why the BSPA don't like constructive feedback I can't understand. There is definitely an " I know best " approach to how they are going about things. Please listen much more carefully to supporters and implement their ideas which are a consensus of fans concerns.

Promoters and all those who wish to build up the fan base of speedway again, need to go back to basics in many ways. Everyone within, say, 10 miles needs to have a pre-season leaflet with an offer of a free ticket during the first month OR an "in for a fiver" coupon - as a taster. You don't know what you're missing etc. And as much that can be done via social media too. Plus a reminder that they can get a preview of the thrills of speedway via You tube. Until prospective new fans get to see it and understand what it is, they will not come to a meeting. All the re-branding in the world will not, on it's own bring them in. Every takeaway, chip shop etc needs a fixture list on a poster as it was done years ago.

Whilst all the hard work on 'saving' Leicester and Belle Vue by Buster Chapman and others is to be applauded but I have yet to see any comment on addressing the real concerns of fans still on the terraces. Much better speeded up presentation and an awareness of what they are selling when the open the turnstiles ( i.e. how interesting is it to watch even for the diehard fans ). All to often we have heard the BSPA say " let's stop the negativity" - when what they seem to mean is " no critical feedback please, all is well" . Rosy tinted glasses at least. All is not well! Fans have left for several reasons and will continue to walk away if their concerns are not listened to and addressed where possible. There is a difference between feedback and complaints and even if a complaint has a kernel of truth in it, it can provide useful insight if insight is what promoters are seeking.

Pleased to hear that someone ( mikebv ) is telling it as it is - the difference between the TV experience and the in-stadium experience. When you get to your local track that is just what it is like. Poor value and lacking much content other than - if you are lucky - three or four heats with some passing or a point of interest. " is it the same sport" is really the case at my local track. Fallen out of love with it, as it is at the trackside and there seems little or no interest by the BSPA or individual promoters in improving all aspects of presentation. A dwindling attendance can only get worse until/ unless the promoters actually take look at what they are selling at live matches.

The "What is speedway" post by the SGB / BSPA says it all really! Take out the reference to kevlars ( and substitute leathers" ) and reduce the likely top speed - this could have been the introduction of speedway in the late 1940's. Of course it needed no marketing at that time and it now needs something VERY different if it is to capture the imagination of a new generation of younger fans. Like the recent "new" logos it shows that the BSPA thinking is way, way out of date! It needs something that is clearly not there within the ruling suits. The recent "major re-vamp" was a laughable sticking on of new name tags - aping soccer and praying that a tiny part of the multi billion pound business that soccer is, trickles down to speedway. No chance!

The decline dates from when nothing changed except faster bikes ( much more expensive ), long drawn out heats with very little passing ( or a chance to catch up, never mind pass ), extremely long, pointless ( and often unnecessary ) gaps between those heats. At Coventry in the 1970's and 80's it really was crisply and correctly presented with the fan's entertainment in mind. But the BSPA have failed over the last 20 to 25 years to move with the times although society has evolved considerably in that time. Especially, as others have commented on, the arrival of the fully digital age where " now" is the driver of all things entertainment. There is just not enough content for the spectators in an average -in the stadium - match. Those factors mitigate against new fans coming back. The arrival of excellent broadcast TV over the last 20 years or so, has made that so much more attractive ( and is so professional in it's presentation). A good speedway race with passing ( or the serious likelihood of passing ) is still a superb thing to watch and some heats are truly " a minute of magic" but these are once in a match IF you are lucky!

Perhaps because it's over in less than ten seconds that's the case in 70% of races. A majority of riders seem to accept that the positions at the end of lap one will be the result. Except for the few young guns or dyed in the wool racers are prepared to give it all in an attempt to gain a point ( or not run a last ). Are different better incentives needed? There are invariably not more than five races in a match where there is any passing or excitement. That old saying of first away wins is mostly true and will not easily attract new fans. Getting away from the start and not making a mistake makes it very difficult to be passed - that is a fact of modern speedway racing. Track preparation - too many promoters still say they do the track prep to retain the home advantage. Too many tracks are still "trick tracks" and need a technique which riders visiting once a year do not attempt to master that technique. Away teams in many cases accept their fate and ride accordingly, hoping at best to avoid a thrashing. Providing a track where the opposition can believe they have a real chance of winning is essential if you want new fans to return. There is not enough "content" in a long speedway match for present day audiences. Even if we cannot afford big screen for video replays - a competent professional audio "talk through" of the race just run ( adding as much explanation as possible ) would give some more content and cost very little. As it stands there is just too much waiting around with nothing happening. 90 mins max. should be the match length whenever possible I have accepted those less attractive parts of speedway for over 60 years and must say I am still a huge fan of speedway - on TV. The broadcast quality and techniques nowadays are so good that it knocks into a cocked hat watching in a part empty stadium. A good friend says "you can't beat the live atmosphere" but in most cases there is very little "atmosphere" at most, run of the mill matches. There is so much more "content" inc. expert analysis, slow mo replays and commentary to enjoy on broadcast TV. New bums on seats or feet on terraces is the only way that speedway will reach it's centenary in 2028. All the rule changes, squad ideas or tinkering with lineups etc will not attract any new fans because they do not know what speedway is now! All of the efforts of promoters should be in trying to attract new fans. That may be a free match in the first month of the season in a "come and see what speedway is", if that is impossible let everyone in for £10 and all under 16's free - for the season. Or a free DVD of "best of" the previous season widely distributed in conjunction with a national newspaper / broadcaster at the beginning of March ( with a voucher for a free ticket or 2 for 1 offer ). If that is impossible let everyone in for £10 and all under 16's free. Have a campaign that really encourages people to take a look at speedway via You Tube. Wooing back "lost fans" is not going to work as many of them have simply passed away and cannot return even if they fancied it! Look at the average age of fans everywhere in the UK ( at least 50 if not 55 ).Speedway is in decline everywhere and only brave new efforts to show what the sport has to offer in terms of thrills and excitement. But you have to do as much as you can at every match to have a track that all riders can have a go on! Positive outward looking, dynamic marketing is the only way to avoid speedway being down and out at 90 never mind 100.

The ongoing long delay re 2017 is likely to only be about who will pay up for all the outstanding debts ( those to riders especially ). Or is the delay about how they can write off all of the debt? So where did the money from 2016 go? If there was no rent paid and that was spent on temporary stands, there was still adequate income to pay the riders. Who took money out of BV? As for so much in speedway we will never know the whole truth or anything like it.

Can't quite understand why it's been introduced in this curious partial way for 2017 unless it is going to be the only machine permitted in UK speedway in 2018? As it should be if G. can produce enough engines. Is this why it has not been pushed through for 2017? I am in the camp where it is all too little too late for UK speedway where the BSPA seems not to want to listen to fans still on the terraces, as to what is wrong with the sport. There are several reasons why so many have given up on the sport and the best people to ask about this are current and recent ( now ex. ) fans.

We can only respect his decision ( we all have that right - to make our own career choices ) even if we are not impressed by his method of departure ( I wasn't ) But as the "leader of the free world" is going to dispense policy via Twitter perhaps that is the modern way? Only Robert Lambert of the present Premiership crop is likely to get anywhere near Woffinden's record ( so far ) in the sport.

I don't think Tai deserves a testimonial as he has not completed the requirement in terms of years. Surely he can't need the money? It is even sadder that for whatever reasons he will not now ride for team GB ( for this year at least ). We should at least know the full story but as with so many things in the sport it is all smoke and mirrors ( e.g. why Chris Holder couldn't be fitted in at Poole for next season ) If it is personal matter then it should not be put into the public arena.

It can only be option One because the vast majority of people who see Two or Three won't know which sport it's marketing. S could mean almost anything to the non speedway fan ( Softball ) Surfing, Ski-ing etc etc. And yes, none of them are much good or very up to date looking. Love the tongue in cheek S.U.K. ( is it tongue in cheek?)

Better live than on television? Hmmm! Not in my book as modern ( this century ) broadcast racing is vastly better. You can even see a replay of the millisecond incident you missed on the terraces AND get an expert presenter informing you of what went on and keeping you in the loop of what is happening ( as it happens ). The product live in the stadium is vastly inferior due to long drawn out ( mostly unnecessary ) delays between races. Much better efforts are made with track preparation at some stadiums when the TV cameras are there! More effort is made to produce fairer, competitive racing ( and the possibility of passing ) when the match is broadcast. Everything is sharpened up then including presentation.

I agree with the problem that - as usual -"revolutionary" things inc rules in speedway are very rarely thought through properly and I can see trouble ahead with this one. Not a bad thing IF there is no way round just handing it over to a tuner and changing bits for "better" ones etc etc. It should be that anyone caught in the pits with a modified bike ( doing a Kennett it's called I believe ) is banned for life from the sport. Anything else will not deter those seeking an unfair advantage. Is that what the BSPA are going to put in place?

These four things as someone else posted are at the core of the problem - Four things that are constantly raised are the quality of racing, the facilities, delays and presentation. I still go ( less and less mind you! ) and think that the delays, quality of racing are the most important of these - It just gets too boring. And I have been going for a 100 years - well almost! Over the last two seasons I have fallen out of love / become disillusioned with the in stadium experience. I can't see most young people going more than once unless it is hugely made more crisp in terms of getting on with the racing. Sadly, seemingly the referee or the clerk of the course do not take much of an interest in doing this. Add the fact that the modern broadcast experience is vastly more interesting and informative - this is likely to cause further disinterest in the live stadium matches which look disappointing compared to a G.P. or a Sky match coverage.

Too many promotions do not seem to bother with the relatively inexpensive basics of marketing in their catchment area ( within 30 miles say ) and if they have a column in a local paper - that seems to have ticked the box re marketing! For those local newspaper readers who see a speedway headline " Fred Dasher - signs for the Falcons" it's meaningless and probably never read. Got to work a lot harder at getting people to actually see ( view on You Tube ) a minute of an exciting race - with passing. There seems far too much passivity from most promotions and the NEC Bike Show stand is an example. Ironic that Coventry ( who the stand pushed as being nearby ) are in crisis yet again themselves. Hopefully there was a spin off to clubs elsewhere. What should happen on a stand run by the BSPA is they give out 50,000 free tickets for a visit to any speedway circuit with a map listing them all AND a DVD of the best 100 races of the previous season. Without better local cheap marketing and some effort nationally there is very little chance of those new generation of fans wandering in!