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Authorised

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Everything posted by Authorised

  1. Authorised

    Rye House 2018

    I posted this on 1st Sept last year in a thread called Jason Doyle. It was my last post on this forum, such has been my rate of decline in interest in the sport, but my tune hasn't. I am sure the problems of Rye House are more complex that race night alone, but the whole marketing strategy of the BSPA is ill thought out. It is a sad day for the sport, again.
  2. Authorised

    Rye House 2018

    I am sadly not surprised. I rarely tweet, but did so on 20th Nov 2017 - highly praised on Twitter and here, especially by international speedway hangers on - that it wasn't good for British Speedway. Once a 7 day sport, week in, week out during March to October, the cost of losing that hurts clubs. As other sports move towards a 7 day model too. Speedway got there first. Look at a track like Coventry, all bar the first Saturday of the month. Speedway. Easy to plan, easy to arrange. Attendances and profile of the sport is now higher in Scotland than the West Midlands. The second tier is far more attractive to fans and promoters. International Riders should not dictate race nights, fans should. The small, irregular top flight will cease to exist. I was an Elite League snob, but the strengths of each division has closed tremendously, aided by the poorly thought double upping and continued absence of top riders. Time to accept where the footfall is, and is not, of fans.
  3. Authorised

    Jason Doyle

    It needs to be recognised that International Speedway riders are - especially if British based - limited companies, and do not share the same goals as the companies (British Speedway tracks) with which their services are supplied. Their wages do not drop if attendances go down because of an absurd race day. The goals are so mis aligned right now that riders who have done VERY well this season out of British Speedway are willing to publicly belittle the sport. Whilst they have complete freedom of speech, if British Speedway goes part time status, it will hardly be in the interests of, say, Rory Schlein Racing Limited (just an example, I know he is no longer international speedway, but has been very quick on twitter to cut the sport down this year). It appears that International riders expect British Speedway to act as a filler for the international speedway week, on the quiet, off nights. However, the working week is the same throughout Europe. Quiet nights will reduce the attendances here, and even additional income such as bar takings will drop. It will not achieve the goals of the promotional company at the tracks - profitable and healthy attendances. If it was Leicester on Saturday, Poole on Wednesday, Wolves on a Monday, or Ipswich on a Thursday and Edinburgh on a Friday.....you know that if you are in the area, during March to October, there will be a fixture to go to. Get a fixture list that will make the riders limited companies work hard - none of this mid summer breaks for 3 weeks, and use them to promote the sport. They need to share the same goals.
  4. Authorised

    Jason Doyle

    Fixed race nights only serve one purpose. "Global" superstar riders. But do they really put more people on the gate?? If Doyle was appearing at Edinburgh or Glasgow, could I get friends who have been once a year to go and see him win by half a lap? No. Monday and Thursdays are all fine and well, if you are self employed or retired, or a Polish or Swedish speedway fan. It is no good if you work 9-6 all days or have a young family. I have followed the sport for nearly 40 years and this will be the first season with less than double figure meeting attendances and I have to be honest, I don´t miss it as much as I thought I would. If you have a home meeting every other week, and then throw in a rain off or two, people will find better things to do. Fixed nights on Monday or Thursdays may make riders unaffordable. I would much rather see 4 riders competing closely, and socialising with fans post meeting or doing local promotion activity - at whatever level, than a big shot, tweeting from the airport, off to go and earn another quick buck. As other sports look to "stretch their playing week", be it Rugby League on Thurs to Sunday, Rugby Union from Fri to Sun, or Football all 7 days.....it amuses me that a sport was there before all of them in being a 7 day sport. You could take in a couple of tracks a week from the Midlands if you wanted, and there is nothing like an intensity of a consecutive night Cup Final (Glasgow, Edinburgh), or a 2 fixture Easter Monday (Cradley, Coventry). The sport will lose something special, but it has lost a lot over the years. I wonder how much of the crowd drops are due to fans "doubling up" at multiple tracks during the summer months, and now, not. As anyone in marketing will tell you, it costs a lot more to get a "new" fan than to retain your existing one. I was first on the forum in 06-07, when I called for an independent BSPA. The Sport has since struggled through decision making with no real back up or research. Matt Ford once called for less meetings similar to Poland, and then during the winter, called for more! I believe Speedway should have the intensity of a 7 day sport, low gate prices and lots of racing.....similar to say, NBA. It would probably be directly employed riders only, but if you also got them doing promotional work, it can suceed. If that means losing the last couple of GP riders, then so what? British Speedway needs to prioritise it´s needs over that of the GP or Monster Energy. If BSPA were a promotional and marketing body, they would ask, "What do fans want", not "What do riders want to fit into Swedish and Polish schedules".
  5. Authorised

    Coventry 2017

    I don't see a quick return to Brandon under current ownership and unlikely that BSPA would push it either. Chapman acquired a lease for a Speedway Stadium, doubled the tenants and moved it on. Leicester won't want to lose income either. I was always suspicious of Horton's intentions but the plans during last season for a new track seemed odd. The plans were amateurish and seemed more like a pitch to local Councils to get free land. If Horton had a new stadium and land on a plate, it increases his assets far quicker than having to actually promote the sport and get fans in. Brandon wasn't going anywhere, it was needless. The Coventry Bees brand is tarnished beyond finding a decent sponsor in its current state.
  6. Authorised

    Coventry 2017

    I think it is easy to blame the fans for not supporting this promotion - I am not just citing you but others have blamed the fans in "use-it-or-lose-it" posts. Other clubs and their support WILL be worried about the demise of Coventry and the fans make an easy target, as the EL moves into another winter of turmoil. However, it is little to do with the fans. The EL - have tried to model their business to suit the Grand Prix and foreign leagues. Cut fixtures, cut competitions, de facto squad use. Has it worked? No. We have an irregular fixture list. It takes too much arranging to make fixtures - and there are not enough of them. It doesn't work for the fans, and it doesn't work for riders - the majority of them are busy working out conversion rates to PL double up / appealing for guest bookings / or asking why they aren't reserves. The complaints are not just coming from promotions under pressure either. The cut in fixtures was a mistake, I am relieved to see Matt Ford complaining about this recently. The move away from regular race nights was a mistake, again, I heard the Lakeside promotion preferring the Saturday night in an interview at the stadium earlier this year. I also think the top flight does need multiple trophies too to keep an interest for more clubs ("Double winners", "The treble" are things that can no longer be achieved). Steve Shovlar and others mention Glasgow as coming up. I would hope they would shake things up if they did. The track is improving, but his assumption that they will go to an off-night and support 3 weeks with no fixtures, would surprise me. Their marketing is an example to other clubs, but imagine not having something on a billboard that wasn't "Speedway every xxx" - "sometimes a Tuesday, then a week on Friday, and a Sunday". It doesn't work. The travelling support would also be greatly depleted on an off-night - and the lighting would need improvements. The promotion of Glasgow does give me hope that Speedway has a future, which brings me onto the final issue. The Horton promotion hasn't worked. The uncertainty, the lack of team changes, even the communication regarding the stadium and the latest farce. The sport isn't promoted. Of course, fans are supporting the club, however, the promotion makes it very difficult for fans to show support. I lost £170 on flights to attend on Friday, and they lose income as a result. EL speedway needs regular fixtures, on regular nights, throughout the season from March to October across multiple competitions. It needs riders willing to promote locally and not fly off to the next earnings, and promote for the good of the sport (not in pubs at £25/head). It needs a simple rule book for newcomers to understand, including teams changes. Promoters also need to promote! IF it all means that we lose a few GP stars for the good of the sport, so be it. The size of the prize is in attracting new support; it hasn't hindered Glasgow by not having them. If it means Coventry going to the PL, then so be it too. There is so much double-upping going on plus some reserves from the NL, you wouldn't actually notice.
  7. Authorised

    No Woffinden....

    I think the focus should be on Tai Woffinden and his reasons. Comparing to others such as Nicholls, Richardson, Wigg, Cox, Holder, and so on, just muddies the water. Facts are: He is skipping a British Final that if - as he claims "i done more in the last 3 years then any other rider" - will lower the crowd, and hard British Speedway. Reason given: Burn out. Riders have all sorts of reasons but to claim this is stupid. Furthermore, he tweets about how difficult it is to get a strong 16 or 32 etc. So hardly a burn out threat then. From a competitive point of view, perhaps he should remember when he was up and coming, he wanted to race against the best - now British youngsters don't get that? This is their wild card at a GP, it is their opportunity..... His arrogance is boundless, and it is a shame he hasn't been kept more grounded. Comments that it will give others a chance are crass and disrepectful to GB team mates and competition. Claims that he does so much for the sport.....people on here use his charity raising efforts. Whilst thoroughly commendable, it should not be used as a tool to promote a sport or oneself. Billions are raised for charity in the UK, and by many unsung heroes. He is a big talent but only in the GP or on the continent. How many "new" people to the sport are aware of him or attracted by him over the last 3 years in the UK? Very few, as they cannot see him and even some Speedway fans don't follow him as they cannot access his scores abroad or ignore GPs in favour of the grass roots of the sport - the grass roots that helped him flourish. The GPs have become stale and on minor TV channels. Getting in newspapers with declining circulations or constantly tweeting Keith Lemon to try and get onto his TV show is no biggie. I would say the Glasgow owners have attracted more people to the sport over the last three years than Woffinden. And they have been featured in the Herald and Scottish Sun lately too! Ben Barker no less. If he wants to help the sport, perhaps make appearances at Plymouth or Glasgow (like Bomber did at the PL final, and last week), or Edinburgh (Nicholls and Cook). He is the World Champion and wasting a fine opportunity to bound with fans and promote the sport outwith the ever decreasing circle of GP followers.
  8. Authorised

    Coventry 2016

    On the pricing structure, going to a single tier pricing system is a step backwards in my opinion. I am an "Elite League snob", in that I do prefer top tier racing to the Premier League. Although with the weakening of the leagues, the gap reduces season by season. Having attended the Premier League Grand Final between Glasgow v Edinburgh - both legs - you couldn't help but be impressed by a multi-tier and multi-day pricing structure. You could get your tickets on your phone. If you bought on the Monday, it was cheaper than the Thursday or Friday and so on. There was none of this paying at the gate and then getting by ticket ripped by a second line of defence (very needless) at Coventry. I am guessing that the line of thought is that old people will come to Brandon anyway, regardless of the product - something full paying adults have had to support for years with price increases. I would want a multi-tier system creating not single tier system. The benefit is more people will buy in the week (getting to the bank quicker), less cash on site, fewer people will make that call on the day regarding the weather, and guess what......buying tickets online is the NORM for under 30s, you are getting into their lifestyles. I am not a pensioner. This isn't for the kids for the future, this current regime cannot even say where the team will be racing in the future.
  9. Authorised

    Coventry 2016

    I do not understand the upside of Sandhu building the new stadium. If we base it on the fact that Ashfield required £1.6m investment, Sandhu would have to spend what - £2m to build from scratch, plus land etc.? Given the drop off in meetings over the last 20 years - add in stock cars - he won't make more than 5% per year. It is not as if the land or stadium will appreciate in value. He would be better off either investing in a high roller fund with a mainstream bank, or investing in residential property. And to a certain extent, this is what he has done by selling the site, so his intentions are not that of speculation. The onus should be on the current promotion to provide the solution. It will add value to their asset. Ground sharing will reduce their up front investment and keep their asset around the current value. It is the least-risk option for them, but hardly ideal for Coventry Speedway. It is a typical speedway mess, seen up and down the country for the last 20/30 years. It is not new. The stadium is run down, but this is due to neglect. Do I blame people for not investing? Not really. Why would you invest in a sport run by the BSPA. Outsiders come in with fresh ideas, but are soon curtailed. The sport lacks any kind of promotion, particularly in social media. So it is difficult to increase any income streams to justify upfront investment for Sandhu, Horton or anyone else and certainly no bank will provide cash to a sport that struggles to come up with a 5 year plan.
  10. Authorised

    Poole 2015

    I am trying to understand the complaints of "one sided meetings" turning off fans. Of course, it is true, but how many times in recent years, since 2000 approx, have Poole had one sided meetings (when they win at home), and the attendances hold up or even increase? Did any Poole fans get turned off by 5-1 after 5-1?? Poole, in particular, have had some real bargains on assessed averages. There are riders out there who can come in to fill the points limit without any reduction, the problem is that to win the league or to be competitive, you need them to put points on their averages. Some replacement riders are at their ceilings already. Finally, the absurdity of having a really low limit as a "one off" - a speedway meeting remains 90 points - anyone participating in a low limit league will automatically see their averages increase. This will make any non-participants in a low limit league (visa or stay-aways), become bargains the following season. Riders will be riding themselves into unemployment this season. Also create a one-sided league NEXT season, where a team could load up with Aussies vs a team of 2015 riders. It has been a major complaint and observation of mine since the 6 man team era, and points limit restrictions. In conclusion, any effort to level the field now is pointless unless an undertaking is made to prioritise the use of 2015 riders in subsequent years (via a draft system maybe), and riders not involved this season only come in when gaps appear via further opt outs, retirements, injuries. Certainly not an ideal situation for anyone, so best to suck it up for 2014, and thanks for sticking with the sport through all the one sided meetings seen at Wimbourne Road, where I think Poole have only been beaten 12 times in 9 years during regular league meetings.
  11. On the Sky Broadcast this week, Pearson asked Havelock if the reserves are "as" important as the Number 1s. I believe that they are more important. In fact, when the reserves were announced I said that King’s Lynn would win the league based on it. This may not happen, as of course, the main team cannot have injuries. Reserves are not the be all and end all – but we have plenty of examples of meetings where numbers 1 to 5 have scored 4 or lower and still prevailed to victory this season. Reserves have never been as important in the destination of the league title over the course of a season - I hope that it is not decided on reserves. Reserves have always been important and produced memorable moments and value recognised. The years of having Rick Miller, Billy Janniro and Steve Johnston in reserve to score points are gone. Who can forget a Coventry side – top heavy, led by Hamill and Hancock – losing at home to Poole with Hans Andersen and Krzysztof Cegielski in reserve, on their Brandon debuts, in 2001. Certainly, this year's reserves are cheaper options. Back in those days, Cegielski went to heat leader and Andersen into the team before breaking his thigh. If they had stayed fit, and in reserve all year. Poole could have overcome Oxford. This season is different to those years – You cannot get 1 to 5 dropping into reserve. They cannot be removed to be replaced by a number 1 etc.., 2 reserve heats and avoid strong heats. Margin of victory is important for additional league points (40-38, 46-44 is no longer good enough). This is also supported via heat leaders dropping averages – thanks to meeting more often. Several decades ago, it was possible for home and away riders – non reserves - to get maximums without meeting. I had a look at the averages – excluding BPs – of all Elite League teams after the 144 fixtures. A unique feature is that all reserves at home have taken between 128 and 133 rides – much closer than previous seasons. Away from home, the spread is 126 to 130, the exception being Coventry at 139. I excluded BPs, because they can collect more than their average share due to having a two heats between them. If it is 3-3, with the same heat winner in both reserve races, we wouldn't count it as 3-4, so BPs are irrelevant when looking for reserve/meeting outcome correlation. For fairness, I have compared the 4/8 ride contribution - all comparisons subsequent to this are based on this to average out R/R, ex 2 mins etc.. changes to make it like for like. First the 4 ride average per reserve, listed team, home, away, total: Poole , 5.18 , 4.84 , 5,01 King's Lynn , 6.44 , 5.42 , 5.92 Coventry , 5.81 , 5.65 , 5.74 Swindon , 5.21 , 4.40 , 4.80 Eastbourne , 5.97 , 4.16 , 5.07 Lakeside , 5.59 , 3.63 , 4.59 Wolves , 4.47 , 3.88 , 4.17 Belle Vue , 3.78 , 3.07 , 3.42 Leicester , 3.84 , 2.95 , 3.40 To be certain of getting into the play-offs, you need reserves to average 5pts per 4 rides, or total 10pts per meeting. Eastbourne and Swindon have swapped over for two reasons : Due to the points structure of the league, it is better to perform away from home than at home . It does suggest that away averages need to be north of 4.40 to get to play-offs. Eastbourne reserves didn't measure up away from home. Injuries and Unavailability: In all meetings where Lewis Blackbird rode for Eastbourne, the Eastbourne reserves out-pointed their opposition – home or away. He obviously picked up an injury, but also did only 1 out of the 4 away meetings in April, top scoring away at Swindon. When Blackbird rode, their home average was 6.52, away average 6.12. Total 6.39. Only 4 away meetings (3 of which garnered points). When Blackbird did not, their away average was 3.45 per reserve – on par with Belle Vue and Leicester for 12 fixtures. Eastbourne only collected 1 more point on their travels out of 12 fixtures without Blackbird. When Home Reserves outscored Away Reserves (on 8 ride ave) - 91 out of 144 meetings - 82 resulted in Home Wins, 3 draws and just 6 away wins. It proved nearly impossible to turn around any result where the home reserves had the upper hand. When Away Reserves were either level or outscoring Home Reserves, the result was 30 home wins, 3 draws and 20 away wins - all multiple winners are going to the play-offs. Of these 20 – Coventry (7), King’s Lynn (5), Swindon (3), Poole (3), Lakeside (1), Wolves (1). Coventry never won away if their reserves didn’t outpoint the Home reserves (based on 8 ride ave). Coventry also lost 3 out of 6 at Home, where their pairing could not outpoint the opposition. Coventry were the most vulnerable based on reserves alone. Belle Vue had to win 7 home fixtures with a reserve deficit to the away team – all other teams were 4 or less. In doing so, you are likely to give up League Points. 4 teams were 50% or lower in being able to turn around away advantages - Coventry, Lakeside, Leicester and Wolves. If the 8 ride average is compared, only 9 matches out of 68 were “turned around”, where the eventual winners had reserves who averaged MORE than a 5 point deficit vs opposition. The 9 matches were 8 where the Away team had the advantage, and all turned to Home Wins. The other was a Home team, turn to a draw – Eastbourne v Poole. Of the 9, it broke down Eastbourne (4), Poole (2), Coventry (1), Swindon (1), Wolves (1) failed to capitalise on reserve advantages. To put into context Eastbourne's 3 defeats from the reserve advantage. First was away at Swindon, and they lost 46-44 despite 3 heat leaders picking up just 13 points. Away at Leicester, they lost 45-44, despite running a R/R for Kylamkorpi picking up 2 points, away at Belle Vue, they lost 47-43 despite guest bookings at 3 and 5 picking up 6. In previous years, a team would be smashed under these circumstances. Belle Vue lost the reserve races for a maximum 10-2. The reserves got them 3 league points from these 3 fixtures. If the Home team reserves average 5 points MORE than Away from their 8 rides, it never resulted in an Away victory. Leicester had no away fixtures where the reserves combined for double figures, Belle Vue just one. All other teams had at least 4. Belle Vue also allowed the home reserves to collect a combined double figure score on 15 out of 16 meetings on their travels – the exception being a trip to Brandon, where Jason Garrity was unavailable. Conversely, King’s Lynn only met this kind of resistance on the road 4 times, mainly due to their strength in this area. This demonstrates a clear correlation between double figure scores and opposition weakness in reserves. This usually didn’t happen in 2001, for example, where reserves had to beat more main team opposition to get scores / maximums. Belle Vue lost the most points due to reserves, whilst King's Lynn had the strongest pairing, Coventry were the most dependent on their reserves as KL also lost matches where their reserves were strong as they were clocking up the higher averages. If Garrity had ended up at Belle Vue, I am sure the league would have looked very different for both sides. The same cannot be said if you swap other riders in the 1 to 5. I am broadly in favour of the Fast Track idea, but some changes need to take place to prevent a predictable league happening: Adequate replacements for injuries to reserves. An entire season is based upon them. Elite League needs priority of availability. Perhaps alter the points distribution between Home and Away wins. Limit reserves to 3 programmed rides per meeting. Removing the 2nd reserve heat will not impact development, as that line up could be replicated in a Reserve League, of the 1980s quality. Perhaps go to a 13 heat format (with reserve league), or replace the 2nd reserve heat with another nominated ride. This could make sure 4 out of the top 5 get 5 rides, and incentivise riders to make a progression to the team. That said, it would seem perverse to make changes for next season. It would be unfortunate to not allow the bottom sides to strengthen and get the picks. Rule changes should be made for 3-5 years to allow fairness, but equally difficult to hold back individual riders from progressing. The perfect reserves will be: Average of 5.00 – at least 4.50 away from home (exc. BPs). Always available and prioritise EL Racing - or make sure date clashes are at a minimum. Influence Away Form (no Home Track specialist) Reserves who can outscore their opposite numbers by more than 5 from 8 rides. If the format stays the same, and I was advising a half decent reserve, I would make sure they were paid or "sponsored" to the value that they bring to the team and not by skill / grade level.
  12. As I also pointed out, if there was a 2nd half - or Junior League - they wouldn't be fussed. Surely it is about track time, and not the money?? It needs a willingness on both parties to understand what the Fast Track is there for. I think with Lewis Blackbird riding, they could have got into the play-offs. They picked up 0.75 league points per away meeting that he did, compared to 0.08 that he did not do. Eagles couldn't cover adequately, but also do not forget he missed meetings due to fixture clashes too. Equally, if Belle Vue and Coventry had swapped reserves - Belle Vue would be in the play-offs. Again - vs. previous seasons - weak reserves usually meant a stronger 1-5. Not this year, so the 1-5 will always struggle to pull back that 8 point deficit. In 4 meetings - reserves combined for 2 points or less, Belle Vue twice at home, Leicester twice away. Leicester managed just 1 point at Eastbourne. 2 should be the bare minimum ( 2 * 5-1s, remainder zeros). Belle Vue managed to overturn it once without taking maximum home points. Should be British only imo. I don't think the competition is very "Elite" if it is decided by reserves, and top 5s are interchangeable. Does a company in the outside world exist on a make/break on its apprentices. The Asset system goes against the definition of what a draft should look like in my opinion. The entire system is dated as has been long discussed on this forum. As with a point I made in the original post, if a 16 year old is coming through and the draft is continued, he would be more valuable (and costly) to acquire as an asset, than someone with draft experience etc...? Price tags and making them a key to league success may weigh heavy on their shoulders when it should be about learning your trade. There is a happy medium to be found between the draft and league success. I wouldn't be happy if I was a bottom 4 side and rules are changed to suit play-off finalists / asset holding clubs this season. Bidding wars on assets cannot be a long term ambition of the draft, it will force clubs out.
  13. Authorised

    Darcy Ward

    http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/11414978.Speedway_Grand_Prix__Ward_ruled_out_of_Latvian_Grand_Prix_after_failing_alcohol_test/?ref=var_0 Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "There are mitigating circumstances for Darcy which will come out over the next few days."
  14. Authorised

    British Final 2014

    Very disappointing from Bomber. His star is clearly waning, but a dive. In Speedway. No thanks. I hope we don't see youngsters coming through copying this, because someone will end up getting hurt doing it. Bomber has always had that "rough and tumble" image and bouncing back up. I have felt he has played up to that for a few years. Not nice to see, cut it out of the sport.
  15. Authorised

    Coventry Stadium Sold

    I think it is very easy to blame Sandhu. We all know that Speedway functions best when the landlord is also the promoter. Sadly, a dying breed. Whether you were on the Sandhu/Frost side, or Ford/BSPA side, the one thing we all knew - whoever "lost" would eventually exit the sport. You cannot blame them. Their business came under attack, and it has been well documented that Sandhu has helped both speedway and greyhounds since. I doubt Sandhu was picking up a base rate return on his investment in the stadium, why expect him to continue? Did he owe forumites who support other teams anything? No. You expected him just to fall in line and shut up? Why. He had the best interests of Coventry Speedway at heart, it was his business. There is no shock about the announcement. We have all known the site was up for sale. A natural course was it would be sold. We cannot jump to conclusions about the landlord, other than everyone on here or within the sport had a fair and equal opportunity to buy the stadium. Maybe the BSPA should have stepped in and made it a National Stadium, maybe fans, of all teams, could have grouped together. We can just remain hopeful that a new owner is speedway orientated. The sport itself needs to take a good, long hard look at itself. It allowed the initial fall out, there were no remedies, and the general organisation since 2006/07 has been shocking. Rules made up as we go along, a desire for fewer fixtures etc.... Sandhu was the landlord, and the sport itself wanted FEWER fixtures! It is a complete contradiction. It reduces any return for a landlord, so why shouldn't they look to sell? I have always thought speedway actually needs more fixtures, and full time riders in the UK. We know the riders have stamina for it, double uppers and international riders can race up to 6 or 7 times a week. If costs were controlled, then maybe speedway could aspire to the 80+ fixtures that NBA and NHL manage to fit in. Advertising, sponsorship and bookies would like it. It does need landlord promoters, it would need covers, I would like indoor stadiums or covered tracks using systems like Hamburg tennis arena. Don't get me started on the irregular fixtures that have become the norm. It is unacceptable to customers like me, and to any potential landlord-speedway promoter. These stadiums could have multi-purpose use, but are under-used by speedway, and the lack of investment in facilities - even the basics, let alone my aspirations - means they could not attract pop concerts, these popular DJ events that have taken off in popularity, or other sports. Of course, this requires foresight and investment. I laughed at the Greyhound comment requiring stability for >2.5 years, well, speedway is lucky to get 1 year. You could not make a capital investment in a stadium when you don't know basics - fixtures, format - and that rival teams could dictate to your business. My very first post here was that BSPA needed an independent governing body....many said, why would businesses give away control, but in the end the Sandhu-Ford battle just showed what happens when rival businessman clash over the governance. The same mistakes are repeated, season in, season out, and there is an expectation of a different outcome. I am not sure why. These arguments are for another day though. I hope that Brandon Stadium continues, and I know there will always be Speedway of some sort, I have no doubts. It is always nice if it continues in a stadium that has such history and memories. I have been going since 1979, but sadly more irregular because life needs organisation and speedway does not have it. Coventry is now as mortal as other tracks, in a way that it never was during the 1980s or 1990s as tracks came and went. I always felt that the speedway season was twice as long back in the 1980s, twice as much racing, juniors afterwards etc..., twice the crowd, and half the time between races. As the seasons get shorter, as fixtures are curtailed as soon as a result can stand, as the empty weekends during the summer with no top flight speedway increase towards a month hiatus, the hours available to make more memories at speedway tracks in the UK has definitely decreased. If a developer did move in, at least those memories can't be knocked down, they are not dependent on the future. Well almost, I gave my son the middle name of Brandon as he arrived at 7.33pm on a Saturday evening during the summer. It could be difficult to explain that choice with no stadium. He was born in a July - which from memory had 3 different race nights, at least a 2 week break in the middle, followed by 3 in a week, then nothing at Brandon Stadium until late August. How can you make a plan, or money, around that? Even if Speedway continues at Brandon - investment and organisation is needed at that stadium and in others across the country to ensure that the uncertainty cannot hang over the sport, a governing body should be there to protect the sport and give it a legacy. It relies on the blind loyalty of supporters for far too long and far too often. The fans appear to be the ones to suffer the most, which ever track, what ever the corner of the UK. It is difficult being a speedway fan! To paraphrase from the play "Peter and the Starcatcher", when your track has any level of uncertainty, it does hurt, its supposed to hurt, that's how you know it meant something.
  16. Authorised

    Brummies Website

    "Speedway clubs are contractually obliged to have their sites hosted on BSPA servers which are controlled by AP Media"......this is bizarre. Not only could this be challenged, if it were found a cheaper supplier could have been sourced, under EU Law if there were no benefits of a BSPA deal, but also.....now that the server is deemed unreliable, you could just walk out of the deal to a better supplier, of which there are many. Seems that anyway to get income from clubs is taken by BSPA. Could you imagine a club being "kicked out" because they want to host the servers themselves.
  17. Authorised

    Uk Speedway Series

    If the Fans show enough demand, and Riders say they want to ride in it....I cannot see a problem. It is right that with spiralling costs, more fixtures are on offer. I am perplexed by the need to compare it to the English FA. If I set up a game at the local park, create a couple of select sides and charge for entry....I am under no obligation to have the match sanctioned by the FA. I am well aware of this being done in Scotland with Chick Young assembling a crowd of ex Old Firm players (and River City actors!) - paid for appearances - and taking on multinational companies at local Junior pitches. If riders want to take their bikes to a track, have a meeting, perhaps call it "Speedbikes", then it would be perfectly legit. Naturally, the promoter could be in trouble with his licence. The riders are also taking a risk BUT If they created new tracks (or re-built old tracks) - not licenced by SCB, then not only would it be good for the sport, it would show the SCB/BSPA churlish nature. If there was real money behind it, you would get riders and do a winter series in temporary venues such as large warehousing. Riders might even choose to go to an alternative series and tell the BSPA to go to hell.....they don't owe the BSPA or SCB anything. They have been poor custodians of the sport. Again, interesting to see Leslie/Shovlar making comparisons to the English FA, but it stops there as far as I am concerned. English FA have built St Georges Park......what have BSPA/SCB done for British riders, other than escalate an influx of non-EU riders. Anything that increases the earnings of Speedway riders without unnecessary money going to "licencing" or giving cuts to middle men like Go Speed is good with me.
  18. Firstly, congratulations to Scott Nicholls. Fantastic Achievement and great racing. Nicholls is 34 - that is "only" 7 years younger than Mark Loram. He won his first title in 2002, and is a cross over generation from the Screens and Lorams of this world. Nicholls is 12/13 years older than Tai....it is different eras. Woffinden and Harris (8 years older than Woffinden) will be back for more titles. All 3 can only beat what is put in front of them. Is it the BSPA's fault? Is it that British speedway fans support non-British riders? Or tracks? That is another debate, but it doesn't make Scott Nicholls' achievement any less, especially given the line ups that he beat for his earlier titles. Also, as a "like for like" progress......Scott Nicholls was a season ending number 1 in an Elite League (stronger 10 years ago) at 23, British Champion at 24. Joe Screen achieved both at younger ages....however, Cook, Roynon, Stead, Kennett, Barker, King cannot match their achievements. Unlikely Bridger will either. To say that any of these riders will be GP stars of the future is madness when you see their Danish or Polish opposition that are 4/5 years their junior. On a final "like for like", the line ups used to feature one or two Division 2 riders who had battled through quarter finals etc.....In 1986, Simon Wigg didn't even make the top 10 and missed the Commonwealth final. It was cut throat top flight riders. Nowadays, riders appear happy to get "doubling up" roles rather than push for continental rides in Poland etc.... Olly Allen and Bridger deserve credit for sticking with the top flight when promoters wish to run fewer and fewer meetings. I don't blame the riders for taking an easier living, BSPA make the rules and they can utilise them.......but Is Glasgow away against Henning Bager better for the career than Poland on a Sunday?
  19. Authorised

    Shamek To Poole

    I feel the same about Hancock and Hamill, we are still yet to see their abilities matched on these shores. Very unlikely while it remains a D-Elite League.
  20. Authorised

    Shamek To Poole

    I was paraphrasing what you said, do you really think I have time to go back and quote word for word about Pawlicki looking guilty, but if you insist, the bit about silencer and or bike being removed was between pages 20 and 30 on the "Kennett gets 6 months" thread - I don't even need to look, I remember all the rubbish you said and it won't be forgotten. More the fact, you lack the class to apologise. Pawlicki is a great rider, fantastic talent, would love to see him back in EL but not 3/4 of a lap ahead with Darcy, and D-Elite heatleaders trailing in the distance. Far better in competition, perhaps Jon Cook will do the right thing and sign him up!!!! Sure you'd love the opportunity to apologise for smearing a good guy, with no evidence and no facts...... A beauty...... Does this extend to off track abilities of Aussies too? Or should we rely on semantics getting you off the hook, "in general terms" and "my guess"?
  21. Authorised

    Shamek To Poole

    Ahhhh, such wonderful memories of Custer "In the Know" Mouse and his "Pawlicki looked guilty/turned pale/silencer looked dodgy" analysis.... Quickly changed to "his silencer/bike must have been removed".... I saw another thread, continually have a go and KKS. I never have seen anything from his as creative as Custer Mouse's tales from last year. Not only were his comments incorrect, Pawlicki's silencer was tested. Can't believe he'd want to keep reminding us of his lack of credibility. Pawlicki is a quality 9 point rider and future World Champion. I suspect him and his brother will score more GP points than Darcy Ward over their careers. Instead of getting threads praising his talents from Speedway Star personnel, Pawlicki gets muck thrown at him regarding his professional on track performances by keyboard warriors. ONLY in "British" Speedway, maybe it is because he is "foreign" - scary times........(*) (*) of course, it was a Brit that got caught cheating, and the riders that are praised and promoted beyond their abilities on/off track tend to be Australian.
  22. Authorised

    Shamek To Poole

    Its all irrelevant.....Poole have got this title, whatever Shovlar says, bookies have Poole as firm favourites - odds on, which is unusual in a play off sport. Still, they have form for bottling it, and can do it again.... Very dull, boring season. Quite sure Pawlicki is a 9 pointer in the D-Elite League. In fact, I am more certain of this, than of Poole winning the title. I just hope Pawlicki realises what he is doing.....a few months at Poole and he will be required to serve a year at Belle Vue, then no doubt re-join Poole in 2014 at 4.95.
  23. Authorised

    Shamek To Poole

    Isn't there a set rate, and the rest is topped up by a promoter who has over-promised? Otherwise it is a very unfair tax on the home promoter for messing up the rules in 2012. Can you imagine the costs of toxic twins and pawlicki brothers..... I still think hans fan has a point though, "if all teams let" win big home and away, would be interesting to see how Poole build a team for next season. Would also allow other teams to lower their averages too. That is just using the rule book to its full use, not cheating?? If there isn't a set rate and you have the most expensive team in the land visiting, you could also bet big on Poole winning with a handicap and make sure your team comply. Hedging costs, not fixing??
  24. Authorised

    Shamek To Poole

    Lot of questions on assets......I had some on the AM thread. It appears that riders can be "owned" by companies, not tracks - as this example shows. On the subject of Rory Schlein belonging to Sandhu, then why did Colin Pratt and Mick Horton conduct the negotiations? If Mick was renting my house, and I want to sell the sofa - surely I would do the sale to maximise returns..... As promoters like Lynch, does Alun Rossiter or Allen Trump own any rider assets or did all revert to Coventry? Just thinking that Allen Trump made Ben Barker a full time Coventry asset in 2008..... Good luck to Poole in their signings, if anyone likes competitive speedway don't go to fixtures involving them! I am sure Shamek won't be cheap........ EL 2012 is the disaster predicted. I'd be very surprised if Poole are not odds on to win the title. Fans can vote with their feet if they are truly angered.
  25. Any news of when tickets will be available for Gorzow? Thanks http://www.speedwaygp.com/event/speedwaygp-2012-gorzow
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