DunRobin 465 Posted August 22, 2017 Too many people come on here & say that we can't have fixed race nights & then moan about the trouble with re-arranging meetings due to doubling up or also moan about the number of guests. We can no longer keeping putting our heads in the shale, change is needed. There are many of the riders that need the doubling up to get the number of rides in to make a living & not all of them will get the chance to ride abroad. Secondly without those extra rides, many riders lose their form, Morris was a prime example of this last season. We can no longer live in the past we must move forward. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted August 22, 2017 For years BSPA have made decisions to suit individual clubs. Surely the time is right to make decisions that benefit the sport. Running both leagues on the same day creates so many problems for fixture planning. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpecialOne 68 Posted August 22, 2017 I don't think we would gain any riders as such, just get back a couple of the ones we have lost the last couple of years who were already riding when this has been talked about to get more top class riders back. Likes of Iversen & Zagar. Maybe Lindback. Fairly sure the standard of British racing is a bit of a running joke with some of the big boys based upon some previous twitter chats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisa-colette 6,018 Posted August 22, 2017 I think a lot of the top riders use the 'non fixed race nights' as a handy excuse not to ride here. More about being paid more in other countries. If we paid more than Poland, they'd definitely be here! 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mickthemuppet 976 Posted August 22, 2017 If the top tier did go to Monday & Wednesday, or Wednesday & Thursday, presumably the second tier would avoid racing on those two nights. As well as fixed nights possibly tempting some big name riders back, it should help too in avoiding fixture clashes for the double uppers (though probably should be called double downers these days). Monday night is the worst night of the week for Speedway--That's why Belle Vue changed to a Friday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CB252 1,376 Posted August 22, 2017 (edited) Too many people come on here & say that we can't have fixed race nights & then moan about the trouble with re-arranging meetings due to doubling up or also moan about the number of guests. We can no longer keeping putting our heads in the shale, change is needed. There are many of the riders that need the doubling up to get the number of rides in to make a living & not all of them will get the chance to ride abroad. Secondly without those extra rides, many riders lose their form, Morris was a prime example of this last season. We can no longer live in the past we must move forward.I don't think anyone doubts that we need to move forward. It is beyond any doubt that the UK speedway model is useless when faced with the challenges of fitting in around international speedway. The problem is, our stadiums are not club owned and are so outdated and run down that it's virtually impossible to find a way to move forward that suits everyone. You can't sell a professional sport in our stadiums. They are literally a disgrace, barring a handful. Edited August 22, 2017 by CB252 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eduds1 48 Posted August 22, 2017 If the God's (sorry Poles) restrict the amount of leagues that riders can ride in, then this makes this topic rather redundant. The only way to improve attendances is a bigger league where teams visit once a year (twice if there's a cup) and regular meetings on a regular race-night. The leagues can hardly be dumbed down anymore, why not share the riders out fairly to help teams from championship to compete on equal terms and pay what they can afford if the riders don't like go and get a proper job (or part-time as nearly all did years ago). I know this will lead to much gnashing of teeth of cheque book speedway but nearly all other sports are run this way and seem to be increasing attendances along the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IronScorpion 1,407 Posted August 22, 2017 There has been long running problems in British Speedway & Rome was not built in a day so what do we, the supporters, want to see & be achieved, over a period of time. Buster Chapman became Chairman at the AGM at the end of the 2015 season & said straight away it was too late to make changes until the AGM in Nov '16. As there was a steady drop of top riders over the years, they decided to bring in a 1 average system for the PL & CL, bring back the present race format & doing away with the EDR system at the same time, hoping to bring the racing & results closer. They brought in promotion/relegation although I don't think this was thought out enough because of the amount of riders doubling between the 2 leagues. What will fixed race nights achieve or what do we want them to achieve? Which nights to be used? .......These must be nights that do not interfere with the other leagues so Monday(used by Sky & now BT Sport) & Wednesday. Choosing 2 nights together like Wednesday & Thursday means teams from the CL would have to change nights which would cause a greater problem. Entice top riders back? .......What most are doing, because of the Polish ruling, is race on, almost, fixed race nights in 3 leagues in Poland, Sweden & Denmark. The few that are racing over here are doing so because they are based here(families, visa, etc) & to race more to be race sharp. Reduce the amount of doubling up/down of riders? ..........This is a point well raised on here because teams are getting to have no identity as riders(self employed) are riding for numerous teams in both leagues meaning the need of guests & r/r. The main points for me would be the 1st & 3rd options. There is a problem with fixture planning but teams have not helped each other by getting as many done as soon as possible & to ask other teams to help by rearrangement of their fixtures to assist others. Now there is a mad rush to get meeting in before a deadline date for play off positions. At this stage of the season, there should have been no reason for the KOC final not to have been raced. We know the weather has not been kind these last 2 years, so it has not helped, but let's help ourselves by trying a bit more to get meetings sorted. Too many people come on here & say that we can't have fixed race nights & then moan about the trouble with re-arranging meetings due to doubling up or also moan about the number of guests. We can no longer keeping putting our heads in the shale, change is needed. There are many of the riders that need the doubling up to get the number of rides in to make a living & not all of them will get the chance to ride abroad. Secondly without those extra rides, many riders lose their form, Morris was a prime example of this last season. We can no longer live in the past we must move forward. If we need to change, we could go down the route of the Denmark League. They have 5 man teams & most riders race 6 & on an odd occasion 7 times if used as a Tac/Sub(better than t/r) so getting a 50% rise in races & race money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,243 Posted August 22, 2017 More 'top riders'? More admission costs I presume to pay for them? How much to get in if so? £20? BV and Swindon showed in the past couple of weeks with their TV matches that a tenner and free entry to 'kids' will get you a very good crowd regardless of level of rider on show.. Not sure having more 'top riders' will deliver much better crowds than we currently have.. One thing a fixed night(s) will do though is cut the number of guests (cannot be in two places at once) so that has to be a positive.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfie456 499 Posted August 22, 2017 Heard from reliable source the premiership will run on 2 days next season Monday and Thursday Poland want Friday Saturday and Sunday Sweden on a Tuesday and Denmark on a Wednesday.Not sure we're that leaves the championship. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Welwyn 62 Posted August 23, 2017 (edited) Redcar could move from thurs to fri but it would cost them in attendances - why should they suffer to prop up a failing division? Redcar crowds are up 20 pc If being on a Thursday means such an increase they they could always go up. Not like the cost of being Premiership would be that much more with the diluting of the league. I'm sure you could have put together a competitive team on the cheap with younger riders. One team does that and keep the attendances then it might convert others. Edited August 23, 2017 by Welwyn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CB252 1,376 Posted August 23, 2017 If being on a Thursday means such an increase they they could always go up. Not like the cost of being Premiership would be that much more with the diluting of the league. I'm sure you could have put together a competitive team on the cheap with younger riders. One team does that and keep the attendances then it might convert others. But at the moment Redcar ride every Thursday. Why would they want to move up and be handed a sporadic fixture list where they squeeze one match a month in and then do 12 home meetings in the last 6 weeks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Welwyn 62 Posted August 23, 2017 But at the moment Redcar ride every Thursday. Why would they want to move up and be handed a sporadic fixture list where they squeeze one match a month in and then do 12 home meetings in the last 6 weeks. Well hopefully fixed race nights would fix this. But I take your point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CB252 1,376 Posted August 23, 2017 Well hopefully fixed race nights would fix this. But I take your point. It might do to a degree, but at some point the Thursday tracks will need to race each other. At best you might get fortnightly meetings which, to be fair, would be an improvement to how it is now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted August 23, 2017 Top riders have previously stated they don't want to ride in Britain on a Monday, as they like to travel directly from Poland to Sweden. It also makes sense for the nights to be consecutive to save on travel costs. For me, Wednesday and Thursday seems to be the best fit. HOPEFULLY with TV involved Monday will suit. Lots of riders got back from Poland for Monday meetings this week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
