a4poster 82 Posted December 8, 2017 After reading Tony Mole's interview in this weeks Speedway Star and in view of his work in reviving and saving Teams over the years, wouldn't it be a great shame if that knowledge was lost to the sport. In an ideal world (now that he is free from any Club ties) he would make a great Chairman of the BSPA but would it be beyond the realms of possibility to create a role within? Perhaps assisting prospective Promotors and new tracks with potential pitfalls they face when negotiating with planning applications etc. Just an idea, thats all - but even if he was used in some consultancy role it surely would be beneficial to the future of the Sport in the UK. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted December 8, 2017 After reading Tony Mole's interview in this weeks Speedway Star and in view of his work in reviving and saving Teams over the years, wouldn't it be a great shame if that knowledge was lost to the sport. In an ideal world (now that he is free from any Club ties) he would make a great Chairman of the BSPA but would it be beyond the realms of possibility to create a role within? Perhaps assisting prospective Promotors and new tracks with potential pitfalls they face when negotiating with planning applications etc. Just an idea, thats all - but even if he was used in some consultancy role it surely would be beneficial to the future of the Sport in the UK. How about offering him the job they offered John Berry all those years ago. As independent Boss of the BSPA? I think he would be very good at that. Not sure if he would want the job though.............................. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsunami 10,219 Posted December 8, 2017 After reading Tony Mole's interview in this weeks Speedway Star and in view of his work in reviving and saving Teams over the years, wouldn't it be a great shame if that knowledge was lost to the sport. In an ideal world (now that he is free from any Club ties) he would make a great Chairman of the BSPA but would it be beyond the realms of possibility to create a role within? Perhaps assisting prospective Promotors and new tracks with potential pitfalls they face when negotiating with planning applications etc. Just an idea, thats all - but even if he was used in some consultancy role it surely would be beneficial to the future of the Sport in the UK. I think you will find that Tony has already done that for many years, and for many promotions. Not sure if he still is, but he was the Honorary President of the BSPA. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
THE DEAN MACHINE 4,737 Posted December 8, 2017 And even Tony thinks doubling up is wrong 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,633 Posted December 9, 2017 ....but accepts that the sport cannot just drop it!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
THE DEAN MACHINE 4,737 Posted December 9, 2017 ....but accepts that the sport cannot just drop it!!it has no choice , drop it or finish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Midland Red 2,383 Posted December 9, 2017 it has no choice , drop it or finish One big league, and it would be gone! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted December 9, 2017 (edited) One big league, and it would be gone! Doubling up in this country, riding in every global league that'll have you, should not have been allowed to happen. I am not saying the likes of Mauger or Olsen wouldn't have done it... but they weren't allowed to. The likes of Les Glover, Andy Cusworth, Graham Drury, didn't they have to skip British racing so they could ride in the German league? British speedway had the power in those days but has now allowed itself to become the doormats for the Poles, Swedes and even the Danes. British speedway is acting like the broken sport it has allowed itself to become. Years of abuse has brought its current plight. It doesn't know its identity. You can't turn back on the doubling up and down, the multi-country riders - unless you want to. Promoters here are about as effective as a mouth with no teeth and a stick of gum. Edited December 9, 2017 by moxey63 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,262 Posted December 9, 2017 Doubling up in this country, riding in every global league that'll have you, should not have been allowed to happen. I am not saying the likes of Mauger or Olsen wouldn't have done it... but they weren't allowed to. The likes of Les Glover, Andy Cusworth, Graham Drury, didn't they have to skip British racing so they could ride in the German league? British speedway had the power in those days but has now allowed itself to become the doormats for the Poles, Swedes and even the Danes. British speedway is acting like the broken sport it has allowed itself to become. Years of abuse has brought its current plight. It doesn't know its identity. You can't turn back on the doubling up and down, the multi-country riders - unless you want to. Promoters here are about as effective as a mouth with no teeth and a stick of gum. Spot on.... Far too many times those in this Country who run the Sport have tried to put a sticking plaster on every cut that has been inflicted on it... A thousand cuts later has left it without any more plasters... It should have forged it's own identity (at whatever level that would be) and moved forward together as one entity, United in a shared vision for the common good.. Instead it faffed about constantly fudging and changing rules to try and maintain an ever dwindling top level rider interest, which ultimately ended up increasing admission costs to pay for them. And to help accomodate them, delivered disjointed fixture lists full of zero credibilty 'Mickey Mouse' meetings which simply lost the fans' interest.. These same fudged rule changes were then disected year after year by the more astute Promoters who saw loophole after loophole and used this to their advantage to 'put one over' their rivals, meaning fans became frustrated and disillusioned by their actions... It will take something (or someone) very special to get the sport succesful again such is the nonsense that has been allowed to go on for the past 20 years or so as Poland and the GP's have taken off.. Maybe finally it has been realised that a 'halfway house, all things to all men' approach doesn't work and British Speedway will (eventually) have its own clearly mapped out business plan and operating model? Which every team buys into, realising that the collective has to succeed rather than one or two individual tracks? If so, better late than never... But the plan needs to be very, very good to make any difference.. 11 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted December 9, 2017 Spot on.... Far too many times those in this Country who run the Sport have tried to put a sticking plaster on every cut that has been inflicted on it... A thousand cuts later has left it without any more plasters... It should have forged it's own identity (at whatever level that would be) and moved forward together as one entity, United in a shared vision for the common good.. Instead it faffed about constantly fudging and changing rules to try and maintain an ever dwindling top level rider interest, which ultimately ended up increasing admission costs to pay for them. And to help accomodate them, delivered disjointed fixture lists full of zero credibilty 'Mickey Mouse' meetings which simply lost the fans' interest.. These same fudged rule changes were then disected year after year by the more astute Promoters who saw loophole after loophole and used this to their advantage to 'put one over' their rivals, meaning fans became frustrated and disillusioned by their actions... It will take something (or someone) very special to get the sport succesful again such is the nonsense that has been allowed to go on for the past 20 years or so as Poland and the GP's have taken off.. Maybe finally it has been realised that a 'halfway house, all things to all men' approach doesn't work and British Speedway will (eventually) have its own clearly mapped out business plan and operating model? Which every team buys into, realising that the collective has to succeed rather than one or two individual tracks? If so, better late than never... But the plan needs to be very, very good to make any difference.. Couldn't agree more. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scaramanga 902 Posted December 10, 2017 1 thing for certain tony mole is a genuine speedway fan tight sod mind but he wouldnt think twice about spending money if he knew he was gonna get a return on it must be getting on a bit now so wrong time in his life to start a stressful project Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Argos 262 Posted December 10, 2017 I went to is fairwell meeting, he was very emotional, wouldn’t be surprised if he pops up at some Track in the future, but yes a true a Speedway fan, and very successful business man Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_martin 1,606 Posted December 11, 2017 He's paid his dues to the speedway circus. How about we just let the man enjoy his retirement? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martinmauger 584 Posted December 11, 2017 As above, a few years ago he may have been 'up for the job'. He's a very successful businessman , and good luck to him for that, and he certainly helped keep open / reopen many tracks almost for fun over the years and I can confirm he's given advice to others trying to do the same.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waytogo28 2,054 Posted December 13, 2017 TM said the most important aspect of his final interview as a promoter, right at the start, that he was giving up because he felt that he had " run out of ideas to get the general public interested ". And there lies the truth of the matter. No-one can do that. Certainly if TM can't it's impossible. It does not matter how much re-organisation or rule tweaking the BSPA undertake if they collectively ( and individual promoters themselves ) cannot get people into the stadium. Getting the general public in to sample the "show" and see how good on track racing excitement can be, is the only way forward if Speedway GB is ever to see a revival. Thanks and farewell Tony. We now need A Real Showman ( oops Showperson ) to make people see speedway as a fun night out, worth spending their money on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
