Odds On 373 Posted July 25, 2019 it could be argued that some promoters became contented/lazy in terms of promoting their brand, they knew they would be guaranteed X amount through a tv deal. Speedway needs a platform to promote itself, self streaming by clubs only preaches to the converted and does not attract a wider and new audience on mass, like it or not speedway needs to do a deal with either Sky/BT or who ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booey boy 123 Posted July 25, 2019 On 7/24/2019 at 10:03 AM, Daniel Smith said: The main aim was over a 5yr plan, first and formost to make the sport more professional. 2nd was an attempt to bring more money in to keep the "star" men. 3rd was advertising 4th, maintaining existing supporters 5th, being attractive enough to encourage new fans. What's actually happened in the 20yrs of television is absolutely none of the above. In fact, from 1999 to today the sport in the uk has declined in horrendous fashion. Even die hards have given up and walked away, new millenia fans have come and gone. This sport in the UK is in serious need of a defibrillator Just a thought when did laydown come in because I think they have added to the demise of speedway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruno 1,790 Posted July 25, 2019 Also, why did they come in. Must have made sense at the time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ch958 2,393 Posted July 25, 2019 1 minute ago, bruno said: Also, why did they come in. Must have made sense at the time more speed, which wasn't required for the sport, just individuals. It's just an arms race. Someone has to have the cojones to stop it before it's too late. GB could do this unilaterally - international riders have numerous machines anyway to ride abroad. A decision like that would however require the aforementioned cojones 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted July 25, 2019 1 hour ago, Booey boy said: Just a thought when did laydown come in because I think they have added to the demise of speedway I think they came in during the early-to-mid 90s. Although I suspect the costs of those were higher, there are a multitude of factors why we are where we are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ch958 2,393 Posted July 25, 2019 1 hour ago, moxey63 said: I think they came in during the early-to-mid 90s. Although I suspect the costs of those were higher, there are a multitude of factors why we are where we are. agreed but you have to start somewhere and slowing the buggers down wd do for a kick off 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AR_MiMi 0 Posted July 25, 2019 Laydowns didnt come in cos of more speed but cos of the lower center of gravity nd therefor the bikes became easier to ride. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iainb 4,962 Posted July 25, 2019 9 hours ago, Odds On said: it could be argued that some promoters became contented/lazy in terms of promoting their brand, they knew they would be guaranteed X amount through a tv deal. Speedway needs a platform to promote itself, self streaming by clubs only preaches to the converted and does not attract a wider and new audience on mass, like it or not speedway needs to do a deal with either Sky/BT or who ever. There were a number of TV meetings that were very well attended because they were heavily promoted, either free or big discount, which shows that when the effort is put in people will turn up... sadly these days the only promotion that we tend to see is the "if the fans don't turn up, I'll have to think about whether it's worth continuing" style of promotion 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArthurRudge 347 Posted July 25, 2019 To late to turn speedway in this country enjoy it whilst you still can, also anyone comparing football to speedway is a prat! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Byker Biker 468 Posted July 25, 2019 12 hours ago, Odds On said: it could be argued that some promoters became contented/lazy in terms of promoting their brand, they knew they would be guaranteed X amount through a tv deal. Speedway needs a platform to promote itself, self streaming by clubs only preaches to the converted and does not attract a wider and new audience on mass, like it or not speedway needs to do a deal with either Sky/BT or who ever. What you get on BT is streaming, it is the quality of the production that makes the difference. If the BSPA do go down this route it will be outsourced to a production company or companies and that is where it will get tricky but I take your point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,242 Posted July 26, 2019 On 7/25/2019 at 12:40 PM, Booey boy said: Just a thought when did laydown come in because I think they have added to the demise of speedway If I recall it was 1996 although they had been banned from the British League for a year but, as everything, got overturned and hence costs spiralled even more out of control. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Smith 5,646 Posted July 26, 2019 On 7/25/2019 at 12:40 PM, Booey boy said: Just a thought when did laydown come in because I think they have added to the demise of speedway On 7/25/2019 at 12:57 PM, bruno said: Also, why did they come in. Must have made sense at the time On 7/25/2019 at 1:03 PM, ch958 said: more speed, which wasn't required for the sport, just individuals. It's just an arms race. Someone has to have the cojones to stop it before it's too late. GB could do this unilaterally - international riders have numerous machines anyway to ride abroad. A decision like that would however require the aforementioned cojones On 7/25/2019 at 2:06 PM, moxey63 said: I think they came in during the early-to-mid 90s. Although I suspect the costs of those were higher, there are a multitude of factors why we are where we are. On 7/25/2019 at 3:14 PM, ch958 said: agreed but you have to start somewhere and slowing the buggers down wd do for a kick off 5 hours ago, steve roberts said: If I recall it was 1996 although they had been banned from the British League for a year but, as everything, got overturned and hence costs spiralled even more out of control. I don't think the argument between upright and laydown engines is the beginning of the sports demise as such. It's purely mythical and coincidental. It's more the materials / improved technology used that has increased speeds and reliability of the first laydown. As it was then far superior to the old upright in tech / material, other engine manufacturers acted like sheep and copied. Human nature does this in all walks of life. Look at houses, cars, mobile phones etc etc. Someone comes up with an idea, everyone else copies. If a modern engine supplier produces an upright today, it would 100% perform just as well as a laydown so the current problem actually doesn't go away. First and foremost, in my opinion, the FIM should bring the engine capacity down from 500cc to 450cc and allow straight through / silencer exhaust system. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OveFundinFan 4,137 Posted July 27, 2019 4 hours ago, Daniel Smith said: .First and foremost, in my opinion, the FIM should bring the engine capacity down from 500cc to 450cc and allow straight through / silencer exhaust system. You have not given any reasons why? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waytogo28 2,054 Posted July 27, 2019 I 7 hours ago, Daniel Smith said: First and foremost, in my opinion, the FIM should bring the engine capacity down from 500cc to 450cc and allow straight through / silencer exhaust system. Just can't see the straight-through exhaust being acceptable, from a noise perspective in many stadiums. As for capacity then any single cylinder from 250cc up would allow for racing that is fast enough and safe enough for the UK tracks. For UK speedway to survive it has to break away from what is happening on better tracks in Europe. Yes, call it Formula 2 speedway. What matters is the quality and excitement of on-track racing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Smith 5,646 Posted July 27, 2019 2 hours ago, OveFundinFan said: You have not given any reasons why? It wouldn't necessarily make the bike that much slower but they'd be more controllable at a lower rev plus more throttle control instead of the Zmarzlik theory of stretching the cable as far as it goes and just hold on. 20 minutes ago, waytogo28 said: Just can't see the straight-through exhaust being acceptable, from a noise perspective in many stadiums. As for capacity then any single cylinder from 250cc up would allow for racing that is fast enough and safe enough for the UK tracks. For UK speedway to survive it has to break away from what is happening on better tracks in Europe. Yes, call it Formula 2 speedway. What matters is the quality and excitement of on-track racing. You can still make the exhaust at current or lower levels of noise with clever theory on a straight through exhaust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites