iwright71 206 Posted November 19, 2019 On 11/17/2019 at 1:54 PM, DC2 said: It doesn’t matter if it’s old fans coming back or new fans coming for the first time; if the racing is rubbish they won’t come again. Swindon bit the bullet, redesigned their track and the racing has improved. Every track that currently doesn’t work needs to do that. If only all the promoters had the cash and the authorisation to do this . Pipe dream Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halifaxtiger 5,318 Posted November 19, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Vince said: I believe that their earnings in this country will have dropped a fair bit as well as them not earning abroad. I think many on here would be surprised by who work elsewhere and just how much riders earn. There aren't too many pulling in better money from Speedway than the people watching them do from their jobs. Things have changed for Speedway riders with far less jobs that are able to fit around the sport than the old days which makes working difficult during the season for many, many others still manage it though. While fans talk about the good old days of a rider turning up with one bike on a rack the reality is that these days any rider turning up with one bike that is less than pristine will be slaughtered if their equipment costs the team points. Its not precisely clear from Gambo's post above whether 140 days racing is enough to support a rider for an entire year (or whether he thinks it should be) but if it is, that is a stark contrast with what you are putting forward. Truth is that speedway has always been for the overwhelming number of riders a part time occupation even during the season. I have said this before but Mick Bell, a three time British League winner and a decent reserve/second string in the 1970's, once described it as a 'good paying hobby'. I'll be honest and say that my knowledge of rider pay is minimal, but to repeat again I'll be surprised - very surprised - if most those doubling up between the top two leagues are struggling to survive. The teams that pay them, however, most certainly are and what we cannot have is a situation where clubs are put at risk simply so that riders can use the sport as a full time occupation. Edited November 19, 2019 by Halifaxtiger 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waytogo28 2,054 Posted November 20, 2019 Basically another New Yawn then for suporters. Who won't be able to see live matches on Eurosport free to air. I cannot see the progress in that TV deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piotr Pyszny 206 Posted November 20, 2019 22 hours ago, Halifaxtiger said: The teams that pay them, however, most certainly are and what we cannot have is a situation where clubs are put at risk simply so that riders can use the sport as a full time occupation. Hear, hear. Given modern British speedway's crowds - many counted in hundreds rather than thousands - it's ludicrous any participant should expect the sport to be a full time occupation. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f-s-p 832 Posted November 20, 2019 On 11/19/2019 at 7:53 PM, Halifaxtiger said: Some of them - Chris Harris, Scott Nicholls spring to mind - were able to ride speedway for years without doubling up. The only thing that has changed is that they have seen a way to substantially increase earnings. Those two 15 years ago, did they have time to double up in the UK? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,616 Posted November 21, 2019 Just awaiting this week's Speedway Star with their summary of the AGM - just to see if there is anything different or missed out of the 'official statement'!!??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,683 Posted November 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Skidder1 said: Just awaiting this week's Speedway Star with their summary of the AGM - just to see if there is anything different or missed out of the 'official statement'!!??? Will one issue be enough for that? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites