crescent girl 1,883 Posted June 15, 2021 This Saturday has Berwick Bullets taking centre stage in their first stand-alone match before spectators. Hopefully the Berwick (and Newcastle) public will support the meeting -- Bullets are top of the table, but Gems are unbeaten home or away, so it should be an interesting encounter, with the added spice of the usual sprinkling of local-derby spice. Both teams are listed at full strength. The usual e-tickets are on sale -- £10 across the board -- from the usual site: https://www.berwickspeedway.com/tickets/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sings4Speedway 3,223 Posted June 16, 2021 Shame this won't happen now with Newcastle's withdrawal from the NDL as it would have proved a decent indicator regarding stand alone meetings being viable for Berwick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crescent girl 1,883 Posted June 16, 2021 19 hours ago, crescent girl said: This Saturday has Berwick Bullets taking centre stage in their first stand-alone match before spectators. Hopefully the Berwick (and Newcastle) public will support the meeting -- Bullets are top of the table, but Gems are unbeaten home or away, so it should be an interesting encounter, with the added spice of the usual sprinkling of local-derby spice. Both teams are listed at full strength. The usual e-tickets are on sale -- £10 across the board -- from the usual site: https://www.berwickspeedway.com/tickets/ Regretfully, with Newcastle's withdrawal from NDL racing, it is indeed the case that there will be no meeting at Shielfield Park on Saturday (19th). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Triple.H. 1,968 Posted June 16, 2021 Couldn't the Berwick promotion see if any of the Newcastle riders fancy a run out. See if you can get a few other Northern based riders to make up a team and run a challenge against the BSPL Semi-Pro Select. At least it gets those lads available some valuable track time 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topsoil 2,498 Posted June 16, 2021 42 minutes ago, Triple.H. said: Couldn't the Berwick promotion see if any of the Newcastle riders fancy a run out. See if you can get a few other Northern based riders to make up a team and run a challenge against the BSPL Semi-Pro Select. At least it gets those lads available some valuable track time How many challenge matches attract a normal league match crowd? No way are you going to get a promotion run a meeting that is more likely to lose money. Also, trying to get riders to come for challenge matches can prove a bit of a nightmare, look how many pull out of testimonials or shared events. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Islander15 1,061 Posted June 16, 2021 Just now, topsoil said: How many challenge matches attract a normal league match crowd? No way are you going to get a promotion run a meeting that is more likely to lose money. Also, trying to get riders to come for challenge matches can prove a bit of a nightmare, look how many pull out of testimonials or shared events. It wouldn’t really be a normal challenge meeting if they managed to get all 7 Gems to come. They would’ve been there anyway so don’t they all fancy a bit of extra track time at a new track? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sings4Speedway 3,223 Posted June 16, 2021 51 minutes ago, Triple.H. said: Couldn't the Berwick promotion see if any of the Newcastle riders fancy a run out. See if you can get a few other Northern based riders to make up a team and run a challenge against the BSPL Semi-Pro Select. At least it gets those lads available some valuable track time Major problem is that who pays the Newcastle riders. Its uncertain that the meeting would have held up as viable paying just one set of riders plus could have been carnage with desperate riders after team places. Any idea how many tickets had been sold prior to the cancellation? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BuxtonTiger 119 Posted June 16, 2021 (edited) So, as I understand it, if it's a challenge match Berwick would pay all 14 riders everything instead of just 7 for a league match. Big sugar daddy sponsor needed. Edited June 16, 2021 by BuxtonTiger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GWC 495 Posted June 17, 2021 Running the NDL as a professional league isn’t viable for most tracks. It should be expenses only - but then most of the riders wouldn’t compete I guess. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sings4Speedway 3,223 Posted June 17, 2021 5 minutes ago, GWC said: Running the NDL as a professional league isn’t viable for most tracks. It should be expenses only - but then most of the riders wouldn’t compete I guess. You would be surprised how many riders would compete for just £10 a point if they knew that is what is on offer across the board. Expenses would be a must though given the current distances between tracks along with some sensible fixture planning so avoid as much midweek as possible. It may mean that some opt out but for the league to sensibly survive semi-amateur is the way forward as a pathway into the sport. Very few riders enter the NL expecting to make money, most are looking at some funds to help cover the losses for a season, if the pay is lower then riders will choose where else to edge out costs. Gate money can come down and just maybe crowds will start creeping up? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites