cowboy cookie returns? 747 Posted June 8, 2022 Just been looking though the team line ups on the British speedway Facebook page. For the 18 meetings that have taken place since the first of June that they list lines up for, there have been 27 guests & 12 rider replacement facilities used. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
secsy1 211 Posted June 8, 2022 It is not just the Guest and rider replacement facility that has killed the sport so far this season. Petrol prices and cost of living go part way, but the whole package as it stands is a bag of she ite. Even if the 15 races are brilliant, who wants to watch a tractor on a Monday night at Belle Vue race round 9 times and not even grade the track, every 4 races!!!!!!!! Fortunately I watched on Eurosport where it was just drivel from ill informed pundits and piss poor presentation. But wait a minute you say, racing was superb (Which it was) but 1 hour 45 minutes of clap trap is not worth the 15 minutes. Overhaul is not required, autopsy is 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OveFundinFan 4,140 Posted June 9, 2022 With fuel costs rising as they are, just on that consideration, could be big loss of tracks at the end of year. Tracks will have to get into streaming quickly if the want to survive, couple with something new to them…… promoting an event well. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,270 Posted June 9, 2022 Uncomfortable truth, but a truth nevertheless, is that there are too many tracks running at an unsustainable level... And when I say unsustainable I also include impact to its credibility and reputation, as well as financial considerations.. You cannot run a team sport with 3 Divisions and all share each others competitors, therefore, if you decide to do so then it simply isnt a sustainable model to follow if you want fans to buy into it.. And if they dont buy into it, and it doesnt look like they do in many places, then the brand itself is damaged.. And with a damaged brand you will always suffer.. Poland, Sweden and Denmark have it right (not perfect, but right), in that they focus on their top league and everything else feeds off it... Some fans in the UK often complain about Poland and the GP's "ruining British Speedway", yet the ONLY nation wanting to run its Speedway operating model from Monday to Sunday is the UK... Not one other league does it and they seem to cope well enough with Poland and the GP's impact.. With Poland, dont forget, actually running the vast majority of their meetings at the weekends, (but AROUND the wide and various FIM calender)... Bottom line is trying to run two leagues using a huge % of the same riders cannot work if you want to have flexibility to attract the best crowds on the best nights for you, and if you want credibility for the sport.. We have so many guests for example because one injury often impacts two teams... With that rider possibly being due to ride all seven nights of the week, meaning seven replacements for him!! Less teams per league, with clear demarcation between them, with controlled DU's using only those not riding overseas as well, has to be a consideration.. Or one large league with controlled spread of HL talent, six man teams, with the number six slot being an "RS role" for each team, being another.. The current operating model will never deliver growth for the sport, and it has clearly shown that for the past couple of decades at least, therefore you can only presume to keep using it must mean what currently exists is all that will ever exist.. (In the UK).... 12 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
auntie doris 2,342 Posted June 9, 2022 (edited) Not just rising fuel costs but some tracks want fans to book tickets in advance, should still be able to pay cash on gate, which would suit some older fans, plus weather considerations. A 6 team league is no good, the season is starting later and later. Poland has got it right. Edited June 9, 2022 by auntie doris 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lefty 1,266 Posted June 9, 2022 Looking thru' last week's Speedway Star I saw that the list of top averages for Premiership and Championship. Top of Premiership: Steve Masters (Wolves) Top of Champoonship: Steve Masters (Edinburgh) Are they related???? Should the Leagues be renamed; Monday & Thursday League and the Rest Of the Week League??? Finally should Chris Harris represent every team at the League Riders Final??? Team sport has certainly been wrecked in Britain. 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HenryW 1,178 Posted June 9, 2022 31 minutes ago, Lefty said: Looking thru' last week's Speedway Star I saw that the list of top averages for Premiership and Championship. Top of Premiership: Steve Masters (Wolves) Top of Champoonship: Steve Masters (Edinburgh) Are they related???? Team sport has certainly been wrecked in Britain. Impressive effort from Steve after not racing since 2005...Unless it was Sam you were meaning? (sorry, couldn't resist) I agree with your main point that the amount of riders in both leagues is a joke and along with the amount of guests used, totally devalues the "team" element 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lefty 1,266 Posted June 9, 2022 15 minutes ago, HenryW said: Impressive effort from Steve after not racing since 2005...Unless it was Sam you were meaning? (sorry, couldn't resist) I agree with your main point that the amount of riders in both leagues is a joke and along with the amount of guests used, totally devalues the "team" element Whoops, can I blame predictive tewxting...... I will get my Biro out and correct it.. Nah, I will play at being a Promoter and not bother! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,270 Posted June 9, 2022 22 minutes ago, Lefty said: Whoops, can I blame predictive tewxting...... I will get my Biro out and correct it.. Nah, I will play at being a Promoter and not bother! Polands fault this... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GWC 495 Posted June 9, 2022 I’ve watched meetings in Sweden with their teams of GP riders in some and the atmosphere in the stadium seemed non existent! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fromafar 10,359 Posted June 9, 2022 17 hours ago, cowboy cookie returns? said: Just been looking though the team line ups on the British speedway Facebook page. For the 18 meetings that have taken place since the first of June that they list lines up for, there have been 27 guests & 12 rider replacement facilities used. It’s been dead as credible Sport for years,but it really just getting ridiculous now.Every Team working the rules to their advantage at every opportunity.Young riders coming into sport have been stifled from moving forward now that Team can even get guests for reserves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,270 Posted June 9, 2022 (edited) 55 minutes ago, GWC said: I’ve watched meetings in Sweden with their teams of GP riders in some and the atmosphere in the stadium seemed non existent! But, in fairness, they do have a large company sponsoring the league and dont share riders via a guest system so the team that wins has genuinely only won it by themselves, and not an adhoc amalgam of "willing paid helpers"... (Maybe the sponsorship level and credibility level is linked. Who knows? But I would suggest it definitley is linked in Poland.. I am surprised though at how many are published attending some meetings with it often looking like watching a TV meeting over here on screen... Some tracks are getting over 2000 according to the attendance figures..... Which certainly doesnt always look like that on camera.. The UK, Sweden and Denmark do seem to have a similar demographic of follower, and also similarly, seem to struggle to attract different demographics to go along and watch.. You would imagine if Sweden lost their main sponsor that their league would be under considerable pressure.. Edited June 9, 2022 by mikebv 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted June 9, 2022 The problem started 20 years ago when clubs were allowed to operate double up and down riders, who had no link with the other club. It has got to the point now where riders are getting more out of the sport than the fans by having a team at every port. The supporter needs to feel the rider is part of them, their team, not some fly-by-night who is clock watching or afraid of being injured because he has another race date later on. It has got to the point now where riders choose the track based on its race day and not the club. It is no way for a team sport to exist. Speedway has reached fourth division short -termism. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GWC 495 Posted June 9, 2022 50 years ago nearly every rider had a full time job somewhere so a bike in the boot a set of leathers and a box of spanner’s was their major outlay. Nowadays riders have huge outlays so riding in one league doesn’t pay the bills. Promotions limited income plus a rider shortage and you have the scenario we have now. Sadly I don’t see things getting any better so enjoy it while it’s still here! 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hackett 220 Posted June 9, 2022 19 hours ago, secsy1 said: Even if the 15 races are brilliant, who wants to watch a tractor on a Monday night at Belle Vue race round 9 times and not even grade the track, every 4 races!!!!!!!! Don't worry if fuel prices keep rising most Speedway clubs won't be able to afford to fuel a tractor so should speed the meetings up. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
