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Winning at Plymouth isn't for everybody

Let’s hope the fans turn out in force.. As someone mentioned above he mentions this meeting but what if get a fantastic crowd for this meeting and then a shocking crowd before the end of the season? We need a higher figure and for them to keep coming. Why not keep plugging the go fund me and people may keep contributing or open something where fans can contribute by paying say £5-100 a month or whatever they can afford? 500 people at even just £5 is £2500 a month and that would surely help massively. The go fund me showed fans are willing to help keep the speedway going and just thinking of other options to hopefully keep it alive. Maybe if big crowd against Glasgow at 6.30pm start is a decent crowd could try keeping it at that time til end of season as I know one or two people who can’t attend 2 out of 4 sundays as work until 5.

Unless UK speedway changes its operating model these call to arms will become ever more frequent. I know the rent and operating costs hurt Newcastle but its likely to be a side built at the lower end of the wage scale (throw in that not all that many points are being paid out) and its still not sustainable. Many clubs are struggling to attract 400-500 paying fans but if thats what the limit is then the whole product needs to be marketed to work with those numbers and not the hope that another 300 fans might appear out of the woodwork. If UK speedway as a whole gained 300 fans combined across every track in a season it would be a miracle. I feel for Rob Grant i really do. He's taken on some bad advice, made some brave decisions (like getting involved in the first place) and faces going from hero to villain. Sadly though a bad business is a bad business and short term cash injections are clearly shown not to be working.

Ultimately Ian who cares who the champions are? It really doesn't matter... And that is THE No1 issue the sport faces... No2 is its Mickey Mouse operating model that allows the No1 issue to exist... Some say "we need to attract new fans" and of course the sport does, however, just getting back one half of those who "used to go" but got pissed off watching "their riders" ride for all and sundry (to the detriment of their own team), or becoming slowly disillusioned by the application of make it up on the spot nonsense rules, whilst facing inflation busting price increases to pay for rising rider wages, would be far of an easier challenge to undertake.. Running a dual league system with barely any demarcation from each other is not much short of utter madness, and can only be done to ensure enough rides for far too many professional competitors for a sport with such few followers.. The operating model simply does not work so to keep churning it out annually (with a cost saving tweak here and there), expecting it to miraculously sort things out is crackers... When teams can dip in and dip out of any league with such regularity it says everything about the level of "kudos" even the clubs recognise in their very own competitions... When they don't see any merit in winning any particular league (and could even go bust by doing so), why should the fans take it seriously?

It won't be ONE last chance though, will it? IF the attendance is good enough THIS Wednesday, then the fans will have the same gun pointed at their heads the next Wednesday. EVERY Wednesday becomes the next "use it or lose it" Wednesday. The writing is on the wall, and sooner or later, when the fans will tire of being blackmailed into attending, that'll be it, sadly.

Bingo... Dont run 20 meetings and pay out literally hundreds of thousand in salaries for 40 meetings, with poor returns and attendances.... Instead run say 10 meetings over six months from April to September (March if Easter falls then), with BIG prize money and promote and advertise them properly, using all the Bank Holidays available, and run Saturday and Sunday if it's your best day to attract a crowd.. Even those who rent must be able to negotiate 10 meetings per season only with their landlords given the current economic situation, and those landlords who keep the bar and car park take would be pleased to have large crowds attending Speedway meetings that have some "meaning" surely? 16, or even 12 at a push, riders of similar level at each meeting, therefore all races competitive and (if only 12 riders) the prize money shared would be greater.. Plenty of meetings for the riders, a chance to still earn good money and "proper, meaningful speedway" for the fans to watch.. Stick in a few "extras" to supplement the racing similar to the way the IOW do and who knows, it may help relaunch some "team racing" that starts again from scratch and doesnt remake all the mistakes which has led it to its current situation..

I think this is one of the problems with speedway, clinging onto team racing, is what is killing speedway as a sport. You could have several individual meetings, spit the country into zones or centres (similar to grasstrack) and every now and then, create a team from the riders within the centre/zone/district, whatever you want to call it, to race against other teams, in a team meeting. Once again, similar to grasstrack's inter-centre meetings. This will create more variety for the supporters. Pay the riders? No, pay them prize money based on gate takings.

The scheme works in Poland, I know some of their youngsters are light years ahead of ours at 16 but they get thrown in the deep end in their top league and while its sink or swim u til they are 21 those who do swim end up being very good. Last night may have dented Pailin's confidence a bit but he will probably score reasonably well against Lynn on Thursday and then get a hatful for Scunny next time out so he'll be fine. We have a good crop of young uns but they need to be tested and pushed.

You don't want 'fan involvement'... Imagine how long the AGM's would take because the 'fan owned teams' kept saying "Really? Are you mad?" to every agenda point raised by the clubs ran by sole promoters...

I will make the effort to attend , we cannot afford to lose Newcastle.

I always said that it was the variety of formats that kept us happy! Three or four league matches, then a cup tie. Then an individual meeting. A couple more league matches, followed by a Test Match. Then a couple more league, then a 4TT...

My first post on here so go easy! I was at a bit of a loose end last Sunday so I suggested to the wife and bairn that we'd go along to watch the Speedway to fill in an afternoon. Probably worth mentioning that the last time I went to watch the Newcastle Diamonds would have been around 1990 and I still remember a rider called David Bargh being their best rider (he's the only one I remember). After some strange looks and a bit of persuasion the 3 of us went along. Cost £17 each for the 2 adults and £3 for my 8 year old and the £3 I paid for a programme made it a straight £40. Good value I'd say compared to other sports in our area; For example; £100 to watch Newcastle United £70 to watch Newcastle Falcons £50 to watch Newcastle Eagles £45 to watch Newcastle Thunder What we got was a cracking 2 hours of entertainment. Yes the Diamonds were pretty rubbish and Redcar won easily but my son loved it and has been badgering me ever since to take him back and even the wife admitted she enjoyed it. Drinks were also reasonably priced compared to other venues we've visited. Can't complain about what we spent for what we got in return, that's for sure. Not sure how many people were there as they didn't announce it but it looked a very healthy amount and the start was delayed to let all the spectators in.

There is nothing left to dumb done now,just stop paying out more money than coming through the gate just to give riders a nice little earner.When Will they finally accept that fact,as Clubs go to the wall one by one.

Never mind the riders think of the queue there will be to get Mainman Rogers onboard.

Yes it does

Don’t know about you but even though I know it has to be done the worst part of a double header is the standing around waiting for the track to be regraded after the first meeting…. That seems to go on for ages and I have seen fans leave because of it

I'd raise that and ask... What is the point of either of the top two leagues....? Both equally undermine each other....

I'm happy with that,something had to happen.Those 2 gave up when last and were not committed to riding for King's Lynn imo.Even if Barker don't score many points i am sure you will see a rider putting in some effort.Not my favourite rider but he now gets my support as he is riding for us

Speedway though, has to be one of the few forms of entertainment where the support act takes place after the main event...

Personally I had no problem with people leaving if that was their desire? Afterall the promotion already has their money irrespective of whether they stayed on or not but personally I always stayed on after the main event and saw some cracking races involving not only the main riders but the novices as well.

1000cc chairs do need the bigger circuits to produce their best but IOW, Belle Vue, Somerset have all hosted spectacular racing in the past, i think Kings Lynn has also. The 500 chairs can produce entertainment but it is a bit dialled down and don't quite have the thrill of the big chairs. That said lower power can generate closer racing, i feel that if the main solo class was downgraded to 250cc machines it would mean every rider would have to get everything out the engine and use track craft to get the wins rather than being reliant on having the best motor and the biggest b&lls which is often the case now. All of these require gradual changes over time but fastest isn't always bestest.

Brilliant post, thank you. I went out with my family on Sunday night for an Italian. Mid range, nice place, not Michelin starred or anything. I had a starter and a pizza, £19, the same as a ticket to the speedway. No grumbles about the food at all, but I'd rather spend that money on a speedway meeting any day. I know some people might come straight from work, but I've been going to the speedway since 1974 and never buy food or drink from the track. Now that is a waste of money.

I have a suggestion for the Brummie's management and they'll probably hate me for suggesting this.... But if a speedway fan is coming from a 'certain' distance (may be minimum 30 miles) then they should receive a free car park pass ? (just a thought/incentive?) As for best route: My advice would be to get off the M6 at junction 5 (if you're coming from the South) and follow the A452 for approx 4/5 miles (it's a fairly busy road, but usually keeps moving) eventually turning left on to A453, follow till near the stadium and turn left on to Holford Drive (park on this road). Stadium is 5 mins walk. All told...it's probably a 20 mins drive (in rush hour) from Jctn 5 M6.....then only 10 mins when going home

Prefer Natalie

Could Heeps of been vary of a possible problem for Bachelor and didnt want to end up hitting him and getting injured again and thus wrecking his golfing sessions booked in the coming week

Is part of the problem that when speedway was booming, running the speedway was the promoter's main business. I don't recall Reg Fearman, Ian Thomas etc having other businesses, although I might be wrong. They were full time speedway promoters and their lives depended on getting people through the gate. At the same time, the vast majority of riders weren't full time. Looking at the Who's Who in Speedway from the mid 1970s, Peter Oakes would put in the riders' occupation in the profile and it was only the top riders who were full time. Now the riders are full time and need paying the money to live on and the promoters have other businesses and perhaps not the time or the incentive to get people in the stadiums. I might be miles out, but it's just a thought.

The likes of Andersen should not be allowed to ride at No 7 allowing him to ride in the protected heat 8.He should be at No6.It should be the the young star at 7 for all teams.

In my opinion, attracting new fans isn't going to happen with the way the sport is currently set-up. Those that run and compete in the sport, in this country, obviously believe the sport is bigger than what it actually is. For the circle to be squared for speedway, the first stage has to be reducing costs for everyone involved, including the fans. Unless that happens, and happens quickly, more tracks will close and more riders will turn away or will not enter the sport. I think the Isle of Wight's ideas could be the salvation of 4 bikes going round a shale oval track.

So if Grant breaks even on Sunday’s double header then what ? Surely all it’s doing is ‘kicking the can down the road’?

Bring back the 4TT qualifiers and the Golden/Silver/Bronze helmet races too. Another thing gone that has aligned with a major decline.

A lot of the ideas being suggested on here are really akin to re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. For speedway to continue/survive on any level, it has to attract new fans, young fans at that. I honestly cannot see how this can be achieved in this country. Old duffers like me waffling on that football/cricket/rugby, bike racing etc is crap and speedway is the greatest sport on earth really need to emigrate to Poland for this opinion to be anywhere near correct. I honestly hope that by some miracle a master plan can be evolved for speedway to rebuild and bounce back better, but without youngsters coming through the turnstiles, it ain't gonna happen.

We’ve all been scratching our heads as to why it’s took this long for team to take josh on in the premiership. I’m sure people are beginning to see why we were now.

I'd be happy to pop down the road and watch some British riders and not breaking the bank in the process. Oh and a cheap pint and something to eat not dripping with fat.

If Ben IS placed in the number 2 race jacket, it will be his opportunity to finally establish himself as an out and out Championship level rider. He certainly has the ability and in recent times has shown far more aggression in his riding. IMO if he keeps that aggression going he will take the No 2 position in his stride. I certainly hope so, he is a great favourite with the fans at Central Park and I am one of them.

Ask Barry Bishop and Martin Widman to be in charge of bringing Speedway into the 21st century. They not only understand that these days you need to provide more than 15 heats of Speedway to make a night out but will listen to the ideas and thoughts of others. In fact they are so forward thinking that they were forced out of league Speedway in the UK!

Plymouth as close to the armadale trick track get in this league, thought would've won cosy

When Berwick have had double headers this season with Championship & NDL fixtures they have managed to complete them in 3hrs.

The type of format that is similar to Grasstrack would attract a spectator as opposed to a supporter. Less Anorakky and less dumbing down?

All under 16s free at Berwick

Just a heads up...We have Leicester Lions Onesies and Bucket Hats coming in the next couple of weeks :-)...Also re-ordered a few Champions bits for those who missed them last year

Muller and Szczakiel are not valid examples though, as had the final been held in another country then in both cases they would not have been riding there regularly. With the GP all the riders ride in Poland and, in most cases, are probably based there too, just as people like Mauger, Olsen and Penhall were based in the UK when they won here in order to ride in the league here.

Im keeping my fingers crossed for the return of the 1000cc sidecars to the Island. Suits an end of season event as they trash the track surface but crikey do they serve up some brilliant entertainment.

car park at stadium is £2.50 but suggest getting there early as it fills up, if full you can park on the One Stop Shopping free from 6-10 . Although there are roadworks on the a34 off M6 Junction 7 that is simplest route . If you come through the city centre there is a congestion charge now .

Made exiting easier for those of us who stayed on though. Made a difference with the crowd sizes back then of course.

Ipswich starting to see the Craig Cook King's Lynn sacked?

So.......we really need the promoters to revamp the sport at the next AGM (?) instead of dabbling with rules within rules but will they want to have a major different operating model from the rest of Europe but I suppose we need to really get back to basics and try and build for the future.

To be fair to Birmingham they are doing quite a bit extra this week on top of the "gun to the head" style of promotion... http://www.birmingham-speedway.com/news.php?extend.3029 Not all of it my cup of tea but probably begs the question of why they haven't done this before now, that's one for another day though. Also, while this has come up in the Extortionate Admission Prices thread, at £16.50 Birmingham must be one of the cheaper Speedway nights out in the country.

Batchelor looked like a novice at times he did'nt seem able to get round bends 3 and 4 and then he slowed up looking for Heeps to pass him but Heeps slowed up like he did'nt want to,very strange goings on there.

Think Rob Lyon would of been intending to give Pedersen an R/R ride but as he wasnt going very well he had to change the plan and use Hans in both the later R/R rides

A good watch and correct analysis. The main mitigating factor for me, (beside the above video), is no promoting of the sport in the towns and cities where it is staged, period.