mikebv

Poland have a huge (and almost insurmountable advantage) in that many of their state of the art stadia is council owned and subsidised, if not wholly funded.. Britain cannot compete with that as its simply not a level playing field.. The issue has been that for many years it tried to (of a fashion), rather than plowing it's own furrow. And ended up with the usual 'halfway house/not quite fit for purpose' operating model and business plan we have today.. Poland with TV companies tendering against one another to show their leagues at prime time from Friday to Sunday. And national company sponsors out doing each other to be seen around Poland on a well watched prime time programme, give them an enormous advantage that the UK have absolutely no chance of competing against such is the difference in income streams for the respective Promoter organisations.. One top rider in Poland per match can earn as much (and maybe more) as two teams collectively can over here.. You cannot compete with that..

It is pretty much this from a starting point.. Many races at Hyde Rd when I started following the sport saw Ivan Mauger, and then Peter Collins, often 'miles in front' of opponents.. But the crowds were huge so all was good... Cardiff delivers 'ok' racing, often close but not massively exciting.. The NSS delivers close, and often, very exciting racing.. Cardiff delivers massive crowds and fantastic atmosphere which means repeat visits are highly likely.. The NSS delivers around 1000-1400, with not too much atmosphere generated by a two thirds empty stadium, which will struggle to engage the less regular attendee to make it a 'must do' each week. It isn't going to change anytime soon, (if at all ever), for me, so it's probably best to accept its the way it is and enjoy/tolerate (delete as applicable) what there is on offer.. Rider costs mean minimal chance of admission reduction which may stimulate interest, and a lack of mainstream media attention means no crowd attracting 'superstars' anymore which the wider non speedway regular sporting community could identify with and go along and watch when they came to their local tracks.. Collins, Mauger, and Olsen often gave the tracks they visited their biggest attendances of the Season.. Nicki P's 'cameo' for example will I am sure register many extra clicks at the turnstile in the early weeks of the season, (until the novelty wears off at least), and maybe that's what the sport over here needs to deliver those extra bums on seats? ie Investing the TV money into a few 'names' but, unlike with the Sky money when they did the same with no long term benefit, they this time have a marketing and publicity plan on the back of it to generate longer term growth..

The Stocks used to rip the track up something awful at Kirky Lane.. The meeting after usually was a nightmare for the riders.. However, JP, who let them in, was grateful for the money they brought, even if it caused several headaches to rectify the damage done by the cars. . Coventry seemed to be, and Kings Lynn still does seem to be, relatively happy bed fellows with the Stock Cars,.. But as you say, the 4G should ensure no Stox at the NSS..

There was an American Football team using it... Not sure if still the case.. Local amateur football leagues definitely use it.. However, as you say, probably not the return 3000 minimum punters would bring to the bar and food outlets, the car parks, and the rental to use the track, which must be around 10k a pop minimum I would think given the crowds delivered at £20 a throw..

I suppose it depends how solvent they are..? A multi purpose stadium can benefit the "main occupants" tremendously financially... And to be fair to Stocks there is a large following in the North West with probably as many watching a season of racing at Kirky Lane as watch the Aces at the NSS.. Ten or so meetings usually each deliver circa 3000 crowd levels, which, in total, won't be too far away from the Aces 20 or so meeting total I would think.. Anyway, it won't happen at the NSS given the 4G would be destroyed..

Plenty wide enough and probably a perfect shape.. Stocks can do all sort of damage to 'tight' circuits but the more circular ones tend to handle them well.. As you say the protection of the 4G would ensure no chance of Stocks I would think.. It would be a decent money earner for the Aces/Council though I would suggest if there was ever a chance..

Hundreds.... Probably the No1 Stock Car track in the UK.. It didn't have a 4G pitch worth a good few hundred grand in the middle of it though..

Nice to see some true promotional thinking.. For me, I've always thought clubs should 'raffle off' a season ticket at say the first ten meetings or so.. £5 a ticket.. Get 100 fans paying and you get five hundred quid per season ticket.. Do it for the first ten matches or so, (so still excellent value to be had with around half a season left), and the ten tickets could be worth £5000... And surely, more than a 100 'regulars' would chance a fiver a meeting so possibly even more money to be had.?

It could be argued having four from seven will keep the season 'alive' for most of the clubs...

I watch a lot of 'old league Speedway' on YouTube, mainly from the eighties, and a hell of a lot of it is pretty garbage to be honest. Even allowing for the one camera, independent, straight to video coverage of the time.. The main differences to today when it's garbage is that back then the crowds were bigger so the atmosphere was there, and riders were mainly part time and hadn't spent fortunes on machinery to take part, so didn't expect/need big money to compete.. Nowadays you get pretty mediocre racing, interspersed with the odd great race.. Just the same as happened back then.. Definitely worth watching a few YouTube League meetings from the eighties and nineties if you have an hour to kill.. Pretty poor fair in the main and definitely not too dissimilar to what we get today at most tracks..

So (if correct) that's £8000 to be found each home meeting to pay him for home and away matches? At £20 to get in that's 400 extra fans a week, more if less than £20 to get in.. And 500 when you take VAT on admission into consideration. . Presume a big sponsor must be involved to cover a fair chunk of that? Or is the TV money being handed over to the No1 like it did in the Sky days? Can see the novelty factor kicking in for the first few weeks but not sure an extra 500 per meeting will be sustainable when the novelty wears off to be honest.. Nice to see someone try something different though. Hope it works out...

Cheers for the info John... Sounds like post Brexit those who complain the UK lads don't get enough team slots may be quite pleased... Will it go to three a side..?

Now the BSPA have become a Limited Company as a collective, couldn't they, as the umbrella organisation, sponsor the riders to come over? Would surely work out easier one person/group, within the organisation doing every Visa application rather than each club doing their own, and mean individual clubs under new ownership can still get riders... And a National Sporting body must surely carry more weight behind it than individual clubs, especially in the eyes of those decision makers who will want clear belief that any visa restrictions will be managed and controlled as agreed..

Just let it be with all these Beatles puns and start talking about the Speedway. . For me, if Wolves go with a team two points below the limit there is no chance for you Wolves fans that next year you will get back to where you once belonged.... But on the positive side, it at least looks like none of your team will have visa problems so all of them should have a ticket to ride.. I'll get me coat. ..

Always thought all clubs should collectively purchase items showing the British Speedway Brand Logo and then 'personalise' them with their own respective individual logos.. T shirts, Polo shirts, Hoodies etc. All with one 'generic look' with each clubs own badge on them. . Similar as to how the US Sports sell their merchandise... Would mean better buying power if they did it as a collective rather than all going alone and it should mean better margins and keener prices.. Especially if they agree exclusivity with one manufacturer... As the BSPA are now a 'company' rather than an 'association' it would make sense getting some 'British Speedway' brand recognition out there, sharing the costs and sharing the profits..

Some truly great comments from such an experienced and well respected person as Neil Machin.. Hope what must be exciting plans see fruition.. The more wider thinkers the sport has around what constitutes 'entertainment' and a 'great night out' can only be good for it..

That's a fair comment, but would imagine without the GP his focus has changed somewhat, and why wouldn't you want to earn a 'good' few extra quid where you can before hanging up the helmet for good? Still box office though.. Especially for the rest of the League... Each team is pretty much guaranteed their biggest crowd of the season the first time Sheffield visit... The Aces must be truly rubbing their hands, the 'War of the Roses' back, Sheffield fans first visit to see their team ride there, AND Nicki P to boot... ? Kerching...!! Hopefully the novelty factor will delIver a long term feel good factor too for the Tigers too so crowds remain somewhere around the levels of the early meetings..

Batchelor is a much better 'second heat leader' than a No1 so it makes perfect sense to have him back.. Ht 13 and 15 should deliver points advantages most meetings (if Doyle is needed), and Doyle and Batchelor's six other heats will deliver at least three other individual victories I would suggest so Swindon can never lose points in those heats and, at home at any rate, should pick up heat advantages with at least a third for their other rider.. You can see the 8 heats (if both do Ht15), involving these two delivering at least a ten point swing in Swindons favour I would think and worst case scenario not too many 'game changing' 1-5's... Add in three from Musielak, Jensen, Ellis and Perks and you have another solid side whoever comes in lower down.. And keep more of those all important 'fan favourites' from a Championship winning team..

An interesting article with AdrIan Smith of BV in the Speedway Star current edition re some of his thoughts on the future... It is noticeable that those who come into the sport without any 'emotional attachment' to any particular rider or team through either being a sponsor or fan, seem to look at the sport far more objectively and dispassionately, and therefore make far more clearer decisions based on good business practice.. He seems to have a lot of ideas, (many of which contributors to here will recognise as they have been mentioned on probably far too many occasions!), including the need for an 'independent body' to improve the sports credibilty and bring it in line with other sports.. He mentioned that he hoped several topics would be raised at the AGM, and also talked about his concern that changing points levels every year doesn't help the sport progress, and, as we saw from the AGM press release, that is being looked into with the Champs possibly setting the level the season after next. So maybe some of his ideas are starting to get some support and cut through? I would imagine though overall it will be a 'hard sell' for him to convince those who are 'too close' to the 'emotional' and 'hobby' aspect of the sport to agree to change.. He does though come across as a shrewd man who finds a way to get most things done, so more power to his elbow, (and those of a like mind).. Overall a very interesting read and in general another excellent issue again.. UK Speedway is VERY fortunate to have such a professional magazine cover it's output..

That idea needs a "Word Round" too.. Consonant, Consonant, Vowel, Consonant, Consonant, Consonant, Consonant, Vowel.. L L O C K S B O...

Sharing riders does restrict your 'opening hours' as you have to follow the FRN's allocated to you rather than have the autonomy as to when best for you to run to suit your customer base.. Too many team places? Not enough riders? Costs so high so riders need more rides? Too many Professional riders? Promoters wanting to run at too high a level for their income? All things that mean 'double upping' is here to stay I would suggest unless the reasons for it are sorted.. And that won't happen any time soon. From a 'credibility' point of view I don't think it has too much impact. When you can borrow your biggest rival's best rider for a night, as and when you like, then sharing an employee with another team in a different league isn't going to harm the sport too much..

They have to.. Newcastle are a classic example of all that is wrong.. Riding on a Sunday (a key day for leisure time) should be a 'shoe in' for such a unique an entertainment as Speedway. . Especially as that club has had some of the finest riders of all time representing them so have an incredible history.. Instead, as a Sunday track they must have had nightmares trying to ensure riders turn up, given Sunday has become such a key day for all three Pro leagues in Poland with so many UK contracted riders competing in them.. When Poland became the 'be all and end all' the UK should have just pulled up the drawer-bridge and gone alone... Instead it went done the path of 'fudge' and 'appeasement'. A subservient "We will work around you" became the mission statement.. Newcastle must have god knows how many difficult variables when trying to get a meeting on. Will their own No1 be available? Or will their opponents No1 be available? And if not, do they run? Or do they run with guests which makes the meeting somewhat contrived? Either way the fans (the life blood of the sport) and therefore the club, lose out.. Clubs should just be able to publicise a fixture list, and then market it, safe in the knowledge that all riders will be there, which then ensures a decent crowd can turn up safe in the knowledge they won't feel short changed. .. UK Speedway should set it's stall out and say "this is us", and build to whatever level it can. On days and nights fans want to (and can) attend.. And not bother about the wider Speedway world as they at the moment play on another level.. Four lads of similar ability per race, with a decent off track entertainment package, at a reasonable value for money admission fee, will tick a lot of boxes for a great many British Speedway fans, (both regulars and, more importantly maybe, non regulars). Promoters, who are business men and women in their own right, must know that surely? As lets be honest, it is very, very basic..

If Newcastle go (and let's hope not), that's 13 gone in 19 years.. Thats 1 club going every 1.46 years... Surely someone who is involved in running the sport can see that what they currently have (and have used for far too long) as an operating model and business plan simply doesn't work..? How many will go before it gets sorted? Best of luck to the Diamonds... NB Did all these 13 clubs get £5,000 fines for closing?

I think the ever growing swathes of empty spaces in the stadiums provide a lot of data based feedback all by themselves.. As said before, the Promoters will know the reasons but simply cannot fix them without a radical overhaul of its complete operating model and business plan.. And that isn't on anyone's agenda any time soon I would think..

Old, old ground Moxey sadly.. The reasons why the decline has taken place are obvious I am sure to EVERY promoter.. The issue though is they cannot fix most of them because the oil tanker has gone much too far in the wrong direction to even stop it, never mind turn it around.. We have what we have, so let's just make the most of it.. And on the plus side. There's never been more TV coverage than there is now so you can still watch 'proper Speedway' virtually every week of the Season. And if you don't have a stream for the Polish Leagues then get one!!