Skidder1

Entitled to your opinion, but you seem to be basing it on 'he has flitted in and out for 10 years' as if it was his choice?! Its only the change of averages/team building limits and the occasional intervention of his Polish teams that have stopped him competing over here every year. As I said previously, I don't agree with the current testimonial rules either, but thats what they currently are and I hope any/every rider who is granted one gets decent support on the day.

www.speedwayeuro.com Apologies if this is already on here somewhere, but with Eurosport giving a 3 year commitment to this new series, there's surely a chance for other negotiations to be undertaken?!

MOTUL - a french lubricants manufacturer - have just agreed a 3 year deal to sponsor the FIM. They already sponsor a whole range of other motorcycle and car disciplines, including the Ice Speedway series!!! Must be some mileage there?!

Interesting guestimates! I wonder what individual EL Team sponsorship would be? I suppose it could vary considerably.

Hardly a black-out if Eurosport have it!?

Not disputing your overall point, but where do you believe the biggest market for SGP television coverage is?! If you believe its the UK, then I think you are mistaken!!

Whilst I don't agree with the current rules on qualification for a testimonial, I nevertheless feel that any rider who risks their life (eg. Argentina today!!) everytime they go out on a speedway bike and who is granted a testimonial, should be properly supported!

Mummy?????

Aah, I see!!!!!! Were you interested in it before you became part of it (sponsored it)?

I'm breaking my own rule on this thread, but..... A question - If the BSPA/SCB wanted to run a Motocross event would they need the approval/permission/support of the MCF? Serious question.

Whats UFC?

This is becoming a bit of a 'MONSTER' debate!!! Sponsorship of anything should not be considered on its own. As has been rightly pointed out, sponsorship should only be part of 'The Marketing Mix' which includes advertising, promotions, PR etc etc. I'm not sure what Meridian Lifts hoped to get out of their many sponsorships over the years, but imo they are not an obvious 'fit' with the sport?! Many years ago I was involved in some media (local newspaper) sponsorship of an Elite team, which at the time was selected to increase the brand awarenessand readership of the paper in that particular area - hopefully leading to increased sales. However apart from the direct cost of the sponsorship, there were also freebies, giveaways, stickers, Free team poster with every copy etc etc. (I think the Argus do similar stuff with Eastbourne, even though they are not the main sponsor). However, a possible drawback of having a media sponsor (Sky Sports??!), apart from the increase in coverage within that media, is that it can risk isolating the product from all other media!?? We all bemoan the lack of media coverage/interest for speedway - and usually blame the product or lack of marketing of it!! But it could just as likely be a reaction to 'Sky Sports Speedway' that reduces interest elsewhere?! I think the sport should be looking at companies with a good fit, where their product or service is used within or can be linked to the sport! How about for example, Mercedes Vans, Oil or Pressure Washers or............?? Value? Worth? God knows.

Message received and understood!! I'll keep any further thoughts and opinions on this topic to myself and hope that if the series does come to a track near me on a Tuesday I hope it doesn't clash with an Islanders' fixture!!

Precisely Screamer!! If the organisers have gone through all the right channels - and they may well have done for all I know - you would think that the main Speedway bodies would be publicised as being in support of it, with the necessary logos on the website etc. I'm sure it won't make a bit of difference to the average punter, but its the riders I would want to ensure are fully protected, in terms of any league contracts/ACU paperwork etc they may have signed?! I wouldn't want to see something fail before its even off the ground, if the correct permissions have not been obtained.

With a name like that you'd think it would have the backing of all the Speedway authorities?! Does it?

To whom? The BSPA and the clubs, or to the potential sponsor? I would suggest the figures could be very far apart! It would also depend on how much media coverage could be guaranteed from 2014 onwards, unless the sponsoring company had very close links to the sport already and would get 'a return on its investment' in increased product sales,for example.?! ps. To be thinking about this and posting it at 0455 hours? I think you need some more quality sleeping time!!

Well he would (be advised to) say that wouldn't he?! Interesting paragraph in that statement - “A parent club should never stop a rider from going somewhere if they don’t intend to use him or offer him a team place. It is another thing if they offer him a team place and he turns it down, then maybe other clubs would have to buy,” he said. Isn't that exactly what happened with him and his parent club? But he 'didn't think they were serious'!! With BSPA insisting Batch is to be purchased, I'd be interested to know the price being quoted?!

Think there might be a Courtney involved somewhere, from what I've been told??!

Its in their rules! Honest!!

I thought the publicity stated '16 Speedway Superstars'???!!!! I'm a bit surprised there has been no announcements from Leicester and Rye House, or have I missed something?

48 hours is a long time in Speedway!!!!

I believe there has been an 'understanding' between promotions that any rider not signed up by March 1st (March 1st being the start date for all/most rider contracts for the ensuing season) then those riders become available for 'loan'. However in the case of Batchelor, I understand that the BSPA MC have overruled that - as they are entitled to do -and are insisting Batch be purchased, as indeed Peterboro had to purchase him previously. Maybe the BSPA MC have taken into account the illegal initial approach to Batch by Swindon in their decision??!!

2 big injuries - wrist and groin - coming back too quickly and quite a bit of 'offtrack' shenanigans certainly didn't help Sam's confidence. If he gets a good solid start and remains injury-free, he will fly for Wolves!!

Presumably they are looking at tracks that are non-speedway owned, are already used for other motorsports and do not have greyhounds!!

At least he has some big ideas, unlike some of his small-minded colleagues, who continue to push the top level of the sport down to its lowest common denominator!! Maybe - just maybe - his squad proposal might have kept Sky a bit more interested?!! (Apologies for this on the KL thread!)