Skid Sprocket

And in the close season we have the fans forums to air our hopes and fears for the new season usually at no cost. We have management, marketing and even riders chipping in all year round in our forum. To sum up; Websites for official news , announcements and results etc. Fans forums for us all to interact and have our say.

The sad truth is that at least 95% of the population of the U.K. could not answer that!

That's the big dilemma; we want it on t.v. for publicity so that we get the terraces full to make it pay so that we have speedway to show on t.v.

The live atmosphere, pie and peas, interaction with fellow supporters, being out in the open air (summer time), and one off's like the G.P just being part of it. Any more?

Lets hope that alongside a new generation of supporters there are also a new generation of promoters coming through with more forward thinking, I believe we have one at Redcar.

Many things need looking at but one priority must be publicity. Yesterday I rang the reception of 39 local schools to get contact details to inform them of a local competition and when I asked have you heard of our local speedway team? only 3 had. One glimmer of hope was that one of the three said that a rider and bike had visited the school and the students were really exited by the experience. So with a bit of thought and effort there is a new audience out there ready to be informed.

Don't know much about stock cars but I would have thought there was always the danger of car parts being left/buried in the track.

A lot of good observations except that Redcar will be a whole different ball game in 2017

I would personally trust our promoters but the cash could be held by an independent trustee and only payed out when justified and not just for a night out for the directors!

It seems to be unanimous that the main problem is thought to be admission prices. Our season ticket prices work out at around £10 per meeting for a full season. When I asked one of our directors how they could make such a discount he said it was to get as much cash in up front when it was needed at the beginning of the season. If that's the case then are there a few supporters at every club that could cover this start of season shortfall and be reimbursed at the end of season so that all of us could enjoy £10 admission? The extra supporters it would attract should guarantee the good Samaritans get their cash back. i know any accountant would tell you to run a mile from such an idea, you're not going to get rich financially but the satisfaction would be priceless. Shoot me down if you will but before you do just think about it for a minute.

Good to hear a positive post, I've seen the same myself, so I hope the doom and gloom merchants will also take this as a positive. I know it could be better but not all is lost.

And the fact that you can talk to the away supporters next to you. I mentioned in another post that the younger generation wouldn't go where their dads go, 30 years ago did you go because of your dad/family or did you discover speedway for yourself?

If the stereotyping of the younger generation is correct then you are never going to persuade your offspring, " I'm not going to be seen where my dad goes" The younger generation have to be reached out to so that they discover it for themselves. as for condition of facilities etc that doesn't affect the likes of Glastonbury, it seems the rougher the better.

You are totally missing my point, while the 5 yr and 95 yr old may be a slightly stretching it, my point is there is something for everyone. I should have added male and female alike. The original example (5 and 95) is not so wrong because who is going to take them and usually be paying full price. Speedway cant afford to ignore any age group or gender, focus on Club 18-35 if you will but that will not stop other age groups getting something out of the sport.

I hope the fans and the"r" return to Redcar

Its often said that everything has been tried before but in your post, Waytogo, there are a couple of brilliant ideas that could not have been tried until recent years as the technology was just not available. I am trying to get an Idea off the ground to encourage the younger generation to take an interest involving reasonably modern technology but getting the go ahead from the powers that be is another story.

What exactly makes speedway not "family friendly"? You could take a 5 year old and a 95 year old and they would both get something from their experience.

I know its easy for seasoned supporters to come on here and want changes in the way the sport is run and rightly so, changes are needed. The biggest problem is getting new faces through the turnstiles and a new face is going to see what must be one of the most action packed sports in the country and not be bothered about the backstage problems, at least not for the first few meetings. Our new promoter at Redcar said recently in his first statement that all supporters are promoters and can do their bit by spreading the word and bringing family and friends along. Bringing in new supporters is something we can all do alongside lobbying for changes.

Listed here; http://www.retro-speedway.com/page.php?55

You could always revert to that old, almost lost, art of conversation when there is a moment to spare. One thing speedway is good at is the friendly banter between opposing supporters, not found in all sports. The opposing supporter stood/sat next to you could be the friend you just haven't met yet!!

Maybe even trawled through these pages to see where they went wrong

I understand what you are saying but if we don't try we will never know.

I have an idea that might encourage the younger generation to take an interest in the sport through a project in schools, colleges etc. To see if it would work within a school timetable/curiculum I am looking for a school teacher, lecturer etc who can advise on the inner workings of education today and so if you are that person or know of one please p.m. me.

You shouldn't need to apologise some of us take these posts seriously. There is a seperate thread for jokes and the like.

This must be the best practical forward looking post I have ever seen on these pages.