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R87

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Posts posted by R87

  6. Posted

    I do wonder what was going through the BSPA's mind in 1999 when they agreed the deal with sky.  There should have been a clear and constructive plan when they did the deal to invest money into the structure of the sport, to make it more attractive for both regulars and the casual viewer, improve the presentation and build on the profile that having regular television coverage for the first time in years.  A priceless opportunity to grab.

    Instead,  it seems like they just saw the pot of cash and thought, ''well people will see it on tv now and they'll be flocking to their local tracks in droves''.  There was no spade work done, no thought to doing work themselves.  They simply continued to think of their own businesses first - in short, just continue to make it up as they were going along.

    To have 19 years of live television coverage AND a substantial cash influx and be worse off than it was before 1999 is a damming indictment on the BSPA and they way they have governed the sport.  

    • Like 2

  7. Posted

    10 hours ago, PHILIPRISING said:

    MAYBE they could at least tell us what they hope might be the answer and gauge public reaction before it is too late. For what it is worth, one league seems to be firmly on the table.

    Swindon promoter Terry Russell makes some really good points in SS this week, especially about CL tracks living off the backs of PL ones.

    Cant  see how they can entertain the idea of one big league - surely there wouldn't be enough riders.

  9. Posted

    19 minutes ago, Hot Shoe said:

    It was promoted better and was in keeping with the times (i.e. the 1980s). Now people demand more like better facilities, better presentation etc.

    All successful sports have moved on while speedway has simply stood still.

    Totally agree.  People's standards have stepped up since that and new fans expect good facilities and presentation that is vibrant and exciting.  The presentation and facilities at a lot of tracks have not changed since my first meeting in 1990.

    Sports like Rugby League and Ice Hockey have embraced this and had a set plan to invest in the sports infrastructure.  Speedway has not done this.

    • Like 1

  10. Posted

    1 hour ago, Aces51 said:

    You have to feel for the Rye House fans and riders. I just hope that something can be salvaged to allow the club to be resurrected next season.

    As for Chapman, his chairmanship has been a disaster. Yes, he inherited many problems but has failed totally to achieve even the minor improvements that he promised when taking office. The openness and transparency he made a priority is a total joke, the BSPA is now even more secretive and where is the promised new rule book. Instead we agreed to fixed nights, which included the worst night of the week for attracting crowds and even managed to make a mess of that by changing the other agreed fixed night to Wednesday, when Denmark have priority. Now, more than ever, we need someone to step forward who has the ability and the vision to take the sport forward and to give that person the authority to do what is necessary. Self interest had to be put aside for the sport to survive.

    Totally agree about the BSPA and lack of transparency.  It's almost as like,

    "we're doing this". 

    "Why?"

    "Because we said so"

    Feel for the Rye House fans.  How many more club's are we going to lose before the penny drops and those in charge realise things need to change?

  11. Posted · Edited by mb1990
    Additional information

    14 hours ago, Mediman said:

    Can it be salvaged yes but only if those who oversee the sport want it to . 

     

    Absolutely.   However,  i think quite a few promoters seem quite happy for speedway to be run in this low key and amateurish manner where they can have a social gathering and chat to the riders in the bar afterwards.

    I know one former promoter once said to me that the BSPA is like a gentleman club who close ranks when someone comes along with a bit of vision and threatens to shake things up.

  12. Posted

    13 minutes ago, mikebv said:

    Maybe one day the Promoters will finally realise that and put joint resources in to marketing and work together for the greater good so they all benefit from an upsurge in income...

    And maybe hell will also freeze over..?

     

     

    Birmingham are doing some good things RE getting kids involved with activities on the centregreen during the interval since the Masons took over, particularly as the riders are embracing it and getting involved.  But you're right that marketing the sport involves huge work and a clear, defined strategy for doing it nationally, as opposed to local.

    It can be done no doubt, but it needs people to put the spadework in and show some vision.

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    Sadly speedway in the UK will not move forward while self interest remains rife.  It has so much potential to offer, yet the promoters seem unwilling/unable to realise it.  As Bwitcher pointed out, watching a meeting on TV where the crowd consists of one man and his dog (and the dog looks like he's there under protest) does not give a good impression to the casual viewer.  Equally,  Speedways great ability to launch a shower of bullets into its own foot in front of the paying public doesn't help.  The infamous Belle vue Poole meeting a few years ago being a great example.

    • Like 1

  14. Posted

    12 minutes ago, waytogo28 said:

    That is a major factor because of them are not suitable for the ultra high powered modern rocket bikes. Processions develops easily in a very high percentage of races coming out of the 2nd bend 1st lap. Even at the NSS last night there were a handful of them.

    I think its noticeable in recent years how many times riders fall off unchallenged - as bikes have become more powerful, they seem to be a bit more unpredictable as well.

  15. Posted

    21 hours ago, cyclone said:

    If they reverted to producing a more compact & smaller sized version at about £1 - £1.50, I wonder if those who now print off a basic scoresheet to fill in, might be tempted to purchase a low cost Official programme instead?

     

     

     

    Not so sure i would especially on a freezing cold night and theres loads of changes or the programmes full of typos because it hasn't been proof-read before it's sent to the printers.

     I use the Speedway Programme app now amd have done for a few seasons.  It's got to be at least 5 years since I bought a programme.

     

  20. Posted

    11 hours ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

    While stoke may not be perfect and does have a issues I would still rather go to stoke than the Health & safety hell hole that is the NSS and indeed do, the NSS has a great track but to be told you can’t do this or can’t do that and you can’t go here or there ,I’ve been twice , once for a buxton meeting where we were treated like cattle by the stewards and the second time as a mechanic where you are given an envelope containing do’s and dont’s , the place is soleless and that’s something stoke has , bring back Kirky lane at least it had sole 

    Dean, if you'd posted this about eighteen months ago then I would have totally agreed with you.  I went to the NSS a couple of times in 2016 and was taken aback at how overbearing the officials were there.  Plus, the meetings I saw that year were not particularly good and it left me feeling that the dog track was a far better venue.

    Having said that, I've been to a few meetings there since the takeover last year and the difference is massive.  The staff their are far more friendly and the meetings I've seen have been exceptional - yesterdays meeting being brilliant with some terrific action, a great atmosphere and a large crowd - so I an now gladly admit I was wrong.

    Its a shame that Stoke has deteriorated to the level it has, as I've seen some great racing at Loomer Road in years gone by as well.  If there was ever a club that needed new life injected into it then its Stoke.  However, you're more likely to attract the interest of a first timer by taking them to Belle Vue than you would to Stoke.

     

    • Like 2

  24. Posted

    I think Freddie will be back for you. Greaves & Jacob Should also be signed up as soon as.

     

    The middle order will depend on the points limit but that will effect most teams. Kyle has been good on occasions but I thought at times he has no awareness for his team mates on the track and got in the way but as a number 2 I don't think there are many better. Rory has given you a great season, proved so many wrong and that's been great so see as a bees fan, his problem is that where he gave what he did I think Masters has more about him to improve his average and especially at home he can be very good.

     

    All in all you have the spine of another team that can challenge without making many changes and continuity is I think an important role.

     

    A great team manager and owner and I think after a few seasons of struggles it's good to see wolves back fighting for the title.

     

    Unless rumours of his imminent departure to Perry Barr are to be believed. Bit of mischief making I think though. Cannot see PA leaving Wolves.

  25. Posted

    Just been Speaking to a current SCB Referee in Torun,must say he was a little bit drunk but really good company, so I took the opportunity to ask him if he was aware of the new owners at Birmingham, as first he said no idea, but just before he left the bar he told me it was the 3 that everyone was saying ie Word Champ,Best Manager in British Speedway, and the announcer, so make of that as you will, he also said that CVS is passing over Wolverhampton to his son, So big changes in the Midlands this winter, anyway I’m off to cheer on Smolinski

     

    Have heard whispers that CVS is taking a step back from Wolves due to poor health. would be very surprised if Pete Adams pitched up at Birmingham though.

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