Pieman72

Good point I'm just showing concern that it usually effects attendances and if Speedway continues to decline there will be no Elite League to broadcast.

I'd rather pay at the turnstyle soak up the atmosphere, smell the Methanol and Oil while putting some money into the sport. TV Speedway is convenient but the continantal version is killing the sport in this country. Still if we vote out (which I haven't) promoters will have to apply for work permits.....difficult.

I have tried several attempts to stimulate proposals to reconstruct speedway but alas it has failed to change the mindset and I'm afraid speedway remains in a stable but critical condition.

Realisticly if a track can turn in an operating profit gross then you can invest in the facilities and look to the future, running training schools and possibly supplying machines for budding riders. The consequence would be less dependency on foreign riders. Oh well I can dream. Running a track as a money making venture is never going to be possible but operating at a profit covering the loans and investing in the future then becomes a viable option.

I think everyone has missed the point here. Speedway is not a charity and the figure do not add up what comes in does not cover the costs. It's no point living in the past Speedway has to change. I'm looking to put money into a future venture but in it's present form the Bank Manager and my wife would have a seizure.

British Speedway is uniquely different to the continental model and is fundamentally an on terrace spectator sport having a coffee and a burger or better still a pint if your not driving. Our model is not comfortable with TV and the razzematazz of the Slovenian GP. To make matters worse there are too many rules and regulations which need simplifying and relaxing while ensuring the safety of rider and spectators alike.

Just a quickie to feedback on the Sidecars at Coventry. An excellent event very well supported and rather spectacular the Final won by Gaz Winterburn from Mark Cossar the track was fantastic and required little grading. Thanks to all involved for putting on an excellent event.

Some excellent idea's are being put forward and thanks for the likes and comments. Speedway supporters and a great bunch. Realisticly it has to be pure racing and definitely Speedway only. Having a 250 class would enable young and under financed riders to compete they work perfectly well on the grass and points money must be dependent on the crowd. I want something inexpensive and exciting that I can look forward to every meeting tall order but achievable.

We will be paying £10 at Coventry this Friday for the 1000cc and 500cc Sidecars brilliant racing over 20 heats. The 1000 are a bit agricultural and the shale has to be replenished but well worth the wait on a nice Summer's evening. Come and give that lads a shout as they all do it for the love of the sport and looking at the machinery you can see where winnings if any goes.

It's very much a legal/political issue and an excellent point with petitions. While they canvass support they conume a lot of time that would be better spent fighting the case from a legal standpoint. The loss of leisure facilities is a polical 'hot potato' and local politicians are sensitive to the situation when they become associated with the loss of a facility that could impact on their apirations. Keep fighting 'Bees' you have a wonderful sports facility.

It's definintely worth the wait as the drivers safety has to be paramount and plent of dirt makes for better racing. I'm a Drag Man too and used to oildowns which can take simply ages to clean up. Don't forget that lads are doing it for vitually nothing. For a £10 admission price it's exceedingly good value and it give you a cahnce to have a chat and have bite to eat !! Go and watch them on the Grass too awesome.

I love the sport the fans and those who put in a lot of hard work for little reward and everyone has to pull together to turn the Speedway around. I'm not sure having large multi media broadcasters on board is helping particularly in respect of attendances and atmosphere Speedway is a 'Live Spectator Sport. I am canvassing opioins and ideas under the 'Stadium Racing' post to formulate proposals that would bring in the punters. Realisticly you can't fault the quality of racing, riders, or promoters. I like the idea of local riders and a variety of bikes that may bring in a 'new' speedway supporter and critically an admission charge that is affordable for families; £42 for my wife and I at Wolverhampton is unreal. Something has to give and the astronomical cost of the riders and equipment must be on the agenda. Most people want to go to a meeting at a weekend unfortunately that is being dictated by continental and GP commitments. Tuning it round will not be easy but fundamentally we are all passionate about the sport and though posts may get heated but we all need a common purpose.

Critically I'd like some radical ideas that are practicable rather than what has been done and failed in the past. What are we getting for a £17 to £19 admission charge and is watching exactly the same bikes racing round and round going to pull in the punters?

Having experienced the debacle with Cradley Heath I would say it's best to lobby councillors to ring fence it as a 'Site for the Intensification of Sport and Leisure' . There is a good case as historically the stadium goes beck to the 1920's and it is a multi pupose stadium. Unfortunatley if the original owners could have secured a purchaser who could have redeveloped the stadium while retaining the track we wouldn't be here today. Keep fighting as Coventry could become one of the best stadiums in the country if this intensification of 'Brownfield' sites can be discredited. The word 'Brownfield' is too general and had to be tested? Stadiums and Public houses are amenities and not really 'Brownfield' sites.

Thank you all so much for all the brilliant posts on the subject it has certainly stimulated some interest. Fundamentally it has to be a only a Speedway event defininitely not a Circus , I have methanol and nitro running through my veins lol. What we need is new idea's that will attract spectators and riders alike and to be fair the Sidecar events at Coventry have atrracted more than the Elite League Speedway so there is definitely the interest albeit with a £10 admission charge. Can I also say how excellent it was and certainly evocative and spectacular on a warm Summer's Friday ! evening. A downside is the grading required to keep some dirt on the racing line. Dirt Track Bikes and Quads aren't really on the agenda I'm more looking at 250's, 350's and 500's using different engines which would be particularly useful for keeping the costs down thus enabling Grass Boys and new riders to compete giving some variety to the Sport. Speedway is a spectacular sport particularly on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday but race evenings are being dictated by foreign riders who are keen but do not have the affinity to the UK. Having local riders must be a plus though the public would not welcome raw riders on a training track either. There is a formula to draw in new spectators but finding it is difficult. Crucially the eyewatering admission/programme charges ie £42 for my wife and I is totally untenable and is going to leave us with empty Stadiums and no atmosphere. Fundamentally it's no point reminicing though it's does bring back many memories; British Speedway is in decline, hemoraging spectators and something has to be done or we will be left with only a handful of teams.