BFMDan

Hmmm . . . found this via Google. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_sports_leagues_by_revenue It's a page which lists (as the URL implies) and ranks professional sports leagues by revenue. I can't imagine, however, that it is all inclusive . . . because, while it has German Handball league listed (Handball?!?! LOL) it doesn't include ANY motorsports NASCAR, Formula 1, Austrailian V8 Supercars, Monster Energy Supercross, etc. Anyone with knowledge care to throw a dart at this list to indicate whereabouts Speedway might fall? HB

Here in the states, we've had a few of these problems blow through. Even at the SuperCross level. I'm not a pharmacist . . . but, just in reading it seems that "Adderall" (I believe it is) is utilized for the same reason some youngsters use it in school - because it intensifies Focus and Attention. Helpful in blocking out all outside distractions, zeroing in on the start release, etc. HB

My own personal reaction to this is probably something none of us want to admit . . . I'm a racer, fan, owner, media rep, and speedway announcer . . . so this bothers me just as much as any one. But, when you strip away every single piece of decoration from the sport (speedway, flattrack, even stock cars) . . . all it really boils down to is some competitors going around in circles - week after week. Not much "new-ness" to that - at the very basest of levels. So, why is there some attention . . . ever? Well, it's the very human desire to experience something different. "I haven't been to the races in a while; let's go check it out." Then the thrill hooks them for a while until they realize what I posted above. And then they fade away again. So, the sport (in reality, ANY sport) is pressed with the goal of introducing variety to the "casual fan". You know the hard-core fans will return . . . my father used to compare motorsports to a disease, "once it's in your blood, there's no cure!" (LOL). So, again, to hook the "casual fan" the promoter needs to find a way to introduce the "unexpected" . . . but, on a regular basis! (figure that out, and you're a promotional zillion-aire!) The concept of "not really knowing what to expect" is what pulls the "casual fan" to a speedway. Possible tumble/wreck, sure. But, also, different winners, different grandstand entertainment, different prizes, different confrontation between a the "fan favorite" and a "black hat bad guy" (I'm not a fan of this, but it DEFINATELY creates 'water cooler talk'), different food, different style of competition, different pages/photos in the weekly program, different front gate promotion, etc. Sure, advertising and education is some of it . . . but, think of it this way, would you return to the local cinema week after week, if they were only showing the same movie over and over? Nope. But, what if you didn't know from week to week if they were: selling beer or wine at the concession stand, picking 10 random people out of the crowd and giving them free admission to the following week, the movie suddenly had a completely different ending than last week, putting an intermission into the middle of the movie - during which a clown would come out and juggle flaming chain saws! LOL Again, those aren't suggestions to cure Speedway . . . just silly examples. But, examples for a reason. "Casual Fans" won't pay hard earned cash (for ever) for "sameness". It becomes blasé, predictable, and not exciting. The thing that brings them back is the POTENTIAL to experience something different. Just my humble opinion . . . P.S. - I don't have the answers either. HB

Hey Hey . . . I'm your man!! LOL HB

I don't know if we could scrape up a big enough crowd to make it a monetary success . . . but, YES PLEASE!! Slight tangential thought . . . some of the Mile Flattrack races (Springfield, for example) do present HUGE crowds - Springfield 2 this September was a packed house! So, the potential does exist . . . HB

Watching from "The States" . . . I hope you'll all understand my open cheering for Mr. Hancock! However, at the same time . . . I would not at all be displeased if Mr. Doyle went on to claim the title. Obviously, I've never met him . . . but, from interviews he strikes me as a "regular dude" and all around "good guy". HB

You'll have to forgive my ignorance . . . but, I don't think I've ever seen/heard Ermolenko provide commentary. I just started seriously watching the Speedway GP streams around 2013 . . . during that time (and I'll admit that I have missed a couple events), I only recall Nigel and Kelvin. HB

Great photos! Thank you for sharing! P.S. - What's the deal with them drinking from their boot?!?! I'd never drink anything out of my racing boot! LOL HB

WOW! Excellent photos . . . thanx for sharing! HB

I thought this as well. Tuning into the Live Stream, I was expecting a "Full House" . . . and, as I'm trying to spread the 'good word' of Speedway over here in The States, had invited others to watch as well - with the statement, "Check it out, That place will be packed!". I was very surprised to see all the empty seats. HB

Hello from the USA! I've been watching Speedway for several years now, and just realized that I lack understanding of what appears to be two very basic/elementary principals with regards to line-ups. FIRST In looking at the Score Card for this Saturday's Speedway GP, I see that: Maciej JANOWSKI is 1 Kim NILSSON is 2 Tai WOFFINDEN is 3 Antonio LINDBACK is 4 and so on through the rider listing. How is each rider assigned that number? Is there a Practice/Qualifying session which I've never noticed? Or, is it some random draw scenario? SECOND As riders are placed into the heats, does it ALWAYS go in this order: Heat 1: Riders 1,2,3,4 Heat 2: Riders 5,7,6,8 Heat 3: Riders 10,11,9,12 Heat 4: Riders 15,14,16,13 Heat 5: Riders 13,1,5,9 And so on through the heat line-ups. Thank you for taking any time you may, to explain these most basic of rules to me. It is much appreciated! HB

Thank you! Quick question - what's the number between the lane color and the rider's name? (Sorry, USA newbie here - new to scorecards) HB

I watch the YouTube Stream over here in "The States" (USA) and I thoroughly enjoy the commentary provided by NP & KT! I watch US SuperCross coverage on a weekly basis, Summer Motocross coverage when I can - and I am a Stock Car/Flattrack/MX/SX announcer at the regional level . . . so I view commentary from both sides of the fence. And for me, personally, I enjoy their commentary when I have my "fans hat" on . . . but, at the same time, when I listen to them with my "professional hat" on, I also rank them very highly! Two enthusiastic thumbs up from me! HB

Hello from across the muddy pond (USA). I've just found this forum and registered (post #1 right here - LOL), so please forgive if I'm asking a question which has been covered to death . . . Um, can you imagine the difficulties facing a Speedway racing fan over here in America? 1.) This discussion about KODI . . . is this something available world wide? 2.) SpeedwayGP used to be available here in the states via LiveStream . . . they are now streaming it live via YouTube. Is this still the best options? 3.) On LiveStream, I used to see the raw feed from the track (no commercial breaks, just 3 solid hours of glorious coverage) . . . this most recent GP (Horsens?) the feed included "In Studio" commentary during track-prep sessions. Is there a way to go back to just the raw feed? I'll toss in further questions as they come to me. Thanx! HB