oldtimer

And Newport

It's not just the top riders that gets the crowds to Cardiff it's the great atmosphere, noise, exciting music a seat etc, all of which are missing at many tracks

Sadly I agree with every word, apart from bin the points limit.

Has anybody in last few days been unable to access this Forum? Had a 1032 configuration of server error when trying to bring up the web page. Thought it was my PC but works Ok today.

And the reason is you need over 45 points to win a match, if they start next season on a 38 limit you will have to lose half the current riders.

No League action for 3 weeks now, seems a strange way to arrange fixtures.

good question, if Somerset want to attract bigger crowds, why not reply on here and give the reason?

Very sad to read last few comments, no OAP concession is just one reason I have not returned, don't want to pay more for less, also the presentation has not been good for many years, when I used to attend. There used to be an atmosphere in the early days, but fun things like the jingles and rider music when they won, I asked Deb about it once but was told you are the only one that wants it changed. Also the interval, sometimes 15 minutes or more just when things were close and exciting with 3 heats to go, you were left standing around, not everyone wants more chips. The music is rubbish at all the speedway tracks I have been to, must be something about paying royalties for anything that's not 20 years old. The loudspeaker system needs to be better but that costs money and there may be a problem about neighbours complaining, however appropriate music creates an atmosphere that's why you get music in cinema films and TV programs, and playing old Elvis and country music adds nothing. Somerset obviously don't want to lose money, but other tracks who don't own there own stadium seem to manage somehow, so assume Somerset better off than some. No excuse for the weeds other than you have to pay someone to maintain the place.

I agree the gap is huge,it's certainly killed off any promotion and relegation, remember that ? I remember a few seasons back (,before i stopped going 5 or 6 years ago) when Rebels were in the second division, the current Poole side would have been a second division side, we had Nick Morris, Josh G, and Doyle, now you are paying more for a lot less with a 38 point limit. At the end of season with the team average risen to 45 or more and riders on a false average compared to their ability, you will weaken it further the following season.I wonder how many pensioners still go with no OAP discount? When i last attended, apart from Najjer all the people i used to see an stand with 20 or even 10 years ago no longer attended, and they can't all be dead. very sad !

If I remember correctly the first meeting 20 years ago was also rained off. It's been snowing near Cheddar.

Anybody know who is riding in both teams for Rebels v Poole ?

Look on the bright side, should have plenty of exciting last heat deciders.

With Workington sadly not running, does that mean fewer fixtures as I assume most teams have already sold season tickets for X number of fixtures.

Had a look already and would go occasionally if £13 but not £16. The Leicester deal looks good £1 off programme early admission, prize draw. It's not just the admission but petrol, car park (I'm on my own), programme something to eat, it works out at just short of £30 for 15 mins racing and a burger. Not blaming, Somerset they have to cover costs, but cannot understand how a club who owns it's own facilities cannot offer a bit more. I remember the last time a had a season ticket, many years ago, you had a free programme included.

shocked to hear this, when you can picture him how he was when racing to the description now

I remember a few years back our team in the 2nd division was Doyle, Nick Morris and Josh Graz' so what's changed, have the riders costs gone way up and why? as a result are riders asking for more money? are the owners of some stadium's charging more rent? Is the financial situation so bad Somerset cannot reduce admission for OAP's? If people are going to pay more for less something needs to be done to make an evening at speedway more than 15 minutes of racing. There is now plenty of speedway on TV, you have Swedish and Polish speedway with top stars. So why would you want to go and stand in the cold to watch it live. If it was football, or Darts or many other sports the answer would be, Well it not the same on TV you don't get the atmosphere. and there's the problem, speedway at many tracks has no atmosphere, love them or hate them air horns added to the excitement, the jingles like you have 2 minutes, or music specific to each rider or wipe out when you got a 5-1, or perhaps even one firework at the end of a meeting, or not doing interviews when the tractor grade obliterates the riders reply, or a club mascot for the kids, (used to think Wolverhampton's Mr Wolf was great). I remember the old Bristol flag man dressed up in his flashy suit, dancing around when he waved the flag. It's difficult if you don't have a grandstand as people are spread around, but there is no excuse not to play up to date mood and uplifting music to create excitement, or an announcer who sounds enthusiastic. Why in boxing do the competitors get such an over the top introductions, it's not to make the match boring is it. Speedway does nothing to attract new young customers, and the old boys, who make up a large percentage of the fans, will drift away because of it's no longer value for money and they will sit in front of the fire in the warm with a glass of wine and remember the old days when you could smell the methanol and the bikes were louder and your favourite rider ( for whom you had his coffee cup and rosette and badge) stayed for more than one season.

This season the riders will know everyone of the crowd by their first name.

And it's a £2-99 admin charge

I clicked on booking form link and see it's £16 admission or £17-50 including one person for car park No concession for OAP's as far as I can see. I think it's a cunning plan to stop me going again, if it is, it's worked

With a reserve tailed off at the back you virtually have a 3 rider RACE anyway.

The sensible thing for the BSPA to do is have two reserve races, that will be more entertaining and give the reserves a chance rather than them getting low points every match and getting demoralised.

Season ticket at £215 for 15 matches works out at £14-33 a match, so I assume full admission is £16 giving a saving of £25 and as Najjer says if you miss two you are out of pocket, as most people have 2 weeks away on holiday, not counting absences for sickness or family occasions, I cannot see why anyone would buy one. Perhaps the admission is actually £17 which would give a saving of £40 which seems unlikely. So far no price quoted for OAP concessions just students.

Heat 2 will be ok, but watching the reserves tailed off at the back not very exciting. Waiting for the good news, will it be Conference League admission prices?

Think the new points limit is too low, you used to be able to follow your favourite team rider for a few seasons and watch the young riders progress in your team. Assuming the points limit stays the same, at the end of the season you will lose half your team to get back down to 38.

Assume Harris will be number 1? Think you need someone who is consistent as heat leader a description you could not apply to Harris. Lets hope they put some banking on the bends so Harris can blast round the outside.