mp2

Re-Run Productions also flew out from the UK especially for the Leigh Adams event and has captured much of the behind the scenes activity that happened in the week before and after the event. It's for order now on the Re-Run website.

I've found this discussion interesting - obviously the race jacket is a commodity and its been sold to Torun (just like Spanish Tourism has signage at every MotoGP). It would be available for a Monster or Coca-Cola, KFC etc as well if they came to an arrangement with IMG. The involvement of Red Bull and Monster is quite strategic and doesn't really need F1 cars to be at GPs - it gives those companies a direct line into Eastern Europe - a market difficult to crack through other means. They obviously recognise Speedway as the biggest sport in Poland and as a cost-effective way to tap into that market, like they do through NASCAR, Red Bull Air Race, F1 etc in other territories. I am not necessarily a fan of armed forces sponsoring, however, leveraged correctly (as they do in the US) - they are some of the most successful sponsorships in creating cut through and real returns for the cash outlaid. As for the text I've quoted above - did anyone actively push the new partnership to Sky? If they didn't, then it's unlikely to get recognition. Most of the time, TV and the media are crying out for information, its up to the PR representatives of the clubs and riders to be pushing info and briefing the media about any new sponsorships and so forth. You have to keep on their case and keep them up to speed. It would appear (watching the Elite League on TV from Australia) as though British promoters struggle enough to get people through the gates, let alone looking after their sponsors and briefing the media!

I'm still in 2 minds over the AJ/Gollob crash - my thought at the time was the ref got it right - AJ did sit up going into the turn and Gollob subsequently caught his leg. Perhaps they need to go down the F1 route for the Grands Prix and introduce an ex-rider - i.e. a Chris Louis or Tony Rickardsson to the ref's box to assist in adjudication of such indiscretions? Other thoughts: *Sayfutdinov a very lucky boy - thank God for the airfence, that was nasty *Can never count champions out can you? The performances of Crump & Pedersen were spectacular to get something out of nothing *Good to see Wuffy doing well and Holder unlucky not to make it into final - the only win all night to the White gate was against him in his final heat. *Fox Sports in Australia lost satellite transmission two laps into the final!!! It appeared as though with the meeting running late, they didn't have enough time booked! *Overall a pretty standard meeting

Theres a bit more to it than that I believe. It suddenly "stopped". When you're in KL, every red light is like the start of a MOTOGP! It's insane, you aren't even safe on the footpaths! So, there is a motorcycle culture there among all citizens regardless of race, sex or age. Getting them into the sport is a different story and sustaining it for a level of time. It is a very diverse place, when I was there, the KL Masters Tennis Tournament was on and it was only that I caught an ad on TV that I actually knew it was there. Otherwise, there was nothing to indicate the event was even on in Central KL.

Not being ageist mate, just being a realist! They are the things I look at and it seems like the BSPA and the clubs haven't been out there promoting the sport to new audiences. There is lots to promote to the broader population about our sport and the evidence of Monster and Red Bull, along with Prodrive and others in the SGP Series is evidence that they can see future potential in the sport. It needs a concerted push to get the youngsters that are coming through profile outside the Speedway Star and Sky Sports, whether they be English, Aussie or from Timbuktu.

Couldn't agree more Pompey, its great to see the skids back on TV in Oz and the 'magnificent' Sky coverage! I too am interested in looking at the crowds at the track - there seem to be some striking issues with the Elite League crowds: Aside from the size of them, with no disrespect, the vast majority of attendees would appear to be on the other side of 40. As they'd say in Sydney, they're losing supporters to Rookwood (cemetry) rather than other pursuits.

Like @BigFatDave and @Pompey - we were just bloody happy to see it LIVE in Aussie for the first time in years. You could say (dare I say it!) it was MUGNIFFISENT! I could live with the non-sync for the racing for the fact we got it live, enjoyed the comments of the boys in the studio and we got the right result from an Aussie perspective! I don't know what incident they were watching during the final, even watching it back in replay, the ref got it 100% right. Holder was sensational, he'll learn from his middle ride, I think the panic that appeared to set in had more to do with the duck egg than the primary bike issue. He certainly looked like he belongs there. As for Tai's Aussie accent and being a Pom, we've had Jason's Pommy accent as an Aussie, so we're sending one back to you! :lol:

I didn't have a problem with it, I thought it was excellent and a great way to keep up with what was going on. Generally, the scores at my end matched those on the TV. It took a little bit to get the Semi system worked out, but once I got it, it was fine. It was a great app and one I look forward to using both throughout the year and for other meetings (if I can).

Still none the wiser - I found the contact form on the Eurosport site and shot a note off with the grand result of....no response! Hopefully there is a backlog and they get back this week sometime. The EPG should be available for April some time soon. I thought there may have been a subscriber from somewhere in Asia that may be into their speedway.

Yeah I could do that too, just thought I'd throw it out there and see!!

I wouldn't discount the Gold Coast's Skilled Stadium, it has been purpose built with direct public transport from Surfers Paradise and Brisbane. It holds an awesome atmosphere, although I'm not sure how the owners would see the track being put onto the grass - having said that the Crusty's held a show there 2 years ago. The other stadium is Brisbane's Suncorp, but it would run into high expense. The Rugby stadium - Ballymore - seems to be the subject of a revival at the moment, too, but having never been there, I don't know what its like. Etihad or the new Melbourne Heart stadium would also work well.

Wondering if anyone can help - saw an ad on Eurosport Asia-Pacific tonight that showed Speedway - does anyone know if the Grands Prix are showed live or very closely delayed? In Oz, we have the highlights programs, but a long time after it has gone to air. I can't seem to find a list of broadcasters or an EPG through to April to see if Eurosport Asia-Pacific will show them or not. Any help appreciated!

Went to North Brisbane tonight for the first time. Great track, great racing...but a bloody Pom won! Josh Auty rode sensationally to qualify through the B-Final to win the Title. He was out of sorts for much of the meeting. Darcy Ward was second followed by Joe Haines who top scored and Mitch Davey who was very impressive. Auty wasn't impressive until when it counted. Haines is certainly one to watch! Ward was great to watch as ever, but didnt appear too comfortable and certainly didnt enjoy the dominance everyone thought. He won every race bar the final and had a mechanical problem in H3. Great to see Jason Crump there, who was interviewed by Kings Lynn's Mike Bennett...who is a bit of a livewire!

Awesome numbers there - any idea of what the average General Admission entry price is for an Ekstraliga match?

Totally - well done Leigh-Roy - and as for who is Darcy Ward....I think you found out tonight!