How To Make Speedway More Appealing To Younger Fans?

[george.m 3,063]

You have to think like a youngster too.

 

Why would I want to leave the warm comfort of my bedroom with my PC/game console. To spend a cold evening, stood in a Siberian wind listening to some old geezer muttering into a mic.

 

Absolutely right. And if your mates are somewhere else you want to be with them, not the black sheep.

 

[foamfence 2,917]

You have to think like a youngster too.

 

Why would I want to leave the warm comfort of my bedroom with my PC/game console. To spend a cold evening, stood in a Siberian wind listening to some old geezer muttering into a mic.

It might help if there were more speedway games for consoles and more roll play, so you could go home and re-enact races on your console or be any rider you want in any meeting you want, the developers would probably say that the potential market was too small.

[Deano 1,318]

It might help if there were more speedway games for consoles and more roll play, so you could go home and re-enact races on your console or be any rider you want in any meeting you want, the developers would probably say that the potential market was too small.

 

I agree. Perhaps live streaming is the way... stream onto your smart television via the internet for £5 per meeting.

 

 

To be honest, you have to really want to go speedway to go. It's too easy being a cash sport to say "not tonight" at the last minute.

 

There's no "buy tickets in advance" for the big team coming to town in two months in the local newspapers.

 

Promotion is all done the freebie way, send in a report and just hope the newspaper has some spare room next to the local tiddely winks.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Deano

[remembertheracers 171]

People are less willing to put up with endless delays in the modern era as the staia get more and more out f date.

 

If I go to football, which I don't anymore, I get 90 minutes with the ball in play for about 6 of them - and a fifteen minute half time.If I go to ice hockey I get three twenty minute periods and the clock stops when play does - and two 15 minute breaks. At football and ice hockey I get a seat, the latter is indoors.

 

At speedway I get 15/16 minutes of racing with about one hundred and fifteen minutes of delays, gardening at the tapes etc ' When we had second halves in two 20 races in 2 hours generally. Therein lies one of the sport's biggest problem. Even Kelvin Tatum was getting grumpy about delays on Sky last year and he was paid to be there!

Edited March 11, 2013 by remembertheracers

[keef robin 551]

People are less willing to put up with endless delays in the modern era as the staia get more and more out f date.

 

If I go to football, which I don't anymore, I get 90 minutes with the ball in play for about 6 of them - and a fifteen minute half time.If I go to ice hockey I get three twenty minute periods and the clock stops when play does - and two 15 minute breaks. At football and ice hockey I get a seat, the latter is indoors.

 

At speedway I get 15/16 minutes of racing with about one hundred and fifteen minutes of delays, gardening at the tapes etc ' When we had second halves in two 20 races in 2 hours generally. Therein lies one of the sport's biggest problem. Even Kelvin Tatum was getting grumpy about delays on Sky last year and he was paid to be there!

 

84 minutes of the ball being out of play!Are you a Stoke fan! I read the ball is on average out of play for about for about a third of the game. I also think speedway meetings are too long winded. Dont think its that expensive compared to football and rugby.

Cardiff GP is very good VFM at 29 quid.

Edited March 11, 2013 by beefy keefy

[george.m 3,063]

It's very hard for any of us to be impartial on the subject of speedway. We might think we are, but we're not. We're all emotionally involved in one way or another - positive, negative, whatever.

 

We're all well intentioned, despite our differences on the BSF, and want the same end result - speedway to be successful.

 

So what does success look like?

 

Many on here look back to the good old days - sorry I've got bad news for you. But you knew that already.

Some talk of encouraging the young to attend. The lifeblood for the future. Spot on!

 

The only true way to measure the potential for speedway is to undertake professional market research, followed by a business plan.

 

But what are you researching? Do you research in its current state or what we all think it should be?

Well you can't research the latter. This is where we come to the crux of the matter.

 

VIEWER WARNING

If you don't want to hear it as it is .... stop reading.

 

Speedway in its current state has a niche appeal.

Yes we all love our speedway. We are all part of that niche. Have you ever stood at a railway station and thought ... "why is that grown man in the anorak filming a train going through"? Yes, we are all that man! We love our hobby. But we are in a minority.

 

It's an outdoor sport. Held mainly at night time. So it can be cold. There's a lot of standing around for 15 minutes entertainment. It can be boring. Kids have school next day. So why bother?

 

There's competition. Yes, speedway has competition!

A night in front of the TV. A night down the pub. A take away with the husband/wife. Playing the latest computer game with your mates. Etc, etc, etc.

 

So what can speedway be like?

 

Entertaining races can be few and far between - those dreaded three words ..... gate and go!

 

Then there's the rules. I've been going to speedway for 36 years and I still don't know them all!

 

A family goes for the first time. Its Heat Two - everyone around them is cheering and they don't have a clue what's going on.

"Dad who won?"

"Err I don't know"

"Dad, why not?"

"Err I don't know"

"Dad, in that first race ... I thought you said we'd have a good view standing at the fence on the first turn. We got covered in dirt!"

We've all done it ... because we didn't know better.

 

Do we really expect a newbie to understand what is going on? What do we really do to help them?

 

(I digress here, but how many promotions have a simple explanation sheet they can hand out at the turnstiles to newbies - it would cost next to nothing. Imagine attending a speedway meeting for the first time and Gladys at the turnstile asks you if you'd like a little something to help you enjoy the night more - made to feel welcome or what?)

 

The food and drink can be awful. "We'll have a chippy on the way home".

 

Oh and then there's the cost. How much for a family of four? Or even a parent and kid?

 

Going to a speedway meeting can be pretty dire!

 

So which part of that do you sell to the non-believers?

 

 

Of course I've painted an exaggeratedly poor picture. I do so intentionally, because speedway is our kid, and like real kids we don't see our own like others do.

 

So getting back on track. If you research that lot, we all know what the results will be. And more importantly .... a total waste of money!

 

Hurry up George, I'm losing the will to live here! Tell us something we don't know.

 

OK. First and foremost, speedway needs to get its act together now!

It needs to focus first and foremost on putting on an entertaining product, in an acceptable environment at an acceptable price.

Tell us something we don't know!

 

We'll it's quite simple. We all already know it. But what do you do about it? Do you tell the promoters? Do supporters clubs tell them?

You're sport needs you!

 

Get this sorted, then you can do the research to see what will make speedway more appealing to youngsters.

Aye right George, that costs money and there isn't any in speedway.

 

Yes and no.

 

Yes it costs money, but it's an investment.

No, there is the money to do it.

How?

One of two ways, or both.

 

1. A £1 levy at the British GP on every ticket bought - £30K+

2. A £1 levy on everyone attending an Elite, Premier and National League meeting in one particular week - £25K+.

 

This will buy you a lot of research and a NATIONAL marketing plan from a good research company.

 

Then we need a BSPA committed to the greater good ... otherwise it's all been a waste of money!

 

 

Your sport needs you!

 

 

 

PS - Have a look at what the new Glasgow promotion are doing. Some bloody good stuff, from the outside there appears to be a business plan created from consultation with the playing public.

Edited March 11, 2013 by george.m

[stratton 1,491]

Great post George, time now for bed!! no in all honesty i didn't realise when you are a lover of a sport it's hard to be impartial.I think unless the sport really takes things by the scruff of the neck and goes for real change will it get better.?I am a oldie but i wouldn't object to new ideas to be honest if someone had said 30 years ago Darts would be in the shape it is now i would of laughed.But look what they have made possible, amazing really.Only 3 things i can think of that maybe would help to improve things 1.more modern music. 2.young kids maybe aloud to get nearer to the riders to see the bikes ( swindon good for this half hour before meeting aloud to see bikes and riders). 3.maybe 10 pound is to low to expect to pay, but say if you went to 10 meetings the regular supporter get a little discount for the odd meeting you are if like me more and likely to spend it there anyway.

[OGT 612]

Speedway is an extreme sport.

Kids like extreme sports.

So market it as such.

[Topcat 58]

I agree with George's overview,and hope that Glasgows new promotion do get more new fans through the gate. The weather has not been kind to the sport in recent years,but our 3.00pm start may just help pull in more interested fans.

We also know from the promotions point of view that more attendees are required full stop. Our new improved facilities should also help money wise.

Roll on sunday 31/03/13 3.00pm and the start on track of the new Red Revolution.

[piston197 196]

I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I digress here, but how many promotions have a simple explanation sheet they can hand out at the turnstiles to newbies - it would cost next to nothing. Imagine attending a speedway meeting for the first time and Gladys at the turnstile asks you if you'd like a little something to help you enjoy the night more - made to feel welcome or what?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes it costs money, but it's an investment.

No, there is the money to do it.

How?

One of two ways, or both.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can't help thinking poor old "Gladys" might get a lot more buisness than she was expecting,but yes it may bring the punters in,maybe even wayne Rooney would become a regular ?

[Papryk Ash 4]

Given the wealth of speedway experience amongst forum members, we are looking for some opinions. We have been asked by a UK club this season, to find ways to make speedway more exciting for both existing young fans and potential new comers. Obviously we could not do anything that may alienate existing older fans, but there must be things we could do to make kids say "great, speedway tonight" instead of "do we have to go?"

It seems that contact with the riders is a massive draw for fans young and old. Does anyone have any ideas? We are particularly struggling with the 11-16 age group, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

 

Since youngsters tend to get rebelious I believe they need stimuli that engage them without them knowing that they are being engaged. This is exactly what we are trying to achieve here in Poland with the card game I wrote about in another thread. Simply speaking, the idea must come from the kids - or at least they need to have this impression. Not only does the game meet this criteria, but it is also contagious. You need one kid who enjoys it and he or she will gladly share the interest with others. What's more, since playing is fun in itself, those who do it don't even have to be speedway fans. They may start with the game and later ask friends what is this thing.

I have this story from one board game convention where we were presenting MCS using cards with actual riders. One kid (about 13-14) spend a few hours at our table playing the game. Finally, having completed another match he said: "You invented a great sport, but tell me: where are you taking all these names from (funnily enough, he asked this question while looking at the card with Gollob)".

So, as you can see, the guy had no idea that he was playing an existing sport, though I guess that after this convention he did find out what speedway is. Therefore, I think that voluntary fun is the way to go when trying to make speedway exciting to the young ones.

[mrss 691]

why isnt their any leaflets or posters about speedway any where. i went to stoke and buxton last year and didnt see speedway advertised anywhere. i am 26 miles from kings lynn and have never seen a stars poster or leaflet in our t i c .nor in the nearby towns and villages.

[The Know 221]

Speedway is an extreme sport.

Kids like extreme sports.

So market it as such.

 

I dont think speedway is an extreme sport nowadays. Lets bring back some of the old ways, allow tape touching,bit of aggro at the start and gamesmanship. Speedway is a non contact sport now, lets give a little bit more room for a bit of bumping and such and maybe the odd fight like at cardiff.

 

My veiw is Speedway is a working mans sport but the working man has moved up the ladder now,the sport is in some ways beneth them and always been classed as the poor mans bike sport, pikey to prhase a word. All the factorys and industrys where a large porpotion of fans came from have gone.

 

Get modern music playing by younger dj and involve the kids. Who wants to here tina turner, william tell and the likes played by a 50 year old bloke. All the things wrong are plain to see but most cost money to put right in the short term. No one in speedway has a long term plan or wish to invest.Look at the bsi,they are worried about the lack of new and younger followers as their product is getting less attractive, but they also dont invest there own money and want everything for free, ie transponders and the like. What hope does the UK have. It is now going to be very hard or impossile to turn speedway around as the boat has left the dock and that was in 1990, were now in 2013.Every bussness has to change with the times and bring new things out all the time to keep customers. Speedway hasnt and is now learning a very hard lesson. I really hope it stays around but cant really see it,bit like the old corner shop, was very good but gone now.

[foamfence 2,917]

I dont think speedway is an extreme sport nowadays. Lets bring back some of the old ways, allow tape touching,bit of aggro at the start and gamesmanship. Speedway is a non contact sport now, lets give a little bit more room for a bit of bumping and such and maybe the odd fight like at cardiff.

 

My veiw is Speedway is a working mans sport but the working man has moved up the ladder now,the sport is in some ways beneth them and always been classed as the poor mans bike sport, pikey to prhase a word. All the factorys and industrys where a large porpotion of fans came from have gone.

 

Get modern music playing by younger dj and involve the kids. Who wants to here tina turner, william tell and the likes played by a 50 year old bloke. All the things wrong are plain to see but most cost money to put right in the short term. No one in speedway has a long term plan or wish to invest.Look at the bsi,they are worried about the lack of new and younger followers as their product is getting less attractive, but they also dont invest there own money and want everything for free, ie transponders and the like. What hope does the UK have. It is now going to be very hard or impossile to turn speedway around as the boat has left the dock and that was in 1990, were now in 2013.Every bussness has to change with the times and bring new things out all the time to keep customers. Speedway hasnt and is now learning a very hard lesson. I really hope it stays around but cant really see it,bit like the old corner shop, was very good but gone now.

What you have is an ageing audience, your suggestions might drive them away but wouldn't guarantee that younger persons would turn up in numbers. There is evidence in all the major participating countries, that Speedway is in decline, so it isn't just the promoters here, I think it is inevitable that the sport will downsize.

[Trees 2,814]

I dont think speedway is an extreme sport nowadays.

So you think it's a game of football then, racing on a boarded circuit, on 500cc highly tuned motorbikes, inches from one another, with little or no protection if something goes wrong then ................ hmmmmmmmmm, you're a hard man to please obviously!!