Should Ex Riders Get Into Speedway Free?

[sommelier 1,118]

But the riders get in free. They just choose not to

They may well do at other tracks, but NOT Belle Vue!

[Star Lady 5,400]

There has to be some kind of qualifying criteria. At Lynn for instance to let a rider in for free who rode say 10 meetings in the 1970s would be stretching it a bit. Even club legends such as Bettsy or Topinka should be at the discretion of the current promoter, tho personally I would be disappointed if either of them were asked to pay. It should be rider only and not family/hangers on

 

In these days when some clubs are struggling financially it makes no sense to me to dictate that they allow freebies. Shared events however are a different matter.

[Daniel Smith 5,665]

The BSPA could fill their boots. Looking at the regulations it seems that only riders & officials have to have a licence.

IMO all pit crews should also be licensed to work in & around any pit area. This way would be an ideal in how to govern who pays and who doesn't in terms of hangers on. No end of WAGS rock up FOC too, if the riders require them to be with them then they'd have to apply for the pit crew licence.

£50 would be a reasonable figure & the finances gain from this could be put into youth development.

 

In terms of ex-riders, why don't clubs just post a season ticket off to these ex-riders they're happy to have in and around the club.

And/or pay £150 per season for a BSPA season ticket which allows access to all UK tracks.

Again, finances that can be pushed into youth development.

 

Just ideas

[auntie doris 2,342]

Theres plenty of freeloaders at blunsdon, would doubt ex riders pay, most sit in the legends lounge.

[TheReturn 1,724]

I agree with others. If a rider's shown loyalty to a club and ridden for them for X number of seasons then yes, they have risked a lot and give them free entry, perhaps in return for talking to fans etc. Like others, 5 seems like a good figure.

 

But generally in this day and age of mercenary speedway, I don't think many riders will ever achieve the 'loyalty' perk!

[TonyMac 720]

Some points to consider...

 

* Current day promoters are not missing out by issuing a free pass to an ex-rider, because 99% wouldn't go anyway. Many cannot afford to do so.

 

* How do you discriminate by regarding one ex-rider as a 'legend' and another as an also-ran who simply made up the numbers? For example, you could argue Ian Turner gave as much to Lynn, in terms of effort and loyalty, as Bettsy - and was probably more exciting to watch. Are you deemed a legend for the points you scored or the number of years/matches you rode? Terry Stone rode for Rayleigh throughout their 1968-73 BL2 era, but you'd never bracket him as a star, yet it's inconceivable that he would be denied a general lifetime BSPA pass, while, say, Geoff Maloney gets one for being a No.1 or 'legend'. And think what a great ambassador Terry S has been for Rayleigh - and speedway in general - in the past couple of decades as he's toured the country promoting the 'Men in Black' and other such organisations that all help to preserve speedway history.

 

* Freeloaders come in many guises. At least ex-riders have stuck their neck on the line for the clubs they have ridden for, unlike former rakers, pushers, press men, tea ladies, etc, etc.

 

* Because many riders, like Terry Stone, rode for tracks that are now defunct, our proposal to the BSPA would be for them to issue an Ex-Riders Life-time Pass that will admit that person to ALL existing EL, PL & NL tracks.

 

* Some promoters look after and respect their clubs' ex-riders much better than others. It's nonsense to suggest a promoter should only invite back and offer free entry to those who rode on his watch. Terry Russell never employed Mike Broadbank, Martin Ashby, Ian Williams, Barry Duke and all the other ex-Robins who regularly enjoy taking their place in the Legends Lounge at Blunsdon, but he knows what these guys have done for Swindon many years before he got involved there. In fact, until his death, Freddie Williams (Ian's brother) was also a regular there, because he lived reasonably near by and enjoyed visiting the track. TR wasn't going to make a former double world champion pay at the turnstiles. It's all about RESPECT.

 

* The pass should be non-transferrable and include a passport photo of the holder, which must be produced upon entry to the stadium. However, we would not advocate entry to the pits - as others have said, they are already overcrowded, so admittance to the pits area would be at the promoter's discretion.

 

* If the BSPA cannot, for whatever reason, administer an ex-rider's application for a pass (let's face it, they have many more important things they should be doing), then we know for a fact that the World Speedway Riders' Association would be more than happy to take on that task and manage the process on an ongoing basis, as more and more ex-riders heard about the free pass scheme.

 

Now consider the general potential positives from a promoters' perspective by admitting ex-riders free...

 

1. They would help to fill empty seats and large swathes of empty terraces, which are a bad advert for the sport, especially when meetings are televised and crowds naturally reduce.

 

2. In many cases, the ex-rider will attend with a PAYING companion - wife, brother, mate, etc, who may in some cases have to drive them to the speedway - so there is the potential for INCREASED REVENUE at the turnstiles and, in the case of the few stadia owned by the promoter, at the bar and catering outlets.

 

3. Most ex-riders are very happy to engage with supporters, chatting about the 'olden days', with helps to enhance the fans' evening. Often it will be the only thing they take from a drawn-out and/or boring meeting. Lost count of the number of times I've heard a fan say: "The meeting was rubbish but I really enjoyed meeting and chatting to.... pity the riders of today don't have time or inclination to talk to us like the old boys do."

 

4. Goodwill. The club/promoter is seen to be giving something back to those who previously represented the club and, in most cases, shed blood for it.

 

5. As well as talking to fans face to face, these approachable guys would surely be happy to be interviewed during one of many long lulls between races, to give their take on what they're seeing from a position of some experience, or perform a simple task like drawing the raffle. Again, this would enhance the fans' experience.

 

6. Ex-riders can help spread the word. If he enjoys a night out, chances are he is more likely to tell his circle of friends and hopefully younger relatives that a night out at the speedway is no bad thing. Freeze them out and the reverse happens.

 

7. A clued-up, media-savvy promoter would occasionally use one or two ex-riders in a PR capacity, to help promote his track, by posing with current riders and attending important events such as sponsorship launches. After all, it's not youngsters who read local papers (can they read?!) or tune into local radio - it's mainly people who attend speedway today and, more importantly, THOSE WHO STOPPED GOING. Maybe a pic of an old favourite from the 60s/70s/80s/90s in the local rag, or a radio interview, would rekindle interest and entice lapsed supporters into give it another go...

Promoters and existing fans bang on about 'attracting youngsters to speedway.. they are the future', but the first priority should be to keep existing fans happy (or happier) and win back the support of those who have stopped going for whatever reason.

 

Most football clubs are very good at using former stars as ambassadors and speedway is negligent in this respect. Think how Man Utd have tapped into Bobby Charlton's fame and popularity over many years since he retired.

 

Personally speaking, my father used to play for Leyton Orient in the old first division in the early 60s and spent six years there between 1959-65. For the past 20 years, despite several changes of ownership, he has always been warmly welcomed back any time - as have all of his of his playing colleagues. In fact, we have continued to receive TWO COMPLIMENTARY tickets - arranged through the supporters club - to every home game for many years. League Two Orient only attract about 5-6,000 fans to a stadium that holds 9,000, so they aren't giving us free seats that would otherwise have been taken up by paying customers (we do pay for cup tie tickets, because money has to be accounted to the FA & Football League).

 

And we give the LOSC plenty back by what we spend on real ale in their bar after every game (after watching that dross, you need to numb the pain!)

 

The serious point is, Dad still has Orient in his heart, he talks to people he meets in the area about the club and at every game without fail he is stopped by at least one or two fans wanting to chat about his goal against Man United in '62, or just to get his view on the team or players of today. So Orient might be a crap team, but they know how to look after and respect their past players, and speedway could learn from this example.

 

Of course, at Retro Speedway, we are biased towards the old-timers . . . but someone's got to stick up for them.

[Gresham 928]

Fantastic post TMC...

[Aces51 2,778]

I think the problem is not free admittance to former riders but that some expect those who come with them to be admitted for free as well.

 

I may be wrong but I think that is the problem at Belle Vue.

[The White Knight 9,039]

Fantastic post TMC...

Agreed - GREAT Post Tony. :approve:

[Sidney the robin 4,735]

Some points to consider...

 

* Current day promoters are not missing out by issuing a free pass to an ex-rider, because 99% wouldn't go anyway. Many cannot afford to do so.

 

* How do you discriminate by regarding one ex-rider as a 'legend' and another as an also-ran who simply made up the numbers? For example, you could argue Ian Turner gave as much to Lynn, in terms of effort and loyalty, as Bettsy - and was probably more exciting to watch. Are you deemed a legend for the points you scored or the number of years/matches you rode? Terry Stone rode for Rayleigh throughout their 1968-73 BL2 era, but you'd never bracket him as a star, yet it's inconceivable that he would be denied a general lifetime BSPA pass, while, say, Geoff Maloney gets one for being a No.1 or 'legend'. And think what a great ambassador Terry S has been for Rayleigh - and speedway in general - in the past couple of decades as he's toured the country promoting the 'Men in Black' and other such organisations that all help to preserve speedway history.

 

* Freeloaders come in many guises. At least ex-riders have stuck their neck on the line for the clubs they have ridden for, unlike former rakers, pushers, press men, tea ladies, etc, etc.

 

* Because many riders, like Terry Stone, rode for tracks that are now defunct, our proposal to the BSPA would be for them to issue an Ex-Riders Life-time Pass that will admit that person to ALL existing EL, PL & NL tracks.

 

* Some promoters look after and respect their clubs' ex-riders much better than others. It's nonsense to suggest a promoter should only invite back and offer free entry to those who rode on his watch. Terry Russell never employed Mike Broadbank, Martin Ashby, Ian Williams, Barry Duke and all the other ex-Robins who regularly enjoy taking their place in the Legends Lounge at Blunsdon, but he knows what these guys have done for Swindon many years before he got involved there. In fact, until his death, Freddie Williams (Ian's brother) was also a regular there, because he lived reasonably near by and enjoyed visiting the track. TR wasn't going to make a former double world champion pay at the turnstiles. It's all about RESPECT.

 

* The pass should be non-transferrable and include a passport photo of the holder, which must be produced upon entry to the stadium. However, we would not advocate entry to the pits - as others have said, they are already overcrowded, so admittance to the pits area would be at the promoter's discretion.

 

* If the BSPA cannot, for whatever reason, administer an ex-rider's application for a pass (let's face it, they have many more important things they should be doing), then we know for a fact that the World Speedway Riders' Association would be more than happy to take on that task and manage the process on an ongoing basis, as more and more ex-riders heard about the free pass scheme.

 

Now consider the general potential positives from a promoters' perspective by admitting ex-riders free...

 

1. They would help to fill empty seats and large swathes of empty terraces, which are a bad advert for the sport, especially when meetings are televised and crowds naturally reduce.

 

2. In many cases, the ex-rider will attend with a PAYING companion - wife, brother, mate, etc, who may in some cases have to drive them to the speedway - so there is the potential for INCREASED REVENUE at the turnstiles and, in the case of the few stadia owned by the promoter, at the bar and catering outlets.

 

3. Most ex-riders are very happy to engage with supporters, chatting about the 'olden days', with helps to enhance the fans' evening. Often it will be the only thing they take from a drawn-out and/or boring meeting. Lost count of the number of times I've heard a fan say: "The meeting was rubbish but I really enjoyed meeting and chatting to.... pity the riders of today don't have time or inclination to talk to us like the old boys do."

 

4. Goodwill. The club/promoter is seen to be giving something back to those who previously represented the club and, in most cases, shed blood for it.

 

5. As well as talking to fans face to face, these approachable guys would surely be happy to be interviewed during one of many long lulls between races, to give their take on what they're seeing from a position of some experience, or perform a simple task like drawing the raffle. Again, this would enhance the fans' experience.

 

6. Ex-riders can help spread the word. If he enjoys a night out, chances are he is more likely to tell his circle of friends and hopefully younger relatives that a night out at the speedway is no bad thing. Freeze them out and the reverse happens.

 

7. A clued-up, media-savvy promoter would occasionally use one or two ex-riders in a PR capacity, to help promote his track, by posing with current riders and attending important events such as sponsorship launches. After all, it's not youngsters who read local papers (can they read?!) or tune into local radio - it's mainly people who attend speedway today and, more importantly, THOSE WHO STOPPED GOING. Maybe a pic of an old favourite from the 60s/70s/80s/90s in the local rag, or a radio interview, would rekindle interest and entice lapsed supporters into give it another go...

 

Promoters and existing fans bang on about 'attracting youngsters to speedway.. they are the future', but the first priority should be to keep existing fans happy (or happier) and win back the support of those who have stopped going for whatever reason.

 

Most football clubs are very good at using former stars as ambassadors and speedway is negligent in this respect. Think how Man Utd have tapped into Bobby Charlton's fame and popularity over many years since he retired.

 

Personally speaking, my father used to play for Leyton Orient in the old first division in the early 60s and spent six years there between 1959-65. For the past 20 years, despite several changes of ownership, he has always been warmly welcomed back any time - as have all of his of his playing colleagues. In fact, we have continued to receive TWO COMPLIMENTARY tickets - arranged through the supporters club - to every home game for many years. League Two Orient only attract about 5-6,000 fans to a stadium that holds 9,000, so they aren't giving us free seats that would otherwise have been taken up by paying customers (we do pay for cup tie tickets, because money has to be accounted to the FA & Football League).

 

And we give the LOSC plenty back by what we spend on real ale in their bar after every game (after watching that dross, you need to numb the pain!)

 

The serious point is, Dad still has Orient in his heart, he talks to people he meets in the area about the club and at every game without fail he is stopped by at least one or two fans wanting to chat about his goal against Man United in '62, or just to get his view on the team or players of today. So Orient might be a crap team, but they know how to look after and respect their past players, and speedway could learn from this example.

 

Of course, at Retro Speedway, we are biased towards the old-timers . . . but someone's got to stick up for them.

Great post the only gripe maybe was Tiddler Turner he was an exciting rider a good one to but Bettsy was great value wasn't he.?😀 Edited June 15, 2016 by Sidney the robin

[crescent girl 1,906]

In contradiction of most of what's been said on previous pages, let it be known that Berwick Speedway announced some time ago that every living ex-Bandit, even if they only raced one official match, can get a lifetime free pass to meetings at Shielfield Park.

 

All they need to do is contact the promotion -- at club@berwickbandits.co -- and give their name and current address. Their lifetime free pass is mailed out the next day.

 

"If a guy has risked his life while entertaining our public at any time over the past 49 years, that's good enough for us" was the club's statement when the list of over 250 living ex-Bandits was published.

 

So please don't include the Berwick promotion in any criticism being levelled at clubs not honouring past heroes.

[Sidney the robin 4,735]

In contradiction of most of what's been said on previous pages, let it be known that Berwick Speedway announced some time ago that every living ex-Bandit, even if they only raced one official match, can get a lifetime free pass to meetings at Shielfield Park.

 

All they need to do is contact the promotion -- at club@berwickbandits.co -- and give their name and current address. Their lifetime free pass is mailed out the next day.

 

"If a guy has risked his life while entertaining our public at any time over the past 49 years, that's good enough for us" was the club's statement when the list of over 250 living ex-Bandits was published.

 

So please don't include the Berwick promotion in any criticism being levelled at clubs not honouring past heroes.

Agree the past is important in my eyes that is how you judge success at Swindon Broady,Crash,Dukey and others come regular brilliant stuff.

[THE DEAN MACHINE 4,748]

In contradiction of most of what's been said on previous pages, let it be known that Berwick Speedway announced some time ago that every living ex-Bandit, even if they only raced one official match, can get a lifetime free pass to meetings at Shielfield Park.

 

All they need to do is contact the promotion -- at club@berwickbandits.co -- and give their name and current address. Their lifetime free pass is mailed out the next day.

 

"If a guy has risked his life while entertaining our public at any time over the past 49 years, that's good enough for us" was the club's statement when the list of over 250 living ex-Bandits was published.

 

So please don't include the Berwick promotion in any criticism being levelled at clubs not honouring past heroes.

I am one who has received a pass from Berwick , I consider it a great gesture from the club for my time there , I will be making a trip up to Berwick(260 miles) this year with my family so Berwick will be getting 2 extra paying people for a meeting by letting me in free , I think it should be up to the promotors to decide who if anybody gets a pass but I can only see benifit from doing it as described above , I don't have a problem with paying to get in to watch speedway , I get in free at a couple of other tracks although I do pay at another even though I am allowed in free , on the Berwick offer , how many will actually take up the offer ? 10% ? , it will cost the promotion nothing but they will gain if that rider brings friends and family along , maybe the Bspa could make a limit of say 25 league meetings qualify' for a pass and at least then you know if you are allowed or not , I'm not really bothered if I got a pass or not I will still attend but I feel very flattered by the offer from Berwick and will be making a visit there at least once this year because of it

[waiheke1 4,295]

If you were a promoter, would you really want to admit the vitriol spewing Robert72 on the grounds he rode a handful of fixtures 20 years ago?

I see tmcs very well articulated argument, but are 99% of ex riders really unable to afford to attend? Why are they so less able to afford it than your average member of the population.

Personally I still think it should be down to individual promoters, but would agree that if someone like Peter Collins was made to pay to attend the nss then it is a travesty.

[ouch 1,191]

Other than Belle Vue and Berwick who else has a formal system of allowing ex team members in for free?

 

Belle Vue also offer discounted admission to those accompanying the ex rider.