The White Knight 9,039 Posted August 10, 2017 We already have Sweden on a Tuesday, Denmark on a Wednesday, GPs (and qualifiers), SEC, Pairs and other assorted meetings on a Saturday and Poland on a Sunday, with as BV52 says increasing number of Polish fixtures on a Friday. Unless Britain puts a stake in the ground and says "these are our nights" we will simply have to accept British speedway getting squeezed from all sides. We already are squeezed from all sides. We have no choice but to accept it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattK 3,447 Posted August 10, 2017 We already are squeezed from all sides. We have no choice but to accept it. Precisely. So we have a choice. Accept the position we are in, the third choice (behind Poland and Sweden) country for league racing and compromise to make the best of it or stubbornly persevere with the view that we can arrange fixtures whenever we choose and everyone else falls in line. Given that we are currently pursuing the "stubbornly persevere" route, which in turn causes countless rider clashes (ironically, most are between the Premiership and Championship teams, rather than Britain and other nations), maybe we should try the compromise approach? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted August 10, 2017 Precisely. So we have a choice. Accept the position we are in, the third choice (behind Poland and Sweden) country for league racing and compromise to make the best of it or stubbornly persevere with the view that we can arrange fixtures whenever we choose and everyone else falls in line. Given that we are currently pursuing the "stubbornly persevere" route, which in turn causes countless rider clashes (ironically, most are between the Premiership and Championship teams, rather than Britain and other nations), maybe we should try the compromise approach? Or maybe we should staff our teams with riders who are prepared to make themselves available, we can't afford the big stars so the better option is to find seven willing and available riders for each team, even if that means a reduction in the averages. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattK 3,447 Posted August 10, 2017 Or maybe we should staff our teams with riders who are prepared to make themselves available, we can't afford the big stars so the better option is to find seven willing and available riders for each team, even if that means a reduction in the averages. So where do you draw the line? Do you ban riders from racing in the World Cup, as both Workington and Newcastle rode without their heatleaders during SWC week? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waiheke1 4,295 Posted August 10, 2017 Or maybe we should staff our teams with riders who are prepared to make themselves available, we can't afford the big stars so the better option is to find seven willing and available riders for each team, even if that means a reduction in the averages. There are two issues. Firstly more riders miss meetings due to doubling up than riding for overseas clubs. Secondly is diluting the strength of our league even more really the solution? Do we want a league where the likes of Bewley and Lambert cannot race if they want to fulfil their potential? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted August 10, 2017 So where do you draw the line? Do you ban riders from racing in the World Cup, as both Workington and Newcastle rode without their heatleaders during SWC week? No, representing your country is OK but at the start of the season promoters were signing riders who they knew would be absent because of league requirements abroad and other commitments and as the season progresses the Poles and others alter their schedules and riders are unexpectedly called away. As it is, Poland is starting to have a lot more meetings other than Sunday and Sweden is considering radical changes to it's league set-up, so changing to one or two race nights might not be as beneficial as imagined. I can't see it happening anyway. There are two issues. Firstly more riders miss meetings due to doubling up than riding for overseas clubs. Secondly is diluting the strength of our league even more really the solution? Do we want a league where the likes of Bewley and Lambert cannot race if they want to fulfil their potential? What we need is seven riders ready willing and able and one big league but the guys who own the clubs and put their money where their mouth is, will go the way they want to go, irrespective of what your or I might say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted August 10, 2017 The Premiership can't deal with the Championship. So no chance they can work to do a deal with Poland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f-s-p 832 Posted August 10, 2017 I have a Polish friend who wrote me a few weeks back about the current state of Polish speedway. Behind Extraleague and Nice league the feeder system is collapsing. Not enough juniors coming through and so on... Now I dont want tremmor or anyone attacking me, I'm not attacking anyone. Just saying that the Polish system is not working perfect at the bottom end either. At one point they need help. Like Sweden did with Finland. At one point a few years back they were gods, denied Finnish riders from 85cc and 500cc 1st division. Now they are open again because there are not enough riders of their own. So co-operation is needed... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ch958 2,395 Posted August 11, 2017 just read on fb that Poland is going to insist on riders performing in ONE league only next year we might just have some radical changes forced upon us Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted August 11, 2017 just read on fb that Poland is going to insist on riders performing in ONE league only next year we might just have some radical changes forced upon us That will probably mean the end of any of the top Riders coming here. Sad really. It certainly will not help British Speedway and it's standing in the World. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted August 11, 2017 just read on fb that Poland is going to insist on riders performing in ONE league only next year we might just have some radical changes forced upon us It might just prove to be a good thing, less financial outlay and less absences. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waiheke1 4,295 Posted August 11, 2017 That will probably mean the end of any of the top Riders coming here. Sad really. It certainly will not help British Speedway and it's standing in the World. More of a concern is that it means any Brit who wants to be world class will need to quit British speedway at some point.On the plus side it may mean swedes and Danes choose to skip Poland and ride three leagues elsewhere if they are not guaranteed team places (and in fact do either of those countries have requirement to ride in home leagues or face consequences?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f-s-p 832 Posted August 11, 2017 just read on fb that Poland is going to insist on riders performing in ONE league only next year we might just have some radical changes forced upon us Two years ago I read that no APD no speedway. We still ride in Finland. One league only??? FFS just read on fb that Poland is going to insist on riders performing in ONE league only next year we might just have some radical changes forced upon us Two years ago I read that no APD no speedway. We still ride in Finland. One league only??? FFS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted August 12, 2017 One league only, who will commit to Poland alone? Will the Swedes and Danes have to race in their countries so no Poland for them? Basically, if true, Poland are going it alone......interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topsoil 2,498 Posted August 12, 2017 If that is the case (one league) then let's see these riders manage on only 14 meetings a year. Not long before the excuses of not enough meetings / rusty etc. Can't wait to see it all implode, karma for those who think they can run the sport by throwing money at everything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
