In My View By Phil Rising

[StevePark]

 

If the promoters have agreed on Mondays and Thursdays only it must help a great deal, no clashes with other countries, no clashes with Championship teams, they can get the fixtures lists out earlier etc.

 

Listened on the radio today to a bloke called Fred Sirieix who is general manager of Michelin-starred restaurant Galvin at Windows at the London Hilton. He has helped launch the Right Course which teaches prisoners about the 'service industry'. The whole of British Speedway could learn from this guy but at the end of the day everyone concerned needs to put themselves in the shoes of each other and treat one another respectively ......... it's really not rocket science.

 

Currently Sheffield, Redcar and Ipswich all ride on Thursday's, so they, I presume, will have to find an alternative race-night?

[Midland Red]

Let's hope, if this is correct, that Sheffield and Ipswich, at least, move up

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

I have just read Somersets press release about cancelling their end of season party ,one bit that really stood out was the following - then you have the riders that for one reason or another dont want to attend or want to be paid to attend . wow really ?😳

Edited October 23, 2017 by THE DEAN MACHINE

[The White Knight]

I have just read Somersets press release about cancelling their end of season party ,one bit that really stood out was the following - then you have the riders that for one reason or another dont want to attend or want to be paid to attend . wow really ?

BLOODY HELL!!!!

 

The Ex Riders pay to come to our Sunderland Speedway Reunion. They have to buy a Ticket the same as all of us - even the Organisers.

 

Some of them travel a heck of a long way as well. We really do appreciate them coming. A lot of them have done it for over ten years now.

 

Difference in generations looks like.

[Gemini]

I have just read Somersets press release about cancelling their end of season party ,one bit that really stood out was the following - then you have the riders that for one reason or another dont want to attend or want to be paid to attend . wow really ?

Seem to remember Chris Harris refusing to attend the last Coventry one because he'd got to pay for his partner.

[PolskiZuzel]

... there are 101 things that need sorting in speedway but riders & team averages are best left as they are.

 

Interesting point...

 

Peter Oakes recently gave his views to Polish website pokredzie.pl what needs to be done in British speedway to revive it.

 

- It is hard to disagree with the fact that the British speedway is in crisis, which began some time ago. Many people think that if they do not make radical changes and reforms, within five years the speedway in the UK will turn into a semi-professional sport, the first time since it arrived here in 1928. There are many problems, but one of the most serious is the lack of fans on the stands and particularly the younger generation of fans. I would like to see teams operating on the same rules as in Poland and Sweden, restriction for riding in two-leagues (except for riders under 21 or 23), restrictions in using “guests”riders and a much more restrictive approach from the Speedway Control Bureau.Only when it is necessary. Although the television pays the clubs to share about a million pounds a season, not even a penny is invested in infrastructure or marketing. There is no big sponsor for the whole league, and the vast majority of clubs are not supported by large, nationally known companies, "said Peter Oakes.

 

Assessing the potential of young Britons is always difficult, because many do not have the will to win and self-denial. We have athletes who have won gold medals in 125cc and 250cc (Kyle Bickley and Leon Flint) competitions, but too often they do not achieve anything more. They are more busy with girls, and are happy with themselves, instead of working hard to become real riders. Many people in the UK believe that we have the best young riders in the world, and just look at the results of the youth competition to see the gap between us and Poland and Australia. Robert Lambert is a true diamond and I hope he will ride the Grand Prix by 2020, but it is difficult to predict how others will develop. We have a lot of cross-country competitors, like Craig Cook and the Worrall brothers, but if they want to reach the level of Tai Wofinden, they have to ride in the Ekstraliga. Too many of our riders are only focused on riding in England, and if that does not change, then the UK world class riders will happen accidentally . You already have four or five potential world champions like Janowski, Dudek, Zmarzlik, or even Pawlicki. And the talents like Drabik and Woryna are in the pipeline "noted Oakes.

- I fully understand the behaviour of Tai, because he wants to win, both individually and as a member of the national team. At the moment, he simply does not believe that all matters around the team GB are handled in a professional manner. Since 1989, when we have won for the last time the World Cupt, the United Kingdom had three world champions: Gary Havelock, Mark Loram and Woffinden, while Poland at the same time won nine World Cups and won only one individual title. This shows that it is primarily about managing the discipline and not the number of talents. I'm sure Tai will return to the team if he is confident of its professionalism in diet, nutrition and equipment, "explained Peter Oakes.

[PolskiZuzel]

In the same article poblished in pokredzie.pl Josh Gudgeon who is Monster's speedway expert, as well as Greg Hancock's team member said this:

In Poland at every step there is a talk about the sport and financial gap between the two leagues (EkstraLiga and Nice LigaZuzlowa. In the UK it looks quite different. And paradoxically - this is not good at all.

"I think the combination of several factors, such as BSPA's policy, low wages, weak leagues, and a small number of top riders, has led to a drop in levels. There is not much difference between the two leagues. Sometimes in the Premiership meeting there is one, at the most – two riders who do not ride in the Championship League, . So it's easy to see a closed circle – there are not many fans on terraces, because the product is weak, and it is weak, because it lacks money. In order to develop, you have to spend and the British clubs focus primarily on cost cutting and lowering the level of competition, and in return expect fans to pay the same amount. Why would they pay the same for a worse product?" Josh Gudgeon asked rhetorically.

"One of the major problems is that, unlike Sweden and Poland, our leagues ride always on different days of the week, which discourages top riders. In these two countries (Poland and Sweden) the riders know they have 18 matches on the same day and in England there are over 40 league meetings, all on different days . Why Tai Woffinden, or Greg Hancock, for example, would have wanted to ride so often, always on different day and for a smaller amount of money? The leading league must be for leading riders and have one day (Monday) when meetings are held. The meetings must also be attractive to them, so they should not race with youngsters who also ride in the National League - it's as if Cristiano Ronaldo had to play against a junior team of under sixteen.

 

On the subject of “men in suits” (the BSPA), Josh Gudgeon added his three pennies.

The BSPA was talked loudly about this season due to the large number of penalties and suspensions it has imposed (Chris Holder salutes). In Poland, the president of Ekstraliga, Wojciech Stępniewski, is also often criticised for managing a club in the past. In UK there is no room for guesses and potential connections , because these ... are obvious. Among other BSPA members there is , Keith Chapman (King's Lynn), Rob Godfrey (Scunthorpe), George English (Newcastle), Damien Bates (Leicester and Sheffield) and Colin Pratt (Swindon) . - Why BSPA works in a bad way ?, because there are people in it who are focused only on their clubs. It's not their fault, because they have to take care of their own interests. But there are too many people who do not think ahead. Every year, it's just about saving and spending less and less, how this suppose to help you grow? Our goal is only to survive the year, there are no long-term strategies. For example, what are the plans once this season is over? How do we want to convince Woffinden, Dudek, or Janowski, to ride in the UK? No one is thinking about it, our people in power are only happy to survive the next month or a year, not thinking about prospects and future. There should be independent people in BSPA who are not affiliated to any club. We need young, forward-thinking activists who are familiar with marketing, social media and promotion – our sport must follow current trends. Nowadays, it's not enough to hang a poster, you need a strategy, " said Josh Gudgeon.

And what about the world speedway? What perspectives do we face for our sport ? Is there any possibility of expansion beyond Europe? -

Yes, I think there is a chance to win big sponsors. There are already a few, but it would be great if their support was a bit bigger. For example, Red Bull - generally supports many great competitors, but in the case of speedway it does not go in expansion outside Poland. If more Grand Prix rounds would be outside Europe, more global brands would be interested in sponsoring. If we had a GP round in the United States sponsored by Monster, then Red Bull would probably want to get involved. At this time the Grand Prix takes place practically only in Europe, so it is only for the European Companies to make sense of the GP series. If I was a representative GoPro, for example, why would I sponsor speedway that is only active in Europe, since I can advertise in sports that have a global reach? Imagine the Grand Prix being held in the United States, South Africa, Dubai, etc. - then there would indeed be competitions of a great scope, and the sponsors would have noticed it. Maybe we will never reach Formula 1 or MotoGP level, but why not the MXGP . To do that however, more rounds are needed outside of Europe, not just one, "added Gudgeon.

[foamfence]

Although the two posts above are quite comprehensive, is there anything much of note in them that you didn't already know?

[waytogo28]

Polski Zuzei wrote - among other things " Nowadays, it's not enough to hang a poster, you need a strategy, " said Josh Gudgeon."

 

Sadly for years the BSPA has not bothered to do even basic advertising ( as part of an overall marketing strategy ), speedway does need a poster in every chipshop and takeaway and a fixture list in every supermarket ad. rack - there always was such a thing 25 years ago. A high percentage of people knew about the existence of the track and who the team were ( and the names of the star riders ) even if they did;t go to matches. There is none of that "nowadays". What kind of progress is that when the "presence" of the sport, for example in Norfolk and South Lincs ( in the case of KL Stars ) has faded away?

 

Peter Oakes's extended piece on where UK speedway is now at, does say it all and almost all of it is totally correct. BUT is anyone within the BSPA listening to anyone ( even expert pundits ) outside their promoter's circle? And why not?

Edited November 5, 2017 by waytogo28

[Midland Red]

Peter Oakes' article is mainly about trying to create another British World Champion and improving British riders

It says little or nothing about the steps needed to rescue British speedway

[Vince]

Peter Oakes is always worth listening to, one of those people who knows the sport inside and out and has the ability to explain what he sees. Such a shame the authorities didn't back his U15 work more a decade and more ago.

[Humphrey Appleby]

Peter Oakes is always worth listening to, one of those people who knows the sport inside and out and has the ability to explain what he sees.

Unfortunately both articles are somewhat stating the 'bleeding obvious' and I think many on here could also articulate similar problem statements. A lot of wishful thinking such as we get bigger sponsors, yet ignoring the fact that the sport hasn't really managed that in the past 20 years. Just not the reading ideas for the way forward, what's being done about it, and who should be involved.

[Argos]

Yes we know the vast problems our speedway has, but the 2 articles were for fans in Poland so they would know what problems we have

[steve roberts]

Yes we know the vast problems our speedway has, but the 2 articles were for fans in Poland so they would know what problems we have

Just a question (not knowing the merits of the Polish speedway domestic league) but has its fan base been maintained or is interest waining? I don't have access to speedway on whatever channel now broadcasts the sport.

 

I recall that whilst Tony Rickardsson was winning championships that the Swedish League took an upsurge in interest.

Edited November 5, 2017 by steve roberts

[JoeW]

In the same article poblished in pokredzie.pl Josh Gudgeon who is Monster's speedway expert, as well as Greg Hancock's team member said this:

 

In Poland at every step there is a talk about the sport and financial gap between the two leagues (EkstraLiga and Nice LigaZuzlowa. In the UK it looks quite different. And paradoxically - this is not good at all.

 

"I think the combination of several factors, such as BSPA's policy, low wages, weak leagues, and a small number of top riders, has led to a drop in levels. There is not much difference between the two leagues. Sometimes in the Premiership meeting there is one, at the most two riders who do not ride in the Championship League, . So it's easy to see a closed circle there are not many fans on terraces, because the product is weak, and it is weak, because it lacks money. In order to develop, you have to spend and the British clubs focus primarily on cost cutting and lowering the level of competition, and in return expect fans to pay the same amount. Why would they pay the same for a worse product?" Josh Gudgeon asked rhetorically.

 

"One of the major problems is that, unlike Sweden and Poland, our leagues ride always on different days of the week, which discourages top riders. In these two countries (Poland and Sweden) the riders know they have 18 matches on the same day and in England there are over 40 league meetings, all on different days . Why Tai Woffinden, or Greg Hancock, for example, would have wanted to ride so often, always on different day and for a smaller amount of money? The leading league must be for leading riders and have one day (Monday) when meetings are held. The meetings must also be attractive to them, so they should not race with youngsters who also ride in the National League - it's as if Cristiano Ronaldo had to play against a junior team of under sixteen.

 

On the subject of men in suits (the BSPA), Josh Gudgeon added his three pennies.

 

The BSPA was talked loudly about this season due to the large number of penalties and suspensions it has imposed (Chris Holder salutes). In Poland, the president of Ekstraliga, Wojciech Stępniewski, is also often criticised for managing a club in the past. In UK there is no room for guesses and potential connections , because these ... are obvious. Among other BSPA members there is , Keith Chapman (King's Lynn), Rob Godfrey (Scunthorpe), George English (Newcastle), Damien Bates (Leicester and Sheffield) and Colin Pratt (Swindon) . - Why BSPA works in a bad way ?, because there are people in it who are focused only on their clubs. It's not their fault, because they have to take care of their own interests. But there are too many people who do not think ahead. Every year, it's just about saving and spending less and less, how this suppose to help you grow? Our goal is only to survive the year, there are no long-term strategies. For example, what are the plans once this season is over? How do we want to convince Woffinden, Dudek, or Janowski, to ride in the UK? No one is thinking about it, our people in power are only happy to survive the next month or a year, not thinking about prospects and future. There should be independent people in BSPA who are not affiliated to any club. We need young, forward-thinking activists who are familiar with marketing, social media and promotion our sport must follow current trends. Nowadays, it's not enough to hang a poster, you need a strategy, " said Josh Gudgeon.

 

And what about the world speedway? What perspectives do we face for our sport ? Is there any possibility of expansion beyond Europe? -

 

Yes, I think there is a chance to win big sponsors. There are already a few, but it would be great if their support was a bit bigger. For example, Red Bull - generally supports many great competitors, but in the case of speedway it does not go in expansion outside Poland. If more Grand Prix rounds would be outside Europe, more global brands would be interested in sponsoring. If we had a GP round in the United States sponsored by Monster, then Red Bull would probably want to get involved. At this time the Grand Prix takes place practically only in Europe, so it is only for the European Companies to make sense of the GP series. If I was a representative GoPro, for example, why would I sponsor speedway that is only active in Europe, since I can advertise in sports that have a global reach? Imagine the Grand Prix being held in the United States, South Africa, Dubai, etc. - then there would indeed be competitions of a great scope, and the sponsors would have noticed it. Maybe we will never reach Formula 1 or MotoGP level, but why not the MXGP . To do that however, more rounds are needed outside of Europe, not just one, "added Gudgeon.

Is Josh Gudgeon not the grandson of Peter Oakes? Edited November 5, 2017 by JoeW

[Tsunami]

Is Josh Gudgeon not the grandson of Peter Oakes?

Yes he is, probably hence the similarity in the contents.

[Lord Skid]

And if he becomes half as good as Peter, he will have a great future.

[PolskiZuzel]

Just a question (not knowing the merits of the Polish speedway domestic league) but has its fan base been maintained or is interest waining?

 

In 2017 season Polish EkstraLiga attracted on terraces 633 086 fans in 65 meeting. On average, one meeting was attended by 9 739 fans.

 

 

When it comes to every speedway league meeting that has taken place in 2017 in Poland then the figure is over one million spectators, or 1 050 530 to be precise, (in 180 meetings) .That makes on average 5 836 spectators at every single League meeting in Polish speedway.

source: sportowefakty.pl

[Red Flag]

Yes he is, probably hence the similarity in the contents.

And that's why he plays to Greg

[steve roberts]

 

In 2017 season Polish EkstraLiga attracted on terraces 633 086 fans in 65 meeting. On average, one meeting was attended by 9 739 fans.

 

 

 

When it comes to every speedway league meeting that has taken place in 2017 in Poland then the figure is over one million spectators, or 1 050 530 to be precise, (in 180 meetings) .That makes on average 5 836 spectators at every single League meeting in Polish speedway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source: sportowefakty.pl

Many thanks for that!