moxey63 1,785 Posted August 8, 2018 31 minutes ago, waytogo28 said: That is another problem of the BSPA. They linger on slowly hoping for the miracle that will draw in substantial numbers of new fans. That "miracle" has been and gone. It was Sky Sports. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
montie 1,273 Posted August 8, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, waytogo28 said: That is another problem of the BSPA. They linger on slowly hoping for the miracle that will draw in substantial numbers of new fans. are you blaming them for lack of shale on tracks? The last few meetings i have seen Redcar v Scunthorpe--super race track and well prepped,some excellent racing Peterbourgh V Scunthorpe-- mega hot day and evening,brilliant race track, billiantly prepared,great racing and a close score,it was excellent speedway Scunthorpe v Glasgow -- mega hot day,great racing an even ,fair race track,last heat decider outstanding meeting put on on by both teams Sheff V Scunthorpe --smooth and consistant race race,all riders prepared to have a good,good crowd and a good meeting then you look at both the main leagues,the race for the play offs is wide open in both,impossible to call and the teams that can make the play offs are evenly matched, an exciting finish to the season ahead in both leagues yes we still have doom and gloom, i dont understand it really Edited August 8, 2018 by montie 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waytogo28 2,054 Posted August 8, 2018 My point was all about the decline in turnstiles clicks, as so many people are concerned about the crowd numbers falling away sharply. Even such meetings as those you attended and enjoyed do not seem to be bringing in new supporters and turning them on to speedway. Did any of those have more than 1,000 people paying to get in? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
montie 1,273 Posted August 8, 2018 15 minutes ago, waytogo28 said: My point was all about the decline in turnstiles clicks, as so many people are concerned about the crowd numbers falling away sharply. Even such meetings as those you attended and enjoyed do not seem to be bringing in new supporters and turning them on to speedway. Did any of those have more than 1,000 people paying to get in? no they didnt,and thats my point,im not sure what more they [BSPA/CLUBS] can do as they were meetings that were top draw One interesting point was i spoke to a chap at Peterbourgh and he was last of a group of 4 who attended the show ground together,,i ask why this was as i thought it was great,i sat in comfort,great view of the racing,racing was good,track was mint,presentaion was good --what more do thay want i asked they not allowed to stand up at the back of the main stand anymore which they loved to do was was his reply Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted August 8, 2018 48 minutes ago, montie said: are you blaming them for lack of shale on tracks? The last few meetings i have seen Redcar v Scunthorpe--super race track and well prepped,some excellent racing Peterbourgh V Scunthorpe-- mega hot day and evening,brilliant race track, billiantly prepared,great racing and a close score,it was excellent speedway Scunthorpe v Glasgow -- mega hot day,great racing an even ,fair race track,last heat decider outstanding meeting put on on my both teams Sheff V Scunthorpe --smooth and consistant race race,all riders prepared to have a good,goo crowd and a good meeting then you look at both the main leagues,the race for the play offs is wide open in both,impossible to call and the teams that can make the play offs are evenly matched, an exciting finish to the season ahead in both leagues yes we still have doom and gloom, i dont understand it really 24 The race for the Play-Offs may be exciting to some as it's a close scrap for the final places, but turnstile clicks are the whole thing that keeps the sport going. The crowd may seem good but compare it to even a decade ago and the trend is worrying. The attendance may be good but it isn't good regularly, isn't keeping speedway in profit. Tracks will struggle and close. Or the diminishing number of fans will happily pay more to subsidise the ones that have gone. The confidence has been lost that our promoters can resurrect it any day soon. In fact, the slowing at the turnstiles will probably just see them order another can of WD40 and try to get another year out of the way with the promise of a fresh dawn next winter. Speedway runs entirely on short-termism. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
montie 1,273 Posted August 8, 2018 37 minutes ago, moxey63 said: The race for the Play-Offs may be exciting to some as it's a close scrap for the final places, but turnstile clicks are the whole thing that keeps the sport going. The crowd may seem good but compare it to even a decade ago and the trend is worrying. The attendance may be good but it isn't good regularly, isn't keeping speedway in profit. Tracks will struggle and close. Or the diminishing number of fans will happily pay more to subsidise the ones that have gone. The confidence has been lost that our promoters can resurrect it any day soon. In fact, the slowing at the turnstiles will probably just see them order another can of WD40 and try to get another year out of the way with the promise of a fresh dawn next winter. Speedway runs entirely on short-termism. 100% correct but my point is im really not sure what more they can do that what has been provided in the meetings i previously mentioned Good tracks,good racing,decent presentation,close exciting results,with good friends and a few beers im not really sure what else they can do...answers on a postcard i guess 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted August 8, 2018 3 minutes ago, montie said: 100% correct but my point is im really not sure what more they can do that what has been provided in the meetings i previously mentioned Good tracks,good racing,decent presentation,close exciting results,with good friends and a few beers im not really sure what else they can do...answers on a postcard i guess ...there lies the question? A real dilemma that the sport faces. Personally I think that youngsters (potential new fans) are too obsessed with technological innovations (sweeping generalisation I know) and it's a difficult process in trying to avert/engage within that scenario. I'm sure speedway could take on board certain initiatives as regards engaging with technology (as have often been highlighted on here) but my personal experience working within tourism I see the effects of trying to engage with people more and more challenging whilst attempting to grab their attention and concentration. Bikes going around in circles perhaps just doesn't grab them enough? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SPEEDY69 1,260 Posted August 8, 2018 (edited) This is my view: http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/86663-no-word-from-the-bspa/&do=findComment&comment=3169007 Edited August 8, 2018 by SPEEDY69 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pinny 2,536 Posted August 8, 2018 Maybe we just need to admit speedways a thing of the past ? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
montie 1,273 Posted August 8, 2018 24 minutes ago, Pinny said: Maybe we just need to admit speedways a thing of the past ? i hate to say it but......despite what a good product it is ,is it enough, it really is a tough one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crump99 4,476 Posted August 8, 2018 34 minutes ago, Pinny said: Maybe we just need to admit speedways a thing of the past ? Said the same about darts in the late 80s early 90s. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruno 1,790 Posted August 8, 2018 Just seen a picture in our local paper of the crowd at The Hawthorns and while it may have looked younger than a speedway crowd there wasn't many youngsters, teenagers or even 20 year olds in it. Maybe it's not just a speedway problem. Even the crowds at darts are mainly middle aged and over 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crump99 4,476 Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, montie said: no they didnt,and thats my point,im not sure what more they [BSPA/CLUBS] can do as they were meetings that were top draw One interesting point was i spoke to a chap at Peterbourgh and he was last of a group of 4 who attended the show ground together,,i ask why this was as i thought it was great,i sat in comfort,great view of the racing,racing was good,track was mint,presentaion was good --what more do thay want i asked they not allowed to stand up at the back of the main stand anymore which they loved to do was was his reply That's an excuse, not a reason. I'd say that there's more to it than that. As a long termer who still goes, I'd agree that the view and comfort is as good or better than anywhere, the track is rarely the same twice, presentation is probably good compared to the rest but compared to what it has been at Peterborough I'd say it's average. As to what more do people want, something more akin to what they had I guess although that didn't bring the crowds in either, so buggered if I know. A winning team usually does it and Rathbone seems to have got a handle on that now, hence Sunday's crowd. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TesarRacing 1,825 Posted August 8, 2018 2 hours ago, montie said: 100% correct but my point is im really not sure what more they can do that what has been provided in the meetings i previously mentioned Good tracks,good racing,decent presentation,close exciting results,with good friends and a few beers im not really sure what else they can do...answers on a postcard i guess You see, that's exactly the problem in a nutshell - who uses postcards anymore?!! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Jones 2,127 Posted August 8, 2018 5 minutes ago, bruno said: Just seen a picture in our local paper of the crowd at The Hawthorns and while it may have looked younger than a speedway crowd there wasn't many youngsters, teenagers or even 20 year olds in it. Maybe it's not just a speedway problem. Even the crowds at darts are mainly middle aged and over They are all youngsters at the Hawthorns really, it's just that having to put up with the stuff TP & Pardew served up it's taken its toll on them. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites