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If we add the effects of our departure from the EU the days of cheap and simply-organised foreigners has hit the buffers. I suspect that apart from a fully amateur grass roots league the only way forward at the higher level is a semi-professional set-up based on riders who are based here for the season and can commit to a full season here. This would effectively be a rebirth of the highly successful National League model of the late seventies and eighties, with a pool of British and Commonwealth riders. Those who wish to take Poland's money could be allowed to, but at the Polish club's expense. If they can pay megabucks per point they can pay the air fares.... Whatever level emerges it must fit one simple principle. The costs must not outweigh the revenue.

I certainly don’t know all the answers but a scenario where it’s much cheaper to get in, meetings are more regular and riders are always present save for injury would only be a good thing. If speedway was reincarnated in this way and somebody who knows what they are doing could rebrand and market the whole thing properly and professionally it might grow again, you never know.

The top two leagues of British speedway has for many years relied on cheap airlines to enable riders to race in multiple leagues around Europe, however with the aviation industry collapsing the knock on effect for British Speedway is simple….. it will not have access to riders who wish to race in more than just the British league as the logistics will just not allow it. No star riders will mean a significant drop in crowds (I am guessing levels of 50% pre CV19) which will lead to lower revenues from ticket sales along with a significant drop in sponsorship/advertising revenue as well. If clubs have less money to spend then riders will also be paid less and some will probably turn their back on the sport as they cannot afford to ride, thus reducing the pool of available riders down even further. In my opinion British Speedway needs to give up on the idea of their rider assets holding any financial value and press the reset button to create a new blueprint to survive post CV19 ready to be launched in March 2021 (subject to government restrictions). I believe now is a great opportunity for supporters to share their thoughts and ideas on what British Speedway ‘reborn’ should look like and which clubs should be part of it so I can send them on to the current guardians of each club. I look forward to reading the thoughts you may share on this.

You have drawn a conclusion, without knowing how the question was asked. If people were asked for their top reason, then you cannot say only 40% are interested in teams/riders.

It won't simply because someone will always have the idea "Hey, what about four guys racing on a stadium track that all spectators can see, and have a team to support" It might fade away temporarily at the top but at grass roots there will always be speedway, it's a simple sport. The trick is not to mess it up by making it complicated. As long as there are bikes, tracks and guys mad enough to use both it'll survive.

Any rider on a British licence will have to ride just in Britain then surely.... If said rider wanted to be based in Poland and ditch the British Leagues then I would expect his licence to be revoked......

Becoming at least short term semi pro one league and long term second feeder league something like the late 60's early 70's ( Gulf league and NL) with fixed costs for points /start money.Riders can boost their income through their own sponsorship deals but some form of engine/ mod control ,maybe club engines with their own running gear .

On a sad note 2 ex comets no longer with us, Tony dart and Blair Scott, both seamed to have had some mental health issues. RIP both

I've been given some Old Pulteney 12 year single malt by my son in law when he came round to ask to marry my daughter, haven't opened it yet, is it good, or should I refused him permission?

The premise that people just want to be entertained and will turn up regardless is surely blown to bits by Poole alone? They went from a side with Rickardson, Adams, Loram etc turning out for them and attracted crowds to make most blush. They are now a watered down version of what they once were, and their attendances show that. All the while a track like Scunthorpe has never grown based solely on "entertainment" If people simply wanted to be entertained by the "love of the sport" why do so many bother spending the time effort and money going to the GP in Cardiff when they could just go to the National League Riders Championship? Surely both should attract similar sized crowds? "entertainment" typically goes hand in hand with the better standard of riders who generally provide a better level of entertainment. The lesser the quality of rider the lesser the standard of entertainment, the notion you can see a National League meeting as good as a Grand Prix meeting for instance, has never actually been a truism. British Speedway hasn't been on a mission to find its true belonging by "removing" the top riders, it has lost it's identity in loosing them and attempted to flip the narrative to "we didn't need them anyway" which has been held like a comfort blanket by those who have watched others walk away. Very few people only go for "the love of the sport" recent years have cemented that - people did want to see names, the best riders on show, it is why more people went when they were on show.

While I appreciate the element of speculate to accumulate etc, if tracks haven’t been in a place where they have the disposable income to spend on scoreboards before I doubt they will now, nor do I think it would be crowd growing if they did. I don’t think it is such things that have kept people away but rather a crap product across the board I would apply that same disposable income theory to possible attendees (and sponsors) as well, it will most likely be a while before a decent % of people have the money to keep attendances where they were (poor) let alone grow them or change the destiny of the sport. The majority of tracks will do well to survive this, which in turn will diminish the number of riders who choose, or actually have the choice to make it their profession or even hobby.

Why can't we run with the engine's they tried in the meeting that was run at the isle of wight? It would be cheaper for riders promoters ect. And the racing maybe better? What do people think?

I agree with all of that - maybe have a 'speedway app' that could enhance the experience for the watching fans as well (and the ones who can't be present at the meeting). The bikes don't have to be tuned up thoroughbreds, a good race is four riders closely racing, not follow your leader at high speed.

This is a great way forward IF it could be replicated as much as it has been in Sweden. But this is a medium term possibility as I doubt if it coul dbe "sold" to councils and or comminuty groups in a few months.( even in 12 months ). I suggest that it is entirely renamed - perhaps as "Dirt Track Racing" or somesuch. It needs to be on standard bikes with no tuner add ons and therefore easier to have a go and start riding for youngsters . F2? Perhaps even 250cc bikes ( as the 500cc rockets ships have inherent problems in their use inc safety & cost ) . Perhaps on a single manufacturer's machine. Get the empahasis on talent winning ( and having a beter chance of proving more reliable exciting racing ) and not the increasingly "first away wins". Boring! Include handicap racing - maybe in ability bands to offer a better on track experience for the younger new supporters. What is clear that the same old, same old of at least the last 20 years will not attract a sufficent new audience for the sport to survive. Definitely improve the P.A. everywhere ( so that interviews etc can be heard ) and Please DO change the music played and general style of 1970s presentation. That's the dim and distant past and a turnoff in trying to sell the new style action. Get those yawning time gaps deleted from meetings! Concrete starting grid - so NO gardening and more time wasted. I could go on!

I tend to agree. I'm sure that speedway will survive and hopefully common sense will previal and expenses looked at...the days of super-charged bikes costing thousands to tune may well be at an end as it's unsustainable at the present level certainly in this country. If that means that "The Stars" look abroad for the mega bucks then so be it.

Well you can sleep easier with the light on... and I bet you cant remember the last time you were hard!!! Or you could pee easier with the light on? you would be okay because you sit down... Regards THJ

Like you say, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to totally rebrand the sport. Will those in power have the balls and the knowhow to pull this off, lets hope so.

One is made in Ireland & the other is made in Scotland. No seriously, I think ruff is right in the grains used. Irish whiskey, with an "e", is made with malted & unmalted barley whereas the Scottish whisky, without the "e", is only made with malted barley.

Something for us older comets fans " bob valentine " was 80 yrs old yesterday now that makes me feel old!

His first bends almost became legendary how he would run in so deep and pretty much take anybody with him who got in his way. As Sugarray has posted, the drive he would get off the bends was unreal. You know he loved racing for Somerset too and was pretty passionate about it. I’m not sure why the numbers didn’t work out the following year as he would of been my first name on the team sheet, but he went to Peterborough and I think rode against us in a challenge match at their track and then was injured in the following meeting... and forced to retire

Not when I drove past there about 5 weeks ago. Bit small for a new track though I think.

Thanks for the response. Quite a few folk on Facebook have said they would be interested so I'll set it up this week. There are many unpublished old Black and white photos from the late 60's and 70's to keep any speedway fan interested :-)

No am working on a central heating pump would you believe... It's a 1977 Ford Capri with 69,000 miles on... 1600cc in a nice metallic green with a go faster black vinyl roof... I was the third owner in 1980... cost me 2800 after a got 400 quid for the mini I traded in... was offered 10k for it last year an if he had of went to 12k I may have relented but I think he will be back.... apparently he lost his virginity in a very simlar model... May not be a classic in the true sense of the word but it is something I have cherished over the years... Every day is a Christmas Day at the minute... just think about what the poor sods had to put up with during the war!!! 4 years they had it with no TV or gadgets to entertain them.... we will survive just got to keep smiling on through and remember there is always someone worse off... you could be dead... I have now lost several friends to this awful virus and we aren't out of the woods yet.... however and to be totally honest I am looking forward to getting back to some normality... but still need to keep a sense of reality and a smile on the dial... Regards THJ

You sound nice.

Most speedway fans have a favourite year depending on age and length of time watching our sport. Mine would be 1965. The British League was formed and we had a long league season. Many more teams to visit Custom House and many new riders to watch. West Ham won the league, the KO cup and the London cup. Bjorn Knutsson became World Champion and finished second in the Internationale. All in all the year that has remained in my memory when others have faded.

It’s a real shame as Blair was a cracking guy. His parents also some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Gutted RIP.

Seems to me if a Promoter wants a certain rider and that rider wants a certain sum say £60 a point, and the maximum pay rate was £50 a point, the promotion would get a sponsor to pay the extra £10, so how could that be checked and made sure that club adhered to it.?.

The Swan Lakeside Hammers, come to mind.

and to think that windows man reconed he was the cleanest man in british speedway ,DISCUSTING

Sad.

As a way of keeping score I think it is a decent idea, although people can always go to the Updates site if they want to know the score without a programme. A much better idea. A decent scoreboard. This should be a must at every track like it is with Ice Hockey & Basketball. Just a simple place to look and see the score. End of a race, update the scoreboard. Simple. An app for music will never work. Who would even listen to it? If people want to hear music on headphones they will play their own. And if people did, for some reason, do it then it would kill any atmosphere stone dead.

I'd accept any form of racing right now. The lovely spring weather adds to the frustration. If it was pouring down every day, i wouldn't give it much thought.

Interesting that the old 15 year survey on another thread had only 30% of fans attending in the main to 'support their team', and only 10% went based on the quality of riders on show.. And that was when more 'top names' rode over here.. Therefore, presuming the %'s are still similar, (and I would think they are not a million miles away), what an opportunity to put on 'entertaining Speedway' in whatever guise it can.. When 70% go and watch and are not unduly bothered which team wins, then they are a real target market for each track to have them go away thinking "that night was great, I'll be back next time".. The promoters should spend this down time working out how to deliver 'a great night out' when the sport returns, rather than spending time getting slide rules out to determine whether 'Rider A' can guest for 'Rider B' in a meeting that only 3 in 10 fans in attendance are bothered who wins... A huge opportunity for fundamental radical change.. Will it be taken?

Definitely not Gary Rolls. Possibly Tim Hunter.

Aye, something like that, I learned some stuff at college. Dunno if whisky, (with or without E),,, is good for unblocking your sink, as it's the only place I would put it

Wrong and Wrong Sorry chaps both wrong... so no prize there then... that's saved as buying a coconut... The difference is an "E" Regards THJ

Maybe it’s just an E

It’s pretty obvious that if there is any meaningful Team speedway this season(doubtful IMO)there won’t be many foreign riders or Aussies that have gone home available.Most Aussies that went home will have used their return ticket, so who will pay for them to return in present climate and if they do return they will be heading for a Poland IMO. Riders wanting to be full time riders in GB might have to rethink.Writing this season off would be the best option for many Promotions.IMO.

I made this point precisely during the winter when teams were announced and at which point there was only 1 team in the 19 Clubs in the PL / CL with 7 British riders and a couple with 6 British riders and a smattering with 5. The issue though for Promoters is that the richest Clubs will sweep up the British riders, especially Clubs like Wolverhampton (2020 team not a single British born rider), who will suddenly seek to do something they have rarely done and be interested in British riders. For many of the Australians in the CL though Poland/Sweden are NOT an option so there would have to be some non UK born riders allowed to race here as they would base themselves for 6-7 months in the UK.

I said a similar thing recently re cheap air flights being a thing of the past. This would be the obvious time to think maybe about 1 league with UK based riders, where teams are more balanced in terms of the difference between the best in the league and the worse are much closer. Hell, go the whole hog where 6 & 7 have to be under 21. This in turn should bring closer racing, which could help bring in new people to the sport as the drama of a race increases. If mass gatherings were allowed this year (I suspect they wont) I fear that many of the premiership teams will struggle for riders this season as they will be unable to commute between countries/leagues. Even some Championship teams will have problems. Two of Leicesters heat leaders are in Australia who are thinking about introducing a total international travel ban.

That is the trouble with FB groups. Just copied stuff from elsewhere, which makes it almost unnecessary to join a new group , as the stuff will probably be on the other groups within hours if not sooner. The same people posting stuff all over

Are you allowed to say that , we all know that GPs and polish speedway is the best ? Not. The racing over here can be as good.

sorry to read that news.

Probably by about 13 years!

That's brilliant business, more companies should try this! Let's introduce a lower selling product to kill of our biggest seller ...

Gave the chap on Tesco checkout a fiver yesterday to have a pint on me. You'd have thought I'd offered to pay he's mortgage he was so grateful. Made me think I don't reckon many had made the gesture. Then again I don't know where he's going to buy the pint

No question has to be 1965, getting to see all the Nat. League Teams and riders we'd read about coming to Somerton Park. Also seeing how the Prov. League stars did up against the "big boys"- not too badly-thinking of Charlie Monk, Eric Boocock, George Hunter etc. It was a wonderful year and I will never forget it. BTW Of the old Prov League tracks the highest placed finisher in the 1965 BL was Newport-won every meeting at home , plus two away and the never to be forgotten 2 point only loss to the Dons at Wimbledon. Jack Biggs unforgettable season as a Newport heat leader-surprised everybody.

Your a nice human being. Seeing a company crippled, which will have knock on effects for its staff, is a positive for you. You lack even 1 brain cell.

Good sponsors . Could have some fun on here with the WTF Monarchs this season

Fair play, never having smoked or drunk or gambled. But i have a different perspective. I've known alcoholics who are lovely people. People with gambling addictions. I wouldn't class them as scumbags, given that I happen to like a drink but am lucky enough to be able to choose when I drink. I know a number of people who were incredibly nice until they got hooked on Crystal meth - yes obviously not a smart thing to take, but the scumbags to me are those who sell that crsp not the addicts.