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What logic is there to change the track for the first time this season (significant) changes with two meetings of the season to go? Riders have got their bikes dialled in then the club throw a curve ball like that. Very strange.

This conspiracy theory is on the same scale as COVID being caused by Chinese people eating bats. The fact is, however the track is prepared, both teams have to race on it. The team that adapts best to the surface (i.e. Sheffield) has the best chance of victory. If the Peterborough plan for becoming champions involves "sabotaging" the track, (your word, not mine), or getting opponents to "throw" meetings (your words, not mine), then you don't deserve to be there.

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like, although unlikely to recover its set up costs, speedway at Newcastle could be viable on a day to day basis, especially at NDL level. For information, I had some serious and lengthy discussions about a supporters’ run operation at Glasgow some years ago, but concluded that, although the initial enthusiasm would set it all up, long term, that wouldn’t continue so it wasn’t viable. The only supporter assistance model that seems to work is the one run at Edinburgh, where the supporters have been willing to help the club for many decades now.

Are you for real? Don't post stupid unnecessary crap.

Easy Peterborough win. Buster won't screw himself over by having KL beat Peterborough leaving Wolves with the advantage. Buster should give the KL riders a fixed sum on the night to throw the meeting on purpose tbh as it's the only logical thing that makes sense.

Main thing we need is someone with spare time who can run and manage the club, with the odd bit of financial backing from a successful business such as Rob's (Wouldn't have to be anywhere near what he put in this year) and from the fans too, things should be set I believe the low attendance levels this season have been down to a multitude of things... Covid, poor team, a few jumped ship to Redcar because they weren't a fan of how Rob was running things... However I think with the correct advertising and if the Diamonds could come back stronger, with a more attractive lineup, the 500-600 fans of old could be easily brought back + others? I think you're right unfortunately So we may need to find another figurehead... I believe that Rob has made a profit within the speedway, but that has involved investing heavily from his other businesses, which have mad significant losses, so overall, it's been a loss But if us fans can chip in and support a new leader, AND we can get the numbers back of old, then it could well be viable? If we had a new stadium that was owned b the speedway we could lease it out for all sorts of activities... Amateur meetings, practice junior days etc, just like Scunthorpe do, I would suggest that is how they make the majority of their income? I don't remember the exact details, but it's approximately £500-£650 (someone will be able to quote the exact figure I'm sure) a day to hire the track at Scunthorpe... And it's hired out by AMSA and Wayne Carter and sometimes independent people on a more than weekly basis... That's HUGE, obviously it would take years and years to get that up and running though... Oh and also, no stadium rent to pay Nice to get a mention... Just hope Mr rich man is sat at home now rubbing his hands together...

Aye, a get what you say, but was thinking that the Seaton Burn site is just about directly under the flight path for the airport, so its noisy anyway, plus the A1 and A19 noise? Surely it's not time to get the white flag oot yet.

Major hurdle that all the previous ventures have faced in the last 10 years around the country is the noise sadly. Our wonderful sport that we love the smell and sound from is no longer 2021 compliant with the amount of new housing estates being built on every bit of land possible. With every new estate on the outskirts means none to very little chance of getting Speedway within 10 miles of them. This is where electric could well spell the future of our sport. Yes I know we love the noise but apart from Speedway fans ive not heard one person who loves to sit in their garden on a Friday or Sunday night listening to the soothing tones of the local Speedway.

Crane and four trucks, carrying sections, there an hour ago???

And this is a big problem for speedway that rents a stadia At the Arlington raceway, Eastbourne, they run Stocks, bangers but not dogs. They run bangers all season but they put on stocks for some very plumb dates during the year, New Years day, bank holidays etc. Im told that one of these big dates rakes in more money in one meeting than they get rent out of speedway in three years as they get all the food and drink outlets as well as gate receipts. The very BIG difference Eastbourne has over Newcastle or any other rented Stadia speedway has is that at Eastbourne, the owners of the stadium will go out of their way to see speedway at the stadium for the foreseeable future.

Agree. League titles settled when conditions are at their worst for both riders and fans.

100% with you mate. Struggle to motivate myself on a freezing cold October night for biggest meeting of season. Should try and be done by September and have KO cup or whatever in October

I’m starting to lose interest again , it seems to be the same every season with trying to cram meetings in. Whilst during the warm summer months we have blank weeks.

How about all the so called supporters who have gained FREE entry for donkeys years put their money together ,they must be worth a fortune .

I made it for the first 3TT. I went with my mate, who's son was riding in the kids races. It was an experience going to the Speedway on the car ferry, after attending approximately 150 meetings using the Fastcat. Surely i must be due a knighthood!

In my view anything fan based will fall at the hurdle which says someone has to be responsible for any losses incurred. Fans won't be able/prepared to stump potentially unlimited cash calls if losses are made. First and foremost you need someone to take responsibility for the whole project then look at ways that fans can assist perhaps along the lines of the Edinburgh model. In this climate you'd have to say chances are remote at best but you never know

The two key pieces of information we need to determine is: How many supporters are willing to put how much in If there are any companies who are willing to put into the funds to help support the club I mean... over £10,000 was raised not that long ago by people just for the love of the club... And I know a lot of that was outside help... But if we could get 150 fans put in £10 a week, then a month that could be £6,000... Plus any larger sums that people could put in, plus any companies who are willing to sponsor us, we could be looking at that £10,000 being raised on a monthly basis, if we can keep that going... But is 150 fans unrealistic? I am not sure who or how many are keen, or can afford, to do such a thing... That's what we need to find out, so any future buyers feel confident enough...

The only theory I could think of is this. We plan of picking Sheffield in the play-offs and we didn't want them getting some laps in on a good track that would probably be prepared the same way for the SF so the track was sabotaged so the Sheffield riders were getting laps in on something that would be completely different come the play-offs and the result didn't matter to Peterborough because Buster could always pay the KL riders off to throw the meeting against us later this week as he wouldn't sabotage his own club giving Wolves the advantage and first pick.

Bears all the way, Poole chickened out on the scheduled date but there's no where to hide now Pirates!! I have heard Charles Wright is taking his XL Kevlars so as he can put Danny King is his pocket

100% and I really hope and pray that a rescue package can be found and a solution to the current problems

I enjoyed the meeting and although the track surface has been questioned I thought there was some decent racing. Both the Premier and Championship Leagues are now heading for an exciting conclusion and I for one have definitely enjoyed the British stuff much more than either the GP's or Son. Closer racing and look at some of the scores this year where not many points separate the teams. Weather permitting I reckon the play off semis and finals will be edge of your seat stuff and it's all boiling up very nicely. Hopefully there will be some changes in place for next year though with either one main league or a larger Premiership. This has to be the way to go, a six team league is not the way forward.

A think with limited availability, access to track and hoops to jump through, a new venue might get rid of those issues. A new venue could include other enterprises and not just speedway. Quad bikes, BMX, market stalls etc.

The average attendance has probably been about 500 over the course of the season and on speedway terms Granty has actually made profit. I think with a main promoter / co promoter with fans contributing also we can keep Newcastle Speedway alive and continuing for years hopefully at a new track in the future.

Maybe just someone to help with the heavy lifting. Am sure Rob has to put a lot if time into both or other businesses. Maybe some help with other stuff could work, allowing him to free up some time. Can't be easy juggling 2 things at the same time and, gadgy's can't do multi-tasking. A suppose in times like this, every stone needs to be turned over?

Wages for volunteering duties ?? It was done out of love for the club & would gladly do it again if we do come to the tapes in 2022

In fairness the following could all run in a Nora league as all thee tracks are available or can be hired . IOW, Lydd, Iwade , Scunthorpe, Redcarr , Kings Lynn ,Leicester then there is the potential of Oxford Workington Buxton and Mildenhall . All it needs is people to put there necks out to hire the tracks and then promote it to a paying public. Could be of National league standard to what ever limit you want or run like the German teams cup which is done I believe on a 4tt format but they do include 250s as 5th rider. Could be run like Barry runs the Iow for all those who want a break away league you just have to get up and get on it's there if you want it. as I see it it once in a blue moon opportunity for it to happen but don't see it happening as there are not enough people who will do what Barry and Martin do to make there product work. To many will sit and moan instead of trying it

Daft as it seems raising the money to keep Newcastle alive could be the easy part, then who ever is running the show needs to get a lot more people through the gates on a regular bases to keep the business running. Failure to do that will see Newcastle back in the same situation sooner rather than later.

Thought I'd chip in my thoughts on this one. I follow the forum but never really post anything. Firstly I am Speedway through and through, come from a family with a long connection to speedway I have family members that have helped build tracks, been mechanics and sponsors (team and rider). I have travelled all over the country for speedway and have spent quite a bit of time in Vastervik Sweden following Speedway, I mention these things as I would consider myself an avid hardcore supporter of not just Newcastle but the sport in its entirerity. I was brought up on Berwick speedway but naturally gravitated to Newcastle as I got older and they are my local club. For myself I hold the belief that if Newcastle can survive at all it has to move away from Brough Park at some point. This is a view I have held for years and spoken to friends on the terraces about. I go to Newcastle to support my local club, but the product on offer is not up there with the likes of Berwick, Glasgow etc. Anytime I have brought friends to Newcastle Speedway to introduce them I feel I have found myself making excuses before they get there about it not being the best racing etc. I want to make it clear that I don't put this down to the riders, the club or anything like that. For me I find that at Brough Park there is an element of detachment from the racing. You are so far away from the track its hard to FEEL speedway. When you go to Berwick, Glasgow, Armadale, Redcar etc you are so close to the action it is simply breathe taking. You get a feel of the speed, the thump and tire squeal of the bikes roaring past you. You can physically see the skill of the rider shifting weight on the bike, doing different things to overtake etc etc. Unfortunately at Brough because of the sheer geography and set up of the stadium this makes these things that make speedway very hard to appreciate. Its only people that understand speedway can see and appreciate these things from afar. New goers or people trying it out for the first time simply will not see what its all about. However put the same people literally next to the track and I feel the story would be very different. I have had some amazing nights at Brough Park and some memories that I will never forgot and have seen some amazing racing there but its not consistent enough to pull new people into the sport. I honestly hold the belief that Speedway in its purest from is the best sport in the world and the product can sell its self - however it needs the right environment and ingredients to let it thrive and unfortunately for me Brough Park does not offer that up close, get hit with shale, roar of the bikes flying past you experience... Add to that the rent and overheads of running meetings and all the connecting issues with Brough Park, I do not think its holds the answer long term. Not an easy task to find a new venue or field in order to relocate but I'd rather be in a farmers field right up close to the action (with less overheads) than in a swanky stadium. Secondly just as an idea my friends at Edinburgh are involved in the Trust fund set up for the Monarchs, maybe something that could be considered if a future for Newcastle is at all possible. Where people that can and want to set up a monthly direct debit of an amount they are happy to donate into the fund. The fund has a board and the club actually approach the Trust Fund to ask for a specific amount and what it is to be used for. I feel this is something that could be invaluable to Newcastle if a future can happen. It allows an element of control of both parties both the club and its supporters on where money gets spent and provides a safety net for the club as and when they may need to invest or have unexpected costs arise. It also allow supporters for feel more vested into the club. Thirdly I am not minted I wouldn't even consider myself well off however I have worked hard to put some savings away. If anyone on here is involved in anyway with a consortium I could donate a small sum in the thousands if a package could be put together (please feel free to get in touch). Similarly the lad I come with said the same he would happily chuck a few grand in and is in a position to do so... if it allowed the club to survive. This will not be ground breaking money it will not scratch the surface of what it is going to take but non the less it will help boost the fund... Lastly hats off and my personal thank you to Rob and the team that tried. The club would have been in this position years ago had he not come in, then to run in what is still a covid year is an unbelievable achievement of determination. Something that we need to hold on hope to and explain to potentially interested parties is that attendances this year cannot truly be used as future indication. We will not know the true figures of regular attendees until the immediate effects of Covid have worn off. I can see in my work/business figures that covid has still got a grip on things (entertainment industry).

Thé fact that the powers that be have consistently failed to find a top named league sponsor for the last two decades tells you all you need to know

What's a Duck Do?

A few more pictures from this week; https://www.facebook.com/groups/198832456794185/permalink/4864074010269983/

I don't do streaming, well only when I've got a cold then me nose goes off on one!

Up em!

Yes- and they normally allow tickets holders free use for several hours before and after GP`s

I'm sure they would'nt bend the rules

With a week to go until the final meeting of the season we though we should make the most of the spare time and ask for your feedback of the season so far. You all know our situation and how we came to be in this position we are this season. So whether you are a fan, sponsor, volunteer, rider, fan from a distance, or even management, how did we do? We would like to know how you feel we have done, how was your relationship with your club, what in your view could we improve upon and what did you like the most? Now it’s time for you to take the mic and give us your feedback. I have one request though – if your point is something particularly controversial please send Kevin, Rob, Martin or myself a DM and we can pick it up from there rather than blast it across social media. Then once we know the reason, we can discuss it, publicly state it, along with what we are doing to remedy it or not, as the case may be. Thanks for your feedback

I believe that £110,000 is the figure put together for the first year, which would include the purchase of the club and all its assets and other year one set up costs... Surely that figure would be significantly lower for future seasons, even at Brough Park... Which is why I suggested that we should consider dropping down to the NL for one or two seasons until we find our feet with new owners backed by fans...

I received an E mail this morning saying my ticket has been cancelled and refunded.Not in my account yet but would expect it soon.Weather for Wed does not look promising.

Also since the sad passing of dave tattum Newcastle would need a second promoter to work alongside Rob. If he did stay on and that will not be easy.

The bears will smash them poole pansies ,no turbo twins in thier line up anymore

The Stars quite simply are not good enough to beat the Panthers. So once it is done we all await the Panthers choice of opponents. I think, despite the result of the B match, it will be Sheffield.

That will be the end for the Prem. You want to meet for a pint next season fella

Thanks FD- I got three of them right-I remember both the names of Fred Hodder and Chris Harrison also. I didn't know Ron Bagley turned out for them or Pete Gay- I wish you had been there to see 'em in 1965 when the two leagues combined to form the BL- so many different riders and tracks for us to see. If they ever invent Time Travel you oughta go back to 65 and take in some of the meetings!!!!

Maybe Buster will be doing the Norfolk clubs a favour by walking away if tonight is anything to go by. The woeful track was literally the only reason why Sheffield won tonight. As soon as Sheffield won the toss and Kelvin got the dirtometer out and described the track I knew we were going to lose in all honesty. As I said earlier this evening Bomber was never going to score well on that track tonight because he's a racer who rides the boards and tonight you couldn't do that until the meeting was over. Curb crawling contest for two thirds of the meeting like Daugavpils tbh and if you moved off the line then you was passed.

Derek Clay and Terry Stone remember them

Checking forecast been try all day today, same tomorrow but steady rain all day Wednesday lol. More chance of Jason garrity riding ashfield on a Sunday than a meeting on Wednesday

You're an idiot

I have to say that this is a fascinating and absorbing thread with fantastic contributions and points being made by knowledgable and passionate supporters of a once mighty sport. Any current or prospective promoters should sit themselves down in front of a PC with a big notepad and go through the whole thread making a plan for the future of Speedway!! Thanks all for a brilliant conversation, I've loved reading it.

But back then you got to watch the worlds best on TV on one of only three channels most Saturday afternoons, with many of them household names.. And then had your tea... And then went to watch the same lads ride at your local track.. For a small dent in your disposable income.. With England ruling the roost in the Speedway World... Meaning the domestic leagues fed off the international success being beamed into (literally) millions of homes.. And if PC or Ivan were "elsewhere" and a guest replaced them, you found out at the track, after you had paid to get in, not days in advance.. Then the USA and the Danes took over.. So Promoters brought more of them over.. And then more Swedes, Norwegians, Aussies, Czechs, NZ's, Finns, Poles, etc etc etc.. And then viewing figures dropped because England were no longer winning, nor even looking like winning.. So the TV companies stopped beaming the sport into millions of homes... So then crowds started to drop in domestic racing.. Meaning inflation busting admission fees started to rise to pay for all these overseas stars, and the drop in crowd levels.. And that was 35 or so years ago.. Yet the same operating model has taken place all that time until today where we now seem to have realised that a successful national team might help fill some domestic league meetings with fans.. Yet that is undermined by all that nonsense that still exists with "guests", ridiculous made up rules, poor track prep etc, but is now done in a 24/7 social media glare which (quite rightly), holds it up to the ridicule it deserves.. People's disposable income has shrunk due to so much modern technology in the home and life in general being "a basic need", and not a luxury, with monthly outgoings very high in many homes.. Nowadays a Speedway meeting doesnt leave a small dent in the disposable income anymore, but a significant one.. What you could do and get away with in the 70's and 80's you cannot now.. The Worlds moved on, but UK Speedway didn't, and to a huge degree, still hasn't. .