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100%, I agree. . Utopia... But a pipe dream.. Crowds of 1400 wouldn't support an "Elite" level as the riders to make it "Elite" would need to be paid enough NOT to DU... And the second tier "developers" simply wouldn't want to sell to their fans a "lesser product" with no DU riders in their Heat Leader positions anymore, and their fans simply wouldn't pay £20+ to watch a lesser standard than they have been used to.. The current operating model has gone on for far too long now to ever be unravelled, and, to be honest, I doubt there is any enthusiasm at all to do so, from any of the promoters... Why? Because all can pick and choose what they want to do, and, with the current model, all teams get subsidised by others through sharing rider costs, therefore, all are content with what they have and deliver... If Poland next season do insist on "one extra league only" then DU'ing could even become a real advantage in getting riders. As, instead of less than 20 meetings in Sweden and Denmark, "journeymen" foreign riders could have circa 40 over here.. It is only the fans, (mainly the tens of thousands of ex fans who still closely follow the sport), I would suggest, who want changes to be made, and see potential in the sport should it ever get ran with authenticity, jeapordy, consequence and reward for success.. With the many "wear the club shop die hards", who attend each week, happilly colluding with the Promoters that the sport is a bona fide team sport, with the other section of regulars, being quite content in just watching the racing with no particular emotional attachment to the outcome.. Promoters know that they will never be able to deliver "Utopia" without a huge influx of cash from a major sponsor or/and a massive TV deal, as attendances won't ever be high enough to deliver it.. Therefore they are quite content to carry on with what we have, as it ticks a lot of boxes for them to remain as Promoters...

The purpose of having to tolerate doubling up is far from solely providing income stream for riders. It also enables the current number of clubs to function which is in fact the main reason promoters continue to endorse it. The concept of dumbing down the sport by having one league comprising the same or similar number of existing teams to include NDL level & similar limited rider ability or by fielding five man teams is not the answer. The way forward should be towards establishing top flight elite speedway of professional teams of eight and a second tier of semi-pro/ amateur teams. This concept should also enable the existing promoters to be split into two groups of a)professional & b)hobbyists. The professional group investing and promoting Elite speedway would amongst other things be responsible for the face of growing awareness of the sport to media and sponsorship. Whilst the second group providing growth and development opportunities alongside lower related running costs. There are now more than a few promoters who are well established businesses folk capable of developing the sport. Those same folk whilst prepared to run a team in the existing environment are not prepared to dig deep financially to create change whist the hobbyist’s continue to be blockers to any form of change which would cause their current influence to be significantly diluted.

Saved the second tier too... Those five or six riders which Northampton will use, who DU, will now get the other part of their two part salary covered.. The only reason for two tiers of racing existing is so the majority of riders can DU, and clubs can therefore share the costs of this majority of riders... There simply isn't any other reason for two tiers of Speedway in the UK.... There is no promotion or relegation due to no aspirational, organic growth being possible due to crowd numbers at the majority of UK tracks, and there are no higher rewards for winning either league.. Northampton have been "parachuted" in to the top tier, just to ensure the operating model and business plan keeps going.. No one knows if crowds will be on average (like they are at most tracks (with the odd outlier), "tier one level" (1200/1400), or "tier two level", (600/800) however, it is just vital they go into tier one as some riders would have missed out on a DU place.... It surely must be one league of fifteen teams next year? Five rider teams if needed... That would actually then look like a "Championship" worth winning and give a good geographical spread across the nation to promote the sport as a "National" one... And look more secure, and relevant, from the view of any potential track developers, with safety in numbers, and collective resistance, being possible...

Whilst I’m appalled by this vandalism, this go fund request doesn’t sit well with me. This is why we take out insurance on things we own. Clubs take advantage of supporters enthusiasm and their voluntary efforts throughout every season, which is why I think the club is pushing their luck in this situation.

Welcome to all of their fans... it's only fair they have their own topic thread 👍🏻

Rosco speaks at last… https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/25914540.ex-england-speedway-manager-reveals-stadium-bought/?ref=cprfa

The answer indeed appears an obvious one.... However, they simply don't have the money to improve the standard, nor market the sport... Although I should say they do have money (a quite considerable sum will be spent), but they choose to spend all of it on riders rather than promotion and marketing.... The sport is now down to how many attendees? 20,000 average (at most), at the 14 clubs across the country, collectively, last year? That is too far off the radar of the general public now to ever deliver an "Elite" offering, given the considersble costs involved of doing so... The sport is basically set up for a few World Class riders to live over here, and top up their Polish earnings with a circa high five figure/low six figure package, and then let "experienced average riders" earn two salaries, which, combined will be a very decent sum. And, at the lower end of teams, give young UK lads and overseas young lads an opportunity to see if fhey can go further up the ladder.. With the Promoters being happy to run at the level all are, as they know "speculating to accumulate" won't provide much "accumulation" given the (lack of), rewards on offer... It is really only the fans that would suggest the sport is "broken", and make suggestions to improve it.... I very much doubt the Promoters, (who are all obviously quite content with their lot, hence nothing changes), think there are any issues at all...

Nobody is forced to donate, purely a personal decision. The promotion have been overwhelmed by the support, both financial and practical, that they have received to date. How long does it take insurance companies to pay out? The need is now! Not in a few months time.

Up to £30 at Belle Vue for those posh rich northerners 😉

Don't need one... Got my cushioned seat... Surrounded by people smelling of Werthers Originals... And Lemon Steradent...

Don't forget your camping chair 😁

All those who are worried about the track surface may want to know some of the history. Spedeworth changed it from tarmac to shale to ensure the Dutch F1 drivers continued to support major events at the track. The shale was laid on top of the tarmac (I don't know how deep it is) and Spedeworth have worked hard to make it a good surface which does not rut up with the F1's on full power. I am sure they have the equipment to make the track suitable for Speedway a few days after a Stock Car meeting as Deane Wood, the boss of Spedeworth, would not want to have his stadium criticised for a poor track surface. He was a very accomplished Stock Car driver and understands how the track surface is critical in making for good racing.

I sincerely hope that something positive comes from this. Up the 'Robins'

Any raffle tickets for sale

Team news for the Redcar match is looking better , riders now a bit keener as the sun comes out. Some interesting names from the past looking for rides.

Well, that's made my mind up... An effing bargain.... Where's me rattle and tartan blanket, and matching flask...

Just had an email to renew my season ticket at United for £35 a match... Hmmmm.. £35 to watch around 65 mins of Premier League football, which is authentic, has jeapordy, has consequence, prizes worth winning, and no Mickey Mouse operating model, or £30, (or "just" £25 in the pauper seats), to watch 15 mins of Premiership Speedway without any of the attributes a team sport requires... Decisions, Decisions...

Numpty's

Top 3 of Poole, Glasgow and Oxford. 4th = Plymouth or Redcar. I like Plymouth's top 5, not sure about the reserves. With Redcar not sure about Jake Allen as a no5. Worky have the most question marks over it, literally everyone apart from JJ. They could finish anywhere from 4th to 9th. Who knows. Doubt it will be boring though!

Northampton Nimrods.

A bit of relief for the Nobby's 😲

You get a cushioned seat... #jealousb*stards....

Maybe Lemo will bring some Tim Tams with him, just to mix it up a bit 😁

Well I'm a Kings Lynn supporter and I've just donated. I hope they manage to get the damage sorted and maybe up their security as well?

It is long overdue that the old disused tank farms were demolished and adjacent land prepared for possible development if it means a possibility of jobs for the area. The council prospectus shows the available development land boundary along the southern edge of the Speedway if I remember rightly. There is no detail on Cumbria Crack re the actual extent of the security fence. I would think it somewhat beneficial if any security fence ran along the Speedway southern boundary in the east - west direction. There was talk a while back of possible interest from a company who make bio aviation fuel to build a production facility.

Speedway Promoters don’t risk their own money though ,on that stuff

There have been a few incidents, mainly just kids breaking windows etc, only 1 incident where someone tried to pinch a tractor, that was organised as they had a low loader parked on the industrial waiting for it . But this latest vandalism, criminal damage is way above anything that has happened in the past.

custard creams are back in stock at bspa hq possibly

What the £30 or the posh northerners? Yes, a premium adult grandstand ticket for a league match says £30 on their website.

From anywhere I suppose. Temporarily based in Edinburgh for the last 78 years.

Very odd response! Your post said what about shape, banking etc - which is exactly what I outlined

While I kind of agree with you, they've smashed their 10 grand appeal... hopefully if there's any money left after they've straightened those poles out (😉), they'll Invest in some kit in making the site more secure. It's a miracle it's not been targeted before now really in it's 15 year existence.

Crowd Levels would have improve to fund Elite League Speedway.Professional Promoter willing to throw their money at the sport are very hard to find these days.UK just can’t compete with other Countries these days.

Oh no. I hope she hasn't taken Hancock with her...

TBH Northampton have saved the Prem League. Last season the top 4 competed for best placing, King's Lynn were trying to get into the play offs, Birmingham & Oxford were battling each other to avoid the wooden spoon. With just 5 teams, the play off teams will likely soon be obvious, the 5th would've soon been dropped off & have nothing to ride for.....

Apparently they are putting a fence around the big grassed area on the RH side before the track. The clowncill have £4.5 million to waste to make the land ready for possible future developments. They have already taken down the old oil tanks just after the railway bridge and levelled the land. Hopefully a fence will be put up along the speedway perimeter

That’s a damn good start

Nicely done 😂👍🏻

Phillip Hellstrom-Bans

Obviously, there have been problems to overcome, and it's taken longer than hoped for to bring Northampton online. But yesterday we got the news that Northampton are running. Today we got their fixture list. And in the coming days we'll know the promoter, team manager and the riders. We have positive news coming out, and still people are moaning? Unbelievable.

Personally, I think 2028 is ambitious. The local plan has to be agreed before any action can be taken, then there will be the long drawn out CPO process, which you know Brandon Estates will fight against. Then when all that is concluded there will be a lot of work to do on the site, particularly with regards to the grandstand which will have to be completely demolished, and that will be time consuming due to the asbestos contamination procedures. I would love to be proved wrong, but in all honesty I can't see the 'new Coventry' opening before the 2029 season.

Of course it's their prerogative to do whatever they want... they can keep the whole thing a secret for ever if they choose... I would just have thought that they'd want to give themselves the best chance to make a decent go of it and I don't think leaving it all till the last minute is the way to do it... Just my opinion...

We can discount Coventry from being ready for 2027. The current issues will take until the end of this summer to resolve at the very least and even if any final outcome falls in favour of Stox & speedway returning to Brandon, it will take a great deal of time to conclude a sale, clear the site and build a suitable race track and spectator facilities. If we’re lucky then Brandon could be up and running for a full 2028 season but not before.

They have their reasons for the delay in releasing full details of the “new” club. And, as they are the folk making it happen it is their prerogative to decide when that will be. Meanwhile let’s be grateful for this positive step in the current tough times for British speedway and wish the promoters and all concerned all the best of luck in their endeavours to make Northampton a long term success.

Speedway really is incredible... You'd think they'd want to get as much information out there as soon as possible to try to generate a bit of local interest... Instead it's... We have a brand new exciting venture for you to follow... We won't tell you whose in charge... We won't tell you whose running the team... We won't tell you whose riding for the team... Roll Up... Roll Up...

If that is a reference to me? I was not sacked! I left !!

Can't wait to see @R87 thoughts on Northampton opening, considering he spent the majority of the last year telling anyone that would listen that we will NEVER see a new team open up again in the UK, the optimist that he is!! Willing to give credit where it is due @R87 ???!!! Or will silence be golden?

Should have got Hellstrom Bangs in the line up! Usually someone drops out before the meeting, if that happens they should get straight on the blower. Would be a great watch around the NSS

Don't wish your life away mate, the years pass all too quickly and appear to go faster with age.

I rarely post on here now and it's ironic that one who has chosen to post on this particular thread used to continually trawl some of my posts that I had no option but to put him/her on "ignore" as it became tiresome and repetitive! Also there was another who frequents the forum regularly who spouts very bizarre rhetoric and opinions but I guess that's the nature of public forums and one must accept that if one wishes to participate in open discussion?