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That is not solely what this is about and if a few more turn up at the local track that is a bonus. It is the exposure on free to air television first and foremost that the sport will get which has not happened for years and if enough tune in it could open the door to a television contract which the u k sport needs to survive and rebuild for the future. Like many on here you may not like it so don’t watch. If this could lead to top league speedway from Poland being televised on ITV 4 even it is a recording of the match then the exposure of what it can be like could only help UK speedway. Still with all the negative contributions on here, it might as well fail so that all the critics can say we told you so yet those critics do sweet f a to promote the sport.

Spot on... Strong viewing figures bring sponsorship to the sport... And adverts to the TV company... If the sport is ever to turn around the tanker then it has to start somewhere... Saturday being that first opportunity...

The 1 and 5 are already in place. Or rather, the agreements are already in place. At this point in time, even the Ipswich management have no idea whether rules either here or in Poland over the coming weeks/months, will allow them to proceed.

Ha! I was thinking exactly the same thing! BSPL should really have a hot line giving away free tickets. I know it’s a shared event but the income clubs would get from it is minimal. The stadium needs to be packed out. It’s a massive opportunity for our sport.

No it was his knee!!🤣

I live in Workington, years ago used to go to Coventry for the British final, car full of mates, now in our 60's still watch speedway but more traffic on the roads, 3 hour drive each way, £70 for petrol, £25 to get in, £5 for a programme, somewhere for food, as nothing anywhere near belle Vue or stay at home watch it for free or before the ITV news, pay £14 for a stream .

About time there was a bit of pantomime in the sport again. Absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of theatre, its great for business. Rivalries faux or real shift tickets and some good hearted banter (providing it doesn't overstep the mark) should be encouraged.

Looking back over last Saturday's excitement, perhaps the best observations came from the website reportage. Two paragraphs from which rather sums it up: "...but when all seemed lost, the 2026 Bandits and their own local hero of choice stepped up to the plate and --- with the assistance of a rash teenager and an unfathomable piece of tactical incompetence --- reignited the playoff flame". followed later by: "......celebrations which seem to have got up the nose of the charmless Havelock, who raged over Rushen's exclusion, the floodlighting and just about everything else post-match. All decent attempts to deflect from his tactical shortcomings" Which more or less sums it up. Whatever your views, this was a nerve-tingling meeting with an amazing conclusion and just the thing to keep the Berwick public -- who have been solid in their support in this, their 59th season of speedway, coming back for the next helping on August 22nd....

Having thought about ITV4 being involved in screening the BF i think a hour long highlights show once a week would be a nice thing to see - that would show racing and meetings etc in a good light and hopefully get a few more interested in attending so that is on my wishlist for 2027!

Is there any way of ejecting clowns from this Forum?! 🤡 PART 2

Is there any way of ejecting clowns from this Forum? 🤡 PART 1

Well at least if you heed a guest for the play offs…. At least you know that Adam remembers the quick way around foxhall ….

This is fantastic news. Phil said ticket sales are poor, they need to hand out a load of free tickets and pack the place out then because this is a huge opportunity to sell the product at the best race track in the country. Makes a world of difference with a packed stadium and great atmosphere.

Best track in the world.

I understand and agree but with so few opportunities to get the sport on a main stream terrestrial channel at one of the best tracks in the country is not something that comes along every day. Someone somewhere has been pulling some strings because the current incumbents controlling the sport have failed miserably for years to achieve this so who ever has got the sport to this point is to be applauded. No it won’t solve all the problems and as long as the sport is self governed by those who cannot see beyond the business model which has not worked for years, it will not change overnight. However if this can be used to showcase not just UK speedway but European speedway and yes it might be banging the old drum but put a top flight league meeting from Poland on and you possibly have the makings of a revival of interest. Imagine if one or two clubs were allowed to compete in Polish league racing. Speedway UK needs an injection of good fortune and a kick up the arse. This might just be the start.

The big problem is that 90% of the current promoters would never agree to spend a penny on advertising as they would be worried that the money might help another promotion more than their own.

Yeah usual Batch bollocks.

I’d rather see Jody as a guest anyway, he’s a total trier and gives 100% every time and has strong Oxford support. Kennett’s Cheetahs performances were on the whole lacklustre to say the least with the odd glimmer of what he’s capable of - see last week 0,0,3,0. Of course guesting in a Poole jacket he managed to score 12 twice despite not getting near double figures previously… 🤔

Just move it around different clubs each year. Btw, the centre of the Great Britain is north of Manchester so it’s more central there than it would be in the Midlands!

Havvy seems to have lost the plot completely these days. No need for some of his comments,just sour grapes trying to cover his inept Team Management.

Whilst terrible news for Riss who I very much enjoy watching, why was he announced before a proper fitness test? Surely the change should be reversed, as they have a replacement already there for him? If a guest facility is now in place, with a higher average, it will only cause more questions about rule manipulation

If the headline figure of 200k is hit I am told that the demographics need to be attractive to advertisers so age and disposable income which are never strong aspects of the sport. I am planning on having both of my TV's running itv4, laptop and desktop streaming itvx and also recording the meeting. As they say, every little helps.

I think this is a very tragic story. Erik is an entertaining rider who could play an important part in the fortunes of any club. Sadly, whatever his health issues are, he's not able to pursue his chosen career. We wish you well Erik.

"Unfortunately I am still not completely over my health issues and I probably never will be." Doesn't sound great for him and his career, but best wishes to him.

Change the record, getting boring now

Congratulations to whoever has pulled that off. British Speedway now needs to make it an event that brings the crowds in

Shame Palm Toft didn't get stuck in it 😂 (The traffic that is)

I take my grandson go karting at Rye House regularly and each time I do, I look in on the Speedway stadium with a mixture of sadness, nostalgia and anger. I spent many a happy Sunday afternoon watching some great racing. Its criminal what has been allowed to happen under the noses of my local council.

You don't ride meetings to get an assessed average.

Here's a few more 🍟for your shoulder

I did not know that, I must keep up with everything Oxford riders get up to!!

Funny how those wearing the blue tinted spectacles are never fully aware. Just need Shovel-it to join in the south coast self abuser singalong

15 clubs sharing what after VAT? £30k - 40k?... Hardly worth it is it?.. Not up against the longer term opportunity to make the sport look far more popular than many watching would even consider.. Including the key target market, ie the ones who used to attend regularly... £2k per club is worth circa 100 fans entrance... If the sport can sell itself well on Saturday, and, reading between the lines, at the the other meetings planned (the play offs maybe?)... Then far more than £2k can be gained over a season...

Another new sponsor.

That Workington team are going to turn you lot over. I hope

Heat leader for Oxford, reserve for Poole

Didnt batch say he was fit before the foxes sacked him ?

Lets hope the Presenters/Commentators do their research on who the riders race for - Premiership and Championship - as 11 of the declared 16 (as of 13/8) are Championship riders. It'll be a missed opportunity if only the Prem clubs are mentioned imo! A graphic should also show the forthcoming meetings - where and when - that could 'flash up' on screen throughout the broadcast!

I assumed it was down to Belle Vue to promote it but fair enough if that's not the case. Still in their best interests to do so though as they would be the ones benefitting from any new attendees.

shouldnt even cost that much to produce really, have some analysis and then upcoming fixtures and a look at the tables and voila can easily fill an hour

Oh well, the news was good while it lasted

I think you'll find he's talking about Kyle Newman, not Howarth. 👍

Maybe they didn't announce it earlier just in case fans didn't buy tickets?.. If so, that didn't work out too well did it...? And if they did that for that reason, it hardly speaks volumes of their own belief in their own product does it..? Personally, if the tickets sales are poor, then I would close down a third of the Grandstand and put out some huge Aces, and Sponsors flags across the empty seats... Close up the Grandstand attendees together... Or just close the South side and let everyone sit down and put the adverts across there, like football does on Champions league nights... Getting good coverage for the sponsors... The place needs to look full even if it isn't...

What a disgraceful comment… brilliantly made though and definitely correct

And Klindt for Northampton, according to published Polish teams.

As I commented on Karlitos YouTube video: “This is a GOLDEN opportunity for British Speedway, something which the authorities need to take with both hands. Just don’t mess it up! Many cynics may say ‘oh it’s only in ITV 4’, but in order to make a journey, first you have to take the hardest step which is the first. Good luck to everyone involved.”

You under 25 by any chance ?

A huge coup for whoever got this back on national television. Here’s hoping that Phil Morris can organise a slick professional well run meeting and that ITV don’t opt to bring in their own presenters, leave it to the likes of Kelvin and Olly so the casual viewer isn’t put off by some clueless idiot who’s never seen a bike before. Although a slight overrun of the program woukdnt go a miss catch all those viewers turning on for the EFL highlights at 9pm

As with most decisions and agreements in speedway its more than likely not worth the paper its written on, what happens if a club is sold and the new owners do not wish to run premiership? What if the present owners have decided that they have lost enough money already and don't fancy another season of it? Remember this is British Speedway and its made up of what ifs and maybe's, nothing can be taken as gospel or a certainty.

This is sport where clubs will sack riders, with immediate effect, for doing better than they were expected to do, when needing to make two replacements, with zero "offence" being taken by their fanbase.... And also, should riders refuse to ride due to not getting paid, they then get a 28 ban for "withholding their services" hanging over them.. Not sure anyone should expect major commitment from riders....