Whisperer

Riders were queuing up for 2 key reasons; 1 it was invariably a great race track. 2 everybody got paid on time every time

And then you'll finish up with the bloke who pulls his strings running the sport hmmmmm not sure at all. Chapman hasn't made all the decisions that haven't been totally successful despite everyone holding him responsible.

This has got Robert 72 written all over it but who knows !

Be nice to think all the peeps who are going to post on this thread are going to offer; support, encouragement and their desire to see him succeed rather than kick him. He really does have a positive attitude and is passionate about winning and at least he feels a sense of responsibility when it doesn't work out. He's not perfect and a few racing/adrenaline fuelled comments or actions should not be taken too far out of context. In the typical British way though, as he's on the way up no doubt there will be some out there who will want to knock him down. Just saying and just pre-empting the next public hanging

Muck Fe you're on it tonight !!!!!!!

Can't they see they are justifying Buster's behaviour ?

You've got no idea just how much you get on everybody's threepennies have you? OR have you?

The content of this Twitter thread is exactly the reason why ultra blue chip companies will not get involved in our sport, they cannot take the risk of adverse publicity/comment that could have an impact on shareholder value. If the companies are whiter than white then their image has to be protected and despite what you read in the Sun or the Star there are many more solid companies out there looking to get better promotional value from their marketing budgets than the same handful who get slagged off regularly in the popular press. Monster Energy fits our current image so they are well placed particularly as many of the franchisees/distributors come from a motorsport background and good luck to them for taking those risks.

The only way you can work with the Polish federation and clubs is to give them what they want, when they want it each and every time !

There was nothing to stop Matt submitting a new 1 - 7 before the deadline, including Chris and Batch, for approval subject to those riders becoming available and BSPA approval. It happens all the time Team A submit a revised 1 to 7 in the morning and Team B submit a revised 1 to 7 in the afternoon naming a rider who is being dropped from Team A. What is different is the timing of their announcement as there may not be an imminent fixture which takes the pressure off making the revision public.

I did go down the "here we go again" route last time you started, you do need to understand that your intense dislike of Pearson is legendary, you don't need to comment again, ever! We have all got it. Unfortunately when commentators have an earful from a Director/Producer telling them in very short words to "sex" it up then that is what is done, smartish, particularly when on open talkback and the whole production team can hear. As an example nobody made more foxtrot uniforms than the late Murray Walker, he was loved by so many yet was a nightmare to produce never the less he screamed about events that just didn't match the broadcast images - but he delivered exactly what his bosses wanted each and every time. Pearson does what he is told in a style that meets the approval and expectations of his paymasters every time too, they love him be it Darts, Speedway or Footie and the legendary detractors will be just that - underwhelmed, never mind there'll be fishing on Sky soon.

Some of the folk on this thread had better smarten up, don't fret over how many cameras or who did the commentary, don't even compare the coverage to Sky. Just decide whether you want the sport on TV or not and then let the experts get on with managing their production and presentation over this first season. BT Sport love the GP series and dearly want the league coverage to be as well received and popular, that is what will encourage them to extend their interest beyond this season. I can tell you that the Sky production team started to believe some of the unfounded comments on this forum and whilst it will always be denied this forum is/was an indicator of some of the public opinion that did/can influence forthcoming decisions. I'm not suggesting anyone sugarcoats their comments but do keep them balanced. Pearson and Tatum ain't going anywhere soon so don't kill the constructive opinions on this thread with constant and facetious slagging of the duo. Philip makes the point about the budget - Sky eventually became like the Beeb and rocked up with lorry loads of cameras and equipment, catering trucks, a scanner full of bodies and it goes on but eventually their commitment to other sports meant huge cutbacks across the board. BT took this product at the 11th hour having already committed their budget elsewhere but felt it had to be given a decent shot and whilst it would have been financially easier to have a year out went with a proposal of shared and reduced costs to maintain continuity of broadcast presence so that a qualified decision could be made on any future commitment. Philip may reveal how it is funded, I won't, but it would be nice for them to understand if their risk is worthwhile or not.

And of course it's the BSPA Management Committee who invoke the ban, why on earth would they deviate from all the precedents set in the past to establish a new one for the future. Grossly unfair on all previously suspended riders particularly those who have withheld because they hadn't been paid for weeks and months. (Josh is not in this category before anyone jumps to conclusions).

Now you know who's really running the BSPA, and it's not KC!!!!!!!!

How about you Rob? Loads of time on your hands, a huge voice (Gob) and a tactful and diplomatic approach. I'm sure you've already made a significant contribution to Leicester's fortunes.........

Don't get to Workington to often these days but a weekend in the Lakes presented the opportunity, this meeting will serve to demonstrate what is needed to create an improved atmosphere (in answer to a number of points raised on other threads). Certainly from the grandstand the racing was superb, the atmosphere lively and friendly with plenty of good humour too. Thoroughly enjoyable evening and surprise, surprise great racing = a good atmosphere - just need the rest of the Speedway world to cotton on and we're back in business.

That's because; it is very early days/dying on it's arse (delete as appropriate)

What needs to be remembered is that attendance figures are not necessarily the same as paying customers because many clubs give free tickets to sponsors and to help promote the club. These will be clicks on the turnstiles but not necessarily reflect in the revenue stream so as long as the BSF doesn't try to draw financial conclusions from the attendance figures there is no harm done (or is that why people really want to know).

Where's that lass, Crescent Girl when you need him?

Gave up after 1 minute 10 seconds of gardening!

Give it a rest ffs!

Which is the Finders Fee that any BSPA member/Associate will be paid for bringing incremental revenue into the sport. On more than one occasion GoSpeed have offered to reduce their fee in return for extended agreements, if one of clubs thinks the sport is better off without the Russells then just wait until they roll out their next "successful business man" as the new marketing guru who still refers to Riders as Drivers. You're in for a treat!

Interesting comment Sidney for those who have come to the sport with solid business expertise and commercial acumen, in other words very successful businessmen elsewhere, have been eventually "driven" out by the intransigence and lack of foresight within the confines of the controlling bodies. From the FIM downwards the old school tie rules above all else; young blood, new blood and experienced blood all get battered by the "there's no need to re-invent the wheel" brigade. It's truly an awful experience having your investment in Speedway mis-managed, manipulated and squandered for the benefit of others. Strategic and financial planning are way beyond the knowledge, experience or will of the corner shop keepers who endeavor to manage the sport. Don't get me wrong they honestly believe they are doing a good job but without a robust structure and a core plan they will rarely see clear results. They spend hours, days even, arguing about the rule book, club politics, who owes who, who gets the plum events and when it comes to marketing and the future of the sport half of them leave the room "train to catch" "need to be back for a meeting", "my other interest are playing at home tonight". Honestly it's frightening.

It's ironic that on this thread there is a sensible discussion that is only just beginning to scratch the surface on some elements of rider costs, the SVEMO and DMU agreements are significant when looking to engage a rider who is registered with those federations. When it comes to PZM the "Premier League" as was had to insist on an ACU licence or no Polish riders the pull/pressure to ride in Poland was so great but the "Elite League" lived with the demands of the Polish federation which in turn created mayhem with EL fixtures. Other threads are extolling the virtues of non UK riders to build a winning or competitive team and others are indirectly supporting the demise of clubs without any understanding of the operating costs and the necessity to rely on the fans to try to make ends meet. Those who love their Speedway should endeavor to attend as often as they can to make a contribution to the losses generally incurred and extend the life support for the sport. Quarreling across the piece, regardless of where blame lies, will continue to batter the sustainability and negatively impact on the uninitiated, the undivided and the naive who know no better other than to follow the sport with enthusiasm and passion. This forum can be exceptionally good for the sport but when it ain't it's gonna bury what's left.

Please don't believe for even a second that the GRA will deal with anyone other than Tony Mole after the last "sub tennant" defaulted on the rent and subsequent new owners of Birmingham Speedway behaved similarly. As far as Speedway racing is concerned at Birmingham the GRA are twice bitten and have turned to the Mole to do the honourable thing, which he has and covered off other parties debts. Negotiations to put new owners into Birmingham following Tony's retirement will be very delicate and I guess may need a substantial bond in the GRA's favour or indeed Tony's personal guarantee again (ouch!).