mikebv

One of the major issues for the sport (in this country) to overcome is "What actually is it?".. Shoe horning an individual sport into a team concept works only if those individuals are 'exclusive' to one team in each league. Eg Poland, Sweden.. Unfortunately what they do over here means that all sort of nonsense takes place to make up teams just to get a match on. Resulting in zero credibility or actual meaning. This then pushes away even the most committed fans over time who become disillusioned with it. (As let's be honest, if its meaningless why attend?) With, (the very best you can hope for, if these fans dont completely disengage), is the only occasional visit replacing their past regular attendance.. Leaving just those who "buy the team jackets" and accept what they get without comment, alongside those who just go along to watch "the racing", but have no emotional attachment... And unfortunately that will never be enough people to fund 7 Professionals all wanting plenty of money to pay for expensive equipment, (and often wanting twelve months salary for six months work).. 60 races worth of points money wont get covered by current crowd levels at too many tracks currently I would think. Bottom line, is Speedway needs to decide what it is.. A team sport. (And if so do it properly or not at all).. Or an individual sport that becomes a 'travelling circus' akin to BSB where the best we have to offer over here (with meetings ran for all riders of differing abilities, but each meeting only having riders of similar ability), racing against each other at tracks around the country.. Either way, the sport needs a proper competition, properly promoted and properly marketed...

To be fair, I do get the 'Poole outlook'.. I am old enough to remember when United got relegated in 1974 and going to away grounds in the 2nd Division the following year with sometimes over 25,000 other United fans and completely taking over grounds, towns and cities.. We just expected to win because of who we were.. That year, fortunately, we did win more than lose and went back up... I would imagine with Poole being the "Manchester United of Speedway" some of their fans will feel a sense of entitlement bordering on arrogance, however, regularly winning things can, and does, lead to that... Like having United in the 2nd tier that year. Having Poole in the 2nd Division can only be good business for the clubs they visit I would say.. (Except of course Poole fans wont run quite as amok at the stadiums as several thousand Reds did in those days).. Hope the weather plays nice today and Newcastle get 1000 or even more in attendance...

The long range forecast for October looks pretty poor.. (Not actually looked but probably is as it is October after all).... Therefore probably best to call off every October match now... Just in case.... Save travelling costs for the fans and rent payments to stadium owners, as well as travelling expenses for riders.. To be honest, next April isn't looking too clever either... (Probably)....

During Lockdown I watched plenty of old Berwick matches on YT and Complin and Makovsky certainly stood out.. So much so I wondered why there was talk of improving the track.. They certainly seemed to have little issue passing opponents..

But apart from all those who have already done it?

Some race Artem... Well done... Keeps things interesting.. Not just a gater then?

To be fair.. It is UK Speedway.. Hardly surprising is it? I am to be honest, given the clear track record and history, surprised anyone would plan in anything around the UK fixtures given so much can change at a moments notice.. Its brave people who do..

Fireman Phil... I believe that is his nickname..

I bet Woofy never has a go at his mechanic like Lambert did..

Dont think I have seen that before.. Fair play though to the ref... Freddie goes "too far" too many times..

I think the "local derby" angle and the s**t that Brum are in has superseded all other considerations.. Two meetings with (hopefully) decent crowds on the bounce may just mean they can keep going.. Not ideal obviously for those planning their Speedway watching in advance...

Fair play to the Brum promotion team.. Some 'nice' extras advertised.. It shows how easy it is to do something different without having to break the bank to do so.. Let's hope they can get the message out wider than just to those who would be there already.. Hope it goes well..

Very delicate I believe these days after those horrific injuries to them...

The affordable 'de facto' standard that it would appear all clubs could race at in the UK without the threat of closure... Or maybe one level up could be affordable? Championship Lite/NL plus?

There was a "push" several years ago with the BSPA (as they were at the time), getting the message out that you could earn "£3k to £4k a week" at the top level in the UK.... Didn't seem to inspire too many to come over it seems, but I do remember Craig Cook and (I think) Dan Bewley both being MX's initially in their youth...

Seem to remember he did like the grass.....

Good to see that the extra meeting that Troy had shows that all his issues were down to his lack of rides....

Great to see track covers in use again.. So many meetings get called off prior to race night (now seemingly days in advance), yet the night itself could have easily seen the meeting take place...

Promoters have to stop fantasising that their competitions mean anything and stop trying to put one of over each other, whilst spending ridiculous money collectively to do it.. Ultimately, completely and utterly wasted money.. Many fans dont take it seriously so they need to have the same attitude and work together to just put out Speedway that delivers four riders of reasonably equal ability in each race at a price point that enough fans see as value for money, on nights (or days) that the fans want to attend on.. Riders need to understand that the days of being a Speedway rider and retiring with plenty of money in the bank are long gone (in the UK), and expecting to earn a (good) 12 months salary in six months is becoming (if not already become) a pipe dream.. Whether the change required sits within a team concept or not is debateable however they certainly need to change something/lots of things before it becomes well past its fast closing tipping point....

Zmarzlik himself won one, unsurprisingly, and Mark Loram also did (I think).. Martin Dugard won one at Cov...

Give the young man the title now.. There is his level then the level of five or six others.. Not the greatest GP by any stretch but still worth a couple of hours watch..

Unless he's left handed... Its 'Saturday Rules' that apply...

Imagine taking this business plan to the Dragons Den? If they still weren't biting you could add in that you will plan your opening hours around when your employees can fit you in to come and work for you, rather than when your customers want you to open.. Can't understand why all four wouldnt be crawling over themselves to throw money at you...

I do truly believe your last sentence is 100% spot on.... Amazingly I still think they see the sport they run as some way "relevant" and "meaningful" and that the Speedway starved fans would simply just have rocked up in their 1000's post lockdown.. I can only presume they dont understand how little engagement fans truly have in the leagues they run given the lack of credibility and kudos of competing in, or even winning, any of them... The day they do realise this may never dawn on them obviously, but it surely has to at some stage soon... If it never does then you have to fear for the future of the sport in the UK dont you?..

And keep getting added too....