mikebv

1.1 billion of us fans now worldwide (allegedly), so there must be some even in such a far away place as Wuckintun...

I am sure many a Polish League manager, and team riders, have been filmed having a good laugh when getting beaten... And I am sure their fans would have keenly joined in with such hilarity... Or maybe not?

Well if you disagree, it's a good start. ..

Understand your points 100%... Given the number of riders needed, my own personal choice would be (temporarily), five man teams to deliver the highest standard attainable and also mean the talent pool is then stretched across as many tracks as possible. . I just think the time has come to be radical and almost 'start again'.. With three main reasons for this. . 1. The crowd level Speedway gets now is pretty much down to die hards only, and most of them have proved, particularly over the past five to ten years, that they will attend the sport whatever is put out in front of them... 2. There are literally tens of thousands of ex fans on the tracks' doorsteps around the country, who no longer attend regularly because they either became disillusioned with what was being presented to them, or the cost to attend frequently became prohibitive, or not seen as Value For Money. An admission cost that was wishfully based on paying rider salaries far in excess of what the crowd level could sustain, rather than reflecting what was on offer. Therefore a lesser standard should be reflected in lower admission costs.. And 3. There are literally millions of people who live within say an hour of tracks around the country who have zero idea of who any of the riders are, GP down to NL standard, so won't have any pre conceived ideas of the actual standard disparity, so would attend (if you could get them engaged), with a completely open mind.. Therefore surely it's about time to be radical and try something very different? Put out a heat structure that doesn't mean top riders race against NL riders, but instead delivers every heat where four riders of commensurate ability race against each other.. Heroes can be delivered at any level, meaning fans can develop an affinity towards them regardless of their standing in the 'world order' and more 'local derbies' against teams several clubs haven't raced against for several years (or maybe even ever?) can only stimulate interest surely? Interest that may lay dormant in many of the thousands who live in close proximity to the tracks and possibly spur them on to attend again? Speedway seems to try all sorts to generate 'new fans', when just getting half those who used to attend regularly, who have either left the sport completely, or now just visit infrequently, would make a huge difference to its success.. Maybe doing 'something different' whilst reducing costs, would see some of them return and kick start some momentum? One thing is for sure, doing the 'same old, same old' as has happened for so long, (and all crowd level evidence shows), definitely wont..

One league, but geographical, might be the boost the sport needs? Similar to American Football, you ride against those within your own conference twice home and away and once against teams from the other... Probably will need six or even five man teams and be ran at 'Championship Lite' level with maybe some form of rider control to ensure an even spread of the better riders, but could be worth it.. Eg 1. Prem HL 2. Champ HL/Prem 2nd String 3. Champ 2nd String/Prem Reserve 4. Champ Reserve/NL Heat Leader 5. NL Second String 6. NL Reserve Maybe grade these riders but have an overall mean team average to prevent teams getting the best rider in each grade through paying more? As said before, BV visiting Redcar, Berwick, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Scunthorpe and Newcastle can only be good for those clubs, and BV would also I am sure reap the benefits (even if just the once for novelty value) of a fair few away fans visiting the NSS.. Maybe Buxton and Stoke could pool resources and make a comeback at this level at Hi Edge given the local derbies? Poole would do the same as the Aces I am sure for the likes of for example, Plymouth, Somerset, Eastbourne and the IOW in the Southern part of the Country.. Play offs could then be ran within each conference before the winners of each go head to head in the Grand Final.. Market the sport as a fresh start, with a truly national competition, and see if more variety of clubs to visit/be visited by, would give it some positive fan growth momentum to be built on..

Think there is a natural change in the mentality of the Aussies who now ride in Poland every week from those who don't. . When they came over the UK was their 'bread and butter' and the only ticket in town for them to earn enough to stay being a pro rider.. Now, for several, Poland will be their priority given the potential earnings out there, even in the lower divisions.. And do well there, and the top league may come knocking moving you into the mega bucks league... Fair play to Doyle who still seems to treat the UK with the same focus as he does all his racing...

Because they want to give themselves every opportunity of guesting every week?

I've thought for quite a few seasons that the Aces should have 'dropped down'... Many of the Championship teams are northern based and many of the Aces riders over the past good few years have rode in the Championship anyway so it's not like there's any 'superstar' that will be missed that currently brings a crowd in.. Could have rode Fridays or Saturdays too... None of the league titles carry any real kudos anyway so you might as well ride in the one that gets you the most financial return.. More variety of teams visiting and, I would assume, lower rider costs.. I would think they would get 1400 or so every weekend no problem considering the good crowds they get at NL. With circa 1800-2000 at BH's.. And BV, with their history and standing in the sport, would be a crowd puller for the home teams they visit too meaning more fans visiting tracks.. Which can never be a bad thing..

To be fair. You get plenty of garbage matches in all sports.. I just think that we as fans want to be entertained possibly too much and are sometimes unrealistic.. Lots of Speedway fans are not that focused on their teams, but the sport itself, given the nonsense that goes on, and that might be why we often feel a bit deflated by what gets delivered.. Lots of Swindon fans will I am sure be content with the win and lots of Wolves fans will be disappointed with the defeat. And plenty of both will be disappointed with what they watched regardless of result.. It does though ultimately go back to running the showpiece events when the summer has ended. Keep doing this, (like will happen ad infinitum), and the defence of the poor racing and reduced crowds due to weather threat, becomes very weak, as basically it's (yet another), self inflicted wound..

Correct. . Played right into Wolves' hands now this.... They have to start favourites I would think... Their's to lose now.. Especially if the tide is in taking away the home teams advantage. . Oh, hang on... Sorry, just realised its not Poole they are against..... Come on Swindon fans, spend the next ten pages telling everyone how you really are the underdogs..

A strange idea... Must have a huge belief in Perks.. We will see if his belief is justified....

Dreadful... Any casual viewer must watch the GP's on a Saturday and wonder how exactly the same sport can be so different time and time again just a few days later virtually every week..

Isn't it policy that Bomber, Scott and Rory get first dibs on the guest slots?

Having done countless disciplinary hearings I have always found that there are usually THREE sides to every story... With my job trying to find the third one...

One league next year if Poole drop down? Wouldn't think TV would be too interested in a deal without the most successful modern day club.. Or maybe a top league of around 10, but heavily watered down to Championship level (at best), which maintains 'big hitters' like Poole? With a second tier of slightly higher than current NL level..? Good to see them seeking fans' feedback.. Be interesting to see the questions and the results...

Unfortunately running on the same night would need some riders to be in two places at once... At the meeting their own team is in, and the meeting that another team has borrowed them for.... Maybe though these two teams could get drawn to race against each other and certain riders then ride for both? The likes of Scott, Bomber and Rory could have a good week considering how many teams they represent over a season... They could get knocked out in the first round, and the second round, and then go on to be a runner up and a winner in the final.... Setting off for Poole in a minute, don't want to be at the back of the queue to get in.. Although I don't want to get there too early either... As I may end up riding for one of the teams.!!!

Does anyone (the Clerk of the Course?) have to keep an official log of these requests does anyone know? I am sure the EHO would be very interested in what dialogue took place previously should anything serious (or heaven forbid) tragic happen to a rider.. In my business I have to show plenty of due diligence when it comes to the welfare of staff and customers so I would imagine in a sport as dangerous as Speedway, this due diligence must be several times my requirements of running a store.. Who risks prosecution should they be found to be negligent in their undertakings? Today litigious society must focus the mind I would think on not taking any undue risks with the riders? Getting that fine line correct between a meeting being on, or not, must be a very difficult one on occasions for all concerned.. Damned if you do and damned if you don't I would imagine from a safety perspective, but I would think the entertainment factor also needs to have a very high priority when deciding whether to run or not..

But it happens every year doesn't it? What should be money spinners for successful teams become much diluted due to fans picking and choosing which 'Play off/Final' to attend.. Look how Workington suffered last year cramming in so many meetings.. Riding in October on the old machinery was also somewhat different too I would suggest, as the modern bike seems to struggle getting around heavy wet tracks much more than it's predecessors.. Other sports with different leagues run their finals seperately to ensure all get a good level of media coverage without anything to take away the limelight.. Whereas Speedway seem to have all three divisions ending at the same time.. And as Speedway shares competitors, unlike the other sports, it makes it even more ridiculous I would suggest to try and cram them all in if you want to maintain some credibility and avoid inevitable guestfests as the 'one size fits all' deadline day looms..

I don't think that this is as prevalent in Speedway (UK) as it is in other sports. I think most fans realise (given the way that they are ran) that the competitions are very much secondary to the entertainment that's delivered on track.. Most fans would, I suggest, take a great meeting, and a defeat, over a win delivered via extremely poor racing, ten seconds slower than normal.. I think the majority of fans are now very much "Speedway First" and "Team Second" in their list of priorities such is the way that emotional attachment has been eroded over the years due to the often contrived way the comps are ran.. I think promoters need to respect those views and keep these people loyal as lose these die hards and the sport is really on it's backside..

Sadly it does itself few favours this sport does it? A whole seasons work from the riders.. And a whole seasons support from the fans.. All treated with complete disregard and disrespect, just to deliver a deadline.. A deadline that could, and should, be moved to much earlier in the year given how many weeks no Speedway takes place, which would then provide plenty of reserved nights for rain offs/fixture clashes etc.. Thus giving the showpiece events (and the riders) the platform they deserve.. When those who run the sport treat their showpiece events so poorly, then why really should the fans bother? Rinse and repeat again next season too no doubt..

A 'summer sport' that depends on the weather so much to deliver a crowd, runs well into Autumn..! The League and play offs could easily be done by September 1st.. Maybe then the KO Cup could take place, as well as maybe a one day four team tournament, and a best pairs to bring an end of season finale?. All ran in the months of September and October if there is a fanbase for it? It's crackers to have so many gaps between meetings when the weather is at its best, so if you insist on running it like this then have the gaps on the colder evenings...

Now Poland and the GP's are done and dusted why not run the Playoffs on Sunday's? 5pm ish start would deliver a meeting under lights and bigger crowds I would think.. Oe even, if you can, run your home leg on a Saturday evening..

That's what I meant...

A worthy winner as all are when you win a season long Championship. . Fair play to Madsen, gave it a real go but I suspect maybe he just rides so much better under no pressure so something for him to work on for next year.. Truly an outstanding first go at it though and next year I am sure he won't have such a mid season dip if he finds himself leading... Yet again another very good GP.... Amazing how good the calibre of rider is at this level.. Roll on 2020... (Let's have one at the NSS)...

It would take some leg work but you could pretty much bench mark every rider in the world against their peers.. Maybe therefore they should be graded similar to the way Stock Cars do? There are that many variables due to the various leagues they race in that there will always be an anomaly or two if we go down to the 'nth' degree decimal point, yet most fans could link riders of similar ability just by watching them ride frequently, so use the average's they get as a starting point to determine their grade. A three person committee (independent) could decide on any borderline decisions...