mikebv

Not at all... Unless it is allowed to by an operating model bordering on insanity. (That word again)... Nature and Economics both have a way of naturally culling populations and businesses whose numbers are too great and pose a threat to their very existence if not checked... Speedway needs to have a strong top league, ran with credibility and integrity, to attract crowds... Do that and it gives itself at least a chance of a greater amount of sponsors, and that so important national mainstream media coverage... With that sponsorship and media coverage will then grow more awareness, and ultimately, more fans.. A virtuous circle having been completed... In football for example, the EFL lives off the coat tails of the Premier League... The huge focus on the PL naturally permeates down to the secondary competitions and they then can exist positively in some of this reflective focus.. If the PL allowed guests/ringers, and allowed competitors to appear each week for any amount of teams, and then allowed them to have more than one contracted club, it would be (quite rightly) regarded as being contrived and Mickey Mouse... And I can guarantee, enjoy nowhere near the same level of financial rewards or coverage it has today.. With the lower leagues enjoying nowhere near the same reflective spin offs it currently has.. In short, the overall entity of Football has become a 'behemoth' in England, but if ran like British Speedway, it would not be anywhere near the size it has evolved into... In Speedway the Premiership should be clearly seen as the 'alpha league', the pinnacle for every team to aspire to be in.... Therefore. Get this league right, run it properly, and put all the resource you can in pushing it out to the public, many of whom are currently oblivious to its existence.. Speedway will never evolve, grow and get stronger when riders can ride for teams in various divisions as there is simply no aspiration to get to the top. Which means the top league will never be a true pinnacle.. As an example. Craig Cook this year has rode for Glasgow and Belle Vue, therefore what is Glasgows motivation for moving up? They already have a top ten Premiership rider riding for them in the 2nd Divison so why bother moving out of this league? And for Craig himself, where is his 'growth' going to come from? He will never evolve as a rider by dropping down a level to take on lesser opponents. He has been there and done that so at best will stagnate.. No criticism intended of Craig Cook by the way, as I feel the more riders with Craig's commitment and attitude to British Speedway the better the sport will be. However he should be evolving as a rider not stagnating, or even regressing.. Get the top league ran with credibility and integrity to the best level the teams in at can afford and push this to the awaiting populous.. Give any marketing budget and media focus to these teams in this league and let them be the standard bearers for all other tracks to aspire to.. Then develop clear opportunity for promotion to this league, and through all leagues, so clubs of all levels can show the required ambition to individually better themselves through natural evolutionary growth.. Or, at least be able to participate at their natural level of capability.. Simply. Without evolutionary growth, the Sport can, and will, never move forward.. Without aspirational opportunity, no evolutionary growth can even take place and you will stagnate.. And if you stagnate, eventually you will wither and die..

But I bet they still will use guests...

I admire your optimism.. We will still be running finals on cold, dark rainy nights in October...

Charles Darwin had a theory.. For a species or entity to evolve and keep in existence, it is reliant on that species or entity to continually get stronger and develop itself to help prevent its removal from the face of the earth.. To that end, he decided it was the 'Survival of the Fittest' that would lead that species or entity to grow. With the thought process being that the strength of its 'alpha example' would lead the overall continued evolution and growth of the whole species or entity.. Another eminent Scientist, Albert Einstein, suggested that doing the same thing over and over again and each time expecting a different result was actually a sign of insanity... Both Darwin and Einstein have become revered by millions the world over through their work with their thoughts and findings influencing decision making and positively impacting billions of lives on a daily basis.. However.... British Speedway has a 'better idea' than the ones those two managed to come up with... 'Survival Of The Weakest' and 'There Is No Alternative' being what would appear to be its chief observations and belief.... If I am honest though, I am not entirely convinced Messrs Chapman and Godfrey, (and indeed the many others in charge over the past 20 years or so), will be held up in years to come with quite the same level of esteem and reverence for their ideas that 'Charlie and Bert' have received for theirs.... Maybe 'Quality not Quantity' could be a suggestion they may think about taking on board, as possibly could be 'Less is More'...?

Tai seems to have some momentum gathering with the Beeb. Maybe the start of a larger relationship with them and more coverage to come?

Need to get Tai on 'Strictly' or 'I'm a Celebrity'... And as IACGMOOH is set in Australia he won't have far to go to get there either... Buddum Tish... Seriously though Tai ticks so many boxes from a demographic marketing potential.... Its just a shame British Speedway cannot raise its level to meet his....

Read it a while back.. Some very astute observations as you say... All though, (as per all previous astute observations made), will be totally ignored... For me, the only chance the Sport has is to collectively market itself... Stop spending thousands individually on riders whom the local populous have never heard of, and therefore have no wish to see ride, for a Speedway Team they don't know actually exists... Instead, spend thousands nationally with a marketing company who may be able to make riders better known and, if nothing else, make the Teams and Sport better known within its own locale... The NSS, for example, delivers great Speedway racing... However many of the population even within a one mile radius of it, have never heard of the Belle Vue Aces, and have never heard of Speedway.. This I am sure can be said for the vast majority of tracks around the Country (the lack of awareness rather then the great Speedway possibly?!)... Bottom line is.... If no one knows about you, no one will visit you... And if that stays the case then you can have Tai, Emil, Bartosz and Majic lining up at the tapes.. The stadium will remain no where near full enough to pay for them..

I take it you must have read a leaked copy of some far reaching, root and branch investigation in to the future of the Sport RD? No? My apologies... I just presumed you were quoting its final recommendation!!!

As you say Scunthorpe could have run with a half a team of NL riders.... Or they could have scoured Europe for replacements if not enough available in the UK.. Or they could have pulled out of the League... And if they did that they would have at least freed up their non injured riders to replace other injured riders in other teams.. Bottom line is... Maintaining guests = Maintaining zero credibility.. Maintaining zero credibility = Maintaining almost zero mainstream media interest.. Maintaining almost zero mainstream media interest = Maintaining low crowds due to the lack of the publics awareness of it.. Maintaining low crowds due to the lack of the publics awareness of it = Maintaining zero interest in sponsoring it from large national companies.. Other sports have injuries to competitors, often several competitors from the same team. And they have to carry on.... Speedway cannot use 'ahh but this is speedway' as its catch all bollocks, get out of jail card.. If there are too many teams and not enough riders then completely change the dynamic.. Put simply, dont keep on using the same failed operating model over and over again.... As guess what? It doesn't work!

Ironically on this occasion ALL of them will be guests... I take it all are available for this? Any of them due on another pre planned break at the same time elsewhere in the World?... If they did need to invite replacements, would their luggage need to weigh less than the rider they are replacing or as it will be a big plane can they carry an extra 5% more.? I'll get me coat..

Followers of any Sport can never complain about a lack of mainstream media coverage when that Sport they follow allows 'horses for courses' ringers to be brought in.. It simply isn't (and can never be) a true sporting contest when teams are contrived and cobbled together, and farcically often done so using competitors who are competing for the same prize.. And there is no way the guest system can be used without the accusations of manipulation.. There is zero chance of any blue chip sponsors getting involved either.. Imagine one of them sponsoring this year's play off final and getting the decision to allow Adam Ellis to ride for both teams explained to them? And then later getting told that instead of that ludicrous situation now being allowed, two Swindon team mates will go head to head instead representing both clubs... This would be a major company who will be having its name associated with such brand damaging carnage... If theres not enough riders then reduce the number of teams... Or keep the same number of teams and reduce the number of team places per team.. Either way, you need to have supply exceeding demand to ensure replacements are available, just like in other Sports, (they have injuries too amazingly!).. Maybe the top league could be ran 'properly' with any replacements needed coming from the lower league? With the caveat being that once a rider rides for a top league team he cannot ride for any other that season and can only represent that team again if needed.. And on that basis put all the focus on the top league, and try selling it as a bona fide Sporting Championship with the aim to gain media coverage and sponsorship which could have a reflective positive fall out to the other leagues...

If you cannot run it properly as a Team Sport then don't... You will never be a success...

Selling any Speedway track as a going concern will be like selling a shop currently sat in any one of hundreds of dilapidated high streets, precincts and parades around the country... You will be selling that business surrounded by dusty window fronted shops displaying signs saying 'closed', 'for rent' or 'for sale'.. With several more, who are still open, displaying 'everything must go' and 'closing down' signs. With the actual building itself, in line with virtually every other building adjacent, having an interior and exterior that's hardly changed in the past fifty years.. And if you do consider purchasing the business, your planned opening hours, a fundamental part of your business plan, have to be agreed to by the businesses adjacent and by your employees who will tell you when they are available... Hardly going to inspire you to invest in a location or business like that is it..?

Correct... No point in buying into a business where all the businesses around you are closing down.. Retail businesses often close due to foot fall dropping due to other outlets adjacent going bust... Put Simply, Team Speedway needs teams (and a wide variety to maintain interest)... The Sport desperately needs a clear direction and an injection of radical ideas... With I would suggest a collective 'Brand Speedway' marketing plan... Instead of individually paying thousands out each week to riders who put hardly a bottom on a seat, pay a marketing company to achieve exactly that.. Work together and not against each other... It might already be too late but has to be worth a go..

Spot on... British Superbikes and World Superbikes both have successful operating models with differing rules and regs... And from time to time they even 'share riders'... The same sport, with two differing levels... Both successful because the smaller of the two doesn't try and compete with the larger one. It just runs its own operating model with a fixture list driven only by their agenda, with no constantly adhoc moving meetings around to appease others. Lesser riders in overall standard maybe but with many of them being of a similar level it provides great racing and therefore entertainment.. British Speedway should model itself to become the Speedway equivalent of the BSB.... And let Poland and Sweden together be the WSB equivalent.. British Speedway cannot compete, so why bother trying? Plough its own furrow and at least stand or fall by controlling its own destiny.. At the moment it is sinking and often it's due to the appeasement of the other more powerful leagues, which means fixture lists get compiled to suit riders and foreign clubs, rather than being planned in for nights when you can generate your best crowds.. When tracks inevitably face closure in Britain by using such a ludicrous business plan, will these foreign leagues offer financial assistance to save them in thanks for all the forelock tugging appeasement shown by the teams over here? I think I know the answer..

Fans' leverage? Stop going... You could argue that tens of thousands may have already stopped and nothing has changed....? But it's different now.. Whilst fans left in their droves, Promoters didnt listen, because quality could be cut to reduce costs, and inflation busting price rises were being accepted by those left who still attended. Attending in 'just enough' numbers.. Now, those numbers are no longer 'just enough'... Now, the quality cannot be cut much further... And now, inflation busting price rises will take the cost of entry to ridiculous levels for what is actually on show... It really is at its 'tipping point'... Fans by their attendance are endorsing what they are watching and giving Promoters the green light to keep doing more of the same.. Fans by their attendance are colluding with Promoters that the competition they are watching is a credible one.. And fans by their attendance are getting the sport their endorsement and collusion deserve so shouldn't moan about it.. Customers are a very powerful group in business. Maybe it's time for speedways customers to harness that power and use it for positive change?

The most disappointing thing Arthur is I think hardly anyone is jealous.. If your team win a national competition you should be delighted... If your team fail to win a national competition you should be disappointed... Sadly winning a national speedway competition in Britain brings very little positive or negative reaction as deep down us fans know it's just far too contrived and Mickey Mouse ran to be taken seriously... 'Everyone is apathetic, get over it, Poole Pirates the 2018 Premier League Champions' may have been a more accurate comment...

Well, glad that's over.. Well done Poole, a nation rejoices... I am sure lots of coverage in the Daily's tomorrow and on the National news bulletins, given the amount of kudos gained from becoming a British Speedway Team Champion..... It must be soon time to start the 'Most important AGM ever, ever, ever" thread surely?

Well, not long to wait now, just around an hour or so to tapes up... Any last minute changes to the teams? Woffy not been drafted in for either of them? Or Zmarzlik maybe? No? No last gasp rule changes which will allow any other random riders currently within an hours drive to KL to join in the fun? Come on BSPA, this is British Speedway, let's have one of those good old fashioned bits of nonsense before the season ends.. Its a long time till March before you get another chance to do it.... Come on... You know you want to...

I admire your optimism that it has a future.... Isn't one of the central characters in this farce the same person who rode into his position on a white charger telling everyone that it was time to being integrity and credibility to the domestic scene? I've not heard how that went, presume its all gone very well?

Phil, it isn't common sense... Common sense would be both teams running with RR.. It is a Grand Final of the showpiece domestic competition in Britain, and has two riders who are team mates from a team that had competed in the same competition but were not good enough to reach the Final, and has them both now riding in direct opposition to each other... Which is a farce any way up anyone tries to dress it... But granted marginally better than the alternative plan (which must have been rendered initially perfectly acceptable by the MC don't forget to get it announced).. As fans when we tolerate such nonsense we really do get the sport we deserve... Which is exactly the reason we have what we have today... Decades of colluding with Promoters and pretending 'this is real' has led a phenomenally exciting sport to become nothing more than a Mickey Mouse minority sport which deservedly, at British Team Speedway level, gets about as much mainstream media coverage and respect as 'synchronised bog snorkelling' or 'clay pigeon shooting for the blind' would.. Having a ridiculously sh1te idea (but a bit less ridiculously sh1te than the one they thought of before). Is truly no measure of success...

Excellent post.. Speedway in Britain doesn't have 'proper competitions' due to its nonsense system anyway so losing in one of the 'competitions' shouldn't be seen as any disaster.... Similar to winning any of them doesn't bring any great glory... Remember, the authorities think 'credibility' is to have two Swindon riders in opposition in a Grand Final featuring Poole and Kings Lynn... And that is because it was seen as better than the original plan. A plan devised, within the rules, by those who run the Sport.... Lets just reflect on that for a moment and be honest to ourselves.. Winning such a competition that allows such nonsense has no kudos does it really?

Mickey now booked in to appear in Denmark on Wednesday... Donald Duck is guesting.... The Final therefore truly will be Donald Ducked...

Thank goodness it's deemed completely credible to watch two Swindon riders racing against each other, after spending all season long riding as Swindon team mates, who will now try and win titles for two teams, neither of which are Swindon... Phew... Well done the BSPA... Could have been a tad embarrassing if they hadn't sorted it so well...

Sweden and Poland have the same issue.. But they handle it very, very differently.. Hence their respective Championships carry kudos, gravitas and credibility.. With the subsequent crowd levels, national media interest and blue chip company sponsorship..