Hawk127

If you believe all the gloom and doom about various clubs and the tales of woe, what is the betting likely to be on the following happening in 2017 No Coventry or Swindon - Tracks closed Leicester taken over by one of the promoters who currently run one of the above mentioned clubs and change the race night to Thursday/Friday Ipswich return to the Elite League and pick up riders from Swindon & Coventry Scunthorpe and Redcar go NL due to costs and lack of PL riders and end up in the play offs. Wales and Cornwall both get a new track/club All Elite clubs run a NL to fill in the gaps in the fixture list and give some continuity to weekly speedway Season to run from April to September - Pre and post this clubs can be allowed to run any number/type of individual meetings with whoever the like Return of Test Match series against Australia or Sweden or Denmark in Elite League Test matches in the PL against Germany and Czech Republic and Easter European Select team NL series against the USA or Benelux Select All riders of UK birth only to compete in National Championship over 12 rounds with four rounds being held at a track in each of the EL, PL and NL culminating in the highest scorers competing in a final in Manchester. The riders do not necessarily have to be riding for a UK team to compete. Entrance fees across the board reduced to £10.00 adults £5.00 for Children under 18 and OAPS. Family tickets for two adults and two children £25.00 BSPA to sell books of tickets and fans can use them at any track they like Odds on each one happening??? Pretty long I guess. Only trying to lighten the gloom and have some fun. It is not a slight on any club but some of this might just be the way things end up.

It looks like The Mary Celeste at Arena Essex. Has anyone other than the track staff turned up This surely a poor advert for the sport. Why don't Sky just show highlights and do a weekly summary programme rather than the live event ITV knew this was wrong so many years ago and nothing has changed. A real shame that it has come down to one man and his dog plus the two commentators

What I find difficult to understand from some of the comments I s that the riders have to start somewhere. All those fathers who stand on the touchline and watch the son play football in some meaningless game, what is the difference between that and watching new riders develop. The youngsters need encouragement and having a few genuine supporters watch them go through the paces has to be good for their morale. All the riders have to start somewhere and learn their track craft. It is not 'rose tinted nostalgia' The second half was often a continuation of the 'needle' factor amongst certain riders. When people refer back to how good it use to be, the riding may have been the same but at least you could support a team of riders who basically were your team year on year whereas today it is a lottery. It included those at 6 and 7 who were often less than capable but they developed because of the experience. Today it is essentially a bunch of individuals wearing 1 to 7 but team riding, working the fans and putting themselves out for the team simply does not happen and team riding is a lost skill amongst the gate and go merchants. Everyone who rides deserves support and staying on for effectively another 10 minutes or racing is not that much of an hardship. I guess it comes down to do you support and watch speedway or are you simply a team supporter and not a speedway supporter/enthusiast.

Would Ipswich be better running NL with the gaps filled by 'open meetings' and getting sponsors for top class riders to attend. In other words plan the meetings around quality rider availability and get good sponsors to support these individual meetings with good prize money to make it tempting enough to get the NP's of this world to cross the Norh Sea. Maybe better to have regular speedway rather than eratic meetings where you simply no longer get your weekly fix. It has to be worth trying something different rather then let it die a lingering death as appears to be the case. Perhaps the current promoters have given up, otherwise why no drastic changes to save the good name of the Witches. So sad the way it is going.

I think in the 70,s and early 80's it was the promotors who were the real characters as they knew how to put on a show and I can recall vividly the wind ups between Uncle Len at Rayleigh, Dave Lanning of Eastbourne over the use of fuel additives, Johnnie Hoskins and again Uncle Len going toe to toe and then when Ipswich came calling at Rayleigh the banter than went on with fans and the promoters. All good harmless fun added to which you had the villains on two wheels, Ted Hubbard, Brian Foote, Arthur Price, Jack Milne etc. And then you had the good guys Geoff Maloney, Trevor Barnwell, the Kennett brothers, Dougie Templeton, Hughie Saunders, Dingle Brown Terry Stone etc and so many more. Ivan Miller the grass track rider who took up speedway and whooped Arthur Price several times in one home match against Boston. Poor Scunthorpe being lent Red Ott from Rayleigh who scored 10 Of the their 19 points. All good memories and it was a joint effort with riders and promoters plus local derbies which mad such a difference. Whether regionalisation could recreate the the 'needle' factor and more teams keeping a settled 1 to 7 from one season to the next would make any difference but I guess we will never know. Team riding rarely takes place and it has become more like drag racing then a competitive team sport. I guess it is what it is but I wonder how many of the current crop of riders and promotors have the sort of charisma and will be remembered in 40 years time. As some have already said, it has to move on but perhaps by adopting some parts of what once worked might not be that bad a thing to do if it turns the fortunes of what is basically a simple fast and exciting sport in the right hands on the right tracks on the right days

I thought it was just me but some of the feedback would suggest otherwise. Now before anyone lambasts me about the good old days, yes I did use to visit Rayleigh, Hackney and Crayford in the same week, three decent meetings per week all of which were one hour maximum drive and from what I can recall good crowds because they were 'local' teams. Even Ipswich, Canterbury, Eastbourne and Peterborough were within reasonable distance and you had good travelling support. If the sport is to survive within a reasonable budget then regionalisation and not inviting the top riders is the answer. Year end British domination would be North versus South but good competitive racing and British pride as opposed to gate and go merchants who cream off the income simply to.balance over stretched books is not the way forward Allow doubling up, give decent tracks that allow good competitive racing and start treating the paying punter with some respect might be a start. Thanks to all who have given some feedback, it's much appreciated and I feel a lot less guilty but I really do hope that someone is brave enough to take on the authority and tell them as it is. I think this topic is now exhausted, time to call a halt Onwards and upwards.

I use to be a regular attendee from the late 60's until around 2012 and the four main tracks were Rayleigh, Rye House, Arena Essex and from the early 90's Ipswich plus Mildenhall. It all became a bit run of the mill and for me the real entertainment when the likes of Mark Loram were lost to the sport. The enthusiasm went therefore it was just Sky sports a more latterly Eurosport were the one way that one could get some sort of speedway fix. Then those in the know sold out the so called Jewel in the crown to BT and with the cost of Sky Sports beyond a joke, the only affordable access for many is the highlight on Eurosport plus the pairs meeting. Given the way things have gone is it any wonder that many people like myself are almost lost to the sport. The live version may be ok up to a point but is it real entertainment and value for money. Sky repeats of Elite league meetings (even on catch up is poor) and BT is not good value hence a very disillusioned former advocat has all but given up on what could be an exciting form of two wheeled sport. Rain offs, poor presentation, the failure to have track covers after far too many years, the GP taking precedent and Mainland europe offering attractive options for riders compared to racing in the UK plus fans with limited budgets who simply do not follow their team away from home, Is it any wonder it has sunk as low as it seems to have reached Are those in charge seem so far removed from what the paying punter would like to see? Are they hell bent on making it even more of a minority sport? Is it any wonder that the open spaces on the terraces continue to increase. Will it become an amateur sport and just a few surviving tracks offering the equivalent of NL racing which in itself is very good as the lads that are riding seem to want to race, not simply go through the motions. What is the future and can new fans be found and old ones enticed back. I know that no one in authority really listens to the fans/supporters but is it a case that the new breed of promoter have lost their way and as a business case financially it no longer stacks up. A shame that a once great sport has reached such a low. Anyone else feel the same?

I use to be a regular attendee from the late 60's until around 2012 and the four main tracks were Rayleigh, Rye House, Arena Essex and from the early 90's Ipswich plus Mildenhall. It all became a bit run of the mill and for me the real entertainment when the likes of Mark Loram were lost to the sport. The enthusiasm went therefore it was just Sky sports a more latterly Eurosport were the one way that one could get some sort of speedway fix. Then those in the know sold out the so called Jewel in the crown to BT and with the cost of Sky Sports beyond a joke, the only affordable access for many is the highlight on Eurosport plus the pairs meeting. Given the way things have gone is it any wonder that many people like myself are almost lost to the sport. The live version may be ok up to a point but is it real entertainment and value for money. Sky repeats of Elite league meetings (even on catch up is poor) and BT is not good value hence a very disillusioned former advocat has all but given up on what could be an exciting form of two wheeled sport. Rain offs, poor presentation, the failure to have track covers after far too many years, the GP taking precedent and Mainland europe offering attractive options for riders compared to racing in the UK plus fans with limited budgets who simply do not follow their team away from home, Is it any wonder it has sunk as low as it seems to have reached Are those in charge seem so far removed from what the paying punter would like to see? Are they hell bent on making it even more of a minority sport? Is it any wonder that the open spaces on the terraces continue to increase. Will it become an amateur sport and just a few surviving tracks offering the equivalent of NL racing which in itself is very good as the lads that are riding seem to want to race, not simply go through the motions. What is the future and can new fans be found and old ones enticed back. I know that no one in authority really listens to the fans/supporters but is it a case that the new breed of promoter have lost their way and as a business case financially it no longer stacks up. A shame that a once great sport has reached such a low. Anyone else feel the same?

I have not read through all the posts but perhaps all the clubs could have a trial run in August where they charge £10 per adult and Children up to the age of 16 £1.00 and instead of a programme a score sheet for 50p and try and run meetings swiftly where as soon as a race finishes, the riders for the next race are ready to come onto the track. Have a 15 minute interval after heat 10 followed by four heats of 125/250 c c riders and then the grand finale of four heats followed by a public vote for the riders in heat 15. A bit different but something needs to change or it will be amateur speedway in years to come. Try and avoid the Polish aspect of fast bikes at all cots to win races and aim to bring skill and entertainment back into the equation as well as making it fun to watch. One can but hope.

The time taken to complete four heats is not a good advert for the sport irrespective of the reasons and is probably why live speedway is not a good idea. Highlights is probably a better option and a slicker presentation might encourage some new supporters. No criticism intended on the riders etc but just an observation. Now a further delay for tape breaking. Oh well back to the Eurosport highlights.

It is actually creditors not debtors. Debtors owe the company money whereas creditors are those owed money by the company. For example a rider is a creditor.Notwithstanding, good luck to all who are trying to save the team and hopefully it will not be long before the Devil's are racing again.

And Frank was competing for the best on track doughnut Whatever way it is written or spelt, it tasted ok

I meant reaching the final. Sorry not clear and yep the Gluwein warmed you up a treat

As someone else has said 74m reasons to leave. It's called Turkey and not a Turkish rider in sight. Apart from scare mongering by the French and Germans open door policy (they need the migrants because of an ageing population plus a skill shortage) we could just as easily sell more to emerging markets such as The Far East and Africa where the young and wealthy have the money to spend. Who needs a crocked currency and a club whose members are contantly at odds. Work with those where the sun always shines and never a rained off meeting and no more Poles dictating the schedules. A winning option if ever I saw one!!!!!!!

Frank Zorn just missed out on final and if I am not mistaken he is a sort of adopted German son. Good meeting today despite the awful weather. Gluwein also very good!!!

Yes I will be in Berlin. Is Saturday two meetings as last year or just the one?

Can anyone help? Ahead of the Berlin meetings in March does anyone know the time of the meeting on Thursday and the time of practice on Friday? Are spectators allowed to watch the practice? Is it just one meeting on Saturday or as last year, two meetings? Only asking as I may change my flights if it is worthwhile.

I wonder if a weekly round up programme with selective races and interviews rather than a live stream or televised match might attract some to go along to the tracks. Some have said the 'live' product on TV can put people off because of the time it takes to run a meeting and you also get to see the down side of attending with nothing going on between the races. It could be much slicker if for example the riders for the next race were ready to go on to the track as soon as the last rider from the previous race leaves the track (a bit like ice speedway). The casual armchair viewer must wonder why it takes over two hours to run 15 heats and this may put a lot of people off particularly when you take all the costs of going to a meeting. I don't think the current live coverage shows the sport in the best light and it would be interesting to know just how many viewers record the meetings a just watch the racing. I know many who do this which makes you think that the highlights might be a better option

Sorry I meant to say you can buy them on the day and I would go for the main stand or the first \ second bend, not the back straight. Getting to the stadium is straight forward with the station close by. If looking for somewhere to stay Charlottenburg or sauvigny platz are not bad. Hope this helps.

You could try www.etix.com/ticket/Horst-Dohm-eisstadion. I believe that you can buy tickets on both days as I did this year. If you go to the stadium web site it will also give you a plan. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the link Iris 123. Racing is not bad but agree about the dancing but still a lot better than watching the usual Christmas tv repeats. If only itv came up with a celebrity riding on ice

Any mileage in trying to get Tai's achievements recognised in the Queens birthday honours (a bit late for the New Year) given what he has done for charity as well as within the sport?

Saw Franky Zorn ride in Berlin earlier this year and his full throttle all action style was a sight to behold. A real racer with no fear and looking forward to seeing his exploits this coming season and if he can carry on the form then the Russians have a real challenger for the world and team title. Anyone who has never been try Berlin in March 2016, you will not be disappointed

Brian Foote and Ted Hubbard. Two of the finest hard riding characters alongside the Kennett brothers and Arthur Price, a Boston legend who got whooped by Ivan Miller at Rayleigh, a race i still remember some forty odd years later. Today very few if any that hold stick to these guys

Some incredible guys here and I thought I had seen the best in the fasting gating legend that was Peter Moore riding for Rayleigh and watching him line up alongside the young guys locally and quote memorably at Canterbury. You have to admire thes guys and respect them. I salute them.