Ray Stadia

I didn't know Vatcher was still involved in speedway! 🙄

On that basis, why is it still a team sport/activity? 🤔

Would riders today, agree to ride in those conditions?

Oh yes! I had forgotten that you were exiled to Beddington Loch/Lock for a few years (I think that was the name), before returning to your spirital home!

They have had their wobbly moments over the years!

I think that is it, we all give up! Speedway has had its head in the sand for many years. I love (or loved speedway), but I do feel the game is up, in its current guise, here in the UK.

Ok, but people on here keep saying they owe HMRC tax, maybe they do, maybe they don't. For sure, HMRC have no idea. If it is as you say, the company is insolvent, the creditors will be looking for some kind of recovery.

As I recall, the previous promoter of Workington, was an accountant and sadly, the lady couldn't square the circle. Maybe, it is a reality check that team speedway is not viable in Workington, with all the operating costs, in particular, riders demands!

Sure, but the point is, HMRC can not say a company owes X, if they do not know the company's financial affairs. They can issue fines, but that is it!

If there hasn't been any accounts filed, HMRC won't know what is owed, if anything! As someone else said, maybe VAT, which I suppose, could be the issue?

Speedway should have got its act together years ago, especially for the professional side of the sport. The clubs, themselves, supply the bikes on the day, all to a set standard, so no one could complain they got a duff bike. It would take away the 'he's only good because he spends £X on specialist tuning'. All too late now. It has been discussed before and of course, many have views why it wouldn't work. But, the current model/set-up, definitely isn't working. I can't see how the sport can be attractive to a rider in this country? Does Bomber Harris really think his son will have an eventual future in speedway?

Well, it could be they have been given a firm nod, but Friday will be the official announcement and perhaps Workington now have this week to organise the meeting?

I marshal for a Moto X club. I get paid and I'm given a voucher for the burger van. Even though we receive this, they still have trouble finding marshals. I think I earn my pay, as it is hard work. Mind you, I do help in taking down the track, which I don't have to, but feel I should do. I don't think speedway track volunteers should pay to enter, definitely not. If the club needs their entry fee to 'break even', or for the club to exist, then the club is definitely in financial trouble.

Also, It could be, the promotion is in someone else's name. I remember Arena Essex stating Peter Thorogood as 'The Promoter', but he was really the team organiser/manager (bless him, he was good at that!), but not the 'cash man'. Then you have Coventry speedway, I always thought Charles Ochiltree was the promoter, but he was, apparently, a junior promoter, someone else stumped up most of the 'cash'!

But, if they haven't filed accounts, HMRC would have no idea what they are owed. HMRC used to be the main creditors, but they aren't anymore, in an insolvency situation.

It doesn't necessarily mean this is the company the club has been running under. He may have started another Limited company to run the club. Ater all it says 'Northside Speedway Training Track Limited'.

If it happens, it could be the 'springboard' speedway desperately needs. Speedway back in London!

Thank you for letting me know. I missed the posting. A good age though! RIP John

I wonder if 'speedyguy' and 'Parsloes 1928 nearly' are aware the Dons might make a return! 🤨

What's the answer then? Limp on until the sport disappears up its own fundament?

You wouldn't have the same overheads. And you could charge the riders to race, as they do in many amateur motor sports.

What happened there is, very sadly, because Tim passed away and a bunch of muppets took over the running! Muppets taking over successful teams is quite common, it seems, along with losing stadiums to development and along with speedway track owners, with strong connections to speedway, (the Duggards, the Pughs), either selling up or keeping the stadium, but not running speedway. I don't know what the answer is, but speedway is clinging on by its finger tips. Holding on to running speedway as a team event, cannot last, as the number of teams drop out. It will survive as an activity, but my guess is it will survive as an amateur sport, with individual meetings and with other associated attractions, such as upright challenges mixed in and GT140 type races. My guess is it would attract more riders, would remove the need for expensive foreign riders and would give the promoters/organisers, a chance to at least break even!

Your last line is the biggest benefit, but of course, a speedway rider will not have to worry about peronal liabilities, unless they intend to 'knock' people who provide them with services, eg, engine tuners.

I'm self employed, I have been for many years. I could be a director of a limited company, but there wouldn't be any benefit for me. I can employ a family member. As for drawing money out of a limited company, tax free, what's the mechanics of that? You can draw dividends and take a small salary, but you pay tax on dividends.

I've lost the thread (excuse the pun) of what is being discussed, regarding Workington's predicament, but I have picked up discussions on Limited Companies. Most businesses do not need to be 'limited' (unless the BSPL insist on it. If they do, I don't know why they would). A speedway promoter, if there are no restrictions could be a sole trader, in other words self employed. However, if I was a speedway promoter, I would want to be limited, to protect my personal assets. A number of promoters are business people and have another business or businesses. I would imagine, as speedway is a loss making venture, promoters, via their accountants, would use the losses to offset against profits, they make in their other enterprises. As for riders having a limited company, why would you bother and not just be self employed?