Sings4Speedway

Based on very rough hypothetical maths. 800 people @ £15 = £12,000 Half this for stadium costs etc = £6000 Half this to cover away meetings = £3000 Based on an average 45 points per meeting that gives £66.6 per point that could be paid out on average. 450 people @ £15 = £6750 Half this for stadium costs etc = 3375 Half this to cover away meetings = £1687.50 Based on an average 45 points per meeting that gives £37.5 per point that could be paid out on average. The top figure shows just enough to put a PL team together but you wouldn't get first pick of riders, the bottom figures would only sustain NL and infact the admission would have to be reduced. The fact is that the bubble has burst in Poland and its burst here too its just that we are not admitting it. Clubs must sign riders they can afford.

Missed out / dodged a bullet with Lambert. Even Rye's new deeper pockets couldn't afford him and as proven by Plymouth signing riders / paying wages you can afford is even more apparent now. Whilst i don't advocate spreading the misery of riders losing their places it does seem slightly galling that the likes of Holder, Kurtz, Newman & Brandford are without whilst Lykke & Karger are included.

Not sure what the possibility of riders, officials and any other person who takes a wage from the club accepting a reduction in order to get the teams to the tapes this year?

Horrendous times. Now is not the time for any finger pointing etc but it does make you question who does the budgets? I mean if you are only getting 450 people a week then don't pay wages based upon 700-800 attendee's. Either way i hope all the riders get fixed up soon and hope they can recoup some of the expense they will have undoubtedly laid out. Perhaps this opens the door for an Exeter revival?

Not sure if Kent will bother with one this year? They aren't required within the rules so i guess they will just book someone if required. With the curfew as it is i would imagine its pretty hard to get a rider to come along and stand around all evening with the uncertainty of even being able to get a few practice laps in at the end. Matt Saul was last years number 8 but i don't recall him ever getting a ride anyway.

Well that's a turn up for the books the tweet seems to have been deleted?

Hope Shelby is ok? Hate hearing of injuries at any time of year but before the season has started in earnest is even more galling!

On the Eastbourne page there is a link to their twitter account which shows some photo's and also to JC Pro Racewear who are this years suit manufacturer but i can't work out who runs this company? The picture i saw said "one down" ? That said with the Easbourne supplied neck braces nobody will be able to see the collars.

Whilst i didn't like the tone of the BSPA statement and the way it sought to distance itself from the situation the Belle Vue statement isn't much better. When it comes to specialist construction items like the air fence and the track these should have been supervised by the track curator and not left to the hired construction companies. A speedway track is a living breathing thing and needs specialists completing the task. You wouldn't get a plumber to fit your new roof!

We shall soon see Not that sold on the new Eastbourne kevlars? Colour scheme and design looks good but very iffy finish to the collars? Im assuming they are FIM approved?

Or it could be seen as a way of keeping those who are unable / wouldn't be travelling in the loop and their desire to watch live speedway going. We all know that there is nothing better than he sounds & smells plus the rattle of shale against your face watching our beloved sport live.

To clarify in terms of the risk and entertainment involved there will never be too much money however there are far too many riders looking to earn a living out of speedway rather than a subsidised hobby. Its all too easy to forget that first and foremost these riders love to race. As for extreme its the increases in wages in percentages rather than pure value. For example in the NL 2013 Scunthorpe & Kings Lynn were paying £10 a point. Other clubs a bit more but not hugely. Last year i know there were number 1's on £30 a point. This season there are riders on £40-£60 a point and these are not heat leaders. Anyone who has recently got a 200-400% pay rise recently raise your hand......

Aaron Baseby would fit a treat?

Was a reason given why Perks wasn't present?

From my point of view if costs are to be reduced then pay needs to be reduced. Wages at all levels of the sport are getting extreme. If points money is reduced then riders will be forced into the decision of spending big with tuners or sourcing more cost effective engines themselves. Plus with the potential in reduced outlay gate prices might finally come down to sensible levels. Yes there will be riders who refuse to ride at a reduced rate but its their option to continue or pack up? Im sure there will be plenty who despite early reluctance will be ringing clubs begging for a place as the season approaches.

Nobody likes to hear news like that so close to the season. Not sure what happened but a big blow for Brendan and IOW. Fingers crossed the op is a success.

Ah completely forgot about Poultec phew that's alright then. At Eastbourne Clifton might struggle like several visiting riders but if rumours are true he will have the better of Andrews at home. It could be Verges year (like it could have been the previous 3) id be happy to see him succeed and prove me wrong but........

Think this should run out a close home win. Kennett should go near a max and the reserves should run riot at home. Rye has never been a happy hunting ground for Nielsen and i feel Perks may be out of his depth? I think the Rye 2-5 are a little under-rated and should all put in 6-8 every week and deliver the consistency recent Rockets teams have lacked. Excited to see how Gjedde goes though along with Kurtz & Holder Jnrs.

Think both teams are pretty well practiced for this one although the Eagles have the advantage of actually practicing on their own track. Looking forward to see how Hughes & Knight go round Eastie plus what damage Bowen & Clifton can do. Im going to try and be nice to the reserves this year although currently i only think Powell is deserving of a place. My only current concern is that ive not seen or heard of Shanes practicing anywhere?

Agreed. I will take a narrow away win as i suspect our reserves may struggle a bit at Eastie but i predict a bigger home win. Looking forward to see Magic back on home soil.

Atrocious! Its the NL teams that give the new riders a chance and have to endure as much failure as success. However the ability to sign the riders as assets and then profit from the few that make the grade is a fundamental element that belongs to the NL and preventing teams in one league from possessing assets its discriminatory and bullying. For me the whole asset and contractual agreements with riders is floored. Ditch all assets as they are not actually worth anything and sign rolling contracts e.g 4,8,12 matches etc at the end of the contract either party can decide to part ways or remain for the length of the next rolling contract. This would even out the power balance between riders and clubs rather than solely resting with the promotions as it is at present.

Whilst we all have our own loyalties to our clubs as supporters there has to be an understanding that riders have to look after their own best interests. If Zach continues on his meteoric rise this season it would make his average too high to be considered for the NL next year anyway therefore asset or not. The PL already has first call on his services over fixture clashes so in that respect having an asset is worthless. For NL clubs the best money spinner is to sign an unknown 3 pointer, watch their stock rise then cash in. As supporters all we can do is enjoy the time they respective riders spent with our clubs, wish them well for the future and hope the next crop can emulate the same success.

Correct me if im being a little thick but isnt that the same access road that riders use to get to the track? Could be slightly embarrassing if they cant get in!

The problem in my mind is that although a poster campaign is obviously good it takes actual footage to show how exciting Speedway actually is however that is expensive. What bugs me most is the venues that host Speedway & other activities dont even advertise. Walk into Kent on a night when the dogs are running and you wouldnt even know Speedway took place there. How hard would it be for a TV to be set up with footage of previous meetings being played on loop?

If the future is "standard engines" the the future is also tiny riders who have the smallest weight vs power ratio rather than who would have the most ability. For example Matej Zagar vs Josh Bates who is the better rider? Now put them on "standard" engines, the swing of power would fall to Bates yet Zagar the currently more talented rider would be penalised solely for being heavier. Also there is a safety element that nobody has considered? Bikes need power to turn, riders need confidence in the bike to turn, how often would there be occurrences of riders heading into the first corner, attempting to turn and because the bike characteristics are different end up going straight into the fence and taking all their counterparts with them.