Sings4Speedway

Not entirely sure thats true at Kent just not publicised. Royals need a new rider and others are far from perky about the fixture list. Could be wildly wrong about figures being chucked around but big monies paid to the main side would be questionably maintainable. Easy to scoff at Eastbourne situation but i fear it will be hitting all clubs soon.

I guess its just perspective. It could be just as easily argued that IOW are at a disadvantage due to the additional travel costs (which are not excessive but add up). It probably shows what a good show they do put on and how value for money works given the numbers of mainland visitors they do attract most weeks as well as new and first time visitors they are able to attract. Don't forget that any that get the speedway bug on holiday are likely to return home and visit thier local tracks too.

In fairness there is a wealth of things to do and attractions on the IOW condensed into a small area , yes limited evening entertainment but still plenty of exhausting family days out that would mean Speedway could easily be skipped if it wasn't so well marketed. The reason its working for IOW is that they know thier market, they know how their track produces the best racing and what entertainment level is best received. Its not about copying them directly its about knowing and treating your market accodingly.

In fairness its just a decent illustration about what could be put together. The ins and outs regarding the likelihood that Edinburgh & Plymouth might want to be in the higher tier along with more likely Scunthorpe and Leicester (if one promotion can own 2 teams in the same division) whilst Kent would probably sit happier in the NL. Thats of course without the wrangling's of clubs up for sale, clubs struggling to make it to the end of season and so on. I also wouldn't bother counting IOW as they seem happier than ever doing their own thing and its more likely that others head in their direction than them returning to the BSPL fold.

Worry not the Prem Junior League will spring up next year to sweep in and save the day. Ignore the fact that there was a functional 2nd half development league in place and a semi professional NDL. But fortunately plans have been put in place to scupper both of those to make way for the PJL which will make the Prem teams look wonderful and great saviours.

Then something needs to be addressed about the journeymen in the CL. That said there should be no given right to move up. The nature of any successful sport is that the best will rise up and the remainder fall by the wayside. Places should be available for those genuinely good enough.

True the Josh's were injured by one was on his backside all the time and the other couldn't adapt to a new tyre type. The NDL class of 2011 supplied a heck of a lot of riders that went on to compete at a higher level (rough count around 50%) with 12/13 from the 70ish used still racing at CL level or higher today. Id be delighted if those kind of numbers were achieved by the class of 2021. 10 years is a long time in both Speedway and young individuals lives so there will obviously be attrition for a number of reasons why riders step away from the sport. The bigger issue is that there is so little being done to ensure their replacements come through and are ready.

they were all dropped because they were shi....under-performing compared to the standard expected of them.

Scary times ahead. Looking at Eastbourne potentially not finishing the season, attendances at Leicester poor and Newcastle dropping out already it paints a fairly glum picture for next season. Berwick will only continue with the low points limit, Belle Vue open that PL subsidises NDL for them. Kent struggling to get all the fixtures in and unable to run double headers makes options quite bleak. Hopefully the Double entry teams can continue, Eastbourne, Brum plus who know drops down and the league can get back to what it does best but there is an uncomfortable winter for a lot of people ahead.

Fully respect that as each level has its attractions in much the same way as i very much pick and choose higher tier meetings i attend as i see that value for money dwindling but thats personal preference. Should there be no NDL i would likely not bother attending at all but i do respect that its horses for courses.

You are correct that it should be sustainable for teams like Kent and Eastbourne to prosper in a 2nd tier but the realities are far from that. You can also blame other clubs for signing riders that shouldn't be in the league but both have some pretty big hitters on their payroll and a payroll that appears to have issues with payments. Dropping down would have a knock on effect to other lower tier clubs but that is why the rules need to be drawn up by all clubs involved. Its no greater benefit for Eastbourne to be in the CL or NDL if they are overpaying and not making things sustainable. A league can flourish when all the teams within it are able to compete and survive. A NDL with a payment cap, sensible points limit (possibly varied team build limits dependent on the success of the previous year) and a few minor tweaks could ensure the future of not just the individual clubs but the sport itself.

My big hope is that the 3rd tier is allowed to govern itself once more. All promotions who have a team in the league get a say and all those that don't can bugger off. Let those who are affected by the decisions make the decisions and hopefully allow a fuller and more prosperous league to flourish. Yes fans clamour for higher league racing but they clamour for a team to support more and id happily wager that Eastbourne, Kent, Brum, Newcastle supporters would much rather turn out and support their NDL team (with all the balanced and exciting racing that goes with it) than no speedway at all. Dare i say it but could a breakaway league even occur? If the powers that be aren't going to get behind clubs and address the problems then perhaps the calls for more radical action are growing.

Its all a matter of what when and where development is considered to become paid entertainment. Ive always been an advocate of if you are good enough you will get a place. Currently its either young enough or willing enough. Not all but some teams are tracking riders far below the sensible and safe levels of ability that should have been developed in the amateur meetings and practice.

and if he was told it was ok only for a back track ?

Named as reserve before being booted by the BSPL. Perhaps all riders could do the parade without 1 boot on? Its sad and pathetic because they aren't brave enough to stop riders from a league meeting but still trying to throw their weight around and make a point that just doesn't need to be made.

But the almighty ruling powers don't want a stronger NDL because it rivals what they are serving up whereas the current weakened league can be run as a sideshow / aftershow proving how much "better" the higher leagues are. Its worked because for the past several seasons the NDL has been the best league in the UK, now the CL probably is......just a shame that its proving not to be sustainable in any way shape or form. It makes no difference how stable a few clubs run by the dictators are if there is no opposition there is no product. The loss of a renowned team like Eastbourne has further reaching implications, the disillusioned fans aren't going to just up and relocate to Kent or Poole every week, many sadly will drift away despite being good away supporters. The impact will be felt by the clubs left behind who will slip closer towards the same fate.

Disgusting petty action by the organisers. We are talking about a 2nd reserve berth but the chance to ride in one of the countries biggest meetings and therefore Connor was prepared to stand there and wait for a chance that may not come. To be denied by the "insert suitable expletives here" is just plain ridiculous. I believe Connor is down to ride on the Island again on Thursday and i hope he does, sticks more than 2 fingers up to the establishment and wins the meeting to boot.

Sadly once riders stop getting paid or paid on time the trust and bond between rider and club can break down very quickly. Its a good team established at Eastbourne this year but with public financial issues and internal grumblings signing riders next year could prove tricky (providing this season completes). Relying on having a viable NDL to drop back into may be a thing of the past though as it was a sustainable alternative product to the higher leagues and as such seen as a threat and dismantled.

You mean there isn't a 5 year plan? Whilst ive hated the drop in averages and especially how it was managed/imposed it would be worse if it was a 1 season wonder. Everyone who has championed it needs to reap what has been sown. Riders will be jettisoned, new blood (ready or not) will be brought in and the reduction continues. Might not be a pretty product but its what everybody wanted right?

And yet for some reason that was deemed a negative thing by the powers that be (or an alternative viable product to the higher leagues) and therefore dismantled.

There are plenty of people who i know have attended Kent to watch Greyhounds whilst the Speedway track has been in situ and had no idea that Speedway even ran from the stadium. If you can't advertise fully at your home venue to catch passing trade what genuine hope do others have (given that Kent still get reasonable attendance figures)

I agree with you that silly guarantees and points monies has to stop but you won't get anywhere insisting on "standard" engines, aside from what is deemed standard there would be a huge financial cost to riders to swap out their current redundant kit, monitoring it etc. Simply by reducing the monies a rider brings in they will naturally look at ways to reduce outgoings. Do i need to service the engine every 25 races or will 40 be ok? do i need that cam? do i need to go to that tuner for a service when this one charges half as much? I don't tell my employer how much money i need to live with all the mod cons, they give me a salary and its my responsibility to cut my cloth accordingly.

Mildenhall website says Smith signed in place of Compton but bit sad for Benji if there has been no public announcement. Greensheets don't reflect at present though so either taking it to the wire or needs to be re-draughted. If it is the case then congrats to Sam M for getting to number 1 and shame on Coles for dropping to reserve.

Certainly interesting that there is some sort of figure to use when noting the cost of staging a meeting at Newcastle. However i still believe that NDL teams could be assembled with riders earning just £10 a point. The riders are out there and are desperate to ride. On that basis £2500 to stage the meeting £500 for points monies is 300 through the gate at a tenner a head. Yes that would leave a shortfall on away points and travel funds. The shortfall for a season is likely to be a similar figure quoted as some single home meetings? Back to basics and let the sport grow from the bottom. Those riders who don't want a tenner a point can step away or try and ply their trade in the higher leagues until they all inevitably fold or drop down.

I think you are right, Brum and Newcastle look very costly meetings for the host clubs should either side not see out the season and i can see other teams ready to call off with far better forecasts than there is this weekend. Sadly Eastbourne are more representative of a successful UK speedway club and if they are facing financial difficulties and strong dependencies upon the number of people attending then it really is time to sit down and look at how the cloth can be cut accordingly for all clubs.