singy13

Yes.....as the great man Winston used to say KBO !!!

Give over marra.

Private re the riders earnings - yes.........BUT it would be very interesting, and not so personal, to have evidence of speedway clubs attendances. It's something never divulged unless it's a pitifully small crowd (e.g.250) or as they call it 'a bumper crowd'...4000 maybe? I do think most clubs attain hundreds at meetings rather than thousands. It's not enough to keep the danger flags from flying for most outfits. How on earth does the enjoyable Speedway Star keep going given the lack of supporters nationwide?

Since opening at Northside(2023) there's no OAP concession given.

Speedway has been a circus for far too long, especially via the guest system. I have supported Comets since 1970. Big crowds happy days. I also follow the Workington Town RL team resident at Derwent Park. (did a couple of voluntary jobs too). And despite the Rugby getting rental and bar takings the RL Directors never really like their speedway lodgers. The main issue with speedway was the 'guest system'....for example "how on earth can Stoney be riding for Newcastle who are one of the main Comets challengers for the division title"?..."Surely he wont try"?.. well yes he will for the money. The Worky Town RL Chairman would then conclude "It's not a serious sport then"!!. Hard work trying to quantify speedway's quirks to the RL Directors for sure. Don't think I ever managed to. And so many non speedway fans say/give similar verdicts....'it's a circus'.

So we've got lots of theories re the Workington problem - some good reading for sure. Obviously the answer will appear in time - be it visa or money orientated we'll find out eventually. But re cash flow one thing that struck me, as a bit scary, was the comment in the Comets first programme this season from Team Manager James Denham : I quote ....."We are extremely grateful to everyone who supports the Comets-sponsors and fans-but last year we did struggle with crowds and without the help of the sponsors we would not have been back this year". Like I said to me it was perhaps a scary statement to make. I thought last years crowds seemed fine, but obviously I can't count lol.

Ian Thomas and Geoff Brownhutt used those guys, including the guy jumping into a paddling pool, as seperate events from speedway meetings. All to make them a fortune, but enjoyable fun nevertheless.

Ian and Geoff Brownhutt did all those stuntmen, fire eaters, caravan chaos, circus performers etc, on a non speedway Sunday. There was a reported 8,000 crowd, including myself. The only speedway action that afternoon was between Comets Bob Valentine and Rochdale's Taffy Owen....Taffy won the best of three races 2-1. And then signed for the Comets. He, Ian, did bring such as Jim Bowen and Ken Dodd as guests at Friday night speedway meetings in the 1970's. Ian also was an expert at winding the crowd up to vent anger at bad referee decisions - the centre green phone took some hammer in those days lol.(banned nowadays).. Ian also did bring the rally car duel v Richard Lawson at Derwent Park in the 2000 era......they started at half a lap apart, think Richard won?...

So then the 'guru' has responded - hope you don't mind me labelling that THJ - but welcome back marra. Hope more have seen your response John.

Where is the 'guru'....the once forum mine of information? Come back THJ you're needed asap!!!!!

Very sad news....RIP Mike.

Just noticed your emoji ha ha.

Probably one of the reasons they did close......too many freebies.

He was an original Comet in 1970. RIP Geoff.

And wasn't there usually a spare bike in the pits for any rider to jump on when his own machinery gave problems? I remember riders having there bike on a rack at rear of vehicle - some a bit worse for wear. I was watching a rider packing up one night, it was Terry Kelly as a Comet, and someone said what's all those holes in your car Tel?...he said oh that's caused by my passenger the 'rust rat'.......happy days indeed.

Good post. Comets two previous eras suffered low crowds. Perhaps it's worth noting the town has a population of less than 25,000 and it's supporting semi pro soccer and rugby league teams - all three teams struggle for fan dominance. I totally agree with your 'one British League' plan- it's got to happen asap.

Your last sentence could have hit the nail on the head - engine tuners are perhaps the big winners in the speedway dig for gold stakes. Mind I must repeat in the original post on this subject the book states NK as losing £100,000 through covid19 restrictions. But so yes that was his loss. So what were his actual full earnings for that period? I guess, just a guess, it must have been much much more? Still a decent wage for sure.

So it's seemingly a case of riders biting the hand that feeds them? If too many clubs close down the riders will have nowhere to practice an apparent senseless greed?

After last seasons effort to qualify in a play off berth the current team are nowhere near as solid. It's a well known fact that speedway followers like a winning team (all sports do I guess) - and as I've mentioned in previous posts fans can be fickle and find alternative ways to rid them of their cash. Workington supporters can be very loyal if the product is good - but oh boy they can be equally disloyal if results like tonight's farcical display continue. Twice speedway has folded in Workington because fans disappeared and caused promoters plenty of grief. I'm sure the current owners are well aware of the remedial work now required or Comets will struggle to avoid a hat-trick of the sort we all don't want.

Yeah I recall visiting Glasgow one sunny Sunday afternoon.....had a lovely dinner in pub next to track. We lost match, just, but think Stoney beat Les Collins for silver helmet.....might be wrong?(1999 was year).

And having suffered twice with my team from 'poor attendance' closures - it gets a bit alarming to read programme notes negatively, and rather scary in truth, saying "sponsors saved closure last year"......Hopefully a tactic to make fans rally round.

Ok............each team have 7 riders to pay. And NK says he lost £100,000 to Covid19 cutbacks.....Note he lost £100,000. He doesn't say how much he actually earned though, which I presume was much more than his loss?

But given the low crowds ( ok Poland the exception) how on earth can promoters hand out so much to satisfy the riders outlays? It just doesn't add up at all. I mean NK obviously earned much more than £100,000 as a norm........what about the other 6 team members earnings too.

Yes he certainly was.

Recently read a book about speedway - well to be more accurate it was about the 'covid 19' wrecked season. It's a great book called 'NO BREAKS' - A LOST SEASON IN BRITISH SPEEDWAY. The many stories about speedway's struggle in 2020 are captivating to say the least. However one story reflecting on a rider's financial woes had me shocked to say the least. The author seems to be friend of a rider, I wont say name but initials are NK - no not NKI. and this rider reckons his covid19 hit income was a disaster. I quote the author. "He tells me he reckons his income is down by a considerable amount, about £100,000 less than he'd have expected had the season gone normally". I mean blimey if he's down by £100,000 what on earth was his usual earnings? Not a GP regular either. So reading that I have now more than ever an inbuilt sympathy for the promoters of this steadily declining sport. Buy this book most will enjoy it.