SteelShoe

Typical crowd levels today dictate that a realignment of the sport is almost unavoidable.In my opinion It needs to be semi professional in an effort to reduce costs. More riders will need other forms of employment in addition to riding speedway. I do not necessarily believe it is an outdated product, but certain venues are outdated as is the way the sport is marketed and promoted. For me personally, one league has to be the way forward. This should hopefully create more meaningful fixtures while also encouraging a stronger identification of fans with 'their' riders and vice versa because they won't be riding in both leagues. If riders reckon they can't make one league pay then that is up to them. Rider costs at many clubs are simply not sustainable, more clubs will disappear untill it all comes crashing down. I see situation as that serious.

There is a lot of sense in this. Worky crowds are down so far this season and there have been internal discussions re the need to do something to attract more people. Our first priority should definitely be to find out why we are losing fans we had. There have been a series of variables this season which have had a deleterious effect on early attendances eg relatively late start, lack of fixture continuity, rain offs, unbalanced team strength and poor early form. We have had home fixtures against two clubs Scunny and Plymouth which historically attract less fans than other fixtures while the Edinburgh KO Cup return leg was a dead rubber following a disastrous score in the 1st leg as was pretty much the Redcar BSN meeting because we couldn't qualify. Like has been stated it is easy for certain fans to get out of the habit of attending. Finding out why they are falling out with it, while rigorously self critiquing your own product in terms of entertainment and enjoyability has to be a top priority.

Apparently over 120 expressed an interest in coming from Worky town centre on a bus in the first season. Andrew duly organised a bus running at set times and only 20 or so used this over the first 2 meetings. As Geoff100 stated it was deemed unsustainable.

It is a tricky one, for £20 plus do fans need a bit more than the racing for them to think it is good value for money and a right good day out ?. I will go whatever but still think it could offer more in the way of ancilliary entertainment especially for kids.

The fact still remains that for alot of clubs expenditure is exceeding income.

It was more than 250 and I believe the figure excludes season ticket holders.

I believe Birmingham may well have sorted Antti's as an agreement between the clubs.

I don't really know what the issue(s) is /are. The blind sided suggestion is based on the fact that it is 27th June and only now coming to light. We shall hopefully see if it is a result of a management failing in due course.

Just read this, complete shock. Whatever it is i'm pretty sure the management must have been blind sided. Like other Comets fans no doubt, I too have travel arrangements arranged/ hotels booked for 2 out of the 3 away meetings beginning with the visit to Shielfield tomorrow. Looks like I'll be smelling bird poo instead of methanol fumes as well now, not quite the same is it.

Home win, i'll take a punt and say 54-36.

Fraser signed for the Comets before getting the opportunity with Tarnow. In any logic Comets should have priority when there is a fixture clash for that very reason. It could be claimed that Poland are insensitively contributing to the ongoing demise of British Speedway, I don't think they give two hoots. Don't they have more than enough Polish riders they could/ should be using. I don't know when the British Promoters are going to get a grip in order to try and save the sport in the UK. It will be interesting to see what would happen if Discovery suddenly pulled the plug on British Speedway next season.

Don't think that would be a good move.

Well the rain unfortunately came about 90 minutes before tapes up and at one time was pretty heavy. All the weather updates gave it to pass over by about 2-45 pm and so it proved.The rain actually helped the track condition and the forecasted timing will have been in Steve Lawsons thinking when he was carrying out his pre meeting track watering regimen. Must admit I was a bit surprised when we got dust around heat 7. It was great to see the Comets finally get their league campaign underway on what must be some kind of record late start date in recent seasons. It was a good solid performance from all the Comets which was encouraging. Special thanks should go to Jonatan Grahn who changed his flight to Poland in order to guest for us in the absence of Fraser, he pulled off a couple of eye catching wins in his tally of 8 points. It was rewarding to see Tate win his first race at the GT Tyres Arena in 2025 ! almost unbelievable when you consider the form he produced there in the early part of last season prior to him crashing at Belle Vue. Hope we see his full confidence return now and he can start thrilling us all again like he did last season, go Tate . Also really pleased for Jacob Hook who achieved his best score to date in British Speedway, he gave his best in every race and deserved his reward. With the possible exception of Lasse Fredriksen the Gladiators were very much a one man team yesterday. Nicolai Klindt was different class . I think that has to be the most dominant display with the possible exception of Dan Bewley in last seasons Ben Fund meeting that I have witnessed at the GT Tyres Arena. Not many riders have ridden turns 3 and 4 so wide with so much speed and control !. He was obviously enjoying himself on a track where he could display his supreme motorcycle skills in complete confidence. UTC!

Got a feeling that Antti and Tate will be very good today 🤞👍

Nicolai is a classy rider, professional with good equipment, rode well for the 2018 treble winning Comets at Ashfield scored 18+1 from 7 rides in the Championship fixture. Great place to watch Speedway.

You been grafting 🤣

Totally agree. Signed for Comets before getting a chance at Tarnow. Would rather be No 8 there than getting good race practice in the UK. Believe he is missing next week too.

Riding for Unia Tarnow I believe.

Need to drop the drone as a matter of urgency.

The cost of assembly/ disassembly of the temp track coupled with lower crowds post covid probably swung it financially.

Covid was a factor

still do a donut to celebrate the 5-1 😃

could be argued Speedway can't afford them now, he wouldn't be lowering his average if that happened. If something can be exploited it generally is.

Can't really see how 6 teams would generate much excitement among what looks like a diminishing fan base. The sport for me continues to stagnate regardless of certain people trying to dress it up. The crowd at the televised Leicester v Sheffield meeting on monday looked pretty low with most people of a certain age demographic. Something has to change or I fear the worst. Seems like I have said this over the last 3 seasons as have many others but is anyone listening.

this is also my understanding