HGould

Heard that too although I think much of it may be linked to what City Council claimed is owed by Dave Gorton (is it Gorton or Gordon - sorry) and Chris Morton. Good race track yet reputed to be losing money each season. Look at Glasgow, another good race track, probably the best in terms of professionalism in the UK and they admit they lose tens of thousands a season. Which Clubs (if any) do make any money based purely on Speedway? Scunthorpe (mainly you'd guess from track rental) Ipswich (big crowds and great Sponsors) Swindon - possibly Kent - Len claims he's never had a season where he has lost money. Almost every other one I can think of has at some point admitted either hanging on or losing hand over fist. Very worrying times.

As you say, no surprise sadly. Quick look at Redcar and no April Fool but a nice Easter Egg touch http://www.redcar-speedway.com/2020/03/27/easter-egg-hospital-visit-update/ Quick look at Eastbourne and an attempt at an April Fool (and a double header for Saturday on their TV Channel announced since the April Fool) -: https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/because-the-eagles-are-worth-it/ April Fool from IOW on Facebook too. Swindon (another progressive Club) - no April Fool but a game to play - https://www.swindon-speedway.com/news.php?extend.3407 Come on Brummies sort it out!

Bit disappointing no effort at an April Fool on website, might have cheered us up a bit.

time to look at the few who are promoting the sport properly and looking at new options; problem is how many of them will survive the cull that's about to be caused by the Covid-19 issues. In the case of one of them the IOW how do they survive no NDL next season.

I don't think ANY of the Clubs I referred to are promoting to kids. They are looking to attract kids who then ask their parents to take them again. Can't blame them for trying but some will blame them for trying!

Many of the Clubs in the Championship are attracting new young fans. We certainly are at Birmingham and on Away Match trips to places like Somerset; Redcar; Eastbourne saw plenty of evidence that other Clubs are doing the same and not only getting them in but showing them around and making a bit of a fuss of them. Yet when my Club do that what happens, some of the grumpy old men in the old guard moan about "too many kids", and a new family coming for the first time that may have "knicked my space" get abuse. Hardly welcoming is it?. We have some of the best facilities in Speedway at PB and good to see the work done to try to encourage new blood.

great post Ben and well done for trying to calculate things.

Because you asked what line of business the Masons were involved in??. Politely you were responded to!

I'm aware of a few Clubs who were already offering Concessions to NHS and key workers and Military / Emergency Front line so well done Poole on going a bit further. Hope that when the season does start (and lets all be hopeful and positive that it will start at some point) that all Clubs will follow this with similar schemes.

Lots of work on Pits and Riders Car Park, lot of painting and cleaning of kick boards and replaced and cleaned various bits of air fence. Also some replacement of the temporary stands on first turn to meet new safety requirements with regular working groups most weekends. I think Peter and David own Cleaning Contract Company covering London and South East where they are based.

Kent have refunded but as they sold for combined CL / NDL with no either /other of part season option, I guess they have assessed that they won't be running all matches or most likely NDL at all. Some Clubs seem to have put holding statements up saying they will review and monitor. Most clubs including mine nothing as yet.

Depends how many he has sold I think? He did have a lot of stick when launching late and for high cost (on here and social media). Kent also sold a combined CL and NDL ticket, no option to buy one or other League. So he obviously realises just not enough matches can be fitted in now for both so either won't run NDL or CL. So may be announcement coming about no NDL who knows? Nice bit of PR hopefully premature. I think most Clubs will wait until end of May at least? Clubs like Brummies have done a fair bit of stadium work, some of it vital safety work, so may have already spent some of my season ticket money so, I'd be happy to have a pro rata refund or even carry over to 2021 if that helps my Club.I appreciate some fans might want money back though. Not many Promoters as rich as Len but if you're a Kent fan fair enough.

I've read a few articles on the websites of a few of those Clubs we all know are a bit more progressive like Ipswich; Glasgow; Redcar; Eastbourne; IOW; where the Owners / Promoters (Facenna Brothers particularly transparent on this) have explained how the situation has affected them and what they have done/ will do. It seems a common thread from those that this could not have come at a worse time as they have forked out a lot of money already in preparation for the season. I wish Brummies would explain a bit more and now may be the best time for every Club to actually reach out to fans and explain a bit more and to offer help if they can although the lockdown announced last night may at least for the time being stop stadiums being used as an example for community usage. Stay in and stay safe everyone.

Excellent from Eastbourne too, like Redcar very informative and well done. These 2 pieces are a guide to Promotion of the Sport that all the rest should be following-: Redcar -: http://www.redcar-speedway.com/2020/03/17/redcar-speedway-statement/ Eastbourne -: https://www.eastbourne-speedway.com/eagles-qa-with-ian-jordan-2/ From Brummies and too many others sadly http://www.birmingham-speedway.com/ very little!

Excellent from Redcar, very much one of the more go-ahead Promotions. Well Done.

The sport will survive and if it comes back with more realistic people in charge it may prove a blessing. I don't see many Promoters or leaders anywhere in the sport though and that's the biggest concern. Needs bright new and independent thinking. Off the top of my head. Pretty short short list - Rob Painter and Ian Sinderson

Rumour is immediate lockdown and review again in April - whether that is early, middle or late not sure. Problem is, situation going to be much worse in April, May and June so when will it be oK to start again April 2021 might be about the best guess right now.

Too many read a headline and not the detail behind it. Hancock HAS said it is a measure that will be bought in. He has also said...it WILL be bought in if and when required at a time when it will have most impact. Politics (nothing to do with Party Politics) prepare people for the worst case scenario. In so doing you look good when you don't have to use that scenario but can also say you have a contingency in place. Also some over 70's and 80's will no doubt voluntarily listen to it now, they may not isolate but what they may do is go out once a week instead of 4 or 5 times. It suits the doom mongers to spread doom. Sells papers, empties shelves. The reality is somewhere in between.

They may do that but not this week, next week but at near peak POSSIBLY it's a contingency measure. Government are preparing and filtering out a "worst case scenario" so that when it doesn't happen they can say (a) we handled this better than expected (b) we had contingency in place. Why are people so gullible! As for isolating over 70's, are they going to arrest any over 70 who is seen out and about... good assessment when you read it without prejudice and blind panic some seem to have fallen for.

I'm not sure that a Badminton Event and Non League soccer are either well publicised or major Events. Mr Power may like to offer his services to a Speedway Promoter to do as you say, put an Event on and seek to attract the bored and those who think that this issue has been blown out of all proportion and who have a contrary "stuff em" old fashioned British spirit that won't be told what to do but to make his own judgement and decisions. I take your point though and time will tell us what the long term future for speedway is, if there is one.

If there is going to be any speedway for the next few months (fear is it could be 3-4 months) and when it resumes, riders like Worrall (and I don't pick on him as there are many similar) may have to accept that their deals will have to be rewritten any way. Promoters will have budgeted for 16-20 home matches in the season at least and may be left with 10 -12 if they are lucky. If there is a 3 month shutdown millions wont be earning anything like money they are used to. Speedway will be well down the pecking order. £100 a point may have to become £50 a point Clubs can't pay what they don't have but something is better than nothing. Crisis time I'm afraid for Riders, Promoters and the Sport. This time next year they may have killed off the NDL at a time when lots of Clubs will be clamouring to join it!

what evidence?? Non League soccer that did take place attendances up Badminton in Birmingham attendances up Cheltenham Festival 250,000 attended over 4 days only small drop on record year last year according to The Times. As discussed elsewhere, Club like Brummies, like many will have have rental agreement, will have had to pay BSPA/SCB fees, probably have had to pay some riders small sign on fees, certainly Bomber would want one; have to ensure track ready and passed Track Safety inspection. In case of Brummies I know some work has been done to Pits and also some of the temporary stands on first bend. How much do you think Brummies will have to fork out over 6 weeks if 6 week delay to season? Will Sponsors pay as promised? Spend by end of April probably in region of £15-20k. No income, may be a bit of merchandise can be sold. Riders clamouring for help as they can't earn. Not a pretty picture is it?

Not going to do them much good going home...even if they can get a flight as Australia will insist on quarantine / isolation for 14 days from midnight tonight so if they are going home to earn money forget it. With contracts here signed and cost of flights, better to stay here and see what situation is like in 3-4 weeks time. An aircraft cabin for 24 hours is just about the worst place to be right now!

Fair point but you can't close down all speedway because of foreign riders travel issues. The BSPA has the option of dispensation (Guests) for any rider genuinely unable to travel and if those were mainly Britsih riders, giving them earning opportunity that has to be a win situation. If the Government guidelines make speedway feasible they why stop racing unless you have to? If foreigners won't come or go home scared, different matter but where can you go that's not scary right now other than China??

Ulrich posted last night to say won't be coming to UK for now as Denmark has suspended flights.