oldtimer

Unfortunately, unless there is something wrong with my nose, the smell no longer exists. I remember when the methanol smell was very strong, also bikes are a lot less noisy than "the good old days." Which brings me back to my original point, £18-50 for 15 heats? Starshooter says it costs a lot to stage a meeting, and even though, like he says, I am geriatric, I do realise that, which is why the powers that be need to reduce the cost of maintaining a current speedway bike, instead of thinking of ways to make it more expensive for riders. Cheaper equipment, less rider expense, has the knock on effect all the way down the line to cheaper admission. Not knocking Somerset, at least you get top drawer racing, but if the people who run the sport want new people to come to speedway they need to get back to basics. I mentioned in my original post that speedway needs to cut it's cost or improve entertainment, so on the latter point, any ideas?

I agree Nick it's also about socialising with friends. Speedway folk have a good sense of humour and I have a good laugh and a chat before, during and after racing. However I can go to my local pub and have a good social evening in good facilities, I don't have to pay to park my car, there is no admission charge, I don't need a programme, the menu is free and it's warm.

Match day programme announced as £2-50, so for a single person that's £18-50 to attend speedway, very dificult to encourage new people to come at that price. You need a programme, and it's something to do filling in the scores in between heats. The track has no influence over the price of petrol and you don't have to have a beer and can eat at home, but when you add it all up, people I have tried to persuade to come, say that's too much for 15 minutes of racing. Speedway needs to cut it's costs, or improve it's entertainment.

It's from 8-00 am all day.

At last a win for GB!

Help wanted at track next week end. Turn up and finish times please?

With Swindon at last doing a deal with Batchelor, the Nick Morris problem should now be resolved.

Swindon have loaned a rider to Somerset who is not theirs to loan, I don't know where Morris would be living next season but I assume riding for Swindon and Somerset fitted in with his travelling. Might be a problem if a northern track buys him, and could leave us in the lurch at start of the season. On the other hand there is a rider fans would love to see back, Claus Vissing in this weeks Star, says he wants a team place in Britian, he said money is not a big issue and wants to have some fun doing what he loves. He added he had hoped to be back at Somerset and was offered a contract and expected to be back there. I wonder what went wrong?

Nick Morris season is in doubt after claims his transfer from Glasgow to Swindon is yet to go through, and a loan deal is not on the table.Money for Morri's transfer was due to be paid at start of December but nearly 3 months later it is claimed no cash has exchanged hands. Swindon had allowed Morris to double down to somerset, so clearly if he is not going to be in the Swindon side then there could be a problem.

An entertaining rider and despite a couple of dodgy tactical decisions, a good team manager. Good servant to Somerset and will be missed. Fortunately Gary May well up to managing on his own.

I have a photo of Bob Coles flying above the fence which was in the next meetings match programme. The track at Eastville was not very good and some riders would not attack it, however the 7,000 crowds that were reported each week were I think an under estimate, there were always long queues to get in, and the atmosphere was great, something sadly lacking nowdays. Do you remember the black guy who was the flag man, dressed up in something from the fancy dress shop, he used to stand on the track and jump up and down as riders crossed the finish. Nowdays the flag man might as well be made of wood, oh for the days when speedway was entertaining.

Things are only going to get worse regarding costs with the FIM's decision to allow the use of titanium throughout a speedway engine. Riders costs will rise to stay competitive, they will want more money, admission prices will rise, fans will stay at home, it's already too expensive for what you get.

I totally agree with everything you have said but it won't happen. The best thing that could happen to speedway is that crowds keep falling and the sport dies a death, then a few years later someone starts it up again from scratch, basic equipment, few rules and a cheap night out. I think no speedway on SKY would improve attendances as a lot of people must be put of attendinng a meeting when they see the processional Elite League fair shown on SKY.

Rebels opening match on Good Friday is a challenge against Plymouth, and then got Plymouth again in LC, 3 weeks later. With the problems of last season trying to fit all the matches in, I'm surprised they are using the first date with a Challenge Match. Probably get a good crowd as fans starved of speedway, but think it would be a bigger crowd if a League Cup or Premier League match. Perhaps no other clubs were willing to come.

With the weather due to thaw this week end, will be going there for lunch this Sunday, it's good value.

With Berwick struggling to attract sponsors, how can they afford to charge £12 admission and £10 for concessions? Somerset is £15 with sponsors and own their track, so Berwick seem to be taking a big gamble that low admission equals more customers. Hope they are correct.

What I meant was, didn't think ZZ Top etc came from the West Country???

Everones favourite west country stars such as ZZ Top, Michael Jackson???

Season ticket price now £340 if purchased on line. With adult entrance £16 that's over 21.25 meetings you would have to attend to make it a saving. They don't say how many matches it covers, and I can see why. However concessions at £12 is not the dearest. Wonder how much programme and car parking will be, not yet announced.

Have to keep printing my own then.

Sounds good if it's free!

Newcastle seem most expensive season ticket so far at £300 although not clear how many matches that covers, followed by Glasgow at £299. Glasgow also top admission at £16. Ipswich £227 season has a curious £7-50 admin fee included. It seems some Premier tracks are now up to Elite League prices, Peterborough for example have 15 match season ticket at £230 plus free car park.

Well done for bringing it back on topic.

No anouncement yet on the cost of matchday programme. I favour the free one we had a couple of seasons back, just 4 sided A4 with racecard in the middle. I don't think people want to pay £2-50 for a few articles in the programme, if you want to read about speedway you buy The Star for £2-80 or £2-24 if you use the W H Smith discount voucher. What do others think?