SPEEDY69

I smell a rat here and suspect it was not his sole decision - will this enable Belle Vue to strengthen for the playoffs??

Is it? Where?

Agree. An emotive subject definitely and one which turns my stomach. In my view there is a difference between fantasist's and people who directly attack others - the internet would not have taken off so well without porn leading the way back then. Several people in speedway have been caught abusing drugs - the source and carriage/supply of these commodities causes all sorts of suffering, abuse and death but nobody seems to take the indirect effects into account when idolising people like Dudek or others. I've always thought our penalties are wrong - those who nick a few quid/commit fraud where only money is lost should not receive prison sentences (if any at all) longer than those who attack/murder other people. They should be hit financially for as long as it take to get the money back, which may be all their life. This man is obviously mentally unwell and the 'punishment/treatment' should reflect that, prison is not the answer without addressing that.

Who says they have to come with someone else?

There are lots of people who've been once or twice and never again - the ones that I know was because it was boring for them or their children or nowhere to go to get out of the wind or nothing to do most of the time as it's only 15mins of entertainment. When the racing is also bad then that makes it even worse but look at other sports - when they're dull people still have a good time socialising and doing other things. All speedway offers is people standing around writing in programmes......

Not really, because I think format is only important to current fans.

I don't know, I quite enjoyed it. In any case, I think the main problem in attracting/keeping fans is not the format of the actual heats but the experience of the evening - at most tracks nothing to keep you or your family entertained before/between or after racing, or dry and warm. There's usually plenty of space - make use of it. Format only matters to those who are already fans.

It was also awful for my only visit for the Sheffield meeting on 15th July but I put that down as a one-off, as were a couple of Belle Vue visits - perhaps I'm a jinx!

Really, I don't remember that and have been going since 1978 - they've always had to alternate gates for each side 1/3 or 2/4?

I can see the logic in having a smooth surface for the initial starting position. I don't think that with shale and the slope of tracks that you'll ever be able to reproduce that currently and the original post rightly gives some reasons. The biggest influence in this I think is the moisture to surface tension ratio (soft to hard). Generally the harder the start line the less grip was my experience. If gates were all made even then wouldn't the racing be even more predictable though because some riders are better than others at starting - at least the variance gives those not so good a chance to get out in front?

Ambulance/medical cover would be my guess.

Incorrect. Ht 13 & 15 but anyway, it was an example to support my point that passing takes place on all tracks, if the rider has the skill and the surface is conducive.

They are all there to be raced but take different skills from the rider to do so. Take the BV vs Leicester matches for example - Nicholls had no bother passing BV riders at Leicester but at BV only scored a point. Tracks are all there to be raced and I like the variety - if they were all the same it would bore me to death.

Does it run ok? If so, should be fine.

Absolutely agree with this, it's become a circus, without the entertainment value. I used to like getting to know a rider (not personally but their performances/ability) and then want to see how they progress. I now no longer have a team affinity due to the rapid fire changes every year juts before the play-offs and instead follow certain riders no matter which team they ride for. Hence I only see around 6 meetings a year now rather than the 30 odd in years gone by.

Doesn't make much sense to me that Swindon prefer Thursdays and Poole prefer Wednesdays that Leicester are at those tracks on the other day?

This is my view: http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/86663-no-word-from-the-bspa/&do=findComment&comment=3169007

I may have said this before but I don't think the racing is actually the most important thing - a few more passes in a meeting won't make people flood through the turnstiles. It needs a more conducive environment for fans within the stadium. If the place itself is somewhere people fancy going to socialise with friends and see a bit of racing as well then people other than us purists may want to attend. Kids go free is a good incentive but what do they do when they get there? Maybe trampolines or bungees, maybe video games, food/drink for kids with seating, soft play area or sandpit/pillow. These things will attract them. Now, for older folks then somewhere warm, covered and seating are important. Motorcycle themed activities maybe - a speedway simulator or bikes to sit on/view, you could have motorcycle rider allowed to park together and encourage club meet ups, provide a room/venue for parties/events within the stadium with catering facilities. I'm just throwing these things out there but reducing the large payouts to some riders would give the money to be able to offer some of these things as attractions - when at a dull meeting what else is there to keep you entertained? So will you come back?

It certainly used to be the case that no oil was allowed to be dropped on the ground anywhere, not just the pits. I see no reason for this to have changed.

I think you make a really good point there. Those who currently attend speedway are maybe too focused on the racing whereas new people will view it more on the whole package? This is certainly true of other sports - the 'racing' in F1 for example is usually dull, cricket, rugby and football also have really dull matches but people enjoy other aspects such as entertainment in the stadium, seats and covered terracing, decent inside areas for food and drink and to be able to socialise and dip into the action as necessary. Most speedway tracks are run down looking with outdated facilities and a poor environment for this socialising. Everyone says Belle Vue is great but to have to walk around some car parks, with no signs just to be able to get to the stand and then be faced with one overpriced burger van gives a poor spectator environment for casual type fans. The racing can sometimes be boring but if people can enjoy just being there then they will likely come back - equally the racing could be great but with little to do other than stand around in the open air people still get bored and may not bother coming again.

Financial advisor?

Spot on.

Harris could always become a taxi driver and chauffeur people around in his 80 grand Range Rover. Give two people 100 quid and one will have spent it the same day whilst the the other may still have 50 quid left - I don't think it's a lack of income for those two but what they do with it. I always remember two professional riders who were England stars in the 80s/90s. One used to spend an awful lot of money/use sponsors to get brand new gear every year - the other kept almost everything the same except for leathers and guards/covers. Their performances were comparable every year but I'm sure one had more in the bank!

The additional experience of different teams and tracks will do no harm to him and glad you have realistic expectations. Some of these young Brits need time to develop, some more than others and I just wish teams were more stable to allow that to happen and for the fans to get to know their team. It really is now getting to be just a bunch of individuals and not really a team and that turns me off.

I don't think the tracks are the problem. People need to be attracted to the sport in the first place - and I don't mean the odd friend or two of an existing fan.