enotian

Re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic then! But if it's been tested in a computer it must be the saviour!! Jesus. What chance of survival when the promoters don't even know what their customers want. Which is a professionally run sport with entertaining unpredictable racing Even assuming the riders accept the removal of doubling up and guest appearances for potentially one extra ride per meeting (although I can't see that Pandora's box ever being closed) what will this proposal improve? It makes no sense. The promoters have, to their credit, attempted to encourage more young riders which seems to be coming to some fruition and now they want to reduce the number of team place opportunities? Will promotion/relegation ever work? When you have promoters changing the ideal points system to guarantee 3 points for any home win because supporters were disappointed in getting only 2 (after seeing a close presumably entertaining match!!!) can you see them accepting a relegation? Are the supporters desperate for promotion/relegation??? I know that the ex promoter involved in this was frustrated because he wanted the Diamonds to be the best in the country but could never achieve that goal under the existing format. Is the answer to dilute the product even further? It isn't clear how rider replacement and guests would be removed but I can't see promoters/supporters accepting home defeats due to fielding an under strength team. Something needs to be done but what is the idea here? The article in SS doesn't say. I would have thought the carnage caused by changing the elite heat format and the resultant dysfunctional averages would have indicated that it's not really a good idea to have the same riders facing each other multiple times. You can just see the Poole no.6 starting on a 4 point average getting an inflated 9 point average thanks to the heat format and then being replaced by a genuine 9 point rider. Exactly the type of manipulation that has turned so many people off. Focus on improving quality (tracks, stadium facilities and riders) and run the sport professionally with integrity and you might stand a chance. After all, when speedway is good it's an amazing spectacle. Surely this is just another case of promoters missing the point.

The problem is nobody focuses on the product. Decisions seem to be made to enable enough "promotions" to form a viable league each season with the "Have's" making enough concessions to what they want to encourage enough "Have Not's" to make up the numbers. (Typical of Motorsport. Always the factory teams accept restrictions but always end up winning) In any business the product is king. If you haven't got a product you don't have a business. More than ever you have to have a quality product in the entertainment business because there are so many alternatives for the customer, not just sporting. i.e. TV subscriptions, Concerts, Gaming, Dining Out the list goes on. So if your product is poor customers will naturally spend their disposable income elsewhere given the range of choices available. Whatever speedway in Britain becomes it must provide a product which is value for money. So what makes a good sporting product? I'd say unpredictability, a genuine contest between evenly matched teams. Isn't that why everyone is raving about this seasons football Premier League? The actual standard of football is way below previous seasons (all the best players play in Spain or Germany) but watching the same 4 clubs dominate had become stale. So crucially having a league of competitive teams is a must. Speedway with a points limit can do that more readily than any other sport but has still managed to mess it up!!!! Because the points limit leads to dysfunctional team selections. The product suffers if a GP star lines up against a novice 3.00 pointer who's in the team to make the numbers up. Total non contest. The current EL tried to avoid this by changing the format so each team has 3 teams within a team, which just hasn't worked. If you want an Elite product in this country with 7 man teams you need even the lowest averaged rider to be of an acceptable standard capable of being competitive. That is why I don't think Elite level speedway is viable in a 7 man team format in this country. The GP standard riders have so much higher budgets how can a domestic rider afford to compete. Elite teams could be filled with continental riders but the admission fee would increase and to be honest I can't see anyone paying over £20 to attend an event in a run down stadium. I guess there are now only 3 or 4 speedway venues in the UK which could justify hosting a premium priced event. Check out the competition. Even non league football stadium standards offer far greater facilities than most speedway venues. The general public expect more for their money than standing in a field. So if the facilities available don't allow premium pricing you need to find a product that is affordable within the price customers are willing to pay. The $M question I guess. Whatever that level is the product must be the focus. And that means well prepared tracks conducive to passing (no more setting tracks to ensure a home win), competitive teams in which the variance in rider standard is minimised and providing the best possible customer experience. This doesn't mean cost's can't be cut but be innovative. Try to centralise costs. i.e. track curators, medical teams resources can be shared between tracks. Contract league wide with equipment providers so riders can benefit from product discounts. Get the product right and believe in it. After all going to a great speedway meeting is so much better than all those other leisure options. We just need to make sure those great meetings are the norm and don't just happen by luck.

Traditional league racing with 7 man teams over 8-9 months is a niche product. To reach a mass audience the best speedway can aim for is to be the focus of attention for a short time span during the summer. (like Wimbledon does for Tennis but obviously on a smaller scale) Talk to broadcasters find out when they have a two week gap in their schedules in which they can give high level promotion to the product. Get the best riders riding on the best tracks in the best stadiums currently on offer. If that means only using 4 or 5 locations then so be it. Make the format fit, don't get bogged down by traditional convention. It's got to be about the product on track. Get the betting companies involved to widen the appeal. Go big on the stats. Speedway lends itself to betting more than any other sport. There's a chance to win every 5 minutes. Run domestic March to October league speedway to an affordable model without the big names. Hope the flag ship event stimulates attendances and sponsorship.

Replace the double point tactical rides with choice of gates. So the match starts with fixed gates but if a team is 6 or more behind they get the opportunity to have the choice of gates. Should help to keep scores closer and become a point of tactical discussion without the "joker" unpopular element of double points. I'm always surprised by how little is made of gate positions during TV coverage and in general. In this information age there should be stats on what each rider averages out of each of the 4 gates.

Exactly. The likes of Konopka, Stichauer, Dilger are now essential No.6's. Probably adding 1.00 to 2.00 to their averages in heat 2 alone riding against NL standard riders. You'd have to be a mug to have a No.6 who averages much more than 3.50 based on their potential to increase. So what happens to the likes of Stefan Nielsen? Another half thought through idea.

Please please please....... don't introduce draft reserves at Premier League level and the dreadful associated heat format. Simply revert any foreign rider to their original assessed average if their CMA has fallen below that level and assess British riders with over 100 Premier League matches at 5.00. This will naturally open spaces for 3.00 British youngsters and increase the pool of riders. It would also stop British youngsters being dropped as soon as they improve their average to bring in a "more experienced" alternative. It might also help with work permits as permit riders would never drop below 7.00. One of the great things about 7 man teams is that you can build different types of teams. Not everyone can afford an out and out no. 1. Those who can't go for strength in depth. It's interesting to see different team compositions. The draft system and heat format make team building more generic, everyone is looking for next seasons Gomolski. Great to see more British talent but not at the expense of the product. The Premier League in its current format already develops British talent to a certain standard. The failing is in developing the likes of Auty, the Worralls etc etc to the next level of International class racers. That's been the problem for years now. There are loads of examples of wonderkid youngsters who develop quickly but who never get any better than Premier League no. 1's. I'd also like to see a change to match scoring trialled (perhaps in the KOC). Still 3-2-1 points per heat but matches would be won by the team with the most heat wins (i.e. 5-1's or 4-2's). Should make for closer matches with score lines like 6-5 etc, and the potential for more last heat deciders. Using this format for this seasons Elite league Grand Final would have resulted in Belle Vue winning a last heat decider.

Would have thought Lanham would have come into consideration at reserve. In a team without too much experience, his could be invaluable.

Robson Kerr R Lambert L Lindgren A Thomsen (if still riding) Rose 3.00 (liked the look of O Greenwood but think he has an ave. over 3.00) Totals 42.50 No #1 but with Rose starting at reserve there are potentially six 7+ pointers

Change the scoring and payments system so that the emphasis is on heat advantages. So still 3 for a win, 2 for 2nd etc etc but the match score is based on heat advantages. Eg a 5-1 or a 4-2 heat advantage would gain a team 1 match point. 3-3 drawn heats would result in no match points for either side. i.e. if the home team wins heat 1 4-2, they go 1 nil up. If heat 2 is a 3-3 it remains 1 nil. If the home team win heat 3 5-1 they go 2 nil up. As opposed to 12-6 in the current method. Effectively a 4-2 has the same value as a 5-1. Both are heat advantages that earn 1 match point. As for payments as far as I'm aware riders are paid per point scored but what if that was changed so that each heat had a prize fund (for illustrative purposes £1,000 per heat {heat 15 might be more}) Any heat advantage earns £1,000 for the winning team. Drawn heats see the prize fund split £500 each. This might encourage team riding. So instead of a heat leader charging away for 3 points they would be incentivised to generate a heat advantage, doubling their teams prize fund. How the end of meeting prize funds are distributed between the team would be up to each team. Worth a trial in the League or KO Cups???

Ah it does say "the" and not "a". Still a bit bleary eyed. Thanks for pointing that out.

Having a day off work to recover (in a good way) from last nights Courtney Love gig and as my hangover lifted I got to thinking that perhaps we've all missed a trick with this team re-declaration. I still think the rule to not allow Robert Lambert to ride PL has been superseded by the reality that other riders are actually riding both league without having an official MA. But because that was the focus of attention I'd not thought about Danny King's converted average. Apologies if this has already been discussed but shouldn't Danny King have joined the Diamonds on his previous PL average??? As per: 18.6.3 Where a Rider has a PL Established MA from the previous season, then this MA is used. So shouldn't Danny revert to his last PL average of 8.00 ish from 2006 ish? Thereby freeing up another 3 points which could/should have allowed the Diamonds to retain Henry or Rosen? King, Robson, Lindgren, Henry/Rosen, Kerr, Rose, 3.00. Again apologies if this has already been discounted.

Another technicality which may or may not be specified within a rulebook. The reality is that Lewis Rose (and now Nathan Greaves) is allowed to ride and importantly earn money in both the Premier and Elite League whilst not having achieved an average previously. Yet Robert Lambert who had also not previously achieved an average is prohibited from riding in both leagues because he has chosen to not accept a fast track place. So a young British prospect shows ambition and self belief (essentially qualities for any successful sports person) and his national association restrict him from gaining experience and income. The protagonist in me would urge Newcastle to include Lambert, forcing the BSPA to amend every result, to illustrate the farcical d/up/fast track situation.

oh dear the analogy police will be after you for that one but to continue it, the grocer doesn't stop you from buying both an apple and an orange because that wouldn't be good for his business. The rules must allow assessed riders to double up because that is exactly what Lewis Rose is doing. Is he not?

And Lewis Rose can? Exact same situation apart from the Fast Track label. Amazing technicality for the BSPA to cling to. Can't work out if they have something against Lambert or Newcastle having what would be a very strong team. Without Lambert the team changes don't really strengthen Newcastle as Danny King will not average 11 and will realistically average 9. Having never seen Greaves ride I can't comment on his ability to average over 3. However it's becoming apparent that d/up PL riders have a massive advantage over their non d/up opponents so you really do need a d/up rider to be competitive. I guess the d/up riders having more meetings and can invest more in machinery. Certainly Josh Gracjzonek was head and shoulders above anyone else last Sunday. Sad to see Rosen and Henry go but the team at the start of the season was too far under the points limit and the anticipated increases from Rosen and Kerr didn't materialise. Hopefully both will find a team place elsewhere.

Tai was once again excellent on BT Sport live. I can't speak highly enough of what he has achieved and how he presents himself in the media. I'm sure he'd prefer to be and deserves to be in the sun of Australia rather than the cold of Blighty right now but he continues to perform his role as World Champion to promote the sport brilliantly. With BT Sport taking Moto GP from 2014 perhaps they're also considering Speedway to fill their empty summer schedule?

The most important decision for promoters this winter must be which strategy to follow:- Either, a genuine Elite league, or reduce costs to Premier League level across the board. What hasn't worked over the last 10 years is falling between the two options. Which is effectively what the current Elite league is. A genuine Elite League would without question need to feature the majority of GP stars. To achieve that you need a) the cash to pay them so a TV deal would probably be required, fit into the riders schedules and that means racing on the same night every week, and c) tracks/venues that are conducive to GP standard racing. In a genuine Elite League less is more. I'd suggest 8 7 man teams. Each comprising of 4 International standard riders supplemented by a squad of 6 British double uppers from the Premier League. Rider grading to dictate team building. 10 home and 10 away league fixtures to be completed by end of August. Play Off finale in September. All fixtures on a Thursday night with potentially the weekly TV match on a Monday night so as not to effect Thursday night attendances. Priced at current Elite League levels. Alternatively, the current Premier League model could be adopted across the board but one big league has failed before. But two divisions of 15/16 teams could allow genuine promotion/relegation for the first time. With consideration given to reducing pricing to £12-£14. The content of each strategy is open to debate but the important choice is genuine Elite standard or reduce cost to Premier League levels.

Game over then! The PLPO format really needs looking at. Newcastle now potentially face (like last season) two home meaningless PO fixtures if Somerset gain a point at Redcar. Hardly the excitement the PO's are supposed to generate.

Would Kim Nilsson come in on his previous PL average??? Could do a good job. And I wonder what Pepe Franc's situation is at this stage of the season? Doubt he could match the scoring potential of Robbo but he'd score more than R/R.

But isn't that the Catch 22? What's potentially on offer depends upon whether or not Sky renew their contract and for how much. I don't think the promoters could commit to announcing that all 15 gp riders will ride in the 2014 Elite league without knowing they could afford to deliver that product. Something's need to be done behind the curtain.

Good point but it isn't even that straightforward as the missing riders teammates score would increase. Complicated For it to work it would need to be simple to apply and enable the team with the missing rider to be competitive. As I say a handicap system would only be marginally more palatable than guests so I can't see it being adopted.

Just assumed he'd be on a PL 7.00 assessed ave. But none assessed double uppers is the sort of rule that would exist isn't it.... ....for whatever reason. As he's unlikely to obtain an official average it must've been Thorssell as the only option as I can't imagine we'd be able to sign anyone from another PL 1-7. I suppose it could be an asset of another promotion who hasn't been active in Britain this season but I can only think of Monberg who'd be any better than our own asset Claes.

No need for a handicap system to be complicated. If you're missing a 9point rider, 9 point head start. (adjust in the event of a rain off if applicable) Not completely fair to the team with the missing rider (re 5th ride/tacticals)but it might incentivise teams to sign a replacement and/or develop a competitive No.8. Alas that's easier said than done. And on the basis that the guest facility is most likely popular with the riders I feel we're stuck with it regardless of how strange it appears in the context of a team sport.

Mikkel Michelsen must be the best case scenario. Looks like his Polish team didn't make the play offs and Eastbourne are all but done. Have a word Bjarne

Agreed

Rene Back 7.95 Stuart Robson 7.86 Ludvig Lindgren 6.84 Claes Nedermark 6.20 Richie Worrall 5.78 Steve Worrall 4.03 Jason King 3.53 42.19