enotian

you know that I know that but what about casual supporter or even potential new supporters. It's obvious to us that six pairs will face each other once resulting in 15 heats and maybe a semi and final. But maybe if you'd watched the SON you might think oh 23 heats in a pairs meeting that's good value. Again I'm being devils advocate as the OP was getting an unnecessary hard time for asking a valid question. I now presume you're happy to buy tins without labels and are happy to run that soup or dog food gamble. The appropriate football analogy would be the length of the game. And yes if there was a chance the match might only last 60 minutes football supporters would want to know what they're paying for. As it's been 90 minutes infinitum they don't need to ponder that. Speedway is different with different formats applicable to different types of competition. It should all be part of the promotion of the event. I don't see why wanting to know what you're paying to watch is nerdy. Just common sense especially when people have less money and there are plenty of alternatives. I don't think you can say it doesn't matter because you've been able to work out how many heats there'll be.

just to be devils advocate what happens if you pay your c£20 entrance fee buy the programme and find out there are only 10 heats? Or your team only appears three times? would you buy a tin with no label on it? So it does matter. It shouldn't have taken someone to peruse the rulebook to discover the format. To be fair I dare say the promoters would have released it nearer the time but you can't expect people to pay money for unknown content. unless you're running a lottery.

it clearly will. the heat format massively favours teams with at least two no1 riders. It's why Glasgow don't win the title because they don't back up Cook with another big hitter. They go for riders on a perceived low average. Basso/Brennan might hit no1 level this season and the strategy might work. In the current format the top two have an extra ride each and heat 13 and 15 potentially gives you an 8 point advantage. Heat 2 and 8 just don't offset because even if you build strength in depth by definition those lower averaged riders are not guaranteed to always deliver 8 points from those heats. If you're Poole and you have 3 no1's capable of beating all of the opposition there are only 3 heats in which one or more of them don't appear. i.e. only 3 heats the opposition can realistically get a heat advantage. Even then if your top three has scored 41 between them and the others are guaranteed 3 points they only need another 2 points to win. Clearly speedway matches aren't won on paper but the winning strategy is obvious. It's why Poole follow the strategy and are successful. They know what they're doing. Well played and within the rules but if it's detrimental to the product because there aren't enough heatleaders to go around or some of the teams can't afford them then you end up with less teams to defeat.

yeah and how did that work out for them??? Same owners turn it around? Or saved by wealthy owners? Not intended as a pop at Glasgow. They've turned the clubs fortunes around and it would be great if others could do the same but there just aren't that many potential owners able to risk making a loss. There will always be team at the top and a team at the bottom but if the team at the bottom has no chance why would you pay to watch? I recall Glasgow rocking up at Newcastle with Martin McKinna as 2nd heat leader and thinking there's only 4 heats worth watching here, the ones with Lawson in. Indeed they eventually folded and by the time they became Workington they only lasted weeks before being expelled for fielding too weak a side. It's just not good for business. The fact that you hope the Diamonds strengthen up by including Ben Barker tells me everything I need to know. Without him last season the Diamonds wouldn't have hit 25. Starke might do something similar on Friday and Complin might take a liking to the track but we're talking all 7 Diamonds over performing to get anywhere near 35. The thrill of it.

money. The more points you score the more you earn. Decent incentive I'd say. Then at the end of the season you get to reset the limit for next season based on the expected available riders and what average they're on and how many teams are in the league so it would be complete folly for riders to 2nd guess next years rules. It's not complicated. They stopped it in the Premiership because there were no top line riders left. And to be honest the fact the the promoters stopped doing it is probably arguing in favour adopting it given their track record for decision making. Look at any successful business and the focus is on the product. If you think Glasgow vs Newcastle this coming Friday is a great product and advert for speedway fair play to you. But based on falling attendances everywhere it would suggest not many agree. Soon there'll be a 6 team Championship which, like the Premiership will improve the product but it hardly screams major sport.

Because you want to be entertained by watching two teams who have at least a realistic chance of being at least competitive. Unless you're entertained by whitewashes against cannon fodder. If you think it through restricting teams to one rider over 8.00 points at the start of the season results in supply exceeding demand. Which means every team might benefit from reduced demands from those no1's. The richest teams will still secure the best no1 riders and inevitably the best teams but at least they'll face competitive opposition. Or maybe we should just cut out the middle man and hold an auction to decide who pays most to win a title? Would avoid losing money on those zero entertainment matches against woefully weak opposition.

Having said on the 'BSN Streaming Channel' thread that this was a crazy fixture to pick for the first ever match, I have to now say it has the look of a cracking match. Perhaps the promoters knew Birmingham were going to add Ellis, Vissing and Pearson when they made the choice? Or maybe they got lucky? Who cares as it looks like being a really competitive fixture. I think Birmingham can't afford to have any passengers as I'm expecting Flint to step up this season. To hard to call.

Glad to hear that. Watching the Diamonds is a big enough pain in the ass . Sorry couldn't resist but really glad to hear in all seriousness that the Redcar promotion have listened to the fans in this respect. One of the reason's I lost interest. Takes all the momentum from a meeting.

I watched Eurosports Preview of WSB season yesterday and during the adverts they had a Bikes Bikes Bikes trailer which stated that WSB, BSB, Speedway GB and Premiership Speedway would all feature on Eurosport and Discovery Sport. Clear as mud but I guest it's up to them what they show live or Eurosport. But guessing there'll at least be highlights shown.

Valid. And to be honest I'd expect some regrading after the practice to bring some of the top surface back during the team presentation so a limited time to change the track massively. I'm guessing that two riders at a time is less disruptive to the track than a free for all would be. Would need a more learned track curator to comment on what is possible. Of course if the weather means track prep will take longer the practice would be cancelled. Worth investigating if it would improve the product.

Didn't the Diamonds do it to Sheffield after a typically rubbish Owlerton display? I recall because I didn't bother going to the 2nd leg but my dad who would pay to watch paint dry did and was smug for weeks. But it's basically two rubbish matches isn't it, two massive home wins. Don't ask the year as they all merge into one at my age. A few laps just before tapes up hardly gives riders time to make adjustments though. I'm thinking more of a structured pre match practice. Say two riders at a time for a 5 minute practice so 35 mins of practice in total before the line up presentation. If the riders want to do it. Maybe do interviews with those who do after their practice. F1 and Moto GP make 3 days out of exactly that. 2 if you consider qualifying as an event. The riders wouldn't get paid to practice so no extra cost to add an extra 35 mins of 'entertainment' for those who want to see it. If you don't just turn up for the tapes up time. Personally I'd just turn up for the start of the match but if the knock on effect is that both sets of riders are more well prepared for the real action then the match is likely to be more entertaining.

Based on the fact that we're told that it takes a couple of heats for the track to bed in, it makes complete sense that all the riders are offered the opportunity of practice laps pre meeting. You could even make it part of the pre match and it would likely improve the on track action. Won't happen because it would give the away team a better chance of winning and as we all know the home team must win at all costs.

Cheers man. I'll probably get over it by the time Chris Allen get's his first maximum for the Bandits.

I'm sure David Beckham has image rights. So you can't take a picture of him and use it to sell as a David Beckham product. You can publish pictures of him as part of a media publication of course but you couldn't take a picture of him and sell it as a poster. Which is more akin to what a sticker album is. Or if you did you'd have to pay him for using his image. Quite simple to set up as lots of people have found that the pictures they've used on dating apps are being used as fake profiles on other apps. Because they don't read the T&C's. A nice little extra income stream for those dating apps.

Wonder if any of the riders have image rights in their contracts. Some have their own merchandise don't they. It is a 3rd party who are taking the risk and reward on this. Probably worth getting one as I imagine it'll be a collectors item. The 2022 sticker album never to be replicated.

Apparently so Obviously I was referring to Chris Harris' victory at the British Mathletics Championships in which he won gold in the multiplication category. Fr!ggIng predictive text.

Sounds like it was suggested not dictated by Eurosport. Then voted on by the promoters who must think it's a good idea (or are frightened to go against their broadcast partner). Maybe in future supporters should just contact Eurosport with suggestions to improve the sport. Without drawn matches does there even need to be league points? Just do the same as the NFL. Wolverhampton are 10 and 0 (wins to loses) Kings Lynn are 0 and 10. None of this pesky bonus point stuff to incentivise close matches. Indeed just end the match as soon as one team can't reach 45. Good job it doesn't apply to the Championship because some of the Diamonds matches could be quite short. I'll just give Eurosport a call......

Would you pay to watch a film if you knew the lead actor was being digitally replaced by Barry Chuckle? Sorry, I actually agree with you. Yes Birmingham are weakened but if I was in the area I'd want to see Pearson's debut to see what all the fuss is about. Seems a nonsense that R/R couldn't apply because something Ian Thomas once did at Newcastle in 1978 or whenever it was.

Which realistically makes them about 5 to 6 points under the limit. They might end up with six riders averaging 6 ish plus whatever Congreve progresses to. Maybe a total team average of 40 points. Effectively a 4 point increase on their realistic starting averages. That would normally give you a chance of winning the league but not if you start 6 points under the limit. They effectively start each match (away and home) 8 points behind the opposition as heat 13 and 15 are nailed on 1-5's. Until the authorities do something about team strengths (i.e. only one rider over an 8 average) there is no hope for the Diamonds. They clearly need to operate at a lower level but with the National League having so few fixtures that's not viable. Expect the usual use it or lose it cries to start in July.

Be fair now, Berwick's actual new no 1 is relatively unheard of having only had a 20 years career and being a multiply British Champion and Cardiff GP winner.... ooohh what's his name again? it's on the tip of my tongue..... Absolutely shocking really. Ironic really that a sport which is suffering because mostly all the riders are full time professional that the administration is so amateur.

credit where credit is due. just goes to show how limited averages are. Hopefully the lad gets a chance at no7 at some point. Seen him at Brough in 2019 when Eastbourne won with 3 heat leaders and him at reserve. Looked really talented. Seemed to get mucked about last season so hopefully he can get back on track this.

Only surprise was that the Redcar heatleaders dropped 4 points (3 due to an engine fail). I'm sure Wilson Dean, Complin and Congreve will get better and Starke might have got more than the R/R five but it's a team which is never going to take points from a team with three strong heat leaders. Home or Away. So if your opposition is guaranteed nigh on 41 points from three riders plus another guaranteed 3 from heat 2, 8 and 12 or 14. The other four riders only need to add another 2 between them to win. This is what happens when the teams aren't evenly matched. Hopefully the on track action was better than the scoreline suggests.

Top notch punditry that. Looks like Roynon's pop at the Diamonds has inspired him more than the bad place.

Really hope you don't mind this comment @crazysue but I wonder if there is some way the BSN could allow a reduced fee for anyone registered disabled. Maybe the validation would be prohibitive but it would be a really positive story for Speedway if it recognised the issues facing the disabled community. Apologies if I'm using the incorrect terminology. I'm not aware of any other streaming service which offers this. There's an obvious reason to do it as well. To acknowledge those braves riders who have ended up disabled in the course of entertaining us.

Correct. Some would complain but they're all complaining anyway about doubling up. Which is part of the reason that the restructure won't happen. Because the Premiership teams can afford their riders demands because they can ride in two divisions. Take that away and they ask for more money. Meanwhile the likes of Poole and Glasgow get to spend money on top level heatleaders and the best riders on low averages to ensure they're always at the top of the Championship whilst others scrape around to complete their teams or go bust trying to compete, see Workington. It's totally unsustainable for the majority of teams in the Championship hence the number of teams under the points limit who'll never be able to compete to the point that crowds will dwindle and they'll inevitably disappear. Clubs need to exist within their own means and not to subsidise the top handful of teams.