moxey63

Never before In all my life has speedway had as much publicity or cash flung its way... and never before has it been in such a state. The start of it was getting rid of the white helmet colour for that green on that looked yellow under the lights, just so that SKY could introduce betting was it not? How many programmes I filled in wrongly because of that. Then SKY dumped us as quickly as David Cameron skipped on out of Downing Street after last year's EU vote. Well... not quite as fast I suppose, and thank god we kept all those millions of SKY dosh eh?

They'll be asking fans to double up next... if the sport keeps heading the way it is. Speedway has for so long tried top repair a once-good inner-tube with another rubber patch. The "Just get tonight's match on" attitude without a plan for the future will prove its downfall.

Another reason perhaps why fans are reluctant to hand over hard earned shillings. How do you know when a rider is trying his best, or can give his best, and that could reduce the main attraction - real racing. If you are burned out then you are not at your best. When racing becomes a chore, the spectators suffer.

I am not personally criticising Doyle. It could have been any other rider who put his neck in the noose. But I do believe that the exodus of the main players from British speedway will prove that it was a turning point in the sport's history over here. We may be getting back to basics, a chance to reboot the sport here over the next few years. There will always be someone to replace these riders who aren't willing to ride here, always someone to step up and score what the likes of Doyle would have scored, as history has proved. But, if we don't sort the whole thing out now, these replacements will eventually decide that other countries offer more.

We know British speedway is in a mess without Mr. Doyle telling us, thank you very much. Not defending Britain when criticising Doyle. But we have something here that highlights where we are in loyalty. Imagine being a kid again, say 10 years-old, and you ask your so-called best mate is he coming to your party on Tuesday. Friend says, he can't because his other friend is having one that day. You feel hurt, it takes away something special from your friendship. And it doesn't help when your ex-best pal knocks on your door during your party, saying the other party was cancelled so he can come to yours now. How can you support a sport that encourages this scenario?

Jason Doyle is quite adamant... British speedway must have fixed racenights. Oh, and our tracks.. they are not prepared very well. That sways his view. But... compared to Poland... how many riders have lost their lives or been confined to a wheelchair from British track accident the past 10 years? Poland seems quite dangerous if you compare the two.

I am not moaning about my not attending because tracks don't have fixed race nights, my gripe is that the rules are not very good and that riders, like Doyle, are even allowed to race in other leagues and then try to tell us, who gave him his break, he'll have more regard for the bottom of his shoes than he will for British speedway as of next year.

So true Paulco..

Yes... because of the way it's run? Surely you don't need me to explain that! This is another thread which should direct you towards part of the answer...

Just another example of treating fans like idiots. They have provided the bread for his table all these years... now this slap in the face. Small wonder the sport over here is leaking support. If riders will ride for anyone that gives them a wink and a beckon, surely fans are realising they are the mugs? Without the lure of supporting a team, then team speedway is worthless. Let Mr Doyle go... I am sure someone will replace him. He wasn't this big for his boots when a struggling middle-order rider, just happy to get a place here I bet, before all the stars exited the stage and he was able to cash in. He took their place... so I am sure someone will take his. But we have to crack down on the exodus... or will British speedway become stronger for it?

You'll laugh... when moxey receives meeting tickets. Hotel sorted as well... and they even threw in a hire car for Round One because I was first customer. In addition to getting 10% because I paid cash. Mox is one happy chappy today! Not so funny now, are you . Show a bit of trust and faith my friend.

It's alright you all laughing.... but I've already paid for my tickets and hotel rooms from a really nice Nigerian man. More fool you lot.

Is it best, for promotion-relegation to ever work, for speedway to work within the budget of what the poorest clubs can pay? Speedway 2017 in the UK is about the weakest I've ever seen, so perhaps that is the BSPA's plan. Oh, and while I can still remember 1991... Milton Keynes, the unfashionables, made a cheeky approach to sign Simon Wigg that summer, to help them gain promotion. I know it wouldn't have ever happened, but I found that brilliant.

I remember with fondness the last real attempt to have promotion and relegation. Back in 1991 I was quite gullible and actually thought it would be a huge success. It reignited some end of season matches that otherwise would have meant nothing at Belle Vue - I recall relegation-threatened Eastbourne turning up at Belle Vue and not just lying down but fighting for every point - Andy Grahame had a 6 ride maximum even. I recall Hans Nielsen-led Oxford, facing the drop, in another end of season thriller at Kirky Lane. In the end Swindon finished bottom and should have been relegated. They even sacked Andrew Silver for failing to arrive for their relegation four -pointer at Eastboure (I think it was). But they (Swindon) cried off, one of their gripes being that they'd have to close if they were forced to take relegation, so they were allowed a stay of execution. The idea filtered out after that. But, even better than the Play-Offs, I enjoyed that brief fling... Oh, and that Arena Essex were more than happy to take their place in the top flight after sweeping all before them in Division Two during 1991.

We have the so-called moaners, going on about the good old days, being told by the quite happy present day fan that there is nothing wrong with speedway. The moaners often just flit away from the sport, never to be heard again. We don't know a reason, but we are told by the present-day fans, the few that remain, that speedway is great. Nothing wrong with it... because they still attend. But the gaps on the terraces tell another tale... of spaces vacated by regular fans from days of yore... many who, like me, just lost interest but was told, by the happy day fans, that my non-attending is because, in my case, I had to start paying to get in. The fans who still attend, the ones who think the sport is fine, they call anyone who tells them otherwise. "Why come on a speedway website.. if you are criticising speedway?" they ask. Luckily the few who are still interested but don't attend are leaving some kind of feedback, promoters should heed. I mean, even the new chippy has a mad rush early on... but then the owners are confused when customers are few and far between. Don't listen to the moaners, and we are where we are. I never thought I'd be a "I used to go to speedway" kind... and it could happen to anyone. Feedback, good or bad, is important. How many lost fans just weren't listened to. Now the few that remain will take anything thrown at them. I bet they no little different.

But how many fans have stopped attending because the likes of Nick Morris are racing for two clubs. You won't find them, cos they ain't attending!

There are a number of questions that need answering. Are promoters trying to keep the fans happy that the sport appeals to right now, or are the fans that are disengaged and have drifted away from the terraces worth getting back? Maybe a return to 13 heats, the old style second halves helping reunited the sport with terrace appeal is about as justifiable as that old argument from 1988-2016 about crowds flooding back to Belle Vue, once Saturday night speedway and its own stadium was back on the bill. It didn't happen; will reintroducing aspects of the golden age alter the current climate? You have what seems a growing number of fans frustrated with the way the sport is being run, and another section that are quite happy with it. The old gits like me will never persuade the new fans that our day was better, so I guess promoters (laugh) are stuck in the middle.

Can't argue with any of that.

But did both actually care? It's about earning a crust I expect they're bothered about. You certainly get that feeling.

Were they even invited on your "mini road trip?" Some people just tag along. Seriously though, doesn't that tell you how silly everything's gone.

Is speedway going to eventually die when the "moaning old gets" finally kick the bucket then? Seems youngsters only want to treat it like we hear from American riders how race-goers treat it over in the States - the speedway being unimportant, more about socialising.

I know... blooming computer. Not like they were in the 70s.

So true. Get the feeling riders get more out of it than the fans.

I know people won't like this... but I get the same feeling watching my football team - the nervy excitement of a tense match, cheering a goal etc - that I used to get watching the likes of PC, Tyrer, Wilkie etc at Belle Vue. I didn't get why people liked football until about 15 years ago, as speedway was a great team sport. Speedway is a poor second right now. You can't just support your local speedway team because you like the sport. There has to be something to have you wanting to support it... that team ethic. Football is tribalistic. Speedway, to me, used to offer as much as football does now. Individual meetings were once that open-date-filler, but you could wait the next week to see your team back in the fold. Every meeting nowadays has an air of individuality about it. You can't throw any seven riders (sometimes) together that'll fit within the rules and call it a team. Any fan with a genuine love of team speedway should are having the wool pulled over their peepers.

I know people won't like this... but I get the same feeling watching my football team - the nervy excitement of a tense match, cheering a goal etc - that I used to get watching the likes of PC, Tyrer, Wilkie etc at Belle Vue. I didn't get why people liked football until about 15 years ago, as speedway was a great team sport. Speedway is a poor second right now. You can't just support your local speedway team because you like the sport. There has to be something to have you wanting to support it... that team ethic. Football is tribalistic. Speedway, to me, used to offer as much as football does now. Individual meetings were once that open-date-filler, but you could wait the next week to see your team back in the fold. Every meeting nowadays has an air of individuality about it. You can't throw any seven riders (sometimes) together that'll fit within the rules and call it a team. Any fan with a genuine love of team speedway should are having the wool pulled over their peepers.