RPNY

Big crowds Warsaw, Prague, Cardiff, Mallila, Horsens, Gorzow, Torun. Stockholm was up on last couple of year. SWC packed houses for qualifiers and final (as they were last year) Looking again at the Sponsors for this season, I stand by its fairly impressive list yes. With regards to league Speedway, I've said many times before, this is the way most if not all sports are going. The top events get massive crowds, the lower down you go, the smaller the crowd gets. League Rugby, County cricket, non title fights in boxing, even outside the Champions League & top 6 teams in football, the crowds dwindle. People want top events these days. Just the way it is.

It's not perfect by any stretch but there are many plus points to the GPs. Big crowds, fantastic racing, Deal with BT Sport signed, Big name sponsors involved. Getting back to the original Debate, they should just work harder at keeping these wonderful stadiums...

Same with NFL in the States. So many parents stopping their kids playing the game through fear of injury (or worse)

Yes that makes sense. AS I said on a different thread such a shame about the injuries this year. Even though its been a cracking series it could have been even better.

Ah right well just the interviews I read seemed like they loved going to Aus but you would know better than me. And I can fully appreciate its a lot of effort for them to travel Aus Torun is definitely a great venue, was there in 12 & 13 and yes it is a Superb venue. It's just that it is quite over used these days. A world class stadium in a fantastic City - just a great way to round off the series IMO. And Fair as its a neutral track. Would Holder have been 2012 WC if last round had been staged elsewhere...

Having been there last year, I saw zero in the way promotion. I dont believe its BSI's fault alone. But does seem silly to go all that way and not promote it.

Have to disagree (Sorry Phil!) With all the advantages the Polish boys already have I think it isnt ideal to have the final round there. Also think it is such a shame they couldn't make the Etihad work. Superb venue in a wonderful city on a completely Neutral track. Seems a lot fairer and more prestigious to me. And all the riders love going there.

Any news on how Ticket Sales are going with Doyley at #1?

Very true, it has been a great season still just not quite what was thinking/hoping it might be.

As enjoyable as this year has been with some tremendous GPs, I cant help but feel its not been quite the series it promised at the start of the season, when it was widely agreed to be the best line up in a long time if not ever. So many injuries have taken a little bit of the sheen off it for me. The injuries for one, but also the lack of form of Lindback & Holder who finished off so strong last year. Be interesting to see what 2018 brings.

So many stadiums in the states they could use. Why they have approached any of them that stage Super cross (also sponsored by Monster) is beyond me.

Brilliant GP last year, wish I was going back this year.

It'll be Holder, Hancock, 1 Dane & 1 other.

Agree with pretty much all of that post. The only thing I would say is that no "Star" Swede has a dramatic effect on Crowd size. If T Rik was still riding Id imagine they could pull in closer to 30k. Maybe if Freddie had won the last round or closed the gap on Doyle in Teterow it may of had a positive effect but we will never know. Think it would be a terrible shame to let Friends Arena just go from the GP Calendar. I cant see there being any point in having 2 Swedish rounds if its regular stadiums.

Certainly wont hurt his cause!

Very true and yes it would

Season ending in Auckland/Melbourne would be pretty cool. Happy to hear Horsens is staying, 3 brilliant GPs there thus far. Sad but not surprised to see Stockholm go. I wish round 1 would be at the NSS. Would give enough time between then and Cardiff to not effect the Cardiff crowd and would be a belting opening to the series.

Holder Hancock both recent world champions, both Monster guys, not a chance in Hell they dont get a Wildcard each. After that its very tough to choose. Will they want 2 Swedes? Do they NEED a Dane. Do the want new blood (eg Vaculik Lebedev) Very interesting

4th year on the Spin in Stockholm, never really served up any classics but there were a handful of superb races Saturday, Emil/PK and the final in particular. Crowd looked up on last year but ironically the atmosphere very flat. Odd seeing as Freddie and Anton came out and scored well in the opening rounds of heats. That aside seemed like the guys were struggling with the track and it was a shame from a neutrals meeting that Doyle pulled so far ahead. Be sad to loose this GP tho, beautiful city, lovely stadium.

A badly spelt version of a Speedway God!

Oh yes right he was a world beater before he came to England... Are you for real? Anyway this is not about Hans, it's about the trend of riders leaving Britain being in place

The moment Hans Neilsen binned the British League and rode on the continent the writing was on the wall regardless of nationality. Im no fan of the Aussies in any sport, but cant point the finger just at them. They just happy to whinge more than others...

Zagar Vaculik 1,2 was pretty unbelievable correct

You will never stop progress. They wont dumb down their equipment in the UK when in GPs, SEC, Polish league, Swedish league etc they are all searching for every bit of extra speed they can. They tried that in 95 with no laydowns in UK. Despite the fact it saved money top riders ALL complained it was holding them back. Charles Wright is a dam good and exciting rider correct, but could he be progressing more if he was concentrating more (or solely) on his racing. More than likely. Your theory is absolutely correct however its just not realistic unfortunately. As for the Moto X boys yes they are self funding. However that is the norm. In Speedway its a paid league(s) that's the standard been set it isnt going to change. If it does it will go completely amateur and we will be left with a standard the equivalent of the current National League, or worse. There are teams running right now that prove it can be financially viable. The rest need to follow.

It is staggering. And Unique to our sport which to outsiders makes it laughable. The argument against 6 rider teams used to be those riders will just ask for more money so it actually wont be cost effective. Well now the argument has to be we dont have enough riders so it needs to be cut down to 6. 2 heat leaders 2 second string & 2 reserves not such a bad idea in my opinion anyway. British speedway is struggling but there are positives there to work with. There are successful clubs (not just on track) that can lead the way for the rest. Their blueprint must be followed. Really tho the basics must be in place at EVERY track. 1. Set race nights. 2. Well prepared tracks. this is essential and there must be punishments in place for those who do not come up to scratch. 3. timing of the meeting. 15 races at a minute a piece, barring a terrible injury, unacceptable for speedway meeting to run over 2 hours. After that there are many things that in my belief are obvious & fairly cheap/simple solutions to helping get the crowds back. Competitive admission prices Good/Fun/Modern presentation. This includes a good center green presenter on the mic, decent music in between heats, no lulls in action Track covers. How more tracks do not have these with the temperamental British weather I do not know. Meet and greet with riders before/after the meeting There are many more ideas of course, barrybishop outlined what they do at IOW and he seems to have it pretty much spot on. The opportunity is there to make it so much better. And really its nothing that complicated.