Workington 2025

[mikebv]

9 minutes ago, Fortythirtyeight said:

……”Give 16 riders a grand guarantee, with some prize money on top, twice a week, for 26 weeks...”

of a lesser standard than the premiership and probably most Championship heat leaders who currently earn more than that in a week. That ‘two grand’ doesn't cover an engine service ( done after ever half dozen meetings ) never mind their routine maintenance bills, tyres, Clutch plates,cables, chains etc.

So now we are talking NDL standard riders riding in individual meetings and we know they pull big crowds…..not.

and just how does a club survive running one individual meeting , with thesame riders, every few weeks?

 

 

I would think there would be quite a few takers..

The sport has to become semi pro over here...

Like it mainly was in the 70's and 80's...

Spending ridiculous amounts on equipment has to stop..

And it will if the money isn't getting paid to do it..

Too many FT pro's, spending far too much on kit, to try and win something with very little kudos, financial rewards, or credibility, is truly madness..

But not as mad as the promoters paying them enough to do it...

Edited July 1 by mikebv

[geoff100]

We have even being dropped from the weekly speedway roundup on the bspa website

[YeOldPitGate]

2 hours ago, Fortythirtyeight said:

I don’t have an answer as I think the sport is doomed in its current format as the leadership are clueless.

A complete overhaul is needed if the sport is to survive. At the moment there will less than a dozen clubs next season and you think some of those can survive on those figures ?

Don't disagree with that but what does a complete overhaul even look like, is it an option given even half the championship riders , ride in Poland so UK would probably still be stuck with Mon-Wed to run on, the three most unattractive nights of the week (I know Poole love Wednesdays).

[Fromafar]

1 hour ago, mikebv said:

Then let the current operating model destroy the sport...

Like it has done systematically for the past two decades...

There will always be those "happy clappers" who still see the sport as bona fide from a team perspective, and pretend along with fhe promoters it means sometbing, but sadly, they are getting fewer year on year...

The model simply doesn't work, and heads have been in sands far too long...

And that means both the "happy clapper fans" as well as the promoters..

Edit.

And why not "pay to play" for Speedway...

MX does it and Stock Cars do it, and this helps provide the prize fund..

One of the major issues is that "journeymen" riders are trying to earn 12 months money in six months of work..

Far too many full time pro's for such a tiny sport and income to support..

These lads should be semi pro and earn their speedway money riding regularly through the season whilst having a job outside the sport..

If the sport went individual then they could do this as less time needed off work...

Give 16 riders a grand guarantee, with some prize money on top, twice a week, for 26 weeks...

I would think there would be quite a few takers..

Totally agree with ‘journeymen’earnings’ it can’t be sustainable.Interestingly in the Harry Oxley obituary in SS last week Penhall said Harry guaranteed the riders 35% of the gate receipts . Thats a business man and Promoter.Knew how too run his sport.

[IainB]

3 hours ago, mikebv said:

Too many FT pro's, spending far too much on kit, to try and win something with very little kudos, financial rewards, or credibility, is truly madness..

But not as mad as the promoters paying them enough to do it...

I'm not sure they're trying to win something with very little kudos, I think it's more like they're trying to win races to get noticed by Polish clubs. 

1 hour ago, YeOldPitGate said:

Don't disagree with that but what does a complete overhaul even look like, is it an option given even half the championship riders , ride in Poland so UK would probably still be stuck with Mon-Wed to run on, the three most unattractive nights of the week (I know Poole love Wednesdays).

If it were down to me, it'd be ultimatum time, riders commit to this country in something like a 40 match calendar or clear off and earn their bacon elsewhere. Our clubs need to be riding on the nights that suit them... not the riders. 

[Fromafar]

13 minutes ago, IainB said:

I'm not sure they're trying to win something with very little kudos, I think it's more like they're trying to win races to get noticed by Polish clubs. 

If it were down to me, it'd be ultimatum time, riders commit to this country in something like a 40 match calendar or clear off and earn their bacon elsewhere. Our clubs need to be riding on the nights that suit them... not the riders. 

Agree.Let the riders who can’t make the sport pay in Uk earn their fortune elsewhere.

[stevehone]

i still think the downfall of British speedway started when Rye House were allowed to track foreign riders.

if we still had a division of British & Commonwealth riders we'd be in a much healthier position.

if, and from what i'm hearing is true, it goes to one league next year, then riders will say thay can't make ends meet if they can't double up. in my day we had jobs and took one bike to a meeting. so many riders never use their spare bike anyway, they jump on a team mates bike when they have a spare in the pits!

tracks should be allowed to ride on a night that suits THEM, not be forced into changes.

and years ago when the sport was successful here, how many teams raced on a Saturday. not having time for supporters to go to away meetings due to work etc has had a serious knock on

[Fromafar]

13 minutes ago, IainB said:

I'm not sure they're trying to win something with very little kudos, I think it's more like they're trying to win races to get noticed by Polish clubs. 

If it were down to me, it'd be ultimatum time, riders commit to this country in something like a 40 match calendar or clear off and earn their bacon elsewhere. Our clubs need to be riding on the nights that suit them... not the riders. 

Agree.Let the riders who can’t make the sport pay in Uk earn their fortune elsewhere.

[proud panther]

23 hours ago, CTD26 said:

I’ve sat back and let people crack on but after reading through page after page, I’m gonna say my bit.

The amount of people first off running there mouths saying some disgraceful things about Andrew etc is ridiculous. There’s absolutely no need for it.

People thinking they’ve got it cracked what’s going on, throwing about silly rumours just to get everybody riled up doesn’t help the situation. 
 

I suggest you’s all take a back seat, and await further information. 99% of you clearly haven’t got a clue what’s going on and think you’s do.

Wind your necks in, stop abusing the promotion that’s put their hearts and souls into bringing speedway back to the town and stop acting like an entitled bunch. 
 

The only people who should know what’s going on at this stage is the promotion, then comes sponsors and when’s the times right, the public will be updated.

I sincerely hope that Workington survive, but feel that the promotion should have tried to be honest with the fans, & keep them updated with the current situation much better than they have done up to now.

[Ajr]

32 minutes ago, proud panther said:

I sincerely hope that Workington survive, but feel that the promotion should have tried to be honest with the fans, & keep them updated with the current situation much better than they have done up to now.

May be lreasons why they can't issue a statement 

[Arthur54]

4 hours ago, stevehone said:

i still think the downfall of British speedway started when Rye House were allowed to track foreign riders.

if we still had a division of British & Commonwealth riders we'd be in a much healthier position.

if, and from what i'm hearing is true, it goes to one league next year, then riders will say thay can't make ends meet if they can't double up. in my day we had jobs and took one bike to a meeting. so many riders never use their spare bike anyway, they jump on a team mates bike when they have a spare in the pits!

tracks should be allowed to ride on a night that suits THEM, not be forced into changes.

and years ago when the sport was successful here, how many teams raced on a Saturday. not having time for supporters to go to away meetings due to work etc has had a serious knock on

Miss going to places like Swindon and Cradley Heath on a Saturday night 

[JamesHarris]

4 hours ago, stevehone said:

i still think the downfall of British speedway started when Rye House were allowed to track foreign riders.

if we still had a division of British & Commonwealth riders we'd be in a much healthier position.

if, and from what i'm hearing is true, it goes to one league next year, then riders will say thay can't make ends meet if they can't double up. in my day we had jobs and took one bike to a meeting. so many riders never use their spare bike anyway, they jump on a team mates bike when they have a spare in the pits!

tracks should be allowed to ride on a night that suits THEM, not be forced into changes.

and years ago when the sport was successful here, how many teams raced on a Saturday. not having time for supporters to go to away meetings due to work etc has had a serious knock on

Some very valid points there. The Rye House thing was a few years before I got into speedway but when I look back at my Programme collection its noticeable that all the riders in the National League we British or Commonwealth and there were plenty of rides to go around. I think the doubling up policy was the most stupid thing the powers that be ever did. I appreciate that from a riders view it means more earnings but it has killed club speedway. Once upon a time a rider would be identified with one club only. Now all you see is the same riders against each other in a different race jacket depending on what night of the week it is.  

[singy13]

1 hour ago, JamesHarris said:

Once upon a time a rider would be identified with one club only.

And therein we have the the major factor when you talk to non speedway devotees.

I try, or certainly used to, to persuade folk who stand with me at Derwent Park rugby matches to have a dabble at watching speedway.

Hard bloody work I'll tell ya. They respond with, for example, the main one currently in fact "so how many teams does Chris Harris ride for"?.....It's often followed with - "doesn't the first rider to lead at the first bend always win the race"?.

..My answers are -Well Chris is a popular guest rider..doh. And second point - yes if the rider is good enough to stay in front he'll win..doh. So sadly two major drawbacks to stop a fan liking speedway. The rugby lot won't shift opinion on those views.

But us regular fans know of plenty more for sure. How often down the years have we stood around for 40/50 minutes between heats without a tannoy update to keep us happy? Usually awaiting first aid cover ? There are lots to deliberate as speedway's downside.

BUT seriously it's a smashing sport which I've enjoyed since 1970. When 6000 plus welcomed the Comets versus Berwick. And Friday nights were just brilliant. I don't know how to recover those who have lost faith, wish I could find a cure.

Hopefully the current Workington problem is sorted asap and I can watch another 50 years. UTC, marras.

[mikebv]

4 hours ago, JamesHarris said:

Some very valid points there. The Rye House thing was a few years before I got into speedway but when I look back at my Programme collection its noticeable that all the riders in the National League we British or Commonwealth and there were plenty of rides to go around. I think the doubling up policy was the most stupid thing the powers that be ever did. I appreciate that from a riders view it means more earnings but it has killed club speedway. Once upon a time a rider would be identified with one club only. Now all you see is the same riders against each other in a different race jacket depending on what night of the week it is.  

Doubling up has caused a huge amount of damage...

It started off controlled with two UK riders max per team..

Then, before we knew it, almost every member of each team had a minimum of two clubs..

Sam Masters a few years ago actually spent a couple of months being No1 in the averages of both leagues!!! 

Imagine trying to markef fhat?

When riders rode for one team, and got injured, by the time their next meeting came around they often had enough time to get well, or, if not a guest was used if the rider was of a certain level..

Now, many riders of any level getting injured on a Monday could miss Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday matches in Div 2...

Meaning guest after guest, after guest to replace them..

Complete nonsense...

Edited July 2 by mikebv

[kevcfc]

2 hours ago, singy13 said:

And therein we have the the major factor when you talk to non speedway devotees.

I try, or certainly used to, to persuade folk who stand with me at Derwent Park rugby matches to have a dabble at watching speedway.

Hard bloody work I'll tell ya. They respond with, for example, the main one currently in fact "so how many teams does Chris Harris ride for"?.....It's often followed with - "doesn't the first rider to lead at the first bend always win the race"?.

..My answers are -Well Chris is a popular guest rider..doh. And second point - yes if the rider is good enough to stay in front he'll win..doh. So sadly two major drawbacks to stop a fan liking speedway. The rugby lot won't shift opinion on those views.

But us regular fans know of plenty more for sure. How often down the years have we stood around for 40/50 minutes between heats without a tannoy update to keep us happy? Usually awaiting first aid cover ? There are lots to deliberate as speedway's downside.

BUT seriously it's a smashing sport which I've enjoyed since 1970. When 6000 plus welcomed the Comets versus Berwick. And Friday nights were just brilliant. I don't know how to recover those who have lost faith, wish I could find a cure.

Hopefully the current Workington problem is sorted asap and I can watch another 50 years. UTC, marras.

I was out in Whitehaven with a few m8's last Friday and one of them said to me that I was the only person he knows who likes speedway. Non of the others watch speedway, in fact some were surprised to hear the sport was still on the go. 

[singy13]

17 minutes ago, kevcfc said:

I was out in Whitehaven with a few m8's last Friday and one of them said to me that I was the only person he knows who likes speedway. Non of the others watch speedway, in fact some were surprised to hear the sport was still on the go. 

Yeah the Town fans I stand with at DP most didn't know Northside was now Comets home......ignorance is bliss?

[SteelShoe]

20 minutes ago, singy13 said:

Yeah the Town fans I stand with at DP most didn't know Northside was now Comets home......ignorance is bliss?

Increased awareness can be sorted, lack of it should be viewed as a failure of the club to promote itself.

[Moranboys]

5 hours ago, Arthur54 said:

Miss going to places like Swindon and Cradley Heath on a Saturday night 

Coventry too and Halifax and b.vue

[kevcfc]

4 hours ago, singy13 said:

And therein we have the the major factor when you talk to non speedway devotees.

I try, or certainly used to, to persuade folk who stand with me at Derwent Park rugby matches to have a dabble at watching speedway.

Hard bloody work I'll tell ya. They respond with, for example, the main one currently in fact "so how many teams does Chris Harris ride for"?.....It's often followed with - "doesn't the first rider to lead at the first bend always win the race"?.

..My answers are -Well Chris is a popular guest rider..doh. And second point - yes if the rider is good enough to stay in front he'll win..doh. So sadly two major drawbacks to stop a fan liking speedway. The rugby lot won't shift opinion on those views.

But us regular fans know of plenty more for sure. How often down the years have we stood around for 40/50 minutes between heats without a tannoy update to keep us happy? Usually awaiting first aid cover ? There are lots to deliberate as speedway's downside.

BUT seriously it's a smashing sport which I've enjoyed since 1970. When 6000 plus welcomed the Comets versus Berwick. And Friday nights were just brilliant. I don't know how to recover those who have lost faith, wish I could find a cure.

Hopefully the current Workington problem is sorted asap and I can watch another 50 years. UTC, marras.

Duplicate post 

Edited July 2 by kevcfc
Duplicate post

[stevehone]

48 minutes ago, Moranboys said:

Coventry too and Halifax and b.vue

and Canterbury