Birmingham Speedway

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

33 minutes ago, ShanoXtra said:

This forum is dammed if you do and dammed if you dont, it’s funny really. Now it’s all about how expensive the tickets are, when I suggested a few months ago to reduce the cost to get more people in the stadium the reaction was “you won’t get more people because it’s all about the poor promotion”. Again, if people haven’t got something to moan about they aren’t happy, look at the comments on here when even a SGP is on, still people moan about boring racing, maybe change your sport would be my suggestion.

Ipswich town tickets were about £40+ a pop last season and they couldn’t get a win at home for love nor money. People still packed the stadium every week though. The football wasn’t good, but people still supported. I don’t believe it’s just down to money, it’s a factor yes, but not solely money. People pay for many other sports without a problem, it’s more the product with the guesting, no loyalty with the riders, no jeopardy in the league, other stuff like that.

You think the problem is as simple as black and white, make it cheaper and people will come, they won’t, the sport  needs a rethink and be cheaper but it’s not a simple as just reducing costs and rearranging the deck chairs, I don’t want to break confidentiality of some people but what is being paid out is in a couple of cases quite frankly stupid, not just riders, the product is poor and has been largely responsible for the decline in crowd numbers but the crowd figures this season are down to in some cases alarming levels because the country is broke and the public are reflecting this in all sectors not just speedway and maybe for the first time the people who run the sport realise this, as I said I was told about an idea but I can just see the reaction now and I get it but what’s the alternative because I don’t see one 

Edited Thursday at 08:24 AM by THE DEAN MACHINE

[ShanoXtra]

36 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

You think the problem is as simple as black and white, make it cheaper and people will come, they won’t, the sport  needs a rethink and be cheaper but it’s not a simple as just reducing costs and rearranging the deck chairs, I don’t want to break confidentiality of some people but what is being paid out is in a couple of cases quite frankly stupid, not just riders, the product is poor and has been largely responsible for the decline in crowd numbers but the crowd figures this season are down to in some cases alarming levels because the country is broke and the public are reflecting this in all sectors not just speedway and maybe for the first time the people who run the sport realise this, as I said I was told about an idea but I can just see the reaction now and I get it but what’s the alternative because I don’t see one 

People need to be careful what they wish for though is all I’m saying. If this reshuffling means that’s, for example, Emil and Jason aren’t at Ipswich. Then even if the ticket is £10 you aren’t getting many people to attend to watch lesser quality riders.

[ShanoXtra]

Just now, ShanoXtra said:

People need to be careful what they wish for though is all I’m saying. If this reshuffling means that’s, for example, Emil and Jason aren’t at Ipswich. Then even if the ticket is £10 you aren’t getting many people to attend to watch lesser quality riders.

Gorzow today announced that for the Wroclaw match this Friday night, when you buy 3 tickets you will receive additional 3 tickets for free.

[The Third Man]

7 minutes ago, ShanoXtra said:

People need to be careful what they wish for though is all I’m saying. If this reshuffling means that’s, for example, Emil and Jason aren’t at Ipswich. Then even if the ticket is £10 you aren’t getting many people to attend to watch lesser quality riders.

So god help Ipswich when they both retire or don't want to ride here, is that what you saying?

[IainB]

32 minutes ago, ShanoXtra said:

People need to be careful what they wish for though is all I’m saying. If this reshuffling means that’s, for example, Emil and Jason aren’t at Ipswich. Then even if the ticket is £10 you aren’t getting many people to attend to watch lesser quality riders.

I'd dare say you could go to the local shopping precinct in Ippo and ask 100 people if they'd heard of Jason Doyle and/or Emil Sayfutdinov and barely any of them would have... and the same probably goes for them having heard of Speedway... You may just get the reply "oh is that still going, I used to go" or "my dad used to go" but even they are an ever decreasing number.

Edited Thursday at 09:26 AM by IainB

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

24 minutes ago, ShanoXtra said:

People need to be careful what they wish for though is all I’m saying. If this reshuffling means that’s, for example, Emil and Jason aren’t at Ipswich. Then even if the ticket is £10 you aren’t getting many people to attend to watch lesser quality riders.

And if the cake isn’t big enough for Emil and Jason to have their share then what ? Exactly my point it’s not black isn’t as black and white as you imply 

[ruckerroo]

Can't  moan about birminghams managed decline really . Im not convinced that with a top 3 side they would accrue more support anyway . Drury seemed to do ok in the late 2000s but that's a lifetime ago . I do think that the time has come for one league tho or at least an overhaul . 6 teams does not a league maketh

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

2 minutes ago, ruckerroo said:

Can't  moan about birminghams managed decline really . Im not convinced that with a top 3 side they would accrue more support anyway . Drury seemed to do ok in the late 2000s but that's a lifetime ago . I do think that the time has come for one league tho or at least an overhaul . 6 teams does not a league maketh

Putting finances aside and let’s pretend all was well financially , 1 big league poses its own problems like enough riders and an equal distribution of those riders, now we could get more foreign riders and then you have teams like Workington who can’t run on a Monday or Thursday night as they have no lights and running sat or Sunday they wouldn’t be able to attract a decent no1 like bewley as he rides in Poland, I would like 1 big league but it has so many problems to overcome I just can’t see it 

[IainB]

15 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Putting finances aside and let’s pretend all was well financially , 1 big league poses its own problems like enough riders and an equal distribution of those riders, now we could get more foreign riders and then you have teams like Workington who can’t run on a Monday or Thursday night as they have no lights and running sat or Sunday they wouldn’t be able to attract a decent no1 like bewley as he rides in Poland, I would like 1 big league but it has so many problems to overcome I just can’t see it 

Clubs must be allowed to run on a night that suits them and at a level that suits them... Birmingham were always doomed due to the stadium issues but the last couple of seasons could and should have been so much better.

If Speedway needs to run 4 or 5 rider teams due to rider availability then so be it, unfortunately we are at that stage now. 1 rider for 1 club and committed to that club home and away, if they can't commit then I'm afraid it's good-bye... it's time to make a choice for a lot of these riders.

[ShanoXtra]

9 minutes ago, IainB said:

Clubs must be allowed to run on a night that suits them and at a level that suits them... Birmingham were always doomed due to the stadium issues but the last couple of seasons could and should have been so much better.

If Speedway needs to run 4 or 5 rider teams due to rider availability then so be it, unfortunately we are at that stage now. 1 rider for 1 club and committed to that club home and away, if they can't commit then I'm afraid it's good-bye... it's time to make a choice for a lot of these riders.

And watch the whole of speedway collapse and then we have nothing to watch, that’s the other problem. 

[Aries]

1 hour ago, IainB said:

I'd dare say you could go to the local shopping precinct in Ippo and ask 100 people if they'd heard of Jason Doyle and/or Emil Sayfutdinov and barely any of them would have... and the same probably goes for them having heard of Speedway... You may just get the reply "oh is that still going, I used to go" or "my dad used to go" but even they are an ever decreasing number.

Of course they won’t know them! And that will simply be because they’re not speedway people, obviously. The target will be to entice back those that are 50/50 about going, used to go and still follow it from afar. The crowd have 100% increased at Foxhall since Doyle and Emil have been in the team, that is undeniable. 

Edited Thursday at 10:11 AM by Aries

[SJA]

On 6/25/2025 at 10:24 AM, IainB said:

 

Quote

 

I don't think that BSN help the situation. I have a season subscription, I am recently retired, and tend to travel by train to meetings. Normally I would jump on an EMT for Sheffield v Leicester tonight but frankly, its feet up on the sofa with a bottle of wine for me.  Speaking to other fans they do the same if the don't fancy the opposition, its to cold, to wet or as its been recently to hot to stand under a low metal roof for 2 hours. 

[Aries]

For what it’s worth, Dean machine is correct what he’s saying here about changes this winter. People will be sceptical, fair enough. But in Chris Louis’ report after last winters AGM, he also alluded to there being the major changes from next season, “drastic” changes. We’ll just have to wait and see what those are. 

[ShanoXtra]

3 minutes ago, Aries said:

Of course they won’t know them! And that will simply be because they’re not speedway people, obviously. The target will be to entice back those that are 50/50 about going, used to go and still follow it from afar. The crowd have 100% increased at Foxhall since Doyle and Emil have been in the team, that’s is undeniable. 

I didn’t know them 3 years ago when I was first introduced to the sport but best believe when I got hooked on it and saw how many levels above other riders they are then I was very happy to pay extra to watch some of the best riders in the world! People moaning about MJJ finishing at Birmingham and how BB isn’t a good replacement, well that will be the template for the one league everyone thinks will succeed. 

[ShanoXtra]

4 minutes ago, Aries said:

For what it’s worth, Dean machine is correct what he’s saying here about changes this winter. People will be sceptical, fair enough. But in Chris Louis’ report after last winters AGM, he also alluded to there being the major changes from next season, “drastic” changes. We’ll just have to wait and see what those are. 

Louis also stated in the winter that foxhall would hold some kind of individual junior meeting of some kind, do we have any news if that is actually happening?

[Aries]

Just now, ShanoXtra said:

Louis also stated in the winter that foxhall would hold some kind of individual junior meeting of some kind, do we have any news if that is actually happening?

He did you’re correct. Last he spoke about it a couple of months ago,he was struggling with timelines to get the riders competing in the actual event, and the experienced top class riders who he wants to attend also, to all be there at the same time. He wants the likes of Doyle and Emil there to help the youngsters and give them advice. He was working hard on a resolution to get all the pieces of the jigsaw together. Haven’t heard anything since. 

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

42 minutes ago, SJA said:

I don't think that BSN help the situation. I have a season subscription, I am recently retired, and tend to travel by train to meetings. Normally I would jump on an EMT for Sheffield v Leicester tonight but frankly, its feet up on the sofa with a bottle of wine for me.  Speaking to other fans they do the same if the don't fancy the opposition, its to cold, to wet or as its been recently to hot to stand under a low metal roof for 2 hours. 

I believe BSN pay each clubs a % and as it can be streamed world wide so people in places like Australia or USA are contributing to the clubs and I subscribe and so I’m contributing to teams that I wouldn’t necessarily attend so yes it may discourage people from actually attending it is at least contributing to the clubs 

Edited Thursday at 10:57 AM by THE DEAN MACHINE

[ShanoXtra]

21 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

I believe BSN pay each clubs a % and as it can be streamed world wide so people in places like Australia or USA are contributing to the clubs and I subscribe and so I’m contributing to teams that I wouldn’t necessarily attend so yes it may discourage people from actually attending it is at least contributing to the clubs 

My thoughts precisely, other revenue that wasn’t available years ago through BSN must be an added bonus. This is the same as TNT and any major sport which has TV rights, clubs take the hit on gate for the % and larger scale of viewing audience and future fans. Although I’m not naïve and understand speedway TV money isn’t as large as any other sport.

[Sings4Speedway]

3 hours ago, IainB said:

Have you thought about just sticking some silver tape on the back for the "I"... thar'll do 

Did you used to be Steve Boxalls mechanic......🤣

[IainB]

1 hour ago, SJA said:

I don't think that BSN help the situation. I have a season subscription, I am recently retired, and tend to travel by train to meetings. Normally I would jump on an EMT for Sheffield v Leicester tonight but frankly, its feet up on the sofa with a bottle of wine for me.  Speaking to other fans they do the same if the don't fancy the opposition, its to cold, to wet or as its been recently to hot to stand under a low metal roof for 2 hours. 

I too have had the same thoughts about tonight, it looks to be a nice night weather wise and there's 2 full (ish) teams, so I'm going to force myself to go, especially as BSN don't interfere in the running of a meeting, if it were TNT there's absolutely no way I'd entertain going. I do drive so it is easier for me, although I won't be paying an extra £3 for the privilege of parking! Or £4 for a programme!