Sargent10 Posted June 30 Report Share Posted June 30 3 hours ago, Gambo said: If the reasons are personal, then that should be the end of it, but if not, maybe the BSPL should ask this promising rider why he sees no future in the sport for himself. That’s not going to happen because he might tell them a few things that they don’t want to hear! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted July 2 Report Share Posted July 2 Being involved in any sport at a Professional/Semi-Pro level requires a massive commitment & a lot of finance to back it. Often it's not just the competitor but their family & friends that are required to travel & give up time from work & family. But of course it's not just the 5 minutes of racing we see on race night it's the time spent in the workshop or on the road as well as trying to hold down employment with an understanding boss. A lot of people have to spend a lot of time & money to put one motorcycle on the track & sometimes it doesn't matter how good they or we think they will become given the time it just won't add up. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGould Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 (edited) Very worrying trends to see a number of young riders "retiring" almost as soone as their adult careers have begun It seems Springer and Vale were excellent prospects, done very well at Youth level. Team Speedway might be a reason why they feel more pressurised, although it hardly bodes well. Fixtures in midweek may also explain a few , but again doesn't bode well. Obviously there are costs and more pressures with being paty of a Team and having to turn up on dates that may not be suitable, whereas with Youth dates are weekends genrally and set well in advance. The fact the NDL have been "split" to offer more rides for the riders could now be compromised with some teams relying on more "guests" than riders again is hardly satisfactory. More for the Fixture planners and PL / CL promoters to consider. Do we need a 8 -10 team main league home and away twice (40 matches) and a 6-8 Team NDL offering 12-16 Matches. The issue is if the main League is TOO many it will rule out a number of clubs currently running PL or CL and NDL Lots to consider! Edited July 3 by HGould spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
szkocjasid Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 10 hours ago, HGould said: Very worrying trends to see a number of young riders "retiring" almost as soone as their adult careers have begun It seems Springer and Vale were excellent prospects, done very well at Youth level. Team Speedway might be a reason why they feel more pressurised, although it hardly bodes well. Fixtures in midweek may also explain a few , but again doesn't bode well. Obviously there are costs and more pressures with being paty of a Team and having to turn up on dates that may not be suitable, whereas with Youth dates are weekends genrally and set well in advance. The fact the NDL have been "split" to offer more rides for the riders could now be compromised with some teams relying on more "guests" than riders again is hardly satisfactory. More for the Fixture planners and PL / CL promoters to consider. Do we need a 8 -10 team main league home and away twice (40 matches) and a 6-8 Team NDL offering 12-16 Matches. The issue is if the main League is TOO many it will rule out a number of clubs currently running PL or CL and NDL Lots to consider! What's happened to Ashton Vale? With 2 divisions meaning more rides for the development riders, you'd think they'd be less likely to call it a day? While no one likes guests, at least it's development riders getting extra fixtures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Blobby Posted July 3 Report Share Posted July 3 (edited) On 6/30/2025 at 10:33 AM, Gambo said: If the reasons are personal, then that should be the end of it, but if not, maybe the BSPL should ask this promising rider why he sees no future in the sport for himself. He was offered a championship spot not too long ago which I believe he accepted then decided to turn down, reason given didn’t feel ready. Feel this new generation feel they should all be given things on a plate and things should happen instantly for them now. They don’t want to put in the hard work or travel the country to get laps in to progress anymore. Feel this is a huge reason British riders don’t cut it anymore. Think of all the guys that have came through the system over the last 10/20 years who’ve put in the hard work, travel and laps compare to now. Not saying this is the case with Springer but just the an overall opinion on where the new generation are at. Edited July 3 by Mr Blobby 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 12 hours ago, Mr Blobby said: He was offered a championship spot not too long ago which I believe he accepted then decided to turn down, reason given didn’t feel ready. Feel this new generation feel they should all be given things on a plate and things should happen instantly for them now. They don’t want to put in the hard work or travel the country to get laps in to progress anymore. Feel this is a huge reason British riders don’t cut it anymore. Think of all the guys that have came through the system over the last 10/20 years who’ve put in the hard work, travel and laps compare to now. Not saying this is the case with Springer but just the an overall opinion on where the new generation are at. Would agree with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 (edited) 12 hours ago, Mr Blobby said: He was offered a championship spot not too long ago which I believe he accepted then decided to turn down, reason given didn’t feel ready. Feel this new generation feel they should all be given things on a plate and things should happen instantly for them now. They don’t want to put in the hard work or travel the country to get laps in to progress anymore. Feel this is a huge reason British riders don’t cut it anymore. Think of all the guys that have came through the system over the last 10/20 years who’ve put in the hard work, travel and laps compare to now. Not saying this is the case with Springer but just the an overall opinion on where the new generation are. Looking at the current state of UK Speedway, if it was my lad I am not sure I would encourage him to try and be a Speedway rider... Only the very, very few, get to earn the big money and, as we will see I am sure soon, the sport over here will be lowering its outgoings significantly.. Not many top riders "suddenly" come good like Jason Doyle did, most clearly stood out by the time they were 20, with some even at 16... Given the sports issues, I would think a fair few parents will be asking themselves honestly if their kid has what it takes to be a top level rider.. Because, if the kid hasn't, and he will just be an average rider, I can't see them making much money over here for at least the next decade or so, and maybe never... Edited July 4 by mikebv 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillwhitewasmad Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 16 hours ago, Mr Blobby said: He was offered a championship spot not too long ago which I believe he accepted then decided to turn down, reason given didn’t feel ready. Feel this new generation feel they should all be given things on a plate and things should happen instantly for them now. They don’t want to put in the hard work or travel the country to get laps in to progress anymore. Feel this is a huge reason British riders don’t cut it anymore. Think of all the guys that have came through the system over the last 10/20 years who’ve put in the hard work, travel and laps compare to now. Not saying this is the case with Springer but just the an overall opinion on where the new generation are at. from an insiders view i can say none of the young riders or there families expect anything to instantly appear on a plate. most like us have done 1000s of miles from when the boys were young to get them to meeting whether that be mdl njl British youth or amateur meetings. Personally i have my own thoughts on why the boys don't progress as quickly as European riders or aussies and its nothing to do with commitment or expectation 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Blobby Posted July 4 Report Share Posted July 4 (edited) 9 minutes ago, phillwhitewasmad said: from an insiders view i can say none of the young riders or there families expect anything to instantly appear on a plate. most like us have done 1000s of miles from when the boys were young to get them to meeting whether that be mdl njl British youth or amateur meetings. Personally i have my own thoughts on why the boys don't progress as quickly as European riders or aussies and its nothing to do with commitment or expectation Not putting everyone in the same bracket as there are some out there who put in the work and the miles. Yourselves being one of them quietly going about your business improving year on year. But going to have to disagree with you as the attitude of some thinking they’re big time Charlie’s and they’re hard done by is definitely going around. I think I understand where you’re coming from regarding the progression, loads we could take from the way things are done down under and in Europe to help the progress quicker. Edited July 4 by Mr Blobby 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillwhitewasmad Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 17 hours ago, Mr Blobby said: Not putting everyone in the same bracket as there are some out there who put in the work and the miles. Yourselves being one of them quietly going about your business improving year on year. But going to have to disagree with you as the attitude of some thinking they’re big time Charlie’s and they’re hard done by is definitely going around. I think I understand where you’re coming from regarding the progression, loads we could take from the way things are done down under and in Europe to help the progress quicker. Must of changed a lot in the last few years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojangles Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 On 7/3/2025 at 10:25 PM, szkocjasid said: What's happened to Ashton Vale? With 2 divisions meaning more rides for the development riders, you'd think they'd be less likely to call it a day? While no one likes guests, at least it's development riders getting extra fixtures. I think he's got his Ashtons muddled up, and means Boughen. Ashton Vale hasn't retired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaddlebowRoad Posted July 5 Report Share Posted July 5 1 hour ago, Bojangles said: I think he's got his Ashtons muddled up, and means Boughen. Ashton Vale hasn't retired. he told lynn last wednesday week that he had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Come on the Skipper Posted July 6 Report Share Posted July 6 8 hours ago, SaddlebowRoad said: he told lynn last wednesday week that he had Interesting, seeing as he's guesting for Kent tomorrow night at Birmingham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HGould Posted July 6 Report Share Posted July 6 12 hours ago, Bojangles said: I think he's got his Ashtons muddled up, and means Boughen. Ashton Vale hasn't retired. The Speedway Star on Thursday (web edition) in NDL section definitely reported as part of Springer article that Ashton Vale had also indicated he'd retired. Don't shoot the messenger 😁 Obviously it will be great if he hasn't retired. I can confirm I do know my Boughen's from my Vale's though...not quite that senile...yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted July 7 Report Share Posted July 7 I have read many post's & listened to many people on how we should or should not look after the NDL level riders. The biggest hurdle is the expense involved & unless your rider is the next big thing then the chances are that they will need to pay for everything. some things the riders use has to be new (fuel, oil) & we can't get away from that but so far as tyres go there is no reason why they could not make the rule for all riders to use worn rear tyre's it's not like there's a shortage of them. Also the NDL match's should only be on a weekend so for all involved no work or school is affected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted July 7 Report Share Posted July 7 1 hour ago, Technik said: I have read many post's & listened to many people on how we should or should not look after the NDL level riders. The biggest hurdle is the expense involved & unless your rider is the next big thing then the chances are that they will need to pay for everything. some things the riders use has to be new (fuel, oil) & we can't get away from that but so far as tyres go there is no reason why they could not make the rule for all riders to use worn rear tyre's it's not like there's a shortage of them. Also the NDL match's should only be on a weekend so for all involved no work or school is affected. Weekends yes (or at least Fri/Sat/Sun) but sadly good used tyres are largely like hens teeth. The current rubber barely lasts 4 heats, i suspect if that was the rule you would find riders having to lightly knock the edge off a new tyre just to comply. Throw in that most NL fixtures are run on bald circuits which scrubs any tyre more it will only produce more fallers and lower the already shaky opinion of the league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technik Posted July 7 Report Share Posted July 7 I have seen Middlesborough & Leicester this season with all riders using worn edges with the exception of Cooper Rushen. there were no more crashes than normal & most were just inexperienced errors that would happen weather you have new tyres or old 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac101 Posted July 7 Report Share Posted July 7 Having Spoken to a few nl riders lately they all say the tracks are crap very dusty blue groove no shale and dangerous just a few of their replies and it’s costing them money with stupid falls and kamikaze riders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillwhitewasmad Posted July 7 Report Share Posted July 7 I can confirm that we don't use new tyres for national league. There is no point there are plenty of decent used ones available. Recently had two paid maximums on tyres that had done two heats on each edge before starting the meetings. Personally don't see the benefit from a cost point of view to the rider a heat leader on £15 a point has his first 4.5 points wiped out buying it it's ok if someone is providing them but still think it makes much difference to the lads based on the tracks they are given kings lyNn has been the exception so far this year as it's been fantastically prepared 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springer Posted July 8 Report Share Posted July 8 On 6/30/2025 at 9:38 AM, IainB said: Any reason given? Hi IAM sonnys dad ..the reason for sonny retiring is due to a lot off hard work taking it's toll on our family and it stopped being fun for all of us. I was starting work at 5 am getting home at 1900 and working on bikes most nights .until.2300 ..I was lucky that I have a good mechanic for sonny robin cousins who I pay as I have to work shifts as IAM a tanker driver on shell . We also was very lucky we had great engines GODDENS which sonny and Gary drake developed together which paid off .even no we have lots off great sponsors we are down 6000 pounds in costs to us.sonny has only made up to now 1200 pounds we no what most riders get in championship etc .I was told by a good friend that he got 35 per point in national league 10 plus years ago plus tyres and methanol .now we get 15 pounds no tyres no oil no methanol...this is down to the BSPL in my opinion they are killing the sport .I no off 7 other young riders that are going to quit the sport this year .we never expected to make money until he was good enough but didn't expect it to cost me more then riding in youth .I no off some riders dads spending 60000 plus a year to make 3000 ...this has turned into the sport I retired from Motorcross which has ended the same I wish everyone in the sport all the best and it was great once be a part off it but for team springer it's not sustainable.. 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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