Workington v Edinburgh KOC 2nd leg 24/05/25 3 pm

[SteelShoe]

Just now, SteelShoe said:

perhaps on the mini track with a good bit of dirt on.😃

that's before the Pirates rock up on 7th June 😃

[geoff100]

Do it today boys for andrew and steve !

[scaramanga]

Comets need the riders that rode last year to perform as they did last year minimum 

As for the newer riders vinnie is not where he was hook for me (didn't really know much about him ) is doing OK 

Bowes I think has something once he settles 

Jye well think all know he can be match winner or do nothing 

But only 2 home meetings before June is not helping riders or fan base 

[Mr Blobby]

Assuming no live stream today? 

[CTD26]

34 minutes ago, Mr Blobby said:

Assuming no live stream today? 

Not today mate 

[CTD26]

Well I’ll be down today, being the loyalist I am.

Massive performance needed from 1-7 today, granted we’re all but out but Edinburgh need put to the sword today. I’m all for team changes but the question is who’s available that would make a difference.

 

[Midget]

I will also be there today as quite simpley I don't want to loose it again.

I do feel for the promotion, but having said that questions do need to be answered and I would loved to know who put the team together? Batch was never a number 1, anyone with knowledge of the sport could see that. 

Maybe it's down to lack of experience? Young team? Young team manager? New promotion?

There's a certain Mr Stonehewer who's wife is from the area, could he be tempted to take on the team manager role? Even if it was just for Home meetings? Would certainly get the best out of riders and has all the experience and knowledge 

Edited 10 hours ago by Midget

[LisaColette]

3 hours ago, scaramanga said:

Comets need the riders that rode last year to perform as they did last year minimum 

As for the newer riders vinnie is not where he was hook for me (didn't really know much about him ) is doing OK 

Bowes I think has something once he settles 

Jye well think all know he can be match winner or do nothing 

But only 2 home meetings before June is not helping riders or fan base 

More difficult for Vinnie this season riding for a track that away riders love compared to last season where there was a lot more of a home advantage. 

[scaramanga]

1 hour ago, Midget said:

I will also be there today as quite simpley I don't want to loose it again.

I do feel for the promotion, but having said that questions do need to be answered and I would loved to know who put the team together? Batch was never a number 1, anyone with knowledge of the sport could see that. 

Maybe it's down to lack of experience? Young team? Young team manager? New promotion?

There's a certain Mr Stonehewer who's wife is from the area, could he be tempted to take on the team manager role? Even if it was just for Home meetings? Would certainly get the best out of riders and has all the experience and knowledge 

stoney would not come cheap 

does james actually take a fee ? 

id be very surprised if james had much to do with team building 

id say batch was signed expecting tate to keep improving and going to no 1 

Edited 9 hours ago by scaramanga

[Endeavour]

Well done Monarchs. Did the business at home. Hopefully a confidence booster.

Being picky .4 up going into heat 15 today. A draw.

 

 

[geoff100]

Well done boys that should keep the batch bashers quiet

[Neila]

A good result for the comets after last night, most teams would struggle to get a result when a reserve scores 15 points. Was some good racing, shame a lot of fans stayed away, if you don't come to watch, they maybe no speedway simple as that. Thanks to the travelling monarch fans for coming to the GT tyres Northside arena 

 

[soupy]

1 hour ago, Endeavour said:

Well done Monarchs. Did the business at home. Hopefully a confidence booster.

Being picky .4 up going into heat 15 today. A draw.

 

 

May be they should of not graded the track and taking more than the top surface off as that changed the advantage.I still travelled 150 mile round trip to support the comets and pity more who live closer to the track do not support it.

[Fromafar]

28 minutes ago, Neila said:

A good result for the comets after last night, most teams would struggle to get a result when a reserve scores 15 points. Was some good racing, shame a lot of fans stayed away, if you don't come to watch, they maybe no speedway simple as that. Thanks to the travelling monarch fans for coming to the GT tyres Northside arena 

 

It’s disappointing that a great racing track cannot attract decent crowds.I know results matter but it seems there is not the support too keep the sport viable in Workington.In 2018 the Team won everything but it was not enough support to carry on.Nobody wants to see such a good set up( track and facility)fail.

Edited 4 hours ago by Fromafar

[SteelShoe]

Big thanks to the fans who turned out today with a shout out to the Monarchs fans who made the journey. Unfortunately quite a few were missing which was disappointing from a number of angles.

Some decent races today without reaching the heights. Thought Comets had wrestled the initiative from the Monarchs after going 8 points up after heat 10. Then came the unfortunate heat 11 with Antti packing up 1st corner after making the gate and blocking Jacob Hook. This started a run of three 1-5's in 4 races for the Monarchs which resulted in Comets needing a least heat 5-1 to a draw . Batch and guest Leon Flint made no mistake.

Must have been a bit of a surprise for Steve Lawson when dust came up in heat 1  considering all the overnight and lunchtime rain.

The 2 Swedish riders Palovaara and Grahn riders were standouts for the Monarchs, very shrewd bit of business there by the Monarchs.

[SteelShoe]

1 hour ago, Fromafar said:

It’s disappointing that a great racing track cannot attract decent crowds.I know results matter but it seems there is not the support too keep the sport viable in Workington.In 2018 the Team won everything but it was not enough support to carry on.Nobody wants to see such a good set up( track and facility)fail.

Comets have a fair number of what I would call occasional supporters ie will come sometimes but don't need their speedway fix or love it as much as the hardcore fans. By hardcore I mean fiercely loyal and will turn up whatever the weather or circumstances.

If Speedway country wide continues to decline it is partly because it is not attracting enough people to cover the current costs. Those running the sport have to acknowledge this as a matter of urgency and take action to lower the cost base while making the sport more attractive to supporters.

Current fan numbers at many clubs generally struggle to cover costs such as rider demands, travel expenses, medical costs ( around £1200 per meeting) Insurance costs, Stewards costs etc etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if Workington would have liked to build a stronger team but were very mindful of the losses incurred at the back end of last season when crowds dipped.

It is a catch 22, fans want a competetive team , the management have a certain budget probably based on expected  break even numbers through the gates. If the fans don't turn up in these expected numbers on a regular basis then not as much money is available for team building. Offers to more capable riders are more likely to be bettered by lets say richer clubs. If the signed up team turns out uncompetetive or underachieves then this affects the numbers through the gate as the fickle won't come to watch a losing team. This increases financial loss even further putting a clubs ability to afford to race at a certain level in doubt.

In my opinion the sport does not attract the attendances to call itself a professional sport any longer. It is increasingly questionable whether rider demands are sustainable on current attendances. The days when many riders had a job outside of speedway may well have to return. 

For me the way forward is one British League, let the riders who say they can't make one league pay make the choice.

Edited 3 hours ago by SteelShoe

[singy13]

19 minutes ago, SteelShoe said:

Comets have a fair number of what I would call occasional supporters ie will come sometimes but don't need their speedway fix or love it as much as the hardcore fans. By hardcore I mean fiercely loyal and will turn up whatever the weather or circumstances.

If Speedway country wide continues to decline it is partly because it is not attracting enough people to cover the current costs. Those running the sport have to acknowledge this as a matter of urgency and take action to lower the cost base while making the sport more attractive to supporters.

Current fan numbers at many clubs generally struggle to cover costs such as rider demands, travel expenses, medical costs ( around £1200 per meeting) Insurance costs, Stewards costs etc etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if Workington would have liked to build a stronger team but were very mindful of the losses incurred at the back end of last season when crowds dipped.

It is a catch 22, fans want a competetive team , the management have a certain budget probably based on expected  break even numbers through the gates. If the fans don't turn up in these expected numbers on a regular basis then not as much money is available for team building. Offers to more capable riders are more likely to be bettered by lets say richer clubs. If the signed up team turns out uncompetetive or underachieves then this affects the numbers through the gate as the fickle won't come to watch a losing team. This increases financial loss even further putting a clubs ability to afford to race at a certain level in doubt.

In my opinion the sport does not attract the attendances to call itself a professional sport any longer. It is increasingly questionable whether rider demands are sustainable on current attendances. The days when many riders had a job outside of speedway may well have to return. 

For me the way forward is one British League, let the riders who say they can't make one league pay make the choice.

Good post. Comets two previous eras suffered low crowds. Perhaps it's worth noting the town has a population of less than 25,000 and it's supporting semi pro soccer and rugby league teams - all three teams struggle for fan dominance.

I totally agree with your 'one British League' plan- it's got to happen asap.

[tyler42]

1 hour ago, SteelShoe said:

The days when many riders had a job outside of speedway may well have to return. 

And their lies the problem. When riders did work and ride, the crowds were far bigger than today. Riders in this day and age have got to have 2/3 bikes. The big van and full time mechanics. In the 70s/80s. Riders in the second division would mainly have one bike, The top riders would maybe have two. A mate would dope and oil and get paid a fish supper. How can you expect to be a full time rider. Riding in a front of less than a thousand people?

If the second division does not go part time then its curtains in my opinion.    

[Fromafar]

1 hour ago, SteelShoe said:

Comets have a fair number of what I would call occasional supporters ie will come sometimes but don't need their speedway fix or love it as much as the hardcore fans. By hardcore I mean fiercely loyal and will turn up whatever the weather or circumstances.

If Speedway country wide continues to decline it is partly because it is not attracting enough people to cover the current costs. Those running the sport have to acknowledge this as a matter of urgency and take action to lower the cost base while making the sport more attractive to supporters.

Current fan numbers at many clubs generally struggle to cover costs such as rider demands, travel expenses, medical costs ( around £1200 per meeting) Insurance costs, Stewards costs etc etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if Workington would have liked to build a stronger team but were very mindful of the losses incurred at the back end of last season when crowds dipped.

It is a catch 22, fans want a competetive team , the management have a certain budget probably based on expected  break even numbers through the gates. If the fans don't turn up in these expected numbers on a regular basis then not as much money is available for team building. Offers to more capable riders are more likely to be bettered by lets say richer clubs. If the signed up team turns out uncompetetive or underachieves then this affects the numbers through the gate as the fickle won't come to watch a losing team. This increases financial loss even further putting a clubs ability to afford to race at a certain level in doubt.

In my opinion the sport does not attract the attendances to call itself a professional sport any longer. It is increasingly questionable whether rider demands are sustainable on current attendances. The days when many riders had a job outside of speedway may well have to return. 

For me the way forward is one British League, let the riders who say they can't make one league pay make the choice.

Would agree with your comments.

[singy13]

10 minutes ago, tyler42 said:

Riders in the second division would mainly have one bike,

And wasn't there usually a spare bike in the pits for any rider to jump on when his own machinery gave problems?

I remember riders having there bike on a rack at rear of vehicle - some a bit worse for wear. I was watching a rider packing up one night, it was Terry Kelly as a Comet, and someone said what's all those holes in your car Tel?...he said oh that's caused by my passenger the 'rust rat'.......happy days indeed.