What will 2026 UK speedway bring?

[gjcone44]

it is a very simple idea, but complicated to get people and riders to agree to it.. but would be a great leveller, for the riders who dont have the big budgets that some of the top riders have, but it would be a great way to reset the British speedway leagues, this could

7 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

It’s a simple idea but not simple to implement, there are factors like engines, finding a happy medium of what different riders would accept, you can’t just put a standard engine in and expect someone who is built like Dan bewley to ride the same engine as someone like matej zagar, there has to be a compromise between the 2, meet half way if you like,who supplies the engines ? and who services them? there are a whole variety of factors that are not obvious to the general fan but I believe it can be done but not overnight, it’s needs to be floated now and use 2026 to test and iron out the problems with 2027 to roll it out, it won’t happen though 

thats why i said complicated., costs are the problem with speedway at our level of support , but probably cheapest way to restart, good luck with what ever you can come up with, 

[enotian]

9 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

I have a plan around that very basic Idea but it has a lot more detail and and overcomes a lot of the issues that arise from the concept of outsourcing the equipment from the riders,I have spent a few months working on it, talking to some people in the sport who understand the workings of the concept, I am planning to float it on a podcast soon but I’m sceptical it will fly not because it’s a bad idea but because to get anything going in speedway someone has to be making money from it 

certainly has the potential to resolve the lack of riders problem. you can imagine a few 'retired' racers would consider comebacks if they aren't required to take the risk of investing in a bike and engine.

could even reduce costs if the procurement is centralised. ie for the bikes engines and tuning. got to be cheaper than individual riders each agreeing their own suppliers. also you could share the equipment across a number of tracks ie Edinburgh Friday, Berwick Saturday and Glasgow Sunday. this is also how someone makes money out of it. ie instead of say 10 tuners profiting from 10 riders each you get to say 2 tuners profiting from 50 riders, standard scale stuff. same with engine suppliers, tyres, mechanics even etc etc.

you potentially move the cash outlay for the promoters to pre season when they've not had any (maybe sponsorship?) income but as I understand it plenty of riders receive a sign on fee for these purposes anyway, which would no longer be required.

it sounds a bit like the sustainable future for a 2nd tier does this and don't they have a load of Gerhardt engines just sitting there collecting dust?

your problem would be how do rider progress from using supplied equipment and support to being able to compete internationally or in the top league but I guess that's no different from a rider deciding if they want to invest in top level equipment now. at least they'd have a choice having perhaps impressed and earned some money from 2nd tier racing.

it would also definitely facilitate the use of top tier tracks in an expanded 2nd tier.

happy to help if you need any help on that procurement generating value for money point.