What will 2026 UK speedway bring?

[szkocjasid]

Now I don't think this would work, but if they are desperate for a 6th Prem team, rather than running Northampton out of Oxford, would they not be better reviving Newcastle? Is the track still there?

The idea of the other 5 clubs agreeing to cover any losses feels impossible to me (can't remember who said it on here) but feel a former team returning would be a lot more financially sensible than a new track in an area with no Speedway history (Northampton) or running a corner team at a current track (Swindon at Oxford).

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

3 minutes ago, szkocjasid said:

Now I don't think this would work, but if they are desperate for a 6th Prem team, rather than running Northampton out of Oxford, would they not be better reviving Newcastle? Is the track still there?

The idea of the other 5 clubs agreeing to cover any losses feels impossible to me (can't remember who said it on here) but feel a former team returning would be a lot more financially sensible than a new track in an area with no Speedway history (Northampton) or running a corner team at a current track (Swindon at Oxford).

There a few tracks which could be put back into life but the stadium owners just don’t want it, Newcastle included, my feeling from what I understand is it’s Peterborough or if that not possible  then it’s a team from the championship  and maybe mildenhall will take up that spot in the championship 

[Hawk127]

7 minutes ago, mikebv said:

He would make a perfect advisor for the BSPL.....

In fact. .

Has he been doing it for the last two decades?...

Best not tell Starmer about his other job.

How come Rachel from accounts has not found out about the gold mine that is known as speedway?

Riders doubling up and earning twice as much as they declare, promoters taking cash at the turnstiles, overseas riders popping into the UK for some extra cash without paying tax and meetings taking place under the guise of an amateur sport.

Need to get a grip and deal with all the tax avoidance going on. Alas a non dom status is but a pipe dream and then reality hits home. Then you realise the majority of clubs hide the true financial state and without an undisclosed cache of funds the sport would be dead in the water. Is speedway run by the Masons. Why else is it such a cloak and dagger arrangement with a failure to be open.

Only joking but why do those in charge hide so much and keep the supporters in the dark

[IainB]

42 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

I was in Manchester at the weekend for a gig

Volbeat?

[mikebv]

1 minute ago, Hawk127 said:

Best not tell Starmer about his other job.

How come Rachel from accounts has not found out about the gold mine that is known as speedway?

Riders doubling up and earning twice as much as they declare, promoters taking cash at the turnstiles, overseas riders popping into the UK for some extra cash without paying tax and meetings taking place under the guise of an amateur sport.

Need to get a grip and deal with all the tax avoidance going on. Alas a non dom status is but a pipe dream and then reality hits home. Then you realise the majority of clubs hide the true financial state and without an undisclosed cache of funds the sport would be dead in the water. Is speedway run by the Masons. Why else is it such a cloak and dagger arrangement with a failure to be open.

Only joking but why do those in charge hide so much and keep the supporters in the dark

When I went to Hyde Rd in the seventies, they had several turnstiles that didn't count the "click"....

When I first went to Old Trafford in the late seventies and eighties, you paid the attendant and jumped the turnstile...

I got all my money back for a Cup Final ticket, several times, by passing it though the stand to those queuing outside to use it again in the 80's and 90's.... .

 

[The White Knight]

7 hours ago, 1 valve said:

The points and observations you make are good ones re concerns with the formation of one league
My feedback for what its worth.
- One league will indeed throw up serious issues and nobody should hold the view that currently anything is Rosy in UK speedway 
- There would be no Championship or Premier leagues as we know them - only a new league.
- All agreements previously made i.e. one rider over eight points and riders signed for 2026 will be null and void
- There would not be fourteen teams. Only a maximum of nine,  as doubling up not being possible sees to that.
- There could be a feeder/development league - semi pro/ amateur basis.
- Some existing promoters are devoid of a willingness to agree  to a way forward (blocking) that is best for the medium and longer term development of the sport because their short term situation is for them OK.

All we can hope for is that the blockers see sense and a way forward can be found.

Which of the current Teams would you condemn to the scrapyard then? What about their Supporters?

You are condemning five clubs to oblivion.

I am afraid I cannot agree with you.

[Marky_Mark]

29 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

There a few tracks which could be put back into life but the stadium owners just don’t want it, Newcastle included, my feeling from what I understand is it’s Peterborough or if that not possible  then it’s a team from the championship  and maybe mildenhall will take up that spot in the championship 

How about Bradford or Eastbourne? Both have tracks already there unused ?

[TB1]

22 minutes ago, Marky_Mark said:

How about Bradford or Eastbourne? Both have tracks already there unused ?

Didn't the people who relaid the track at Odsal try and get someone to run the promotion but no one came forward?

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

1 hour ago, IainB said:

Volbeat?

Yes 

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

1 hour ago, Marky_Mark said:

How about Bradford or Eastbourne? Both have tracks already there unused ?

I believe Bradford is too expensive and from what the stock car people are saying the rugby people(who have a short memory )could be kicking them out and who knows what’s going on at Eastbourne, I personally think it’s a family dispute but whatever the reason they don’t want speedway back 

[IainB]

10 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Yes 

Awesome! Saw them in Nottingham on the Wednesday, brilliant show 🤘.

I wonder if they were playing "Still Counting" at the AGM? 😂

[1 valve]

1 hour ago, The White Knight said:

Which of the current Teams would you condemn to the scrapyard then? What about their Supporters?

You are condemning five clubs to oblivion.

I am afraid I cannot agree with you.

I wouldn’t want to condemn any. I am pointing out the math of the situation and the consequence of the current promoters failing to agree on a way forward. 

[Noelinho]

2 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

Now I don't think this would work, but if they are desperate for a 6th Prem team, rather than running Northampton out of Oxford, would they not be better reviving Newcastle? Is the track still there?

That's a concrete proposal.

[mikebv]

2 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

Now I don't think this would work, but if they are desperate for a 6th Prem team, rather than running Northampton out of Oxford, would they not be better reviving Newcastle? Is the track still there?

 

Monkey Tennis!!!!

Or...

Youth Hostelling with Chris Eubank..

A Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

[gjcone44]

8 hours ago, mikebv said:

Monkey Tennis!!!!

Or...

Youth Hostelling with Chris Eubank..

A Haaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

smell my cheese......

[SteveLyric2]

8 hours ago, 1 valve said:

I wouldn’t want to condemn any. I am pointing out the math of the situation and the consequence of the current promoters failing to agree on a way forward. 

As I've said elsewhere, why don't one of the Prem clubs run a second team, jointly underwritten by all 5. There is a chance that fans of the club could be attracted to attend both team's fixtures, rather than trying to attract new fans from scratch at a new venue?

[gjcone44]

what you asking fans to double up too. 🤣

[norbold]

1 hour ago, gjcone44 said:

what you asking fans to double up too. 🤣

And if you can't get along for any reason can you ask Bomber to replace you?

[ouch]

I find the views on here so contradictory it’s little wonder the sport is in a mess - when you think that it’s basically run by fans and ex riders. I end up more confused on every visit. 

We need to be running at weekends as this is the time families and others look to spend their leisure pound, unless you live in Poole. 

Plymouth have the right idea about racing on the night that is best for them. Klindt only missed half of their home league meetings but that’s fine as people are ok with guests. 

Top stars add little if anything to the gate apart from Ipswich who saw a jump in attendance when Jason & Emil signed. 

Poole has the biggest and most passionate fan base but if we run 24 hours early, we’re screwed. 

If we run at weekends without the top stars we’ll be onto a winner, unless it’s the Colts. 

Teams should compete in the league they can afford, unless you are Poole or Glasgow. 

Top teams don’t share out their top riders, said Max Fricke. 

Etc, etc, etc. 

[YeOldPitGate]

54 minutes ago, ouch said:

I find the views on here so contradictory it’s little wonder the sport is in a mess - when you think that it’s basically run by fans and ex riders. I end up more confused on every visit. 

We need to be running at weekends as this is the time families and others look to spend their leisure pound, unless you live in Poole. 

Plymouth have the right idea about racing on the night that is best for them. Klindt only missed half of their home league meetings but that’s fine as people are ok with guests. 

Top stars add little if anything to the gate apart from Ipswich who saw a jump in attendance when Jason & Emil signed. 

Poole has the biggest and most passionate fan base but if we run 24 hours early, we’re screwed. 

If we run at weekends without the top stars we’ll be onto a winner, unless it’s the Colts. 

Teams should compete in the league they can afford, unless you are Poole or Glasgow. 

Top teams don’t share out their top riders, said Max Fricke. 

Etc, etc, etc. 

i don't think anyone expects the ship to be turned around in one go, but harking back to the plymouth example they have made the wise move of running on best night for their punters and this year they have learned from the Klindt issue and signed two english based riders and i would imagine they will try and do likewise with the other five. 

So they should have a situation where they are running on the best night, the seven riders barring injury should be present fo 80-90% of home meetings they can then move onto getting sponsorship and improving track and stadium facilities.

Its lots of small wins built on top of each other that win the day we just need to see even a handful of small wins to start things off that's the issue at present.