Mumsie Posted 6 hours ago Report Share Posted 6 hours ago 2 minutes ago, Bagpuss said: While I respect the views of the 'good old days' brigade I think we are way past the point where random bikes and kevlars for team mates are acceptable or appropriate for our sport or any other which claims to be professional. British speedway gets plenty of things wrong but the correct team image is vital with social media, live streaming/TV and merchandise sales etc. Can't think of any other team sport where a side looks like waifs and strays and doesn't all wear the same kit. From all the old pictures I have seen, riders were much more easily identified in the 'good old days,' with the race jackets being the kit. I would personally have no problem with riders wearing individual kevlars, as the sport hasn't exactly grown since the introduction of team kevlars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted 5 hours ago Report Share Posted 5 hours ago 37 minutes ago, Mumsie said: From all the old pictures I have seen, riders were much more easily identified in the 'good old days,' with the race jackets being the kit. I would personally have no problem with riders wearing individual kevlars, as the sport hasn't exactly grown since the introduction of team kevlars. I’d agree with that and it would no doubt help in speedways much needed aspect of creating personalities, good & bad for fans to engage with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 3 hours ago, Bagpuss said: While I respect the views of the 'good old days' brigade I think we are way past the point where random bikes and kevlars for team mates are acceptable or appropriate for our sport or any other which claims to be professional. British speedway gets plenty of things wrong but the correct team image is vital with social media, live streaming/TV and merchandise sales etc. Can't think of any other team sport where a side looks like waifs and strays and doesn't all wear the same kit. I agree and this should extend to the mechanics and officials too, optics matter 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 3 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: I agree and this should extend to the mechanics and officials too, optics matter So a no to the new Northampton promoter introducing himself in his tracky bottoms then 😂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago On 3/28/2026 at 8:49 AM, mikebv said: Like they have with others with a similar outlook? The 360 podcast with Rob Lyon was interesting in so much that he outlined many of the issues that the promoters wanted to tackle and most of them were regular issues brought up on here... Therefore, maybe with the him and Mark Lemon now directors, there is now actually a recognition that there is a need for change, but, as well, also the desire to make those changes to move the sport forward... But they have investment or bias in a club so nothing will change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 30 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: But they have investment or bias in a club so nothing will change I’d say bringing a new club to the fold at considerable expense is a big change. Whether Mark & Rob can continue to build hope for a new era given how those who previously and still sit at the top table behave is debatable. At least one of last years bigwigs has departed the sport so that dilutes the self interest somewhat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago (edited) 12 minutes ago, ouch said: I’d say bringing a new club to the fold at considerable expense is a big change. Whether Mark & Rob can continue to build hope for a new era given how those who previously and still sit at the top table behave is debatable. At least one of last years bigwigs has departed the sport so that dilutes the self interest somewhat. I would rather trust that departed bigwig to bring change to the sport than the other 2 and I think when we finally find out why he departed it may well be that he was stopped from bringing change, bringing a new team isn’t change it’s a new club joining a failing system no matter how much its cost or who its cost, n new club is a positive step but until change happens thst club will be in the same boat as the others Edited 2 hours ago by THE DEAN MACHINE 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 3 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: I would rather trust that departed bigwig to bring change to the sport than the other 2 and I think when we finally find out why he departed it may well be that he was stopped from bringing change, bringing a new team isn’t change it’s a new club joining a failing system no matter how much its cost or who its cost It certainly was a failing system and not unexpected given those who sat at the top table for years. Give the new lads a chance I say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago 1 minute ago, ouch said: It certainly was a failing system and not unexpected given those who sat at the top table for years. Give the new lads a chance I say. They got their chance but neither should have it because they already have priority elsewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouch Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago 36 minutes ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: They got their chance but neither should have it because they already have priority elsewhere Coming from a bloke who has “filled almost every role there is in speedway” during what Backtrack would term the sh*#^show years, I’m not going to listen this constant negativity towards a sport I both love and seek to see improve. Enjoy your speedway, so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 8 minutes ago Report Share Posted 8 minutes ago 2 hours ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: I agree and this should extend to the mechanics and officials too, optics matter I don't know... A 30 something year old, grey, now far too small to cover a gut, Iron Maiden 1992 Tour T shirt, matched with a pair of dirty blue jeans, (also now too small), allows for a surfeit of "arse crack", when bending over and fixing a chain, which always looks professional on the TV... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted just now Report Share Posted just now 2 hours ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said: But they have investment or bias in a club so nothing will change Listening to Rob Lyon, he was talking the talk, so maybe we have someone open to change and can get it through... Mark Lemon worked for Adrian Smith, so, I presume, was aligned with Adrian's views on the sport in the UK?... If so, then he too will see the potential out there, but also know that the current operating model will never deliver that potential, so therefore must change... The aim of sorting 2027 by the end of June is a start, and hopefully, will get delivered.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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