As paying customers, we've been mugs. It's time for us to take action: sign the petition!

[4thbender]

As a loyal supporter for 60+ years, it's clear that British Speedway cannot continue to exist in its current form. In 2026 we've lost Birmingham and in recent years we’ve seen the loss of many iconic teams such as Wolverhampton, Coventry and Swindon. It seems that other teams are now under threat unless some radical changes are made. Along with many paying customers, I have a vision for how speedway has to develop if it is to survive. Decades of the sport's inefficiency has finally come to a head.

British speedway needs to set its own agenda and stop kowtowing to regulations set in Poland. Speedway has bred a generation of riders who want to have their cake and eat it: they want to earn their bread and butter in the UK leagues and chase the Polish Zloty to put the jam on top. This faces the British authorities with the dilemma of having to dance to the Polish tune when trying to plan the home fixture list. This cannot go on.

For survival, we need a single nationwide league of 15 teams wherein all its riders are contracted and committed exclusively to British racing between March and October.

A 28-match league programme plus a further 12 matches in a split north-south KO cup competition will guarantee teams a regular weekly match programme, and a sensible rider payment policy will provide ample earnings potential for riders over a guaranteed 40-match season.

But the last thing we want is for British speedway and its contracted riders to be isolated from European competition. So speedway authorities must open negotiations with its European counterparts for European competition on two levels:

1)    An annual European League of Nations, with initially the four participating countries of Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark and Poland.

2)    An annual European Champions’ League, featuring the top teams of all the four participating nations of Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark and Poland.

A nationwide league of 15 teams in meaningful competition - with the addition of the possibility of genuine European glory - will revive the waning interest of fans, riders, media and potential investors. It is time for the Promoters to bite the bullet to avoid inevitable extinction of British speedway.

So I've set up a petition demanding that the British Speedway Promoters Ltd take these matters on board with immediate effect.

SIGN THE PETITION NOW TO FORCE CHANGE IN BRITISH SPEEDWAY: https://c.org/bdpftrNZdQ

[szkocjasid]

How on earth do you expect to find 100+ riders willing to make British Speedway their priority over Poland?

It's a nice dream, but i'm afraid that's all it is.

Perhaps a more realistic aim would he Championship riders having to put British Speedway first (don't allow facilities for missing fixtures to race in foreign leagues).

Edited 20 hours ago by szkocjasid

[Fromafar]

9 hours ago, szkocjasid said:

How on earth do you expect to find 100+ riders willing to make British Speedway their priority over Poland?

It's a nice dream, but i'm afraid that's all it is.

Perhaps a more realistic aim would he Championship riders having to put British Speedway first (don't allow facilities for missing fixtures to race in foreign leagues).

Think your suggestion is very realistic,it would at least bring some credibility back into GB speedway.Poland do not use guests for missing riders (injury or otherwise). it gives junior riders a chance too progress.It would do the same over here.(At a different level obviously )but credible.

[Mgas]

Completely unrealistic and no chance am I clicking that link.

[SteveLyric2]

Any attempt at some sort of European league with each country's champions hosting a round (Its been tried before) would mean all riders insisting on their Polish pay rates!  Unaffordable unless covered by a major sponsor/TV contract!

[nagy1]

I fully agree that British speedway should have an agenda but we will never control Poland, let’s wipe any ideas of that out. 
 

Thing I would focus on more are bringing on the young. If we produce our own, we won’t give a toss what is happening over there. The amount of kids going about on e-bikes/mini bikes etc is massive. Let these people know of an opportunity. Get the police to guide them like they done with Derek S

My plan would include

1) all tracks to have 4 off 50cc, 125cc and 500cc bikes. Nothing special, just reliable bikes (possibly closed units)to give young people a chance. Parents can’t all afford to give their kids a bike/van etc etc.  Possible joint cost between Club and governing body? Or the governing body fully funds a “ride and skid it” type model that travels round the tracks (one for Scotland and the north, one for midlands etc etc)

2) Run any junior/NDL meetings through the main race card. Let us see the future talent coming through. We have seen how keen the kids are to get out.  People seeing 20+ races for their money is better than 15. I know the snobs don’t want to see “wobblers” but it will get them used to riding in front of fans. And let’s face it there is plenty of time during a meeting. 
 

3) In conjunction with number one, run classes on the maintenance/upkeep of a speedway bike. Some kids may not make it as a rider but will still want to be involved. I watched our meeting at Scunthorpe and Bomber didn’t have a mechanic. Holy F, how can he not have a mechanic.

4) Include a second reserve race in the main card.

5) bring back the silver helmet (slightly tongue in cheek but it was a talking point if nothing else)

6) there needs to be more meetings. The small amount of meetings spread out so far is ridiculous. No consistency. Failing that, compile the fixtures so your team is home then away, then the team is at least riding together each week.

7) if the above isn’t possible. Arrange away trips that fans can go and enjoy. A Poole/Oxford double header would be a great for Glasgow fans. Southern teams seem to get northern tours. What promotion would like a coach rather than 5-10 fans?
 

8 ) The dinosaurs that run certain tracks need to get their fingers out and realise it isn’t the 60/70s any more.

9) Stop track preparation to give home track advantage. Let’s entertain the public.

10) In conjunction with the above give every rider 2 laps of the track before the meeting begins. It will iron out any track issues and hopefully make for a better meeting. Time them, give an award for the fastest lap, something to generate an interest. 

[Derrickn]

23 hours ago, 4thbender said:

As a loyal supporter for 60+ years, it's clear that British Speedway cannot continue to exist in its current form. In 2026 we've lost Birmingham and in recent years we’ve seen the loss of many iconic teams such as Wolverhampton, Coventry and Swindon. It seems that other teams are now under threat unless some radical changes are made. Along with many paying customers, I have a vision for how speedway has to develop if it is to survive. Decades of the sport's inefficiency has finally come to a head.

British speedway needs to set its own agenda and stop kowtowing to regulations set in Poland. Speedway has bred a generation of riders who want to have their cake and eat it: they want to earn their bread and butter in the UK leagues and chase the Polish Zloty to put the jam on top. This faces the British authorities with the dilemma of having to dance to the Polish tune when trying to plan the home fixture list. This cannot go on.

For survival, we need a single nationwide league of 15 teams wherein all its riders are contracted and committed exclusively to British racing between March and October.

A 28-match league programme plus a further 12 matches in a split north-south KO cup competition will guarantee teams a regular weekly match programme, and a sensible rider payment policy will provide ample earnings potential for riders over a guaranteed 40-match season.

But the last thing we want is for British speedway and its contracted riders to be isolated from European competition. So speedway authorities must open negotiations with its European counterparts for European competition on two levels:

1)    An annual European League of Nations, with initially the four participating countries of Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark and Poland.

2)    An annual European Champions’ League, featuring the top teams of all the four participating nations of Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark and Poland.

A nationwide league of 15 teams in meaningful competition - with the addition of the possibility of genuine European glory - will revive the waning interest of fans, riders, media and potential investors. It is time for the Promoters to bite the bullet to avoid inevitable extinction of British speedway.

So I've set up a petition demanding that the British Speedway Promoters Ltd take these matters on board with immediate effect.

SIGN THE PETITION NOW TO FORCE CHANGE IN BRITISH SPEEDWAY: https://c.org/bdpftrNZdQ

I like your ideas,but I think the only way to make it work is for some riders to be part time,and for that to work,the cost of equipment will have to come down.I fear it's too late,and soon we will have to start again with an amateur/part time league.

[topaz325]

Tractor racing ……,