Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 28, 2019 18:01:41 GMT
Not a Speedway fan myself but I still found this article fascinating...
In 1976, the year James Hunt won his Formula One world championship and Barry Sheene his first 500cc title, Britain’s Peter Collins was speedway’s world champion and it was more than holding its own. Manchester’s Belle Vue was then regularly attracting 25,000 spectators. That year there were 37 teams across two leagues, but by 1990 it had fallen to 26 and this season there are just 18 teams in the top two tiers. Attendances are drastically smaller, averaging around 1,000.
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Post by Steve Austin on Mar 28, 2019 18:26:57 GMT
I used to go regularly to watch Berwick Bandits in the late 70's and 80's (there is a rider from Berwick shown in the main article picture) and they have almost gone out of business several times. It's a shame what has happened, but there are so many costs involved. Berwick for example, is 60 miles from the nearest hospital and has to have a doctor and ambulance on standby which they have to pay for. If any rider gets injured and taken to hospital, the racing cannot resume until a replacement ambulance is on site. This is just one example of the expense and logistics involved to keep the meetings going.
A couple of 100 fans is no where near enough to sustain the sport and as the article says, most teams are in the north, deprived areas where the punter has to decide where their hard earned cash goes.
Speedway is an exciting sport and there are not many motorsports where you get so close to the action and it's a shame that Tai Woffinden does not get the credit he deserves. He travels 1000's of miles per week, riding in leagues of different countries as well as competing in the Grand Prix series, pampered he is not.
If you haven't been to a meeting, why not give it a go. It's cheap and exciting and you might just enjoy it.
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Lord Emsworth
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 28, 2019 18:46:02 GMT
Thanks Steve - that's all very interesting If you haven't been to a meeting, why not give it a go. It's cheap and exciting and you might just enjoy it.
I did notice there's a club at Eastbourne, not far from me, so I might just check it out.
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Bojan Scores
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Post by Bojan Scores on Mar 28, 2019 19:23:51 GMT
I’m a lapsed speedway fan myself, though I fancy trying it again this season. Speedway is a fantastic sport run and ruined by complete idiots. It has a governing body but is effectively run by individual track promotors (imagine a toothless FA with the premier league being run by its chairmen). The upshot being that the wealthiest promotions have the biggest influence for their own ends. It is indeed crying out for an Eddie Hearn type figure to control it as it has all the components for a thrilling night out. As recently as the 1980s it was second only to football for attracting spectators through the turnstiles. Lack of investment and foresight means it’s a shadow of its former self. That said, the meetings can still be great and I enjoyed many Friday nights at Plymouth speedway when I was in the Navy, and Stoke and Wolverhampton when I was home on leave. Belle Vue’s new stadium is a taste of what could be, a great track with great racing with modern spectator facilities.
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Mar 28, 2019 23:16:10 GMT
I often watch Wolves during the season and it was great to see them win the league in 2016, although travelling from Shropshire on a Monday night after work is heavy going sometimes. Sadly Speedway is struggling badly with sponsorship and has been poorly run for several years by those who try and promote the sport. Losing Sky coverage hasn't helped and the British League just can't attract the top riders from abroad with issues over payment and other things etc. It's all very depressing stuff as the sport can provide a great night out for families, as it used to do in the past. A lack of coverage by the national media hasn't helped really despite Tai Woffinden's recent success in the World Championship. They prefer the much more lucrative F1 and Premiership football. Vi
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Post by Sam Tyler on Mar 28, 2019 23:44:47 GMT
It was rare that it happened but if Speedway was ever shown on World Of Sport then I'd be there watching it, as I would if motocross was on as well.
I remember Peter Collins from those days and although never as much an idol as Barry Sheene I had great respect for him and remember him racing in a metal boot when he'd broken his leg. I also remember the late, great Ivan Mauger being a major contender as was Bruce Penhall.
Although I've not managed to get to watch a meeting yet, there are regular meets at Smallbrook Stadium at Ashey on the Isle Of Wight as they have had a team there for over 20 years now, one evening I'll get myself down there...
It was one form of motorcycle sport that I wanted to try but never got around to. I've tried racing, trials, and motocross but speedway has eluded me. Of those the motocross was the favourite as I didn't have the trust in the tyres to lean low enough to race competitively or the patience for the slow speed in trials.
Sam
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 29, 2019 8:13:25 GMT
I often watch Wolves during the season and it was great to see them win the league in 2016, although travelling from Shropshire on a Monday night after work is heavy going sometimes. Sadly Speedway is struggling badly with sponsorship and has been poorly run for several years by those who try and promote the sport. Losing Sky coverage hasn't helped and the British League just can't attract the top riders from abroad with issues over payment and other things etc. It's all very depressing stuff as the sport can provide a great night out for families, as it used to do in the past. A lack of coverage by the national media hasn't helped really despite Tai Woffinden's recent success in the World Championship. They prefer the much more lucrative F1 and Premiership football. Vi Yes sort of noticed Speedway's profile has dropped a fair bit over the years too Vi and never knew your were a fan mate... ah learn something new etc.
Suppose with sport these days unless there's a glitzy, glam, entertainment, controversial etc. emphasis attached to preferably with Sky in tow then it falls below the radar and in a few instances withers and dies out. Sadly Speedway a bit like Motorcross or Banger Racing isn't going to attract your prawn sandwich brigade who fickle follow the winning team in the Premier League or maybe F1 or tennis etc. Won't lie I've never done a Speedway meet but I may give it a try someday as it seems interesting.
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Vienna
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Post by Vienna on Mar 29, 2019 10:05:35 GMT
I often watch Wolves during the season and it was great to see them win the league in 2016, although travelling from Shropshire on a Monday night after work is heavy going sometimes. Sadly Speedway is struggling badly with sponsorship and has been poorly run for several years by those who try and promote the sport. Losing Sky coverage hasn't helped and the British League just can't attract the top riders from abroad with issues over payment and other things etc. It's all very depressing stuff as the sport can provide a great night out for families, as it used to do in the past. A lack of coverage by the national media hasn't helped really despite Tai Woffinden's recent success in the World Championship. They prefer the much more lucrative F1 and Premiership football. Vi Yes sort of noticed Speedway's profile has dropped a fair bit over the years too Vi and never knew your were a fan mate... ah learn something new etc.
Suppose with sport these days unless there's a glitzy, glam, entertainment, controversial etc. emphasis attached to preferably with Sky in tow then it falls below the radar and in a few instances withers and dies out. Sadly Speedway a bit like Motorcross or Banger Racing isn't going to attract your prawn sandwich brigade who fickle follow the winning team in the Premier League or maybe F1 or tennis etc. Won't lie I've never done a Speedway meet but I may give it a try someday as it seems interesting.
Yes, there's a lot that even Bagpuss doesn't know about me DE
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 29, 2019 10:12:24 GMT
Do you want him to know Vi!...
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