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Post by schumi on Mar 26, 2009 6:52:15 GMT
Well, genghis, you've comprehensively lost the argument, and I think even you can see that. As I said, you can't compare ANY of those sports to league speedway. And just because they might use expensive bikes in a velodrome doesn't mean everyone has to - cycling is cycling, whether it be on a solid gold bike or a tricycle.
So, we're agreed that speedway's attendances are dwindling because it's no longer a cheap family day out (due largely to fuel costs and the situation of tracks), and that it's not a sport you can easily participate in. But on the plus side, it's still better attended than the majority of comparable sports, so it must have something going for it. Time to play on the positive side and market it, perhaps?
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Post by nobbyclark on Mar 26, 2009 8:53:12 GMT
So, we're agreed that speedway's attendances are dwindling because it's no longer a cheap family day out ( due largely to fuel costs and the situation of tracks), I have to agree with that point Schumi... I won't be at the EOES tonight as none of the cubs can make it.. and I'm not prepared to drive 240 miles to work and then up to Peterborough (spending approx £45 in Petrol).. Sad but true!  I do drive a tank btw...!  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 9:14:17 GMT
So, we're agreed that speedway's attendances are dwindling because it's no longer a cheap family day out I'm not one for complaining about admission charges, and not bothered about £4, but i did think it was poor when i went to Arlington and asked for the family ticket(£38) which they advertize on their own website, and was told no such ticket exists and had to pay £42 |
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Post by Genghis on Mar 26, 2009 12:54:41 GMT
Well, genghis, you've comprehensively lost the argument, and I think even you can see that. As I said, you can't compare ANY of those sports to league speedway. And just because they might use expensive bikes in a velodrome doesn't mean everyone has to - cycling is cycling, whether it be on a solid gold bike or a tricycle. So, we're agreed that speedway's attendances are dwindling because it's no longer a cheap family day out (due largely to fuel costs and the situation of tracks), and that it's not a sport you can easily participate in. But on the plus side, it's still better attended than the majority of comparable sports, so it must have something going for it. Time to play on the positive side and market it, perhaps? Schumi, the big positive about speedway is its family image. Fans from both sides can intermingle without any trouble. BTW I still don't think that I "comprehensively lost the argument". Yes some of my 10 were stretching it a bit, but you know full well in first place that speedway is still amongst the top 10 attended sports in Britain (even though these days it would be towards the bottom of that list, rather than the No.2 it proudly held in both the post-war years and again in the early days of the British League), so it was an impossible question to answer as you fully know. But I think I still proved that there are other sports which are still watched by mass audiences, despite not being mass participation. So I win. ;D AND I still stick by the fact that I know people who have stopped going to speedway, not because of the cost or because they can't have a go themselves, BUT because they're fed up with the daft rules. In fact, I found out yesterday that my dear old late granddad stopped going to speedway in the 1960s for two reasons: 1. He was fed up with the standard of referees 2. He didn't like the way the rules were used to favour some teams above others. So speedway has actually been alienating its public with its rules for a long, long time. No it's not the sole reason, and as Schumi has touched on, the fact speedway is no longer a cheap evening out for the family is a major reason. But silly rules have driven a lot of people away form speedway, many of whom I've known myself. The worst in recent years was the tactical rule. After that got brought in, it was "where's so-and-so gone". "Oh, he's stopped coming. The tactical rule pissed him off, and he's finally had more than he can take". |
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Post by schumi on Mar 26, 2009 13:15:14 GMT
Schumi, the big positive about speedway is its family image. Fans from both sides can intermingle without any trouble. I'm almost speechless. Okay, so I know it's a minority, but there have been so many more reports over the last few years of a few supporters behaving like animals. Throwing glasses, swearing at children, threatening behaviour to both riders and fans. As I said, I know it's a minority, but you're still pushing it to make that sweeping statement. |
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Post by Genghis on Mar 26, 2009 13:22:59 GMT
Schumi, the big positive about speedway is its family image. Fans from both sides can intermingle without any trouble. I'm almost speechless. Okay, so I know it's a minority, but there have been so many more reports over the last few years of a few supporters behaving like animals. Throwing glasses, swearing at children, threatening behaviour to both riders and fans. As I said, I know it's a minority, but you're still pushing it to make that sweeping statement. Schumi, I've been to something like 1400 speedway meetings, and there have been very minor scuffles on the terraces in a handful of them. In the old days, there were quite a few scuffles between riders after a race had finished, but often these were stage-managed. If you think Speedway fans behave like animals, then go a Football match and see the difference. Speedway is great - you can make friends all across the country - have a bit of banter with the supporters from the other team, and then shake hands at the end of the night. If it were football, you'd end up with a black eye. It's safer being in a speedway stadium than it is being out on the street. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 13:43:10 GMT
Speedway is great - you can make friends all across the country - have a bit of banter with the supporters from the other team, and then shake hands at the end of the night. If it were football, you'd end up with a black eye. . ;D ;D Just an outdated view of Football. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 13:46:38 GMT
You're changed your argument slightly, Genghis.
It went from saying ''rules etc.'' in Speedway is the reason why Speedway fails to attract new fans to why it loses fans. It's about easy as ABC to see why it loses fans.
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Post by schumi on Mar 26, 2009 15:35:04 GMT
Schumi, I've been to something like 1400 speedway meetings, and there have been very minor scuffles on the terraces in a handful of them. I'm not surprised it rarely happens around you - you're seven feet tall and built like a brick... well, you know. |
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Post by Genghis on Mar 26, 2009 16:22:04 GMT
Speedway is great - you can make friends all across the country - have a bit of banter with the supporters from the other team, and then shake hands at the end of the night. If it were football, you'd end up with a black eye. . ;D ;D Just an outdated view of Football. Harry, OK then, you go into the Kop for a Liverpool v Man Utd, and shout "Come On United", and we'll see what happens to you. ;D |
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Post by Genghis on Mar 26, 2009 16:46:55 GMT
Schumi, I've been to something like 1400 speedway meetings, and there have been very minor scuffles on the terraces in a handful of them. I'm not surprised it rarely happens around you - you're seven feet tall and built like a brick... well, you know. Schumi, you've got me at a disadvantage, you me know, whereas I don't know you. Maybe we should have a bit of a mini-Weird World get together at Lakeside for the British U21 Final (Friday April 24th). Would you be able to make it? It would be nice to meet Hatcham as well. Incidentally, I'm actually 6 foot 2, not 7 foot. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 17:00:26 GMT
It would be nice to meet Hatcham as well. Thank you, i doubt Snippy would agree, unless of course he had his Sgian Dubh with him |
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Post by admin on Mar 26, 2009 20:39:32 GMT
Thank you, i doubt Snippy would agree, unless of course he had his Sgian Dubh with him Fortunately, in the belief that the dastardly Englsih had conspired to ban the sgian dubh, he only has a plastic one, although the real thing might now be on order. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 9:40:10 GMT
So, we're agreed that speedway's attendances are dwindling because it's no longer a cheap family day out (due largely to fuel costs and the situation of tracks), and that it's not a sport you can easily participate in. I still think the differing times and race nights plays a huge part. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2009 11:06:20 GMT
;D ;D Just an outdated view of Football. Harry, OK then, you go into the Kop for a Liverpool v Man Utd, and shout "Come On United", and we'll see what happens to you. ;D You'd be frowned up and swiftly ejected. The same way you would at the majority of sports in Great Britain. I think on the terraces at Speedway, there's almost that Rugby chumness where everyone pretends to be friends, when really given the chance they'd love to argue the toss. If you had Eastbourne fans dancing about in front of Poole fans, I bet you things are said. Same applies to any local rival. In fact when visiting your beloved Oxford on Good Friday for the visit of Reading - the Reading fans were hardly best mates with the Oxford folk and it boiled over on occasions. Accusations of a poor track, foul riding etc. etc. I've been some places this year for football and came across top people. Cheltenham Town visited three weeks ago and lost 4-0 yet their support was terrific. There was a big love-in outside the ground after the game, swapping scarves and an alliance has been made. We are asking for a friendly at Cheltenham next year. The smaller clubs appreciate the support and money that the visit of a big club can give. Football fans who meet over the internet like many at Speedway have a drink before and after, talk about the game with a biased view but rarely does it spill over in trouble. Trouble is the idiotic few who won't be found at Speedway because it's not attractive enough, entertaining or glamourous enough. |
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