ROBINS co-owner Gary Patchett has tempered talk of ‘drastic measures’ to secure the future of British speedway by insisting the sport’s administrators risk losing credibility if they ditch their three-year plan adopted last year.
Patchett and fellow Blunsdon chief Terry Russell jet out to Spain on Thursday for the British Speedway Promoters’ Association’s (BSPA) annual conference, amid dark mutterings about the impact of the current economic climate on the financial viability of the sport in this country.
BSPA chairman and former Swindon owner Pete Toogood has already hinted that supporters should prepare for swingeing changes as clubs try to tighten belts against the pressures of a recession.
He warned: “Due to the current and possible future economic climate, including the pressure of recession, decisions will be taken by promoters at the forthcoming AGM to secure the league’s immediate and long term future.’’ The Elite League seems likely to be shorn of much of its Grand Prix talent in 2009, with double world champion Jason Crump already opting out and question marks surrounding the British futures of many others.
In addition, the speedway grapevine has been buzzing with rumours that the points limit could be cut further from the 2008 mark of 38.85, despite agreement that it would rise to 39.90 for next season.
But Patchett believes the governing body need to tread carefully, warning that simply pricing the top earners out of Britain will not provide the necessary solutions.
Patchett told the Swindon Advertiser: “I don’t see how they can do it (cut the points limit).
“We’ll be seen as exactly what we are if we adopt a three-year plan in year one and then kick it into touch in year two.
“We have to be very careful about what we implement. We have to err on the side of caution and prepare for a worst-case scenario.’’ Wolverhampton promoter Chris Van Straaten has already voiced his concerns about the continued presence of speedway’s top names in Britain, saying: “We can't afford to jeopardise the future of the sport in this country by offering silly money for a small number of top riers. The Elite League could go bankrupt by going down that route.
“There is a general feeling among promoters that the money simply isn’t there to meet the demands of some of the top boys, and we have to run a sensible budget to preserve the future of our clubs.’’ But Patchett said: “We won’t be talking about banning any Grand Prix riders. They may count themselves out - the likes of Nicki Pedersen and Jason Crump already have and one or two more probably will.
“But we shouldn’t be looking at barring riders who want to do the Grands Prix. Look at our skipper Leigh Adams. No one has been a better servant to British speedway than him. A club or two might make a decision to not take GP riders, but we won’t be.’’ Long-serving captain Adams is midway through a two-year contract at the Abbey Stadium and an extension of his stay in Swindon for another year has been mooted.
Patchett added: “Cutting the points limit and saving money are not inexorably linked.
“All it means is that guys on a 5-6.5 average who might be second strings are then looking at becoming second or third heat leaders - and want a heat leaders’ money.’’
ARTICLE SOURCED FROM THE SWINDON ADVERTISER - www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
