Another interesting week in British Speedway, and a topic of debate has come about, purely through my own inquisitiveness, but partly because a phrase which is thrown around like confetti seems to appear with alarming regularity.
This week, Chris Harris was sensationally released by Leicester Lions, a national treasure, the epitome of British Speedway, and a rider who has given such fantastic service for 25 years, let go due to being "a victim of the numbers game."
This has been going on for a number of years, and some examples of this have been easily accessed, Jason Edwards, Mads Korneliussen, Todd Kurtz, Dan Thompson, Kyle Bickley have all fell victim, and in most cases, their success has been their downfall. How can we have a sport where a rider being so successful causes them to become a victim?
Who can forget Ellis Perks at Rye House in 2017? Performing above and beyond anybody's expectations, 1.5-2 points on top of his average, and how is this dealt with, a sacking!!! A victim of the numbers game!! How can this be right?
Back to Chris, and as detailed today in his release, where he vowed to speak out after serving the sport in this country so proudly, for so long, that he could no longer keep quiet, and was on the brink of jacking it all in. How can this be? He never wanted to leave Leicester, but became a victim of this system that has effected so many riders in the past, and now it seems, even those elite riders are not prone to the system.
I must play devil's advocate, and remember this is still a business as well as a sport. Stewart Dickson has to make decisions which will help the team in the long run. A spell in the play-offs is an obvious money earner with the tv rights, and the big crowds that come with it. The situation with Nick Morris, plus the signing of Troy Batchelor had forced his arm. A 1-1 change was off the table, and a 2-2 change comes with the obvious "numbers game" patter. But has this improved Leicester greatly? A lot would argue no, but I blame Nick Morris for this, simple.
I hate this. I hate this with a passion. A sport dictated by numbers. A sport that penalises riders for being too good. Erling Haaland would never be dropped from Manchester City because he is too good, Michael Jordan was never released from Chicago Bulls for improving, and Roger Federer never banned from a tournament for beating everybody. The system is completely floored, and to a point, we, or even I, don't have a simple answer to resolve this.
Should we follow the squad systems, where the successful stay successful, and the weak are always fighting at the bottom, those with money win, and those without struggle season on season. I don't know. There will be opinions up and down the country, and I would love to hear those opinions, lets formulate this into some form of proposal where we can fight for those with 5.00-7.00 averages because its these guys who are in danger.
Dan Thompson, one of the brightest prospects arguably in British Speedway, couldn't even get a Championship spot this season upon commencement, and why? Because his average didn't fit. What a farce, a joke!! A victim of his own success. Thankfully he is now signed up in all leagues, although as I write this, he has crashed at Ipswich this evening and has a dislocated shoulder, so we send him our best wishes for a speedway recovery. What an eventful season he has had, through no fault of his own.
I move on, but would love to hear thoughts on averages, are they the best format? What can we change it to? Get in touch and we may talk on the show about this matter. Its reaching a climax in speedway that needs addressing soon, we can carry on with victims.
For now, enjoy your speedway this week, wherever you may be, and remember, support your local club, they need you!!!!
Regards
Nathan
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