Identity Crisis !!!!!

At the start of the season much was made of the new nickname to be used by Reading. We all know them as “The Racers” and it is a name with a long history - only the promotion could be happy with the new name. This is particularly true as we all know “The Bulldogs” are from Bristol and will hopefully someday make a return. Obviously it’s a bit more deep rooted than that and the new promotion want to be seen to be changing things – maybe they should have invested in some shale for the track !! and possibly the out going promotion still owns the old name and want a good price for it – call me an old cynic if you like ! –and there’s all the new “must have” memorabilia too! - Man Utd do it so why not speedway.

Which eventually brings me to the point, yes its good to have new race jackets with a new design each year and yes some years may be better than others but what’s happened this year? Have Berwick changed their nickname too? Are they the Bulls or maybe the Butchers ? And what about the Witches – are they just renting out advertising space ? and anyway who is the Jolly Chef ? Is he an older and happier Little Chef ?

I know you have to move with the times and I know how important sponsorship is but when the sponsor’s name/logo is the dominant feature something’s wrong. I know in football - sorry there I go comparing football with speedway again - the company name on the shirt is sometimes the only standard for each team, they have several different colours each season – thanks Man U ! but in speedway the team logo on the body colour is the main way of identifying a team and surely must dominate the design.

Mind you I have been in touch with the silly rules sub-committee and they are already suggesting a rule change for next year that insists on all sponsors names being printed on race-jackets in text big enough to be read by sky cameras at 20 paces. It has been pointed out that teams like “The Swindon Pebley Beach Edge Logistics Robins” could have an unfair advantage as no-one will be able to pass them – they are still thinking about that one !!

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