The answer might surprise you. It’s not the ones you’d expect. And it takes a bit of research to figure it out. So here’s where you need to start if you want to live life on the straight and narrow:
The Locations
Firstly, let’s take a look at the locations of speedway. It comes as no great surprise that it is mainly found in large cities, as these are the places where there is the most economic and social activity. It is interesting to note that the sport has managed to spread out from its original base and has recently been introduced to smaller towns and even some rural areas. This is truly remarkable, and shows how much the sport has evolved. In 2015, it even became an available sport in the United Kingdom, leading to a rise in popularity. In some places, it even works as a replacement for football, as the economic and social benefits of the sport are great value even in today’s world.
The People
Secondly, let’s take a look at the people behind the scenes of speedway. In most cases, there is very little diversity in terms of race and gender. However, there is a growing number of sports clubs that are becoming more representative of the communities in which they are based. In 2015, the Atlanta Braves became the first professional sports team to feature a diverse lineup when they took the field for the first time at Turner Field. The team has six African-American players, two of whom are mainstays in the starting lineup, and this is certainly a step in the right direction. These are the types of initiatives that can help drive greater diversity and acceptance in society. Greater gender parity is also slowly but surely making its way into the sports world, with more women than ever before accepting the challenge of becoming a professional driver. This too could be a factor in increasing the appeal of the sport and making it more accessible to the average person.
The Attendance
Finally, let’s take a quick look at the attendance at speedway. Although it is mainly played in large urban centers, this is a sport that is attracting a new audience, especially as more people become aware of it. This is evident by the fact that average attendance at a game has increased by almost 50% over the last five years, reaching an all-time high of 1.75 million in 2014. This figure will almost certainly increase, as more people become interested in the sport.
To find out more, simply enter your postcode in the search bar at the top of the page and hit enter. You will see a breakdown of all the county codes available, along with links to find out more about each one. You can also find plenty of information online from forums to Wikipedia entries. Once you’re up to date on all the necessary information, make a quick decision and see if your chosen club is ready to accept your application.