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Sam will be ok, says he could race in 2 weeks if necessary so 2 months is no problem

There is absolutely nothing that says Layne cannot be a good speedway rider and a music star however In My Opinion to succeed at something and to truly reach your full potential takes dedication and full commitment. Even at solely NL level riders need to find 1/2 days a week to work on bikes, plus hold down a job and include some level of fitness regime all of which prove very time consuming but are required if a rider wishes to achieve their potential. As for annoying you that's your concern. This is a forum for opinions, often peppered with rumours, insider information and gossip. It's certainly not to be taken too seriously or forming personal vendetta's.

I think it's agreed on here that one area which needs addressing is the "spectator experience" An observation from an old-timer who remembers better days, which on its own may sound trivial, but identifies a part of the reduction in the "spectator experience" - and it may not be correct at some tracks, I can only speak of the late, lamented Brandon In the "good old days", for each race, four well-turned out track staff members, dressed in a top and beret/cap of the four helmet colours, would each wheel out a bike onto the track - there would stand the four machines, ready for action Then the four riders, helmeted and ready to race, would walk from the pits onto the track - entry of the gladiators - and mount their bikes The clerk of the course would then indicate that the track staff would push the riders away for their journey to the start line All this would take a couple of minutes, perhaps longer, but was all taking place in the view of the spectators - they would see the bikes, the riders, the preparation - during this time, and be able to cheer their individual favourites (or the opposite!) The race if not stopped would last some few seconds over a minute, and it was usual for the riders - perhaps all four - to complete another lap, whether a lap of honour or just a "warm-down" So there was "spectator experience" of around five minutes for each heat throughout the meeting In more recent times - certainly after the introduction of greyhound racing caused a relocation of the pits gate - riders would appear on track on their bikes heading to the start, pushed off by their mechanics from inside the pits like the GPs (out of view of the crowd) So the "spectator experience" was diminished I said it sounded trivial, I know there was a reason at Brandon with pits gate moved, but it's the kind of minutiae which Charles Ochiltree as promoter would look upon as very important, and the riders too had a part to play by not disappearing off-track asap at race end I discount the trend for copious "gardening" by riders at the tapes - I don't see that as anything other than a pain in the backside of many spectators who see it as a delay, not a build up, to the racing Do today's promoters even consider such matters to be important?

But because we are leaving the eu the price of bread went up 60p in that week so you lost money as well as having no bread for a week

short on dough then

Aah you should have bought the loaf!! I could have sent you a box of matches.....!!

Crikey, you really don't want to be there do you................

10k well spent well done to Mason is this finally the year he kicks on.

How much that's it I am going back to Aldi corn flakes. and I am going to sell the toaster.any offers, new never been used.

Thought Middlo would be the kids entertainer, he knows what kids do these days.

It seems to me to be the height of arrogance to say that the WORLD championship should be held at Wembley every year. It would be bad enough if Great Britain was the leading speedway nation as it was back in the 50s, but with the rise of Sweden, Denmark and Poland, why should GB have any rights to stage the World Final at all let alone every year?

Shelby has said he wont be fit for the start of the season

Pudding, chips, peas and gravy

I am just thinking aloud here , but let’s take the scenario you suggest, and promoter A signs a rider out of contract who is an asset of promoter B . What happens next ? Step one, can the BSPA refuse to sanction promoter A’s team, in which case he can’t compete without signing someone else ? That would mean it’s pointless signing the rider in the first place. If not, what would be the next step ? Presumably litigation, but the downside of that is that is would take probably two years and a lot of money the get to court . Next question. what would promoter B sue for ? Presimably his only loss would be for loan fees. I dont know what a seasons loan fee amounts to but if it is less than about £5000 it would probably go to the small claims court with no costs being awarded so employing lawyers would probably cost more than the amount involved. Given the dire state of speedways finances would any promoter really want to to take such a case on ? Would any rider be bothered to when he can get another job easy enough? These are thoughts that I have pondered over for a few years now, not saying I am right but it seems to me that given the state of speedways finances, it seems to me that nobody is likely to have the time, money or inclination to do anything other than trundle along* in the same old way. Anyone else have thoughts on the practicality of the situation?

That must be Ipswich and Redcar then as I believe all was set for Leicester and Sheffield to swap despite the result of the promotiin/relegation play off had Thursday been agreed for the Premiership. Shouldve called their bluff and stuck to what was agreed as the best way forward.....

That's obvious - there isn't enough fixtures to fill every week. However, there is no way any team should go 3/4 weeks or more without a meeting like they did last year.

Rode for us in 93! I was only 11!

Exactly why Matt Ford came out and said it’s stupid from a club perspective to announce like Ipswich. Belle Vue being very sensible. Just pity about a breakdown between Sparta and the club.

Like many I want to know the full team but I can understand the drip feed approach. Last week the announcement of Worrall resulted in a sizeable article in the local press. This week's announcements will probably do likewise and so will the remaining announcements. From the clubs point of view that is much more publicity than they would have received from announcing everyone at once.

Guess its down to lifestyle? A nice evening meal out to a good standard restaurant will cost around £2-240 for 2 of us with wine. So 160 a couple seems ok providing the quality is there. I was in Padstow recently with a client and lunch cost £180 at Rick Steins restaurant. I guess some people on here think a Harvester or Beefeater is quality eating out!

Glasgow seem to have gone the same way: "In 2018 Standard adult tickets have also been reduced to £17, with the removal of concession pricing. Club co-owner Gerry Facenna explains: “It’s not a decision we have taken lightly. We already have a lot of over 65’s who pay for a full price ticket as they can afford it and know the club is losing money. We’re extremely grateful to our fans, they understand the situation at the club and have the club’s best interest at heart.” " In 2018, kids under 12 go free at Glasgow Tigers! Alongside this, student prices have been reduced to £10 for those with a valid student ID card. These steps have been taken in the hope that it will encourage the next generation of speedway fans here in Glasgow and maintain the legacy of the sport for years to come. " So short term numbers don't mean too much, it's whether there is a long term increase and these freebies and reductions return as paying regulars over the next decade or longer? All other tracks seem to offer concessins in 2018 which tells you what you need to know perhaps?

Yes, but it’s a huge disincentive for NL riders to see the CL dumping young Brits. CL clubs should be proud to show off the talents of Nielsen, Jacobs & Perks, setting examples for NL riders to aspire to, rather than ending their careers. Thankfully Stefan, at least, has got back.

In one sentence you claim that you don't call people names, & then you call Rob an idiot. Priceless !!!

ALA . English football and even Scottish football .never win the world cup now . even managers/coaches ( not buses ) arnt english .

You'e a proper fan Win,Lose or draw cheer your team on. You had enough seasons without a team. Cherish it now they'e back