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If by downgraded you mean semi-professional then so be it - that's how it was in 1965 for the majority of riders, who rode UK and had jobs/professions as well The likes of Rick France, Ron Mountford, Ivor Brown - even Nigel Boocock - all had income from outside the sport Full-time Speedway isn't sustainable nowadays and the riders need to realise this - then the financial side might be able to be sorted

Attendances show fixed nights aren't attracting enough customers Tracks must operate on the best nights for them - and we must have Friday and Saturday nights as Speedway nights

The time was probably ten or so years ago to be honest..... However, I think some egos of those who run the sport will always stand in the way... Dealing with 'superstars', I think, must give some a sense of 'reflected glory'... Ride on nights that give you the best crowd and grow the sport from its current 'rock bottom' base, only use riders committed 100% to GB Speedway. And pay them what is affordable from an entrance fee of no more than fifteen quid..

Perhaps it is time to downgrade our speedway to a sustainable level because like many people have said it's dying on it's feet ?

How many other teams can say that ? To some of us that is no surprise at all simply because you have set a standard for every other club in British speedway to follow. I have made no secret of my respect and admiration for what you and Martin have achieved and are trying to achieve on the Island and will continue to bang the drum for you and your methods. Those methods include a huge publicity campaign, free entry for children (100 there on Thursday apparently, average age of the attendance must have been about 14), the creation of a truly remarkable family atmosphere, a visible presence on race nights and a willingness to engage on here (254 likes from 76 posts says it all) and, above all, a determination not just to give the paying spectator want he wants but to treat him as a valued and important client. The remarkable gesture of giving rain off programmes away free - when most other clubs charge full price, nothing less than a total rip off - is yet another example of how to do it right. Its little wonder that you have attracted little but praise and credit from fans across the country, including some of the BSF's most respected posters. Every supporter across the country should look at the list above and see if their team does the same. Most of them don't and, in some cases, the contrast will be a stark one. One of the saddest parts of my self imposed semi exile from speedway in 2018 is that I won't get to come to your place as much as I would like (a total ban, however is unthinkable ).

WITH so many vacant dates why can't this sort of thing be avoided?

Thoroughly enjoyable weekend was had, great to see such a massive crowd, Warsaw in Poland is a great venue to have this GP, am already looking forward to the event in 2019, does anyone know of the dates yet.

Haha fair one! brennan head and shoulders above all of them though from I saw in terms of bike control!

Torun v Leszno Friday 18th May all heats short version https://www.cda.pl/video/2293191b7?wersja=720p

Was I the only one to see it on BBC South Today tonight: “Matt Ford awarded rear of the year”? No, not for his shapely bottom (although avidly admired by a couple of voters dubiously named “Shovvy” and ”Starchman”), no, this was for his “smack our arse” team selection! Who’d have thought it, three years in a row!

News just in, it’s Poole, yes, Poole, in sixth ........ don’t get vertigo Pugwashers. Up to and including Thursday, May 17, 2018 M W D L 4W 3W D 1L L F A Pts 1 Swindon 8 3 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 366 353 16 2 Wolverhampton 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 296 244 13 3 Belle Vue 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 280 260 12 4 Rye House 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 285 345 10 5 Somerset 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 255 285 8 6 Poole 7 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 295 334 8 7 Leicester 4 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 195 165 7 8 King's Lynn 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 187 173 7

There are times Im not sure you have a clue - thank you for removing any doubt

no i sold my pc lollolmmmmmm

Things do seem a bit flat this Season. I've been on a diet.

It's the 21st century Oldtimer, Speedway has made some right cock ups in recent years and the presentation (other the centre green announcer) is usually crap, but getting rid of the ancient fanfares and rider jingles isn't one of them!

Yes, to all of you tuning in for Panthers chat, try plan b. Nothing to see here

Nice try

Perhaps Carl Johnson's statement before the start of the season makes more sense now (we have a plan A and a plan B .

It has been mentioned a few times on this forum about atmosphere making a huge contribution to the experience of live sport. Recently I paid my first visit in living memory to a premier league football match, Huddersfield v Swansea to be precise. The atmosphere and noise was incredible, but as Tony Mac alludes to, most of the time nothing really exciting is actually happening. A huge cheer followed by fervent clapping as a player clears a ball away from danger – you would think the guy had just found a cure for some terrible disease. If you saw that same action with the crowd removed, there would be literally nothing exciting about it at all! In my opinion this partly explains the, ‘speedway was much better in my day’ viewpoint. The atmosphere back in the 60’s and 70’s clearly was superb and added hugely to the experience even if the racing was poor. A good example is the 1981 world final at Wembley. A fantastic occasion, for sure, but count the overtakes. Not many, and yet this is one of speedways best remembered meetings because the occasion and crowd elevated it to something way beyond just the racing.

Few changes: 7. Chris Harris 8. Roland Benko

It's sad (that was edited!) that a serious attempt to make a point about the relative state of speedway in response gets petty point-scoring drivel from the usual suspects. Tony mentioned that he couldn't comment on ice hockey. I don't have involvement with that sport these days but their league structure until recently has been similar to ours, with a small top division supported by a middle section of around a dozen clubs but then, unlike us, regionalised hockey in the third and fourth tiers. I noticed when taking a look at the structure during the winter that their second tier appeared to have self-destructed with the former members now picking up the pieces in the regionalised minor leagues. Yes, we're not the only sport with problems but we are the only one where it ios pressures from overseas that are damaging the sport domestically. I've said before the BSPA has its great limitations but I rather feel sorry for them trying to face up to the onslaught of Poland, BSI and One Sport and having to surrender weekends for the top tier in response. They weren't really equipped for the battle. Football is a sport apart, if only for the money. You only have to look at the success of Manchester City and Chelsea, backed up by virtually unlimited subsidy from private individuals and their businesses to see that the sport side is rapidly disappearing. Sadly football has been relentlessly hyped so far in the 25 years since it sold its soul to Murdoch that normal economic factors are long gone. Despite protests the clubs can practically charge what they like and run up debts with impunity that they can walk away from, just creating new phoenix clubs where necessary when it gets too bad. People though let them get away with it because football is simply too important to them, and they will put up with anything and pay anything for their 'fix'. I use that last word carefully. Yes, UK speedway's in a state, but it's far from being all the BSPA's fault. With skills which they sadly don't possess they might have been able to deflect some of the harm done by foreign pay-days but. in reality they were on a hiding to nothing. It might help if the 'supporters' who mouth off here might actually see the bigger picture than whingeing about 'watered down' leagues and accepted that structural change is sadly vital and on the whole we simply can't afford to pay the top talent, although some are somehow finding the cash. More fool them. It's time for the genuine speedway fans to stand by their sport, make allowances and for those who are simply in it for championships and the 'glamour' of names to let the rest of us try to enjoy what we still have and work to rebuild the sport rather than play pathetic 'whooshing' and 'fishing' games in this forum. The BSF should be a sounding board for ideas to rescue and rebuild UK speedway. Sadly it seems that's beyond the playground mentalities of too many 'heroes' hiding behind their hilarious false names.

Totally uncalled for Steve, thought better of you tbh

Rathbone said: “From Ulrich’s point of view, it’s just a case of us wanting him to concentrate on his racing. He has been a good captain for us over the last three years. He’s still the modern-day ‘Mr Peterborough Speedway’ but he’s at a stage of his career now when his main focus needs to be on making sure he’s a consistent scorer on-track.” Lambert was a silly appointment for captain anyway and the same can be said for him. Give it to Nicholls who's the only one of that lot who should be able to lead by example

Lunna came in with a 5.90 average , he has done well away from home but looks very poor around the showground and Lambert I am sorry to say[ he's had plenty of chances and has had the luxury of a reserve spot but this season has done very little to warrant a team place. Grondal started off the season brilliantly but in the last 2 matches has tailed off and I understand in the last 2 matches he has blown 2 engines. Panthers look very suspect at home at the moment and unless they make some changes then I can see 2/3 more home losses and I think if the right riders can be found then they should make changes.

See ya Skip! Enoughs enough with Lambert surely? Least Bacon is showing signs of improving.....