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Poole didn't agree it did they? Didn't they just go ahead and do it regardless? its no good anyway as the riders would have to ride for their inferior 2nd league teams because of the tail wagging the dog rules wise. Bit of over reacting negativity wise though. guest wise etc this season all round has been much better. Its a good time to be a lynn fan. Im enjoying speedway more than i have in many years. Come onto the forum and its full of bs. Don't go! Simple! Lots of people clearly are enjoying it because they keep turning up each week and I'm pretty sure your not missed if you don't! I really don't get the over self importance? Its a rubbish situation but lets make the most we can out of it. At least we know in advance so we can make our choices on attending with that in mind.

When I wrote my booklet, Two Wimbledon Legends, I asked a number of riders for their memories of Ronnie. I think this quote from Alf Hagon sums up Ronnie's skill and contribution to Wimbledon and speedway nicely: “I was Ronnie Moore’s partner at Wimbledon. He was by far the best rider I have ever partnered. He could do anything on a bike. They called him Mirac and he was. He could ride full throttle, half throttle, change directions, tootle round slowly, ride the inside line, ride the outside line. He would even shout instructions at me as we were going round."

This season could have been the best we have witnessed for a long time. Eight teams, all of similar strength and each capable of winning matches. It was even suggested each team had a chance of winning the league. It was to be that competitive. The FIM had opened the door, prioritising our race days, giving us the freedom of fixture planning. The ball was firmly in BSPA's court to make this a season to remember. Then WHAM !! at the AGM , the members take a vote that destroys everything. This vote should never have been sanctioned. The BSPA should have been strong enough to implement the FIM guidelines, and instructed teams that the FRN will be Monday and Thursdays. The fixture schedule would be free to use every week to amply plan the fixtures, even giving allowances for cancellations. That vote on Wed or Thurs, although it was seen only as a preferred race night for CL teams, was in actual fact far greater importance than that. It was a vote on not using Danish riders and riding on a night we have no priority. It was obvious from the outset this could only create problems. Talk about a sport shooting it self in the foot. Here we are with less then a 3 weeks to go, and we still have 22 matches to run. That in its self is an utter farce. There is no way all these fixture will be completed. The first of DH's has been arranged for next week, and because of that vote about priority, there will be riders missing.. If teams are unable to fulfil their fixtures, the season loses all creditability. What could have been a monumental season is destined to end in disaster. All because of that mindless VOTE !!!

They attract reasonable numbers but I would suggest 'net' over a season they just about break even... As teams cram in fixtures, particularly if your team is guaranteed a PO place, you tend to find 300 - 500 give a few meetings a miss due to nothing riding on them, and the cost of lots of meetings within two or three weeks of each other... Then you ride a PO in front of an extra 1000 and think the Play Offs are "a winner"... The added irony is that when teams eventually get a big crowd, that delivers a great atmosphere with something riding on it, they then invariably have no meeting for the next six months until the new season starts..! Speedway's Operating and Business Model....

In answer to your missive, the promoters have failed to give the public what they want. Every year supporters come on here hoping for a change to the product. Broadly, most supporters want the same thing, so why do they continually ignore us? I don’t know of any business that has a business model similar to speedway, well Woolworths, BHS and House of Fraser, might have. Speedway in the 70’s and 80’s was no better than speedway today. I have seen excerpts of You Tube from yesteryear. This blinkered understanding that people passed and repassed is not true. Conversely, I have watched various meetings in Poland and Sweden this season that have been absolute pants. What it tells me is that speedway is the same product then as it is now. The odd good meeting in amongst the usual gate and go. I go every week because I am old romantic . The promoters rely on me and others like me but we are an ever decreasing support base. The various promoters in the various leagues have failed to grasp what is required to drive the sport forward. There is no joined up thinking or thought for the supporter. The presentation, the music, the stadia, the inconsistency of the rules applications by referees and the SCB plus the track preparation in this country is damn right embarrassing (that’s a general statement re tracks as there are one or two that would be exempt). I mean at Swindon on Thursday they trotted out the Spice Girls, a sport where 90% of the supporters are men they played that sh*t. Add in Now 1 and 2 and you have the complete music collection of Swindon speedway. The track was again in a poor state, Troy Batchelor is not everyone’s favourite rider but at least he has a pair and says it how it is. The rules and their interpretations vary from week to week depending on the referee or which promoter is asking the favour. There is no long term plan or strategy. They introduced the draft system, they f*cked that up. Fixed race nights, they introduced that, ballsed that up. They had tv exposure and a decent contract, chucked that down the toilet. Play offs apart, I cannot think of anything that has enhanced the sport in recent times. Everything these fools touch turns to dust. If speedway was a horse, we wouldn’t hesitate...

Having watched him weekly for the last two years, I couldn’t disagree more to be honest.

The point that orion makes about the play offs bringing extra support and keeping the season alive is correct. However the extra numbers through the turnstiles for the playoffs mask the major issues speedway has. Because of the way the sport is set up to run with doubling up etc those new comers come to see the event and not to support the local team as there is no longer any bond between the riders and club and the wider local community. The extra numbers don't turn up again until the club reaches the play offs or a cup final again. Take Ipswich last season Foxhall was packed for the play off final v Peterborough the meeting was fantastic and the atmosphere was superb. That was my 2nd meeting of 2017 I and the old gang and several new comers made our group 21 strong. We couldn't explain to the newcomers that Nicholls had ridden for both teams in the final and that half the Ipswich team also rode for Leicester. This season none of the 21 have returned with the exception of myself who went along on Thursday with a work colleague to see Drew Kemp make his debut. After Thursdays going on its quite clear that in 2018 the riders don't give a s##t about the supporters and the clubs they see it just as a pay cheque. Add that to the shambles the BSPA have made of running the sport in the UK the out of control doubling up and guest situation. The whole thing is a recipe for disaster. The opinion of several on here is that the moaners and those wanting to turn the clock back have been watching speedway for 60 or 70 years and just want the old days back. Well I first went to Ipswich at the age of 11had years of following the team all over the country. As I said I attended twice last year and because of the farce of Thursday rain off ( cook and Schlien hold your heads in shame) have yet to see a meeting this year. I want the sport to become a proper team sport with no doubling up eventually no guests but in the mean time tight controls on guests. I want to see the value for money that used to be 22 or more heats at Ipswich every week circa 1989/1990 so turn the clock back a few years maybe. I'm not some old fuddie Duddie but the guy that the sport needs to win back. I'm 40 years old with 3 kids who I could take to speedway every week that's your next generation right there but I don't have the will to attend or part with my money on a regular basis due to the reasons above. Now those with rose tinted specs who think all is well and that the product is good...... Well there must be thousands like me.

nice to see Stefan Nielsen back for Scunthorpe tonight

Rory 3pts from four rides, did someone spill a cup of tea on the track during the track walk

There's the difference - it used to be that they were speedway meetings, an evening's entertainment, never was there a meeting that "didn't matter"

They have seen a different Rory to me then Has made some great passes and against high quality riders not just those you would expect him to breeze past Of course when you average 9.5+ and have the highest figure in the league that usually means you are out front more often than not and dont require to pass too many times Yes there is the odd time he coasts at the back seemingly not to bother but that has been few and far between as a Witch He does have a reputation for being outspoken. Many times that is good as certain things need saying. Sometimes it will see him singled out. Its all opinions as to when this is fair or not Most think he was wrong on Thursday but on balance he has been a superb addition to the team

Thank you so much! I was wondering the exact same thing! Is the quality of racing really that irrelevant now? Is the desire to follow your team through thick and thin irrelevant now? People still go and watch other sports because they enjoy "watching", and because they enjoy being a part of it. Are speedway fans now that shallow that the result - and the quest for a playoff spot - is the only thing that matters? If that really is the case, there is no hope for civilisation in Britain, let alone speedway... Steve

If he scores a point tomorrow it should be a jovial trip

Good result but very poor meeting. All won from the gate. Was more passing in the junior meeting that followed than the main match.

Exactly! And there are people who choose not too. And that’s fair enough. Each to their own but I just wish they would stop bleating on about it as if anybody cares. Wednesday could still be 2 very good speedway meetings and 6 points. Could also be a train wreck but such is life. Such is speedway.

Scotty gets his first max for us and the rest were gash!

Seeing as you are really aware of the money side of things, why now in the years of Play-Off speedway is the sport in the most worrying state it's ever been? There is something keeping the fans away. One forum poster mentioned taking 50% off entrance money, which is not going to happen, but speedway must have suffered a similar reduction in crowd numbers the last 25 years, all in the time PO speedway has mostly been in force. We have had live speedway since 1999, POs since 2002, and yet look at the state of the sport. I am still uncertain that PO speedway is better for a speedway season. It keeps up interest, but at the same time it's sort of begging to the few fans that are still left that their collective attention spans won't be questioned. You keep having a dig at old fans. So, come on Mr Marketing Man, where are the Play-Offs winning the new fans? As the old fans become disillusioned and no longer attend and drift away with each month, there's enough space on the terraces for everyone. If you like the X-Factor type of gimmick shows, the Play-Offs are your bag. Just not for me. And, by the way, Rye House went bust only weeks ago.. and there's more to come.

HT 1 4_2 t.proctor, c.heeps, n klidt, r schlein HT 2 3_3 f.garcia, r.bach kbickley, d.kemp 7_5 HT 3 3_3 m.riss r.jensen m.campton n.covatti 10_8 Ht4 3-3 s.worrall r.bach t.proctor d.kemp 13-11 Just realised the update site is currently updating so check on there.

Absolutely. Every match means something. Sad that we have ended up like this.... Steve

Ask a Belle Vue fan if the play offs have 'watered down' the importance of meetings because, in fact, its quite the opposite. In the first past the post system they almost certainly wouldn't have a prayer and the meetings at Leicester, Somerset and Swindon (for the Aces) wouldn't have mattered one jot. Instead, there was massive disappointment on Monday replaced by something approaching euphoria by Thursday night. Truth is, with only a few weeks to go only Leicester are out of it.

Buxton haven't screwed anyone over. We along with the rest of the league had an email yesterday telling us the date had been changed to 30/9 so we took the opportunity to utilise the 23rd to arrange a rained off meeting. Check your facts before making unfounded comments - I await your apology.

It’s one in the eye for people who said he hasn’t anything about him.....while one swallow doesn’t make a summer scoring double figures away at arguably the hardest away track is an excellent performance.

Well said mate! I am sure you are right, there are many missing regularly like yourself who include the much needed next generation. I am a well turned off fan who has been watching in the previous 7 decades. That makes me an old moaner in the eyes of many who say I want the sport to turn back the clock. The only "turning back" I want is for speedway to give as much excitement on track as it used to do but the way it is run in the UK nowadays the only way is down. Down in interest by many and down in numbers paying to watch regularly as the last 10 years have shown. Av great pity as the sport could still have much to offer that " new generation " of fans. Can't see them finding out what it's all about though.

Last season as a season ticket holder I was proper ripped off and I have a right to be bitter. This season the management has made promise after promise for things they shouldn't be promising. They think they can call the shots on the Dane's own rider's. Who do they really think they are??? They're now reaping what they sow. They were warned but think they knew better. I have NO sympathy for the management of King's Lynn Stars.

??? "Thanks Denmark"? For what? For running their League properly? Or maybe is it for not short changing their fans through the implementation of a poorly planned, ludicrous, unfit for purpose operating model, which delivers missing riders week in and week out? Or is it just because they have the temerity and audacity to actually run on their prioritised night (as was clearly agreed by the BSPA, and Swedish and Polish Leagues)? I would suggest you should look to blame a few of those much nearer to home than Denmark for the nonsense that infests British Speedway..

Ive never swung my leg over a Speedway bike , Rory has had some terrible injuries...…..Keyboard warriors.

Josh or Nicolai to reserve for the playoffs? Can’t be bad.

The mighty Bandits will take some beating over a 2 legged playoff Fair play to them

In stadium snack is deep fried garlic bread. Initially shocking but become quite moorish.

Ronnie Moore was the finest and most skillful rider I ever saw. In an era when there were so many outstanding riders competing in British Speedway, he was head and shoulders above all of them. I am saddened to hear of his passing and send my sincere condolences to his family.

In the stadium, don't think Pawlicki is here couldn't see his pit while wandered past. Replaced by a Latvian who's name is familiar from past SWC's - Locotev.

I am certainly not saying speedway racing was better in the seventies. At the time, it was certainly more interesting and grabbed the attention more than what's on offer today. Was it the bikes were harder to race, the tracks more grippy and rutty, therefore there was a sense of riders making mistakes and other capitalising on them. I certainly recall riders coming back after a heat and being unable to speak, it was that hard out there. Now, it seems so easy compared to back then. A few videos on Youtube don't tell the whole story. There were lots of characters and, unlike modern day, few hoping to make a name for themselves from with all the glam stuff a heatleader back in the day would have had to dance for. I used to go to watch Belle Vue v Halifax in the early eighties for one reason - Kenny Carter. The Dukes were dross all the time, but seeing your top men against him and what could happen was worth entrance money. You'd certainly not wish to miss it.

It's not a competition!

I’ve said all along that the club were caught with their pants down when it was voted Wednesdays and not Thursdays, the team was sorted with MPT on standby and no realistic alternative for Iversen. IMO we would be bottom of the league with no Danish riders whereas we are in with a shout of top four with them. That’s not to say that the season hasn’t been a complete mess because it has. Riders obviously not keen to do too many Mondays with all the travelling that involved and agreements reached with Danish clubs seem not to have been honoured. All a bit shambolic but I wonder how appeased people would be if Lynn won the play Offs?

Honestly no I'm not. However the time has come for the sport to become semi pro and have standard bikes in all UK racing. If the sport wasn't paying wages to full time riders to fund rocketship equipment that the sport clearly cannot afford maybe the promoter's could afford to run a proper programme of entertainment or cut the admission to reflect 15 heats thank you now go home. It would appear that the time has come for me to accept that the sport will get no better and will ultimately die out in the UK. While remembering the great times I had following my team and speedway in general from the late 80s to the mid 2000s while going every now and then if i fancy a night at speedway watching the event rather than having a team to get behind. And those like trees who are happy having 7 riders committed to there team for a couple of hours a week well they can still enjoy that.

Yes the last thing we need are injuries, if we go in to the play offs with the current team i think we have a good chance.

I know you didn't write it, it's cos I copied and pasted it from your posting, sorry.

Hi guys. Is there a race order or card available ? For tonites meeting

I don’t understand why anyone would by a season ticket nowadays.

Don’t care what anyone says it was a cracking result you can only beat what’s in front of you well done

I remember.that.match.mick I watched it in black and white so I never knew who was who.

I guess last Christmas by wham must have took some explaining to you ?

Has to be Bewley for me. R/R can't be an option for a double header. I think Belle Vue would want Wolves to lose twice. Then Belle Vue at least have a chance of finishing above Wolves and Swindon!

Hello from Riga

I believe the bspa have hastily arranged a premier league select v a rest of the world select in the outer hebrides that particular weekend, and glad to announce several worky riders are selected,but because it's not an official fixture the comets will be using 5 nl guests

Didn't the Diamonds ride well last night,, just thought I'd mention it seems to have got forgotten about in amongst, the tigers post mortem!!!!!

Former Cradley Heath and Reading rider Joe Weichlbauer (1966 & '67; 1968 resp'ly,) passed away on July 24th 2018, age 76, just a few weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. Born in Graz, Austria in April 1942, he emigrated to Western Australia c.1964 along with fellow Austrian Gunther 'Hec' Haslinger, where both of them took up speedway at the 640yd Claremont Speedway, Perth. Weichlbauer accompanied Chum Taylor to the UK in 1966 when the Heathens signed the new Aussie champ, but at 367yds, little more than half the size of Claremont, the junior found Dudley Wood difficult and had a limited 14 matches for the injury-stricken Heathens. In '68 he moved to Reading in the newly formed British Lge Div.2 and averaged 6.88 across the season. (Hec Haslinger came to the UK in 1970 and rode for Doncaster Dragons, moving over to the re-opened Birmingham the following year when the licence was transferred. Hec returned to Oz after the '71 season, but having married here, Joe remained in the UK, spending the last 40 years in Shropshire.) Joe Weichlbauer: Graz, April 1942 – Salop, July 24th, 2018.

£27 seems reasonable to me, first meeting full price of £18 with the second at half price. Don’t suppose the riders are riding the second meeting for half price points money.......didn’t think so. Many people on this forum have often said that nearly all clubs are losing money and then when we charge half price it’s to much, sometimes I think the stars promotion must think “why do we bother”.

Looked to be a good night for Josh Embleton last night for the Brummies, paid 7. Well done.

Last night's Eagles v Plymouth programme was a special Bob Dugard tribute edition covering some 8 pages or so with some lovely photos, memories and tributes with pictures of Bob on front and back as well. It really has been well done and a nice memento to have.