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Decent GP in the end. Great result for Woffy. If he finishes thr job in Torun it must surely secure his status as the greatest british rider of all time

I thought he had been doing that for away meetings all season.

It's not about who Craig rides for it's the very fact that he is West Cumbrian and a very proud one at that. Unless you are from the area or know it very well you'll never understand what that means to people from the area seeing a fellow Marra riding at the Highest level. The same goes for Dan Bewley WHEN he gets to that stage...

Or why doesn’t the sport grow some balls and make riders buy engines that actually work in the wet or dirt or indeed anything other than concrete

I can't for the life of me understand why this place still gets a GP. It's awful, even when it's dry. This is pathetic.

If Cook rode for Workington , I would still rather see Speedway live and record the GP.

No one deserves to win, wins have to be earnt, same in any sport.

DON'T count on it

That both you and I could surmise that straight away probably says a lot about how this Sport is ran... Amazing how 'key' riders always seem to only miss away meetings too isn't it? It could look almost as if Promoters don't even support each other but only look after their own self interest..... Truly an operating model that seems to be delivering stunning results...

Only met him once a few years ago & took an instant dislike to the slimy knowall little sh**. Hope he's getting the crap knocked out of him on a regular basis.

Adonis - I don't know how old you are but if like me, you have been a fan of the sport for 30 years or more, I think you tend to remember riders from earlier periods more fondly and rate them higher than current day riders. It's not Woffy's fault that bikes are now set up like rocket ships, competing on slick tracks and the argument that modern riders couldn't deal with the amount of shale or different bikes will always be a hypothetical one. You can only race and beat what is around you at the time and I would argue that the successful riding styles are almost unrecognisable to those of say the 70's or 80's which in turn are totally different to those in the 30's and 40's (if the action in Once a Jolly Swagman is anything to go by) . You would like to think a top rider of one period though could adapt to the style of another era. At the end of the day though it's all about opinions, I respect yours but I don't agree with it.

The job isn't finished yet... It's no good celebrating before you actually win! Steve

? The man that waited for the tapes to rise and didn't try to anticipate the start you mean

What we must have is continuity. Meetings every week other than one or two.Break for one week where there are local holidays and meetings from Mid March to the end of October. £15 max entry cost,Seniors £11, under 16's £5. Entertainment , full second half and at least two hours track related entertainment.

The reason why engines wont work on anything other than concrete is because 90% of tracks are as slick as a board!

How many teams are going to cancel there Saturday night meeting's as strictly come dancing is now back on the telly.

The first 4 GP's were on 12/5, 26/5, 30/6 & 7/7 within the timescale MANSE mentioned. Craig Cook does not ride for you but rides for Glasgow & how many of your fans follow his progress? In todays technology times there are such things called "record buttons" or "catch up tv" & even repeats.

I was led to believe that after initially being told we could only have NL guests for polish league 2 fixtures it was reviewed and agreed that a facility would be allowed but this was not done until after the original away meeting had been postponed... not from persons connected to workington but from someone genuinely passionate about the future of British Speedway. Whats done is done! We had no choice originally as Rene n Nicolai were in Poland however that is not the same as Newcastle turning up with the team they did. People who have jobs outside od speedway I can understand perhaps there can be issues with short notice rearrangements... others who were a No Show I cannot.. i know its end of season but to let their team down like that IMO they dont deserve a team place. Well done James n Josh for having a go and allowing Newcastle to field 7 riders. Goodbye and Good luck to Stuart for his future away from Riding... IMO its guys like him Stoney Garry Stead who should be involved in the running of the sport.. guys with no vested interest in a team just the survival and love of the sport in this country... the sport that no matter which team we support we are all passionate about!!!! Have a nice day!

The main thing that comes out of all this , is that no one expected Workington to do so well and knock a few of the big hitters out of the competitions . No one moaned or protested at the start of the season when all fixtures were agreed and in place , now you have pages and pages of the likes of you lot sticking your oar in when you haven’t a clue,”fixtures should be in “ blah blah blah it really has become tiresome . We had our Lakeside fixture the awful night we lost Dan Bewley ...to get Lakeside to come back was the issue . I’m sure Peterborough and Lakeside are meeting for the next few weeks home and away to get Cup, Shield, playoffs in too so not just Workington. Believe me there’s nothing more we want than to meet Glasgow next weekend, not running scared from Cook but the powers that be have Edinburgh who want KOC semi in . It would have been much better for us next weekend as the averages change from 1st October and Dan will go to 4th in our averages so no guest options, so you see it’s who you are in this game and how far you’re up the BSPA’s backside, we are at the bottom of that ladder so get shafted time and time again . No matter how much you moan , pass on your sad comments it is what is . Glasgow just think they can call the shots whenever they want . Had it been Peterborough or Lakeside you met you be waiting a hell of a lot longer , certainly not before your Dinner Dance on 26th .So I’ll be off and get myself ready for our first of 3 semi finals we are in

Much like a Newcastle Diamonds speedway rider I cant be a**ed (to check your figures) so I will take your word for it. One of my abiding memories through most of our record breaking summer was 'what a lovely evening for speedway', and there not being any. I know DP wasn't always available due to music festivals and the like, however we have to take some of the blame, as do other promoters for not getting more meetings on during this period. As you say, some promoters manage better than others. This whole fixtures fiasco has turned into a personal vendetta in some peoples eyes, when in fact both the BSPA and all the promoters could have done much more to prevent it happening. It is not the first time we have been behind in getting our fixtures run, as it was very similar last year if memory serves me right - its just made worse this year because we have been successful! As well as cut off dates for league fixtures, there should be ones for the cup competitions too ( by the way, do we need 2 cup competitions?) - the Shield being ok if it is treated as a season opener, however it could still be going at Christmas this year. To sum up, there are lots of people to blame - lets just make sure it doesn't happen again next year!!!!

Hoggy arguably the best presenter in speedway so always gonna be a miss. Thought JC done great as a stand in. As he said 'not as easy as it looks".

I thought we rode brilliantly at Somerset. I was one of the many Poole fans there who thought before the meeting that we could be spanked, but Middlo shows us yet again why he is the best in the business by rallying his team to put in a superb performance. I spoke to Middlo briefly before the meeting and he said he will give the mother of all track talks and that’s what he did, with the help of Gary May and his “we are gonna smash ‘em” comment. Gary was even saying before the meeting he wanted a 20 point lead over the tannoy. What more incentive could our lot want? It’s not over yet of course. But we now have the chance to get through to the final, and with it further glory. We are still underdogs to win the championship but our odds are slowly coming down. Roll on next Monday. Should be one hell of a meeting.

No you couldn’t What a stupid statement to make.

As I see it, Wofffffinden has matured immensely last couple of seasons. Wasn’t a fan during the earlier arrogant (immature) years - guess most of us would be the same thrust into the high life so young. He is a Brit but fully understand an allegiance to the country his parents emigrated. I was cheering him on, despite my £1 on Zagar.

Rubbish the lad was born in sunny Scunny he s chosen to represent Britain good luck to him

If reports of broken wrist are true, I'm gutted for Belle Vue. much as I'd love Lynn to get to the final and win the title, not this way.

Craig is a local guy with a lot of local fans , irrelevant he rides for Glasgow ..as like others have said likewise for Dan Bewley and a Kyle Bickley Yet another post going over what is done .....IT IS WHAT IT IS you can go on forever but will not change a jot . Hopefully after tonight you can get your slippers and pipe out, put your feet up and watch Strictly for the next few Saturdays, you can invite your best pal round , then you can both sit and ponder and moan about how fixtures should have been before this date , that date

My point is Panthers have home and away k/o cup meetings this Sunday , but for the last five weeks I have been watching the BBC blockbuster ( Bodyguard) its the final episode this Sunday but being a speedway fan I will have to miss it and accept that I will have the chance to catch Bodyguard on either BBC I player or record it to view later , annoying though it is I accept the situation for what it is.

For goodness sake mate don't give them any more ideas!!!!!

well that's a surprise ………… I really thought we would turn this around ………….. well I have slaughtered several teams for their no-shows at Brough … especially this season...… so it is disappointing that Newcastle have fallen into the weakened side category...…….. and yes it is extremely unfair for the home supporters and I can understand the Workington supporters frustration what I would say is though …. people in glasshouses should not be throwing stones (well not too hard and certainly not holier than thou!!) ..... the side Workington was going to field at Newcastle in the rained off league meeting was inexcusable ……… Workington were allowed guest replacements ………. but they decided to send in NL guests as the rumours are saying (IF TRUE) …. wethers couldn't get time off, lindgren refused to ride and kus was injured. So George and Martin were rather dumped it !!!! George English comments after the meeting seemed to indicate complete annoyance at the team he had to field. He has complained bitterly about sides providing weak sides at Newcastle, so it must have been a cause of some embarrassment and annoyance to him having to field this side (this is a promoter who in the past has picked up the mike and apologised to home supporters when the diamonds have performed awfully away with their contracted 7 riders) This is an issue that is killing speedway and only hurts us all and the paying public … and frankly its down to the riders They sign contracts … and it is upto them to honour them Perhaps next year, if a rider cant make it (for any excuse !!!! except injury) … then he is replaced with a proper guest...……. that way the paying public are not robbed. The offending rider should then be banned for say 14 days and maybe fined (depending on reason) … but during that time the team can use a guest to cover him. that way the paying public are at least entertained and the rider is hurt in the pocket The riders sign contracts which they should fufil…. if they want to sod off and ride in Poland then let them go ….. but teams should not be signing them...…….. we need the promoters to commit to signing riders who are committed to british speedway ……… and not as a bit of income to support their continental riding Its upto the promoters ……. they need to spell it out to the riders and stop this farce …. or else there will be no professional speedway in this country in 10 years anyway … good luck Workington …. you have an interesting few weeks to look forward to

before i read on . i do believe the 8 BLANK SATURDAYS were there so the workington fans could watch a certain Cumbrian in the G.P.s how many G.P.s were there this season on a Saturday .? it WAS all agreed BEFORE the season started and EVERY opposing team AGREED to come on the OFF race night .so rearranging more fixtures was almost impossible . how many time do certain posters have to put it into words before you grasp it ?

The reason the Play-Off between Workington and Glasgow can't be next weekend is because they are already racing in the KOC Semi-Final against Edinburgh. Edinburgh are in the same boat as Glasgow in respect that they only have one (Maximum two) home meetings to arrange, due to not having as successful a season as Lakeside, Peterborough, and Workington so far, all three whom are all still involved in three competitions. These meetings v Edinburgh were agreed in principle before Workington even knew they were going to face Glasgow in the play-offs, so why should both clubs change them to suit Glasgow? Incidentally, Workington have raced more of their cup fixtures than the other two teams in the play-offs. Had you been chosen to ride against Lakeside or Peterborough, you would have had exactly the same problem in that these teams are not just simply waiting to run the play-offs, but have two other competitions to consider. Due to Scunthorpe's involvement in two of these competitions, they are also not going to sit around and wait while the play-offs are ran first are they? Incidentally, had Glasgow still been in all three competitions, then you would have had exactly the same scenario. Workington are indeed the only team to have not completed their home League fixtures. With five of their home meetings being cancelled by the BSPA, I think they have done pretty well to still qualify for the play-offs considering. Your club are now experiencing the difficulty of arranging two fixtures, so can you imagine how hard it has been for Workington to re-arrange theirs? In respect to the outstanding League meeting v Lakeside, the original meeting scheduled for August 17th was cancelled by the BSPA and re-arranged for August 25th. This meeting was begun, but due to the serious injuries to Dan Bewley had to be abandoned. Blame cannot solely be laid at Workington's door for the failure to get that one raced, as Lakeside could well have refused to come on any available dates Workington could use the stadium. Failure to run this meeting could well have cost Workington a place in the play-offs, so do you seriously think they would have deliberately chosen not to run it? They after all didn't cancel the initial staging, and can not be blamed for the injury to Dan which caused the abandonment. As a Workington fan I want Cookie to be available in both meetings, as I am sure all the paying public who support both clubs do. A hard as it may be to understand, Glasgow cannot simply call the shots and demand fixtures to be raced on days to suit them. All the other clubs left in all the competitions have exactly the same objectives, so compromise sometimes is the winner.

Can't see any good reason for the play off between Workington and Glasgow not being next weekend and the cup fixture against Edinburgh being the following. Other than Workington running scared of Cook and trying to be awkward over it. Like has already been mentioned, Workington should have raced their cup fixtures before now and are also the only team in the league to not have completed their home matches. Poor show really and obviously nothing at all to do with them after all the world is against them apparently

Simmo rode speedway from 1963-87 then in 89 and 93. He won the World pairs, was it 3 times in a row? World team cup winner multiple times and came 2nd in the individual World Championships. He was also a team manager, track curator, promotor, quality grasstrack rider, done other motorcycle racing disciplines and had very interesting/insightful opinions on the sport! His longevity, at his best, World class ability combined with his interesting character in my opinion makes him a legend!

The crowds that Speedway gets are actually "quite good" in my opinion considering... a) The way it runs itself delivers nothing but 'Mickey Mouse' Competitions devoid of any credibility or kudos.. b) The Sport has zero national collective marketing meaning just a tiny, tiny proportion of the population know of its existence, and therefore by definition, the local club based practically on their doorstep... c) It's lack of an all round 'full night out' entertainment package to enhance just 15 mins of what can often be 'basic' action for a circa £20 admission cost that reflects more the payroll costs rather than what's actually on offer.. and d) The fact it is ran so many times around the Country on the worst nights of the week in which to attract its best attendances. Imagine the potential crowds if it could sort just those four things out? I would suggest triple digit growth in some places given the tiny low average crowd base so many would be coming from... Ironically, given how badly the Sport has been ran for the past 15 years or so, that abject performance actually now provides a huge opportunity for growth, especially given how much correcting those clearly obvious fundamental issues would benefit it.... When you've reached 'rock bottom', as in some places it appears to have, the only way is up, so what an opportunity now exists for growth! Have the Promoters got the vision or talent to see that huge opportunity and grab it though? I know my thoughts...

But the problem is I have a fair idea what goes on,Why did you have 8 BLANK Saturdays [your race night same as Berwick who only had 2 trying to make this simple for you] in FIRST 13 weeks of the season. Peterborough,Lakeside and Workington alternative race night Friday is when you race a club who has priority over you on your nominated race night not every week to suit your riders not being available . The LC and KOC fixtures should have been arranged months ago during our bad Summer

Yes - Stuart Robson deserved the well earned round of applause after his final race. I'm glad I managed to shake his hand after the meeting and had the opportunity to thank him for the entertainment he has provided throughout his career.

I think that Glasgow having finished above Workington at the cut-off date get to pick whether they want the first leg or second leg. I would be surprised if Glasgow wanted the 1st leg. So there would appear to be 2 options hold the play-off the same weekend, Glasgow's main alternative race day is a Sunday or Glasgow would race the following week which would drag the play-offs on even longer. Having fixed a cut-off deadline the BSPA should also have fixed the weeks for the play-offs and they should be the number one priority. The Shield and KO cup fixtures should also have had a deadline and if so we wouldn't be in this shambles.

For the Somerset fans. And congratulations to you for making it through to the final, there was another race (heat 12) where your rider BWD did a max fricke from the meeting before but diddnt get a mention because of heat 13, Well.if you go to my twitter I've just posted the vid. Very good by BWD. @philtheace

Guy ropes & pegs will be essential for keeping the folding chairs in place then.

IF you have ever witnessed the draw or actually been involved as I was for a while you will know that it is impossible to fix.

Traditional race sheet for 2018 German GP:- https://www.keepandshare.com/doc16/21456/gp-2018-10-pdf-39k?da=y

Got to balance out the dodgy polish referees somehow!!!

I'm sure the CEO of Domino's will have more ideas about how to market speedway than the current incumbents at the BSPA. When Barry Hearn became chairman of the PDC did he change the value of a bull's eye to 75 and introduce a rule where if a player is 100 points down his next three darts count double? Of course not. He was looking at the bigger picture, how to revolutionise the presentation of darts, engaging with sponsors who can bring credibility to the sport and negotiating a multi-million pound TV deal. This is the problem with the BSPA. They think they can turn around speedway's fortunes by endless tinkering with the rules, league structures and names. If anything the BSPA are too close to speedway. How often do the likes of the FA, RFU and so on introduce the types of rule changes we see every year in speedway. What the BPSA as the governing body should be doing is looking at the bigger picture not arguing over rule changes every year.

Is Woffinden the best ever British rider ?..as a relative old timer I would say no but then it's impossible to compare pre GP era to the GP era The GP's have been one of the best things for top level speedway in my opinion as the old World Finals were definitely coming to the end compared to the 70's and change was needed.....but Woffinden has won GP's from scoring 8 , 9 or 10 in the 20 heats which would never win a one off meeting...and if he'd ridden like in the GP a couple of weeks ago in say the Inter Continental Final then he wouldn't have even qualified for the World Final that year so the margins for error were much less back then..one bad race or one fall or engine failure and you wouldn't win a world title....now you can have plenty of those and still win the Title..so that's why it's impossible to say Woffinden is better than Collins for instance..purely judging world titles cannot prove that Having said that , the best rider in the world in any era is the best at that time and Woffinden is the best now and would have been one of the best back in any era but with probably less world titles due to the smaller margin for error back then

Can't make signings after 15 August and only riders currently in declared 1-7 are eligible to guest. So no Martin Vaculik allowed.

Makes speedway look sh!te once again on TV

Rather disappointing that Newcastle could only put out this team especially in the light that they have suffered at the hands of visiting teams doing similar in the not too distant past I just hope it was through unfortunate neccessity and not design

Sent you a PM