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I like going to the pub and I like going to the speedway. Both of these pastimes have been in serious decline over the past few years and people have stopped going to both in droves. Some of the reasons can be found in both of these pastimes. It's hard to tempt people out of their houses and pay money for beer when they think it's overpriced and the same can apply to speedway. The pubs that just do the same thing that clearly doesn't work time and time again, and just throw their doors open expecting the public to flood in are the one's that die. This is what speedway 'promoters', by and large, tend to do. They offer a product which does not represent value for money and do nothing to keep the fans they have got, never mind attract new ones. Some pubs are thriving because they offer what the customer in their community wants. Some offer live entertainment, some offer food, some offer karaoke nights. My local offers a warm welcome, a nice pint and friendly people and it's busy most nights. The landlord drives around in a Mercedes and has a holiday home in Florida. It works where I live but wouldn't work elsewhere and the promoters have to work hard at getting their product right for the audience they want to keep and attract. To do this they need a product. The product they are offering is potentially one of the most exciting sports in the world and surely, this must be a good starting point. However, what they provide is an overpriced chaotic shambles of a sport with no direction, no identity and no credibility. They need to get back to basics. Offer a full and attractive fixture list with a team of riders that ride for one club. Not the current situation where any seven riders who pull on a race jacket is called a team. It isn't. People will moan on about the 'not enough riders to go round' myth. There are enough riders, they are just riding at the wrong level. Grand Prix riders should not be riding in the second tier, half the third tier riders should be at Championship level and the poor kids stuck in the Development League should be in the National League. If they must charge £17 to get in, at least give the fans £17 worth of entertainment. Unfortunately, 15 races of 55 seconds interspersed with 50 minutes of track grading does not justify parting with £17 in cash. The continual fixture list farce demonstrates absolutely the reasons why the promoters should not be allowed to run things for themselves. I am sure they are all successful businessmen and women in their own right but they have no idea how to work collectively for the benefit of the sport. It is all about vested interests and stabbing each other in the back. I cannot think of any other sport where the owners of the clubs run things themselves. It needs someone with authority and respect to run the sport. There needs to be some way of cutting down on the rained off meetings. Is it any wonder there is hardly any travelling support when riders refuse to turn out if someone spills so much as a cup of tea on the track. I know that if it's tipping it down at start time then there will be little chance of racing but some way of covering tracks cannot beyond the capabilities of the human race. It is also about time we stopped penalising success and rewarding failure. We go on about the lack of riders yet Joe Jacobs, who made massive progress with Belle Vue a couple of seasons ago can't get a team place the following year because his average is too high, whilst another rider who under achieved and threw tantrums was rewarded with two team places the following season because his average fitted!! Finally, the riders have got to come to their senses. If you want to be a full-time rider and are either rich or riding in Poland in front of 15,000 fans, then fair enough and good luck to you. If you are second string in the 'Championship' riding in front of 500 people, surely you cannot expect to be full-time. Look back at the Peter Oakes' Who's Who book in 1974 and the vast majority of the riders had jobs. Now, for some reason, all the riders seem to feel that they are entitled to be full-time, thereby expecting the wages that would enable them to sustain that lifestyle. It cannot continue on current crowd levels. However, having wasted half an hour of my life typing this, I expect that the 2019 season will result in three small leagues, riders riding for multiple clubs, more riders being frozen out of the sport, fixture chaos, declining crowds, arguing promoters and more tractor racing. I'm off to the pub.

Of course it is. The ability to recover mentally from a crash, the ability to recover mentally from seeing others in a crash, these are ingredients that can make one rider more successful than another. There are many riders over the years who were 'never the same' after a crash, not always a major injury either. Sam Ermolenko for instance came back better than ever from his horror smash in 89, whereas someone like Joe Screen was never quite the same after his bad leg break. With regards to Wolves riders, Mikael Max had a crash in Australia at the end of the GP, he was never close to being the same rider again, whereas Freddie Lindgren had similar crashes and came back even better. So no, it's far from 'ridiculous', it's a major ingredient.

No floodlights needed as everything and everybody will have that nice green after glow... Regards THJ

Good to see in The Speedway Star and The Teesside Gazette today that CVS & the other directors (the brothers) are very positive about Redcar in 2019. Looking to appoint a new promoter in the next couple of weeks (probably new to Redcar). Looking Good!!!!!

I would argue that it does. Take Peter Collins as an example. He was so affected by the death of Tommy Jansson that he didn't turn up for a meeting afterwards. But later the same year he won the World title. It's all a part of the mental strength that makes you a champion.

Don't knock yourself down iainb, that's one of the best stupid ideas I've read all season!!

Should be printed off and handed out pre AGM to the Promoters.... Great post... Clear demarcation between leagues will generate aspirational improvements for both riders and clubs.. With financial rewards commensurate to each level... Time to stop the ego trip of too many who want to be seen rubbing shoulders with GP superstars and get real... One rider/One club, with each team riding on nights they feel they can attract the best crowds... If you want to ride in GB them you make yourself available for every meeting or you don't ride over here... For the promoters part they put out a fixture list by the end of November, and everyone is signed up by mid December. Promoters also commit to not planning any meeting at any time knowing riders are elsewhere.. Time for GB to stand alone, it cannot compete with Sweden or Poland so don't... Get the product credible, at a realistic admission cost, and start again from there.. All agree reduced ticket prices for away fans like the Premier League do in Football (easy to ensure integrity as the away team can sell the tickets at their own track).. And all contribute to employing a marketing company to get brand "Speedway GB" out there.. Let's be honest, 99.9% of the population don't go to Speedway and not many of that number even know about it.. A huge opportunity for a progressive marketing company you would think to earn themselves some big commission given the raw material of the racing to work with... Time to stop keeping doing what hasn't worked and start doing something different and new...

As usual you spout a made up rule to suit your own pathetic argument. Taken from the 2018 regulations 16.2.1.4 Updated MA’s will be calculated monthly on a rolling basis on all eligible meetings, up to and including 23rd of the month to become effective from the 1st of the following month Swindon vs Belle Vue was on Sept 27th 4 days after the cut off, therefore the Swindon and Belle Vue riders averages would not be effective until November 1st.

Laura cannot continue to lose money week in week out, and I don’t blame her cause I know for sure I wouldn’t. Looking at recent posts on social media, it’s clear that speedway isn’t greatly thought of in the town. Not being part of the new stadium plans (probably by our own doing, an idiot wouldn’t sign a 50 year lease for speedway) has highlighted that, the track gets in the way of viewing for the other 2 teams fans. Big crowds or not for the last few meetings, if the comets were to continue running they would only have the use of Derwent Park for probably 1 more year. It has been made public that there was a party interest in becoming the new owners of Workington Speedway. But that would also come with the responsibility of finding a location for and building a new track in the area. So no surprises that they soon lost interest. It is indeed a crying shame, as this time when it closes, I don’t think we will see speedway again in Workington. And to go out potentially as treble winners will be very bittersweet. Maybe a consortium could be a possible idea?

And me: big event, huge crowd , but the wrong result (Cov v Hull) wish it was available; on DVD. Leicester were on 2nd but many in the crowd had left by then, or retired to the bars, not me I watched the 2nd match while crying into champagne I shared with Bees fans - I was 'no but a lad' and too young to drink . What I'll always remember though is the sporting nature of Bees fans that nite, Hull had realistically already chucked the league away mid-season due to the infamous no-shows at Wimbledon (3) and Swindon (1) and were unsurprisingly spanked that nite. But Bees' fans were great, no idiotic jeering, where I was anyway on the back straight, just "hard luck lads, want some champagne ?! Here, have some more" . Flippin' brilliant nite. But the wrong result for the 1st match....

I think the quote was from Ronnie Moore relating a conversation with a top British tour rider who thought he was special. Vince, there is an image of a laid down J.A.P on newcastlespeedayhistory.com

Ward no doubt had the talent but because of his lack of brain power I doubt he would have able to hold himself together to win a Gp Series ...one of woffy skills is how plots his way round the series risk free picking up enough points to win overall . As for Holder never been a fan of his and I rate him as one worst World Champions

Own up. Who lost the notebook with the guaranteed race winning bike setups?

I think, generally speaking, it is broke. There's a swell of opinion that league winners should be league champions and play off winners win something else, maybe a chance to have 'The Ivan Mauger Trophy' for the top 4.

we all have to think positive about the future of speedway in workington . until that time comes , we still have support the sport and club as much as we can .we could not have had a better advert for the sport that we have had in the last few weeks . get your coat,hat comfy boots out tonight and dont forget your W/warmer .

After a meeting full of arguments, backstabbing and threats the best AGM ever, the BSPA have come up with plans for an exciting new era.. Doubling-up: It's clear that this is starting to become a slight problem. Teams will be limited to having 6 riders who double-up. Fixtures: There have been a few difficulties this year so from 2019 onwards all teams must have a 6 week period during June-August with no fixtures taking place. This is to ensure the annual scramble to fit everything in at the end of October takes place. Teams finishing their fixtures in early September will simply not be allowed to happen. Fixture planning: After his successful intervention this season, Rob Godfrey will compile the fixture list and any changes/re-arranged fixtures must have his approval. Guests: Teams should only use their contracted riders if a suitable guest is not available. Admission prices: In an effort to increase attendances, admission at all venues will be capped at a maximum of £10. Clubs may also add an exit charge of up to £20 which fans will be required to pay before being allowed to leave the stadium. Abandoned meeting policy: If a meeting is abandoned for any reason after the meeting has started, the captains of each team will take part in an exciting new addition. Using the Barry Briggs homologated rain-off hat, 4 coloured balls will be placed inside. For every race still to be completed, the captains will take turns and whichever colour is drawn out first is deemed to have won that race, drawn 2nd is 2nd and so on. This will take place on the centregreen and fans will be invited to watch it take place for a fee of £1 per heat. Improved presentation: Before the rider introductions on the parade both teams will be required to take part in a club war cry. All music played should be from the 1980s and 'The Final Countdown' must be played before heat 15. Failure to do so will result in the meeting being awarded to the away side. Social media: Recognising this is vital all clubs will be encouraged to keep their official websites up to date with a detailed match report expected within 48 hours. To celebrate these plans it can also be revealed that a new 'Chairman Chapman' Wulfsport coat will be available from December. Pre-order now for a guarenteed Christmas delivery - the ideal present!

Right that's it the half day is booked in with tomorrow and Monday off as well (Stuff Work) and I am heading West to watch this second leg match, Maryport for 15:00 hours and DP 16:00 hours to see if me old pal Steve "God" Lawson and Chris Redmain need a hand at the track. Oh and I will be sorting them out with a couple of "Flimby Pies" just to keep their strength up. Looking forward to a big weekend of Speedway Up the Comets Regards THJ

Certainly don't disagree, however the impression is that promotions only stick to the rule book when it suits them. All other sports have "rules" which are applied fairly and if there is a dispute the definitive outcome of the appeal or the compromise agreement reached is accepted but not in Speedway. It is a case of "I don't like that so I will sue" (or threaten legal action) and the body that runs the sport is so weak they just roll over (literally every time) which makes it look very amateurish in most peoples eyes but it will never change under the current structure If they cannot stick to rules (or a rule book) why not strip them out and have a loose framework then no one can be accused of cheating. Regards THJ

... And loads of time to promote the league's biggest 2 meetings of the year!

Loads of pre war motorcycle engines had 4 valve heads. Neil Street told me that prior to leaving home to come to the UK he knew little about engines but during the weeks on board ship he continually stripped and rebuilt his speedway bike to fully grasp how it all worked. Certainly he was a highly skilled engineer if self taught and understood every nuance of a Speedway engine. In the early part of this century he had absolutely no doubt that he could manufacture an engine that would be both faster and more reliable than either the GM or Jawa and having spent many hours talking engines with him I never doubted it. He saw no point in doing it because he said any ideas he had would just be pinched by others and he would get nothing out of it, he never told me how he would go about it though . Max Richards had a Wal Phillips laydown JAP over his place a couple of years ago, can't remember what year it was but either 40's or early 50's I think. I have a photo somewhere I'll look out. For what it's worth I'm pretty sure that Jack Parker, Peter Craven and Co would have been able to ride a modern bike at the highest level and am equally sure that Tai Woffinden, Greg Hancock etc would have been top riders on a Douglas, Rudge, JAP or 2v Jawa. I do think many people massively underestimate the skills needed by modern riders.

Really feel for you with injuries sustained ..maybe if our fixtures weren’t screwed up mid season we all wouldn’t have been trying to cram all the main meetings in , in the last few days . Thanks for your best wishes I really hope we get some silverware for the guys who have fought tooth and nail to get us there , but hey .. the 3 teams they tried to screw over where 3 in the top 4 now that’s karma for ya

Imagine if he actually could be bothered about british speedway and actually rode in the meeting , could of been a record attendance

At least you get to see the Bacon

This wasn't a meeting which supporters of any of the three teams would have been desperate to win! The general wish of Birmingham supporters was for another meeting if, as it turned out, we missed out on the play-off's, and the 3-team match was a popular suggestion. The teams needed to be reasonably well matched, bearing in mind the fact that a number of riders from all three were either out of action through injury, or for various reasons, not available on this particular night. All three teams tracked a 3-pointer as their fourth rider, and understandably, Birmingham would have wanted to use all of their rider who were available, and couldn't be expected to put all three 3-pointers in the same team. The Wolverhampton teams was the least representative since Nathan Greaves was out injured and none of their other men could be considered of National League standard (apart from perhaps Ashley Morris). Cradley had two more than decent top NL men in Kemp and Morley plus Joe Lawlor who had previous Cradley connections. Obviously there would have been more Heathens supporters at the meeting if their team had been stronger, but even so, there looked a fair number from both Cradley and Wolverhampton among what looked a quite good crowd for an end of season fixture filler. The 18-heat six-rides each meant that team managers' were not needed since all of the riders could only take their programmed rides. The fact that Wolves and Cradley teams did not wear their club colours was a pity, but if their clubs did not supply them, then the Birmingham promotion couldn't be expected to conjure them up out of mid-air. The meeting itself wasn't the best I have seen, but it was far from being the worst, and there was some pretty decent races, and after a bit of a slow start caused by a couple of early crashes, and a bit of leniency from the referee at the starts, the meeting ran through pretty well. After Joe Lawlor withdrew, Birmingham always looked comfortable winners, but things would have been a good deal closer if Lawlor had taken all his rides.

Rocket007 - prior to this season we have always finished our fixtures. We have also in the past won the Trophy, league and KOC and been in the playoffs. We might not be successful on a regular basis but it is easy to be so when you have money behind you. With regards to Coventry, they were offered any Sunday in October after their original meeting was twice rained off but have yet to respond. I have also said that we would go to Coventry when a date was provided but again have had no notifications. We have had seven meetings rained off this year which is more than we have had in the last two years combined I think and this hasn't helped matters. Yes, we have had a good summer but if the weather isn't with you on raceday it is irrelevant what the other days are like. We are more exposed than most to the weather and in fact Sunday's meeting had sun. rain and fog all in the space of about four hours. Although we might not share the track with other disciplines we have work commitments which have to be met in order to pay the deficit that speedway occurs.