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Wasn't it part of the contract that Sky demanded that the "top riders" had to ride over here? Speaking to one now ex promoter at the time, a rather large portion of the "Sky money" pretty much got swallowed up by his "World Class" top rider.. So much money dripped through so many fingers, with the end result? The World Class riders 'effed off' to more lucrative pastures new, and the huge Sky investment left zero legacy for the sport from which to grow.. Amazingly ludicrous really....

I think a lot of people are living under a cloud at the moment. When the sun breaks through, their mood will lighten. Hopefully a Covid free summer will bring some optimism back.

Its difficult to tell how far a rider can go. Rob was a useful reserve at Lakeside butfor some reason suffered a loss of form / confidence so gave speedway a miss for a while, and concentrated on continental grass tracks. Jon Cook then got him back to Lakeside as a British 3-pointer which seemed to be a steal because his average was down due to previous loss of form. However the comeback never really worked, he never really got back in the groove and retired for good. I think he could have dropped down to the lower league and done ok but last time I spoke to him he was doing happy enough doing continental grass tracks and apparently making it pay so had no real desire to return to speedway. The thing is Rob was never a full time speedway rider and always had another job laying gas pipes or something and its always hard to combine two jobs and still do well. I suppose on grass tracks he can do his day job then focus on his racing at weekends. If he was full time speedway I guess he could have been a useful top league second string or lower league heatleader but I wouldn't have thought international class, but who knows.

So pleased that they are holding this meeting. over sixty years ago when he came to Coventry he became my favourite rider from his very first meeting, he was unique, as I believe he was the first Polish rider in a UK team, he cheerfully signed an autograph for me, smiled at everybody and was a live wire on the track, and a brilliant rider. It was a sad day when he left the Bees but he has always been remembered. Thoughts will be with his family, friends and everybody in Poland today. Hopefully a Zyto style entertaining meeting as fitting tribute. A brilliant way to kick off the season

This forum is a hotbed for ex fans unfortunately .....

there certainly seems to be a shortage of optimists. Me, I think we're in for a good season and I'm pleased so many young Brits are getting a go.

KT and NP are employed by BSI to provide commentary on the world feed from the SGPs. Not by BT.

This suggests that he has withdrawn from his Swedish and Danish commitments to ride for Lynn and Brum; http://www.kingslynn-speedway.com/_mobile/news.php?extend.31057

Dean Standing increased his average from 1.21 in 1985 to 7.06 in 1986.

Speaking personally when I re-located I had no close association with a track unless I was willing to travel 30-40 miles which I was disinclined to do. When living in Oxford I was within walking distance of Cowley Stadium which suited me. Never having subscribed to SKY or any equivilant service I lost touch of current affairs but the sport still holds dear and the thirty plus years I spent following my team gives me great memories...wouldn't have changed it for the world.

yes two pointers I guess. Then ending the season as eight pointers. That Poole era in the 2nd division was a convey belt for Australasians. plenty of examples of two point Aussies in the Diamonds ranks during the National League era. No need to develop local talent back then. Plenty went from assessed two to second string in their first season then heat leader in their third. Hunter and Bargh (and others) were just before my time and missed out on seeing Shane Bowes progress when the Diamonds closed.

I was aware that he'd lost his life but was never sure if it was speedway related. I remember seeing Boxall against the Gems and he looked like a huge talent. I think he ended up signing for the Diamonds as #1 which I think is where it all started to go wrong. Plenty of example around that time of talented kids who didn't get any guidance or have the resources to progress. Let's hope there's some assistance for the current crop.

If I recall the three Aussies were all allocated very low assessed averages when they started their British careers?

ah yes I recall Dugard, Havelock and Silver emerging at the same time. He was on a steep upward curve. World Finalist by 1990!!! 2nd season?? Remember seeing him at Brough in his first season. Scary but quick. Was always going to be a massive talent. yes. What about that group of Aussies. Wiltshire, Adams and Boyce all around the same time after a lean spell. All massive talents For some reason I don't ever recall seeing Mear ride live. Was he mostly top flight at Essex? Didn't he attempt a comeback at one point? Could he have gone on to have been international class?

It is true of a surprising number on this forum, but not all of us.

That lot will get mullered away and will lose a lot at home not competitive at all no heat leader except Auty and he's proven countless times he's not good at number 1

Now that is getting your excuses in early

He's ridden more than Craig Cook in the last 17 months, so perhaps Cook should get the reduction instead!!

Darcy Ward in 2009.

One can't deny that the status of speedway in this country has deteriorated but there are plenty of manics on here. But I guess if speedway is all you've got to be depressed about you're probably not doing too bad.

It's a lot more justifiable than Jason Crumps average reduction this year.

I had me a jawa in the 70s and despite riding road bikes most of my life and still love it as I approach 60 the sheer terror of riding a speedway bike has never left me lol , they are all absolute madmen

Matt B. That's the most honest post I've seen on the forum. I've said in the past they should have bought Coventry for the sport and had all big meetings there, and used it for the development of young riders ect.

IN each of the past two weeks NewsTeam have taken over the delivery of around 2,000 subscription copies of Speedway Star. This move was brought about following a winter of problems with Royal Mail (often because of staff shortages exacerbated by Covid, a backlog at sorting offices, etc). NewsTeam had built up a solid reputation for delivering daily newspapers and were expanding their portfolio. By coincidence I have had my newspapers delivered by them for over a year and have not missed a single day. That said, around 50 copies have failed to reach their destination, for all sorts of reasons. It is a very small percentage but one is one too many. We take seriously the loyalty of those subscribers who have stayed with us throughout this difficult period. We are working closely with NewsTeam to identify those who have not received their copy or have found it in a less than acceptable condition. The cost of delivering SS to subscribers, whether by Royal Mail or NewsTeam, is borne by Pinegen Limited. An annual subscription saves £36 as against purchasing from a retail outlet and there is no delivery charge. But that does not mean that we do not shoulder the responsibility for delivering our product on time and without damage. There are some addresses that are not suitable for NewsTeam delivery and, as these become apparent, we will endeavour to switch them back to Royal Mail. Many subscribers have expressed their delight at receiving their SS as if by magic in the early hours of Thursday or Friday. Satisfied customers far outweigh those who are not but, as stated, we take each individual case seriously and will look to improve as quickly as possible.

Who cares who wins or gets the wooden spoon. As long as we get a season and we see the back of this rotten virus ,we are all winners.