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I would venture that some people think that second tier is strong because top tier standard is so poor. Previously unheard of a rider being number 1 for his team in both leagues.

Definitely too strong, I know our top league is weaker than it's ever been but you've got riders in the Championship who definitely shouldn't be and must be earning big money which is reflected in the admission price which is too high in both leagues. British speedway needs a serious restructure or it will eventually disappear up it's own rear end, we need either two distinct divisions or one big one and a proper thriving third tier for training youngsters. The problem is most riders in British speedway are now accustomed to doubling up and the riches that it provides and would be resistant to change I suspect. Needs somebody stronger than Mr Godfrey to sort the whole mess out.

Didn't Steve Cram train there so I'm assuming it's a 400 metre track sort of size. Loads of investment in South Shields in recent years. I've been involved in some of the grant funded stuff and about to invest another £80m. South Shields is one of the most socially deprived area's in the country so the funding opportunities are there as it's easier to prove improved economic benefit in a deprived area. i.e. will it bring jobs directly at the stadium or indirectly in shops and hotels. The council do want to attract more visitors, they put on free events in Bents Park for example. They want it to be a proper seaside resort Would a speedway team attract the type of numbers who'd spend enough money to improve the local economy? Enough to offset against 'noise'? And floodlights might be an issue. I can't see permission being given for 7 days a week operation so it couldn't be used for training. If I recall there are some new housing developments and some expensive housing very close by (to the West not many to the East). It's effectively the posh end of South Shields. It really would be a cracking day out. Amusement Park, Beach, Fish & Chips or Ocean Road curry (both if you're THJ). Despite being almost in the sea it's quite accessibly by road (tunnel) or train or even Ferry!! Although it's a bit of a walk from the river. The council are supportive of the Mariners progressing up the football pyramid as it will attract more visitors from outside of the region. On that basis having a sports team in a national competition is ideal. An authority like South Tyneside is never going to attract top level sporting events (apart from GNR which it's lost in 2020 and 2021) so having a team in a national competition would appeal, especially one which has moved from a neighbouring authority. Grants for Sporting facilities are outside of my remit but I think they tend to be linked to community based projects and are probably therefore smaller than the cost of building a speedway track and refurbishing a stadium. You'd need a significant local contribution regardless. Certainly worth investigating the possibility because it could be a really good solution. But you need to be able to demonstrate how the area would benefit economically and what it would offer the community (reducing crime, improving skills etc). PS it's right where the Great North Run normally ends for those not familiar with the area.

Plenty riders have the top notch machinery,but you have to have the skills to match.

One of the drawbacks of having all that sign writing on your van! A plain colour van would seem a safer option to me!

The top tier has seen any decent foreigner as well as our top two riders leave , so rather than our second tier being really strong its more a case of the top tier getting weak. I have said before and will say it again, the old school Premier league was a much better product than the second tier now. Much better and quality of riders much better too

Some pretty horrible comments on here, maybe rather than castigating a young rider for wanting to look as professional and well turned out as he can folk should save their ire for the thieves. I had a non sign written van broken into at a hotel in Daventry a few years ago, it happens unfortunately. Fingers crossed his stuff is recovered.

Crickey! Do the French know?

Would wholeheartedly disagree with this. The second tier isn't a patch on what it’s been in the past. Granted the top league isn’t even worth talking about which probably makes the second tier appear stronger but for me personally its extremely poor.

Such sad news. Bob was a lovely chap and a huge speedway fan and at Oxford neatly every week in 2007 when Brendan Johnson was riding for us. Saw him at Poole just a couple of weeks ago for the Poole v Scunny meeting. RIP Bob.

There is a difference though! Premiership is full of 1,3,5 and maybe 4s of the championship. Therefore every race is a different level to championship

Trouble is Mr centre of attention MacGregor has done it on a regular basis for years..

Newcastle and Birmingham come to mind when not good for viewing so if ur talkin about Leicester I don't understand how u can say that. I'm a liddle puzzled.

My mate went and said it was well supported with lots of families attending. He said the presentation was very good, refreshments great and minimal delays and he got about 25 heats for £12. He also saw ex Glasgow promoter Gordon Pairman taking a close interest in what was going on. Well done Isle of White by all accounts.

I badly miss the old system which led up to the world final where any one of the field could be world champion on the night. They were great occasion’s.

Indeed, Workington won the treble in 2018, with Dan Bewley out injured!

2022 season is a long way off many issues have to be decided regarding league numbers team strength but at KL if Allit is in charge biggest issue is it’s not another jobs for the boys side a 1-7 with all the usual suspects isn’t what’s needed - definitely new faces is what’s needed

With all the rubbish plasted on the van it was only a matter of time, nothing like advertising what you have in the van pretty dumb really, I know it's no excuse but thief's do worry about feelings, if you have a plain van next to a van plastered with all that guess which one there going to target.

Kyle Newman is the reserve for the meeting.

Spot on. There used to be a group of us who attended each week & slowly we were driven away by the 'micky mouse' approach. So in the this our local track has lost 8-10 people who attended each week.

He hasn't cheated but honestly an experienced ref like McGregor shouldn't be making a mistake in a last heat decider like that. It could have such abig impact on us missing out on play offs you never know. Hope the SCB review his.performance

I think there’s a good chance of someone coming in but any riders should be on points money only. Stick a rider on a guarantee and there’s no incentive for them to score. They get paid regardless.

Jacobsen fell in his 1st race then had another 3 races.!

I get bored watching live speedway on TV, long breaks for adverts, plus riders taking an age to get settled into their start positions for races! Watching it after means you can fast forward lots of wasted time!

Couldn't agree more with that statement,especially the last bit.