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And this is where the sport in the UK has completely lost the plot and made itself look stupid. Guests, guests, guests... A member of the local rivals team helps as a guest. What an absolute joke. How can you expect fans to have any true passion for their team when it includes a member of their biggest rivals? Even more crazy when there is a member of the Monarchs team from this season sitting doing nothing that could have filled that place instead of a Tiger! And that's before we even get into the doubling up here and racing in other leagues abroad, which sees pretty much every team have "rival" riders that are team mates somewhere else...It takes so much away from the competitive team element. Is it really still a team sport at this point? Or just a bunch of individuals pulling on a random race suit/jacket each night?

I always believe everything Rob Godfrey says without question, for is he not the wisest oracle in the universe?

It is purely set up for the riders to earn as much as they can by racing as many times a week as they can.. You know this irrefutably to be the case when one rider can spend his week guesting, and then not turn out for his own team because he has ridden too much, so needs "a rest" and they then can have a guest, (who may be a track specialist ringer), to replace him.. They havent a hope in hell of ever being successful when the whole shebang is set up so amateurishly.. During lockdown wasnt it regarded as an "Elite Sport in the UK"? Even the great Sean Lock couldnt have made up something so comedically surreal as that comment... Selling such nonsense must be so difficult for the Promoters.. Yet they are the ones that sign off the nonsense as "perfectly fine" in the first place.. You couldn't make it up, because you dont need to, it's all there lined up in front of you each meeting.... Best of luck to Newcastle..

Not going to get into any arguments about your other points as I know nothing about them so you could be correct in what you are saying, but on Roy ( or RC as you call him)I have been a mate of his for nearly 40 years and 1. I was at the meeting at Redcar where you say he denigrated Newcastle speedway .. He did not !! All he said on the mic was “ Newcastle speedway had gave up a meeting and Redcar had jumped in and were now holding it and if you now want to see some of the best British youngsters on one of speedways finest tracks come along next Thursday to see all the action … He did not criticise Newcastle he praised Redcar ( big difference) .. 2. As previously stated I have known Roy nearly 40 years and in the past few years when he has done centre green announcing I have never known him take a penny from Newcastle speedway for doing that job (or any job for Newcastle Speedway) I asked him again last night and he categorically told me he never got paid a penny at Newcastle for centre green announcing (and having trusted him to be best man at my wedding and Godfather to my daughter I have no reason to believe he would lie to me)so I don’t know where your figure of £100 a meeting came from but it is wrong … Other points you make may or may not be correct but I think you are wrong on the one about Roy getting paid

Hope he puts as much effort in tonight as he did on Saturday…

Brilliant gesture and Tony Jackson (last Worky manager to win the treble) is coming over and when I offered him a ticket for free he said thanks but I would rather buy one to help the club which was another fantastic gesture... Regards THJ

Obviously each club has a different cost base compared to other clubs, depending on all sorts of factors. Its not just about rider wages! The difference that I was told about (bearing in mind this is just one specific club) was that costs were one third less to race in the Championship than in the Premiership - both are 5-figure sums per week/meeting! From my own knowledge, if a rider is riding in both leagues then the pay rates are very different! Presumably because riders will strive to get what makes it pay for them in total - including the assurance of getting paid EVERY week! - so once they have a Premiership contract 'buttoned up' they will happily accept a reduced rate of pay in the Championship. Of course there may also be other rider bonus incentives in both leagues, eg reaching the play-offs/winning the league/Cup etc which will tend to benefit the more successful clubs due to increased attendance income, as well as the riders - both of whom may benefit from additional sponsorship funding?!

You don’t get guests in Poland or Sweden they have to Promote junior or use a squad system as in Sweden.It leads to some weakened teams but at least it’s your Team.Win or lose ,bad luck with injuries or not at least it’s YOUR Team.It’s credible IMO.

Massive shame... Really is, thank you for all the support you've given to the club and riders over the years... I just know that it's been A LOT and it shouldn't go unnoticed... Without people like you, clubs like this couldn't function

There just doesn't seem to be the interest now that there was back in the early 2010s... I know our team has been weak this year, I get that... But is there really THAT many glory supporters in speedway that the crowd has shrunk so much so quick? I'm gutted, Newcastle speedway seems to be slowly fizzling out with the most underwhelming end to its history ever... At least Workington went out with style... Just hope the saviour comes from somewhere, but I cannot see it...

I think Speedway Star offers Tai excellent coverage. I have to ask the reverse question, Do you think Tai supports British Speedway?

I agree with you about Zmarzlik, and TRick being the previous genius. Nothing against Artem, but I'd rather watch Bartek than Artem...Much respect to Artem that he has upped his level this year, though! As for Tai...He's just not quite there at the moment, but I'm not sure that you can really bash his "nation"...He almost certainly wouldn't have at least one of his World titles without being "from" that nation.

And all of the above of course means no major companies would ever consider getting involved sponsorship wise... Both at team and league level.. Maybe though Disney might see some synergy?...

It’s just about money

I disagree. Poorly marketed product, high cost compared to alternative entertainment, meeting presentation 30 years out of date, dated stadia, lack of household names/world class riders, tracks that don'tproduce good racing...these are all far bigger issues than doubling up imo.

I am not a Diamond's fan I support Redcar and I have loved the banter between the rwo sets of supporters over thee years. I would like to know who THJ is because he knows an awful lot about what's happening at Newcastle and along of his predictions come true so he is obviously a very smart guy and close confidant of the current promotion. THJ, I have couple of questions for you 1) Why did Rob Grant tear the club apart at the seams and alienate a huge section of the fan base by dispensing with the services or forcing the resignation of key figures at the club? For example 'RC' who brought so much to the show and still does at Redcar 2) Does Rob Grant's van stand anywhere else? Those burgers are bloody lovely

Can’t go tomorrow but have bought a ticket to add one to the headcount

Isnt that what we do have? So, as the thread title suggests... No change next year then....

Well my contacts are telling me this.. It will be one league next season with a fluid rider system for all tracks, an example below Eastbourne will return so Tom Brennan will revert to Eastbourne on his CMA This is not fair on Glasgow so Tom can take his place in their line up too Tom can also ride for Belle Vue as a rising star as they had first dibs When Glasgow face Belle Vue, then Glasgow must use a guest for Tom up to his CMA as he is a rising star and that takes priority for Belle Vue When Glasgow face Eastbourne, then the home team has the use of Tom with R/R used by the away team in the interest of the sport And so forth.. Very simple and well thought out.

Congratulations to Chris Harris #37, this year’s winner Commiserations to Zach Wajtknecht who fell whilst leading in the final

From what i remember its lack of support from the Russian speedway authorities for costs and logistics.

Missed the gate and hugged the curb all night, played it safe

I bet the winner can't be at the ceremony and they have to bring someone else in!

Not seen it hence the question so not confused at all, just curious but no longer. I have seen the American car racing and it ranks alongside paint drying and counting nails in B & Q. Thanks for the reply.

Thanks. Have to say, i'd prefer top 8 plus three picks, though doubt it will make much/any difference