Leaderboard

I've said all this before but it is still very relevant. The Louis/Godfrey vision of the 3rd Division is a novice League full of wobblers, no experienced riders and no standalone tracks which is so far from it where it needs to be in reality. Also forget about the pairs half hearted and aborted "British Junior" League. In 2021 the gap between the 3rd Division and the 2nd Division was way too big which is a major stumbling block to riders trying to make their way up the ladder unless as Barry Bishop stated they are exceptional talents that would have made it whatever system was in place. See this is where Chris Louis (like his father before him) doesn't "get it" cause he was an exceptional rider who became an 8 point 2nd tier rider after only one season. What British speedway has lacked since the 90's and it was in decline then was numerous British 1st tier and 2nd tier league journeymen, guys who wern't ever going to be World Champions but were regular, loyal servants to teams and being home grown local people took more interest in going to their nearest track. I saw this first hand from first watching at the Firs Stadium Norwich then the 1970's halcyon days at Ipswich, King's Lynn and Mildenhall. Locally based competitors is major reason why stock car racing is more popular in East Anglia than what speedway is. The 3rd Division has over its various guises since its 1994 formation been a less choppy water for new tracks to test the water, former tracks to reopen and tracks struggling in higher Leagues to run at a financially viable and competitive level. This is what disappoints me about Rob Godfreys stance on the 3rd tier cause he only reopened Scunthorpe (an area that struggled to run viable speedway in the 70's and 80's )in the 00's when it offered the beforementioned values. The likes of Birmingham and Eastbourne only kept going a few years ago because the 3rd tier was in place and offered a viable set up. Mildenhall I doubt would have ever reopened to speedway had the 3rd Division not been around. At this moment in time I suspect more than half the current teams running in the Championship struggle to be viable and would be better suited to racing at a cheaper amateur level. The 3rd tier doesn't need to be turned into a complete novice League because you already had successful junior Leagues below it in the well run Midland and Northern Junior Leagues to cater for novice riders. Experienced 3rd tier journeymen riders who won't ever make the regular step up to higher League like Luke Priest was in the past and Connor Coles is shouldn't be blocked from riding in the League if they wish to race cause they will provide better learning opportunities for newcomers racing against them than just racing against fellow novice riders and can provide good racing. Obviously there should be limits on the number of "old hands" in 3rd tier teams but wiping them out completely would be counter productive. What needs to happen is the top 2 Leagues merge into a bigger top flight at a level slightly better than the current Championship while those 2nd tier clubs that can't make it pay to drop down into a new 2nd tier that is at a level inbetween the current Championship and National League. Then 2 Junior Leagues below this level called the Northern League and the Southern League be formed organised in a similar way to what the well run Midland and Northern Leagues were.

That should get rid of Sheffield, Ipswich and Wolves then All tracks have a night they like to ride on, its the night the fans are used to attending, when they get the highest gate, look what happened to Rye House when they swapped nights to suit what league they were in

But you are saying you know they don't know when intact your don't know if they know or don't know which means you are pretending to know they don't know which is something your can't know whether you really know or don't know

That is something that has been disscused and is being looked into

Great rider who will continue to improve in 2022 but why would Edinburgh release their asset to ride for a League rival?

A very good Sir Humphrey impression 10/10

Michael Lee didn't take to it too well either in a Test Match v the USA I seem to remember...

ah don't you just love the close season and speedway rumors josh will be back at Edinburgh in 2022

I'll be there if some meetings are arranged for 2022 send it will help to keep the fan base together.

Nicholls is riding the best he has for years. I'd have him over a couple of those named as he's leader and lower average

That would be a tragedy for Berwick if they have fallen for that nonsense. See Glasgow 2018.

I'd hazard a guess it is 4.94. His 17 fixtures from this year (Ave 5.28), plus his last 3 from 2019 (from which he only scored 2 points). http://www.gbspeedway.com/2021/teamstats.php?mc1=s&mc2=ta&mc3=av&mc4=Birmingham Brummies&team=Birmingham Brummies&league=B&comp=CMA&avtype=av

Oh well have to use Zach which is a good thing I think, he is a better rider than Jack Thomas in my opinion.

Erik did indeed have some issues adjusting to the new rules. He was quite the expert at the tape nudging...A viewing of the 1984 World Team Cup final, when FIM rules still allowed it when British rules were a bit more fuzzy, would confirm that I seem to remember going to the BLRC in 1984 hoping to see Erik win, only for him to be excluded for tape touching in a race off for the title with Morton and Nielsen

I get lost half way through that lol

Yet the season ticket holders and riders are still out of pocket?

To be fair, crowds were getting gradually smaller for the past few seasons. That particular year, the promoter alienated virtually everybody there to the extent that seasoned regulars stopped going, hence impossible to continue. Have to run on Fridays, make sure you can run at a sustainable level and go from there. Anything else would be madness.

Re Hotel prices In all major sixties AROUND THE WORLD hotel prices are always high whenever there is a popular event in the area. It’s not just a speedway thing, it’s everything that’s popular. We have started holidaying in the uk air stays at Premier Inn, good quality rooms, good service, usually next to a pub with food so breakfast/evening meal sorted (extra), clean and tidy. We last stayed in Premiere for a week in July this year in Norfolk and it cost circa £240 FOR THE WEEK. Broken down, some nights were dearer then others. I gather there are nights during the week more popular with reps, and weekends (Fri/Sat) are usually more expensive. Even today Premiere, and similar managed chains, are advertising rooms at circa £32-£35 per night in big cities…… but not when a big event is on. They know sports fans, pop fans, concert fans, major conference goers etc will pay bigger prices, and these make up for the bargain prices to be had during the year, people will pay 3 figure sums for one or two night special events, but don’t want to pay 4 figure sums for a mum, dad, two kids week long break. It’s how the hotel trade goes, and it is generally acceptable (though painful).

Champs bar under main Grandstand, hope you found it!

Lets hope the Isle of Wight format can be rolled out at other tracks too. While not a replacement for speedway it's an excellent opportunity for part time riders to race use their equipment and possibly get paid. Well done to the promoters for taking such a bold step.

Belle Vue or Glasgow would both be a good option.

My mum went on a flower arranging course and they were a few 30ish year olds from Manchester and guess what they were talking about? Yep speedway! So got told a few things from a BV fans POV, which was interesting!

That would be good. It’s a racers track but not too big.

wouldn't be surprised if it's at Glasgow

Zenon was a legend at Hackney and I am devastating by this news. He was fearless on a bike and a gentleman off it. One minute on the line the next up on the fence. Amazing rider. I got to know him well during the run up to the Hackney reunion in 205 when I had the absolute privilege of him staying with me for a week. How many sports top riders integrate with fans (at least from that era) to that extent as speedway. More recently I was a guest at his meeting in Gdansk and was privilege to be invited to the after party where we once again regaled tails of the good old days. The last time I saw him was the day I flew home from that meeting where I delivered a letter to him from his old mate Barry Thomas. His smile whilst reading it lit up the room and it is that picture that I will remember. RIP Zenon and thanks for all the excitement you gave a 9 year in 1976.