TonyE

Not a bad meeting for early season and object lesson in how to run an efficient 15 heats - 7.45 start and all over by 9.05 - impressive. Very good view from well up in the back straight grandstand but I do wish the track lighting was better - difficult to determine who is who around the bends (particularly bends 3 and 4) and, again from the same standpoint, the start area is rather dim. Really good race between Cam and Max.

Lakeside 2018.

Hasn't Stuart retired?

In what way did they do that?

Totally agree - we are all 'internet warrior's and I have no issues with opinions and suggestions. The point I was trying to make was to highlight the fact that it is the promotion that takes the financial risk on new initiatives.

No one seems to know the answer unfortunately. Plenty of 'internet warriors' come up with suggestions but it isn't their money at risk. I certainly do not know the solution - Lakeside had Mark sexton as a community officer and I know he specifically tried to get the younger element interested in the sport (school liaison etc) . The one time Arena Essex as then was, offered free entry (in a meeting against Belle Vue and sponsored by a company), it certainly produced a good crowd. There were certainly first timers there but whether or not they were hooked is another issue.

The is that it the newbies don't come the promoters lose even more money when discounted admission is available. Just how do you differentiate between a newcomer and a die-hard regular. The Hammers tried it a few seasons back and quickly had to drop it.

The planned second Thames crossing must afford some opportunities and, above all else, will maintain (ultimately) ease of access to Kent based supporters.

Lots of Friday's - that will not go down well in certain quarters!

As I understand it, there were, potentially, two dates that we could have run. The problem was that we had two league matches, a Championship Shield and likely Play-Off meetings to fit in.

I still fail to see the logic applied by the BSPA in making Lakeside race ALL their outstanding fixtures at Rye House rather than only those they were unable to stage at Arena.

The aim should be to keep any new facility as close to the river crossing (or the new one) as possible to maximise the catchment area.

No surprise for me. Still feeling a great loss though.

Unfortunately the future of virtually all tracks is at risk from 'developers'. The Showground in particular from what I have heard.

You were doing reasonably well until that last bit. Riders averages are based on 4 rides, 7 riders per team equals 28 rides equals 14 heats - so 42.50 should win you the meeting!