CrystalCastles

Certainly around Lynn, there is just as much chance that he will be come back and improve on last season especially without that pressure. He didn't have the speed in his bike, spent most of his time in a struggling team and wasn't at his best. He seemed to have found a lot more from his bikes in the last 6 weeks of the season. Also think that this is an exciting team that Kings Lynn have put together, with riders who will be fully committed.

Indeed it is, thanks for replying. It is really interesting that you have no issue. I don't know whether location makes any difference. Using a different browser is a potential interim solution if people want to be able to like posts. People could also try clearing there Browsing Data/Cookies/Cache and check there advert settings as they can be common causes of issues. My inability to like a post on Chrome could potentially be to do with the connection not being fully secure i know from experience in work that chrome uses security certificates for websites that are updated on a regular basis (90 days) and sometimes they fail to properly update and on Chrome then you can't do things, but on Edge you still can. I think the way Chrome operates is different to other browsers but that's when it all starts to get a bit to Technical for me.

There can be limits imposed on Forum sites, reading the help guides about Forums online. Typically i use Google Chrome as a browser (Android Phone & Chromebook) I've seen comments on a few threads, from a number of people who use the Forum regularly. Initially, i had an intermittent problem for a couple of days. However for the last week i haven't been able to like a post, just get an error message. If i log in/out of the Forum on Chrome it advises that it is submitting information that is not secure. I also use Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge in work. Chrome as a browser has regular updates and has recently had a large update This typically causes a lot of problems for people who use Chrome as their default browser. As a result I have just tried downloading Microsoft Edge on my phone & Chromebook. Using Edge i am able to like a post, so seemingly it may be Browser related. Should someone read this with more Technical IT knowledge then they may be able to elaborate further.

I think it's a very bold decision given the number of fixtures that need to be run. However it is an idea that nobody has the guts to try but could work. British Speedway's inability to ensure that all teams end up completing the same number of fixtures before the cut off is poor, the number of rain off and number of fixtures that end up being crammed into the end of the year or becoming meaningless is poor. However i also think that it's achievable for Oxford to run that number of fixtures, if they are run professionally and they have an approach of getting meetings on rather than calling meetings off. It is understandable to see comments saying that it is going to be hard to see fans spending that amount of money to support 2 teams on a week to week basis because of the cost of admission prices. However every year you see a significant proportion of Speedway fans saying that they want a regular weekly meeting because speedway should be every week and that a Stadium should be in use. I think it's a reality that fans don't travel as much as they used to, following a Team Home and Away in really large numbers is a reality for Speedway Fans anymore. However watching attendances at Newport dwindle and subsequently becoming an irregular fan at Swindon and Somerset also gave me a much more realistic perspective around attendances. When an attendance figure is mentioned regarding a Break Even point i do wonder what that point would realistically be, if clubs didn't have other income streams Attendance wise a lot of tracks struggle when the weather is poor and other events are on, do well during the summer months and school holidays, and there is a benefit to successfully hosting major meetings are on e.g. Pairs/Fours/Rider Championships. And it's always noticeable during Playoffs that attendances are up However, I think Speedway's viability is entirely contingent on other income sources whether that be Sponsorship, TV Revenue, revenue generated from other businesses or owners who bankroll the sport. That being said, regarding Oxford. They have had good crowds by all accounts, they have been run professionally. Oxford has a sizeable population & people support successful teams. Most tracks have also seen the benefit of Emil joining Ipswich, which did have an impact in increased attendances. It's helped show that more Premiership clubs from a Club/Rider perspective are being run more professionally, and i think that has played a large part in other riders wanting to return to racing in Britain. The other thing with attracting more top level riders back. It has the potential to appeal to more casual fans, TV fans, Fans of defunct Tracks. I applaud Oxford for having the guts to try something different.

I think it should be quite easy to get in as long as everybody is prepared. Went to the Stereophonics and it was so easy to get in. There are but it really wont be anywhere near as bad as they make out in the media. Even with multiple events including football and cricket and the rail situation. Ed Sheeran caused traffic chaos on the M4 with tailbacks, but I had friends in Cardiff on one of the nights and it wasn't that bad. Unfortunately over time people lose interest, Cost ultimately is what drives attendances and for me once you've been a few times... They get out what they put in and its succesful and a worthwhile event for Cardiff. I dont think speedway offers anything to attract non speedway fans. It's too expensive for what it is. I think the UK could host another event. I think lots of people in England would prefer an event in England because of travel and cost (hotels). The thing is that even if it had an additional round or a round instead of Cardiff the same problems would arise over time Regarding using speedway venues think ultimately revenue is probably a key factor in the decision. I can't imagine that revenue from speedway venues would make it particulalry worthwhile compared to big stadiums, hospitality, sponsorship and subsidies.

Use of Social Media has drastically changed in the last 15 years. I can remember a time pre Facebook, and pre it being a dominant media platform (MySpace and Bebo) but times change. Facebook is used by a lot of people and obviously with a fairly active and popular Facebook page is a good thing, however it could be argued that it points to interaction and use by a certain age of people. I've seen the use from Bebo/Myspace to Facebook to Twitter, to Instagram & Snapchat etc You could argue that Facebook's use as an effective media platform could die out. As for Club Websites some feel very dated, given how often OS & platforms are updated. Social media content is consumed is actually changing. I still read a lot of news articles mainly sport but a hell of a lot of it is through Social Media, rather than newspapers, magazines or even websites. But i have to say Glasgow's signing videos are miles ahead of a lot of other clubs and far more professional. Every video they have done to introduce a new signing i've watched without fail and i think for a modern consumer it is probably better. There may will be a point in time when people are more interested in seeing who has been signed by video rather than a full blown article, and Social Media content needs to change with that I'd imagine word of mouth isn't really as relevant to my generation and certainly not to future ones. Personally if somebody said to me through word of mouth these days go and check anything out (and i had no idea what it was) the first thing i'd probably check is some form of Social Media platform & that would be more influential than somebody saying something. I have to say i have been to Ice Hockey because of the influence of Social Media. Younger Generations than mine, are far more influenced by Social Media than me. Only need to see how bloggers, and youtubers are becoming millionaires and massive Social Influencers.

Todd's been fantastic at home wherever he has ridden at Championship level (Newport, Plymouth, Somerset & Sheffield) When he first came over and entered Newport's team - i never would have thought he'd have gone on to ride the OTA and Owlerton anywhere near as well - as he rode Newport & Plymouth. I think he's shown a lot of application and determination to do that & certain other tracks (Peterborough) springs to mind - where he's been fantastic in the last few seasons. Lack of racing and predominantly riding at number 2 for most of his career in 2nd division hasn't helped. As everyone knows he's likely to struggle away, simply because that is what his weakness has always been since riding over here and for that reason probably not going to achieve his converted average. But at home, i think he is certainly capable of beating a number of riders on his home track in the Premiership. I think it's great that (whatever the reasons behind it) Simon has decided to have a bit of continuity & that Sheffield have given him a chance at this level.

Think it's obviously a team built to a budget.It has positives, riders who have history with Lynn, continuity, Iversen coming back at number 1 is what most Lynn fans want which looks very likely now. As a neutral the signing 4 riders of similar ability makes the mid order look really weak. Individually none of them are bad signings, but collectively it doesn't look great on paper compared to other teams. Should have a strong reserve though, and also i think will be solid at home and after last year that is going to be important. However away from home will be tough again, as it's hard to see improvement from any of the main body. Overall though given some of the riders that Lynn have had or been linked with in the last 5-6 years, the statements made by the promotion, i think i'd be disappointed with the team, i don't really think it looks to be an exciting line up. It's important to give the team a chance and they could surprise most people.

Plymouth look solid, potential improvement in a few riders, got a bit of continuity in the team and retained all of the riders that they needed to keep. Think Gjedde could surprise a few people. Can't see fitness or equipment being an issue for him. The biggest factor will be confidence. Whilst it's a long time out and a few things have changed and he's got a bit older. You can say that the Plymouth track at home will suit him & once he gets dialled in I am sure he will be dominant at home Additionally he's in a team with a few familiar faces and both Holder and Newman both have the ability to be a number one next season, so that could take the pressure of him. Think it could be a very good year for Plymouth.

Not sure it it has been mentioned but it is also Tafwyl Fair (Festival starts on 12th) is on in the Castle grounds on Saturday. http://www.tafwyl.org/en/

Wasn't overly impressed with the crowd, looked down on my visits in recent years. Brady was as good as i expected him to be. Pulled of some brilliant moves that demonstrated that he was really thinking about when and where to pass. Paul Starke's performance was superb, he's progressed so much since i last saw him. Both Brady & Paul's performances ensured that it was an entertaining meeting despite the scoreline. If everybody fires Somerset have a strong team.

I don't disagree however how do you got about promoting it to raise awareness to those people? I personally don't think advertising a sport as a fantastic family sport and exciting really does enough to do that, if I didn't know what speedway was an advert like that would quite frankly mean nothing to me, I wouldn't even bother to read it.

The reason it is a hard job is because nobody is interested in the sport or more importantly aware of it anymore. Especially in Wales with no tracks. I have plenty of friends from Cardiff who have lived in Cardiff all there life, and know the SGP is in the Millennium Stadium, even a couple have worked in the Stadium but when asked if any of them would be interested in going or more importantly spending £29 on going to something they are vaguely aware of? The answer is no. They simply have far better things to spend their money on. Promotion of the SGP in Wales particularly or interest in it has no massive impact on attendance. Why is a Welsh Newspaper that doesn't cover speedway going to want to spend a significant amount of money spending time on writing articles that nobody will read. Compared to spending it on writing about the Lions (this year which everybody in Wales) will have an interest in. Increased promotion is only good if people become interested in it in significant enough numbers to make it worthwhile, too many speedway fans assume that everybody that doesn't go is a potential customer, which is fine if the awareness is there but quite simply It isn't. I went to work in Bristol for 4 months in amongst a team of 200 people approximately. I wore speedway clothing and spoke to I'd say about 120 people out of that total that worked in my department. About 10 people had heard of Speedway and about 3 of those 10 had ever watched it on sky, none of them had ever been. I asked them what the people who had watched thought about the sport and they said it was quite enjoyable to watch if nothing else was on, then they asked me about the cost of admission and there reaction was no way. I agree trending on twitter and things within social media particularly have to move forward now the sport has been stuck 10,20 years behind where it needs to be in marketing for to long. But the reality is they aren't going to. Trending on Twitter would be great but what benefit is to be gained from it, Speedway fans will know what it is, but who else will?

Done

Glad to hear he is doing well and has made such a leap forward this year. Hopefully he continues progressing to the end of the season.

How good is he looking now Vog? His scores have been really impressive this year so far.

Thanks for the reply . I can imagine it will be very strange for you all, it will probably be even stranger when they are racing each other being on opposite sides of the pits. I think both Tom & JWW have made the right moves for them and hopefully 2012 will be a great year for both of them.

Indeed i shall be keeping a keen eye on how Tom does & JWW at Dudley this year. Think its a good move for Tom he has shown a liking for the EWR and quite possibly might be better around it than he is around QM. Hopefully he can learn a lot this year, and im sure he will gets a lot of support this year from the Scunny fans who support your NL team. He didn't have the best of years last year, but he's comeback this winter shown a willingness to travel a long way to ride and earn a teamspot in the process. Seemingly he has managed to forget 2011 and has got back to where he was in 2010. I hope this year he has a year of progression/development, with his average moving in the right direction and think that he can achieve that.

Very entertaining

Good to hear extensive track work is being undertaken & a new curator has come in. Regarding all your points about the OTA development as a venue, I'd fully agree with that, compared to when i last went 3/4 years ago and when it first opened a number of significant improvements have been made.

Good signing. Think Scunthorpe have a good balance in the team for next year.

Interesting bit in the star about an AusBrit coming over(paying his own way) by the name of Simon Allan, a friend of Alex Davies, ridden motocross but been having a go at speedway seemingly will be heading Scunny's way to get some track time. Be interesting to see what he is like.

Still lost money though. Many people outside our actual fanbase have said that it would be an alternative to keep speedway at Newport given our financial difficulties in the recent past. Unfortunately the attitude towards NL racing amongst the overwhelming majority of Newport fans doesn't reflect this.

I think Lewis will was very impressed with him when he visited QM mate. Think if i was taking a punt on a british rider for a PL reserve spot next year it would be him.

Im sure Main Man might be able to give you a more definitive list of meetings he rode in & his scores but from checking updates: (both) @QM Vs Kings Lynn he scored 7+1(5) (i texted the updates so they best be right) and Vs Scunfield he scored 10+1(5) when Main Man texted results. Im not 100% certain if he rode more meetings than that for the Hornets but he did ride for Birmingham and scored 3+1(5) at Stoke.