Gearhead

Is there any real advantage of the meeting wilddcard? At the recent GP would Balinski have put many more on the gate and is there any GP where thus would be a significant advantage? It seems that they are often off the pace or when they are ok,are they taking points off riders which is unfair? Maybe its a race where the better riders gain easier points and they are fine with it but its harder for the lesser riders,what's the general view?

Yes you could go with the best availiable regardless of which country etc,"horses for courses" as they say Ward could drop into quite a few of the GP's and do well most would probably agree,where another week a local rider might be the best option like Pavlic

you really are sound ridiculous now,you don't have a clue

25,000 at the GP wasn't a bad crowd was it? Even with prices up too,those Polish ones there seemed pretty happy with their moaning riders results too As for the Silencers,the quickest riders on the day were mainly those reported for their dislike of them in the first week or two of the season, (Hancock,Lindgren,Pedersen?)and some were even moaning before their seasons were underway ( Gollob,Hampel Kolodziej? ) but the racing so far this year has undoubtedly proved that the negatively towards them is pretty much a load of crap Any journalist as Gollob how things went running with the new Silencers? If he thought he was fast enough and how his bikes went off the grippy starts (Holders view) I also suspect any Polish fans that may have stayed away in "Support" ??? of Gollob and co may feel as stupid as Gollob's Silencer argument now and after cutting their noses off to spite their faces,they'll probably return and may not make the same mistake of listening to their "god" again One more thing,how utterly arrogant to actually turn up to the GP with the old silencers on thinking the FIM would back down,talk about thinking he is bigger than the sport...

As Ive said before,these events usually go to the highly attended tracks,the BSPA gets a bigger handout as its a shared event,even before their first meeting the attendance was anticipated to be pretty huge,that's nothing negetive aimed at the place,just sayin'. It's great news for Leicester though,best of luck to them

X 3 superb racetrack as good racing as anywhere on sky last season,wouldn't miss this one,well done Rob and to Paul Ackroyd too

Believe its Scunny 12 March,afternoon meet? sorry if already posted elsewhere

I think Wilkinson could be a good choice with Foxhall as a home PL track,he's good to watch and gets real stuck in and knows the tracks,oh and the lad is English!

Do we need to start off with imports though Jules? It's an extra off track cost again and Doolan would be a safer bet for away matches

Yes I'd agree that under the Louis it'd be better PL,although with a new owner going EL would mean very deep pockets indeed I do blame the demise on the league,as the league is giving nearly every club a hard time,how many time on here have we heard people say they think the EL is unsustainable I did say problems were across the board too,we certainly agree on that

I said all crowds are down,which they are and all the. Reserected tracks including Birmingham have had big crows to start with,then it's as though the novelty wears of an the terraces are sparse,Workington had 4,000 when they opened and Newport even had around 3,000,iBirmingham were the samet seems theres a trend,it doesn't work out in the end,most of the established clubs are ok,anyhow all this aside Ipswich cannot carry on as they are or do you think they can? Regarding Kings Lynn,I'm going off posts from 25 year fan and Screamer if you care to look back through the thread,yes fans are fickle,600 at Foxhall won't pay many bills,maybe not that much of an attractive figure but it's happened and to carry on EL next year they would need Hampel to return alongside Scott for example The product has got weaker over the years sadly but doesn't that say something about costs? Anyhow It looks like there's not much chance that the "Eliteists" will see things from another angle so I'm done with it,let the AGM decide what to do in their infinite wisdom

I really think you should wake up and smell it too,all of those 3 PL tracks you mention are the same,they are ex-tracks that have opened up and drawn huge crowds for a season,maybe 2,then declined badly,how many EL clubs are complaining they are struggling and losing money? Kings Lynn's crowds are up and they're no longer losing money like when they in the EL and that includes when they nearly won the league As for the same things being said last year and the year before etc,well we're in a VERY different current economic climate,crowds have declined across Speedway as a whole and things need to change pretty drastically

Yes I understand that the better riders are EL and if you prefer to go to watch them,you chose as you wish.Personaly I prefer better racing and that can be at any level,Sheffeild comes to mind as I've seen some decking racing there with Ashworth,Compton,Wilson etc and th PL racing Ive seem on TV this year has been superb There have been some good El seasons at Foxhall but my most enjoyable years have been those at the National Leqgue level as it was in the 2nd division ,Loram,Louis,Dean Standing,Moggo etc,great years!

What exactly defines a better standard? Are you suggesting the Racing is better in th EL,because if you are I would think you'd be outnumbered by PL fans telling you different.Sometimes seeing so called "Top riders" also means seeing them clear off into the distance too I think a read of screamers' post proves that it isn't always the case regarding crowds,only 1 EL club made a profit,in the PL the figure was way more and as for ambition to move to EL,it would be financial suicide for any team,sure there are clubs in the PL that are struggling but the established ones are all pretty certain to open their doors each year

Wow that woke you up then! welcome to the thread,it'll be great to hear of your input now hopefully If you are asking me to reveal things I've come across over the years,it'd be wise to keep them to myself,quite probably as some others that use the forum do,I have only posted things that I feel I can,maybe we'll hear of WHAT YOU KNOW regarding things far removed from what you are reading on hear? Maybe you shouldn't take in too much of that 3 hour conversation if it goes against a majority of other views and press publications I never said the Louis should work for free,I state the FACT that they draw wages from the club,which obviously has a relevance to the profits etc for example does Bob Dugard make his living from Eastbourne? I doubt it as only 1 club is reported to have made money,in fact it's a shame the Louis didn't have some back up like Mr Dugard does Regarding your point about putting his house up previously,that was a time when yes it was needed,I was talking about the situation now as we are in a whole different current climate The club without the Louis gone to the wall years ago? I beg to differ as I know of someone who has repeatedley approached the promotion about taking it over Also if you state that you are "not claiming to be in the know" then it seems odd to believe what you've been told As for your last statement,well maybe we can all look forward to reading a book by yourself if we know very little? Maybe then I will write one too,and for the record,I started slating the Louis a while back regarding the Briggo episode.....how little you really know i might add I suggest before replying maybeyou should read my posts carefully Anyhow it looks like it's mostly down to the AGM now and let's hope the Witches will still be running next season

X 2 Again the Louis have to take their wages out of the pot,most clubs are run by people who have a business outside Speedway as their main income or sole income,Ipswich have had to find the Promoters income for over 20 years too,and that must mean carrying them through the winter months as well

I think anyone is perfectly justified to slate the Louis on here,in the early days of just over 20years ago Louis Snr and Pavitt things were good,by some people are very bliknkered,why do you think they've not attracted a sponsor on recent years? Knowing a bit of certain goings on over the years I feel criticism isn't out of order For 21 years Louis Snr (and recently Louis Jnr) has only had the Speedway as his income and seems to have done very well out of it with an extremely nice house etc (fair play to him too),can you see either Louis doing a Buster Chapman and putting their houses up to keep things going? People see what they see,they pay their money and can voice opinions and in recent years Ipswich Speedway hasnt been great,its definitely gone downhill and if people feel the Promotion could've done more then they are free to say so Such a shame the last deal didn't happen,let's hope Foxhall doesn't go the same way Oxford did,very sad indeed

Pathetic statement,how do you know about the finances of people on here? And like who exactly? Maybe you,Dogstar,1stbendbunching or me should put the money up if we have it.by the way I don't so how about any of you 3 "commandos"

There is a thread on in if anyone wants to see it as it's far too in-depth to go through here really,Briggo's charity ride was cancelled 3 times by Louis at the last minute and was held at a local motorbike shop in the end where some of the disabled riders were there along with many ex riders and fans etc Dave Bickers was ther alone with Briggo obviously. It emerged at the last minute on the 3rd attemp that as Kim Jansson wasn't on Briggo's list the promotion said no,even though they knew about it all season,a majority at the bike shop were pretty angry ,there were a lot more ins and outs to it too (split the collection would've been the bestt solution?) Jansson got injured in Sweden but rode for Ipswich a few years back As I say 3 parties said they were not interested in sponsoring next year,at least 1was approached for help recently and turned them down,another could well have been the buisnessnan they were talking to at the end who wanted to take it over,trouble is the Louis seem to want the cake and eat it too,spot on Jules!

If these local people are out Then it really does leave a lot of talking at the BSPA meeting ,if their application to join the PL has been rejected along with the other applicant then it looks like only 1 club can get their way as the EL have to keep at least 1 in their league to make the SKY deal work of course,maybe something can emerge to keep both in.The PL are quite happy as they are though and I wouldn't think they'd want to entertain too many ex EL riders wage demands.It will be interesting to hear the outcome at the weekend I believe an ideal situation would be as Prawn and Jules myself and indeed many others probably seem to agree on in someone taking it over from the Louis,I have argued on the forum many times that the Louis are no longer good for Ipswich,the fans and many people who volunteer their time to help the club deserve more. I also still stand by my stance on the Briggo fiasco,to me it was "a nail in the coffin" as it rubbed a lot of people up the wrong way,I do know for a fact that from then,3 successful businesses who previously sponsored meetings year after year said they wouldn't be doing so again so it looks like in their hour of need the Louis may well have found more bridges burned

The only way Scott will return is in EL obviously,and maybe it could still happen with the involvement of another party or a real shake up in the plans at the BSPA meeting. The major problem is that SKY are only in if there is a certain number of teams in the EL and I am led to believe that 2 EL clubs have officially applied to go PL,trouble is the EL definately wont want this and if the PL don't want them which is very likely then something has to give,looks like we are in for a very interesting week...

There's been a local buisnessnan wanting to take over at the club for a long time,as I added in another thread,he'd be great for the Witches and it would be a very positive way forward no doubt,maybe a fresh approach with a big push in the PR area in the local newspapers and even a slot on the local Radio would generate enthusiasm no doubt, Things have definately gone a bit stale at Foxhall;the Louis are not to everybodies taste I think it could do with someone lkeable who knows their way around the Speedway scene,maybe with a bit more charisma too,a previous sponsor turned them down but hopefully the sums will add up with whoever they are talking to and Foxhall will gain a new addition,Im not saying theyd come in droves by the busload from all over the show but fingers crossed we'd see higher attendances

great post agree 99% the drop in leagues was an excellent move,any winning side would gain crowds though but 1998 wont happen again ever,Ipswich arguably had a higher class of riders in that team,than the whole league put together could make now (sadly ) Mr Shovelar,you're right about the rider not worrying so much about the team though and way more about being paid,in fact a number 1 is better off in a weaker team as he'd be likeley to gain extra rides,(tac sub race win,3 points,£500-£600,thanks very much ) MY GUESS, " WITCHES FOR SALE ** £1 ** AND THAT INCLUDES ALL THAT GOES WITH IT "

I dont quite understand,if you are ok watching Town at the lower level,what's wrong with watching the Withches at PL level? Ipswich Town were in the Premier league not too long ago,then were relegated,did you watch them before they dropped? if so then you'd basically be doing the same with speedway.The football team is no different in losing better players that move onto Premier Football.I can however empathise with you on your take of the situation,when Town were doing pretty well in the top flight they had some decent players,higher profile i suppose, I used to see them sometimes as I knew some of them,when they went down,most moved on and I havn't seen them since,and I wouldn't know a current player if i bumped right into one its a bit bigger scale in football,more exagerrated but I suppose i know how you feel,however if i'd been a fan im pretty certain i'd probably still of gone to watch when they dropped. certainly it's their perogative to do as they wish,all i'm saying is that if they're struggling now,maybe going PL would benefit at well under half the running costs might be a solution Iremember some great National league days dont you? and didnt even get bored of going to Hackney 5 times a year!

well we may just find out,those who go now and say "I wouldn't go if we went PL" may well change their minds when the new season starts and others probably wouldn't stay away for long,not if they are Speedway fans,would you yourself stay away? or maybe you'd spend more than you previously did and travel to Lakeside? Maybe take it from those who have witnessed it first hand ie Kings Lynn fans that have posted and said they adjusted to it,My take is that in the last aprox 2-3 years,of the dozen or so people that I used to stand with,only 4 went to Foxhall last year,and they didnt't go every week,I went a few times until the strange goings on surrounding the Briggo visit then in protest of the Louis,I would go again in a fresh start in the PL and speaking to all those i used to stand with,the same goes for them,except 2 that doubt they'd ever go again as long as the Louis are in charge Anyhow,if they did go PL and you stayed away,you'd be making the situation worse,at least show some support as surely PL is better than none at all,the truth is that numbers have dwindled as many are fed up with the rubbish served at Foxhal in recent years,ending up with the wooden spoon as it stands now and the club in financial difficulties,if it's EL again without a cash injection then they won't see half a season out,they can't afford a team of last years standard so with a possible raise in points limit they dont stand a chance,and how many other EL clubs would be willing to donate a portion of their SKY money to help out? An EL number 1 taking home the same sort of money as all 3 PL heatleaders is costly,add this to the money paid in airfares and related costs last year and it's a lot to find,in reality they also need a KK on top to be competetive,and lets face it,it's not going to happen A team sponsor of not too long ago recently turned down an approach for financial help too so that's another avenue that's hit a dead end sadly as well I think we all know that compared to other sports,Speedway comes cheap to SKY and ideally,more from them is badly needed,it's a damn shame