thebaron

Just one thing amongst all the superlatives and excitment of last night. Did we overlook mentioning the passing of former Scunthorpe Saint Jolly Jack Bywater earlier in the week. Apologies if we did and I missed it RIP Jack.

Stolen all my thunder here duffy; great write up; what an absolute stormer this was at the end; the right racing; the right riders; the right fans at the right time. No wonder Rob was flat on his face on the centre green flabbergasted and thanking the speedway Gods for coming up with this. Let me tell you; Robs not been alone this week; I think we have all been down in the dumps over everything; and then ALONG CAME TOMMY - our very own TNT Tommy blows us all away ! (please excuse VIZ reference). But he did; and I was delighted to be patting him on the back and shaking his hand. What a spot on gesture by the riders to walk into the crowd at the finish. Tommy beaming ear to ear and genuinely happy to join in the celebrations. Two great rides from our returning Top Gun; twice linking up with Ryan; first I Heat13, Ryan tearing round the outside of Ostegarrd and then Tommy Gun diving on the inside of his Danish counterpart on turn three. Seriously I thought Tommy would wipe Ostergarrd out there. But brilliant to watch. Then Wilko and Wily in Heat14 catch the wave; pull through with another 5-1 to keep the great escape on, I fancied Wily to come up with the goods and he just would not bow to the excellent Simon Lamberts attempts to pass him! covering every angle. So its all down to the wire and Ryan's back out with Tommy the Gun (just great to have him back) against Kus/Tungate for Panthers. BOOM Ryan's off and out the pack and off round the outside of Tungate on turn two. Tommy chases down Tungate and gives it the big licks off turn two lap two to get in behind Ryan for 5-1 and the Scorpions pull of one of greatest three heat comebacks from the dead I have ever witnessed in my time on the speedways. It just was such a great night last night; and personally I want to thank the Rob and the management team; all of the riders; the presentation team; every single fan that turned up to support the meeting (one from Arizona for goodness sake and the chap from Bristol) your all legends for me. This was the very best of times at what is for the club the very worst of times. But if we can keep the #savethescorpions campaign moving and over the last six meetings keep together there might; just might be a future. Can I pick up on a little piece of fine detail that I loved about last night; you will all laugh but I really liked the time taken by Rob and the team to try to make the EWR look a little bit tidier (not that it is untidy usually) but just that little bit more; painting the wooden decking opposite the start gate. Thank you to who ever did that; nice touch. As I have said IF we had a future; I might wander down to the football stadium at Glanford Park when it closes and see if there's a row of two or seats; or even a stand we could nab to add a little bit more comfort to surroundings and we have great little stadium for speedway in the EWR. It was also great to greet the riders like that ! connects them to us and they actually loved doing it I believe. We are all together on this and it showed. Good to see Josh out putting in some hard laps after the meeting; we will miss Tommy but it will be great to get Josh back for the rest of the season. Like signing a new rider for me. It is important to have a Scunthorpe 1-7 on the track; I think we all recognise that. I had to laugh when Rob; commented that Tommy's back here next year; I hope your right Rob; I hope your right and that might mean we all are. Tell you what; I am on holiday in Northmberland in three weeks; and definitely nipping into Berwick to watch our Tommy the Gun Jorgensen. TNT Tommy he blows yer away ! Thank you for last night; we're buzzing.

Don't know why I asked this; I've been DEFUNCTED without a track and long enough I should know the pack drill by now!

Does anyone think before we do finally go to that big track in the sky; Rob and the team might call a meeting and give folks chance to have a say ? Or do we all just clear off 31 August and never darken door again ? Sad if that was to be the case.

Ellis Perks 20 for Cradley last night! Told yer.

Same here; friend of mine his Mrs is Polish; as an ice breaker I waded in with "your all big Speedway fans in Poland yeah? - Tomas Gollob ?..she looked at me completely clueless.

I presented a plan for the sport two years ago; Rob had a copy and its all in there what we need to do; including switch to 6 man teams; merger of leagues then split north/south. 8 man squads; centralised contracts to allow one marquee rider at each club. Individual track championships; return of Golden Helmet match race. 3 team tournament to bring local fans into tracks from local rivals. We have to be prepared to take a step back; re-group at our most sustainable level (Premier) and change. If something aint working you just dont carry on regardless you do something about it. Doing nothing as usual; is no longer an option.

Blooming heck that knocks our 140 mile round trip from Bradford right out the boundary. What a gesture sure everyone at the EWR will welcome you warmly. Have a safe trip up.

Good god am on again! You know the more I consider this and the more; the general state of facilities at speedway tracks is a factor. Look at Glasgow this season after; its I will grant you money no object makeover. Attendances up massively compared to recent seasons and thriving. We need a lottery win!; promise when me numbers come up your going t'best night out at speedway you've ever had.

Rightly or wrongly; a set race night in the week for all tracks say; PL Friday and EL Monday. That said my personal view is that the two leagues need to merge at the strongest level at this time. This is the Premier League; and regionalise North and South to cut down expenses for everyone. It may also have the effect of improving attendances at tracks. There can still be a combined Knock Out Cup tournament for instance. What about 3-Team meetings where Scunthorpe hosted Sheffield and Belle Vue in the same meeting; would that boost the attendance at all three tracks. Bring back the Golden/Silver Helmet match races and when it is on the card promote it properly. Have a draft system for riders and not as much emphasis on averages to determine team strengths. Reduce the incidence of guest riders and rider replacements with...6 rider teams but 8 rider squads; like I have said before Scunthorpe have a rider like Nicolai Klindt as the No7 stands in when the Scorps No1 is out. So Klindt is our rider; and No8 Matt Williamson who we can promote up when required. The point here is that we have to be prepared for Speedway to take a step back or into the unknown for it to move forward. If that means that the Elite boys (as Tai has done) cut the UK league out of their calendar for now then we have to accept that. But I bet the UK league will still be competitive and will gradually strengthen again. Also it will bring on the younger UK riders; cutting the reliance on expensive European riders. UK Speedway has to be prepared to make some brave decisions; but if it has the guts then it can have the glory. foamy; another point I have previously touched on a central agency say BSPA; with the aid of Sky TV money sign up say a troop of 20+ top riders and then draft them to the each of the clubs in the merged UK League. This would help for instance Scunthorpe cope with financially with say; Antonio Lindback (example only) riding as their marquee rider. Each club is allocated a marquee rider from the pool and part of the marquee riders role is to promote the sport at the track they are allocated to. Not all of the expense of that rider rests with the club; the BSPA run the 20+ rider pool in the interests of the sport as a whole. All other riders are under contract to the club. It may be that the rider pool is made up of non Grand Prix riders; but if we had the likes of Lindback; Laguta brothers; Vaculik; etc..in the pool they would be exciting additions at every club.

gustix; sorry I cannot help you on the stock cars; but I am aware that Scunthorpe FC have an average crowd; I would guess of around 3000-3500; I think it was around the 4000 mark when I was there with Bradford City last season. We took around 500 to Glanford Park end of last season. Another thought I had; and this I know is based on there being a future; but I wonder about the merits of a season ticket for the speedway?. I know this is massively off the scale; but at Bradford City we had approx. 7000 season ticket holders. We have just run the #149 campaign; offering season tickets at £149 the cheapest in the Football League result 18000 season ticket holders!. Now I know this cannot be translated to Scunthorpe Speedway; but there might be something in offering a season ticket option where you get a benefit of 1-2 meetings free; and where possible the odd incentive; also say a family season ticket. Or how about a monthly ticket; where you could buy three meetings get one free; particularly where you want to encourage newbies to dip their toes in so to speak at the beginning of the season. I do think there may be some mileage in a multi-meeting ticket of some sort. At Odsal we had the 150 Club; it was limited to 150 members; cost £150 and we got various incentives; like free programme; access to the riders before the meeting; a monthly get together with the clubs directors Bob & Allan Ham; stadium car parking above the pits area; invitation to the end of season dinner; we got to view from the infield; and allowed to film the racing and have photo's with the team. We also got into the press and practice day pre-season; all these little things help build the relationship between the club; the management; riders and fans. One thing I will give Hammy he involved us and he was always after our views and opinions. Even went as far as we go out scouting riders! - come back from Long Eaton raving about Glen Doyle; next news?- Hammy's telling us he's signed him up!. That's what I call connecting with fans. Sometimes its not always policy to create an elitist members club; but if it helps the club along then that's for the good. Bit defeatist Skidda ? Here's another In 1987; we were going under at Bradford no mistake. We ended up at a meeting with Eric Boothroyd; Allan & Bob Ham, Terry Warren to drop just a few names. Eric laid it on the line; the fall out from the Carter tragedy was that the crowds had plummeted and speedway was no longer sustainable at Odsal. Pretty much as Rob has done they came to the supporters and asked if we could help. That night the idea of the 150 Club emerged; and they literally passed the hat around. By the end of the evening we had become quasi directors of Bradford Speedway; handing over a cheque for three grand; alongside numerous other speedway nuts. I think by the time the meeting ended the club was saved and pledges were up to 25-30K!. Again elitist members clubs are not always the best way to go; but lets say we had 25 of us with a grand apiece. Would that help.

This is very very worring indeed; and you have to feel for Rob and the management team; who put the heart and sole into Scunthorpe Speedway. But realistically I just cannot see where the 200 extra fans are going to come from between now and the 31 August and that makes it all the more worrying. There is no doubt that we are seeing week in week out some of the best speedway action on these shores served up at the EWR; and yet that is not enough to get enough regular fans through the turnstile to safeguard the tracks future. I have said before on this forum; the fact that the Scorpions are propping up the Premier League; this season is not a big deal for me; as I am there and appreciate a hammer and tongs; down to the wire match; where we may end up losing. But for non diehards the team has to be winning and challenging it would seem. Every home meeting is a round trip from Bradford of 130 miles for us. We lost speedway in West Yorkshire nearly twenty years ago and there's no chance of any revival anytime soon. When Bradford closed we spent some time in the "wilderness" as speedway fans; having been regulars since the 1970's. It was Scunthorpe Speedway that brought us back to the sport regularly five or so years ago. One Friday we just said lets go to Scunny; and we loved the track; the team and Robs honest approach to running the club. We we're hooked again. To think of not being able to leave work on a Friday and head down the M62 to Scunny is a sad thought; but we are probably a rare breed to have adopted Scunthorpe as our home team 65 miles away!. We have followed the team up and down the country as well since we got the bug back; so trust me there is something worth fighting for as far as we are concerned. Really we should be the icing on the cake in terms of supporters; because the core support should be from Scunthorpe and surrounding. That said I am still perplexed where all the speedway fans down the M62 corridor have disappeared to?. I suppose the answer is with the loss of Bradford; Halifax and Hull; nigh on two generations have never been to a speedway meeting so this has been very damaging for the sport as a whole. Some children have grown up never knowing what the sport is all about. Look around you at speedway meetings; even at Cardiff this weekend I would estimate that over 50% must have been middle aged. Correct me if you think that's wrong by all means. Certainly when I scan the Scunthorpe crowd; that appears to be the case and it may be higher than 50%. There are just not enough young people engaged with speedway and that's despite having some really talented motorcyclists and likeable guys out there on the track. Unlike football they are dedicated, approachable; personable and knowledgeable about their sport. You would think that young people would buy into that and be attracted to a sport where you can literally rub shoulders with your hero's. Poor attendances are not a Scunthorpe only problem; a look in at any track during the week will evidence that the sport is in decline. Speedway happens because of the dedication of people like Rob; who (like us) still remember the halcyon days of the 70's-80's when a 5000 crowd on a Saturday night at the Shay was not uncommon. Back then your local speedway was likely to be situated close to the town centre. Just think for a minute about all the tracks that have been lost from towns up and down the land. Many were in fairly established stadiums; that although dated; were sited close to where the support lived. Contrast to now; where most speedway tracks have been forced out into the fields; Scunthorpe is just one example. Look the EWR is a credit to Rob and the management team; but the amenities are fairly basic. For me as a speedway fan; I can get over that; for us its about the racing; the team; the riders. But for floating fans they just don't "get it" like we do; so the fact that there is precious little seating or covered accommodation might be a factor; and the racing as great as it is; may not be enough of a pull for some folks. Have a look at American baseball; it plays to packed houses and basically all it is; is rounder's. But its not just the baseball fans turn up for; its the eats; the drinks and social side. If you look at the crowd; you will see that some fans are not even watching the game. Yet it plays to thousands. I recently went along to Kinsley Greyhound Track near Pontefract for nights racing. Years ago I had a look at Kinsley dog track for a potential speedway track and nearly got run out of town by the then owner!. But I was back a couple of weeks ago; and the attendance was higher than we get at the EWR definitely. I am no greyhounds fan; but the night was fairly enjoyable; we went in two coaches from the football club. We probably stuck extra 100 on the gate; that included many local residents. It was £10 in and with that we had a free bet; free drink and a meal (that was half decent to be fair). Excuse me; as I am writing as I am thinking; but I know there is a darn sight more on offer from a nights speedway at Scunthorpe than a night at the Greyhounds; yet the locals at Kinsley seem to be buying what's on offer. They know they can go there; have a beer; bet and meal; its sociable more than anything; but comfortable whilst your there. As I say this is not a dig at the facilities at the EWR; but I am sure you see the point. Can we be offering more in the way of facilities a place to hang out at?. I know that this is looking to a future that we may not have; but if we had one; then I would be having a word with Scunthorpe FC and seeing if any of the fixtures and fittings out of Glanford Park could be taken up to the EWR. Certainly replace the seating opposite the start gate; and could we nab a Stand or part of one ?. Plus anything else that might be recycled and can be used to enhance the facilities at the speedway. Just an idea; and sure that someone might already have thought of that. Back to the speedway; the team this year was very much set up to entertain; and we think it has definitely delivered on that front. But it has not been a winning team and that's possibly why the locals have not bought into it. That said we have been right out of any sort of luck; Josh out; Ryan out; David Howe out of it from the word go?. Defeats home and away and bottom of the league all convey the opposite of what we want to say I suppose; yet the racing has been superb. Also moving on favourites like Birko and Tommy Gun; although that may be a lesser consideration. I could go on and on; about the structure of the sport and how we might revive its fortunes. For me we are where we are; and letting it disappear is not an option; I think we all have to back those people like Rob and the team who put everything into making the show go on week in week out. I have written at length on this forum about speedways future; and I believe we have to be prepared to change and re-launch the product at its most sustainable level. Right now I see that as the Premier League; and preferably on a regionalised basis. Bring more variation into each tracks race programme. Look at what is going on around the speedway on race days; particularly hospitality and facilities. The presentation; the relationship of riders and spectators, and the branding of the league and the clubs to give clear identity. Perhaps I have gone on long enough for now; but all we can do is keep backing the team and hoping that the local people in Scunthorpe and surrounding see enough value in Scunthorpe Speedway between now and 31 August 2015. Come on guy's if we can care enough to make it a 140 mile round trip to back the Scorpions surely you can roll out of bed and get your backsides trackside and Save YOUR Speedway!. I can assure you of this YOUR A LONG TIME GONE. Just another thought; does someone want send this to the Scunthorpe Telegraph; along with other contributions on this thread; as part of a rallying call to folks in Scunny to wake up before its too late. As fact is those 200 folks we need to get through the turnstile like as not; wont stray onto this forum; meaning we are actually preaching to the converted.

Absolutely; look this is one result like I said Tommys zero score is not characteristic we all know these things happen. Look at the Sky meet Peterborough v Glasgee Nick Morris had a bad night for him. It happens; I am sure we're far from throwing in the towel. Once we have Josh and Ryan its a different game. What did Theo, Alex and Wilko do wrong really yesterday ? Not a lot for me as they got acceptable returns. But you cannot hold Diamonds at Rough with three men scoring. And no disrespect to Nike and Ben who have both got what it takes for me. But minus two top men and TGun on an off night thats hard work. I referred to it being a 1972 score: but thats not meaning we are back to Quibell daze; jezz no we got some blooming good racers in this team. But what we aint got right now is luck!. Its concerning to think that our very existence is on a knife edge. But respect fully management have to make proper business decisions. Your right we dont need folk coming on here talking Scunny down. I never do that; I enjoy my Friday nights and would miss it for sure. Scunny has and continues to serve up some top notch action. For me its not all about winning; I want to see great Speedway and the team; management and track have been delivering in that regard. I am just as much interested in seeing the team fight their way up the league to the end of the season as I would be watching us win. We dont want the wooden spoon. Thats why I have already put Newcastle behind and onto Redcar Thursday. Keep backing the team; up the Scorps and absolutely we are worth saving chin up.

By purist I am meaning that; that someone looking from a purely racing perspective the team has produced some entertainment; certainly at the EWR. But your right to question the efforts tonight on the evidence of this gubbing. Tommy Gun's zero return is as uncharacteristic as it is helpful. Personally I too do not claim to know the riders; but I reckon I know that they will be as unhappy with it as you or I may be. Again you cannot loose Josh and Ryan and get away with it; I am sure that the management have weighed things up when deciding to make do and mend until they are back. But for sure it damages business at the gate when folks want to see a competitive team home and away.

I don't think they're an embarrassment; we have seen some darn good racing out this team; at the EWR at least. But it was set up for putting results "on the brink"; and thereby be entertaining. For me it is more a purist team; which of course does not get the same response from the punters that a winning team might necessarily do. But more than that; the team is minus arguably its two star performers in Ryan and Josh and we cannot really cover them with guests/rider replacement. It is a concern that with no home meeting until 10 July the crowd could suffer. Alas I could see Ryan; drawing a line under this year (just a personal view) and Josh just making it back but into August and by then the season will be all but over. The team was set up to entertain and it would have; but when your lucks out its out.

We have been gubbed good n proper tonight. Reminiscent of the Saints 1972 ! by Heat13 its 19-58! Redcar Thurs is the Battle of the Wooden Spoon!

Thats end a that then.

Would this work rather than running with a guest rider?. Simply allow the team minus a top rider due to injury; to start the meeting on +his average. So last night Scunny start on 8 Glasgow 0 and Scunny then bring in a No8 say Matt Williamson. We promote Lunna into the team. So Glasgows task is to ride down our +8 start. This way we field a genuine Scunny 1-7 and the need to include guests at every turn is lessened. If you think about it the whole premise for building a team is based on numbers on paper not on the track.So its not incomprehensible that a team losing a top man be permitted to start with a points "loader" equivalent to his average. Its up to that team to defend those points and the opposition to chase it down. That may add a bit of extra spice to meetings As well as giving No8s experience.

Rob said we were done over by Glasgee using Covatti as a guest for Sargeant and so it proved. Covatti's 10pt return as Tigers came out 47-42 was essentially the difference. That said Scorps did give it a right old go especially Nike Lunna in his opening rides. Two wins and having a blast on the outside line. But he came off big style in Heat11 in an alarming turn2 spill!. Bikes n bits all over the place as Nike went for the gap in the pack into turn2 lap1 that suddenly shut on him! Bike spectacularly shears off over the fence. My concern was for Nick Morris who was hit from behind. But some how both riders walked away!. Nikes a great talent; thats clear but hes gotta weigh up things a bit before making that move. Cannot fault any of the Scorps all chipped in and made it hard for the would be Champions. Jacobsen could not repeat his last EWR form that got him the booking alas. So thats where we lacked a bit in response to Tigers for whom Lawson was imperious on an unbeaten 15pt max. David Howe was clearly feeling his way back into it and it was a odd situation to make his return. But theres no rancour from the Scorps support and he goes to Tigers with thanks and best wishes. Rob made that very clear; his beef was with the guest for Sargeant that reneged the agreement he had with Tigers. There was a daft incident in Heat12 all 4 at tapes Summers bike plays up. He pulls away drops bike centre green and runs back to pits for second bike ON 2 MINS!. Count down on with 30secs left on his way back to tapes appears to make it; but Lawson brings another bike up to the tapes for Summers? Exclusion siren on! Summers exc two mins; bit of delay Summers now off 15metres. Well no on comes Scorps club man Rick Hollingsworth to tell Summers he was never excluded! So all 4 back to tapes ???.Ref clearly excluded Summers but then said the siren was to end the two mins and send Lawson (who brought out the third bike for Summers) from the track. Keep up because I'm lost ! Anyway Wilko and Willy slammed in a 5-1 to cut the defecit to one point 35-36 with three heats to go. Thing now is no racing until 10 July! at Scunny which cannot be ideal if you want to retain interest amongst the floating support. Crowd was up slightly last night for me; and a bit of atmosphere and support getting behind the team. Fact; we cant have Josh and Ryan out and not miss them. But you got to give credit to the rest of them for battling through this injury crisis. Once Josh and Ryan are back we will be a different proposition make no mistake about that!. On to Worky and keep the faith.

It will mean a ban for Greg; but will it take immediate effect ?; hope it doesn't because I want to see them both at Cardiff in two weeks. Ramps that a notch or two if they're both riding. Whilst we don't like to see it; folks outside of speedway are all talking about Hancock "clothes lining" Pedersen. Talksport with Goughie and Ian Danter had this on the Heads Gone ! feature yesterday afternoon and then Goughie revealed he's going to have a go on a Speedway bike soon !. So look out for that; reckoned he had always wanted to have a go; and thinks he can skid it ?. So whilst we don't condone it by any means and there will be repercussions for Greg; any publicity is GOOD PUBLICITY as the Grand Showman Johnnie Hoskins would tell you.

Well I wish Howie all the best and thank him for all he has done for Scunny down the years. There was something brewing as it had all gone suddenly quiet. We have to move on; you can betcha he will be wanting to remind us of what we are going to be missing. Smart business by Glasgee; hope Jakobsen reproduces the same form he showed last month for Rye at Scunny. Looks a belter this one folks.

Everyone's writing their list for Santa it seems.... I don't think its that simple though because we surely have to have some form of 'change' to the British Speedway format for 2015. I will comeback to this during the winter. But all things being equal; it really is dead simple at the EWR Dear Santa 'promise to be a good' please can we have. 'Rocket Man' - David Howe ' Flying' Ryan Douglas 'Action Man' Josh Auty Tommy 'The Gun' Jorgensen 'Captain Fantastic' Ashley Birks Plus two 'suprises' Cheers Santa. If you can find five better Scorpions at PL level AND with the ability to up their game further - then you know better than me. Nicolai Klindt as a non Scunthorpe asset will likely depart. Leaving us two to find. But this assumes we are looking at the same 'league structure' as we have now. Somehow me thinks that may not be the case when the tapes go up on 2015.

Ash on the gas ! what a brilliant meeting this grew into. Rob started out apologising to the sponsors in the club bar; for the lack of passing and then the meeting turned into a truly great advert for all that is good in speedway. Theo Pijper was absolutely superb; and showed yet again what an astute signing he is. His Heat13 dog fight with the Comets Howarth/Hansen pair was worth the admission alone; Comets out 5-1; but Theo works the dirt on the outside and eventually at the end of the Lap3 has almost drawn alongside the Comets. Then into Lap4 squeeeeezes down the narrowest of gaps up to the fence to hit the front on Turn 3-4 and steals over the line. Theo's not just a speedway rider; he is a quality motorcyclist; uses his head when riding and is safe in all race situations. Just watch how Theo rides into Turn1 at Scunny he takes that corner better than any rider I watch and is quickly into the race from there. Theo came to us late and if I recall; he might not have intended racing a full season this year. But he answered our call; and he as become a real Scunthorpe favourite. But that was not all; Alex Davies going through the pain barrier; was down again in Heat6 when he shed a chain; but threw off the aches and pains to win a titanic Heat8 battle riding neck and neck with Comets Matty Wethers. "Thunder Davies" superbly switched from the outside to the inside for the right line to take Wethers on Turn1 Lap3. Wethers put everything into the heat; but Alex was that bit more determined. Absolutely thrilling action; and rightly had Rob by then was enthusiastically describing the action centre field; and the crowd (although granted small) responding well; the riders rightly enjoying taking the plaudits and saluting the crowd. Rob has not been usual affable self on the centre green of late; but the old enthusiasm was there last night. When he can he should stick with it because the crowd feed off it and the riders too. It can bring the meeting to life. Ashley Birks looked different class; and what an inspired choice of guest - 15 point maxiumum and he showed that Rob was right to bring our ex-captain Birks back. Ash was on the gas from the off; and was clearly determined to let no one down. Had you wishing that he was still on the team; but we are where we are. Certainly will have earned himself another call-up to aid our injury crisis. Rob; hinted at decisions needing to be made about next season and surely more nights like last night might make a decision to carry on at the EWR that bit easier. Big thanks to the management; and riders for serving up a great nights speedway; with no hold ups' or delays; a Scorpions win and EVERYONE HOME SAFE. That's what it is all about.

Not great news on Ryan 4-6 weeks blooming de-rails his season that. Alex riding thru't pain barrier! We might be stretched using r/r; definitely better with a No1; but sure Ash will be on the gas and we will give it a go. Reserves; and Alex being race competative despite his bumps and bruises will be key.

Am I not liking what I am reading. If Speedway cannot sort its own house out; then there needs to be an independent enquiry into the whole operation of the sport before its too late. This has to take in rider safety as its No1 priority. Reading that Wilko has supposedly pulled out the meeting when his only bike blew up ? cannot think that this would have happened back in the day. Remembering when we used to wheel out the track spare at Odsal/Halifax if a rider had no bike. Or perish the thought your team mate lent you his!. I know the expense of these bikes these days might make you reluctant to loan a bike to a team mate. But this is supposed to be what we are A TEAM. I hope I am wrong; because I am not there and don't know first hand; but for someone who still actually believes in this sport; its disappointing to have to read it.