trophykid

Very sad to see my local track go. I don’t think there’s the fan base or the desire to start somewhere else. Speedway in the U.K. is like the best cake ever, but someone’s iced it with rubbish. I fear the worst for remaining clubs.

Whilst a new, competitive engine (so far) is to be welcomed, is the way ahead regulation? I’m thinking for example, how British Superbike Racing has engine regulations and specifications to keep the racing as fair as possible (therefore entertaining) and keeping costs down. I bow to superior knowledge of course

Surely they can run on Sunday afternoons, if the lights are an issue? Stoke has great potential, a shame to see it lingering on in this way.

I think it'd be interesting to debate what realistic (!?) changes could help the sport. My own thoughts on this are: 1. Get the GP to Wembley. It'll raise the sports profile in so many ways, it would be THE prestige fixture too. It may also act as a catalyst for Speedway revival in London or the South East. 2. Cradley getting their own stadium would be a huge boost, as a famous club with a large support could help to energise the first or second level of speedway. 3. Further to the Cradley comment, can there be practical help for those who want to revive speedway in old strongholds i.e. Ellesmere Port, Long Eaton, Halifax etc. 4. Can there be a genuine governing body that'll rule for the benefit of all? The changes in the winter were the first signs of collective action - more of the same? 5. Can ITV4 (a motorsport channel) be persuaded to run a weekly highlights package? Does the BSPA have a media officer who could promote similar links? 6. Err that's it!

Not unprecedented as Sheffield and Scunthorpe had a shared team in 2011 in the NL.

The Mahindra deal for JAWA is just the use of the JAWA name in the Indian home market. Otherwise I expect JAWA will continue to operate as they normally do.

That's hard to estimate. The first PL fixture in 2011 against Sheffield had to have been Plymouth's record attendance (in my opinion). Attendances were maybe slightly higher initially. Mike Bowden wanted to take Plymouth back down to NL in the autumn of 2012 maybe because crowds weren't big enough even then? What's certain in my mind was how crowds had dropped off over 2015/16, though there was a spike during the play off run.

The Speedway Star don't want to rock the boat. A bland, propaganda magazine for the powers that be. I stopped reading it a long time ago.

If the previous promotion went into liquidation, does that mean that any debts are reduced or written off?

I'm glad this has been resolved. The local fans are quite against the prospect of NL running. The NL is a different league compared with the last time the Devils competed in it.

I sincerely hope there is good news. As much as you need your big set ups likePoole and Belle Vues etc, we need our Plymouths too. We need its eccentricity, and If Ealing studios did Speedway films...

Not moving to West Sussex may be helpful

Has anyone ever camped at the Thruxton circuit? Is it worthwhile or is there somewhere nearby that is better? Any advice greatly received.

I'd say a new stadium could be a major factor for future success. A new facility like this is always going to be an asset when trying to attract new riders. If, they can also increase their home support too, I think riders want to race in front of packed crowds. And crucially, a new stadium means new sponsors, a heightened visibility in the business community, and control of and increased revenue streams. If Belle Vue can get the best out of their new business model, then they are going to have more money for rider payment etc. It's better than nowt I suppose

Refund received in the post Saturday morning. Very relieved to see it

Can you elaborate any further? I can't see this on the Internet.

If the meeting is on, can tickets be bought on the day? Or is there a provision for a cash turnstile?

Somerset speedway is 90 miles from Plymouth speedway, so I don't think they're in direct completion due to the distance. Plymouths crowds always seemed to be better on Fridays, compared to when they ran on Saturday evenings.

I've got a feeling about Exeter amongst all of this. David Short, Allen Trump, Seemond Stephens all connected to the Falcons. A resurgent Falcons are more of a 'name' than the Devils, and with their proposed return imminent, who knows? Something just stinks about this.

When I first watched Plymouth in 2010 in the National League, the crowds looked healthy by modern standards. Last year they seemed to be smaller than the national league era. I don't know why they've lost so many fans.

Likewise here. I'm still brassed off about Saturday, but I hope to attend.

Thanks for the link. It's good to see some progress played out in the public domain.

If there is a meeting, then I will come.

I've been shouted at about this in the past on here, but I'll say it again. The student discount is a ridiculous anachronism. Let's go for a young persons discount (17-22) like many football clubs. It's more realistic and fair, and more likely to target People who will return year on year.

I'm sure that Belle Vue and Swindon can prove this, in so much as the rebuilding of football stadiums in the 90s attracted more and different types of supporters.