foamfence

I would like to ask Philip if there will ever be an online subscription version of Speedway Star?

At least they are legible.

Or spicy even.

Yes it's called "thick as pig rubbish" lotion.

It takes one etc.

And does that matter? Personally I would prefer to see this country go it's own way. I don't agree about the standard of racing in Poland or Sweden, I watched a large number of meeting from both countries last season and in the main found them pretty featureless. As for Russia hiring EU riders (I don't doubt they will), Havvy was riding there years ago.

So how do you account for the decline in Poland and Sweden, clubs have gone bankrupt and some riders have had problems being paid, the Polish top league will only have eight clubs in it in 2014? They might have big crowds compared to here, but they used to have much bigger ones a few years ago.

Do you have reason to suspect that such a motive was behind this?

It is both sad and typical that a compromise or agreement couldn't be reached, I think those riders who had committed to this should feel very aggrieved.

Why is an Anglican Bishop going to the Vatican? Are they that desperate for a new Pope?

" No one is saying he is not a fantastic rider" That is all that should concern you, It's easy to condemn.

If he murdered someone, he wouldn't get a fine would he? He would be locked up! I personally think this is becoming something of a witch-hunt by those who are jealous of his success, he still hasn't sunk to the depths of a Havelock or a Lee (and look how much they are revered these days).

He hasn't been convicted of any crime in this country and he is still a better rider than 99% of his opponents. If I make some of you wimps sick......well tough! Hope he wins plenty this season.

Possibly, but he is also currently the best rider in this country or anywhere else (with the possible exception of his buddy Chris).

I think it will probably end up downsizing, there seem to be too many tracks and riders running at a loss. I could well imagine the day when there are just a few tracks and part time riders. Despite claims to the otherwise, we have seen how Swedish and Polish clubs have gone bust or been unable to pay riders, next season Poland's top league is only going to have eight clubs in it.Obviously a lot of people won't like reading this but I can well imagine it going that way. Imagine if the GPs took in Australia and Argentina and then travelled up to the USA and maybe added a couple more European venues, that would then virtually become a full time occupation in itself.

"us"?

It's customs and immigration he has to worry about.

Yes, They can refuse entry to anyone that they have a mind to. It'll probably be a nervy walk through customs and so on for him.

It's the country you intend to visit which issues the visa (not everywhere requires them).

What you say is undeniable, but my memories of George Best and Alex Higgins was their brilliance, more than their misdemeanour's. Ward is a young fool at times, he is also the most exciting and potentially best rider that I have seen since the 50s. I hope he gets his head down and uses his seemingly limitless talent to achieve what he is obviously capable of. If he is denied the chance, Speedway will suffer at a time when exciting characters such as him would seem to be the only thing likely to draw respectable sized crowds. Yes it would be his own fault if he is restricted in where he can go.

That would certainly be our loss.

There are too many foreign riders in both leagues, most other EU countries with league racing manage to include set rules for their own riders, we should do the same. There will be a lot of guests used this year, particularly in the Elite league, it should be made compulsory that all guests are British. We need a working youth policy like in Denmark, where riders can already ride when they graduate to adult racing. Imagine how boring and gate or nothing, the Elite league would be without that great list of battlers in post #1.

DITTO.

Didn't Havvy get a years ban from Speedway for being prosecuted for cannabis possession? Lee and Courtney got prison sentences for drug offences as well, I seem to remember.

I hope he gets the necessary help to put him right, It would be a tragedy if he carried on in this way and ruined his career.