Vulcan62

'Is it safe'

I think it happened in the 70's when Leicester travelled to Belle Vue for a 'top of the table clash'. Belle Vue hadn't lost at home for ages but Leicester were leading 37-35 with one race to go. Heat 13 was stopped after a crash, with one of the home team excluded. A fracas ensued which ended up with most of the riders and mechanics etc. involved, along with various other people. The referee proceeded to exclude the other riders under the two minute rule and declared the meeting over! I wasn't there myself but I wish I had been. I believe there are differing versions as to why the last race didn't happen but the result was definitely 37-35 to Leicester.

Crashed at Peterborough tonight. Withdrew from the rest of the meeting.

I think the best chance of getting the refunds finally paid out is if Leicester race against Poole on Monday, get a good crowd and are able to 'bank' a bit of cash.

I've been watching speedway for over 40 years and tonight was the first time I have ever left before the end of the main meeting. A combination of getting stuffed and getting covered in clouds of dust from about the 4th or 5th heat made our minds up to go home. On a positive note the changes to the track appear to have made a difference, unfortunately tonight it meant that when we actually gated in front, the Lakeside riders were more able to get by!

City's last home game is May 7th and the new season starts in early August so at least 11 Saturdays where there isn't a clash. As for people working, as I said it was a compromise so there would be some gains and some losses. Anyway it's better than no Speedway at all and that appears to be where we could be heading!

Would a compromise be running on Saturdays but with a 3pm start time? I know there are issues with racing in the daytime e.g. keeping moisture in the track, but if it meant the top riders had more time to get to their flights to Poland, it might work for one season. The sun would be higher so no breaks while it dropped below the fence, more time for junior racing after the meeting.

A little optimistic me thinks! We might catch Wolves and possibly Lakeside but that depends a lot on what happens tonight. With their normal team I think we would beat Lakeside easily but with their guests it could well be a lot closer. Regarding next year, this week's Speedway Star reports that the transfer of Jason Doyle to Leicester has been shelved as the two clubs couldn't agree on a fee and that he is struggling with the busy schedule with home meetings on Saturdays. If this is true, a lot could therefore depend on if he qualifies for next year's GP's and wants to move away from a British Saturday night track. Personally, I would prefer to stay with Saturday night racing and if that means Premier League then so be it.

So when is the real statement coming out?

Boston - great little track and fantastic food, especially the mushy peas with mint sauce. My brother used to go just to have 5 or 6 helpings. That was one long journey home to Leicester!

Just imagine what crowds we would get if the track was even half decent! I only really went tonight to use my ticket from the Poole home match but seriously considering not bothering going again until something is done to the awful track. If only I lived a bit closer to Scunthorpe or Peterborough.....

Many years ago I was on holiday down south and managed to persuade the other half to visit Poole - which was a miracle. Probably bribed her with a visit to an old castle the next day! Anyway, I can't remember who the visitors were but I do remember one of the home team (Craig Boyce I think) doing a practice start and not noticing that the tractor had just gone by him, he ended up on top of the attachment that the tractor was pulling round. Very funny at the time especially watching him trying to extricate himself!

If anything the racing is even worse than last season. The Elite riders just don't make the same amount of mistakes as in the Premier League and as that is practically the only time anyone can overtake, nearly every race is over by the end of the second bend. The racing is fast and furious and for some that appears to be enough, but it could and should be so much better.

A few thoughts.... Firstly, I have been to most of the Leicester home meetings since the return and followed them at Blackbird Road in the so called 'good old days'. 1. The new track isn't as consistently bad as some make out, neither is it as good as some others say. I went to Scunthorpe twice last season and on both occasions the action was much better than we usually get yet the locals said that they were, by their standards, poor meetings. 2. About half way through last season the track surface appeared to change and a wider racing line was created. For a few weeks there was some good racing but then the standard appeared to drop back. I personally thought the Coventry meeting was pretty good but others disagreed. The small changes to the track made little if any difference. 3. I have said before on here that part of the problem is that the announcers etc at the track keep telling us how wonderful the racing is when it obviously isn't. At the moment there are enough people still going who don't know any different or are just happy to see any speedway, to keep the crowds at a reasonable level. How long this lasts I don't know however some that I have spoken too are happy to be so close to the action that they don't mind about the lack of passing. 4. There was a photo taken of the track from the air and it looks just like someone has drawn a 'classic' shaped track. It is when you look at overhead shots of other, better racetracks that you see the difference in shape. 5. I'm looking forward to the new season and hope that the higher standard of rider will improve the action, but I'm not holding my breath. Hopefully if crowds do start to dwindle then some real changes will be made before it's too late. We have waited so long for a new track and know so well what it is like not to have one that we desperately want this one to be around for many years to come. I have no hidden agenda, I just want to support my team for many years to come. Rant over

Did anyone ask Alun Rossiter what the improvements were that he mentioned when interviewed before the start of the meeting? Maybe someone of his experience might actually be taken notice of by the powers that be.