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Fortythirtyeight

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Posts posted by Fortythirtyeight


  1. 1 hour ago, iainb said:

    I seem to remember it also impacting Lakeside? Is Rob Godfrey the man to preside over the most track closures in his tenure?

    Lakeside were never granted Friday as a primary race night , they were supposed to be Saturdays but Cook arranged as many fixtures as possible on his preferred Friday dates which caused the fixture congestion . This was when fixtures were arranged between individual promoters and not a central source so no one cottoned on to what he had done till the fixtures were published and it caused major issues.

    • Thanks 1

  2. 18 hours ago, IronScorpion said:

    Absolutely false. The Friday night pecking order is Edinburgh, Scunthorpe, Glasgow & Redcar.

    The sad demise of Workington was caused through their late start in putting a team together which meant paying higher than normal wages. Their brilliant season, winning the treble, also, was a high price to pay in wages & towards the end of the season when there was a lot of meetings to squeeze in to a small time frame, punters picked & chose their meetings.

    The Godfrey saga was based on being unable to find guests when teams changed from their normal race night to fit in a Friday night meeting.

    You are wrong.

    Godfrey moved Scunthorpe to a Friday , from Sunday’s , at the same time Glasgow demanded to move to a Friday and Workington asked to move to Fridays. Redcar were moved to a Friday to accommodate the Thursday night Premiership only regulation, Fridays being their alternative race night anyway. As Workington weren’t at the AGM you can work out the result of who got what as there were too many applicants for Friday nights.

    Godfrey and Glasgow were on the top table so Workington were told ‘ no ‘.

    • Like 2

  3. 13 minutes ago, 1 valve said:

    Is there is any “TV Money” actually paid directly to the clubs these days? The big money disappeared when Sky moved on after which, the benefit has been diluted down mainly to “TV exposure”. Better than nothing but not something big enough to attract new clubs to the Premiership? 
     

     The last ‘TV’deal was only a fraction of the SKY funds and even when SKY paid up then Premiership clubs took the majority stake leaving only a few grand for the championship clubs .

    No club should be relying on payouts to help them run these days .


  4. 5 minutes ago, Falcon1983 said:

    You would need a panel selected unfortunately by the BSPL maybe 3 people minimum and hope it's done fairly with no hidden agendas for their club benefits

    Or a rule base of if your average is between 2 figures you're category D for example

    I think whole average system to build teams just doesnt work anymore and it's so open to foul play 

    ‘Done fairly with no hidden agendas ‘…..that’s the BSPL buggered then.

    Only an independent body with no ties to any club can give speedway any credibility back as regards a rule book.

    • Like 1

  5. On 10/23/2021 at 11:13 AM, barrybishop said:

    Going back to the NDL and its rider developmentsuccess or failure - for me there needs to be a clear distinction of what success means. For example, there are riders who will always make it regardless (Gilks, Brennan, Edwards, Bewley, Lambert, Pallin), those that enter the NL on 3.00 and leave on 9 plus.. they would have made it regardless of the league structures or if there was only second halves after main meetings and amateur meetings available to them.

    For me success or failure of the NDL is whether those riders who perhaps have to work a bit harder (I dont know a different phrase for this and I am not suggesting that those who will make it regardless have not or do not work extremely hard for their success and indeed I am sure it always contributes to it), for example here Danny Ayres, Ben Morley, Alfie Bowtell, where participating in the National league really made a huge difference to them and was probably the only way the made it to higher leagues.

    Can we say in 2021 any middle order riders at the start of the league are now able to make the step up? This is where the NDL should really come in to its own for rider development in my view, for riders like Spooner, Verge, Coles to really give them the step up they need to Championship but also a "challenging" cushion in the NDL for confidence and experience. And the only other option is to have a properly MDL/NJL formated and enforced second teams to run, without fail, after every league meeting by every UK club. 

    Interesting points but if your suggestion that every club should run ‘ second teams ‘ next year just where are the clubs to find these riders ?

    British Youth Championship field isn’t the size of pre 2019 levels especially youth 500 level ( less than 6 riders ) Amateur meeting entries are down at the few tracks that run them ( 3 or 4 tops?) especially in the youth and 125 categories on pre COVID years, half of the entrees aren’t upto safe ‘ racing ‘ standards ( not decrying them but some are old timers just having a ride , others are complete novices who can’t slide around a complete corner ). There simply isn’t enough competent new riders to make up such teams and there’s been no new flow of kids getting on speedway bikes in the last two years for obvious reasons.

    whilst a structured third tier is essential, let’s be realistic about how many new riders are taking up the sport….very, very few.

    • Like 3

  6. 18 hours ago, Diamonds85 said:

    British speedway desperately needs to get the likes of Thorsell, Lindgren, Zagar, Doyle, Milik back into the country... These are the types of riders the top league should have. Realistically we aren't gonna get Zmarzlik or Sayfutdinovs of the world... But a top league full of the names previously mentioned, would be really nice to see...

    Fricke, Lambert, Woffinden, Lebedevs... All these big names who are no more in this country... It's very sad to see.

    Totally wrong. The state of British speedway at this current time means they can’t afford to bring such riders in even if those riders wished to come. Those riders aren’t here because they chase the money and there’s none left in the UK.

    When Somerset signed Jason Doyle , world champion at the time, it added exactly zero to their gate receipts and created a massive hole in their wages budget. A recipe for disaster ? the club never recovered and where are they now !

    • Like 3

  7. 30 minutes ago, IronScorpion said:

    Everybody else would have had a chance if they had shown an interest to the BSP Ltd & Jake himself.

    Rider ‘ ownership ‘ is a controversial subject. All riders are self employed and therefore legally free to work for who they wish, speedway is running an outdated system which, if legally challenged , would be thrown out. Never seen the point in ‘ owning ‘ riders you don’t intend to use even if you class them as club ‘ assets ‘ , which is only in place so the BSPL can rake in some funds if you go bust. Whilst some senior clubs literally own dozens of riders contracts and therefore assets, most of them will have retired or never going to be used by the owning club just used to bring in loan fees.


  8. 20 minutes ago, Ian68 said:

    Not been announced but scunny have bought his contract i might be jumping to conclusions 

    Buying a riders contract means very little these days. Charles Wright is owned by Poole and has been for several years but has never ridden for them, just means Godfrey can collect loan fees if he doesn’t use him.

    • Like 2

  9. Your team was only 12 points down with 5 heats to go so still a chance of a win, but you left. You would have missed some incredible meetings if you did that at Redcar recently. Watching only two thirds of a meeting doesn’t seem right, wether you paid or not ( you have no choice in that ) when your team can still win and support can make a difference.

    Your choice, but not one I would make, see it through no matter what the result.


  10. On 9/21/2021 at 9:35 AM, Sings4Speedway said:

    Im not saying they would / will i said hypothetically.  Ben is dissallusioned with the BSPL and would be an opportunity to have a strong say in how things are run and improve the future.

    Totally pointless exercise till there’s anything to join, a structured league not just an idea.

    • Like 1

  11. 36 minutes ago, Lewis said:

    Final match of the season, thought I would go even though we had no chance of a win, pretty cold and we didn't stand a chance with that team so I left at heat 10. 1 heat leader vs 4 heat leaders, my prediction post match was 38-52, was secretly hoping Lambo would come to the party and we would run them close, Palin would ride above expectation etc, nope, didn't happen :)

    Good luck in the rest of the play offs Leicester, you have a good team and beat us fair and square every time this season.

    Left after heat 10?
    what a true fan you are.

    Win or lose, support your team.

    • Like 3

  12. 1 hour ago, Sings4Speedway said:

    It would certainly be nice to see a Nora league in operation next year. Run alongside other host events that suit the individual tracks and with a format that benefits all involved. Hypothetically IOW, Oxford, Eastbourne, Buxton, Mildenhall and Redcar? Could even be the return of a few "ghost" teams like Cradley or Reading. It doesn't have to be too over the top serious but about providing good honest balanced racing and entertainment whilst offering track time to riders who benefit from it. 

    Im not picking on any teams listed or releasing any details as i know of nothing confirmed just using examples. It could even be run alongside the BSPL rather than directly in competition as i know of no reason why events from two governing bodies cannot run at the same venue as they have already done at Scunthorpe.

    Why would the likes of Redcar want to join Nora when they already successfully stage speedway at championship and amateur level plus , practice sessions, dirt track, flat track, private hire, hire bikes , trikes, and anything else that cares to utilise a speedway track?


  13. 7 hours ago, Berry9 said:

    Oh dear 4038, I fear you may need a trip to Spec savers, you obviously didn't read my post correctly.  I don't recall making disparaging remarks about the quality of the track preparation or the racing.  I was merely pointing out that it appears that it is prepared without the Input of the home riders.  I made my assumption due to the fact that unlike you my eyes do not deceive me as I saw members of the team pointing out to Jonathan Swales from the pit wall where they wanted the track altered throughout the meeting.  I was pointing out that it would be a good idea to have the track to their liking before racing commenced and not during the proceedings.  As for a home track advantage, I think it's rather essential when almost every other team enjoy it especially Leicester who only grade the inside line and they were the opposition after all. Finally let's discuss Newcastle and their home advantage.... did Jonathan Swales ever curate their track?, I don't know, you tell me

    The riders are at the track over 2 hours before the meeting starts , some even more. Do you think they don’t talk to the track curator ? Just because you saw riders pointing doesn’t mean they were pointing out any specific ‘issues’ or where they ‘ wanted the track altered ‘, it’s quite normal that riders and track curators chat during a meeting and everyone has an opinion on how they would like it but it’s a club decision on track issues and it’s preparation and weather conditions come into play. Redcar have very rarely had any home track advantage especially as for the last 4 years they have had great track curators.

    As for Newcastle it’s the shape that gives an advantage not the surface.

    • Like 2

  14. 18 hours ago, Berry9 said:

    Redcar really do need to sort the track out before heat one,  it is so obvious to home supporters that the track preparation is affecting the teams performances, it's akin to scoring own goal every match.  Right now the home advantage is virtually non existent and even Jake Allen took to the centre green last night to have a dig about it.  I think Jamie Swales prepares a great looking  racing surface but I wonder if the team have any input beforehand, last night we were treated a wonder wheel extravaganza throughout the meeting that eventually altered the racing line just in time to salvation point

    Another keyboard track curator with no credentials telling an experienced and highly regarded track man how to do his job. One rider out of 14 makes a comment, after he s had a very bad night and all of a sudden the track is crap ? A track that produces top class racing week in and week out and gets rave revues from both home and away riders every week. We have a team of racers who, unfortunately can’t seem to gate to save their lives, it makes for fantastic ‘ speedway ‘ hence why we have such a healthy crowd but if you want a home track advantage, go to Newcastle !

    • Like 1

  15. 41 minutes ago, Justgotmecpc said:

    Yeah the 2nd part of the paragraph

    Then you surely mean ‘ former Peterborough promoter ‘ who watches at Redcar as he’s never had any formal connection to the Redcar club and neither has previous Newcastle promoter Phillips.

    I doubt ‘ The Gedfather ‘ of Peterborough has the funds to get involved again without a major backer like he had down south and from what I’ve heard of the current Brough Park landlords he wouldn’t want to get involved with such restrictions in place, and that’s supposing the landlords actually want speedway back.

    • Like 1

  16. 9 minutes ago, Teromaafan said:

    Never like having to operate R/R, particularly away. I think that Lions will do well to get a point against a strong Bears team. Zaine Kennedy's performance will be key here and will most likely be taking three of the R/R rides and Jack Thomas will have to take all of his programmed rides. Our big guns will subsequently need to be bang on it to keep us in the contest.

    The only team Bears have scored heavily against at home has been Plymouth , every team likes riding at Redcar and most have gained a point or come lose to wining only for the Bears to pull it out of the bag in the last race. I expect the same in this match.

     

     

    • Like 1

  17. 22 hours ago, TotallyHonestJohn said:

    1) There has been much debate on this and not to go over old arguments Rob didn't "tear the club apart" many of the "old guard" chose to leave with the previous shower... and haven't been missed to be fare and I would be surprised if any of the fan base knew who they were other than maybe with the exception of RC... and of course not forgetting the two who remained faithful Starting Marshall Phil Day and new Clerk of the Course Brian McBean who both do a cracking job and the club has managed to run without the "suckhole squad" who used to role up and do very little except bring in half a dozen hangers on who didn't pay to get in so very little was lost with them not coming back and on RC.. it was Roy who decided to take it upon himself to denigrate Newcastle at a Redcar meeting which got back to Rob and I believe they have discussed the matter which is now closed and at the end of the day Roy can say what he wants but Rob has the right to protect his business... furthermore Roy was an on cost on the centre green which Rob decided to save upon... personally I like Roy's cheesy craic some don't he's a bit marmite but over 20 meetings in a pre-Covid normal season it is a 2k saving that could be better spent elsewhere I assume. 

    2) The food wagon does events and festivals which is Robs business... says what it does in the business name to be fair and the most recent was the Leeds Music Festival... so if you go to any of these events who knows may be... but then again I some how don't think so... you will see Grants events catering providing a service...

    At the end of the day one man owns the franchise at Newcastle and how he runs it and protects it is quite frankly down to him and no one else...

    Regards 

    THJ

    An announcer on £100 a meeting ? I think that is a major exaggeration to justify a decision . Roy does a top job, he didn’t slag Newcastle off but Granty overreacted on the say so of tittle tattle, not the first time, but as stated , it’s his club and he runs it how he wants . It’s very sad that the Diamonds look to be no more but some of the stuff put about on here in the recent past hasn’t done the club any favours. I’ll be there on Sunday to pay my respects to a historic club but the last few years , added to this years disaster, has brought about the end of speedway on Tyneside as the fans have drifted away and it’s no longer a sustainable business. That could be repeatable at a few clubs very soon, sadly.

     

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