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I think we all know that Bogdanov would win the world title at a canter. But until they let the Russians back in ( soon I hope), the world champion is the top scorer in the world series. Incidentally, I'd be interested to see how the top Europeans would fare against the Russian older school like Khomitsevich, Kononov, Koltakov, Valeev etc now. Bogdanov is totally smashing them.

Why, appeared to be nothing wrong with it?

That’s scuppered that then.

New air fence is needed so that’s 20k plus for the new owner right off the bat. Apparently the current air fence shouldn’t have been used last year!

That’s the one rider I can’t stand.

I've never known so much continuous ignorance from one person... and the beauty is they'll never read this 😂

If the Lambert rumour is true then we've got 5 of the World's Top 8 (GP 2025 Standings) over here this year. That's pretty good considering we've only got 5 or 6 Teams in the Top League during these tough times. Wouldn't be to British Speedway's benefit if we were to prioritise Foreign Youngsters over our top end British Youngsters tbh. It's the higher ups job to invest in riders like Dan Thompson, Leon Flint and co. at PREM level by making sure that they aren't being left without a Team place. Polish Leagues to bring on the Young Poles and the same goes for the Swedish and Danish Leagues when it comes to Swedish and Danish Youngsters imo. The owners are already paying for the Big Names so I guess it'll be business as usual for them, Just sign whichever ones who are the most reasonable when it comes to negotiations.

Is Arenacross and Supercross the same thing? Do we just call it Arenacross over this side of the pond?

Running an event and getting engagement is what it's about and speedway could learn a lot from those types of events, although being indoors is an advantage. Arena cross as a spectacle is not for me though, all those jumps I find boring.

I'm sure the lure of riding for Laurence Rogers means that Alfie Bowtell will gladly ride for standard NDL points money and a good night's sleep afterwards in their VIP caravan!

Zmarzlik, Laguta, Lingren, Lebedevs, Lambert, Kubera, Madsen, Dudek, Vaculik are all missing from British speedway. The best youngsters aren't here either. Even if we did have them riders they would bankrupt the clubs. How do we pay for them?

I think this year is going to go down to the wire and bonus points will make all the difference for all teams. I Agree about Poole young reserves they might struggle if they can’t gate at Poole and might find it hard to pass stronger reserves. I think Worky and Edinburgh could be the dark horses and at Glasgow it will all depend how the track rides too slick and they will struggle for bonus points and if it’s got plenty grip like the last few meetings like the semi final and final last season they will get plenty bonus points and be hard to beat at home

Even more reason to appreciate the financial hits that some owners take in order to put on the best product possible for the fans during these tough times. We've currently got the vast majority of the World's Best GP Riders (Zmarzlik's challengers) competing over here on a MON & THU Night and yet some fans just want to complain about it 24/7. It's ungrateful imo.

The younger, better and most ambitious will Those at the other end of their career and those with a lower ceiling probably wont

In the mid 90’s I used to race at a weekend supercoss / speedway meeting in the Munich Olympic-halle ( the massive indoor velodrome stadium next to the main Olympic stadium.) 8-10,000 people watching. The speedway was on late afternoon / early evening, the floor was boarded over with wood and we were all supplied with Metzeler road tyres … they sponsored the event, lights / loud music/ lasers the lot. For the evening event they wheeled in all the jumps / berms etc made out of wood for the track set up ( it took about 1/2 hour). The meeting was just as you’d expect with the riders disappearing into the stands under the seating, racing around corridors and appearing on the other side of the stadium. Brilliant mental stuff. It was great fun, ( paid well), there was no expensive temporary track to be installed and apparently the supercross berms / jumps could be used at other events. it’s not rocket science.

thank god

I don't have specific figures but enough idea for an educated estimate that it isn't too far out

Was going off last year so granted may well be down in 2026 if its only 5. Not far off if the miracle 6th team appears KO Cup could be 4-6 plus potential of 4 play offs Worst case is 18 (5 teams 1 Cup round and no play offs) and max is 30 (6 teams and all the trimmings)

I bet they have earned double in the Prem

Good for you. I'm not the one who advocates to bin off the Top Tier that'll take away the vast majority of income for the Best of British Riders. I'm not the one who's ungrateful by moaning non-stop in regards to Club owners spending an X amount of £ on top riders with an intention to put on the best product possible for the fans. A reason as to why Scunthorpe fans prey that Simon Lambert doesn't sign for them every year, Nobody wants to mention that though as it doesn't fit the narrative. If NDL was as good as some make it out to be then the attendances wouldn't be so bad due to a severe lack of interest in the product. I can go on and on, But I cba because I've got better things to do.

The big challenge the UK version of the sport has is to make it relevant... If you run a team sport there has to be a "tribal, them v us, feel" to the competitions.. And the competitions must have something seen to be tangibly worth winning in the eyes of any prospective, (and even actual), followers.. The "War of fhe Roses" at the NSS is a case in point... Two local rivals yet hardly any away fans are in attendance even on a BH Monday which then delivers a flat atmosphere... Many "non regular" BV fans will visit on that day, so a huge opportunity to impress them enough to attend more... Often all it does is reinforce to them that their low attendance level is justified, and what made them visit less frequently iinitially is still the way that the sport is ran.. In short. Nothing has changed to entice them back.. The sport just meanders, doing the same old, same old, and, I presume, believes it will suddenly become popular again.. Give away fans free tickets if needs be to get them there, get a bit of banter and atmosphere going, build some tribal rivalries which can be "milked" ongoing... There is plenty of room in the stadiums to fit 100 or more away supporters I would suggest...

Pmsl

It does help when the sports are held indoors with light shows and music but promoters need to put on a show as you say. I remember going to an Ice Hockey game in Canada about 20 years ago and it was great , loud music when points were scored, big tv screens and fire machines etc.

I've watched Speedway in the USA and it's a similar vibe... It is a "night out" and not just a Speedway meeting... Kids races, sidecars, handicap racing, riders stalls with their merchandise, various competitions for the crowds to enter through the night, food and drink served to you in the stands, and a presentation level that keeps you engaged from announcer to roving mike person.. The towns I saw the racing in had a good many banners and boards up around them, including on the interstate, and loads of fhe restaurants, bars and hotels all had posters in their windows advertising the track and the racing... Crowds were "very decent" too, no GP riders in attendance, and, mainly, ex UK riders in their 40's and 50's dominating proceedings.. Speedway can be a great night out... The UK version just needs to find how to show it much more often..

I did go to Brighton once and it was OK but can't imagine there were too many people there from outside Speedway and not much to attract them.