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There have been very good and well meaning observations & suggestions on what should happen in 2026. However, maybe we should speculate more on what we think the promoters will actually instigate in 2026. For me, a move to two leagues (six teams in the top tier) with a dumbing down of both competitions by lowering the points limit and in doing so move the rising star concept to the lower tier. Note: this is what I think the promoters will do, not what I think should happen

The Premier League has been in crisis for years. Teams dropping out for one reason or another and needing to be replaced by some poor unsuspecting sap from the next League down. They go up and shortly after are gone. They cannot afford to be competative in the top Division. I wonder how many Championship Teams have gone up, gone bust, and are lost to the Sport? Had they stopped in the Championship, they may still be running concerns.

There are, but money troubles for many of them,and certainly don’t pay as much .

"Close it if it didn't work for them"? A perfect example of why the sport is where it is... And all to try an win something hardly anyone gives a toss about, with hardly any financial return, and all simply down to the way they themselves as a collective run things.. I remember Jon Cook (who seemed switched on), in an interview with the SS, when on the MC, saying he dreaded the phone call asking for a decision on a guest rider that may, or may not, have been allowed in some meeting.. As once, a promoter called him and said he would not run the meeting and close the track if he didn't get his way... Basically, too many promoters have seemed to have the following attitude... "If I can't have what I want, I am taking my bat and ball home with me and you all then cannot play".. They need to work collectively and ensure all come to the tapes as even as is possible, given no one is going to get "rich" by winning any UK Speedway league, nor are they going to get any national recognition... Looking "insular" is no longer an option I would suggest, and everyone needs to work together to get the sport out of its current "steeply" downwards trajectory...

I don't agree. The promoters are the employers. It's come the time where they have to say to the riders. ( This is what we can afford) Then the riders can decide to reject or accept. If the don't like the terms then they can leave the sport and go and get a job. If the sport has to go semi pro then so be it.

Or just make the the 2nd division Semi Pro? how many riders in the lower league make a living? Unless the likes of Hodder are on £300 a point!!! Then I would say hardly any. Yes, the No1's especially with their doubling up, most likely make a living. There might be other sports where their top league only consists of 4/5 clubs, but you can't really have a play off system with that amount of teams, can you? The sport is already laughed at by most news outlets. I don't even think you get the results in the National press anymore. The doubling up put a stop to the sport being taken serious by most. Riders can't keep living in this fantasy world. How many people attend Redcar/Scunthorpe/ Edinburgh/Plymouth etc? The promoters have got themselves into this situation. They have bowed down to the riders wants and needs and this is the end result. They have to tell the riders the bubble has burst. They should offer them a fair deal for what the club can afford. If they can't except the deal. Then unfortunately they will have to go and get a job! No one can justify calling speedway at 2nd division level professional anymore. If some riders reject the offers, then you promote the young lads from the 3rd division. Lets face it the sport at 2nd division level has been watered down so much over the last few years, a couple of more riders won't make that much difference. The majority of riders in the 2nd division worked back in the 70s/80s. The sport was also in a lot better health. The leagues and crowds were a lot bigger. Every year the sport dies a little bit more. It's been on life support for a while now. How much longer before the plug is pulled?

Still keeping an eye out, don’t see us leaving Armadale any time soon nobody buying that land for the price they want it for, it’s pretty much worthless cause of what’s under it.

I’ll calculate this when the final averages are out, after the final fixtures on Wednesday.

Why should Glasgow prop up the top league. The top league over the years have pocketed fortunes from the TV deals. Now because they haven't got a TV deal you expect 2nd division clubs to throw them a rope. I would tell them to get stuffed. The only reason the top league might only run with 5/4 teams is down to them. They stood by and watched Tolly skint himself last season and now you think other clubs should follow suit?. They made their bed. Let them lie in it.

In fairness to the family Bob was always strong enough to stand up to the BSPA and threatened to close it many times if it didn't work for them. I know you are part of the consortium to revive the Eagles but the Dugards have seen and heard it all before. Bob was never my favourite promoter but he did give it every best shot.

As a matter of interest, can anyone tell me if Edinburgh are still searching for a new venue, and how long have you got at Armadale ???

If the regulations remain the same as 2025: Hellstrom Bangs: Prem - 4.50 Champ - 6.00 Bednar: Prem - 4.50 Champ - 6.00

just normally speeches and awards

Agree, it is about what works for the local business model. Tracks/promoters/home teams can no longer rely on swelling the coffers with income from the opponents spectators attending away matches. Firstly you have the cost of travel, then the possibility of a call off because a dark cloud is expected at around the first race and add to this the fickle attitude of riders who cannot cope with damp tracks etc. and that is just a few of the reasons why racing from yesteryear does not work today. Week day speedway works for a number of clubs but others have seen increased support from weekend meetings when at least the chances of away support increases. Tracks need to promote what’s on offer when they can get the best number through the turnstiles. It is so difficult to come up with a formula that works for the speedway demographic given the self interest of the club owner/promoter and the influence of overseas competition where some riders can, assuming they are good enough, earn top dollar in places like Poland but I still wonder how many riders sit down and work out the risk factors should they end up on the sidelines because of an injury and are asked to repay the advance fees. it is a shame that so many on this forum have good suggestions on ways to improve the offering but no one is listening. Oh well we await the annual debacle in November and thankfully ignore the outcome and instead look forward to another season of racing from Poland which seems to be so much more organised.

Let's hope this somehow happens. Hellstrom-Bangs v Bubba Bednar around the NSS would be a beautiful watch.

What average would they both arrive on in the Prem and Champ?

Can't agree that there's a need for the Championship to "serve" the Premiership. Both leagues are equally reliant on each other to prosper, it isn't a one-way thing. Your last point is sadly an indictment of the situation we've sleepwalked into. If the riders are demanding twice the money due to only having one team place: good for them. Equally, the clubs are justified in only offering what they're happy to pay. Sadly, we're now in a situation where this isn't practical because even a handful of riders quitting would be catastrophic, so the tail continues to wag the dog.

My mistake, deservedly finished second bottom !

They didn't.

The two youngsters I’d love to see in the UK next year are Nazar Parnitskyi and Adam Bednar. Big fan of both, especially Nazar but can’t see him here next season unfortunately. But Bednar will light up the tracks here if he signs for the Stars.

Yes correct

Bit of a side note. But what is it end of season night like. I’ve been bringing my old man along to the home matches over the last two seasons. He has regularly expressed an interest in a pint on the way home but we are just over the border and I like my license. Is the end of season do worth the taxi fare?

Say it as it is

Guess they are always on the booze and tanked up that’s why wrong decision's are made

Adam Bednar will be at Lynn, so he’s a cert at BV