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But overall Smith had a better season and obviously had a off night as he showed Max the way round at Ashfield. You could say Max has more chance of improving than Jack though.

Dan Thompson will be absolutely fine next season. I think he will maintain his average at worst.

Shocking signing only made worse if the final signing is Starke,as Victor Meldrew would say I don't believe it

You may not have noticed but that says '2023 champions'. The clue is in the wording. Michael Max won that title with his genius ability to bring in replacement riders at the business end of the season like Tarasenko on a 5 point average when in reality he was a 10 point rider, as well as the Facenna brothers for backing him. Even Lloyd and Harry from Dumb & Dumber couldn't have screwed up the 2023 season for Glasgow. What was your point caller?

Well he may well pick up a team place during the season but at the moment it looks like nobody is will to take that punt.

Oh yay.

Dan Thompson will be absolutely fine next season. I think he will maintain his average at worst.

So as predicted, Berwick pick 28 year old Jack Smith rather than the young man who showed him the way round Shielfield Max Perry

Really nasty one down the home straight. I thought he was a goner that day. Did well to get back into the saddle a month later and with his <3.00 point average he's well worth a punt on a team place in 2026.

That big?

I think Dan T will be exactly what Edinburgh are looking for in a rider. Someone who can compete in Heats 13 & 15. It's something they lacked last season, a season which saw them come narrowly close to a place in the Championship final.

I beg to differ, even allowing for him being, from what I can make out, by far the youngest number one. I think round Armadale, he’ll hold his own against every other team’s number one barring Oxford and Scunthorpe and away should give a good account of himself at all of the tracks. He’s made great progress and Edinburgh will look after him. Watch out for @King Jamie finally changing his name

Looks like a Paul Starke size hole to fill.

Jack Smith back

Why are you making this up? As i understand it, Sheffield had several offers of interest. That is what led the Bates' into deciding that they didn't want to sell up at all, and are instead thinking of bringing others in with them. Ipswich had at least 2 firm offers for the club. All Louis needed to do was to take the better offer. No run off to Aussie. Saying neither club had any offers is straightforward lying. One man's dignified silence is another man's cowardly hiding away. If I were an Ipswich fan, I'd be very angry that my club could be lost.

Aries, you have hit the nail on the head. Speedway has been a big part of my life for over 50 years and when/if Ipswich don't come to the tapes next year that will be it for me I'm afraid. Next nearest track Oxford or Lynn, both well over two hours away. Not the Christmas present I was hoping for tbh ...

Don't often agree with you @Aries but this is spot on. This isn't Ipswich specific, just my opinion in general. For me, a sports club/organisation exists for the fans first and foremost. There may be an owner/figurehead but everything always has to circle back to those who support the club. Without them there would be nothing. They turn up week in, week out. If they didn't then the club could fold. Seems a bit off that the person who they've been supporting and entrusted with the custodianship of their team can then just decide to pull the rug on them.

Disagree I’m afraid Jason. Why couldn’t he reassure the supporters that there will be Speedway next year? The fact is, his latest interview a week or two ago, he couldn’t guarantee that when pushed. Why couldn’t he say that he wanted to sell the club (no problem, his choice), but if no buyer came forward in time, he’d continue to run it whilst a buyer could be found for the longer term? Just like the Bates’ have done at Sheffield?? Instead, he’s gone on local radio and caused unnecessary stress to a lot of loyal supporters, by not confirming there would be speedway next year, all whilst jetting off to sunny Australia for a nice sunny Holiday with family. Just before Christmas too, nice! Anyone who has been a regular at Foxhall over the years, will know Margaret and her Daughter, Heather Lay. Two huge servants to Ipswich Speedway over decades. Working tirelessly selling draw tickets and helping running the supporters club over many many years. I caught up with Heather towards the end of the season and we had a chat. She was quite openly telling us that Margaret wasn’t in the best health these days and was struggling to get about. But she STILL makes a huge effort to attend Foxhall every meeting. She said if it wasn’t for her beloved Witches, she’s not sure she’d “still be here”. I wonder how they’re feeling right now and looking forward to Christmas? They won’t be alone either. For a lot of people, it’s not just something to do on a Thursday evening, it’s become a massive part of their lives going back decades. They’ll all be feeling worried sick that their Speedway is about to be taken away, just as Christmas is approaching. Look at the reception they got at the Town hall a few weeks ago. It’s was pi$$ing down, it was a lunch time, and was announced at short notice. And the people of Ipswich turned out in great numbers to celebrate, along with the Mayor. There’s great people who work at the club, most voluntarily, loyal sponsors who have backed him to the hilt financially, and of course, a core of loyal supporters. All been left totally in the dark and wondering what on earth is going on. I can only imagine how annoyed fans of Wolves, Arena/Lakeside , Peterborough, Swindon, amongst many others must feel, who have seen their speedway taken away from them due to track unavailability, see another club potentially not running despite a viable club and available track just sitting there. Ok, it may well break in the next days/weeks that he’s successfully sold the club on, OR, he’s staying and will continue to run it, but that won’t change the fact that he’s handled this very poorly. In my opinion! Obviously.

Knowing the standard of how well the BSPL have written the rule book it will be as watertight as a colander. depends if he agreed to run in a 6 team league I guess. He did make it clear he wasn’t going to participate in a 5 team league before the sale announcement.

Glad to have Harris back in the engine room! 🙌🏻

Yep I think your right, not a number 1 ,compared to other teams

But several clubs are rumoured to lose lots of money, so paying the fine means you have no hassle running a speedway team in the present climate, and saving time and effort to get riders, replace riders, organise rescheduled fixtures etc etc. If this is correct no wonder both Sheffield and Ipswich are struggling to find a buyer

That won't help any bargaining position when selling then.... I would offer £100k less knowing this....

If he can get back to the level he was at before breaking his wrist and also keep up last years performances at Edinburgh (38+1/42 points scored) he has a chance but he will have to do it at number 1 so will be tough. I think if he can break into the 9 point range and hold it he would have had a great season

No. Because they declared they will not race. Ipswich declared they would