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A thoughtful parent who has createdfurther opportunities for his child which will been entitled to dual nationality/freedom of movement between AUS & the UK yeah those true colours are disgusting.......sometimes there is a whole lot more to life than speedway.

Prices need to be dropped to compensate for the drop in standard. it’s no good dropping the standard every year and hiking up the prices. It’s all about value for money. I’d never buy a program but assume most do, so on average say it’s £20 admission for an adult. For what? To stand around for two hours watching 15 minutes of racing. The rest of the time is filled with tractor racing, an out of touch presenter waffling on about scores from the week previous which 99 percent of fans will know anyway. Music from the 70s. It’s just not the in thing anymore. speedway, in the UK at least, is a 10 pound sport at best. A lot of people value 20 quid a week and is a lot of money to them. That’s before they’ve bought a few pints, a burger, the kids drink and food etc. There is absolutely no value for money in speedway in the UK 9.9 times out of 10.

Good point, well made. Quite the charmer.

I find it quite sad when you see all the clubs having end of season events and our club don't have anything not even a rider of the year award .just shows how the interest has faded over the last couple of years

My first post here as only recently discovered speedway even though I'm in my late 40s. Coming at it from a newcomer I can see the point of concentrating on the target audience of the middle aged. However I would assume the majority of these people discovered the sport as kids so I still think kids should be targeted more. I have been going for last 3 months with my two daughters (13 and 9) and they absolutely love it. They dont understand or would be bothered that most races finish as they start from the gate. They love the smell, the roar of the engines and interacting with the riders afterwards. By the time they are older and are more aware of the politics behind the sport they will already be hooked. To a child this sport is still very exciting...as long as they know about it. I asked my eldest to bring her friend to the last meeting and they were instantly hooked too even though the races were poor.

You are 100% right. The GP series, when it was introduced, had one feature which countered the "how can a rider who has one good meeting, be considered WC?" effect. Well, what better way to prove that the WC is the most consistent rider across the season that to make every race and every point count? A 3rd in your opening ride should not be considered a bit of a slip, to be caught up later. It's 2 lost points, lost for good. And what about "I've qualified for the semis, so why try hard to win further races" under the new system? We want riders making every race meaningful don't we? Pushing for every point, not making judgements about their likelihood about their qualification for the later stages of the meeting. This is a fundamental mistake and ignores simple psychology. Think on. At Torun this year, we were following the destiny of the championship from race 1 and throughout the meeting race by race.

Was Anders Rowe ready? Was Leon Flint ready? If they're good enough, they're old enough.

Maybe they could add another heat. B Final for the 4 riders knocked out in the semi final. To decide 5th to 8th place.

Thought it was April 1st ,when I read this new scoring system.

It was said matt flew in every thurs for the meetings

Hope you're wrong........

No champagne, fireworks or hot showers either. Not like it’s the first time either.

Yes. If the numpties that came up with the scheme for next year think it is such an improvement ... Then why not put it into practice when they had the chance by giving the SEC winner a wildcard for next year. I think it's a poor change but at least my picking Mikkel M it would have shown their integrity by being committed to the idea. Right now. As it is they look pretty shabby.

My comment has nothing to do with the racing just see it as a negative step ps yes i know its his money but we give it to him in the first place

Being around the junior scene for many years now with my own produced riders, I have watched his progress and he is the real deal. He has progressed very steadily with great support from his whole family. He is not dirty, he is not a throttle basher, but he is a very technical astute rider who has great confidence and style. Of the recent great successes emanating from the junior scene and the NL, Jordan is the best, and is now being pushed by the Thompson twins, who will make great progress next year. My protege Archie Freeman is next, and next year we have hopes that he will follow in the same direction that Jordan has. The junior scene is looking very good and healthy, but we need a National League to drop into for more competition to take them to the next step, the Champiomsship.

complete twaddle. If you're good enough, you're old enough. NDL likely to reduce is quality and quantity, he could double down anyway, let him race older more experienced riders and he will learn quicker. Didn't do Peter Collins and Michael Lee any harm did it??

Ian Paterson will be opening his fabulous From Cinder To Shale private collection of speedway bikes and memorabilia on Sunday 17th November 9am-4pm at Edgefield Road, Loanhead, Edinburgh. EH20 9TB Tel: 01314400864 This collection is considered by many to be the best in the world and not to be missed.

You couldn’t run a bath so stop talking out of your arse.

What's wrong with that? He obviously wants his child to have dual nationality. So what?

Always preferred England.

I don't think King should be anywhere near the GB side anymore, had his chance.

To be honest, if he was to come back I would expect it to be for track time and an opportunity to rebuild confidence rather than purely money. That seems a bit harsh. He's far from his best of a few years ago but he's still better than a lot of what raced in the league here this year...and he doesn't just do it all from the gate!

Issue 94 of our retro magazine crammed with nostalgia from the 70s and 80s includes . . . GARY GUGLIELMI – exclusive interview Almost 35 years after his racing career was abruptly ended by a harsh ban and he was sentenced to prison in his native Sydney, former Australia, Coventry and Boston star Gary Guglielmi bears his heart and soul in a riveting new eight-page interview with TONY McDONALD. For the first time, we're bringing you the Full Gaz . . . 'Googy' on . . . * His ill-fated plan to smuggle drugs concealed in his speedway bike * Serving nine months in prison * Billy Sanders, his World Pairs partner * 21 years' of marriage to Judy Sanders * The massive impact and guilt of a double family suicide * Finding solace in faith and religion * Ole Olsen * Fighting Kelvin Mullarkey * His 'Gary Williams' nom de plume at Coatbridge * Finding new love * Exclusive never before seen family pictures * Plus much more . . . BIG NIGHTS: Golden Hammer Continuing his six-page review of some of the most popular domestic individual meetings, PHIL CHARD heads for Cradley Heath to reminisce about the Golden Hammer, the annual classic that was the 1977 brainchild of go-ahead Heathens boss Dan McCormick. Previous winners include Ole Olsen, Scott Autrey, Chris Morton, Kenny Carter, Hans Nielsen, Sam Ermolenko, plus home favourites Bobby Schwartz, Lance King, Erik Gundersen, Alan Grahame, Simon Cross. RIVALS: Ipswich v King's Lynn Continuing our new series revisiting club rivalries, ROB PEASLEY reviews classic matches between fierce East Anglian top flight opponents Ipswich and King's Lynn, featuring legendary skippers John Louis and Terry Betts, plus Billy Sanders, Tony Davey, Kevin Jolly, Dennis Sigalos, Michael Lee, Dave Jessup, Richard Hellsen, Mel Taylor and many others. SON OF MY FATHER: NEIL & KEN MIDDLEDITCH The Middleditches are part of the rich fabric of Poole Speedway. RICHARD BOTT catches up with 50s legend Ken Middleditch – but first a new interview with his son Neil, who has done and seen it all in a riding and management career spanning almost six decades at Wimborne Road. BACKCHAT with MARTIN ROGERS The column where readers fire questions at our lead columnist. As one of the most respected promoters and administrators of the Backtrack era, no-one is better qualified to respond to the burning issues of the 70s and 80s, This time Martin responds to John Berry's suitability as the BSPA's Director of Operations, discusses the merits of various referees, and considers whether promoters have been negligent in their contractual dealings with riders. SCOTT LAMB – exclusive interview A wholehearted trier, modest Scott Lamb admits to ANDREW SKEELS that he probably partied too much in his racing days with Edinburgh, Newcastle and Berwick and never set out to become World Champion. GLASGOW: 50 Memorable Moments DOUG NICOLSON navigates through his local club's turbulent history and multiple homes. There are honourable mentions for Tigers legends Tommy Miller, Charlie Monk, Jim McMillan, the Beatons, Steve Lawson, Kenny McKinna, Robert Nagy, etc. STOKE CHOKER Stoke's Loomer Road is the latest in a long line of speedway venues to fall victim to developers. We list all 89 British league tracks lost to the sport over the past 70 years. Plus: Obits on Clive Featherby and Ian MacDonald. Remember, we no longer sell single editions, so please subscribe at www.retro-speedway.com

In my experience TV matches are rarely entertaining unless you’re own team is involved.

Well thats a start...