Big Al

The problem is, if the go-ahead were given for resumption of racing on, let's say, 1st August with a limit on attendance of 500, or 750, or 1000, there's going to be even greater uncertainty over how many will turn up and pay to watch than there normally is. Keep in mind the age factor - if speedway were popular among mostly the under 40's there wouldn't be such a lack of certainty. So nobody is going to know, until a few weeks have gone by (presuming reasonable weather), what income the clubs are going to be working with. You never know, it could turn out to be stunningly good, or atrocious. Until thats been resolved more, and as purely a one-off, there's got to be some flexibility on the part of both promoters and riders. We want to ensure the clubs who give things a go don't go bust and stay in existence next season. If some riders decide against going ahead, at least initially for whatever reason, on a flexible basis then fair enough, that decision should be respected and be welcomed back again in 2021. It's not a matter of greed, it's a matter of being realistic and working together.

That is true, but employees of Walkers Crisps and other factories are hardly likely to be trying to gatecrash speedway practice sessions, or anything else in the area including the shopping centre. They disappear off home at end of shift and recently it's been usual for several to pack into one car. Also, if there were consistency, wouldn't Walkers Crisps need to be closed down temporarily. Unfortunately nobody will take that decision as it would mean that millions would starve.

Wasn't referring to speedway racing especially, more the curtailment of the successful practice arrangements which had been organised by the club and which were bringing in much-needed income as well as providing riders with the opportunity. The main impact however has been on businesses in and around Leicester which had got themselves geared up to start up again, in areas away from the Covid surge area.

Along with a great many other businesses in Leicester that were ready to resume, it is grossly unfair that a problem rooted in one area of the city should have such an overall impact. There needs to be some balls to make decisions and put in place measures that would cause offense and produce a strong vocal reaction, but I can't see any local or national politicians growing a pair anytime soon.

Good for you. Pleased it didn't hit you too hard. Im also over 50, I'm not obese and no underlying health problems. But I was in hospital 5 nights. It's now 5 weeks since I was discharged and still having side effect health problems. For example I still can't walk properly. Very little is yet known about this virus in terms of individual biomedical factors causing it to effect some more badly than others. Broad patterns have emerged, for sure, but at a far more nauanced, micro level there's a long way to go. There's also the possibility that some people are just unfortunate enough to cop a big dose of virus, and that this has an impact on severity. So count your lucky stars!

I recall David Howe, soon after he'd finished riding, airing his views on this forum and although not remembering the detail, they seem to be similar to much that has been put onto this thread. And that was long before the havoc being caused by a global pandemic. Much of his rational thinking was focused on costs and equipment, and about the UK scene needing to prioritise its own survival by establishing and operating at a realistic level. He also talked about how he did not rely on speedway and other motorcycling to provide him with a living, with HGV driving work as his other income. It's long been something which intrigues me - how do speedway riders get other income, or do they have other sources at all? People like David Howe should be involved in planning and decision-making in the current crisis.

Will there be a point in time when it becomes unviable for Australian riders (who have returned/remained at home) to come over to the UK? If so, when is that likely to happen?

Tyburn Gallows is my favourite. Although not his real name of course.

I'm just wondering, if in this new "golden age" where from January 2021 lower-skilled foreigners will no longer be welcome and their replacements will be drawn from among the 8.3 million British idlers and workshy backsliders whom the lovely Ms Patel has identified as the ready source as seamless replacements, that possibly I, as a member of the aforesaid classes, could finally have a chance to be a professional speedway rider? I'm ready, willing, and errrm.....

The second part of that is spot on, but I'm not so sure about the first part. From the 2019 season, Scott Nicholls was generally good at Leicester, a more technical track where brains can sometimes out-do throttle (and more often since the track changes). And he was good at certain away circuits, suited to his style and physique. But where that wasn''t the case, he was getting beaten by the level of riders you are saying he should beat in heats 2,8,12 and 14 in the PL. If you have younger, less experienced riders in the team who will benefit from his experience and repute that is great, but will that apply at Peterborough, where the team is, on the whole, already very experienced.

The.SS report on the second leg of last year's championship final described Ellis Perks as Leicester's "unlikely hero" which I thought was rubbish because he was already a hero. Early part of the season he benefitted from riding with Scott Nicholls but on the occasions when he was put at 3 or 4, or Nicholls was at 5 for a month, Ellis showed he could step up. In fact right at the end, when they occasionally rode as a pairing again, they seemed more like equals. Look at the number of bonus points to his name! If he keeps to the same fitness and health regime that clearly benefitted him greatly last winter, he certainly could be pushing Nick Morris for top dog. And Swindon will be optimistic about him too.

Earlier than expected? Had you taken out a contract hit on him??

What an article. And what a range of feelings it stirs. Sadness, profound sympathy, anger, frustration - the list just goes on. The recurring thought, "if only, if only." A son who was probably still suffering bereavement, picking up the courage to ask for help and perhaps being rebuffed. The loss now being felt by his father, partner and children. MIND is a fantastic charity, Samaritans is another doing life-saving work and they in turn need support.

Cancel any plans for May and pray for good weather.

Including better lighting......the rubble dumping will have to come back to pay for it!

So far, three Dans, two Joes. The last signing will have to be called Tom

Any comment on this please, 1 Valve?

Isn't it a question of what is reasonable. If the wind blows the roof off, whose fault is it and who is responsible for repair. What sort of things could the tenant be reasonably expected to adopt resposonsibility for maintaining, and which should be sole responsibility of the landlord? I've been telling my landlord for several months that the gutters need to be cleared out and that weather will cause damage if he doesn't, but I am not responsible for getting the job done; it isn't within my powers to prevent the gutters from clogging up. But it absolutely is my responsibility to keep the interior clean and in a good general state.

I would be surprised if the Bates's agreed to a lease making them responsible for any of the stadium infrastructure, it would be unusual, but well I suppose that it is possible. However, I also don't think they are stupid.

As per others - yes he effectively is, via his company BSC Ltd. However if he is true to reputed past "form", he will be trying to avoid responsibility and cost for the needed improvements and repairs, either by maintaining they should be done and financed by others, or by just doing nothing in response to requests from his tenants. This is somewhat different from the stadium car park, which BSC under the planning requirements of City Council, was supposed to have tarmacked over with parking spaces properly marked. So if anyone incurs an injury by accidentally stepping into a pothole whilst walking across it, you know who is liable. However, the chances of actually getting any compo from BSC are slim, but you could have a better chance with the Council if they've failed to enforce the requirement.

Mr Godfrey will re-imburse any parking fines incurred. Official announcement any day now.....

So what do you think of the Victor Palovaara case last season? Glasgow chose not to employ him, yet they were able to prevent him taking up an offer of work from Leicester.

Is it the promotion who are responsible for this, or is it the landlord (Hemsley)? Either way, it needs sorting out, as does the track lighting.

Will this team also be called Kent Kings? If so won't it be a bit confusing? Kent Princes, maybe?

Have a hazy recollection of sitting a short distance from Geoff Bouchard's accident at Leicester which I think ended his riding days, it looked quite a harmless fall from what I can remember. The Blackbird Road track had developed a bit of a berm on the city end bends which meant if anyone went over the "wrong" side of it, they could get into trouble and I think that was the case. When I later learned of his injuries I was very saddened and surprised. Think he became involved at Leicester until they closed (machine examiner or something similar) and last I heard he was still living in north Leicester.