Big Al

That makes a lot of sense. But it sounds as if Dave "Mr Saturday" Hemsley isn't keen to follow that path for Leicester with the EL - even at the expense of losing one of the best riders Leicester has ever had. Maybe Coventry would object, and Peterborough, and that's where the problem lies?

Probably not, unless he has lots of dosh ready to splash. But hang on a minute - wasn't he boasting last year about Leicester being in the "upper quartile" (his very word i think) of UK speedway clubs when it comes to financial health? So where are they now? And was that just based on a delusional valuation of the Company?

I think that any rider, be he "Johnny Foreigner" or "Johnny English", will prioritise Poland and Sweden over the UK if it came down to having to decide. (see Woffinden, T.). And it's probably not "big money" - more like better money? But some are better than others, when it comes to sticking to their UK commitments, and it's usually because they are UK-based, like Iversen. So I don't think you can generalise. And do you consider Australians to be in the "Johnny Foreigner" category?? Most of them are UK-based. And I suppose just due to sheer numbers, it's pretty difficult to not need to employ a fair number of them, in order for teams to track 7 riders! I think that Leicester's predicament (and there were plenty of us predicting it from well before they joined the EL) is similar to the overall predicament of the EL, Saturday race night or not. Leicester's situation is just made a lot worse by it. Mr Hemsley's seemingly delusional output over the past two years about having "big name" riders lined-up has not fooled many, I'm sure. The thing is, does he still harbour such delusions? (and that's just the riders, never mind the track).

Couldnt agree with you more. I felt well ripped-off when i went expecting to see a team performance from BV at Leicester and a close competitive match and wrote to them afterwards because their number one took the p*ss out of the paying public and his team-mates by pratting around and actually caused a hazard to other riders. I think he was given a kick up the backside by BV after that, because he seemed to get his act together for a while. I hope the boot was a big one with a steel toecap because that's what I'd have worn. I'm sure that he is genuinely unfit to ride today and hope he sends some of his earnings from Pardubice to his BV team mates.

Probably a lucrative "fitness test" for him. Was presumably paid more for doing that fitness test than he will/would be if riding at Swindon?? Mom

What about Poole riders with injuries? Janowski and Newman.....both of them were bashed up by accidents last weekend weren't they?

Oh go on.....do tell us!!

Just started again after a bit of a break. Cold air as well, so not good for any drying-out even when the rain does stop. I imagine the Poles would really like to just get this over and get out of the UK tomorrow morning (and not come back!).

Reduce the number of teams to 6. No matches to take place on Tuesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays. Ten home matches at home, and ten away. Teams to have only one match (home or away) per week (there will be occasional need for two matches in a week to catch up previously postponed fixtures). No league matches until April. 4 points for a win, 5 for an away win by 6 or more. Bonus point for aggregate match points total from all 4 matches between teams. Second and third placed teams race-off home and away, to qualify for playoff final against the table-topping team. League season to be completed by 30 September. FTR scheme to apply to No.7 position in team only. Minimum of 2 under-26 riders (regardless of nationality) in positions 1-6. Riders 1-6 have averages which determine team position Scrap the 2-year restriction on EL/PL doubling-up (probably illegal anyway). The flaws in the current FTR scheme have been badly exposed this year. There isn't enough depth in the pool when the injuries toll mounts. No disrespect, but you can't go on with the league having to rely on Hall and Wilkinson to make up the numbers. Young Brits will have to earn their place in the 1-6 alongside/in competition with young riders from other countries such as Jorgensen, Busk-Jacobsen etc. Having any team with a Saturday race day, weakens the overall product quality. Leicester really shouldn't have been allowed into the league with a Saturday race night. Keeping the number of teams limited to 6 will help to enforce that requirement. Clubs with easier access to their stadiums could stage 4th-tier events on non-home match weeks.......double-header matches, 4TT's, Individual events.......they can use the opportunity to help produce their own No.7 riders of the future.

Norman Storer........the only rider in the history of speedway to have an ashtray on his handlebars

That team's the one which went through a complete season 1-7 unchanged. I don't think that record will ever be equalled!! Cookie came along quite a few years after that.

That would be a start. Would there be enough riders? Things are stretched with 8 teams, and as for the FTR's....???? Would need the PL (or Second division or whatever) to be more dovetailed in many ways

Hopefully the Elite league will do the decent thing and put itself out of its misery this winter and we can have something in its place which is better

I just wonder how much Mr Hemsley has "endeared" himself to other promoters over the past few years, and more specifically with his fellow EL promoters over the past two seasons. There have been episodes within the public domain such as the statement about the Kings Lynn track (whilst at the same time "bigging up" his own one); comments about Peter Karlsson last season (ok - not direct but it was obvious who he was talking about), and the somewhat public spat with Swindon last season over fixture planning - and maybe things going on this year regarding the projected transfer of Doyle. Generally the rather "braggadocio" attitude which seems to have been emitted since Leicester re-opened, admittedly much of it more comedic in value, but comments about Leicester getting meetings on when other tracks can't (because we have a "can do" attitude here at Leicester, or something like that), maybe that has just got up the nose of other promoters? So when the chance comes along to kick some sand in his face.........could they resist that opportunity? The downside with converting it to a challenge match, is it would have meant three home matches against Lakeside in one season (wowee). Or maybe it should have been changed to be a challenge match against Coventry, and let them have Sarjeant. Asleep on a blanket the whole time??......woken up to be given a few biccies and a drink at the interval (then back to sleep)??.......presumably didn't pay to get in??......sounds to me like the perfect way to "enjoy" matches at BP.

So next season it could be a case of "Doyle or No Doyle" to decide which league Leicester is in?

What planet are you on! Trouble is, the stage of the season's been reached (as it does each year) when it's pretty much a case of "who is available" as so many are injured. So in reality the choice is very limited now with guests. And you can't criticise a rider who is available for taking up the chance of earning a few quid. If you think you can do better with guest choices, why don't you offer to help Norrie Allen find somebody, you'd soon find out first-hand that it's not easy.

Why not? He's on good form in the PL and you know he gives full effort. KL's his favourite track and it might tempt a few more along the A47

Ah cheers I'll keep a watch out for that......I bet Sky won't be too interested though.

I seem to have missed something. Has Darcy Ward been allowed to ride again?

Leicester website is promoting a special deal of double vodka and coke for £3.00 at this match. So is this a clue that Mr Ward is going to be in town?

Now come on, you should know full well that it's only a short walk from making half-childish comments about speedway stadia, to committing acts of mass terror or even genocide. In fact I'm sure that mrcts is on worldwide terror suspect lists already.

One of the worst areas!!?? You've obviously not seen much of Leicester. Where do you live.....Leamington Spa or Henley in Arden?

To team ride, you need a suitably designed track to do it on.

In that case i agree with Barrow Boy

So how will the track be spiced-up for that one? tsc1 contradicted his own previous post!!