Carlislecomet2

We had it last week when the Bandits out gated us at DP - it happens, get over it and move on. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of speedway bike engines can explain why bike set ups can't be altered during the meeting if it is obvious you are struggling to get out of the gate, or is it more to do with the riders' mind set/attitude on the night. Probably a bit of both me thinks. Anyway if we can bounce back I am sure the Panthers can, and it would be very boring if we could all correctly guess the outcome of meetings beforehand.

A fantastic result for the Comets tonight with some stand out performances from Ty, Dan and BWD, but with everyone chipping in. Same again at Glasgow on Sunday would be good. Bring it on.

And that is the crux of it all - prepare tracks that allow overtaking to take place. At DP on Saturday Dan (along with others from both teams) were positioning themselves for an overtake and there was just nothing there for them. It must be even more frustrating for the racers amongst them than for us watching. If tracks are going to be set up for gating tarts I will go to watch drag racing instead.

The meeting ran smoothly with no delays and my cheeseburger was divine.

I bow down to others' superior knowledge of track preparation and conditions, however whether there was too much or to little grip it made for a really boring evening of follow my leader.

I try to be positive with my posts but what an awful meeting. There did not seem to be any grip anywhere resulting in a gate and go track to satisfy no-one apart from the gating tarts. It got to the stage where I didn't care who won, I just wanted to see someone overtake someone else - I am still waiting! I am not sure how anyone could think it was a decent match, and if all speedway meetings were like this there really would eventually be no spectators at all. It was a long while ago but I can just about recall our only other meeting this season against Edinburgh when the track provided some really good racing. Why the difference tonight?

You are right it always seems to be us playing catch up, why can't it be more like football where everyone is more or less on the same number of fixtures at any one time. I know weather plays a part, but it does rain in the North East and Scotland too.

What a good night for watching speedway .............................

After a decent, speedily run and reasonably well attended (first) meeting on Saturday against the Monarchs, we are now faced with 3 weeks without any speedway. In the present climate where minority sports are struggling to attract spectators we should be doing all we can to encourage more to attend and to maintain the interest of those who do.These long gaps between meetings can only do the opposite. The problems seem to be the same as we have in society generally it is greed and self interest, without seeing the big picture. If a meeting is called off or needs rescheduling it should be done with the good of speedway and the speedway supporter in mind first and foremost. Looking at Glasgow's fixtures it appears as if they could squeeze a meeting in against us within the next week or two, so why not try to get it on. So what if Bomber or whoever is unavailable - how many times have the Comets raced without a number 1. You never know the idea of helping each other out may catch on!!!! Thought I would create a change of subject, one with no mention of food. Doh....I've mentioned food.

Some good racing from both teams - Ricky and the Riss brothers are always good value around DP. Rasmus was our top performer, very sharp out of the gate and very smooth - early days I know but can see him pushing for the number 1 jacket soon. With regards to the 'under protest' quote, why say anything, just get on and race. If we have to watch NL league riders trundle around again this year then that's it for me. Liked the updaters comment from the other forum regarding Matt, he is still a useful mobile road block. Special thanks to BWD, who was a very committed guest. Oh, my cheeseburger from the purple box was very good - not exactly fast or well organised, but very tasty.

I don't detect much negativity from true Comets fans at all - on the contrary, I think we are generally pleased with the new line up and delighted we have speedway in Workington again in 2018.

Whilst we appear to have a solid looking team I can see what you mean about us possibly struggling in heats 13 and 15 against some of the teams who will have one, two even three big hitters in their line up. It should however provide some close meetings and hopefully some great entertainment at DP this year. A solid 1-7 v top heavy, who wins? Roll on March.

Looks like a competitive, solid team to me with obvious potential to improve. Mason at reserve should strengthen that area of the team and he should take the pressure off young Kyle and give him time to get up to speed. I always liked Rene as a racer and just hope he can be a little more consistent away from home. Others obviously have different opinions and maybe have 'inside information' but I always thought Rene was a good captain and looked out for the other members of the team. It's good to have Ty back, as he was our team towards the end of the season - he could easily have sulked and asked himself why he was bothering, but he didn't and continued to give his all. Dan is obviously a no brainer, and I can't wait to see him ride each week. It is also good to see Rasmus back, as he showed enough last time round to indicate that he will entertain and I can see him possibly teaming up with Rene. Klindt is one I am not too familiar with and people's comments to date are pretty mixed with some stating he is a gater only. Whilst I am not a fan of gaters who give up when not away first, I think it is always an advantage to have at least one in the team who you can rely on to be quick out of the traps when it really matters. So many thanks to Laura and co. for putting this team together, but mainly for ensuring we have speedway again in 2018. All it needs now is for an injury free season, and for people to get themselves to DP as often and as enthusiastically as they can.

I too would have Thomas back at Workington, providing he could commit to being available. He put in some excellent performances at DP last year once he was fully dialled in, it was just a shame he was affected by injuries towards the tail end of the season.

Well its not what I do, and I don't accept 'it is what humans do' There is nothing wrong with the idea of offering free tickets as Halifaxtiger and others have already stated - what is wrong is the integrity and ignorance of those who took advantage. I said it at the time that those who abused the situation were basically stealing from the promotion who were, and still are facing an uphill struggle to keep speedway alive in Workington. If they couldn't work that out for themselves, they are even more selfish and stupid than I thought.

I personally would be quite happy to watch Bomber miss the gate next year - far more entertaining than watching a gating tart like Summers. Ty and Mason for me. The former gave everything all year (single handedly towards the end of the season), the latter improved his average by around a point and whilst he had some disappointing nights also scored big at times. I like Matt but I haven't seen enough from him when he doesn't gate.

Its a very good point you make Halifaxtiger regarding 'what do the people of Workington want from their speedway club', I have been asking myself that all season as the crowds have continued to dwindle. Unfortunately the only people who go on the forums are the die hard supporters, therefore it is very difficult to know. It doesn't help though that the official website is never up to date and the unofficial site has been closed down for some reason. Yes there have been one or two niggles and certain things could definitely have been handled better which has resulted in the season falling away somewhat, however the track has been good (apart from last Saturday) and fair to all, and the racing has generally been entertaining. I don't attend away fixtures so therefore don't know how attendances are standing up at other tracks, but we are certainly struggling at Workington. Maybe the promoters in conjunction with the local press can canvass the local population to try and find out what would entice people back, as obviously a good track, good racing and watching the local lad and British Champion is not enough for some.

Where to start? One professional league (of 18 hopefully), riding against every other team once at home and once away. Racing on the same 3 or possibly 4 fixed nights, avoiding the bigger leagues in Europe. Ending of doubling up - it is a complete farce, and we do not have to accept it is here to stay. Riders to be contracted to the club they ride for - none of this, 'but he is an asset of'. More emphasis on getting through meetings quicker, by reducing the faffing about after restarts etc. Generally more emphasis being placed on keeping the paying public happy and informed. Track covers to be compulsory, there is always a way. More being done to make the speedway an event. More being done to get meetings on in the warm summer months. The ending of replaying cup matches - have a golden heat or heats. The ending on the tactical ride, if you are getting stuffed, you are getting stuffed. Go back to a bonus point for winning on aggregate the home and away matches against each team.

Apart from him going through the tapes in heat 2 I don't see how you can criticise Sarj on last nights performance - even then he should have finished second when off 15m, as I don't believe he was at fault for Bacons spill. As Halifaxtiger stated, he gave 100% in each race, as did all the Comets, it was just that the Panthers were overall that bit stronger and it is difficult when we are one heat leader short. I think you should let it lie Jenga.

Not the best meeting we've seen this year, there was a lack of track grading for some reason, and it seemed a long drawn out affair not helped by the rider replacements meaning there were lots of instances of riders having two on the trot. Things warmed up towards the end with the turning point being Matt brilliantly holding off Richard Lawson in heat13 (the best ride I've seen from him). After a drawn heat 14 this left it to Cookie to bring home the bacon, which he did with ease. I hope someone has found Ritchie's dummy, what a k**b ! Finally full marks to Sarj, for his interview in front of what some people have been claiming is a 'baying mob' at DP.

I know there will be a multitude of different reasons why the Workington public appear to have turned their back on the Comets, and I for one would be very interested to hear why they have stopped attending. The pulling of the unofficial Comets forum doesn't help, however only the die hard fans would read this in any case. Perhaps the local paper could run a story, both in newsprint and on line to try to get people to air their views and/or grievances. Whilst there has been apparent problems off the track, this years speedway has been entertaining on very well prepared tracks, and we have been privileged (most weeks) to watch the British Champion in action. I know British Speedway is in a bit of a mess at present, and we all have our own ideas how we think it could be improved and how our riding order should be tweaked etc. but maybe it comes down to whether people want to watch live sport or sit on their backsides watching Sky Sports et al. It is quite sad to see that most of the support for the club seems to be coming from supporters of other teams, who have openly said they don't want to see the Comets disappear. As for the locals, unfortunately it seems as if it is going to be a case of not realising what you had until its gone.

There have obviously been problems at DP this season, some well publicised, some less so, however the entertainment value of the meetings I have attended has generally been very good. The way the support has dwindled has been very disappointing, and whilst there will be a myriad of reasons why people have stayed away, surely they must realise that without them speedway in Workington will die. Is that what they want, do they care? Certainly the lines of communication could be better between the promotion and the supporters, but surely we all want the same - Speedway to remain in Workington. Failing that, lets do a swap. As the owners of Carlisle United are at loggerheads with large sections of their supporters we get them to play in Workington and move the speedway to Carlisle, just to shake things up a little.

Sounds like another example of why British Speedway is going down the pan - the riders having too much power and too little respect for the paying public who after all are paying their wages. Full marks to Scunthorpe for the work they appeared to put in to get the meeting on - that is how it should be.

I would just have sacked Sargent there and then after he removed his helmet during the race and gave the finger to the crowd. What did he expect, a round of applause? He is an embarrassment to the sport and should receive a lengthy ban carried over into 2018, which may prevent him getting his apparent wish to ride for Glasgow next season.

Congratulations to Scunthorpe on a well deserved victory. As for the Comets, apart from Craig and Ty, and a lesser extent Thomas they were a disgrace. 12 last places and for the second week in succession having to resort to a TR in Heat 8 at home says it all. The way things are going we are going to end the season (if it ever does end) with half a team of National league guests. The whole of the British speedway set up needs to be shaken up. The top 2 leagues are a joke, and the National league is too cushy. Time for it to be run by people without vested interests, but with the good of the sport at the top of their agenda.