Fortythirtyeight

That's what was discussed at the last AGM but certain promoters openly admitted they would not stick to any pay scales so the idea was binned and that's why we have our current ( no change ) three divisions. Not enough British riders to form two leagues and would struggle to have one at a current Championship standard.

That's as large as any Championship club I've visited bar Glasgow and there's wasn't a lot larger. Redcar looked healthy but same scenario as Cradley, crowd all on one side. Newcastle , Berwick, Sheffield, Somerset very sparse.

From the 12 tracks I regularly attend this season, The only club that is ( each fixture ) getting large crowds is Cradley at £10 adult entry, the grandstand is packed which is to be envied by just about every club in any of the three divisions including their hosts Wolverhampton. Other clubs occasionally getting large crowds on bank holidays or local derbies but I would say every clubs crowds are down this season with change of race nights and general apathy. Newcastles crowd appears to be very sparse this year.

Peterborough asset first , purchased by the ' Ged Father ' .

"As far as I know "....so you don't know the truth and are just gossiping. My point is the rule is stupid. Replace Wallinger's name with Macauley Leek, dropped because his average is too high and now in the same position as Wallinger, not allowed to guest in any team as he's not in a team......ridiculous!

It's definetly not and No.

The speedway version of that rule was done away with half way through last season as the Vice Chairmans track was bottom of the track preparation reports so he simply tore up the report system. Thats the BSPA for you.

Yes, the rule is a joke. If he's turned down Plymouth (?) then I would totally understand as he lives in the north and works for a living but that is not the argument, it's the ruling itself that is wrong. If he was allowed to take up his booking he just may get offered a team place but he can't because he hasn't got a place already. Ridiculous.

Can't think of any track around any pitch that could be classed as a good ' race ' track , passed or present. Glasgow is awful despite the efforts to improve it. Berwick and Workington , much better tracks but suffer from narrow exits to the bends spoiling the overall shape and therefore racing lines, most crashes at these tracks occurred at the exits of the corners unlike smaller tracks. Paisley was very poor, Halifax was spectacular but home riders dream. Hull was very narrow and rough at times. Exeter was the same and , like Halifax, the steel fence put visiting riders off.

Dependant on what type of shale the track wants depends where you can get it from. Red shale is easily available for northern tracks from an Edinburgh quarry ( weather permitting ). There is a large quarry near Leicester that supply's black shale, the problem for clubs and probably more so for Plymouth is the transport costs which can be more than the price of the shale. Clubs will not stockpile due to tight finances. There's probably less than six experienced, good track men in the country now as its a dying art. Terry ' the track ' who does Redcar and Birmingham has been used by the SCB to help tracks put their issues right but he is based in the midlands and can only be in one place at a time. If you don't invest in your track your wasting your time.

MR.Pipe? The only thing that's changed since he took over is that he has a new coat with his name and title on to go with his previous ones.

Wallinger and Leek both have increased their averages from last season so to sack them appears harsh. Wallinger was just starting to show improvement as his confidence returns after continual ' knocks' and Leek formed a good partnership with novice Kelly who needs to be protected at this early stage of his career. Now he has had his first ' injury ' he doesn't need extra pressure on him as he learns his trade. whilst I understand Leek may be out for a few weeks it appears the decision to sack them both is another example of ' success ' being put before ' development league'.

He didn't make it back and had no intention of doing so. The meeting was rained off so the interpretation of him being missing changed from being AWOL to unable to get back after a rain off. As you say ' all within the rules ' but just another example of our Micky mouse rules and the jokers who interpret them.

Edinburgh were obviously against Glasgow riding on the same race night but Glasgow waved their cheque book and threatened legal action so got what they wanted. Scunthorpe had no seniority on Friday nights and should have been treated as a new race night but as Workington and Peterborough were not present at the AGM , guess who got what he wanted? The SCB have been ' over ruled ' by the BSPA mafia on several occasions recently leading to the ACU asking questions. Guess who the BSPA liaison officer is to the SCB and he actually appointed himself! Issues..air fence not fully inflating, exposed metal barriers around perimeter, no working telephone to Ref's box, faulty lighting , no practice start area, no designated curb line. Club ' announcer ' barracking the ref during the meeting ( guess who?) All and more were listed on the SCB's Ref's reports during the season hence the low marking received by the track. Whilst the track continually produces good racing it has a few potential dangerously exposed Armco barriers and when the air fence is dislodged that's what a rider hits. As Mr.Godfrey constantly states, Stock cars subsidises the speedway at the track so it's that sport that dictates the stadium and its fittings.

The B.S.P.A. Is simply run on the basis of who has the most ' influence ' gets what he wants. Change of Race night fiasco was a prime example when messers Godfrey and Dickson shouted the loudest and moved to Friday nights shafting Edinburgh , Peterborugh and Workington ( who asked for Friday's ). Godfrey changed the rules on marking of tracks by the Refs half way through the season as his track/ stadium was continually marked down by them due to the many issues there. No promoter can own more than one track? we all know what's happened with that one!

Think you'll be wrong there. They had a falling out sometime ago and Mr. Rathbone is not the affluent individual he once proported to be. There is no longer a ' Team Motive '.

Employment visa's can be very specific and can dictate what type of meeting a rider can appear in. For example it can state a rider can only ride in meetings in which his employer ( club ) is competing in, also at what level ( league ) he can appear in. The BSPA also have their own rules on Premiership contracted riders ( Masters ) appearing at lower level meetings and fees used to have to be paid but I believe this has now been wavered.

So you think signing an assessed 4 point rider ( who actually struggled to score 4 at any time ) is the right move to replace a heat leader average scoring around seven? Theres a reason no club has signed Bukhave , till now, and that reason is he isn't that good. A nice lad and competent on a bike but he's no heat leader as yet.

Redcar fans will remember the Brian Havelock signing of Finnish rider Keskinen. He had purple hair and only ever beat one opposition rider and became a legend for it, he beat Derek Sneddon for a third place and had a song written about it.

Think Jonie Keskinen would be a more popular choice than him.

Outside of those stated, JBA , Ostergaard, Berge, not a lot of choice at heat leader level. New rules on averages rule out any possible contenders from the Premiership really ( Bellego, ) so it's a very limited field to chose from and no doubt other clubs thinking of making changes are thinking the same thing......who's out there???

Jonas B. Andersen to return?

What's confusing? Redcar have released ( sacked ) him for ' personal reasons' which obviously have impacted on the club or they wouldn't have released him. The whole speedway world knows of his previous history and its standard these days when releasing a rider to state ' we hope he gets a ride elsewhere' . Barker is one hell of a talented rider who wastes his talent because of ' personal issues '. If he put the money and effort into his speedway he would still be a heat leader in the premiership and an England regular but it's not going to happen and we wait and see which club is prepared to take him on next, will there be one?

What's going to change?.....either nothing or the end of speedway as we currently know it. The 'One league format' was agreed in the winter , with a number of tracks refusing to join it but then a member of the board , who didn't like that decision led a revolt and had it overturned. Then when it was stalemate as not enough teams to continue with a Premiership and Championship his adversary buys two more clubs to keep the Premiership going. Rules were ignored and individuals requirements came first. They who had the most money and loudest voices got what they required. Nothing new to speedway. This will only change when there's a revolution or a total collapse of the sport. There has to be new leadership, unattached to any club, to try to save the sport we all love ( well most of us on this forum !) will it ever happen?