Phil

Yes, it seems like every year they look to change things just for the sake of it! I really don't think this is the solution to reduce costs. “Speculation suggests many clubs are in favour of reducing the points limit in a bid to cut costs for the 2004 campaign.” “A meeting of all PL clubs will take place at British Speedway's HQ in Rugby, Warwickshire, tomorrow where next season's plans will again be discussed.” http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle....rticleID=682347

Surprised that Simon Stead is the reserve and not David Howe, but good luck Simon.

FIM dates now show the Czech Rep meeting as the 15th of May!!! 15/05 Czech Rep. (Marketa Stadium)

As we know the BSPA often fail to produce a set of rules and instead have an idea and make it up as they go along. Can you really see this happening or working? Why do people think this would be better than current averages?

One of the problems I find with speedway is too often you have to break teams up, if it went to 40 points then it would make it even bigger of a problem. More riders might become available at the end of the season and some teams would start throwing silly money to try and get them, which would result in costs going up! On the other hand it could depend on the rules for doubling up / down but if the likes of Shields, Stead, Harris, Stoney, Gjedde, Kylmakorpi, (names just used as examples!!) who are doing alright in the EL moved up permanently. Then there is going to be less top heat leaders about. Some teams might even struggle to get to 45 points.

So why have you gone for Crumpy to win then, Phil? Good point! Hardly anything between all the top really. Think Crump will get second but just pointing out Nicki appears to be relaxed which will help him. Guess that does not really answer the question

I think Nikki has a slight advantage over Jason Crump in the fact that Nikki seems to be so relaxed and chilled out. If he can keep this up for the GP he will do well.

1. Rickardson (temporary track expert) 2. Crump 3. Pedersen

What are the crowds like at Mildenhall and Wimbledon and are there ready to move up? (lets leave the discussion of the size of the league for a different day) Are there any other clubs in the conference league which could move up?

THANK YOU

1st Tomasz Gollob 2nd Jason Crump 3rd Niki Pedersen

http://www.speedwaygp.com/news/index2.php3?pr=784

FIM press release say's will be rescheduled as a case of “force majeure”. http://www.fim.ch/pressreleases/CP_03.08.25.pdf Which often appears in contracts... Force Majeure literally means "greater force". These clauses excuse a party from liability if some unforseen event beyond the control of that party prevents it from performing its obligations under the contract. e.g failure of third parties--such as suppliers and subcontractors--to perform their obligations to the contracting party. The BSI press release says SVEMO, the Swedish federation, took public responsibility for the poor state of the track.

BSI ANNOUNCES "GRAND PRIX FOR THE FANS" A wealth of activities, competitions and promotions have been planned to ensure that Saturday’s event (30 August) will be the greatest speedway event Sweden has ever seen, including: •A spectacular pre-show entertainment programme that will last 45 minutes before the event. •The top five riders in the current championships standings: Tony Rickardsson, Nicki Pedersen, Leigh Adams, Jason Crump and Greg Hancock signing autographs between 1700h – 1730h on the concourse outside the stadium. •Over 50 lucky fans will also actively participate in the event. The SGP Grid Girls will hand pick 24 supporters to accompany the 24 riders in the Rider Parade, a further 24 fans will have the chance to win an original 2003 race jacket autographed by all 24 riders and finally three fans will be picked to accompany the three winning riders on their victory parade lap and be part of the presentation ceremony. • A reprint of the programme will be on sale at 40 SEK, half the original price, although fans can use the programme they purchased last week. • 2,000 flags will also be distributed free amongst the crowd • There will also be a significant discount on all official SGP merchandise on the day. “This weekends Grand Prix is all about the fans” explains John Postlethwaite, Chief Executive, Benfield Sports International. “We want to make up for the huge disappointment of last Saturday and give the fans something back and restore their faith in the Grand Prix Series. That is why we are dedicating this weekend’s event to the fans and planned a whole host of activities which will give supporters the speedway night of their lives.” “Ole Olsen and his track building team have worked round the clock to get the track in top condition for Saturday night. Tony Rickardsson has been invited to test the track on Thursday evening around 1900h and the riders are adamant that they will put on a show no one will forget.” http://www.speedwaygp.com/newhome/

What are your thoughts on a squad system in the EL? This could help reduce the problems with GP riders not being available but not sure how it would help reduce costs. How about reducing the points, would this reduce the number of high average riders such as GP riders in a team?

£10,000 for a the sale of a junior Premier League assets is not a bad earning to the promoter in my eyes but on the other hand some promoters do run CL meetings at a large loss.

Some promoters only pay one way as well. If you score points 15 it can just about cover your travel both ways and sometimes a tyre. Hence FAST!

Well done to all the lads, I think they all raised their game for the occasion and rode with passion and determination for Great Britain. You have done us proud. Middlo picked the right team for tracks and well done to him. I did think before the world cup started about putting in a few youngsters in but as pointed out they would have been out of their depth especially on the slick track on Thursday night. Considering the amount of talent in the world cup I think we did well, you only have to look at the Australian team with 3 of the top GP riders in the world. Well done lads! Looking forward to the SWC next year back in Britain.

Reading an article in the Rye House section of the speedway star it say's the next meeting is the first week of August. So keep any ideas or thoughts coming on the relevant or new topics.

The next promoters meeting is only a week. I am surprised there is so little discussion in this new section 'The Way Ahead' Many of us are the first to complain about the promoters but so few are willing to suggest possible solutions.

OK Salary Cap is the wrong word as riders don't get paid a salary but get paid per points scored. One of the possible issues with PL clubs moving to the EL is rider costs. Haven't Ice hockey clubs been going through a similar problem? Salary Caps are used in the Rugby League and are coming into football Division 3 but for different reason to why it could be used in speedway. Do you think salary caps could work or not? and are they the answer? Don't the BSPA already set out a recommend points money system for riders at different levels? (e.g Heat Leader, Second String, Reserve) Had a look around the net and found a few articles about sports salary cap http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/other_spo...rts/2546199.stm http://sportfocus.dynaportal.co.uk/newspub...ory.cfm?ID=2455 http://www.speedwaymanager.co.uk/forum/top...409&whichpage=1 !

Magda spells out Witches' woes

I have read else where on the net an interesting idea where the heat leaders would be restricted to X number of points.

With the increasing number of stand alone clubs in the CL what do you think of the idea of having a new division for those clubs? Hopefully over time this could increase in size as new tracks are born and the option for any struggling PL teams to drop down. The CL could then stay more or less as is with a few changes to the use of ex-EL / PL riders! There are many obvious pitfalls to this, one being that currently they are not really enough teams at about 8 to do this but think it is worth looking at and putting in the plan?

Was this anywhere near your time going to Leicester Sir L?