The H Man

I'm not particularly defending Tai here Tim, I don't think he's covered himself in glory by putting out cryptic messages. All I am saying is that he is the "prize asset" that Britain has in terms of quality and therefore maximise that, as I said in early post you don't have to like someone to do business with them!

I wouldn't put Lynchy in the same sentence in the likes of Woffy, Nicholls, the late great Rico or even Lyon! People like him are the reason that British Speedway is in such a mess!

Like or loathe the guy, let's face it, he is the only truly world class rider that this country has! Whether you think he is a plastic Brit or not, he rides under the Team GB banner and for a sport that is dying on it's feet in this country then alienating your best asset isn't the cleverest idea! There is an old saying, you don't have to like somebody to do business with them, in this instance British Speedway needs as much positive publicity as possible and Woffinden is the one guy who can generate some proper press outside of our trade mag. But like I've said many times, whilst the sport in this country is self-governed you will continue to see decisions made that are only in individuals best interests and to have your best asset bad mouthing Team GB isn't in anyone's best interest! Spot on!

the more this saga rolls on the more I genuinely fear for Swindon Speedway. Gaming International made endless promises around the Reading "Racino" all of which of course were false, excuse after excuse, followed by more false hopes for the fans, then another let down before eventually losing the piece of land that Reading Council had given them and granted FULL Planning permission for them to develop on! They never fought to extend the lease on Smallmead and I don't think they ever seriously had an intention of building the "Racino" It sounds a very similar pattern of events 40 miles further West!

Star struck indeed, couldn't sleep that night after mingling with my celebrity mates............so excited I forgot to buy some some sew on badges for my anorak! Sorry for praising your hospitality team, promotion and riders!

Todd's was fantastic at Reading and when he came back for Oxford after a lengthy break from these shores, I think like others have said we saw a more conservative but still very talented. Whatever the competition was called where watered down Elite sides and premier clubs met in 2003. Oxford came to Reading there was some doubt whether he would ride as Wagstaff wanted an appearance fee for him, soon became apparent Todd wasn't behind that and he showed what a professional guy he was off track as well as on.

first visit to the Showground since the Panthers broke the Bulldogs hearts a decade ago! Really enjoyable evening, well looked after in hospitality by Mr Lambert snr and his team, caught up with a couple of old pals in Ulrich Ostergaard and Sam Simota and I thought the racing was good on a well prepared track. Nasty crash between Holub and Kyle Newman, thought that Holub's move was a bit rash, he hung Newman out on the first bend and after Newman passed him fair and square, the Czech lad's move into the last bend was always likely to end in disaster! Having said I liked racing style in his other heats. Boro have a very strong side, very impressed with Simon Lambert and after poor first ride Cook wasn't really trouble. Caught up with Ulrich pre-meeting for bit to eat, he bought along Emil Grondal with him, what a nice lad. Very level headed with a good attitude. For Plymouth impressed with Todd Kurtz, Shame that Newman was hurt and that Holder and Brady Kurtz both had bike problems as did Simota! Overall a really good night - liked the way Boro bring riders through crowd for intros and mingle with fans after racing. They are working hard on the promotion side, hope the crowds continue to grow for them. Also had a chat with Plymouth promotion, best of luck to them, nice guys.

from latest statement Bill Glass, Operations Director at Stadia UK added: “We are employing the latest building techniques which dramatically reduce the construction time and have ensured that our greyhound and speedway racetracks are built to the highest standards of design, drainage and surfacing. “Uniquely, the new stadium racecourse has been designed for ease and quality of media coverage, from the specification of lighting to multi camera facilities.” When open, the new Swindon track will be the latest Stadia UK Greyhound and Speedway racing facility to be built in the country, following their last new facility which opened in Poole in 1997. When have these tossers ever built anything? - Poole 1997. Where has that come from? The bull that Glass and his boss Osborn came up with at Reading was embarrassing - they promised in December 2007 that a new Stadium would be ready for the Racers by June 2008, still waiting 7 years later! Did the exact same thing to Milton Keynes as well remember.

I fear that Shawn is spot on! We had 6 years of GI / Stadia UK bull after they bought Reading Stadium from Allied. The council even provided them with a piece of land for a new build after Smallmead land was sold to developers (don't start me on that one) The fact they told a pack of lies to Reading and before that Milton Keynes fans, I have absolutely zero faith in them to do what they are saying at Blunsdon. I hope I am wrong I really do!

Delighted for my old mate Big O. Lovely guy, always gives 100% and just gets on with it, doesn't whinge about track conditions.

The land close to the old Smallmead site which was earmarked for the new speedway stadium in 2008, was approved for the development of Warehouse & Industrial units last night by Reading Council. Which ends the tiny glimmer of hope for the sport being bought back to the town anytime soon. Even more frustrating is that the old Smallmead site remains barren land 7 years after Smallmead was closed!

Best wishes to Bob in his battle ahead, he seems very positive which is a good sign. I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Bob at Smallmead and he was a great source for advice & guidance in my early times on the mic.

Well you can't be in the know when it comes to dancing ability! The expert judges at Pontins were obviously impressed when Morris won their prestigious competition which lead to him appearing in all sorts of music n dance shows. #boyozone

Covatti is a superb signing, an absolute steal on that average. Birmingham messing him about last year, left him frustrated and well out of pocket, I think that affected his performances for Sheffield without doubt. Now he is fully prepared for a whole campaign, he will be a real asset. I know Armando Castagna really rates him and he showed in the SWC what he is capable of.

Absolutely delighted for Phil. Many congratulations to him on securing such a prestigious role in the sport.

They can revoke a promoters licence!

Sorry Steve for taking so long to reply, but been busy washing my anorak and polishing my pin badges! No hot air or bull from me, been a mate of Phil's for many years and I can assure you and everyone else that has been taking a pop at him over the Compton situation that it was 100% nothing to do with him! I'm not saying anything else on the matter and if you choose to continue to point the finger at him then so be it!

Had the BSPA acted at the end of 2013 when they were warned by trustworthy people that Brummies under Phillips was heading for financial meltdown then a Phoenix would have risen out of the flames and in all likelihood a Brummies team would be functioning today. Had they heeded similar warnings about Mallett at Newport 2 years before there still could have been speedway in South Wales! The sport is on its knees and it's self governed body is allowing people who aren't fit for purpose to drive more nails into an already well worn coffin! Where's next?

Tell you what Crazy Robin, as keyboard warriors like you and Steve Brum know it all! I will bow down to your superior knowledge on everything that's happened! That highly paid BSPA executive Phil Morris corrupted the FTD to ensure that certain clubs benefited, let's hound him out of the sport, he's done nothing for the development of young riders in British Speedway after all.

Is that so crazy robin? How wrong you are. Not sure if your trolling of Mr Morris is amusing or sad Steve! But don't let facts get in the way of your tainted opinions of him!

3% from track sales as a former SS / SM salesman for the legendary Alf Weedon in the mid 80s at Reading that's sad to hear it's fallen so low. My 10p per copy sold used to earn me almost as much as my YTS cash in those days!

I subscribed to the star for 12 years got the usual letter in post saying 4 copies left in September 2013 forgot to re-subscribe, didn't really miss it and no one from the mag bothered to chase me by email, phone or snail mail and haven't bothered to buy a copy since. Thing is had they'd called me I would have re-subscribed for sure out of habit/loyalty alone! Wonder how many others you've lost Phil in same way?

David Robinson a born and bred Reading Racer fan! Bought up on ruffling robins feathers! Tonight he shows you can take the boy out of Reading, but you can't take Reading out of the boy!

Pointing your finger in the wrong direction there fella!

Hi Can anyone help out by providing me with the postal address of Glasgow Speedway? Not sure if they use the stadium or have different postal address elsewhere in the City Thanks Paul;