SPEEDY69

I think the frustration he has is that Swindon were outvoted and the FRN went from Thursday to Wednesday, to suit Ipswich & Sheffield.

Who's that?

Couldn't agree more with this or the sentiment of disappointment/being aghast. T*T$ up is the right phrase I think. shame because it's a great sport and I loved being a part of it. Oh for a Barry Hearn type figure. By the way, shame about SS and WH Smith, it's where I get mine as they're at the train station.

I am not and I would have nothing but respect for a promoter who says we tried to get this rider but I'm not prepared to meet their demands. It does need all of them to operate a similar stance otherwise they will migrate to those who pay more but if points limits and replacements are found then the opportunities for those with big demands dry up. I accept there will always be differences but they should never go beyond what they can afford in order to make a profit.

I agree completely, especially the bit I've highlighted. Riders have been running the sport for too long now - it was never that way. Even some in the third tier make a nice tidy sum out of the sport. The business model has to work and if wages are too high then lower them - if that means you don't get so an so in the team then so what. Promoters should be able to make money - if it was my business that would be my goal. You could even make their payments linked to crowd size/revenue generated - some may want to then spend more time engaging fans to try and get more through the turnstiles.

I've not seen any evidence to suggest riders haven't been paid - this is also not mentioned in Nicholls' interview in the Star this week. If they had a proposal to continue this year then the BSPA should have taken that seriously, not dismiss out of hand. It's a shame their statement is not punctuated correctly because it could be read that they were forced out of the league or just had the meeting against Swindon cancelled by the BSPA. I am pleased to see that they state their intent to continue with speedway for both this year and into 2019 but without BSPA support it's difficult to see how that can happen. They previously forced Sittingbourne (Iwade) to close and place so many restrictions upon amateur clubs which forces them into either not complying with rules or being unable to operate due to costs being too high. To me they do their best to protect their own self interest rather than take a more strategic approach and outsider/new people to join their club never get a glorious welcome.

I agree with this but £10k each meeting is a huge sum, if true. The BSPA release also said BMR notified them of the troubles, as well as riders. As they are the leaseholders, did they sub-let to the promotors and charge a rent? BSPA release doesn't make it sound like the promoters are BMR.

I think some people are confusing Rye House with Belle Vue on here. The 1500 crowd figure was posted in relation to Belle Vue. The 400 figure was posted in relation to Rye House.

Not if you reduce points limits - there are several in NL/development leagues who could step up and yes, maybe reducing the number of riders in each team could also help.

By not letting them ride in multiple UK leagues.

It is true to say though that for much of last season and over the winter, most people on on forum thought FRN were the answer and the BSPA must have listened to that, along with Jason Doyle, Chris Holder and other riders. I always said it was a bad idea, tail wagging dog etc. If a rider cannot commit to a club then get someone who can - their loss. To risk the viability of clubs is the ultimate risk in my view, much more important than transient riders. Why should they be allowed to ride in 2 or even 3 UK leagues? Those over 6 in PL should not be allowed in CL and I don't care whether they rode CL or not before. It's time they got tough with this. Yes, it will reduce riders in the CL but there are plenty in NL and development leagues to take up places.

When are Rye going to replace Clegg, can't be doing him any good whatsoever.

No interest in football. From reports it seemed like Lynn had a normal sized crowd last Monday when the bladder booters were on TV.

Disagree entirely. In the final it was last place that mattered - it was completely irrelevant who won the race. Tai and Artem must have known that yet both did nothing to ensure their team mate didn't finish last.

Agree. Beat Bewley and headed Lambert for 3 and 3/4 laps. Was hoping he'd go straight to final but denied by Cook on the line. At 40 he's not too bad. Lambert should do well at Cardiff if he gates like he did in SoN. Hope Bewley gets a ride.

Difference with the GP is that all points count towards the world title - unless the FIM in their wisdom decide to change that in the future with the top four points scorers going in a grand final at the end

Yes but that's the point. It was not finishing last that was crucial, it didn't matter who won the race. Tai largely left Robert to himself on the inside all meeting and they did deserve to win overall -some of the other 'teams' were just individuals as usual, such as Doyle and Lindgren.

I think the Championship has actually lost its way a bit. The second division never used to include No.1s from the top division and this increased doubling down/up has led to a lack of distinction. One of the only real differences I can see this year is that the reserves seem to be a lot weaker in the CL, presumably to compensate for all the PL riders in the teams. For too long now the riders have driven the agenda, whether that's the introduction of the GP series (ooh controversial) or the fixed race nights - if it was to avoid fixture clashes then why is it only in the PL? The BSPA/SCB should re-draw the league structure, limit riders to only one league CL or PL, reduce the average conversion so that it lowers the level of those eligible to rider CL and if they don't like it they can do one. There would need to be an increase in fixtures for PL so that the bizarre situation of being able to earn more in a lower league is removed. Sorry this is not about Rye House - for them I expect they will be seeking a change to fixed nights as I don't see the move to Mon/Weds paying off for them. They did well last night, just need Harris to actually start scoring and drop Clegg - his inclusion is not benefiting him or the club as far as I can see.

The inconsistency with refereeing is what frustrates and I don't think slo-mo replays help at all. What can look to be a minor touch on a slo-mo can unbalance a rider very easily whereas in some positions you can take a hard knock and still carry on (if you want to). What happened between MJ and ES was similar to what Doyle got excluded for at the last GP. That time he did nothing wrong and the guy on the outside tried to cut back but there was nowhere to go. Wrong man disqualified that time, right one this time

It was reported that he got his passport a long time ago and it's his Visa which is proving difficult. This is something regularly applied for and there must be a good reason why it has not been renewed. Maybe he owes tax & NI from previous earnings? Maybe there has been a crime committed somewhere, either here or in Aus? Must be something serious to prevent him from earning here.

The track may be good but the experience for fans is not, in my view. On my second visit (first was World Cup so that doesn't count) I had no idea where to queue and wanted to stand on bend 2. It was a long queue I was standing in at the main entrance but luckily I did speak to the person next to me who told me I had to go out of the stadium bit and walk around a car park and there'll be a little gate where I had to go for bend 2. There was one catering van which took forever to get served and I missed one of the races. The meeting was good but the experience could have been so much better.

Harris is shocking for Glasgow as well - not sure what's gone wrong there but it's hurting two teams - at Lynn last year he was absolutely brilliant. Clegg in my view will never make the grade at Premiership level, Perks was much better.

Was an enjoyable meeting - you certainly can't keep a rider behind you very easily if they are faster. Batchelor was making starts but didn't have the same pace. Funny how the inside was king to start with then the outside and this reverted to the inside again near the end. Have to admit Pearson's shouting is starting to grate, nothing wrong with KT though.

Said Said this many times whilst most people seemed to be extolling the fixed nights. It will change, business can't survive without the necessary income. Great victory for Rye with Poole showing what a decent reserve can do. Harris and Clegg are the real weak points. For Poole, once confidence grows they will get the wins.

I agree and felt that Pawlicki was actually the cause - he tried to cut underneath Woffinden when Doyle was already there - he should have moved to a wider line. Totally harsh on Doyle and the wrong decision.