Trevor

If there was an annoucement at 7pm, that the start was being delayed for half an hour, because of the weather, I could have understood it. But with the track lights off etc it gave the impression to me that it a 7.30 start was what they were now working towards.

The meeting was spoilt by finishing 2 heats early with the result still in the balance. This was because of so many re-runs, on a tricky track, with the time after the 10pm curfew. There were many spills, well done Stoke for having an airfence, it must have saved serious injury tonight. However, IF the meeting had started at the time stated on teletext, and the time stated on the front of the programme, then the meeting would have been able to reach it's natural conclusion. Half the crowd turned up for a 7pm start with the other for a 7.30 start, the meeting had been poorly advertised, nothing for example in this weeks Speedway Star. Who set the time at 7pm, who changed it to 7.30???

Does anyone know how much this meeting costs? There is no advert in the Speedway Star, Stoke do not have a website, the BSPA site just says there is a meeting, with such poor PR how do they expect fans to turn out?

Does anyone know anything about this meeting on the 18th Oct? Format? Teams? Cost? As I was thinking of going along as the end of my limited 'Speedway going' this season.

I know I'm biased, but would love to have seen the Halifax Dukes colours being worn in this meeting. I fondly remember the Aces v Dukes matches from the 70's. Beside it could have pulled in some extra fans, to see the White Elephant on the blue and red background ride again.

I know there are quite a few New Zealanders riders in the UK this season, I wonder, are there enough to form a national team to ride any challenge matches? Maybe at Conference level? It would certainly be a step back, I remember seeing a NZ team ride, many years ago...

Do you know why they got rid of it as a idea? It must be better than the Joker!!!

Double points has always been a silly idea, in sport, points, goals, runs have to be earned. To double them just to manipulate the scores, makes the sport look Mickey Mouse at best. How about this idea to help create closer meetings? When a team is eight points behind allow them choice of gate positions, until they are back within eight points, then reverse back to the programmed gate positions. We often see a certain gate having the majority of heat winners, so giving that gate to the team behind would give them the advantage, but they would still have to earn their points on the track fair and square. This idea would avoid the sport looking so 'It's a Knockout' to the viewing public.

Stead and Sceen no chance of winning? Simon Stead and Joe Screen have both done rather well in this competition previously. I feel sorry for Simon as he is part of last years winning pair, now prevented from defending his title. Crumpy would not have won last year by himself, it was a pairs event. Obviously Jason was the man to beat but it was a partnership. Mad plans like this make our sport look so foolish, the authorities need to think again.

It is a mockery that Belle Vue won't be able to defend the title. Mickey Mouse Speedway again! There must be a fomula that allows all the EL teams to take part.

Are there any pictures?

Lets hope that good old Englishman Kevin Pietersen scores a century against the Aussies. Holta riding for Poland, doesn't make the sport look daft as it happens in all sports.

Chopper34, the current format for racing in the UK is 15 heats with the last heat a nominated race. In that, the team managers selects two riders based on their form over the meeting to face each other in the last heat. The 13 heat formula which is what I believe happens in the Kiwi League, was the set up when I first started watching speedway in the 1970's. Both formats have seven man teams, hope that helps. I always prefer a team meeting to an individual one so I hope the Kiwi league is a success.

There has been this year a limited attempt on South Island to have league racing. Three teams are competing in the new 'Kiwi League' they are racing under the old 13 heat formula. On the web site it says the long term plan is to expand in the future.

The Sky match on the 11th Oct was watched by just 80,000 viewers, not a huge audience. However it was the third most watched programme on Sky Sports 2 that week. The truth is only football and top Rugby, Golf and Cricket matches pull the really big figures on SKY. I have watched the figures for Speedway on the BARB website all summer, under the viewer summary weekly reports section. Speedway is the top minority sport, but it has hardly ever gone over the 100,000 plus viewers. The sports figures are respectable but we cannot get carrried away with our importance to Sky.

How long has Leigh Adams been riding in Russia!!!?

The two bits of news on sky tonight about the low life Andersen are interesting. A withrawl from tonight with a hand injury. Has he raced since Saturday night and did he take a injury? Or is this a move to avoid facing any more questions to a TV camera? What of his threat to sue? Who has he in mind, his Ippo team mate, Nichols, for his comments?

Andersen is a disgrace, why didn't he have the courage to admit what he did, rather than come out with such a obvious bunch of lies?

Tony Steele got it right. If Nicki Pedersen was just out out at the front like he claimed. Why suddenly cut out to the right, when the quickest way to the finishing flag is turn left at the bend? No, Nicki saw Crump and intentionally took him out. He got away with it against Greg Hancock, but not tonight.

I have always thought that our top British Refs were the best in the world. I'm afraid the last two GP's have proved that wrong for me. I know that a Polish ref is due to do a GP soon, it will be interesting to see what strength of character he shows. To make the right decision, no matter what pressure you are under.

I cannot understand why an area as big as West Yorkshire, hasn't even got a Conference track! Is the problem lack of a Promoter, or suitable land for a track?

I first went to Speedway at Halifax. That was in the era of Eric Boocock, Greg Kentwell, Alan Jay, and my favourite Dave Younghusband. I followed the Dukes for four years until education and work took me to Lancashire! The big meeting was 'The Dews Trophy'. I always remember the end of season meeting, with fireworks, speeches, Mechanics race, and the deby meetings with Sheffield and Belle Vue. I stood at the top of the third and fourth bend under the little cover that was there. Super memories.

I've often wonderd why we do not have the second half first! At Belle Vue say, the Junior races could begin at 7pm then at 7.30 the parade for the main match would start, even if the Junior races hadn't completed. They could complete after the main match. Problems of being over for a certain time would not then matter. You often hear riders say that the track will improve as the meeting goes on, so why not let the juniors race on it first? This would also boost the attendance for the Junior events and give the crowd something to watch as they arrive.

John Perrin said last night that Belle Vue did not vote for the Joker, do you think we will now have a host of clubs saying "Not me gov"

Does anyone know if the 'History of Speedway' Videos, advertised in the Speedway Star at the moment has any shots of The Shay? I know they have been out some time, so someone must know!