I'm not exactly sure who's happy with this at the moment... Poole?

I think that's a great question.  I've no doubt that Nielsen would still beat almost all the current riders, as he did back in the 80s/90s, particularly in the UK.  It's called speedway but plenty of people are very successful with ultimately 'slower' machines.  It's about talent/skill and getting the most out of what you're riding - the dream of being world champion by having the quickest bike is just that, a dream.

But apparently 11 make a Championship season - 2 BSN, 1 cup & 8 league matches. That will be why riders have to double up and fans don't know when the next meeting is as there's large gaps in the racing calendar.

I’ve got 4 well maintained raceable uprights 1 jap, 1 weslake  and 2 GMs and you’re right I wouldn’t hand them over to anyone, cost too much to get to that standard and if anyone is going to blow them up or bend them it’s going to be me and I think that’s pretty much the stance of the majority of owners 

I remember many moons ago Mike Sampson, Bob Coles and Chris Roynon used to pitch up to Holker Street in an old ford zodiac with a three bike trailer on the back.

He should have tried Mildenhall or Iwade back in the 90s, 'changing room' at the latter was a 50s caravan with no shower or curtains. Has he not ridden some of the dog awful tracks they have in the Danish league 😁