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I think you might be wrong about Jensen & Bach. They're better than those averages. As to the other 4, I think you are right. Cutting back on fixtures this season but have just spoken to my chauffeur about our 2018 journeys to the Wild West. Wouldn't be the same without a few trips up to Dodge City.

It is quite a breathtaking level of arrogance that has been shown by those who run the Sport in this Country that they have continually ignored the feedback of their very own patrons for so many years.. I would say that since this piece was written crowds are now approximately 20% of what they were then, meaning 80% of its customer base has been eroded either sadly through natural causes or the disillusionment of an ageing fanbase.. You cannot have any greater help in running any business than your customers telling you what they like you doing and what they dont, and Speedway through various weekly and monthly magazines during the past thirty years, and obviously the Internet in the past 10 in particular, have had literally thousands of pieces of 'feedback' which incredibly have been completely ignored... The frustration for the few fans that now remain is that the feedback the governing bodies have received has been year on year very, very, similar in content with many common themes running through the fans' discontent... When the mantra should have been "We are listening, thanks for the feedback , we will change" it instead became "We are right, and you fans have absolutely no idea what you are talking about". "British Speedway, now reaping what it has sowed over the past thirty years"... That would be a good strap line for the 2018 season....

Well dropping last years, excellent, 2 British riders rule hasn't helped!!!

That’s crazy about Ellis Perks. Just like Stefan Nielsen this year. I can’t believe Championship promoters don’t prioritise British talent. Why isn’t there a rule requiring all British riders under 25 who have achieved a 4 point average to be signed? Ellis might not be the big improver that wins you the Championship title this year - compared to the new 5.2 point Scandinavians - but he will be a solid, cost effective investment for years to come. It’s also crazy that Premiership teams have dropped the two British riders rule.

Cutting the ribbon at the new Poole cafe?

You'e a proper fan Win,Lose or draw cheer your team on. You had enough seasons without a team. Cherish it now they'e back

what is a pub ichair? Have Apple moved into the corporate furniture business?

WROTE the following in an edition of Speedway Star in June 1981. Could have repeated it every year since including the present one. SPEEDWAY in this country is facing a crisis which threatens the foundations on which the sport is built. Unless something is done to stop the squabbling, the wastage of money, bending of the rules and, in some cases, blatant breaking of regulations, speedway will lose even the support of the hard core of fans. Vast numbers of followers are becoming disenchanted either with the way speedway is run or by the attitude of riders who seem prepared to bite the hand that feeds them. Any rider who doesn't fulfil his commitments is cheating the public. It is as simple as that. Speedway has got itself into such a mess with foreign riders that there is no easy way out. But a remedy must be found. First, however, the promoters who run league speedway in this country must put their own house in order. Speedway desperately needs a clearly defined set of regulations which are strictly adhered to without exception. The rulebook as it is at present is bent, manipulated, rewritten, ignored or changed at will. That cannot continue. Sadly, it seems it has.

He's only available to come to Panthers if he wants to ride for them and as he has is heart set on Sheffield he's most likely to go there, regardless of where Laura wants him to go the rider will get the final say. Or as they say you can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead.

They may be not world stars ,but they have shown there loyalty to the club instead of taking off for pastures anew as soon as soon as better terms are offered elsewhere , they have stuck by the club when others like B.Barker . C. Harris , P. Starke , J.Holder have all turned there backs and moved on. That's why they stick by them because they are reliable and dependable and put the club first , regardless if they are the best options or not loyalty must go a long way.

human beings , cant work with them , wont work without them . so throw some names in the pot and lets see what you come up with ! if you are a worky supporter , support the team . as long as they all put on a good show and dont do a sarj on us . i will be there and happy . so lets have your team then !

Plus their brother ... Chance.

That reminds me of the that comedy act Norfolk and Good.

So much for the " we have to have doubling up as there's not enough riders " argument . 5.2 seems fair for an untried newcomer . If he flops then you move for someone else and if he's a bargain on that average then the club , whomever that is , deserves credit for doing their homework on him .

1) To be open honest and transparent 2) Fan interaction - the majority of this forum for example is team building thoughts through the winter And when changes are needed in May then then both 1 and 2 apply again

Very true but perhaps it's long overdue to make some radical changes and nurtre uk rider's

The thread's title is "Things Don't Change." Happy New Year, BWitcher!

It does seem farcical that British riders do not get the nod over new untried imports. Ive been saying for years that i would like to see all British riders get a 1 point reduction on their average at the end of each season to make them more attractive signings

I'm sure ged will make plenty once the season has started..if the past is anything to go by.

At least we have had some actual info on how averages have been set for newcomers - Thanks Edinburgh promotion for providing this. Just need to know now how some existing averages have been reached!!

So you keep saying like a broken record.... what exactly did he say then, as you keep missing that bit of information out?

It's the ultimate example of how folks look back and forget the dross. If that meeting was a Grand Prix now it would be being slagged off.

Cant wait to prove u wrong

I have always wondered why the 1981 World Final was looked upon as the best ever. Playing back the video (yes remember them?) confirms to me that apart from 3 or 4 races it was as boring and processional as all the rest.

Which is true, it certainly wouldn't be. But at Somerset when I was there (three times) in 2017 the programme contained far more than the race listings and adverts. There were pages and pages of off-beat and entertaining articles by good writers. To me, the Somerset programme is very good value for money!

If the BSPA were shown a scatter graph they would take one look at it and scatter !!!!!!

It’s a great idea to promote to the holiday makers, but there are still people living in Somerset who have no idea the track is there. Surely these are the people the promotion should be targeting.

And the league where 95% of the meetings happened?

As did mine which is and has been since I complained nearly 100% reliably on a Thursday. A few years ago after my subscription copy kept getting later and later I had a word with our local postman who I knew fairly well and he told me the problem isn’t the local post office but the regional sorting office (their priorities) he advised me to write or email the local manager which I did and for the last 5 years my copy has nearly 100% arrived on the Thursday like it did over Christmas and New Year.

Yes.. if he is not needed by Poole. Bewley & Shanes would make a great pairing at reserve for the Aces. Here's hoping !

So Lions are... Vaculik 8.00 Bates 5.52 King 6.66 Pieszczek 6.50 Andersen 7.75 Newman 4.86 Sarjeant 2.60 Not a bad team at all & with 0.61 to spare in case a rider is under-performing at the start of the year.

Don't think he has enough fingers and toes.

We can't afford Lindgren... so little hope of affording three of them.

He is a Suffolk lad...they still have steam tractors

Interesting comment in Speedway Star today saying that Woffy was seriously considering racing in the UK in 2018 with 2 night racing being introduced. Until he was told his average was about to 'rocket'. Wonder if the original line up might have been Fred, Piotr and Tai? ? That would have been awesome! ! Even Jacob plus the duo would have been superb. According to SS it looks like Vacilik will be an 8 as a newcomer, yet others who missed racing here in 2016 could be different, you just can't try and make a bigger mess up if you tried!

We call him Back...cos that's where he will be spending most of his time...at the back

I would never argue that it wasn't a fantastic event to be at, I have always said that an average speedway meetings in front of a large crowd with a great atmosphere is better than a great meeting in front of a sparse crowd. Wembley and the size of the crowd, the names taking place and the prize at stake obviously amplified that many times over.

whats the speedway like in York ?

WHAT have they got to do with it? As usual you try and get in a dig about the SGP when there is no need. Even in the early 80s Wembley still had an aura, events staged there were instantly elevated in the public eye, the soccer pitch was superb, unlike most others in those days. But it's facilities for spectators were very poor, out-dated and in drastic need of renovation. Compared.to the Wembley of today it is of course chalk and cheese.

Certainly wasn't rubbish. I went and for atmosphere it took some beating...which is one of the main ingredients for a speedway meeting. Certainly compared with Cardiff when I went some years back.

Sad to hear this afternoon that there will be no place in the 2018 side for Jack Smith. I really like his attitude, despite finding points hard to come by at times, he never threw the towel in. Even after a difficult meeting at the NSS, he would front up at the after match press confidence, making clear his desire to improve & re-stating his pride in wearing the Ace on his chest. Not only that, after the dreadful finger injury he suffered in the crash at Swindon, he was determined come back for the finale to the season & did so, in both Aces & Colts colours, & rode well. Sincerely hope he leads the Colts in 2018 & finds a place in the Aces team again in the near future. He displays the fighting qualities I want to see in a rider in my team, I for one wish him well.

Some people have unrealistic expectations! It might not look like a Birmingham side of 2015 or 2016 but it's not bottom half either as you say. They've even managed to find a guaranteed average improver in that top 3 with Hume. Then with Walker, Flint and Cupitt (presumably) in the side they always have a decent reserve.

Given the general financial position of speedway at present and the further instability the likelyhood of no TV money adds then I would think transfer values are at rock bottom right now

Things don't change. In 1948 there were 28 stand alone tracks. In 1968, 28. In 1988, 27. In 2018, 28.

I wonder how much input middle got because sometimes it doesn't look a lot ?

give us it all in 1 swift bowel movement So beautifully put!

Programme advertising (as well as track advertising/sponsorship) might be one of the few income generators for a club?! I presume like with Somerset, those clubs that also own their own stadia also have additional revenue from bars, catering and car parking (less any costs that go with them). For those clubs that rent their stadia they only get advertising, sponsorship and turnstile income - everything else goes to the Stadium owner!!

Well I for one will be at the MPA whatever kind of season we have. The wooden spoon years, the exciting last season, I'm a Bears fan, they are my team. Thick or thin seasons, I love watching them, obviously, I want a decent season, who wouldn't . I'm not as au fait with averages rules I'm afraid as established members are. I'm learning a lot on here.

Bloody hell the winners and losers in the star is all light hearted, why do some appear to take it so seriously? Hence some appearing in both categories.

THERE was plenty more...