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How dare you blame the fans! Ridiculous post! You can go to Leicester and still have those arguments, fans could use it as a place of peaceful protests. I don't see how running elsewhere hinders the SCS campaign, they've even said that themselves. I'm of the opinion if we run and continue to do so it will put pressure on the council to help find other avenues like insist on a new site elsewhere. The longer we don't run the harder it will be to get support needed for a new site. Anyway whatever happens Brandon Estates will spin it to try and gain an advantage whether we run, we don't run or whether its successful or not. They'll have an answer for it. We just need to make better arguments instead of blaming the fans choices.

I can't agree with that Lindgren has showed tremendous character to regroup and get his career back on track after a poor year.He is definitely a top eight rider now in the world and that has really surprised me Iversen is the same position that Lindgren was in needs he to prove he is still a force at top level I hope he does it.

A very fair analysis. What is also important to remember is that Mick has a 'place at the table' at the BSPA. Were he to cease running the Bees, any new applicant wishing to bring Speedway back to Coventry would be treated as a 'new entrant' requiring significant bonds etc, in the case of Premiership speedway that would be a very significant sum. Running at Leicester DOES enhance the chance of returning to race in Coventry, contrary to what some posters here may say. Watching the Bees at Leicester is certainly not going to line Mick's pockets, but would be a positive contribution to the Bees' future. If not watching them ultimately contributes to failure, that could make any attempt to return Speedway to Coventry more challenging for a new investor.

So, you all boycott and help to kill it off. You'll then have plenty of time as the bulldozers and houses to move in to say "Well, we showed them". You have a golden opportunity to show that there is still a genuine interest in the Bees. It's sad that so many of you are throwing it away.

As I say good to see these events shared around different tracks.

Nope - Lindgren is the better of the two.

Pleased to see NKI back racing in Britain. two good heat leaders now and hopefully an upturn for the Stars.

1 , Poole Everything that is wrong with our average system is highlighted in this team. Ford’s astuteness to assemble his team using out of date figures has placed Poole on a pedestal few can match. Out of date figures have always been the wrath of team building but the BSPA do nothing to remedy it. This league victory will be a walk in the park … 2, Leicester One has to appreciate the strides the Lions have made in their quest to assembly a strong Team. Spear-headed by a GP rider, coupled with 3 more heat leader quality riders makes them a formidable team. Pleased that Bates changed his mind that will only add strength lower down. Getting Simon Stead as Team manager was an impressive coup… They should reach the PO without too much trouble. 3 Belle Vue I feel disappointed they haven’t won the league recently. They have been super strong all season only to lose out in the play-offs. Led by strong heat leaders they will score most over their rivals with their young class reserves. Losing KB will be a big loss but no doubt Tungate will step up. A dead cert PO position but I feel they will miss out again. 4, Swindon Losing Doyle could have been a bigger lost than it has been, but Morris is a readymade No1. Adding the selfish Batchelor to the solid team could be a master stroke or a mistake, but either way they will have too much strength not to reach the PO. 5. Wolves This 1 over 8 rule has cost Wolves more than most. Losing Freddie is a massive lost that other members will find hard to cover. When meetings were close it was always Freddie to the rescue. Thorsell, Masters and Rory should hold their own, but it is lower down I feel they will struggle. Although they have an able leader in Adams, I feel victory this year, the league will be too much, even for him. 6. Rye House They have 2 areas of confidence that will really helps them. The first is the massive home advantage gained from their tight track, and secondly the experience from their elder riders. Both these issues make them far stronger then would normally be seen and will provide enough strength to be very competitive. I think the PO will be a step too far. 7. Kings Lynn I rate Niels very highly, equally as important to Michael Lee back in his prime. Mr Reliable himself. To have him back on board is wonderful. I wish I could be more confident with the team we have assembled. For us to have a chance of the PO every rider has to up his game. Lambert and Jorgensen have to become solid heat leaders, and new boys Proctor and Andersen have to hit the ground running. It’s a big ask . I will be there supporting them whatever the outcome. If the track is in first class condition and the racing is good, I’ll be more than happy with that… 8. Summerset Such is the competition this year it will be no disgrace to come bottom. The bottom 4 are all of similar quality and could finish in any order. Doyle is the master when results are close and could be a deciding factor. But like Lynn, Somerset could suffer as most opposition like to come ride on a decent tracks, the home advantage disappears. Hope they do well but I feel the competition is too strong. Conclusions: I fear Poole are way too strong. They have no weak links and will win by a distant. The next 3 teams are all solid and competent enough to make the PO. The bottom 4 again a competitive group that could finish in any of those positions, but I will be very surprised if one manages to jump into another grouping.,.,

Despite all the negativity about the Stars team I will be at the AFA when the season starts supporting the Stars. Let's all give the team a chance and see how it goes.

Little bit of advice Starman. Don’t get into the usual heated debates with Gavan or anyone else. It will raise your blood pressure one way or another, even without you realising it, and at the moment that would not be good for you.

Thank you guys thats much appreciated. Like all of us we stick up for our clubs, but end of the day we are a speedway family, and when push comes to shove we back each other. Again thank you both for you kind words. It will be a long road, with many ups and downs, but i will get there. be nice to bump into either of you during the season..

Well, we are just going to go and support the team whatever, we just want to see speedway. Cannot go bowling any more Star Lady as I have arthritis in my fingers. Use to bowl in winter when speedway finished.I think we had 6 teams consisting of 4 people back in the day when I lived in Newcastle. I have adopted the Stars as my team and if I had to choose on the night between 10 pin or speedway I know what I will choose. Speedway will always come out top. At 70 years I am not interested in the whys and wherefores and all the technicality. Been watching speedway since 1964 and would be very sad if I couldn't get to a meeting or if it closed down. Just want to see the lads racing and winning hopefully but it is not the end of the earth if they lose. We will still be there the following week/s.

Talking Pictures TV will be showing this wonderful movie in February. Keep an eye on their website or your EPGs. They showed "Skid Kids", the cycle speedway film the other day, which was interesting, films are repeated so look out for that one too. The channel can be found on Freeview Ch 81, You View Ch 81, Sky Ch 343 Virgin Ch 445, Freesat Ch 306, so you should be able to tune in somehow If I find out the date/time, I'll post it here. http://talkingpicturestv.co.uk/

No sour grapes from me for moving it to Redcar , I am not a great lover of the fours event at the best of times and last season I arranged my holiday to Australia coincide with the tournemont , it 'was the only meeting I missed and still managed to get back for the next home meeting against Newcastle. Good luck to Redcar and I hope they make a success of it .

two teams to manage , job outside speedway , easy . not too sure of running a marriage tho . thats hard even without anything else going on .lol.

But they DID ride in the PL in 2017 and, thus, have current averages to be used and/or converted where appropriate.

And you think anybody on here would know that , we don't even know the rules ffs never mind how much someone pays for an event.

Very well written piece above!

I very much doubt Neil Vatcher has done this unaided - no doubt one, or more, complaints have been made and he has responded. One thing is for sure is that we will never get the full story.

Must agree with Rob McCaffery. Those who are spouting the venom to persuade others not to attend the Coventry Bees project at Leicester are doing the sport in general great harm. Even IF it does not help the cause of a return to Brandon, it IS Speedway and those of us with cinder in our blood should support it where=ever and whenever it is staged. I am a :Lakeside Hammers fan but I attend as many meetings elsewhere as is possible. I know that is unusual, but at least ALL fans of any team should support their team to make sure they are not lost as so many are.

I totally disagree. I qute like Ludde he's a 100% rider and which i love watching him especially at home. I think he knows he needs to improve his away perfomances but don't think he's an ideal captain as he is constantly beating himself up after a bad ride whether it's shouting at himself or his mechanic or smashing his helmet off his pits area.He should be ready to give encouragement to the riders going out in the next heat and more often than not he's not in a position to do so. For this reason I think Robbo should be handed the captaincy because of his mild manner and his experience.

I see that numpty Steve Brum laughed at my last post. Hes obviously dull enough to not see how true it is. Iversen nearly 2.00 a higher average than Lindgren in 2016. would much rather NKI leading my side than Lindgren.

Looks Like the Poole & Ipswich fans are going to score well again

Iversen far superior to lindgren and hampel in UK speedway

Do people not bother reading all the subsequent messages before posting? Double O has already apologised for his error..

Yes. It's 1 point for a personal insult 2 if you manage to upset all the supporters of a particular team and 3 if you p!ss off the whole forum. I'll get my coat

Ok have pie n peas and a soft drink . Scunny dan was only putting a suggestion forward .plenty of positives at scunny this season try buying into it .

Congratulation to Kevin & Co. for getting this Event to the North East. I think it will be a tremendous day out. I hope the weather is kind. Well done Redcar and the very best of luck - you deserve it. Hopefully I'll be there.

It's a massive shame that Freddie isn't racing here this season, a guy who has always ridden in the UK Niels now starts a seventh season with Lynn, 8 if you count years ago .... he's great to watch if a little lacking in the team riding front but he rarely gets under double figures home and away and for me there's nothing better than watching him fly round Lynn, what a style I think I even like his style better than Leigh Adams

The fact remains that the BSPA confirmed in writing the averages the riders could be signed on, and Lakeside were entitled to rely on that letter. Then along comes the SCB and says the BSPA letter is not worth the paper it's printed on. Not difficult to work out why the sport is in a mess is it ?

Both are class riders on their day. both have had injuries too of late. so who is the better as of march this year is really not worth arguing about. its like the morris and kurtz argument too! both very similar ability wise! will know the answer on both as the season unfolds.!

Ez had a very thorough knowledge of the Somerset track and what was required to prepare it. He certainly put the time and effort in and was passionate as to how it ‘rode’ each week. One could always see him peering anxiously over the 4th bend fence during meetings. Mind you, he rarely looked happy even if his surfaces were in top condition and communication was never his best trait. That said, he will be a huge loss if the rumours are true that he has left

Lindgren had an excellent UK season in 2017. We shall not be able to compare him with NKI in the UK this year, unless the situation changes and he signs for a PL team but I doubt there would be much between them. Not using Green Sheet Averages, because I can't find them split between home and away average but taking account of all league matches and not including bonus points, Doyle had the best away average last year and was therefore the best visitor. He was followed by Morris, Cook and then Lindgren, although not much difference between those three. Doyle also had the best home average and Lindgren was second. They were the only riders to average over 10.

On current form, I believe that Lindgren is the better rider despite what your backside says. It's irrelevant anyway because PUK is riding here this year and not Freddie. BTW - past form is no indication of current/future performance. In terms of like ability though, I would take PUK every time!

Pretty sure fans can do both support the team and fight for Brandon I think that would go down better with council planners

Quite the opposite. Those hoisting the white flag and saying "Yes sir, we'll meekly shuffle off to Leicester and not cause any trouble for Brandon Estates" are the ones who are signing the death warrant for Brandon Stadium. They'll have plenty of time as the bulldozers and houses move in to say "I wish we'd put up a fight and not allowed Coventry Speedway to die". The only chance to save Coventry is to say "We won't be shunted off to Leicester. Coventry speedway belongs in Coventry". Make enough fuss so that the council daren't allow a change of use for the Coventry Stadium land, or at least force an agreement for a new stadium to be built before a change of use is granted. Maybe those fighting for Brandon won't win in the end, but at least they will be able to say "I tried, and I wasn't a Leicester quitter"

First two transmission dates are: 19th Feb 18.00 25th Feb 14:00

Absolutely correct. Media coverage is impossible for a Saturday night practice. Back in the day when Bandits were at Berrington (and could run bikes any day, any time) the P&P sessions were on a weekday morning preceding the opening night, with two TV channels and a dozen journalists in attendance. The coverage from the joint (weekday morning) P&P sessions at Brough Park in recent seasons bears this out. They even had Per Jonsson up for local TV on a Tuesday morning as the newly-crowned world champion to advertise an end-of-season individual meeting.

Let's at least start the season with a little bit of Polishesque enthusiasm, pride and love for our club and team, it works for Polish Speedway!!

I didn't even know about this channel, looks great

Before you get carried away with name calling lets look at the sequence of events : 1. In November 2017 the BSPA decided in their wisdom at the AGM that Ben Morley and Zack Wachtnect could be assessed their 2016 averages. Any club could have signed them on those averages (even Ipswich) but Lakeside did. 2. Whatever one thinks of the rule the fact is that Lakeside according to their statement obtained written confirmation from the BSPA that the riders could be signed on those averages. 3. More than two months after written confirmation was given the SCB (a.k.a Neil Vatcher ) decide to delete the rule. Now why has it taken 10 weeks, almost to the eve of the season to get round to this ? What has Vatcher been doing in the mean time ? Who has been pulling his strings ? If the rule was wrong why did the SCB not overturn it straight away instead of waiting until until almost the eve of the season when a settled team was fully signed and Max Cleggs alternative job options were limited ? I would suggest that instead of calling people names it would be more productive to look towards the sports administrators who once again have shown they would have difficulty holding down the post of events organiser at the local brewery. This of course follows Lakeside first of all being told they can sign Nicholls and Kennet , then being told they cant.

1970 had 13 races and a full second half, normally 18 - 20 races total...interval after the match so if the kids needed to fog home main event was done.....

That will be heat 2

Like Boz said Improved viewing areas are being worked on, more catering vans to be planned, Car parking being looked and and some other places sorted. Even outside if those footy fans can get away with parking their cars all over and the Police and Council doing nothing about them then it shouldn't be a problem. The track is one of the best in Speedway and there will be good action on it. i'm sure the true Speedway fans will come and watch while the yappers will continue to yap. It should be as great days entertainment.

There seems an irony that the 4's move from the track Ged got, to the track he wanted to run in the first case. But best of luck Redcar, they will do a good job I am sure, and it's a lot less miles for me and my Northern brethren. They have already held the 4's meeting for the NJL 4's for about 4 years now. I think we will still miss Peterborough as that day out is always something special to me and my family as it is with most fans.

They had to get it on a certain date to make sure the car parking at the adjacent Karting / moto cross facilities will also be in full sole operation by Redcar Speedway for the 4s meeting. Dont worry everything has been well and truly thought out before this meeting was accepted by the promotion

For the latest develpments tune onto jackanory

The thing is, most people can see through the (alleged) bribe from Brandon Estates to shunt Coventry off to Leicester. And most people see Horton conspiring with the enemy by taking the (alleged) bribe. Once Coventry race at Leicester, Brandon Estates can say to the council "Look they're happily re-homed at Leicester. They don't need a stadium in Brandon anymore" And who do we think invited gypsies to Coventry stadium? Do we think the gypsies just happened across the stadium themselves? They say there's only a padlock on the carpark gate that gypsies cut through easily, but isn't it a fact that when the stadium was in use there was never much more than a padlock on the car park gate? But the gypsies never invaded the car park then. It's as if someone invited them now. And of course there's the mystery fires that will eventually burn the stadium to the ground. Has Brandon had any major fires in the past 70 years? But now it will mysteriously have several. Accepting the Bees move to Leicester is giving in to Brandon Estates plans and bribes to show that no one needs Coventry stadium anymore.

Liam Carr to manage the Birmingham Bulls . Brilliant news i am a massive fan of Liam both on and off the track he will be such a positive influence on us in 2018 and a huge fans favourite a masterstroke from the club .

Nothing like Football. Football is booming at the highest level, Speedway is struggling at the highest level. If we had an unbalanced league, attendances would drop at the poorest sides & the league would fail, sides dropping out as they could not sustain the losses. We all know that you want Poole to win the league every season & don't care how it's achieved but if that were to happen, even Poole would fail as there would be no Speedway.