Leaderboard

Here's a quiz question: When was the last time Panthers fans saw the quote "it’s a team we wanted" and actually thought that they'd settle for that without question as well? It's over a decade at least but management have cracked it this time

Instead of attention seeking it would be a good thing if you got yourself informed on what the petition is for. It is not for a debate. You can go on the Thurrock council website and keep up with the news if you are genuinely interested instead of putting stupid post on here, so toddle off.

There is nothing wrong with the new conversion rate or its longer term intention which is to create a recognisable gap between the 2 league standards It will also make doubling down less attractive Where (as often) it falls down is that the inplementation creates as many questions as answers and therfore anomalies as per this situation At the moment the difference in standard does not warrant a rate of 1.5 Boro have worked out this team superbly to take advantage - its not their fault the figures are currently skewed! There are other issues too which havent been addressed such as riders having lower 2nd tier averages than top tier - this is far more of a challenge to the set up and longer term aim It would be relatively straight forward to combine results from both leagues for riders doubling up, use the agreed conversion to weight the relevant part, and provide a single average to be used in both leagues

Tim Stone at the track on a race day and away from the track was two completely different people. For sure the stadium was his baby and he wasn't going to let anybody else play with it but given that following years of working all over the world on really good money only to put it all (and some) into the stadium you can see why. No matter what the fans stood to lose he had literally everything he had at risk. Nobody could ever accuse him of being a people person on race day! However he'd been a fan, had a go at riding Speedway then been a mechanic for years so by the time you took his promoting experience into account he had as good an understanding of the sport as anybody and far more knowledge than most of his critics. Away from the track he was one of the funniest people you could ever meet with a never ending list of stories told in the most deadpan style followed by his loud belly laugh. A very decent bloke who always dealt with Sam fairly and honestly. The few months before he died he would be on the phone for hours chatting about how to get other revenue streams for the stadium and there were some deals already in the pipeline that I am convinced would have subsidised the Speedway for years to come. He'd finally got to the stage where he wanted a life away from the stadium as well. His detractors were always saying he had to speculate to accumulate but given what happened after his death when just about everything the fans asked for was put in place I would say he was proved right that a tight budget was the way to see Speedway continue in Newport. Whatever else the Mallets did they did improve the track and facilities and spend a lot of money on riders to build a winning team but it didn't work financially. I can't imagine the bridge would have made much difference although it would have saved a few quid on the wages bill.

No one will be able to live with Belle Vue according to acef

Well done to all involved in putting the team together

Peterborough Panthers 2019 Chris Harris 7.59* Hans Andersen 7.56 Craig Cook 7.54* Bradley Wilson Dean 5.27 Charles Wright 5.14* Lasse Bjerre 4.72 Ben Barker 4.58* Total 42.40 * After 2.5% reduction All averages subject to ratification

I remember him guesting for Lakeside. He fell and dislocated his shoulder . He still went out I his next race, in a lot of pain to crawl round at about 20m.p.h. To collect third place in a three rider race to collect the single point that gave Lakeside the narrow win. Considering the amount of pain he was in, and the fact that he wasn't even a Lakeside rider, just a guest, it was one of the most courageous rides I have ever seen. He would have been quite justified in withdrawing from the meeting. If ever a rider deserved more success, Adam did. Best wishes for the future Adam.

I was there in 1970 with Ray Glover's party, and can confirm that that achievement by Ivan, in the face of everything the Poles threw into trying to get their man to win, just cannot be overstated or underestimated - it really was an amazing victory behind the Iron Curtain. Special mention to Trevor Hedge as I recall it, taking a ride late in the meeting when clearly not fit so to do, in order that a Polish reserve did not take his place who might have had a say in the outcome. Anyone else on here with similar memories of the day? Sad to hear of the passing of Pawel.

Remind us....How many Elite League teams have you managed to the title?

The point whether Severn tolls affected Newport speedway is a valid one. When I mention I'm off to Scunny to watch speedway folk will exclain "but it's across to Humber Bridge on the other side of the river !" as if it's the other side of the world. But it only takes 40-45 mins, whereas it could easily take 35-40 mins getting across Hull to Craven Park, or to the Boulevard before that, would be longer with Hull's 2018 traffic. Back on a side topic; when I visited Newport quite at few riders 'straightened up' going into turn 3 and finished up battling to avoid the turn 4 fence with a couple ending up on the ground right up against it. But it still has to be said that Tim Stone did blooming well building the stadium and running it right up until his sad passing. On a footnote; the suspension of Newport's matches in 2008, temporarily I believe happy to be corrected, the next was away at Sheffield on 8 May and saw a Sheffield v ex-Hull Vikings challenge staged at Owlerton with a certain Tai Woffinden 'guesting' for Hull . A guest for a sadly non-existing team . An enjoyable meeting for sure, it defo means waaay more when it's 'one's own team', just a huge shame the circumstances which led to it taking place....

If Pawlicki sign's i certainly would of kept Jacob, Pawlicki , Jacob,Masters what a three that is ok you might not of signed Morris but either way you will be a force in 2019.

Mondays are much much better for me (and others I know)….my visits on saturdays would certainly be far less frequent.

Think you misread that, wasn't 6th in the Wolves team, but 6th highest away average overall in 2017.

Well done to the Panthers promotion for astute planning , it looks a very good side on paper but unfortunately nothing is won on paper with luck and injuries that cannot be foreseen along the way as they found out towards the end of 2018 . I think its the best team planning I have ever seen at Peterborough , there doesn't appear to be any weak links IMO . So well done Ged & co excellent team planning.

I did feel guilty about it at the time and appolgized to Ben but he was fine about it, he understood it was an accident and it happens, you can’t dwell on these things, it happens and if you are thinking about crashing or other riders then it’s time to retire

That's one 44.5 point looking team. Ah, the new conversion rate. Hmmmmm.

Just think oh heats 13 & 15 in the Cradley / IOW fixtures. Worth the admission money alone.

Doesnt matter who owns it or what work has been done it wil be forever Compost Corner to some of us

Who gives a monkey's where we finish in the league ??? We're finally going to see some exciting speedway down at PB again! My only wish for the season is that 'financially' we remain viable! Well done Peter and David Mason, you've definitely surpassed my expectations from a supporter's point of view! Shanes as our last signing is great.....equally as good as Tom Bacon around PB and rides more lines imo!

Would you not consider Pawlicki as a rider that is a true number one and a rider capable of winning big races away.

my cash is on Phillips cos he can gate and will come good as the season progresses .

One has to be impressed with the team the Panthers have assembled. They have 3 top experienced heat leaders, all able to compete for that No 1 spot. Each are of proven pedigree who have experience on each of the tracks. The remaining 4 riders will all be of similar quality, who no doubt will be swapping places within the team. Just imagine 2 reserves of the quality Lasse Bjerre and Charles Wright . they would make a mockery of the other teams. No, they probably haven't got a Robert Lambert, but they have every other base covered. I admire people who show initiative and activity in moving forward, No doubt every speedway fan will wish their team was as good as this ... Give the management a pat on the back... Impressive......

Yes, Tim could upset everyone at any time. He needed exclusive control and virtually ran a one man show. In saying that, you have to admire the total commitment and his forward planning like buying up the Somerton Park seats and storing them for years, knowing he was planning to build a stadium/track one day. I believe he had been Phil Crumps mechanic, which presumably would explain the unique relationship he had with Neil Street, who always made a point to speak to me on my visit with the Diamonds even though I usually only saw him once a year. Lovely man. As adonis has said, the track could be very problematic even for big meetings like the Premier Pairs/Welsh Open. It always had a double hollow going into the third bend, one was bad enough but a second hollow was always there as riders jumping out of the first hollow landed and created the second hole. The track material was very unique, sometime being like oatmeal in colour and packed hard, but soft only inches below the surface. I remember James Birkenshaw once tyre warming on the home straight and he dropped into a hole having gone through the top crust. Of course Tim was furious at it, and he made sure it never happened again. I personally had a lot of respect for him, talking with him for hours at the stadium, and him sharing his thoughts on setting up our original Gems team in 2002. On his advice we combined the Diamonds and Gems meetings and added a £1 on the entrance with good results. His team and the our Gems were about the only teams to stay with the original concept of why we had the Conference League, and that showed in the league positions we were in by giving new youngsters their first rides and persevering with them. We never tried to take on the moneybags teams like Mildenhall by hoovering up the top junior riders for the promoters personal glory. Tim will be remember by many for both good and bad reasons.

Oh dear that's a shame. Hope it gets better soon

Bewley is the rider I look at when I think about jack and his own development. I know dan is a rare case and people develop differently, but watching them in the same team really highlighted the difference. I actually think it’ll help jack dropping the national league. Without that assurance now it’s even more important to thrive in the championship

Is he worth mega money not in my opinion ?

Honeymoon/ Holiday

So you keep saying, but and it’s a big but only you and Sidney seem to think so

Do you really think that Chris Holder would go near any teams associated with Buster.

Surely Chris should make a bid for Greg H now.

Ruddick and Halder are two good solid signings for Leicester. Glad they have a team spot in the NL.

But why wouldn't the BSPA encourage clubs to come up from the NL by relaxing this rule and requiring no loan fees for the first two seasons to help financial viability? Can they not see this? It's a stupid rule anyway. The asset system is outdated, subjective and corrupt and there should be as free a market as possible with the sport on a knife edge.

Exactly that, he'll do the job he has been brought in to do. 6-7 at home and 5 away would be what I'd expect. On a 4.58 average.

Haha good old islander I rate two riders in the warriors team not many other though...

Can’t see how it can be standard of tracks a rider of his ability can ride any track.

Personally I can’t see a team of second strings with 2 foreign reserves plus a 3rd heat leader at number 1, bringing the fans back even if they’re in the league that they want! At least they finally signed some continuity in Zach & Shanes.

Fairly solid team and lots of entertainers in this line up.

A few grand!!!? Busters paying - it'll be a few hundred

Halder is at Lesta I think

Both - that would be an interesting pits!

Poor? Averaged 4-5 and unquestionably a better rider than he was back then....He's not signed as a big hitter but someone who can average at least 5.....if he doesn't cut the mustard then shouldn't be too hard to to replace but I'm confident he will do ok

No doubt the advertising spots in the programme more than makes up for the outlay. Forward thinking is imperative when promoting a top entertainment. You cant knock Polish speedway for holding all the aces... Probably, when the UK ruled the world, we should have been more proactive in keeping our lead, instead of taking it for granted...

GOOD story on Bewley's efforts to get fit in SS this week

Out of order Dick

Ah it's good to be back although missing Totally Honest John already but didn't manage to shake off Taps who is now in fact a step brother of sorts (Not a favourite Brother of course, Lord no, more of an illegitimate backstairs sprog) Back on topic indeed: I'd agree with that. I just hope that the presentation and atmosphere improves because it has been pretty dire and flat for a while now. To get people in midweek at increased cost means that it has to be better. As Rathbone said: “We know it’s important that we step up in other areas too, and we want to further improve the whole race-night experience for everyone next year." - I suggest that he bends the ear of Bratley (especially) & Andersen.

With many visiting riders not having ridden Eastbourne before..your bottom four may well exceed expectations expressed on here...For sure they will also improve as the season progresses.......

Francesco Molinari and Billie Jean King are not British either but got awards. Ivan and Ronnie have MBE and OBE between them, so nearly British.

Ronnie Moore and Ivan Mauger are not British (and few will remember they rode for a 'British' team), and were involved in a sport that ranks somewhere alongside cheese rolling nowadays. I'm not sure why people are surprised by SPOTY each year - it's never been much interested in sports it doesn't cover. Yet every year there's the predictable letters from 'outraged of Tunbridge Wells' about the omission of so-and-sos favourite sport. Why do people bother watching it?