Leaderboard

You come across as someone who feel's he is superior to most of us but everyone has a view.I still go regularly and still love the sport but it should listen to the paying customer more.Five points that should be addressed all basic (1.) A 7.30 start means 7.30. (2.) No interval (3.) If there is a restart the riders go straight back to the tapes. 4.The referee should be made to let the race continue even if the rider guesses right he only get's excluded if he touches them. 5. Half hour Autograph session before the meeting with riders mixing more with the supporter ( i.e. The paying customer without them there is no sport).

He has a point though and he is entitled to his opinion.

Haza, with you not going to Saddlebow and not having a good word to say about Speedway, let alone Lynn Stars. Sorry, but to me it begs the question why waste ink ( old school here) posting ? Just humour me and explain what it is you are trying to achieve ? Speedway frustrates the hell out of me and I ain’t afraid to release that frustration on here, but I still go when I can. Sorry for the speeling . (Sorry couldn’t resist). Happy New Year to one and all. Yes, even Shovvy down at Poole.

I see the grammar police are out in force this morning.

As am i Imo in regards to the post from Haza. The racing wasn't the best,but better than the previous season.Also i don't believe it was the best track in the country once.It was one of the best,but not the best.Yes rules were broken but surely this is where the SCB have to be stronger.The start times were adhered to pretty much last season which is a 19-45 start time.I agree maybe an earlier start time may encourage more families to attend,but there certainly seemed more children attending last season.All in all it was much better last season in all departments,but things can still improve.But as they say Rome wasn't built in a day. I see these improvements myself,not by hearsay

You amaze me Haza,you haven't been on the Lynn thread for what seems like an age.Then the SS lets the confirmed news that Lambert has re-signed a day early and boy you think it's all the clubs fault.Now your fingers must be aching with the amount of keyboard punching you are doing.You are like a dog with a bone and won't let it go.

I love the magazine and it's a real delight to receive it very couple of months, but is it time to move the timeline from 70s/80s to 80s/90s? It would open up a lot more riders to be included (and let's be honest, just about every decent rider has been discussed / interviewed now). Might even tempt some 90s fans to buy it as well. Not meant as a criticism at all, just an opinion.

As I said if what Lynn did in 2018 wasn't enough for him to attend, he might as well give up

If Lambert (the leagues best rider bar an ex world champ and British No1) isnt an inspirational signing them Im not sure what is.....

So from starting the season as a lot of people thought we would struggle, we came from bottom of the league, only to finish top by 6 points I think? How could of it "been so much better"? and "we messed up when it mattered" We exceeded all expectations and was hit with injuries to a reserve in form and NKI at the last minute. Someone's glass isn't even half empty, it's got a hole in the bottom... Happy New year

There is an old saying 'You reap what you sow' and because of that, as you say, there is so much negatively. Last year wasn't that good, it could have been much better but we messed up when it mattered . To me coming second isn't something to be over joyed about. Since then we have had little to be excited about, all the other teams have been proactive in assembling decent teams, all we have to be positive about is the acquisition of Top Man, Robert Lambert. Making an announcement in the S/S and the EDP before enlightening their own fans, to me speaks volumes, It sure illustrated how little importance the Stars management regard their own supporters. Name another club that has done that...….. As of yet, I have seen very little, for me to be positive ...… Remember the saying.....

I like Somerset,Sheffield, Workington and Eastbourne.Having seen a lot of National League racing over the past years, I fully endorse the views of gazzac (above). In my view Wood and Brennan will prove overall the best reserve pairing in the Championship by a country mile.At Arlington they can both already post times as fast as those seen in our past Elite league days, and were at least as good if not better than Kemp, and way better than Mountain plus the other highly rated National league riders.Away they won't be as good, but you only have to win a handful of away matches to reach the play offs. Providing you are solid at home and we will be. Our top order is as good as any other team. Morley and Bowtell are a little underpowered in the middle order, but I still think our home form plus the odd away result will see the Eagles in the play offs.

Not many will rate Eastbourne as contenders for the playoffs , but Wood and Brennen generally had the beating of anyone at Arlington last season in the NL including Kemp and Mountain, add in the fact that a lot of riders in the championship won't have had any experience of the tight turns of Arlington , can't see them losing at home next season especially with a top end that ride Arlington well. Away will be Eagles of old but win all at home, pick up an odd point or two away and you certainly should get to the playoffs, probably not win them, but top 4 a definite possibility.

Yeah and Grandad is getting very pee'd off with it!!

Fair enough, at least you have some pretty genuine reasons... Maybe some clubs should be looking into these types of things... Although you cannot please everyone... You spend your earned money how you wish, I would encourage you to keep an open mind however, and if things in the speedway world begin to improve (which imo they are with the new rules) please reconsider enjoying your trips to KL and maybe a few other tracks again 8pm is a bit late though, especially if there's work the next day, might put parents off bringing their kids too. Also, some things, like the flow of the meeting cannot be helped so much in my opinion, riders need a rest when competing in a sport as dangerous as speedway, I like the added couple of minutes if they have two rides in a row, it must get exhausting for a reserve who has to take 7 rides, lack of concentration and tiredness is critical in a sport like speedway, especially if they ride pretty much every day in three different countries, how do they do it? ... BUT, 8pm starts wont help this as it gets later and later?

Fair few riders now in Andorra 5% tax and good airports all within 100 miles with regular cheap uk flights you have to put down a small bond but it is returned when you leave seems a choice of many a sportsperson. hopefully Chris will get his issues resolved as he still has a lot to offer if he can get his issues resolved.

IT'S not the club's fault ... it was supposed to be co-ordinated with SS coming out but thanks to Royal Mail we jumped the gun

I think you almost got there, then formed an inconsistent conclusion Many a rider has fallen for the “Poole Speedway pays best” and have looked for excessive deals. Poole have consistently offered a fair rate but said that (a) they’ll get paid on time and (b) they’ll have a chance of picking up additional sponsorship. That’s what the attraction has been, and probably still is. Even though there were no race suits this year, many Poole riders carried sponsorship logos from businesses that also support Poole like County Crest, Wessex Marine, Sunshine Service Centre and Meridian Lifts. If Poole have decided not to pay what they believe are excessive demands, it doesn’t automatically follow that either of your two assumptions - lack of funds or diminishing interest - apply. Indeed, it seems more likely that, by making sure the business remains profitable, there is a greater chance that someone will buy it as a going concern On the specifics, I’m not convinced about Allen. He spent a lot of 2018 moaning and seemed to sparkle in heat 2 then fail to live up to expectations. Starting the season on 5.07 and ending in what should have been an easier league on 4.56 - an average lower than Auty, Newman, Covatti, Summers etc - doesn’t sound like someone worth paying a lot for.

It's not like it would take THAT, long, is it? We are not exactly blessed with dozens of 'em... I didn't see it, but were Lisa Ashton, Glen Durrant, Steve Holcombe, and Rob Cross mentioned? Like Tai, they SHOULD have been. Steve

Yes Bert.. Riss sitting low on his bike, leaning coming out of turn 4 .Looked part of the bike

I recall prior to the start of last season he criticised the team and was “ put together on the cheap”......look what happened, the most successful team KL have ever had in the top flight.......perhaps after attending for years he was slightly annoyed in missing out ! It’s a shame he missed out on witnessing Erik Riss as he was pure entertainment, hopefully another signing that will be announced before the start of the season, be it by the SS, EDP, The Sun, News at Ten or he club.....it does not matter !

No need. Still got some from 2018

Always comes back to the negative few with nothing better to do! The signing of rob is great news. It’s a good start. A few of the negative guys last year at this time were suggesting he would have to move on to improve . . . Niels is the most important link to this team now. A team with them as our spearhead gives me confidence in the big heats.

Hi G13webb, it's Robin Brucking Fundle here - just thought I'd give you a call to let you know the team. You're right we don't need the EDP or Speedway Star to attract new customers or inform those who aren't on Social Media we'll just let you know then you can do all the hard work for us. You'll probably find the EDP won't support us anymore unless you can give them an edge, do let me know how you get on spreading the news and for all those people who rely on the EDP and SS for information, well they can go duck themselves with an attitude like some have on here (attacking the post not the poster - allegedly!)

NBJ is a good rider maybe Matt feels he is better value?.Also in the past maybe he has took chances financially he now feels those chances are to dangerous in this climate.I actually applaud what he is doing because he hopefully will ensure that Poole speedway goes on for years to come.Not all fans are fickle we do not all expect to WIN we go mainly because we want to see good racing and be entertained the sport has got away from that for years now.

I think there is no doubt that Ipswich will top the league. Danny King will at last fulfill all his potential and become England's best. Jake Allen will turn out to be reserve of the year. They will sign up Rohan Tungate, who will go through the season unbeaten at home and very nearly so away and will be an automatic pick for the 2020 Grand Prix series as, remember, he still has a 100% record in Grand Prix. Scott Nicholls will also return and find a new lease of life, back to his mid 2000s best as he matures with age like Greg Hancock. With a top four like that it doesn't matter who else they sign up. So, no doubt, it's Ipswich all the way......

As a 40 something watching speedway in the 80's and 90's was my favourite era. Would look forward to that content in Backtrack magazine

And none of those would cost the promotor a penny, so the question has to be asked why don't they happen?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Garry and for making a very valid point - we don't take it as criticism at all. To be honest, this is a timeline shift we have been considering ourselves for a year or two, although we would never abandon the 70s, which was the sport's last truly golden era. There are still plenty of ex-riders and promoters we have yet to interview/feature from that halcyon period too. Tommy Knudsen, Bo Petersen and Per Jonsson spring to mind from the top star bracket. But, like you, I see a lot of merit in extending the timeframe from 1970 to 1999. Whether our hardcore readership - especially our older readers - would agree, is another matter! One of the reasons why we have so far hesitated to do as you suggest is that I would be stepping out of my comfort zone. I'll admit I'm not very knowledgeable on the 90s (I finally left Speedway Mail in 1992), although several of our main contributors - the likes of Rob Peasley and Martin Neal - certainly are. Perhaps Backtrack needs a new, younger editor!

Either would be great speaking personally but I can see an Oxford DVD would perhaps have a wider appeal?

Bit of sad news long time Diamonds supporter George Donnelly passed away last week R I P George (Pepsi )

It's possible we will put it together - we certainly have enough footage, including lots of home and away cine from the Rebels days of 1974-75. I had thought of combining the footage from 1974-78 and producing a REBELS (Oxford/White City) package but can see how a separate 'Oxford Memories' would appeal.

Just throwing in the fact that I find it hard to take comments seriously when people (Haza) cannot even get the grammar correct SUITES which should be SUITS and YOUR which should be YOU'RE. Does help with thinking the person is stating with greater knowledge.

I think what you will find is all the riders would have been told to tell one another they’re on 20 so that there is no contraversey. Then when they get their wages the rest would have been topped up. Having sponsored one of the team previously I know they were not on 20. But if Len has to pay those sorts of wages to field a winning team to get bums on seats then so be it.

not sure if it's what you deal with but have you seen the cine film for sale on ebay ? 1950's aub lawson , jack parker & vic duggan .

As all media outlets have already been given the info presumably under embargo until tomorrow, I would have thought the least the club could have done was to email them lifting said embargo. At least that way non BSF/twitter users would be informed as soon as folk who use social media. That's not being negative BTW, it's common sense and courtesy.

Tony is there any chance of a 'Memories of Oxford Speedway' DVD in the near future? I have most of the 'Memories of' collection but an Oxford edition would be very much appeciated!

How is he obsessed for having an opinion?

Nice to see you speak highly of fellow Poole fans, one of whom Rayc , actually speaks the most sense of Poole fans on here. What people are saying if you care to read properly is that Poole for the first time are not prepared to go the extra mile to get riders like they used to. Poole cant afford/wont pay.....for riders like Woryna and Jacobsen and wouldnt match Ipswich for Jake Allen. This means that either the club is not as strong financially as some want to believe , or that Matt Ford cant be bothered anymore to pull out all the stops to get the riders he wants. Either way if this line up doesnt produce the goods i wonder how Poole will be able to afford/want to change the team

This made for a really hard read. For any of us that had the pleasure of watching Tomasz at the peak of his career, it must come as a huge shock to find he is still suffering so badly. I can't imagine the pain and frustration he must be feeling, and the possible prospect that things may never improve much, must be awful for him. It is so sad that several of the sports greatest riders have paid such a terrible price to entertain us, although I believe the injuries to Tomasz and Leigh Adams were not actually on a speedway track, but it matters little in the grand scheme of things. I must also mention Darcy Ward, probably one of the most naturally talented young riders we have seen for many years, he too had his career cut tragically short in a split second. I must admit I was truly shocked to read about Tomasz's condition, I pray that things will improve for him and all those other riders who have suffered such appalling injuries whilst entertaining us all.

Perhaps when we know the line up we can judge before condemning.

Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year to all Bandits fans have a good one. Also season's greetings to all speedway fans who support this sport of ours.

Ipswich Wolves Belle Vue Swindon Poole Peterborough Kings Lynn

Some Mr Blobby levels of investigation there.

Time to put this nonsense to bed . Does it really matter what other fans think of our club or it's custodians . We're the ones turning up for home meetings and the occasional away ones , not them . If we're hated , so be it , i wont lose any sleep over it .

At last I can now understand why rasmus would want to leave Workington

Strange bunch these obsessed mentalist's from Cumbria , surely they must have fields to plough or witches covens to clean rather than slaver p*sh on here about Glasgow. I am hopping off to work knowing that we really p*ss them off SADDO'S.

To be fair I really feel sorry for Laura Morgan, she has invested her compensation in good faith but sadly she has done so with the support of a lot of 'richards', fans with the IQ that makes Baldrick look like prime minister material, but then again …….. Anyway lets not beet about the bush I really hope that Workington beet Glasgow at Workington 65-15 and then Worky go bust whith Ramus saying things like I told you so. And why would we believe worky fans even if they are Honest or do important jobs, after all how could we cope without a programme especially when its sold by such nice people

Why are people on here continuing to perpetuate this bitterness toward Glasgow? Speedway fans in the past have been like a family who can enjoy great banter, but recently this has descended into football-like hatred and is tending to create ill feeling. It's all been covered earlier on this thread but some people can't move on and are resurrecting the same old guff about what they "know" or "have heard" about how Glasgow run their business. As I said before, other clubs would similarly splash the cash had they Glasgow's wherewithal. It would be foolish for anyone to think otherwise.