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Please enlighten us then all knowing one.

skidder youve got to stop trying to defend the indefensible, youve got to be honest and admit it was disgusting,the people that will presumably look for credit when things go well must have the nuts to take and admit responsibilty for the "cock up"Spoke to two significant sponsors in the last 48 hrs both totally disgusted,one says he went into the pits to ask middlo who won heat 13 cause he couldnt see!!them and me will all be at the next meeting,thats what we do! but if certain people put their hands up and were honest it would have helped

Imo Peterborough have a beautiful track

If you are going to quote me DO NOT insinuate that I have said something about it being perfect when I clearly have not said any such thing. As a long time Panthers fan as opposed to you who refers to watching on video and TV what I will say to you is that I am certain my knowledge of the circumstances, set up and quality of the racing at the Eoes is far superior to yours, whereas I am as clueless about your club and track as you are ours and would not dream of trying to advise you as to how it could be improved. Quite frankly I’m not interested in it and don’t give a toss! I would suggest you concentrate your time and effort on Stoke Potters track and leave myself and the rest of the Peterborough fans on here to worry about ours as we see fit. As others have said in response to your last post Peterborough is probably way down on the list of tracks in the UK which need widening or improving and it’s 99.9% certain our Landlords would never agree to it. Who by the way is going to pick up the Tab for the cost of such work? Not the SHOWGROUND who are happy with the site as it is! We are now owned by Buster Chapman in case you hadn’t realised so that’s a definite no there as well in my opinion. Meanwhile back in the real world we have a meeting tomorrow against one of Buster’s other teams the Stars - will you be there? You could have a word with him and put your suggestions across personally. Good luck with that!

There’s no credit in buying the title with a bunch of mercenaries.

How would making the track at Peterborough wider improve the racing? It’s plenty wide enough with multiple racing lines. Track prep is the key at the showground, not adding an extra metre or so....

I'm not one for condoning knee jerk reactions and would normally give riders plenty of time to settle, but after seeing Luke in the first meeting it was obvious he is not ready for this league..........but I thought to myself "who could we replace him with?" After last night's performance my question was answered.......ANYONE. He looked totally uncomfortable on the bike and was really riding like a total novice at some points showing little or no confidence. I really feel sorry for him but it's obvious he needs more time on the bike without the pressures of being in this league. It will only worsen his confidence if he remains.

You should always prepare a track properly whether rain is forecast or not, if rains arrives and it’s heavy or prolonged it’s off anyway, if it doesn’t arrive or not as much as anticipated you get dust and everyone attending wears the track home. Tracks like Poole produced Friday are just not acceptable. Interesting that the match report mentions dust but no apologies to the paying customers. Pretty much sums up the managements consideration for the supporters.

Poole special

Kings' management have egg on their face for their decision to use r/r for Kemp at Plymouth. Not a single point from his rides. No wonder they lost.

I’ve been to Peterborough umpteen times since my first visit in 1991 and would never describe it as gate and go. It wasn’t even before the widening in 2001. I’m sure all tracks would benefit from being wider but if you were doing a list of UK circuits in order of priority of the need to be widened then the EoES would be way, way down the list.

Nonsense imo. If Buster had allowed Craig coloured sponsors then he'd of had a game with the other 6 rider's. Buster in this case 100% right, and Craig has made himself 110% poorer.

Not to mention Harris who would have rode for us if we had offered him a position.

I'll not even entertain the first paragraph because I don't want you to keep digging that hole, you might never get out. As regards the EoES: for 30 years on a regular weekly basis we were the prime valued user of the site with only the annual agricultural show otherwise taking place that I can recall. A change of administration with different priorities in a shrinking showground being sold off for housing, the consequent reduction in access roads, the Arena springing up and much more use of the site gave the perception (and fixtures, health and safety issues would probably bear that out) that speedway is now an afterthought and source of regular, if not particulary significant income. Annoyance isn't the right word but they certainly wag the dog as no home fixtures from July 15 to Sept 2 indicate. The product has been dummed down for years, that's why people talk about survival. The tracks were always fine but the rider quality has got worse. You can have your most perfect track in the world but if you're not putting out riders of sufficient quality to do it justice then the product will be poor. That's the key that we wasted over the Sky years which is why speedway is continuing down the Hahnenkamm.

Class me as a " homer" if you wish, but I'm a Panthers fan (although it is by far from being my nearest track), largely due to the quality of racing on track, and the excellent viewing facilities. Although the riders enjoy the surface this season, it is probably too good with even grip on inside and outside, to allow for the renowned fence scraping bursts from the back. Widening it would do very little in my opinion to improve the product on show.

Only bettered by everyone's number one The National Speedway Stadium

Apologies are acceptable, if it’s a one off or beyond the promotions control. The fact that this is a regular issue is no more than lip service to the paying customer.

I’m so looking forward to my 2nd favourite place to watch Speedway at later in the year. Great track, and great racing usually.

Sorry you can’t make it but hopefully we will avoid a “Dustfest” now that this meeting has been put back - did you see the photos at Poole Friday afternoon? Dust was so bad it was hard to tell which rider was which!

To put this to bed I think there were 2 diverging issues here in hindsight. (1) there was a queue, all turnstiles from what I could see were open and Eastbourne decided to assure us in the queue that we would be getting in b4 the meeting started but didn't announce that to the fans inside as (2) possibly (and i have no proof) it suited them that there was a queue as they were waiting for Lawson to arrive....which he did at 5 to 3. He was not on Parade but rode unbeaten all day by an opponent. Probably preferable to starting with people outside and knowing that and doing nothing, but probably should have told people inside although it was warm and sunny and most probably didn't notice. Queues to get in though at 3 Speedway Fixtures on Friday at least, is I think something we can all celebrate.

Tarkens wanted lower tier, and all that`s left are top tier and VIP tickets.

Isn't it about time that you found a new theme because you are pretty boring now.

Was the bowser a mirage? If there are any changes to be made, would Camel Brzozowski fit. Would Wilson, Keppel and Betty be a more appealing heat leader trio? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson,_Keppel_and_Betty

You are overlooking the fact that this track is located on a SHOWGROUND that is used (and was built for) for many other activities with speedway really as a sideshow. As for “Rules” re the fence our Landlords are most unlikely to be interested in those - we count ourselves fortunate to stilll be able to watch racing here anything else especially what you are suggesting is just a pipe dream.

I can’t answer that - each track homologation differs in its requirements. I suspect that the Showground authorities would be reluctant to have the fence moved in front of the grandstand (or at all) - speedway is only one user of the track and surrounding facilities.

Sheffield got out of gaol here. Not in terms of the result, but on something far more important - attendances for possibly the rest of the season. Make no mistake, the first 11 heats were bloody awful as race after race was a strung out procession from the gate as the dust slowly took over, aided by a bizarre decision not to water the track at the interval (although it may have been that the surface was so bald that water would have made it dangerous). Then Bates charged through in heat 12, followed by Worrall being caught by Howarth and King, followed by a brilliant ride from Kennedy to beat Bates in heat 14. In heat 15, we had a truly superb, text book team ride from Nicholls, as Bates gated and Nicholls sat in behind and held King & Howarth at bay for 4 laps. Those last 4 heats might just persuade some to come back. Had they been more of the earlier 11, many would not have.

Ron had it all. from the gate, from behind, inside and outside.. In the one season at Eastbourne he outshone both Gordon Kennett and Kelly Moran, that took some doing around Arlington in those days..

Pretty dusty at Sheffield today going by the photos too!

I have never liked rider-replacement - but it is infinitely preferable to guest riders, and both have become easy options in a variety of circumstances which would never be tolerated in any other well-run professional sport. The excuse of "not enough riders" just doesn't wash - the promoters themselves have created this situation by allowing so many riders to ride for more than one team - a thoughtlessly pointless rule which has delivered no benefits whatsoever and has only created a scenario of some riders being able to double their earnings at the expense of fellow riders whom they have denied the chance to earn anything at all. So many riders now seem to consider it a God-given right that they can ride for two teams so there is absolutely no chance of this daft and embarrassing rule ever being rescinded - the riders just wouldn't stand for it. Apart from 30 or so riders being deprived of a team place because 30 of their colleagues MUST have two teams, the knock-on effect has been to force the better National League riders to stay in the National League instead of progressing upwards as should be the case. Understandably, many of them will take the view that why should they not pick up more cash from scoring a dozen or more points per meeting as a National League rider when the alternative is only scoring 2/3 and earning peanuts in a higher league and always being in danger of the chop at the same time? Perhaps one day (the day that will convince me that the age of miracles has not passed) speedway will re-structure itself with properly defined teams in each division, and one man-one-team, with promoters forced to develop their own extra riders for use when a team man in injured, with no guests and no rider-replacement. Every other sport does this - and supporters accept that injuries and loss of form are all part and parcel of their particular sport - so why should promoters think that speedway must be so different?

Bomber is back now anyway,,, which leads me to a prediction of a Swindon win by 16 to 20

And yet Poole keep winning title after title after title. Go figure.

Fearsome three pronged attack of heat leaders, Doyley, Muesli, Batch, best in the league. Ipswich can only hope one of those or Ellis Lampost and the reserves have off night to be in with chance of a point. Will do well to stop Robins hitting 50.

Think the outcome will be be decided on which tofty turns up if he's brings his mojo and decent machinery can see a stars win

How about the SCB and their Referee get a grip and sort this issue out once and for all and if necessary hold up proceedings until it's sorted. If there is insufficient opportunity to prepare a decent track then postpone before the event and bowlocks to the Bank Holiday big crowd that boosts the coffers. They're saying that anyway by not watering adequately. Whoever walked that track before the meeting knew what was coming, the only reasonable excuse for dust is when rain is forecast around start time but nowhere near like that.

With regards to holding the meeting up if there's a queue I don't think they should unless maybe there's been an incident of some kind. I tend to get to the Wolves about 7.25 and if there was a queue and I missed a race then tough on me I should have got there earlier

That's part and parcel of speedway I'm afraid, and not just at Monmore

There are crashes at most tracks and we all hope they are never serious.

Any track is dependant on how much water has got into the base. It needs to be put in early as possible and left to soak in then worked. The colour of the track during a meeting is a usually a telltale of what stage they are at with water. Tracks start dark due to the water content but if it goes pink on the racing lines after few races more water at that stage is a give away. Mark Thorpe when he was at Newcastle in the 90's told me that in NZ, they went to the track early, soaked the track and then had a barbie. Seems like a very social way of doing work.

Couldnt be Arsed, you really are clueless arnt you.

OK, let me put my comments into perspective. I have been supporting Eastbourne speedway through thick and thin for 15 years. I have helped the National League team financially and have always believed some speedway is better than no speedway. Most of those 15 years I have spent viewing on the start / finish straight and as most spectators, we have our ‘usual pitch’. So thanks for the advice, I’ll move down to bends 3 and 4 in future when it’s so dusty. I am well aware of all the other positives mentioned and agree, otherwise I wouldn’t part with my cash. Now, at the start of this year we were told that things were going to be different, more professional. The parade would be 15 mins before tapes up, and tapes up would be at the advertised time. No excuses. Now, the first meeting of the year against Birmingham was indeed delayed, however we were informed of the delay which was due to the number of spectators still queuing to get in. Fair enough. Last week against Somerset everything went to plan, very slickly run. Yesterday there was a delay but no announcement or reason given. I can assure you that Kevin Coombes usually has welcomes, updates and things to say before the parade time and tapes up time, but yesterday, nothing.. Mr Gould says it was again due to spectator queuing , it may have been, I don’t know as I was inside the stadium by 2.30pm, and no one from the management (Ian Jordan) mentioned the delay as they did 2 weeks ago. And it may just have been a coincidence that neither Richard Lawson or his bike were on parade at 3.10, so the delay with no reason was indeed fortiunate as he was able to partake in his first race. There are elements of the new promotion that are working really well but they need to deliver consistently, not slip back into the “that’ll do” or “be grateful” mindset. There is a saying that “you cannot gain a reputation by what you are going to do” - speedway in general needs to bear this in mind. It is judged by what it does, and that is why it has problems. To insinuate that I should be grateful for the speedway I have, or get, is the mindset of some promoters and will not generate new attendees.

Depending on who the missing rider is, you do have a point. Using a junior for Kemp would be ridiculous, damage the gate and probably not do the junior much good. Using a junior for Bowen is very different.

Would have either. The irony if Holder returned

I thought this was a splendid meeting for a number of reasons. First of all, there was a very healthy attendance - certainly one of the biggest I have seen for a Colts match - and it was brilliant to see so many youngsters there. That's certainly influenced by the low entry fees for adults and letting children in for free, so credit there. The racing was decent enough, and its always encouraging to see some of the youngest riders put in excellent performances - Flint and Palin especially this afternoon. I have never seen Perry or Coles give up in a race and they didn't today, so it was more competitive than the score suggests. Hayley, Neil & Chase are the best presentation team in British Speedway and with games and free chocolate for the children, interviews with the riders and Chase's usual antics they proved it again today. There was also the most welcome sight of Adrian Smith working the crowd - something I very much approve of. Finally, on a very hot day with a breeze 10 out of 10 for trackman Andy Meredith. There was absolutely no dust at all, no blue line and you could clearly race on the surface. Major effort to attract fans, decent racing with young riders, superb presentation and interaction and an excellent track. They are four factors which, if copied, might just turn the sport around.

The wide open spaces of Belle Vue and Petebrough are a lot different to Foxhall. Bewley struggled on the tight grippy circuit.. but great to see him back on a bike again.

Nobody is ignoring that fact and i would think we all want to see Dan back to the level he was at. Foxhall isnt his favourite place anyway We were written off at the start and its nice to prove the doubters wrong

Down the pit.... 24 hour shifts too... Seven days a week.....

Neil has already confirmed that it doesn’t have the space to increase so complete nonsense. At least your bottom line is absolutely correct. The tracks are the stage and should always be a priority.

Wildcard: Bartosz Smektakla Reserves: Dominik Kubera and Rafal Karczmarz

May 6: Swindon v PeterboroughMay 20: Ipswich v WolverhamptonJune 3: Belle Vue v IpswichJune 17: Poole v WolverhamptonJuly 1: Belle Vue v PooleJuly 8: King’s Lynn v PooleJuly 15: Peterborough v Belle VueJuly 29: British FinalAugust 12: Wolverhampton v PeterboroughAugust 19: Poole v SwindonSeptember 2: Wolverhampton v King's LynnSeptember 9: King's Lynn v Poole

More just added July 29th British Final Aug 12th Wolverhampton - Peterborough Aug 19th Poole - Swindon Sep 2nd Wolverhampton - Kings Lynn