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On the parade lap, red flags and red lights mean return to the pits practice is over, not stop. Seen red flags many, many times on the parade lap but never seen a rider stop yet.

Where has this nonsense come from? I have NEVER in 40 years of watching speedway seen riders all STOP at a red flag. They slow down and leave the track. How many times do you see red flags when a rider is prone injured on a bend? The riders don't stop and get off their bikes, they ride slowly past. Which is what Cook was doing.

So my summary ... Craig was annoyed at the state ofthe track when he arrived at the stadium. After some work was done on the track, he got changed and reluctantly appeared on the parade. The "co promoter" then less that courteously anounced the Glasgow team, insultingly referring to the Glasgow number 1 rider. This caused Craig Cook and 2 others to piss off from the parade and head back to the pits ..... not in a very good mood I would imagine. Joker of a marshall gets in the way of a running motorcycle and sadly nearly kils himself in the process . Gets a right rollocking from Craig who is understandably very pissed off by the entire Arlington set up. Ugly scenes follow with nocredit to Craig, Exhaust pipe Eddie Kennett and another Eastbourne rider who seem intnent on having a punch up. Craig then quite rightly in my opinion does not take his place in heat 1 (riding against yes Exhaust pipe Eddie) in a race which woudl have probably tested the Arlington first bend airfence. This Eastbourne promotion do seem a bunch of "win at all costs" bullies intent on winding up the opposition AT Arlington. Interestingly they have pulled out of a visit to Kent in a NL challenge alledgedy as Ian Jordan (yet another co promoter ?) isn't happy with some of the social media comments about the Eastbourne team !

I don't agree. The way I see it, a flag marshal deliberately walked in front of a moving rider - something I was told when training for the post that you must never - never - do (when approached by a moving bike, you stand still every time). Had he not done that, there would have been no incident at all. I actually think that Craig Cook's reaction was rather tame. There's no way that's a head butt or even an attempted head butt (if that had been the intention, he'd have done it), its a shoulder charge. Hardly violent assault, I suspect most riders would have reacted in some way in the same circumstances and I can think of a few who would have done a lot worse. Even then, the situation was under reasonable control until some unnamed person confronts Cook and says something that makes him lash out. Cook is guilty, definitely. But the flag marshal, the person who confronted Cook, Eddie Kennett, Claus Vissing and possibly a few others are equally so.

I have to say it was my decision to inlude the crash at the end of our marketing video on the ferry - not because I wanted one it in, but really to end the video with a shock to the viewer... high impact.... I think the video on the ferry has brought dividends this year and we have spend thousands in market ing this year on the ferry, shows, radio, newspaper, magazines, banners... we do as much as we can cut out cloth to, but I know there is further scope to improve our non social media marketing and as for the social media marketing this is of course dynamic so we have to keep changing with not only the "times" but also our fixtures. Interesting to read this thread about today's speedway... the truth we have all that is described above on the island, relatively cheap motorsport, heart of the action, interaction with fans, riders and promoters, a fun family atmosphere, plenty of kids entertainment, static bikes displays (not each week), and more.... but as HT said, it takes a lot of time and belief in what your product actually is to be able to stand in front of the crowd and preach about speedway and our show, but once your volunteers believe in it how we believe in it... then you have many, many people singing the same song.... and hopefully new fans, new base to start from. That is a short history of how we started with a business case of just 50 fans on the Island.

Unfortunately the jeopardy of the away team gaining an away point and in the process denying the home team a third point was removed by Jon Cook et al a few years ago, completely bonkers idea as the original system worked well and led to more last heat cliff hangers.

later today you'll be in denial of The Holocaust. Grow some balls and admit the instigator and chief culprit was Craig Cook Foe every action there is a reaction. The reaction may have been disproportionate but the culprit quite clearly is Cook. Throw the book at him.

There was a 45 min torrential downpour at 1:00pm. The A38 outside the stadium looked like a river. I was thinking I've come all this way for nothing. Yet at 6:45pm they were watering the track with the sun shining but some ominous dark clouds threatening all around the stadium. I was surprised how dry it had become by 7:30pm. Lasse blew up his number 1 engine on the stand during the warm-up. In his 2nd ride Rory Schlein put him in the back straight fence though he didn't fall off. In his 3rd he was inadvertently stuffed by Matty who hit a rut on bend 3 and straightened up across the front of him. I've no complaints about Lasse's or any of the diamonds performance. Unfortunately we were 6 points up after heat 6 which allowed the rebels to use a tac sub in place of out of touch Luke Harris. That made the difference between us getting a point (which we deserved) or not. In the bar afterwards, during the rider presentation/speeches, Rory Schlein said "Somerset got out of jail tonight". Nice new Travel lodge 5 minute walk from the stadium now. (You can see the track from the bedroom windows if you are on the right side).

Forty pages of accusations and counter accusations ,,enough is enough,,Jack it in now for everyones sanity .........Please

Ok so after my enforced ban (for saying someone was a pillock lol) and then my own holiday this is how i see the incident 1. Presenter and Jon Cook try and get the crowd going on the mic (nothing wrong in that) 2. Three Glasgow riders (led by Cook) ride off while the presentation lap is going.......totally unacceptable 3. A marshall is on the track as Cook comes round holding a red flag................why on here are some people saying a red flag means stop? It doesnt it means slow down and be ready to stop. How many meetings does a rider fall and the other riders stop completely? They dont simple as , they slow up which is what Cook done 4. The people saying Cook rode into the marshall are blind, stupid or both......i also dont believe that the marshall deliberately stepped in front of Cook......have you ever walked towards someone and you both go to avoid someone and end up going the same way and bumping........thats what happened here. 5. Cook then over reacts by confronting said marshall and then shoulder barges him.........unacceptable........though those people on here....with video evidence ...that call that a headbutt need to take a long hard look at themselves obviously no idea what a headbutt is. 6. Paul Dugard then acts like a total moron and then the melee ensues 7. Edward Kennett and Kyle Newman then sprint the length of the straight to join in 8. Martin Dugard as well seems to quite enjoy a headbutt......watch Cooks supposed headbutt and then check out Dugards Purely and simply Cook started this off and should be fined 100%...........those calling for a ban and those calling it a headbutt need to get a life I would assume Eastbourne speedway (namely the Dugards) and Edward Kennett will also be getting fines as well as Cook Would this have all started if Cook hadnt kicked off? No But the Eastbourne promotion and riders certainly played there part in making sure it escalated

That one fan is currently on the ferry as I am spending the day on the Steam Railway before enjoying the racing this evening. The Wightlink ferry has TV's all around it and I have just seen a very good advert for the Speedway, although I hope we don't have a crash like the one shown!

I actually think plenty of people have heard of the sport as when you mention it, often you get told "is Speedway still going?" Or, "I used to go and watch Speedway years ago".. Their recollections of the sport though would be of a fairly cheap night out, stood in a decent sized crowd , with plenty of partizan based noise and atmosphere... A world away from what they would encounter today should they ever revisit... Many tracks do try locally to advertise, however, for example, standing in supermarket foyers giving leaflets out isn't going to deliver the kind of impact to make any real tangible difference.. It needs a more joined up national campaign I would suggest, using modern media techniques, where the sport generically is sold with the clubs being covered within that campaign. Get that 'brand recognition' out there for the sport as a whole, and then the work done locally can be backed on to it.. Millions of pounds leave the sport every season nationally in riders salaries, with a total figure that would be truly eye watering given the crowd levels and standing of the sport I would think.. Riders that, the vast majority of whom, will not bring in one extra punter to any track, anywhere, as their names mean nothing outside the sport, yet hardly anything gets spent in advertising the sport nationally as the collectively, exciting, high octane, adrenaline pumping sport it can be.. Maybe all deciding to channel more of what they already spend each season into advertising their sport would deliver better results than just paying it all out to riders? Bringing in just 20000 extra punters across the country per week (in essence a drop in the ocean), would make a massive difference to the sport and everyone then would benefit long term.. Individual tracks, all doing their own thing on a 'small time' basis, will not deliver that increase in numbers across the country.. Maybe a joined up, national, modern media led campaign, would?

First things first I won’t do that. Your shoulder really can’t go far from your head. Again think of the mechanics instead of typing nonsense. I would suggest Craig was speaking/shouting at the said throbber with the red flag. When you see riders talk to each other with their helmets on they need to get close so the other as the helmet will muffle their voice and the engine would of been running. That is clear as day. I can only speculate as to why he went with a shoulder barge, a maniac jumped out in front of him! Why are people so keen to ignore this morons actions? Is it just to slaughter Craig?? A headbutt means hitting someone with your head as hard as your can with a view to hurt the other person. Craig certainly did NOT headbutt or mean to headbutt anyone. The actions from the hangers on down there was uncalled for. If the Tigers had done ANYTHING wrong it is up to the meeting officials to deal with the situation. Not a flag marshall, not a mechanic or any other clown that was on the track. Eastbourne speedway tried to take control of the situation and acted like thugs in doing so. The book should be thrown at them.

After the bans, fines, hangings, beheadings and other summary punishments have been meted out , if thier is anyone left, a BSPA track inspection will required for Arlington after reading the Speedway Star, to ensure it complies with Health and Safety requirements on the track inside kerb. Hopefully they will send an independent inspector not Neil Vatcher (Jon Cooks old pal at Lakeside?) Should have time to fit this in before the next scheduled home brawl , sorry meeting , wiht Redcar Bears.

Disagree, part of what the sport is lacking. Whip up a cracking atmosphere. Isn't it time the sport realised the 'family sport' tagline doesn't work? I don't mean all out brawls and violence but simply drop the 'family sport' and concentrate on the thrills, spills, tensions, bit of aggro etc.

The remedial work or as it's known in the sport the Tactical Advantage Knobbling Equipment is often used following the Precipitation Index Schlein Scale in speedway.

Hopefully there's a time limit of a week on this thread, can't think it can go into a second week going over and over the same stuff, or is it just me.

Not totally true. Isle of Wight do shows, carnivals, posters, banners, leafleting - nothing is too small. If you read the Isle of Wight v Mildenhall thread, one fan is going simply because of encouragement by the promoter. It can be done, and it doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive. Hands on, personal contact is far more beneficial than an advertising billboard.

Just have to thank the Promotion for not letting our season fizzle out, which would have been a very easy option! Instead they give us Jason Garrity !!! He is without doubt the most exciting rider i've seen at Perry Barr in a very long time! On the form he's showing, he'll be back in the England set up before too long!

Next time I see a red flag shown I will expect the rider to stop exactly where he is on the track four rider pile up oh dear. As Halifaxtiger said it means return to pits where Craig was going simple or they can try your option and end in hospital

Exactly. Should have stopped though rather than thinking he knew best. Marshall on track with red flag, red lights on, how hard is it to understand - obstruction on track, fxxkihg STOP. Jeez.

Think of the mechanics of a headbutt. The head goes back before it goes forward. This gains leverage. Cook leads with his head to gain leverage for his shoulder. You can’t head butt anyone if your neck is already stretched out to the front. Live in the real world

Not to a tanker like you.

Is the weather generally nice where you live ?.

Heaven knows why I've found myself giving a physics lesson on a speedway forum in a thread about a match between Eastbourne and Glasgow. It's a funny old world eh?

There unlikely to come up against Douglas and Howarth every week ..With the top five they have they have a chance v anyone over 2 legs .. as I said before thou people moan and moan about the double points rule but the tac sub has always given more false results out as tonight showed again . As for Ellis is getting a bit ok joke now .he has more rolls than a bakery

Never in doubt

Will the centre green presenter make sure that the Glasgow riders wait until the introductions are over before they do their practice starts ?

We always do. Stands in the middle off the track with red flag held out to stop riders “doing a Cook”.

Hopefully it will be run with two full strength teams. Ipswich had a huge advantage tonight with Heeps out. Hopefully he will be fit to ride in the re-arranged meeting.

Thanks Steve. Ipswich will have to wait a little longer for a hiding.

The only points Newcastle will get on the road will be if they get caught speeding.

Steve you have been very pleasant and fair since Gavan hasn't been around, don't change that.

I rather look on ice hockey as a 'family sport' with an audience demographic very similar to speedway. They don't mind the odd punch-up, do they?

I think we have to start with getting the product right, bring it back fully to a semi professional sport to start with and create a league system which will benefit all clubs not just the few. Encourage signed riders to get out in the towns and cities through winter and more importantly just before season starts as the more interest they drum up the more potential fans come through gates and all of a sudden rider pay will start to creep up again etc But the product has to be right, the tracks have to be prepared well and then we have a chance of keeping hold of the new fans.

The problem is it all seems to hang on injuries hopefully all four teams can be healthy for the finals.

Totally agree. Good for next season though!

Are there still people on here calling it a headbutt lol Watch what Martin Dugard tries on a Glasgow rider (Vissing) Cook clearly shoulderbarged the marshall...he 100% shouldnt have and will rightly get a fine.............but a headbutt is a comical statement blinkered by people who dislike Cook ( who i have no time for after his shenanigans twice at Ipswich, Barker incident and refusing to race for Glasgow)

Ever watched Banged up Abroad

I already have my electric railway ticket and as a volunteer guard on the Mid Hants Railway I get very cheap travel on the Steam Railway.

Quick recommendation : buy the Island Liner ticket and do the electric railway as well. A lot of the stock is older than that on the steam railway !!

Paulco, Tsunami and I were agreed on the very same thing at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.

The Scotsman - interesting opinion....... I think if I stood in front of a motorcycle waving my arm the rider might be a little annoyed and suggest that I was being dangerous. Cook over reacted I can see .....but then the whole thing got out of control with Paul Dugard mouthing off in Cooks face to calm things down ?. and getting what he asked for. Then we have 2 Eastbourne riders legging it down the track to help the entertainment .... To be honest if I was the Glasgow team and so aggrieved about the track I would have lodged an official protest and not appeared on the parade at all....but just ridden the meeting and left.

Cook was heading to the pits until the unquantifiable unit of butter jumped out in front of him.

Leicester have 3 tractors but only one that can pull the bowser because of the weigh it needs to pull ,these tractors are normally very reliable even being old as there’s not much that can go wrong with them apart from the fuel pump which happened to go on Saturday but with the help from a few mechanics managed to get it running again which took 30 minutes would people rather have been happy with the meeting called off because of it or wait 30 mins and it’s on

That is the thing that saddens me. It's not a case of people not being interested, but the fact that we have gone from the second most popular spectator sport in Britain to something that nobody has even heard of... How the hell does that happen? Steve

Well i'm off to the Far East next week for six months, i wonder if the Panthers will still be around when i get back. See you all next year

It's called the Precipitation Index Schlein Scale. You'll often hear the acronym used when it's raining ...

Most if not all sponsorship money goes into keeping the club running, not into riders wages, although no doubt it may subsidise some riders ar some clubs depending how big the ' deal ' is. Average main sponsor would pay around £10-12000 for a season ( some pay less if the club is desperate) Meeting sponsorship is around £500 at most championship tracks. Take away the actual cost of hosting the sponsors, ( drinks, Buffett, programmes etc) that doesn't leave a lot for the club or for a prize. The sport doesn't " sound big " because it isn't.

Hello from the studio.