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Wow, how 1970's is that? No PayPal, no Apple Pay, No Google Pay, no credit cards, no chip'n'pin, no bank transfers. I wonder if the season tickets will be properly laminated or just given a coating of "sticky backed plastic" in true Valerie Singleton/John Noakes/Peter Purvis, Blue Peter style? No wonder young fans aren't attracted when speedway continues to pander to a bygone age.

Thread created for the group of non-Sheffield fans who wish to continue to argue about who Sheffield should have signed at number 7. Go for it, ladies.

Heeps second rider confirmed.

I'd be very surprised if Lasse Bjerre was one of the last two.

Personally, I think it's time to get behind the new promotion.

Yes they are. See Wolves website. In fact "Parrys International" are getting more of my money than Speedway these days! Me and the better half did a Liverpool Concert trip with them last week. Well organised and great value for money. (BSPA take note!). The drivers' have a good style over the coach microphones. It would be good to hear Tom & Andy cover a speedway meeting

Don't matter if it worked or not. Irrelevant, it's the intent as you know Skidder, if it did happen

I missed that, excellent news

And are we supposed to buy into “Scott’s average is going down” ..... .... but Schlein’s is going up? Why not replace Rory will a 7 pointer or a rider on the up?

Luke will be back, they pretty much confirmed it last night, Luke sent a text to CVS for him to read out to everyone last night saying he's looking forward to returning next year. He has already signed for Dackarna in Sweden

BSI was owned by IMG(UK) which was wholly owned by its US-based parent company, so in what way have the Poles won out against the Brits? The time for supporters of British Speedway to have been worried was 20 years ago...

There's alway one isn't there ffs the teams coming together nicely why not just get behind the new owner and enjoy the season like the rest of us are doing or just keep your negativey to yourself

If he's inconsistent at 8..43 that'll do me He'll be on a 4 but is still riding grass pretty good. A surprise signing, but a good gamble to have to only beat a 4 average and could be a match winner. One minute people are decrying the loss of the club hoping someone will come in, and then when someone does "I don't think I'll go or I'll just and choose me meetings.

I wouldn't have him, even if he came with a Visa reduction average of 6

Okay, I received an email about Hans-Peter Finn (from someone who has sent me several names). I looked a little deeper, and there are several references in New Zealand Newspapers. Seems he was actually killed on March 30, 1920, at the "jockey's club racecourse", Devonport-Takapuna. I know nothing about the venue, but it was listed as a grass-track, and was home to horse, dog, and motorcycle racing. He is also listed on the grasstrackgb website remembrance page. Finn was apparently hit by another rider, and suffered various injuries. He was 37, and is buried in the Waikumete Cemetery.

We lived with Ian Thomas's expert shenanigans for years in the second tier. I doubt whether Poole will be anything like their tier 1 version, well at least for a while.....

No no no you miss the point! Using the rules to your advantage is fine if you do gain from it!! Its a bit of a waste of time if you don't! lol

Even by speedway fan's standards, that is an absolute ridiculous statement. None of it has anything to do with last year. You don't take advantage of riders being on lower averages than they should be, by building a team 2pts under the limit. That immediately negates much of the expected increase. Under no circumstances is it a 'pretty good position' to be in. If you honestly believe that Nicol at reserve and Becker in the main body of the team is stronger than the likes of Andersen/Harris/Nicholls at 2 and Becker at reserve then you have a point... but you cannot possibly think that. As regards changes... what changes are we going to make? Chances are as we have said there will be some improvement in the team... that would take us back to the limit, so who are you going to change? You won't want to drop those who have been improved.. so any opportunity to strengthen would likely be gone.

Totally missing the point. The idea of building for the future around two riders is a flawed one in speedway, now more than ever. Should they progress and become top riders, they very likely won't be riding in this country anyway. You're happy with having a much weaker team than was possible, that's your prerogative. You're happy yet more fans will stop attending, further weakening the club, that's your prerogative.

Letters in the right order but not necessarily the correct letters!

If the riders a no show you'll know it's Garrity

Or 3 Wolfsbane.. or 3 Now as regards Peter Adams and his attempts to suggest that Broc Nicol, a rider who averages just over 5 in the lower league is a better option that Nicholls is bordering on the ridiculous. Just stick to the real reason, Nicol was snapped up as one for the future along with Becker. In doing so, they've sacrificed some strength for this year.. big gamble when nobody knows the future of the sport in this country and riders aren't exactly loyal these days.

Why are you worrying about our team anyway when you obviously think you will steam roller us.Just concentrate on your own teams short comings it's getting boring now.

But Doyle did still win important heat 13s and 15s, whereas the other number ones didn’t do it as often!

Did anyone tell him that Swindon did and were champions?

Pete mentioned reading the comments about we should have signed Scott to replace Kyle and we would walk the league. He said Scott's average is only going one way and he thinks Broc is a much better choice as his average is going to go up not down. It was important to get Broc on board before someone else did, he sees Luke and Broc as the future of our team for the next few years. They think Luke should be announced before Christmas, and they have spoken to both Sam and Jacob in the last couple of days. Both Freddy and Greg were spoken to but have no interest in riding in the UK at the moment, CVS stating that a number 1 is not that important, BV had Fricke and KL had Lambert but neither made the playoffs.

I think Matej is too busy baking cakes. Ludde was asked to come back to the UK by another club last year and he turned them down and I don't think wants UK racing, but, of course, things may have changed.

Howay man Dave, am trying to eat me breakfast!!!

Just divent whip your skirt off.

Really? Every time someone sees your name it registers whether or not they are making a buying decision and then when they are buying your name has the advantage of being familiar compared to your competitors.

Conner Mountain solid young rider who in my opinion is pretty accomplished around technical tracks so will be useful around Brough Park. Claus had arguably his best ever season in the Championship last year but cannot see him maintaining his average . Great to see Wrighty back. I admit to being surprised bearing in mind how long he has been out of the saddle. In his spells at Worky he went from being a very exciting come from the back around the boards rider to one who hugged the white line on his return in the Keith Denham era. I hope it works out for James and The Diamonds, if he regains his confidence then lets not forget he was a former PLRC Winner so he had plenty of ability.

And made huge strides years after leaving Poole despite being dead average in the top flight for years. Or are you now the 2nd person who said that Doyle was always likely to become a world champion? Changing the goal posts yet again. I didn’t say every rider, YOU did. I said ‘riders generally do improve when they move away from Poole’. It’s no wonder I’m not entertaining a serious discussion with you because you change the details to suit your argument. Something you are known for doing. Someone who can’t smell their own bull eh Lisa? Comedy gold all the same.

Not now since Mario Jirout nicked all the balls.

Really pleased Newcastle are coming to the tapes for 2020. I know what it was like last year for us Bandits fans wondering if we would be seeing speedway in 2019, it's not a nice situation to be in. Your team is now taking shape and with over 12pts to play with for last 2 places a decent looking team is shaping up. Good luck to Granty nice to see another young promoter in place.

good news for those who have already bought a Bandits Championship League pass ... or an incentive for those wondering whether to take the plunge BANDITS CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY! Ok folks, your Bandits management team is feeling generous and is giving you loyal fans an opportunity to enjoy Christmas that little bit more this year! All season passes purchased up to midnight on the 24th of December will be entered into a draw on Christmas Day. The lucky winner will receive a refund for their payment and their season pass on the house!... That’s 16 2020 League meetings all for free and 10% off Bandits merchandise! You’ve got to be in it to win it folks so head on over to www.berwickspeedway.com and not only take advantage of a great deal but also the chance to win free speedway for the 2020 season. Season pass prices (up until 01,01,2020) Adults £199 Concessions £159 Buddy Club (Under 16’s) £10

Still better than no Team.IMO.Teams on paper are not guaranteed to win anything either as has been proved many times in the sport.

The following report was published in the Auckland Star on Tuesday, March 30, 1920 : MOTOR SPORTS FATALITY. INJURED CYCLIST DIES. AFTERMATH OF COLLISION. An untoward incident, resulting in the death of one of the competitors, Mr. Hans Finn, marred the motor cycle sports held at the Takapuna Racecourse yesterday afternoon. The unfortunate man was contesting the President's Handicap, and when a few laps had been covered was observed to come to grief. An ambulance was soon in attendance, and conveyed Finn, who had obviously suffered severe injuries, to the Narrow Neck Military Hospital. Here examination revealed that he had sustained injuries to the head in addition to a fracture of each thigh. An anaesthetic was administered and the limbs set, but the injured man fell into a comatose state, from which he failed to rally, and he died soon after nine o'clock this morning. Deceased lived at Brixton Road, and it is understood had no relatives in New Zealand. The origin of the mishap was a slight collision. One of the competitors in passing Finn touched him with his arm, and the Impact was sufficient to upset the machine. It dashed through the outer rails, and over a ditch, where it lay for some minutes, issuing a volume of smoke. The machine, which was considerably damaged, had been ridden in two previous races by H Blyth. An inquest will be conducted at the morgue at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Which is why for some years there has been a call for the rules to be rewritten from scratch, and preferably by an independent body. The constant poorly worded amendments and addendums give rise to loopholes. It’s interesting to see that people think rules are always ‘bad things’ whereas the intention is just to set out the terms and restrictions under which the sport is to be run. The rules aren’t there to punish you, they are (meant to be) there to assist you by setting out what is mandatory and what is allowable.

So you got all the correct letters but not necessarily in the correct order!!

Come on Sidney, let’s be having you

That's what i thought, in which case KK's 2018 starting average of 6.86 would be be current i believe ...

I thought all the Rye House results and rider scores were expunged at the end of that season?!

Honestly Am sticking me neck oot here and going with Victor Palovaara and Smetana... Why... Pallovaara cos we owe him one from last season and Smetana as he will be a new asset for the club... Unless we can find a Brit on 7.29 or a foreigner on 7.11 to slot in at No 5... or after the James Wright signing maybe we are getting Ole Olsen; Anders Michanek or the ghost of Ivan Mauger back because we seem to be good at resurrecting careers... So here is my final offering as I can not for the life of me think of anyone around that 7 point figure who we could get... Although I am open to offers... and not expecting the promotion pulling another "Rabbit out of the Hat" NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS AVE -2.50% 1 Claus Vissing 8.43 8.43 2 Max Clegg 5.05 4.93 3 Ondrej Smetana 5.00 5.00 4 Victor Palovaara 6.25 6.25 5 Matthew Wethers 6.92 6.92 6 James Wright 4.00 4.00 7 Connor Mountain 4.73 4.61 Total: 40.38 40.14 Pick the bones out of that lot... One other thing to add is; I wonder how well James Wright will fair as Edinburgh took the risk to bring back Willie Lawson thinking he could get back up to the dizzy heights he achieved prior to hanging up his Kevlar's from the first time round and it hasn't really worked out for them so it will be a big ask to expect James to come back and take all before him I would suggest... (as much as I would like to see that happen) However looks like a bit of strength in depth and I like the look of it; all we need to do is win our home matches and with the top 6 going into the play offs... who knows... all I can say is in 2018 Workington were written off before a wheel was turned... its a funny old sport speedway... if the 1 and 5 can hold their averages and the rest stick half a point on theirs we have cracked it... Simples... lol... Regards THJ

Thank goodness for that - dodged a bullet there!

Agreed. As someone involved in the dawn of satellite TV I know we were out to broaden choice and offer specialised programming that the existing networks couldn't or wouldn't show. Then along came Murdoch and we are swimming in endless American TV, especially drama, to the point where some people seem unable to realise they don't live in America ;-) As has been proved by Discovery/Eurosport both in Britain and internationally, money counts. It would be comforting to know that the money will filter through to benefit the sport and not just a handful of competitors. Past experience does suggest otherwise....

depends how long you want to wait

Well the team on paper looked good this season. & Apart from the 2 returnees we were poor .. so let's all give young rob a million % backing on this season ahead or if we do ever run into trouble cash wise that could spell the end of speedway at Newcastle si let's be positive on next season as we are racing again happy days ahead

Personally I think it’s a good start considering how late we are, I remember seeing James around brough once and I said that I thought he would go far, I haven’t been for a while due to family reasons but looking at the side and the potential for the last 2 I think it might be time to return

As soon as you turn up, Barbra Streisand starts playing

Think the word Major is the key word here