Leaderboard

Will the Brummies be able to use r/r.... (Robbery / Replacement) ???

To me the STAR has over the past few weeks become a truly brilliant magazine. Possibly all these highly interesting, and well crafted articles have been a sheer delight during troubled times. Some great journalism...well done you guys

tut tut Neil, & keep up. It is the BSPL now .............British Speedway Promoters Ltd.

I've said before on here.. British Superbikes dont try and compete with their larger 'cousin' World Superbikes.. They do share many technical characteristics and sometimes share competitors, (but ensure they dont fixture clash!), but it's a completely separate Competition.. They seem to do 'ok' with a mainly domestic and antipodean rider base, with the odd European or Asian rider who usually will be domiciled in the UK.. Some riders will be returning from bigger Championships at the latter end of the careers, (which can boost fan numbers when a 'legend' returns), some will stay at that level, and some will aspire to move on and use the BSB as a 'stepping stone' to improve themselves to move on to bigger things.. A situation they accept and plan for by running several support classes to ensure talent comes through to replace those who move on. A clear joined up strategy from novice to top level rider, with clear demarcation of what level each rider is at so the racing will reflect the closeness of rider capability.. No reason, for me, why British Speedway couldn't use this as a blueprint to devise their own strategy..

The bikes need slowing and to be honest uprights are probably safer and easier to ride compared to laydowns. The way I see it is British speedway has to go semi pro and revert to standard upright machines these clearly suit the majority of British tracks far better than today's laydowns. I know that would mean some riders deciding not to ride here because they wouldn't want to maintain 2 different sets of equipment. However to keep the sport going in the UK its clear machinery costs have to be reduced and the entertainment level of the racing improved across the board. The only other solution would be for the FIM to oulaw anything other than standard equipment. To do that they would have to grow a pair.

I have to say Phil the current format is a hit with me, I usually skip a fair bit of the results and track correspondents notes but I have found the current issues an excellent read, thank you.

Does he own Domestos as well? Maybe he'll move onto Dyno Rod next!

British speedway used to lead the world and my personal thoughts are that a revert back to two valve uprights is a must to save this sport in this country. True top riders might stay away to start with but on the flip side of the coin as someone said above most top riders have equipment in each country they ride in so what's to stop them having a upright setup here? Plus it will sort out the men from the boys a big part of uprights was throttle control something many modern riders would have to learn again. The other thing of course is that maybe other countries after a couple of seasons will see the cheaper running costs and think seriously about their long term future as well. With a revert back to uprights maybe its also time to bring back the track spare. Remember that tatty looking machine that was warmed up and parked at the back of the pits at each meeting and then ….. bike problems and the spare was rushed out for the home rider to jump onto, not his own machine or set up but every home rider could nearly always get it round the track into the points.

Good Facebook question and answer with Dan Bewley Favourite track Workington, said after 2018 season he would not be riding championship but if he did would only be with Workington.

COMMENTS like yours have certainly made us think. There was a furore amongst some when we dropped actual match reports (a financially based decision) and race times. Have said many times that we cannot please all of the readers all of the time but we are taking stock at the moment about content of SS going forward.

...the same Trump who was reported this morning as suggesting that "research into whether coronavirus might be treated injecting disinfectant into the body" which has been lambasted by the medical profession.

Might not be relevant to league Speedway but possibly to the GP's. The American Supercross series was half way through when lockdown was instigated there and being stadium events looked unlikely to be finalised. However they are now seriously discussing holding all the remaining events in a short space of time in one stadium with no spectators, changing the track between events. It is said they will only allow riders, a mechanic and officials in the stadium all of who will have their temperatures taken on arrival each day. None of the technicians and crew that normally surround these events. The idea is that via TV coverage, expected to be huge with no other events going on, they will meet the needs of sponsors rather than lose them for the following year. Lots still to be decided but it is certainly more than just an idea. Could it be that a limited Speedway GP series could follow a similar pattern? Possibly even a very limited PL knockout or something to keep BT happy.

My wife is suffering this badly, because as she has double lung cancer and is currently on a 21-week course of chemo, she's not even allowed to leave the house for a 10-minute stroll. Now with the government saying that social distancing will have to remain in place for the rest of the year, we've been told that must remain within the confines of our own home for that length of time. I won't go out and leave her on her own, so we're both prisoners for the rest of 2020, and I'll find that mentally difficult, there's no two ways about that.

There are thousands of people up and down the country that are finding it ‘really hard’. However, at no point does that make it acceptable to go out and rob a vulnerable adult at knifepoint. The very fact you’ve even tried to defend or even understand his actions is very worrying. He deserves every bit of punishment that comes his way the absolute lowlife scum.

What a stupid post! My season ticket was bought in good faith during December 2019 and I would like it back sometime

ME too ... great city

Very true. it was known he was a gater and is for Kings Lynn as his results show. Known as a gater, and also having the special gizmos on his bike to improve it, he regular failed to reset it at the start, and after moving first would usually be third into the 1st bend.

TJ is normally a gater which should suit Brough but his gating gloves let him down last season. He never got the hang of passing people which, after the first two bends, is normally done on the fourth bend. That’s where I watch from and he just went mid track all the time.

It does, I meant to say SGB rather than SGP - original post edited.

Irrespective of who issues the licenses, firstly we need to wait and see whether Garrity does porridge or not. If he doesn't get sent down and is free to walk the streets, then for his episode of thievery, should he be treated any differently to Darcy Ward, who, as some may remember, was convicted of stealing a motorcycle, riding like a lunatic, evading arrest and riding without insurance? Remember that one? The offences that Neil Middleditch defended as being "what all young people do" (or words to that effect) Whatever the licensing authority calls itself this week or next week, they have set a precedent, so don't be surprised with whatever they decide to do.

All the best Mimmo.. I am at the other end of the spectrum and only just getting days off again after a month or so, due to the tens of thousands of customers who have wanted serving.. Therefore I cannot begin to understand what such isolation must mean.. Hope you can stay strong for yourself and your good lady... Best wishes. .

So according to Jorgensen his least favourite track is Newcastle !! So why did he sign for us ?

Didn’t know Josh Grajczonek was THAT old.....10 Top League titles....Come back when Swindle have 11!!

Indeed, although the SGB website still refers to ‘BSPA Contacts’!

I have never been able to get my head round the fact that a complete novice at s/way can have exactly the same machinery as the world champ, pockets allowing of course . British Touring Cars was dead in the water it stood back thought about it and implemented changes that have brought the sport alive again ,lesson to learn for s/way IMO.

Ryvita Royals? Kent 'Tuc' Key Royals. Ritz Royals

agree, slower and cheaper bikes, more dirt. I wd suggest that people riding abroad maintain several machines so having a brit standard bike shouldn't be a problem.

Racing Licences are issued by the SCB, not the BSPA

Well ? Are you going to tell us what it is ?

Doesn't exist according to Mr Trump!

Climate change, dear boy, climate change!

Try watching Somerset’s streams instead. Great racing the other day v KL first leg of the 2018 Cup final.

IMO Britian could go on it's own with regard to machinery ,it is one of the main elements that could be changed and would have a great effect on costs within the sport.We have to accept that for the short term the sport will to all intents and purpose be semi pro to survive ,a half decent rider should be able to adapt to riding diffent engines( at grasstracks rider have 250/350/and 500 cc bikes) in the case of say Polish riders wishing to race in this country .Just like the smaller tracks we have here they may just see it as expanding they experience and ability to make them better riders .

Funny that as just before the lock down we had a chat with Dan on Row Brow opposite the Old Mill Inn pub in Dearham... he was told to get a hair cut as well... he was out in his push bike getting some fitness training in and at the bottom of Row Brow hill just about to go up it when we nearly knocked him over... oops... had a good craic and hes another nice kid... his old man "Neil Boozer Bewley" is a good un too with worse jokes than me... Honest... Regards THJ

Best wishes to you both

I seem to remember the wolves riders having a sit down protest at Reading, complaining about track conditions at Smallmead.

That's tough! Best wishes..

I hope you have a garden at least. Best wishes to you both...

Enjoying the riders views on current tracks , how about their views on recently closed tracks eg Coventry, Rye House, Workington, Reading, Exeter?

I'm going to pick 1990, for the simple reason it was the year I decided to have a 'speedway holiday' - an opportunity to visit a load of tracks I'd only ever read about in Speedway Star. With the blessing of my then-girlfriend, I took a week off work and bought one of British Rail's All Line Rover tickets. At the time, I was living in Cumbria. The plan was to watch eight meetings on consecutive days, coupled with as much sightseeing as I could squeeze in. I struck lucky with the July weather, which was dry, warm and sunny, though I nearly came a cropper at the last match, during which dark clouds hovered ominously. I'd have preferred to stay in youth hostels but, being on the train, B&Bs were easier to get to and from. Made the overall cost that much higher! My itinerary was: 21/7 (Sat) Coventry 37 Swindon 53 (British League KO Cup, Quarter-Final, Second Leg, 71-109 aggregate) 22/7 (Sun) Rye House 46 Arena-Essex 49 (National League) 23/7 (Mon) Exeter 68 Peterborough 28 (National League) 24/7 (Tue) Milton Keynes 40 Glasgow 56 (National League) 25/7 (Wed) Long Eaton 45 Poole 51 (National League) 26/7 (Thu) Ipswich 56 Glasgow 40 (National League) 27/7 (Fri) Hackney 57 Stoke 39 (National League) 28/7 (Sat) Arena-Essex 50 Wimbledon 46 (National League) On the Wednesday, it was a toss-up between Long Eaton or Wimbledon. I didn't fancy watching Glasgow three nights in a row, so I opted for Station Road. I was seriously browned off when Wimbledon closed. Thankfully, I managed to get to Plough Lane in 2002 after its short-lived resurrection. All but Ipswich and Hackney I revisited - at least once - in later years. I had a similar 'speedway holiday' (this time in the car and with the company of my two younger brothers) in 1991 (Eastbourne, Swindon, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Cradley Heath, Sheffield, Belle Vue, Stoke) and 1994 (which included Reading, Poole, Oxford and King's Lynn). Don't think either was as much fun as the first! Having grown up watching speedway at Halifax (1976-83), I became a Cleveland Park, Middlesbrough, regular (1991-96) when I worked on Teesside and lived near Stokesley then saw a lot of Scunthorpe (2005-08) while based in North Lincolnshire. I've lived in York for the last 11 years. It's an hour's drive to the nearest track (Redcar, Scunthorpe or Sheffield). Over that 11 years, I've watched hardly any speedway; maybe 10 meetings. I guess I'm now one of the sport's many 'lapsed' enthusiasts. In all, I've watched speedway at 53 different British venues. Favourite track I'd say is Clay Country Moto Parc, St Austell. Went there three times. An amazing setting for speedway. The scenic location of Buxton (Hitmen's 'purpose built' track not the stock car stadium) makes it a close second.

Think the above is the main future issue. Social distancing is certainly doable in outdoor speedway stadia, possibly not the more enclosed arenas like Cardiff, but think medical cover will be very difficult to secure....

I would get Barry Bishop and Martin Widman in on the ground floor planning of any rethink of Speedway as the only promoters I have ever known get universal praise from the fans. The BSPA should be talking to them about how to deal with and attract new fans. In fact they should be listening and stop talking Tell people how dangerous the sport is, unlike most 'extreme' sports you don't even need to exaggerate. Take the opportunity to let young British MX and Trials riders of which there are thousands know that there could be a place for them in Speedway in the future. No asset system to work against them would be good. For a start I'd give any under 18 holding a motorcycle competition licence free admission and also give them pit tours, maybe have a different half a dozen of the over 16 each week working alongside the regular mechanics. You might pick up some apprentice rider/ mechanics that way. It seems inevitable that the standard of rider will be a bit lower so have a few laps practice before a meeting so they start the races with a good setup. Also put on some junior riders before the meeting as well. This should get rid of those first few heats when the track is difficult to race hard on. Bring in vulture races for the reserve home berth as well. Introduce rev limiters with a relatively low ceiling that would make expensive tuning an unnecessary waste of money, service intervals would be longer and parts life longer. I would like to see a minimum stroke introduced alongside that which would make engines more manageable for less skilled riders in difficult conditions. It should also make setting the bike up a little easier. It is really easy to police as well. A standard carb and clutch would also be easy to police and could save a good chunk of money. While control engines might be a good idea in theory I doubt that promotions would be keen on the initial outlay and undoubtedly some would skimp on the upkeep as well. Facilities don't need to be fancy but the food areas, bar and toilets need to be immaculately clean and kept that way, the new fans the sport needs won't put up with what the old timers do. If the facilities allow it have a noisy area for the younger adults where they can have loud music and a bit of a party.

Anyone who is consistently rude and unpleasant is an idiot. Your next post will undoubtedly confirm my point.

Sidney isn’t an idiot. But you are rude and unpleasant.

Point by point. 1. I can't see Cradley ever coming back. How long were Birmingham and Leicester away for ?. 2. The fan base has dwindled due to age and apathy. The age issue applies to every Team in this country, the apathy is because the dream we were sold by P & P never materialised. 3. If the outstanding Tony Mole could not find a track location for them between 2000 and 2010 and make it work, then I have to ask "who can"??. There are still a few people out there who believe something can be put in place, the other major stumbling block now is the Sport itself. 4. The Money raised to support the Cradley Planning and set up was then squandered and used by Patchett and Pearson who have piggy backed on to the Cradley name for a long time, creamed money off it and done very little to actually support it. Now they have "run for the hills" as the money pit has run dry. Cant really argue with that. 5. Its 25 years since Dudley Wood closed and I fear Cradley will never return. Never say never, though i cant see it ever being in Cradley heath as such. 6. Birmingham and Wolverhampton are barely viable, so where is there room for another Club in the midst of that as I see very few Cradley fans (30-40 in 2019) at either track and Cradleys gates last year were probably below 500. Cradley are not just another club, again how many (30-40) attend the sport in general, I would suggest that age bracket and younger are/were the first to get disilusioned with the lack of (finding a track) progress, their were/are many reasons why the gates fell to under 500 that would take to long to answer here, I myself am one of the stay aways. 7. The horse sadly has bolted. The horse hasnt bolted, but its certainly lame .

Aah, from Bridget Jones's diary!

I certainly don’t know all the answers but a scenario where it’s much cheaper to get in, meetings are more regular and riders are always present save for injury would only be a good thing. If speedway was reincarnated in this way and somebody who knows what they are doing could rebrand and market the whole thing properly and professionally it might grow again, you never know.

I doubt you will see any form of Speedway in the UK this year at all and this is being realistic.

Ok, I was only asking. Your post suggested you might have purchased while on ssp?! No insult intended. Hope you stay safe and well

Because like myself the season ticket was bought months ago , long before the current lockdown started