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I recall David Howe, soon after he'd finished riding, airing his views on this forum and although not remembering the detail, they seem to be similar to much that has been put onto this thread. And that was long before the havoc being caused by a global pandemic. Much of his rational thinking was focused on costs and equipment, and about the UK scene needing to prioritise its own survival by establishing and operating at a realistic level. He also talked about how he did not rely on speedway and other motorcycling to provide him with a living, with HGV driving work as his other income. It's long been something which intrigues me - how do speedway riders get other income, or do they have other sources at all? People like David Howe should be involved in planning and decision-making in the current crisis.

It was on TV yesterday that A& E's are 50% down on usual. People are keeping away if they can..

it’s a hole shot device which is used in motocross only holds the front end down for less lift until it hits the first bump then releases itself most riders have tried it and does not make much difference you still have to drop the clutch faster than anybody else

About 300 out of 20,000 hospital deaths. Actually, that’s under 65s so I doubt it’s more than 100 under 50.

There was an electric ignition system produced and used in the early 00's. It was a small lever on the handle bars which detuned/retarded the ignition so producing more grip from the start with less spins. Once in front the rider flicked the ignition back to normal having gained from the gate advantage. I caught a very fast starting Exeter rider at our away meeting at Exeter using one, but the rider hid his bike from me and the machine examiner wouldn't do anything about it. I reported it to the Ref and the SCB, but I never heard anything after that. It was illegal cos in 1997 there was a vote amongst riders as to whether programmable ignitions could be introduced into British Speedway, but they voted against them mainly on the basis of cost. Hope that helps.

I think in the end he took whatever he was using off so he didn't get any more questioning about it from officials etc- I'm sure variations of such have been tried over the years - nothing beats gating ability to give an initial advantage.

Cant see football happening behind closed doors until some relaxation of the lock down rules what's the difference between a football match behind closed doors, the Germans say that up to 300 people would be involved in a TV match with no supporters, and 22 kids playing in a park? (apart from money that is) bit hard to fine the kids for playing in a park while allowing professionals to the same thing

Aye but it may be !! But he's never became world champ tho

The 300 is under 60 without underlying conditions. The total under 60 including underlying conditions is 1,623.

I hope you don't lose family or friends like I have. Maybe if you had you'd not be so arrogant and have some respect?

I already have. Now go check it against the number of under 50's dying from other things and learn some context. If you're under 50 and healthy you have more chance of being killed in a car crash than dying from Covid-19. It's nothing to do with 'respect'.. it's to do with reality.

What risk would the riders be taking? I wasn't aware we had many 65+ aged riders.

Just to add a bit of context to those 2 video clips which I don't think are like for like. Rather than the decline in crowds it showed the failed attempt to run shared events at neutral tracks. Listen to the home crowd at Peterborough when Mick Poole starts rounding riders up. In the 2nd clip I believe Coventry were not involved, so the comparison I believe is slightly misleading .

I'm not for one second pretending that my ideas have anything with getting this country to the forefront of international Speedway. Its more to do with survival and building foundations to allow that to happen one day possibly.

Has had two spells as a witch and on the track was absolutely brilliant especially his passing and team riding. But other off track issues hold him back. I feel if you could do a deal where the club provides the bikes and a mechanic who cleans and maintains them with Ben just turning up and riding them before returning home with the bikes going in the opposite direction with the mechanic. then I think you would see a even better version and if he could lose a stone or two then he would really benefit imo.

If I'm not wrong Kevin doolan was the first to use this - you push the fork blade down to set it and once you've made a start a lever is pushed ( or pulled) to release the forks to the original position , it is used on Motocross bikes to compress the suspension for a better ( hard front end , not springing about ) start line take off .

Simple research would have prevented you from looking foolish... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8256237/New-figures-number-people-visiting-UKs-E-wards-half-month.html

Comments from various CL Promotions on their websites, social media and Speedway Star indicates either no such directive from BSPA or some Clubs ignoring it. Most likely no such BSPA directive. Kent - Len said weeks ago he will refund all season Tickets, no messing refunding all. Redcar - announced they will wait and refund on a pro rata basis once more known re Fixtures but fans can contact them Eastbourne - said will review in June but anyone wanting refund due to hardship to contact them like Redcar. Every Club is a separate Company. They are governed by BSPA on Speedway' matters but surely can't be instructed by BSPA on a business decision like this. Those 3 Clubs and probably others certainly aren't listening to alleged BSPA comments It's between you and your Club!

The other thing that really surprised me when my lad started riding Speedway was that hardly anybody did their own servicing any more, not even the most basic stuff. In the NL at least most riders could easily buy a standard engine and maintain it for the season themselves with perhaps one full rebuild by a good specialist between seasons after all engines don't get much more simple. The problem only comes because the odd lad in the league has money to throw at the sport and turns up with better equipment than most PL riders, then the others have to try and compete with that. How much difference it actually makes to points scored is debatable but if somebody has better bikes than you then you'll always be convinced that's why he beat you! Jason Doyle and Anders Rowe per meeting costs will be very similar for sure. Semi- pro racing is so much more difficult in this 24/7 era than it was for previous generations, at least for those who aren't self employed.

I would like to think 4. as is the case with some riders. I seem to remember R Douglas saying this was a reason behind signing for Leicester & Wolves as he wanted to learn & try to master different shaped tracks. Special gizmos? Enlighten us, please.

The difference is that we’ll have the testing capability for 3,000 football match (10 PL matches) participants but not the 15 million children across the country.

Well, it would if you’re looking to reduce their wages. Isn’t that the whole point of the discussion? Getting costs down so we can lower the entrance fee or spend more money on improving the stadium or track?

You can when it's to the detriment of the sport elsewhere. You would be happy if the GP series was scrapped and other leagues stripped of riders, just so they could run their league?

Basic economics Polish Speedway can survive in this mode for 2020. It appeases TV / Sponsors / Public and allows riders to "earn" 50% of Polish earnings are still 5 times what they could earn elsewhere. They will spend LESS with no GP or alternative meetings / travel and will spend 4 months in a speedway form of Japanese Sumo enclave. You can't knock the Poles. What are the BSPL/SCB doing, other than working day to day with no clear plan or strategy other than to play Quizzes on a Friday night, give caps away as prizes and allow the Dominic Cummins of UK Speedway to flog off cheap publications to dormant Clubs, that they won't allow to race any more but are happy to rip off.

What to do with existing motors ( which will be useless if their is no sport left)should not stop change maybe an exchange system for new standard engines ,if an alternative was found then perhaps a scrapage scheme or alike .If the Poles stay as they are they may take them and say the GP riders ,what must not happen is the riders stopping this with their obsession for more power and speed . It would be like turkeys voting for Christmas that's why I say use riders who are newly retired etc they have an open informed mind hopefully .

The problem with standardised motors, good idea it may be, is what to do with existing engines. My suggestion would a BHP limit together with soon-ish the to be introduced rev liniters. Riders would get their power read outs carried out as proof at a local motorcyle test centre or a speedway tuner, with random testing done by SCB or ACU using a rolling road in order to police such limits. That way riders could keep existing engines but change internal component(a) at their own discretion in order to reach any hoursepower limit.....

Unfair on the riders. Unprecedented times right now. They would want to ride in all the usual leagues and GP's but Covid-19 stops them with sensible quarantine laws in place to stop the spread..

Wonder if baby bjerre had the same gizmos or was he just taken the urine

But also even for spectator sports the post war years were a boom time despite it being financially difficult for business and life generally. It seems that when life gets difficult for people entertainment assumes a more important role.

The lockdown is certainly starting to confuse certain contributors to the Dirt Extra, Martin McKinna in their Bandits Team. There again it might be lying in the sun that’s causing the trouble.

Nobody is defending Ward or garrity. what Ward got up to was stupid , illegial and irresponsible. What Garrity has done is scum of the earth behavior . A level above what Ward done. that said , both are a pair of brain dead idiots

Hang on , are people honestly classing riding a motorbike stoned just as bad as robbing two vulnerable people with a blade ? Jesus Christ.

Darcy only had the one conviction. It was only a very limited number of people who defended his actions. I see very little difference between how the two are being treated on here, with the exception of the absence of certain poole fans. Garritys offence imo is significantly more serious than that which Darcy was convicted of. One was stupidity, the other pre meditated and nasty.

Those that went to Brandon in the era of Charles Ochiltree certainly saw every match starting on time ( unless cirumstances beyond the promoters control - eg UK weather prevented it ) . Always Prompt. But elsewhere, this century , I doubt it.

just jesting jase ...

When the season gets underway, WHEN. Will it be on Freesports again ?.

Thanks for your response Gustix and glad you like the group. I'm actually happy for the images to be shared. What I meant as that I personally wouldn't be posting the photos to multiple speedway sites. I'm just happy that my late Dad's photos from Hampden Park in Glasgow are being seen for the first time. He would have liked that :-)

Someone has been watching too much MSM and drunk their kool aid BS. The best way to control people is to keep them afraid, you certainly prove that point ...

Most A & E departments are pretty empty at the moment...

With regards to medical cover it has to be remembered that as far as I know no tracks use NHS ambulances for track cover or NHS paid Paramedics or Doctor’s the staff that cover it do it on their rest days or time off. What may have to be considered is that tracks have two ambulances and double medical cover so if there was an incident there would be no need to call an NHS ambulance. If you look back at government briefings on Friday they have actually seen a substantial drop in A&E cases with the lowest waiting times for years.