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He hasn't ridden at top form since he broke his back about 18 months ago. I hope he gets back to his best soon.

Poland could do with attracting more followers of 50+ years of age.. Dont seem to have many.. Missing a trick there...

Hope not, it is a blight on the sport, it has already been abused as not used what it was intended for, it will only get more abused as time goes on until it becomes the farce that British speedway is ,hate it , you ride for a team you are that team, it’s tribal and fans understand that

He is in for a very tough year in the GPs. I want him to do very well but can see him struggling to reach finals.

I hope Shovlar was watching Zmarzlik

Bear in mind the Russian names are translations from the Russian script, cyrillic, so there is no official spelling in our alphabet. We convert to how we would spell the names and the Poles their way. Their w is a v sound so what we would call Victor would be Wiktor in Polish, and something looking totally different but sounding pretty much the same n Russian. Going back over the years the English translations have varied. Take Grigori Chlinovsky, aka Grigory Khlinovsky. Likewise Grigori/Grigory/Grigorij Laguta. The problem gets more complex with Latvia where two alphabets are in use, Russian and Latvian so an ethnic Russian's name in his own language may be Andrei Lebedev (check the back of his kevlars) or Andzejs Lebedevs in Latvian! In English we have very few accents over or under letters like the e in cafe. Other languages have many. I don't want to wrestle with the keyboard too much but taking the Antonio Lindback case. The a in Lindback in Swedish has a double dot accent over the a, known in German as an umlaut, making his name phonetically closer to Lindbeck. In English we don't use that accent so we usually add an e to the vowel, hence the occasional use of Lindbaeck. The English alphabet isn't flexible to accommodate all these accents, usually applied to vowels to change their sounds. We compromise, and in so doing often get the pronunciation of foreign names very wrong. A y in Swedish is usually pronounced more like ew or a g like a y. The Poles don't just mess with vowels which is why Lech Walesa's name is pronounced Vawensa and Lodz as Woodz. In both cases the l has a bar across it, changing it to w. How do you cope? Compromise. We convert foreign names to our alphabet as best as we can and the pronunciations accordingly. Other nations do the same. I remember being amused at the 1982 Intercontinental Final at Vetlanda announcer refer to Kelly Moron. Well, he as many things, but not that.... It works in reverse. The Russians don't use the letter h so to get close to that sound they use a mix of x and i. I learned this when I covered ice racing n Russia using a programme obviously written in Russian and with the names similarly treated. It took a while to find Jarmo Hirvasoja..... So, it's all compromise in adjusting from one alphabet to another. Our lack of accents being used with vowels helps make English a tricky language to learn. Just a final one, Google Translate can offer some interesting translations. Dawid/Wiktor Leopard (Lampart) , Rafal Innkeeper (Karczmarz), Pawel Month (Miesiac). Oh and speedway to Zuzel, or .....Slag....... Hope this makes sense.

Anyone who quits the BSF over a difference of opinion, must have very thin skin. I've had plenty of digs aimed at me over the years, and i couldn't give a monkeys. The forum's purpose is to debate, not to agree with everything someone might say, wether that be positive or negative.

I'm sorry but you're totally wrong about hospitals.Once lockdown was announced, all cancer screenings were suspended, routine diagnostic work deferred and only urgent symptomatic cases were seen. All non Covid NHS services were decreased or ceased and staff moved to Covid wards. As I said in my original post we all know that early diagnosis and treatment is essential in beating cancer; what effect do you think stopping screening and diagnostic work had? Back in early July the Health Care Research Hub for Cancer estimated that 7,000 extra people at best, 35.000 at worst will die this year alone due to missed cancer treatments because of lockdown. The 'optimistic' figure was based on the hope that things will return to normal quickly. Sadly this hasn't happened. In my area cancer referrals are still 37% down on this time last year, in fact it's down in every area. I've banged on about cancer a few times over the past few months. I've lost family and friends to it, I'm sure you have to, in fact every single forum member will have lost someone close to them through this horrible illness. We've also all probably had a loved one diagnosed late or tragically, too late which is why screening is essential. Not rocket science, but clearly beyond the wit of this government. The lockdown has been a needless death sentence for thousands of people, killed so they can instead concentrate on a virus that in up to 80% of cases the person doesn't even know he's got it. To hammer home the point, read the attached report from the lancet about excess cancer deaths due to lockdown. Sobering reading. Then look up 'Transmission' in the dictionary. You clearly do not understand what it means. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(20)30388-0/fulltext

Never been one to take any notice of the usual "could you ride a Speedway bike?" crap that many idiots come out with when their favourite gets criticised, however.. Anyone who throws their leg over a Speedway bike, and races it, definitely can never be regarded as 'gutless'..

Gutless. He's broken more bones than you have brain cells and still takes risks..

There's definitely a shortage of z's in English

Yes it normally is the best, but not today.

Honestly I agree wholeheartedly with Steve Park... Dalbers is one of life's good guys... honourable... genuine and consistent and it's great that the new promotion have recognised his efforts for the Diamonds... Yes others have done good work over the years however even when he was dumped on by one or two others he consistently stood up to be counted he consistently backed the team and his absence although self imposed was due to him not being treat with much respect by a couple of previous promoters who still had the audacity to hold their hands out for his cash as a fellow promoter... and he never once complained or ducked his obligations or responsibilities... Great guy... oh hang on he does have one skeleton in his cupboard.... He's a closet Makem... I know... I've outed him now and it's embarrassing (very embarrassing) but we can surely allow him this one guilty pleasure after all he has done for the Diamonds.. Well done Andy... keep it up and well done to the current promotion for recognising the support provided over the years... well deserved credit... Regards THJ

Anybody else having streaming problems?

Have to have my twopenneth here Keith! Had it not been for Dalbers, the Diamonds wouldn't be still running, it would have closed down years ago, thanks to his financial input. As far as away meeting attendance goes, as you know he works at both Newcastle and Sunderland Dogs, so making it to away meetings is virtually impossible, but he was a frequent visitor to away tracks, especially between the mid-late 90's to mid 2010's, and I should know because I travelled with him most of the time. He and I (and sometimes Dave Fraser) were the only Gems fans at the away meetings with them quite often. I agree others also deserve a mention, but to say "he's done his bit" is, in my opinion, a massive understatement and no I'm "not just saying that, because he's a very good friend."

Is it just me or is this behaviour just beyond bizarre... I genuinely think this guy needs help. Does anybody on this forum actually know BWitcher in person? Because I think you need to carry out an intervention. I can't make up my mind whether he's a bully or mentally ill, maybe a bit of both. PLEASE! this guy needs your help. BWitcher I plead with you, please go see a doctor... when the NHS reopens of course

I thought it was a link for a surf board not a book about a Scunny speedway rider!!!

It was a very wet meeting I went to see the Polish wonder boy Zenon Plech. Didn't disappoint as he was also unbeaten except for a fall when he meet Louis.

You're right it was seven man teams, but your old age is letting you down just a little! We had the Russians v England at Ipswich, you had England v Poland at Hackney (12 point max for the Tiger!) Think that match was shown on World of Sport. (Unless my old age is letting me down!)

Smarzlik and Emil are the stand out riders in Poland this year IMo.

You named 8 riders not 5. I should have made the question easier.

But that has been Klindt throughout his career. Very fast from the traps, but generally gets overtaken by the better riders, or if he misses the start, he scores next to nothing. At both Wolverhampton and Workington, where I saw him in different phases of his career, his scorecard would often resemble 3, 0, 3, 0, 3.

Woffinden looks absolutely gutless at times and has no answer all to often. Be interesting to see how he goes in the GPs.

It's because English "w" sound is "Ł" in Polish. Why do we have "w" sounding like English "v" instead of simply having "v" too? No idea.

If I recall correctly, this was team speedway with seven man teams riding at a range of tracks and I seem to recall seeing Russia riding at Hackney but old age let’s me down on who the opposition was. I do remember it got great coverage in the media and was held over one or two weeks. It would good to see something similar rather than the 4TT event that is today’s offering. Seven man teams riding as nations over three or four weeks with the right sponsor could be the making of a revival. What I do not understand is those who favour the recent World Cup format yet would never go to a a U.K. track hosting 4TT meeting made up of local teams.

I woke suddenly at 4am this morning- rather frightening !!!!! with the thought that teams are not racing each other twice apart from the " derby" rounds 7 and 8 where they meet one team twice !! I can confirm that there are no bonus points for aggregate score in Sweden this season

Madsen is definitely carrying an injury, and doesn’t look comfortable on the bike these days.IMO

Zmarzlik def fav for the GPs and 2 at Gorzow and he won at Wroclaw last year and they have 2 also. He likes Torun too. I think Emil will put up a fight, but less sure of Madsen at the moment.

Don’t know him mate rob always calls him Barry but it could be anything mate. In fairness when I get chance to be a spectator I tend to spend lots of time in the bar or chatting with those who we stand with

Gzugunow would be better than janowski who doesn’t even look competitive up till now

Woffy not riding well at the moment.

Zmarzlik is something else, that was pure class

No info yet.

I went to what turned out to be the last two meetings at Skegness. Complete dust bowl and barely anybody watching.

I went there twice. Once for a rain off and also the last PL level meeting against Arena Essex. It was quite a sparce stadium, but the track was a good shape. On a gorgeous sunny evening, the crowd was no more than 200!

Spelling related,Sayfutdinov and Loktaev both end with a W on Polish captions.

Of course the rain offs most weeks before the promotion gave up also played a part.

Went there a few times in the 80's for stock cars (we had some hols up there). Narrow track, so it may take a bit of work. Of course, if they couldn't get it back when speedway was still "popular", I think it may be a struggle now... In response to old Bob's question, there have been quite a few tracks that have reopened after being out of action for a while. Unfortunately, most have since been flattened. The ones that spring to mind since the mid-60's are the London quartet (Hackney, Wembley, White City, and Wimbledon), Plymouth (Pennycross), and Birmingham (Perry Barr). Berwick (Shielfield Park), Newcastle (Brough Park), and Workington (Derwent Park) all reopened successfully, and although we don't know what will happen with the latter, it is still standing.

He had a really weird style and who could forget the somersault over the air fence against Newport and walking back to the pits through the crowd.

All the riders anyone have mentioned on here are OK in my book.....yes I understand why some of the comments are made. It took many years, like about 60 years for me to dislike one rider and one rider only so much and that is Nicki (not my fault) Pedersen, up to his usual stuff again today. Yes I know I will get the NP lovers saying how nice a person he is and he probably is OFF the track and then they will say he is just a "Hard" rider, whatever that means......Personally I would not use that word! Having said that....he IS box office......I guess that is what Speedway is missing these days!

I know some are using pushbike inner tubes in the front wheels to save that ounce in weight but are they using them in the rear tyres too ? Seems a high amount of punctures this year

Once again, I found your RESPONSE amusing. You're utterly obsessed with Covid and the 'facts' you continually post. Many of these 'facts' are purely your opinion. But you tell us we're not allowed to have an opinion...unless it matches yours of course.

Trouble is there is a lot of repetition on the forum...which I guess many of us are guilty but it can get tedious sometimes especially when some posts come across as patronising and personal in content.

Commenting on 4 former Hull venues: White City 1930's been under a block of flats for many years, Hedon 1940's - just a field ear-marked for Eco energy plant, Boulevard 1971 - 1981 stadium demolished 2010 or so, now an acedemy & Craven Park 1995-2005 is an interesting one but sadly still a no-go. There is still plenty of room at CP for a speedway track (!) - apart what were turns 3 & 4 which have a large stand on that area and a speedway track traditionally requires, depending how one defines such things, 4 turns or 2 semi-circular corners, but for 3/4 of a track CP is almost good to go . The modern KCOM stadium (Hull City & Hull FC) has room for 2 straights only (so half a track then), while Costello Stadium is an athletics facility, though apparently little used, and would suit a Scunny 1970's Quibell Park-type dual use track set up, but 'tis slap bang in the centre of 'NIMBY Land' so literally no chance. Oh well maybe speedway will return to Hull one day....

The fact that people are looking at centre green shenanigans from the likes of Johnnie Hoskins, Dave Lanning and 'Leaping Len' says everything we need to know about the awful state we find ourselves in. This is like 40, 50 years ago. The world has changed, times have changed. The benchmark is other professional sports, other forms of entertainment. I don't know the answer, but it doesn't lie in the past.

It isn’t. In a few places there may be proactive promotions. Note that of the five teams you have listed three are relatively new promotional teams. The IOW have always had to make hay with holiday crowds too, although granted their new promotion are doing a great job undeniably and we need more promotions like theirs. I’d suggest you read Barry’s post again also and read what he is actually saying. Proactively promoting is all well and good. The product on track is an incredible one, that is why we all love the sport. But the way the sport is run overall it is tantamount to polishing a turd. People complaining about having to shuffle along a few steps on the terracing will be an issue as long as there’s terracing and isn’t anything to do with Speedway or old timers. It’s an inherent part of any sport where there is terracing or unreserved seating and people who like to watch from the same spot week in, week out.

As I’ve said elsewhere, a big issue here is that we insist on running the leagues to a higher standard than the riders that are available. If we cut cloth to measure people would complain that the product is being “watered down.” The other excuse is that there “aren’t enough riders.” There are enough riders, just not enough willing to ride here who are of the unrealistic standard British Speedway is trying to run at. Look at the top tier teams due to race this season. Realistically I would say there are five riders we would definitely lose from that league should we cut our cloth to measure. Ironically they’re five who don’t need to double down to make the sport pay, Doyle, Pedersen, Iversen, B. Kurtz and Kildemand. The main issue I guess is that landlords are still going to want the same rent from their tenants whether the sport is part time or not. However without so much money going out on wages it wouldn’t be an insurmountable hurdle. The die hards will attend whatever is served up. They’re pretty much all we have left in terms of boots on the ground in stadiums anyway, so to suggest a league of a more realistic standard wouldn’t work due to fan numbers is a lazy excuse. It wouldn’t be that hard to reset Speedway on a better path here but nobody is seemingly interested in doing so. To do so we need to take a step back, instead we keep trying to build a palace on the sand. But at least each Premiership track would have got to see Nicki Pedersen twice across the year eh.

Speedway in years gone by had personalities and rivalries and these characters and behaviours have long since been banned by the the current establishment. Take a look through the history of the local derbies and for example the shenanigans that took place between Rayleigh, Eastbourne and Canterbury and then throw in the big fuel debate between Rayleigh and Eastbourne, leaping Len entertaining from the Centre Green, Johnnie Hoskins, Dave Lanning kicking verbal wotsit out of each other plus the Romford Bombers in the Essex Gold cup and speedway had a great mix of rivalry with some entertainment thrown into the mix. The same scenario applied to other teams around the country. You had riders who were personalities with the likes of Arthur Price, the Kennett brothers, Ted Hubbard, Brian Foote, Lou Swanson, Peter Moore, and these were in the lower divisions. Move up a league and you had the greats such as Olsen, Mauger, Briggs, etc to name but a few. In the second division added those at number six and seven who were invariably ex grass track and starting off were probably the equivalent standard of riders plying their trade at the IOW and Mildenhall. The sport was entertaining albeit the racing was no more spectacular but these were guys using effectively standard bikes or the track spare who honed their riding skills. Now you have a sanitised watered down form of entertainment that is no longer a raw sport where you support the guy next door who was giving it a go. Today you have the gate and go merchant who throws more money at the equipment then that are likely to earn hence the need for sponsors and treats the punter with contempt, most have zero in terms of personality, little in the way of team rivalry and the belief that as a sport it owes them a living. Professional some may be but as entertainers few make the grade until you move down to the third tier where the riders are willing to give it a go irrespective of the conditions and most of them do it because they want to prove themselves and enjoy riding. Without sponsors those in the upper echelons cannot make a living and is financially unviable hence the sport is now at a crossroads in this country. The third tier will be here long after some of the others have fallen by the wayside.

Regards your first paragraph... you should really read some reviews or attend it.... our presentation is good for speedway and is objectively good. Track Staff are smart - all dressed the same thanks to our sponsors Sydenhams. Are they polite.... read ANYWHERE about the welcome people are given on the Island and you will read just how polite, welcoming, helpful, engaging, interpersonal all our staff are - you see we view every person as equally as important as the next... who do you view the most important person on race day...? Actually for me there are 2 The carpark team (our carpark is free so they are purely there to welcome and direct) and then the team on the gate... why because they are the first people anyone who comes meets... if they are smart, polite, trained, and knowledgable its the right start... then also its what a visitor takes away with them... the thrill of the last heat, great food at the right price, seeing the kids on the track in the running race or our riders signing tareoffs to give away at halftime... is it their visit to the pits, the drink in the bar, our clean toilets or using our baby changing facility, maybe it was the visit to the centre green, or the old boys on the JAPs after the meeting, could be our brilliant programme, or the videos on the TVs in the stand... could be me interviewing as I go live before the meeting starts..or it could be the tractors grading or just perhaps they have really enjoyed their night with us... Sorry I got carried away.. to continue... is it tidy? Oh my we have probably the most beautiful stadium before race day, after race day and any day... it is always clean.. ask anyone who has been every air fence panel (all of which are sponsored by the way) are cleaned for every one of the 20 weekly meetings we stage, the grass is alway on point, our toilets are clean, with flowers most weeks, and painted every off season, our stands are clean, our bins are emptied, our weeds are... oh we dont have weeds in the stands of course, or that main spectator area, or the picnic area, or the pits.. but there are a few where no one goes on race day until they are outgrown by blackberries which we encourage fans to come and pick (wash before you eat them), are we sign posted? Yes we are and we have banners across the island, pop ups in cinemas, and other attractions, can we improve this bit.. of course we can. Is the PA system good.. ,we have a great PA, a two mic presentation (fixed and mobile) but it wasnt always perfect but as soon as it was reported guess what ... it was fixed. Is the parade good... OK our meetings go like this... firstly our MASCOTs are introduced to the crowd..normally 13 every week they go off into the crowd (signing autographs and inspiring others).. then the riders decend through the crowd high fiving the kids on to the track.. the brilliant Rob Dyer introduces them one by one, giving an overview of any recent news about the rider (he knows his stuff) and when the final rider has been introduced do we allow riders to go off... although if we have our second team the Wizards in the main event we have them on parade too to be introduced in front of the crowd... so yep I think its good but we always look to improve. I guess we always try to be different, we know we will be copied, we know we must innovate to maintain our sponsors, we know we have to work hard but the most interesting thing is we are all a team... I am the promoter, toilet cleaner, tractor driver, drain cleaner, painter, joker, receptionist, car part attendant, burger flipper, drink supplier, raker, trainer, confident, accountant, marketing manager, My First Skid coordinator, track watering specialist, roving mic, sponsorship coordinator and anyone of our volunteers could be exactly the same.. they are all equal and all so very important to us.. I think the only difference is that they look to Martin and I for leadership and direction... Our reputation is pretty much known outside the UK too... we staged the first ever NICE meeting - now when I was in Poland I could have lied and said we had gates of 2000, we were loaded we had every possible machine.. but I didnt I told the truth.... when the Poles arrived the night before (from Bydgoszcz) to look at the stadium, I was watering the track - by a hose pipe..... at first they thought I was crazy...then they helped me.... look at the feedback of the riders, fans, NICE management of how we presented the NICE Challenge... no one has done better, no one. As for racing I just dont believe the racing is better... it may be faster but it never better... I dont care if the track record gets broken... what I believe fans want is action, passes, elbows, characters, appreciation from riders, interaction.... not flat out first bend new track record..... we are maybe lucky in that most of our meetings are last 3 heats deciders... and this of course adds to the tension and suspence.... but ask anyone who travels all over and watches all three leagues the entertainment value of the 3rd tier is by far the better... Now i am not saying there are processional races or thrashings of a side... but this is in every league... By the way I really enjoy this type of thread and I learn from it...normally I read more than I comment but for sure we are super proud of our product.