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The problem is more one of perception than reality. It seems to be a widely (if in my view very often mistakenly) held belief that it is automatic that as the standard of rider lessens, so does the standard of the racing. When Poole proposed dropping down last year, around 30% of their fans said they would not watch a Championship team. When Birmingham and Lakeside moved into the NDL a few seasons ago attendances - at least initially -crashed. In addition, we will all be aware of the number of people who have over the years at least said that they will not go again because of points limit reductions. Assuring them that the quality of racing is the same usually cuts very little ice indeed. As such, Isle of Wight had every reason to fear significant loss of supporters and consequent loss of revenue resulting from a points reduction. Besides which, their issue is not just what happened but the way it happened. Had there been a vote amongst NDL clubs (and I have yet to see anyone suggest that there need not have been) rather than having regulations imposed on them by and at the behest of PL & CL clubs (most of whom have no connection with the NDL) then it is entirely possible that the Warriors would still be part of that league. Then again, its extremely likely that had there been a vote the points limit would not have been reduced, which is almost certainly why it was imposed.

Remember she was one of the inner sanctum. It was their club, their track, their land , they have chosen to sell up and take the money, that’s business and it’s their choice. Sad loss to speedway but predictable .

Yeah best course of action is to not bother to book one in the first place - Holder was way ahead of the curve.....

What absolute rubbish. What sort of entertainment (particularly PPV sport) are you getting for a fiver these days? I think it’s priced well.

My general point still stands... You don't know what's going to happen in the future so it's wise not to burn your bridges

Away win

You just don’t get irony/sarcasm do you

Just so you’re aware not sure if you are. Crowds are currently restricted. So it’s currently available to everyone. However once crowds are no longer restricted up here I believe it will be going back to the 50 miles exclusion zone. Tbh the streaming was aimed at away fans or fans who were abroad or too far away to travel to the matches so they still had a chance to watch their team. Obviously with covid it’s came in extremely handy with the predicament we’ve found ourselves in.

If the company who have bought it are not going to use it as a clubhouse, then I doubt it could be used as one on an adhoc basis one day a week. Maybe it will be offices, or a training centre for certain trades. Maybe she meant it's a no brainer to take the money offered for the clubhouse. IMO the Hancock family probably got fed up with working in the inner sanctum of a body that show so much ineptitude and self interest, instead of the greater good of the whole. Even though that body is way behind the current leaders in the I'm alright Jack World Championships The Cabinet If they've been offered silly money they'd be daft not to take it.

Majority of cinemas are about £5.99/£8.00 these days per person, its about 10 years since it was £15.00 a head, they had tailored cost to account for a crashing market even before Covid, food, like at speedway is optional but the base cost for tickets has come down a lot. A cinema is also an out of home experience, these days you can rent films online or having streaming services on constant demand. NBA League Pass is £25.00 for the entire duration of the play offs Premier Sport pass is £10.99 for a month Eurosport is £6.99 Using both these services you could feasibly watch about 4 or 5 meetings in a month. Now TV Day pass is £9.98 Netflix is about £5.99 a month I appreciate the need for the revenue of streaming a meeting, but anyone acting like it is value for money is being a bit silly, its an admirable product priced at diehard fans rather than likely to attract that must floating interest

They look like they are holding the executive box up permanantly!

Think that was the plan originally but didn't happen

I have a problem downloading images...given up trying if I'm honest!

I don't like to be critical (I love it) but I've got to comment on the atmosphere at the track last night and it was dead, I know the home team were taking a pumping but when all you can hear is a rusty swing from the other side of the stadium you have to ask yourself, if this is the best the head of British Speedway can do, there's not much hope. Sonically it sounded like a deserted gas station in the middle of the American desert lol From memory, there was only Kyle Howarth who came round to acknowledge the crowd, no interviews with riders, music constantly chopping and changing, results of a race not being given until after the next race when there was a close finish. I know times are tough and I'm sure there are reasons (for the music) but surely you've got to get the basics right that don't cost anything.

Certainly didn't expect to win by as much. A few good races tonight, Tommy Jorgensen was great, a couple of really nice cutbacks. Will the real Dany Gappmaier please stand up? Leon gets better by the week. Theo Pijper still decent around Berwick. I would like to see Josh McDonald on a decent bike, he could be on to something. Couple of times tonight you saw how the changes to the track might be working. A few riders trying the inside run off the second bend, Leon making it stick passing Pijper, then the cutbacks off the fourth bend, Jorgensen and Palin both successful. Hopefully a sign of better racing to come.

Good win at Lynn, but most fans agree they look weak. We haven't had any home matches yet so will reserve judgement until we've had a couple of those.

Sense of humour bypass alert......

First inductee Colin Pratt I assume it's Colin in the picture? He doesn't look well, but then he was never a great one for smiling. Not sure who decides these things but a worthy first inductee. Is there going to be one a month or one a week does anybody know... there must be so many names in the pot

I would say around that number yes.

It's Friday.... It's Five to Five.... And it's....

Copied from tougher Zomerset tread. I would like to think the Hancock's will give a more in-depth interview on the overall reason why Somerset Speedway is no more, the loyal fans deserve it & other promotions could learn from it. I have said it before: I'm sure the year in the Premiership created huge debts, this hopefully would under normal circumstances have been clawed back over the last few years but with forced race nights & covid this didn't happen. To their "credit" the Hancocks never presented the begging bowl to the sponsors or the fans, maybe they should have? Maybe if they had been more open with any problems a solution might have been offered. Maybe, Maybe, Maybe, what is fact another one bits the dust.

There seems to be a few discrepancies in the latest GSAs for both the PL and CL, perhaps they’ll be revised and re-issued on Tuesday.

Of course it’s a limited market, I certainly wouldn’t suggest it’s competing with all the other streaming services above. But if clubs can get in extra revenue in these difficult times then I can’t see why people are against it? I’m sure Edinburgh are grateful for the extra monies last night.

It has been public knowledge since before the end of the 2019 season Certainly reported locally and confirmed in person by Chris Louis when asked by anyone who questioned him about it I don't remember if there were any pieces on national sources although granted there certainly wasn't any great fanfare It seems Buster made promises and guarantees but never actually got round to, or perhaps needing to, handing over any money or sign the required paperwork Ultimately it seems Buster NEVER owned Ipswich even at the outset of 2019 when everyone assumed it was the case However his word was enough to offer the reassurances that facilitated the move up and the continuation of the league so he can take credit for that As much as Buster doesn't come across in the best light, gets it very wrong at times and is lampooned by many you cannot doubt his commitment to Speedway

One of those riders who were never destined to be a World Champ, but seemed to ride every race as if it was his last... You would never feel short changed watching Martin Dixon.. Best wishes to him.

How about Nathan Stoneman on Henry Atkins bikes - that would be an option! With Mike Atkins as main team sponsor could be a possibility.........

I'll try again............................................oh stuff it.............never had a problem couple of years ago.

Perhaps they could remove the stanchions for speedway meetings?

Of course flights get cancelled. But luckily for us we have a great sponsor in ATPI who specialise in travel

For those waiting to hear the teams before buying their tickets, Berwick are same as last week, r/r for Coty, Scunthorpe have Jake Allen as a guest for injured Josh Auty. Ex Bandits Tommy Jorgensen, Tero Aarnio and Theo Pijper all in the Scunthorpe team (per SGB website)

Buster owns Peterborough as well as kings Lynn, doesn't own Ipswich.

streaming could save british speedway. not just marketing opportunities to away fans. what about fans in Australia, the US or poland. If all clubs could provide a stream then a monthly league pass could be sold internationally.

Hi how are you doing? Yes coming down for tonight’s meeting. Long time no see!

Hey Steve, are you down in Sussex today? I can't make this evening otherwise it would of been good to catch up again, not seen you since my Adam Shields days and thats a good while back now! Next time the clubs face up again I will make a point of catching up, stay safe and enjoy the speedway..

The track was fine. There really wasn't an excuse there. There were passes in quite a few races but Lynn weren't gating...end of

I know when doing the streaming in 2019 it was restricted. So you could only purchase the stream if you lived over 50 miles from the stadium. with restricted crowds at the moment that rule has been removed.

Never.

The fact that it was by mutual agreement means something is up by one or both parties. Given that Lawson was confirmed less than 24 hrs later just goes to show this was all probably known before the meeting started. No point speculating, I’m no Cook fan but I hope he is ok.

It’s a home team stream, don’t expect impartiality and like I said I thought it was very fair. I wish more clubs would follow Edinburgh’s example, certainly for away fans.

Thanks for the kind words re the stream We do our best to try and be impartial but the fan in me does take over some times, I did have to catch myself after Thomson’s win in heat 5 Thoroughly enjoyable match with some cracking races throughout and in my eyes a fair result. Allen’s move in heat 13 was outstanding. Bears will be a tough team to beat this year with better nights ahead for Wright and Stewart no doubt.

Sounds to me from the tone of the interview that he was doing as he was asked by the riders but they couldn’t agree on what the track should be like..... Unacceptable for that to happen on race night IMO, get these issues ironed out pre season and be on it from heat one, no excuses.

Yes they are. Busy practicing right now at 4pm. 'Now thats what I call music', well to my ears at least! Moved back to Poole on Thursday and live close to the stadium.

I thought similar I’d have thought it’s another saving on wages with Cook going and Lawson coming in yet any reduction on admission? your dead right about mid table championship team . Less than 2 weeks into the new season which could have offered so much with a big relaunch instead offered a 6 team league rising star position and championship riders in the 1-6 in just 2 weeks we get this . Crazy

Somerset, Rye House, Lakeside, Coventry and Buxton were all owned at one time by the Speedway Promoters weren't they? Somersert currently, and Rye and Coventry not long ago... Buxton still is owned by the promoter there I think.. And Workington could very much still be in existence if it hadn't (ironically), had been so successful and been allowed to have ridden on nights when it could get it's best crowds.. It says much that the owners of the tracks tried to promote the sport then let someone else have a go and pay them rent instead..

If it is the case. And i say if, because until we hear from either Cookie or someone in the know, we can't be sure. But Cookie has been honest before regarding his health. We will have to see if it's the same with Glasgow i guess. Craig is a quality rider, and if it is the case i wish him a speedy recovery.

I think you're under the limit in one department.

Isn’t their always ?

Sadly, I think there is more to this than is being made public.

If its r/r on both sides 3 guests v 4 guests and 2 NL juniors, would you advertise it?

They would certainly also lose money at NDL level with the implied costs.