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Yep , Jittendra is one of the good guys, not arrogant or publicity seeking, just gets on with the job and presents a good image. Speedway, and Redcar, would be worse without him.

Hot on the heels of the Isle of Wight rumpus, looks like the BSPL have succeeded in alienating another guy with the best interests of the sport at heart.

Forget the score, one of the most entertaining meetings thus far. Congratulations to both sets of riders for putting on a good show.

Vintage racing, if only it could be like this every week. No losers tonight. Thanks to both sets of riders, restored the faith in what a great meeting can be achieved with a mix of talent be it young or old. Cheers guys you did the sport proud.

I think you're right, and if there was a chance of a change of management I'd agree. That's simply not going to happen though, because there would have to be an acknowledgement that the present leadership have got it badly wrong. More chance of you and Alan becoming Mackem supporters I don't know Jittendra Duffil at all but I have rarely - if ever - heard a bad word about him. Sounds like he and Barry Bishop have a lot in common.

Why not let IOW do what they want to do, and have someone independent there to see how it all goes and if anything new could be tried in any of the leagues? Let's be honest speedway needs something new, and also tracks to be better prepared.

Not the time for a breakaway as the change over would be quite damaging to the business's and the sport. Far better to change the management of the BSPL in an amicable manner. No point in making the sport unmanagible during a season cos that really would see the end of UK speedway.

Need to read it again HT and I totally agree there is a great deal of difference between the guys you mention and others as I did say "like for like" changes on the management committee... does the mafia ever give up their control... the good guys; the guys who do the right thing dont get a look in unfortunately then they get disallusioned and leave the sport or take a back seat and their enthusiasm ideas and drive are lost to the sport... Regards THJ

How ironic... Wolves riders getting passed on the inside coming out of turn two.....

This has got to be promising news for us gladiators fans. Fingers crossed

Whist I fully agree with your sentiments Dave and think you are correct... the only issue I see with a change in management is you change with like for like people with the same blinkered mind-set; we have had several changes in management just in the last 10 years but nothing has changed unfortunately; as it still ends up with the self interest mentality and protectionist values... the whole of Speedway needs to change not just the Management Committee of the BSPL They need to implement a set of rules and stick with them instead of abdicating authority everyone needs to sign up to a charter to say that they will stick to them with the best interests of the sport as the basis and work for the common good of all concerned and if promotions cant do that then the punishments need to be severe and I mean severe... oh hang on European Football Super League on a miniature scale hrmmm and what made that lot change People Power and what will make this lot change; nothing because the lunatics are running the Asylum and they are all locked in safe and secure... But when its gone or run into the ground then what; they will cry and say people/fans didn't support it and folk on here will say we told you so... Back to the usual impasse Regards THJ

You do feel for the likes of Rob Grant and the Masons as an example.. People who come into the sport and, with the rules as they are, spend a lot of their time working with one hand tied behind their back until they have 'served their time'... They also get criticised quickly when things go wrong/they make mistakes, due to the lack of respect or understanding for promoters in general, which has been built up by the fans due to the actions of the umbrella promoting organisation over the years.. Those with bright ideas should be given the opportunity to bring those ideas in.. Let's be honest, they couldn't really do any worse than those who have let the sport drift to what it is today in the UK could they? The die hard, hardcore fan base is what now exists at most tracks so you woulndt lose them by trying something different, therefore it's a perfect time to try something new.. Just a shame they didnt try anything new when they had a year out in which to plan it..

Supporters club coach away trips (even the ones where we broke down) Foreign riders felt genuinely exotic (with the 70s seeing the Danes and Americans going from nowhere to world beaters in the space of a decade) Most of your team re-signing for the following season The roar of the crowd during an exciting race (as opposed to today when all you get is the tutting of your nearest neighbour on the terraces 10 metres away) The ability to go to a different track every night without travelling the entire length of the country (my 1974 holiday itinery - 6 tracks in 7 days all within an hour's drive of our Coventry base)

Firstly I wasn't there but interesting to read the comments and really glad that the meeting was exciting. Yet on updates a number of heats were described as ftg. This shows you don't need loads of passing in every race to have a good match. Two determined teams, fans from both sides, uncertainty and surprises they to me are what makes a good match plus of course some overtaking. Well done to both teams particularly Redcar. Sadly a few glasgow fans are being a wee bit negative on other websites. We were never going to go through the season unbeaten, speedway isn't the same as Scottish football. So if we were going to lose I'm glad it was to a decent team, on a decent track with a decent promoter.

Yep. A strong programme board with a large bulldog clip was mandatory!!!

its sad state .. the worst thing is that there is no update from the club on why yet again no work has started .. surely pressure and questions should be asked and then relayed back to the fans . Rather than blaming fans for being negative , how about a statement saying we are fed up with the developers and can no longer trust in anything they say about the building of the stadium .. To me we are going down without a fight .. this just lets hope its gets built attitude is not working . As for the local mp he's been as much use as an ashtray on a speedway bike .

Reading some old speedway stars the other day got me thinking about what I really miss most about going to meetings back in the day, and whilst there is loads of stuff I think one of the things that was wonderful for a kid was to be able to stand up against the solid safety fence and feel the speed of the riders as they came past.. except on the bends when you had to duck down at the last minute to avoid a face full of shale!

He doesn't get the money off trybooking until the meeting has been completed and confirmed as done... if it doesn't run they refund the money back the club don't get anywhere near it otherwise... Regards THJ

We’re not pushing Bates we are stuck with him. I didn’t agree that he should be in the rising star category. Should be 21 and under only for me

If you had been sacked from a job you had done well( some for years and years) and some if not all of them doing it for nothing because of their love of Newcastle speedway, would you give £20 of your hard earned money to the person who has sacked you ?

Might the new start time (which, I entirely understand, has been adopted to accommodate the Gems) be an issue? It wouldn't bother me what time the meetings start but I have rearranged some Sunday afternoon family stuff. Others may be less willing, or less able, to do that. Some may be at work on a Sunday afternoon. I don't know enough about track preparation to comment properly but could the Gems run first with an option of showing up at 6.30 for the Diamonds meeting? Just a thought...

Best track in the country and the best 1-7 in the country. Becker & Douglas played a big role for the Wolves in tonight's very entertaining meeting.

Because Wolves could have got a point with two 5-1s.

Just giving the lad a run out for traveling down had nothing to lose

And some say last weeks meeting from Monmore was good. Chalk and cheese. No comparison.

George said much the same to me, that he had four people to beat, three riders and the ref.

Why name a single replacement when the rules would now allow a horses for courses guest for the rest of the season.....

When you see some of the names on the honours lists year after year it is a travesty that Tiger has not joined those ranks.......

Think that was one of the great things from those days, in that the speedway world outside of the country was fairly unknown and there was always a new discovery who would seemingly appear from nowhere Of course one of the big things of this era was the arrival of the American riders on the UK scene

Good job he has decent Team to manage.He couldn’t run a raffle when the going gets tough.Jensen had to be in Ht 14 n place of Sedgeman.No doubt he will have a valid reason for not making a change.His money keeps him in his position.

Thing is who is next,maybe the time is right for a breakaway league!

We need at the very least to raise a don’t go petition for Jitendra to stay , This also needs to go to the BSPA for them to keep him on as a SPEEDWAY PROMOTER to bring the sport into a modern era . It needs to go to Twitter too . I don’t know how to do it !!!!

Yes, that happened to me a couple of times when I was distracted by conversation. I soon learned, however.

Which have all been met

I recall the once being in the pits at King's Lynn with Spike spannering for George Hunter. George had incurred a tape infringement (rolling at the start) and was excluded. George could be heard balling down the phone to the Referee saying, "It's my job to beat you, not your job to beat me!" + a few expletives!!! Sure miss him.

Disappointed Tiger heading home , but today is why speedway is the best sport in the world , the best two teams in the league served up a classic on a brilliant track .

Of course that was often the common practice years ago but things have changed fundamentally now as speedway slips its way down the slippery slope. I recall that George Hunter used to drive a HGV wagon from his midlands base to Immingham Docks and then returning home before then venturing up to Edinburgh to ride that same evening.

Not necessary, some such as Blackbird Road closed because the stadium owners sold the club down the river.

Yes this is correct.... we wanted to introduce to the 2020 NT 2 new innovative rules. 1. The team manager of each side could choose two heats in which to select 1 rider from the oposing team to put on 15m in two heats which may not include heats 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 14 and 15 and it cannot include a previous heat selected for 15m handicap. The away team manager would chose the first heat, home TM 2nd, away 3rd and home 4th heats. A brilliant yet simple rule to inject more action to the racing and a rule which is already used (tapes rules) so confirmed as OK for safety and every UK track. This for sure will feature in our meetings this year should we find ourselves in a position to actually race. 2. When 6 points behind the team manager can choose gate positions. Again a simple rule that could have a great affect on the match. Note - during the AGM it was AGREED to introduce both these rules by the NL only for it to then be stopped at a later date saying no clear rule could be written. !!!!!! Or was it a fear that this was the NL once again leading the way forward However, even with these great enhancements to the show, along with all the other ideas we will implement, I also refer to Poland. They use the same thing (all be it with different rider positions) but 4 bikes, 4 laps, 15 heats. The greatest part of going to speedway in Poland is 100% the atmosphere - the crowds 100% back their team, chanting, applaudings, scalves, massively sponsored, rider interaction with fans and what does this all equate to....... a show, theatre, drama....... all what is missing in British Speedway save for the play offs. Perhaps controversially, the Polish squad system works well in my view too, forcing rider to ride to the best of their ability or be dropped as opposed to virtually guaranteed a team spot regardless of performance due to lack of riders. I am not saying our riders do not really put their best efforts in, they do, but there is not consequences for behaviour, or poor performance. Finally another huge difference is ethos.... In poland is club, club, club - one for all and all for one... yet in UK is about the rider who rides for a club... If a team makes a change (which none take lightly and for Martin and I we would do anything to avoid it because of the fan / rider relationship) the club get totally hammered online and the rider complete sympathy - but I can assure you there have been occassion when riders behaviour would disgust you all but to protect the club and to a degree the rider it is hushed up and the club in general takes the negative PR on the chin. Then sponsorship... in Poland it the club and brand where most sponsorship is directed where as UK its, in general, rider related. Even when clubs get sponsors, riders do their very best to get in there with them which in turn reduces the club sponsorship money available. As a club that relies heavily on our brand and sponsorship this is something that really hurts us both in the bank account and credibilty when it goes pearshaped. We did introduce something else at that AGM too, we asked to have a promoters end of season dinner (yes that is right little old IOW) to celebrate all the great in speedway much like the WSRA dinners. Of course it was immediately shot down until we offered to organise it, Mark Lemon seconded it.... then the BSPL agreed to stage and organise the dinner and it was a HUGE success. Anyways... Now I am off to study Mr. Godfrey's statement in the speedway star and I am sure we will be responding with some clarity #truths As I always write support your club they need you. These are troubled times and stay positive / constructive and we will all come through this. Stay safe and all the best,

Cracking meeting and some superb racing. As a neutral I’d be happy to just watch meetings from Peterborough and Belle Vue. The other PL tracks tend to offer a much poorer TV experience.

Rising star just lost out heat 14. Palin replaced by oostergaard Peterborough 14 points up match won so why replace a rising star with a Dane ? Only in British speedway

Just had a very disconcerting phone call and folk need to make the most of this meeting because it could be the last... Goodbye Newcastle Diamonds we had a good run... and I'm not the guy to run it or take it on because I don't have the temperament to deal with all the baggage that comes with the job... the best man is in there now... by a mile... However a quick question needs answering though... why after 20 months of no Speedway are fans not supporting the club... every one is aware of the financial constraints the club finds itself in and a very good looking Leicester team are coming to town yet ticket sales are flat lining... The first meeting against Edinburgh was a near sell out bar 8 tickets... 642 fans through the door and it was a great day with the weather behaving itself the crowd were praised for following all the rules which weren't too onerous to be fair and there were 2 very good meetings and the only thing that spoilt the day was the main result but these things happen... All you got for 20 months was "can't wait till the Speedway starts" not bothered about the team just want Speedway... so the weather forecast for this Sunday is spot on and due to be another glorious day with a good team in town in Leicester... Newcastle have a good guest in Steve Worrall and a potential team change lined up so what I can't understand is the apathy from the Geordie faithful... what is wrong... 20 quid too much to get in because it looks like the first action is going to be the cutting loose of the Gems team so that will bring the admission price down to 17 quid... shame but what's the promotion supposed to do... and 20 quid for 30 heats is the cheapest in the league but the Gems will be the first casualty if the situation doesn't pick up... Team rubbish? Well bit disrespectful to the current septet however the promotion recognise that they are a good few under the points limit and are committed to strengthening when riders become available... BWD was offered a fantastic deal but said he didn't like the Newcastle track and thought it would be a detrimental step in his career progression... personally I think it would be the making of him but he wasn't up for it and the promotion couldn't do no more... when other riders become available there will be changes Rob Grant stands by his team but if they aren't performing Rob knows it's an entertainment business... If feasible do we try and change the race night... Is it because ther is free football on the telly... Is it because people don't like the on line booking system... Are people worried if there is a rain off they might not get their cash back because I can confirm my U21 meeting monies were back in my bank within 48 hours... so what... What... what is wrong... and it's an often used analogy but if you don't use it then you will lose it... simples Anyone with any ideas I would love to hear them as 800 smoggies per meeting at Redcar with full houses 30 miles down the road... that cant be all the George English fan club ditching there own club surely... Sorry but folk need to know what the current situation is... Sincerely John...

Looking at what has happened to speedway and the tracks over the years there is hard evidence to support my comments. Yes there are good and bad in everyone but when it comes to money people can become very difficult. While I can do nothing but praise the promoters for working to get speedway running supporters naivety is an issue.

You could finish in the Top Six of the Premiership

Regulations state that it has to be Rider replacement if Adam is missing. A guest is not allowed (unless someone else is also missing). Rides can be taken by Connor Mountain or the reserves. That means, undoubtedly, James will get seven rides. need to name a no 8 for this fixture me thinks.

Some ride Div 2 Kowalski, Ratajczak, Sadurski to name some- It’s mainly the Div 1 and 2 juniors which can be wild and inexperienced. The Extraleague juniors are normally well grounded.

The stadium owners sold their stadium

Ditto every club in the league when the government lie about a need to extend restrictions.

It is not hard to understand how fickle speedway fans are in the last several posts. The amount of posts made by several of the last posters indicate a potential knowledge and understanding of how speedway works. But hey stupid, I tell myself, same old criticism ethics that are in general life today. If posters had their way, by end of the season all the rising stars in the programme would be gone as the posters would have demanded the next one to be slayed. Slay them early so the next one can visit the guillotine........................eventually no one is left.

Stan Bradbury 18 December 1926 - 03 June 2021 Stan started racing Speedway in England in 1945. He rode for Stoke, Wolverhampton and Motherwell to mention a few. He also raced in Sweden and Ireland. He immigrated to Canada in 1957 with his wife Dorothy and 2 year old son David and 9 month old daughter Susan, 9 months after arriving in Canada came daughter Hazel and 16 months later another son, Alan joined the family. Stan along with Mike Tams and Bob Fisher made several attempts to get Speedway going in Canada but the big break came in 1972 after meeting Wes Pierce the promoter at Welland County Speedway and then the Robinson brothers from Spencerport, New York. With hard work and persistence Speedway became a regular class on Saturday nights at Welland County Speedway and in Batavia NY and Owego NY. Eventually Speedway added venues in Paris ON, Shannonville ON and St. Marcel PQ. Stan was far more than just a competitor, he helped new riders learn the ropes and set up their bikes, he would even loan a bike to anyone who wanted to give it a go. He became the go to guy for repairs and frame and handlebar straightening. He made steel shoes worn for both Speedway and Flat track. He was also one of the founding members of the Canadian Speedway Racing Association. He held the post of Secretary for many years. His extensive self taught mechanical abilities earned him the "Best Motorcycle Mechanic in Ontario" award in 1982. He also wrote a book called "Speedway Notes" which he had uploaded onto the internet for anyone that was interested. He had everything in his notes from how to set your gear ratio to the importance of learning to lay down your bike, He also wrote the Speedway rulebook for use by the Canadian Motorcycle Association. Even the likes of Ivan Mauger and his wife Rae visited Stan and Dorothy to see what he was up to. In 2006 Stan was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He was known as "The Man Who Established Speedway Racing in Canada". Stan will be sadly missed by his family and all that knew him. He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (also a great influence in the promotion of Speedway) and his son-in-law Tony Armstrong (1978 Canadian Speedway Champion and also rode in England with Crayford)