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"Doing exactly the same thing over and over again and, each time you do it expecting a completely different result" is oft quoted as the definition of insanity. ... 2022.... Seven man teams - Tick Fixed race nights even if not the best night to race on - Tick No aspirational growth of the sport due to teams deciding themselves what league they race in - Tick Employees own agendas dictating your opening hours - Tick Guests galore - Tick Sharing riders across both divisions - Tick The same teams and riders visiting frequently so a lack of variety for fans - Tick Increasing admission costs to pay for full time professionals in a sport with such a low following - Tick Using averages delivered by many variable reasons to build the teams to be 'equal' - Tick Minimal transparency of rules so they can be circumnavigated or, if needed, completely ignored - Tick The shelving of a Five Year Plan well before the five years are up - Tick Every rider being eligible to ride for every team on an adhoc basis thus ensuring that winning has no kudos or relevance - Tick Etc. Etc. Etc.. All boxes ticked.... Wonder what 2022 will turn out like?

Two things here, for someone riding a lawnmower he has consistently had a good average. And if you mean he's budgeted sensibly, kept his costs down by not employing expensive tuners then good for him. Yet again we have a 'fan' wanting a rider to have super quick bikes at a time when most fans recognise the need to keep costs down. You couldn't make it up.

Knowing the averages allows fans to make educated guesses on who will be in teams, not knowing the averages makes it less fun as you don't know if your "dream team" is legal!

I am Indian, originally from northern India. Have been following the Wolves since 1967. Used to go away as well but stopped going about 10 years ago, although still go to play-off finals if we get there. Been to approximately 76 tracks but my list needs updating. Only current track I haven't been to is Kent, but also never got to the Isle of Wight (and never got to West Ham either, but remember our 29-49 win in 1969). Even my own family take the mickey out of me for this 'unusual' interest. But there again I also like rock/ambient music, real ale and sci-fi and they take the mickey out of those as well. I collect Wolves programmes and have them from 1950 onwards. I also have all of the World FinaI programmes from 1936 onwards. I really have to assume that I am not typical of my generation ! I did take my son when he was young, but it did not stick, like virtually everybody else, football is the be all and end all for him. And bloody Man Utd at that. I, of course, support the football Wolves. Very handy that the colours are the same.

I think the person that needs replacing is Mark Lemon, made mistakes in the final and although may not have made a difference to the eventual outcome the decisions he made certainly didn't help.

Both Worralls ? You really are a sadist.

I’m sure while Jordan is improving he will be at Scunthorpe for the foreseeable future

Matt still very much pulls the strings on riders and contracts!

There are so many problems for today’s speedway clubs to deal with, some (most) problems have been self inflicted and allowed to happen through incompetence or head in the sand management, the blame is 100% with the promoters running speedway but some are as a result of the many other leisure opportunities to spend your money on. To be the owner/promoter of a speedway club at this time must be a financial nightmare and seriously nerve racking as many promotors will have there own money invested in a business that’s falling apart year on year with very little chance of turning things around. The BSPA can fiddle about with helmet colours and tinker making daft rule changes BUT there are no simple answers, no silver bullet. It’s not rocket science to see the sport in unsustainable with more money going out than what is coming in and speedway has sadly reached the point of no return.

Finding a 40 yr old on 4.33 or less may take a while

On the subject of Knutsson and Nordin, my first Wimbledon Internationale was 1965. Both were competing, as were Fundin, Briggs and Harrfedt, along with a rider I came to admire, Charlie Monk. Knutsson won the world title that year, Briggs the previous and following years. Harrfeldt was second in 1966 and Fundin champion the following year. Nordin was a previous world number 3. It’s almost worth growing old to have memories and watching such great riders at the top of their profession.

Barker can be as good as he is bad. Don't know wot else to say

Today the issue of linking Cycle speedway would probably be an obesity problem and the lack of willing youngsters to drag themselves away from the on-line electronic world. If they could be attracted how many could ride/manage laps needed to complete a race? Whatever most forum members offer in terms of ideas and opinions about speedway those in charge are delusional and treat the punters with contempt. Those that watch and support the clubs simply want to be entertained. Finally the riders seem to think that they are owed a living and expect punters and sponsors to subsidise their ambitions and as a consequence spend thousands on machinery to race hoping to make up their lack of ability when in fact many could achieve greatness If that actually tried to hone their motor cycle skills rather then rely on a over powered piece of machinery which is not suited to most tracks in the U.K. Riders are not in touch with the fans and the club owners could not give a fig what punters think. To those in charge everything is hunky dory. Dream on you fools.

He didn’t.

Agree only the 2 Danes will score decent ISH away from home & Barker if he's the last 1 will get the odd decent score of around 7 & maybe a 1 off of a 10+ score !! If his equipment is on song

Speedway had, and probably still could have basic appeal as it can be viewed on different levels - from 4 riders racing for 4 laps, to the different match tactics, to the intricacies of team building and heat formulas. It clearly got me interested at some point, although looking back the presentation was a bit dated even in the 1980s, and some of the rules have always been a joke. It's hard to know at what point it lost youth interest, but I suspect it's a combination of becoming somewhat expensive whilst the stadiums and presentation stayed the same (or even got worse). The rise of football along with its generally improved stadiums may also have had something to do with it, although that's also suffering from an increasing aged viewership. The loss of urban tracks probably didn't help. My father probably didn't even know about speedway so if I hadn't been able to cycle to the local track with all the kids that also went from my neighbourhood, then I may never have got interested in the first place. The same when I later went to Hackney and Rye House - only because I could get there on public transport.

There are two ways to look at professional. Professional as in 'run professionally' or professional from the point of view the riders earn their living from speedway. As we know, riders do earn money from speedway and in my opinion, this is where the problem is. In the 'old days' most riders in the 2nd tier leagues would be semi-professional riders, they would have a job too, which made up their money. Yes, probably most of the top tier riders would have been fully professional. This has been mentioned many times and to cut to the chase, the costs riders spend on their gear is astronomical, with no sign of reducing costs. The gates are reducing each year, so the circle is not being squared. You either radically change the sport/activity or watch it go up its own fundament!

You beat me to it.

...it attracted me as a 12 year old in 1972 and many others no doubt. Trouble is the powers that be have so diluted/messed around with the product it no longer attracts people of all ages in any great number.

Sorry when was I critical? I put forward an opinion based on my observations, followed by its an improvement on 2021. Isn't that what everyone does this time of year?

As you have appointed yourself as Plymouths biggest critic Could you list all your complaints and pm them to me and I will do my best to make sure we take absolutely no notice whatsoever

Which is why they set the date at Jan 1st and not season start

Good signing in Gilkes happy with that one

Leaves a lot for last rider? Richard Lawson maybe?

He won’t as then in his eyes he becomes less relevant, at a guess he knows as much as us hee-haw.

Cos Mr Godfrey said Workington can't ever run on a Friday

I think often a lot of any "critism" towards clubs is generally aimed at being constructive because theres not a fan out there that wants to see another track closed. Stoke was a dump but i miss it, Buxton was basic and possibly ahead of its time. If clubs embrace the challenges they face and are open and honeat about them you will often find the paying public are far more supportive.

bang

Lol just a wee bit before Lawson Tully and Stoddard. Remember there were 3 meetings Scotland Vs England U21s at our 3 tracks. Nichols and Richardson were in England team. We couldn't even scare up 7 riders now let alone be competitive lol

I'm sure all the promoters have them but don't want to share with the paying public just yet! To me it shouldn't be that hard to finalise, if they can sort all the team averages etc surely they have time to finalise the final averages and publish them, removing all Eastbourne fixtures from none Eastie riders averages. With my Poole hat on that will effect Danny & Cook from the first meeting of the season and Steve if he is coming back.

Wow, just wow. All I've got to say to that

Speedway has ebbed and flowed since it started. we have to hope that the corner will be turned in the near future…

...thankfully I experienced the last "Golden Era" the seventies and early eighties. Great memories!

Don't want him anyway, more trouble than he's worth!

I think over the years, speedway missed a trick. Tracks should have insured they all had their own cycle speedway teams, with cycle speedway tracks actually built on the infield. That way, youngsters would feel that they were part of their local speedway team, with aspirations, perhaps, to move to the motorised version. Cycle speedway is down in the dumps, but a few hang on. But, to my knowledge, none of the cycle speedway clubs are affiliated with the methanol version.

Probably found it difficult to get motivated when he wasn't being paid.

The Hoe and the Barbican are lovely if you've never been to Plymouth

With a grand total of nine members!

You don't win anything with both Worrall's, just ask Belle Vue!

Minus 2.5% british reduction

He needs NDL experience at a technical track if possible, to enhance his skillset and become a better all round rider. Almost anyone can ride, or quickly learn to ride the big tracks.

Once you take off the 1 Eastbourne off the Poole riders average then the points limit leaves enough for Douglas and a new 4.00 Aussie to the league.

I find it strange for Plymouth to nurture ruml and cook as assets and then not continue to use them subsequently. although I’m sure cook has been tapped up by Poole

Bjorn Knutsson

From what i am hearing at Leicester Dan Thompson is in the Sheffield team for 2022 & has picked up major sponsorship from Watling JCB to buy 2 complete new bikes for premiership racing.

Jack Thomas as the Rising Star???

This team will do for me, i’m just grateful that Scunthorpe have a speedway team, from the poor teams of the 1970’s till now 50 years on Scunthorpe with one of the best RACING tracks are still here with many other tracks having closed down along the way. Rob Godfrey gets a lot of slagging off on this forum but without him I doubt there would be any speedway in the town, long may it continue whoever rides.

Their the best bits

Always amazed me how so few tracks seem to have a "proper" marketing person to increase the awareness in the local areas... If all tracks could deliver just another 500 (a ludicrously low number which shows where the sport is), a night the whole spectrum changes re paying costs and being able to then pro actively develop the sport.. And it doesn't have to be the same 500, just any 500 each week... With those who attend now and again targeted (and incentivised) to visit more as they are the "quick wins".. My city of Manchester has well over 2.5 MIllion people all living with 45 mins of the NSS... Some living in the centre but most by far living in satellite towns around it... What an opportunity for someone to work to a performance related pay scale to try and entice just a minuscule percentage of that 2.5 Million to attend..? Give them a basic and a good percentage of any growth in income... Let them dish out free and reduced tickets to people who they know don't go now, as 500 non attendees paying even a tenner is an extra five grand if they go an watch., and you then push some multi meeting tickets at reduced rates to try and get them into the habit of going.. Knowing names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, birthdays of individuals and their families, sending Xmas cards etc etc etc is a very, very basic marketing technique used in the entertainment sector, to keep your business in contact with (and therefore remembered by) your customers.. Helping you to reward your most loyal customers while also giving you the chance to get back those who maybe have stopped going, or get the infrequent punters to attend more often... As for websites? Even if a track doesn't want to fork out for improvements, I am sure every track will have a college or a uni nearby that has graduates building them for masters degree passes and would jump at the chance of a 'real life' project to 'hand in' as part of their coursework.. Young, modern thinkers delivering a website to be aimed at people of a similar age and outlook.. However, as so many seem to have zero local marking, it is therefore no surprise that at national level there isn't some kind of joined up campaign to raise awareness of the sport generically, and tracks locally off the back of it.. As a collective they spend literally millions of pounds each season in costs, yet spend almost zilch in getting someone to help increase their income... As for a sponsor.? Sadly the ridiculous operating model will prevent any major brand being associated with it, (even if the fan numbers and their demographics were different), hence Poland wouldn't use it in their leagues as fans, media, and sponsors would simply walk away.. So much could be done at a local level for so little cost and given the ridiculously low numbers needed for 'success', I am always truly amazed so little is actually done..

Season tickets don’t suit everyone. Not everyone can afford them. But they do work for many fans. At the start of last season mine was worth it’s weight in gold as I had guaranteed entry during the restricted months. They also provide a good source of pre-season income for clubs who have significant expenditure to cover before the first paying customer comes through the turnstiles.