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Potential banana skin for the gladiators no room for complacency.

What red blooded male doesn’t ! Oops..just checked the Japanese spelling…move on.

Speaking as a neutral; some of the racing last nite was brilliant, the likes of Douglas, Allen, Worrall, Lawson & King (late on) gave terrific entertainment, loved it. A meeting where you could've dragged non-fans 'kicking & screaming' (!) to watch and they would've said "that was great, I can understand why you enjoy speedway". Good stuff ....

Chris Louis has changed the track, and banking as much as he can making alterations 4/5 times in the last few winters. it’s unfair saying there was a “lack of preparation” it was clear to see how hard Chris and bob had been working all day to get moisture into the track and produce some grip, this week has been horrendous weather hotter and hotter with a drying wind every day. I work on a local golf course and it’s gone from green to toast in just a few days. my question would be, if the material they currently use is just so so difficult to produce an outside line with when it’s so hot and dry, is there a better material that could be sourced to suit the climate and track here at Foxhall? I agree that the stock cars running all over it between meetings really don’t help.

The (tens) of thousands who make up the "silent majority" and have walked away... Cardiff will have approx 100% more British Speedway fans in attendance than will colllectively attend all UK meetings on any week.. Passionate fans of the sport who, in many cases, have "given up" watching Mickey Mouse nonsense like Bomber riding for heaven knows how many teams, with those who run the sport allowing it and thinking "that's ok that, makes perfect sense".. (At the current rate of guesting, Bomber is going to get "Rider of the Season" at several clubs' end of season awards nights).. Not enough riders of a certain level? Then have less clubs at that level, or less team places per team, thus creating a surplus of riders to replace injured riders or poor performance.. Make the supply exceed the demand by making changes to your infrastructure.. In other words. "Basic business practice"... Run the sport "properly", thus making the competitions actually worth winning, and who knows, maybe many of the thousands of fans who have walked away, but still love watching the sport either via TV, or in person at "proper events", will come back to domestic Speedway? And who knows also, if the competitions became worth winning, the league's themselves may attract headline sponsors happy to be associated with them..? Something that would be a "hard sell" under the current way of running things I would imagine..

The structure used to be there but the short sighted promotors ditched it. I well remember the national League running with no guests they were banned. My team Ipswich suffered Dave Norris was out injured and it cost us the chance of the league title. However in every sport injury & luck plays a part. You may disagree and think doubling up & the guest fest is ok but for every one Trees who accepts it there are 1000s who don't. I want to see this sport become successful I want to see it survive & I want to support it again. However in its current guise it does nothing for me and thousands like me.

Surprised to hear that however am not on any social media like Twatter or Facebuik so wasn't aware? If either do post anything stick it on here so we oldies get a chance to read what they say and then moan about it (or... go on al say it... praise and agree with it) Everyone has an opinion right or wrong... Regards THJ

Ar e you Rob Grant ?

The biggest problem with all uk tracks these days over what was available in days gone by are the materials available and what the environmental police will allow you to do. the reason most tracks are clay based is simple. It's available and it's cheap. traditional red shale is still available but it is horrendously expensive. the second is that many things used to be added to the track surfaces in the past to get the shale to bind together and provide grip. the surface now just turns to powder and dust and doesn't bind, hence you go to very slick dusty conditions much more quickly these days. I know in the past from talking to old track curators. The old waste oil used to be mixed into track dressing, to get it to bind. obviously this is no longer allowed. What you have now on most tracks amounts to no more that mud and dirt with some clay mixed in. Add water and this is what you get. Obviously the idea of allowing oil to be put into the ground (from where it came) is a bad one apparently. the tracks of yesteryear are impossible to re create because of that.

I have never read such crap come out of a keyboard warrior as I have reading all these comments. You are all just total nasty people. Nothing Newcastle speedway does is good enough for anyone on this forum. They could be the best but they would still not be good enough for you all. If your not slagging the track it’s the management or it’s the riders or it’s the day they ride and even the volunteer staff have been called. Just pure nastiness. It’s not even freedom of speech or entitled to your opinion chat it’s just pure slagging then off for the fun of it Well I’ve had my rant and I’m sure I’ll get nasty comments back but as you all say I’m entitled to my opinion and that’s mine

We now know 10 of the finalists- Hopefully English comms will be available for the 4 final rounds. Michelsen Madsen Dudek Bewley Piotr Pawlicki- injury replacement likely to be named Lebedevs Smektala Jensen Berge Ellis

ah, work permits - the Brexit bonus

there must be Czech, German, Danish boys who don't ride in Poland

Think the kid and his family are a bit more dignified than that as has George Congreve been... and fair play to them as well... the problem is much more complex and won't be resolved by swapping out a couple of reserves... Regards THJ

A cold October/ November midweek night in front of 2 men and their dug no doubt

The "Polish commitments" comment when dropping Smith, was obviously an attempt to be kind to the rider. Rather than saying "he was so bad, we had to drop him after one meeting". Racing in the U24 league wouldn't stop him racing in the Champ. A more honest announcement would probably be, "we don't like to drop a rider after only ONE match, but when the opportunity arose to strengthen up by signing Bickley we couldn't afford to miss out. Thanks to Jack for his efforts etc"

What the PZM are doing is no different to anyone else offering a contract of employment. they are imposing conditions on that employment that no one is forced to sign, but they do. It's no different to you getting a builder round to build an extension and agreeing to pay them a large fee if they only work on your job and one other at the same time to minimise problems that other jobs they do could take them away from your contract. the builder can either sign the contract with the big bucks or not and go work elsewhere. The PZM are only doing what's right for them (why would they not?) The riders if they stuck together would have huge power, but they never will as they are all trying to get one over on each other anyway. they are competitors for jobs at the end of the day. If you pay peanuts you'll end up with scraps

Thank you, we are trying to save a great club in the South East of England that has been tarnished by a previous management structure We have the support of the stadium owners, the BSPL, investors and sponsors but we are looking for more to get it off the ground, we will work on this...

Plymouth can still use Bomber to guest at 1 at home (8.39 +5%)

Never disputed that, but when you look at the hype when they were all 14/15 compared to now then it's fair to say all of them have been underwhelming in differing levels.

agree you can only do it once .take the chance when you can

But then you risk the opportunity being lost and losing the meeting by a point Poole's top three can beat anyone anywhere IMO so there shouldn't ever be a reason not to use a TS as soon as you can.

You are a card mind... But don't give up the day job because you'll never be a comedian that is for sure... it would take more than a 5 year apprenticeship IMHO... but keep at it God loves a tryer... BTW if I had a pound for every time you have been told that I could buy an Armarni suit to go with those quality shirts... I will use the crystall ball routine aka Septic Meg style for the next little gem... coming to a post near you very soon... Regards THJ

This is the part clubs & riders fail to mention when complaining about the restrictive Polish contracts!

Kemp is averaging almost 2 points above his starting average, while Bickley has fallen slightly he's much the same standard as last year. Palin definitely fallen more than the others.

Bike cleaner

They are not banning them - they ask them to make a choice All these riders are free to choose to ride in the UK. It is their free will to sign the contracts in Poland with the restrictions on participating in other leagues and which additional teams they join British Speedway is simply the least attractive option for most at the moment for a variety of reasons - money , travel , the tracks , number and timing of fixtures

Don't know how anyone would prefer Congreave 0.67 (0.67) over Bickley 3.20 (4.56). While Newcastle are still the weakest team in the league, at least they're slowly getting stronger.

I have no issue with Mildenhall using a guest, if that's what the rules allow. Otherwise as soon as one team gets "special dispensation" then everyone else would want it. Like Glasgow getting an awarded victory after 9 heats, so Redcar expect the same & it's not allowed. Sticking to the rules saves loads of hassle imo

MILDENHALL --- SUNDAY 19th JUNE AT 2PM The Danny Ayres Memorial meeting at Mildenhall on Sunday June 19th ---first race 2pm with gates open 12.30 – has attracted a good line-up of riders willing to take part in memory of speedway’s No. 1 showman. Danny’s day, as the meeting has been dubbed, will have 29 races split into the main meeting of 16 riders over 20 heats with a semi final and a Grand Final plus a mini-meeting of two teams of 4 rides racing over 6 heats then a Grand Final for the top two scorers from each side. Confirmed riders are : Danny King, Richard Lawson, James Shanes, Ben Barker, Ben Morley, Max Clegg, Alfie Bowtell, Connor Coles, Connor Mountain, Cam Heeps, Zaine Kennedy, Jacob Hook, Kye Thomsen, James Wright, George Congreve in the main meeting. In the mini meeting confirmed are Nathan Stoneman , Sam Beebee, Alex Spooner, Luke Muff, Jack Kingston, Connor King, Jack Kingston and Nick Laurence. There will be children’s entertainment including face painting, cartoon characters and mascots plus a magician with sweet stalls from gate opening time. The pits are open to the public from 12.30 until 1.20 with a track walk with the riders and referee at 1.15 with a £10 charge to join in with this. The bikes will be warmed up at 1.30 and the parade of riders with mascots ( available for £40 ) at 1.45 then heat 1 at 2pm. There will be centre green experience groups throughout the meeting allowing participants to witness racing from the middle and the cost of this is £ 10 . The main meeting is kindly sponsored by Glasgow Tigers Speedway and Allied Vehicles. Teng Tools have donated a tool kit worth £300 which will be presented to the rider chosen as the most entertaining of the meeting with other prizes awarded to the best wheelie and best doughnut ! It is aimed at being a family fun day and local radio station GenX Radio have confirmed as the media partners for Danny’s Day and will have a presence at the meeting giving out stickers and producing their show that afternoon from the stadium and promoting mental awareness. There is the chance for one fan to be the referee’s assistant for the day and start a race. Bids for this can be sent in to the e-mail addresses and the highest bidder will take the prize. The race jackets worn by each rider in both parts of the meeting will be signed and auctioned off after the meeting raising funds towards the futures of Danny’s two children. There will also be other speedway items in the auction , some donated by riders unable to make the meeting to ride…..so fans bring your piggy banks with you !! Well known ex-riders are being invited to be in attendance and will be interviewed during the meeting and be available for photos and autographs. Admission is £20 adults, £15 concessions with under 16’s free and can be paid n cash at the turnstiles. Advanced tickets can be ordered on trybooking under the ref: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BPDD A 44 page souvenir programme is being produced for the event and will be on sale at £5 inside the stadium. All in all this should be a meeting not to miss and a great day out whilst remembering Danny and raising funds for the futures of his two girls .

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=watch_permalink&v=1267797873756290

It’s proving a problem everywhere let’s have it right and not make out this is just an Ipswich thing. I’ve seen two meetings at Peterborough this season, and both haven’t been a patch on what the Showground has served up in previous years. Same with Lynn and Wolves. Both these tracks have produced excellent racing in the past, but these days those good meetings are few and far between according to those who attend regularly at least on here. The opening two meetings live on Eurosport were shocking at Wolves and Peterborough. The third meeting, ours against Sheffield at Foxhall, was an improvement on both although hardly a classic either by any means. Seems to be an ever increasing issue with tracks here in the UK with the exception of Belle Vue. Having said that, most of the GP’S have been shockers as well on pretty crap tracks!

The phrase lack of preparation implies lack of effort to produce a better racetrack with more lines on it…? That’s was the point I took issue with and defended Chris and bob. also if Ipswich never produced an outside line Danny king wouldn’t have scored any points at all in the past umpteen years he’s riding for the club this season for whatever reason the tracks been slicker than normal and dirt line less prevalent but as mentioned was fairly decent and grippy in the belle vue meeting. certainly think the materials now available just don’t suit the modern bikes to produce as good a racing on the tighter tracks we have here in the uk.

Agreed its daft. If an engine failure or crash means both riders not able to complete the meeting. Id rather see "lesser" riders given the chance if they are prepared to commit to it. Sounds much like the Millars are happy playing at speedway.

There are many things contributing to the general decline of speedway and the time wasting shenanigans at the start of races is one of them. Why did the riders not do this in the 50's 60's 70's and maybe most of the 80's? Possibly because the riders didn't have the power they seem to have now. It's pointless pleading for sanity and a return to the days when spectators seemed to actually matter because nothing will ever change and the sport will continue on it's inevitable course to oblivion.

Hard to disagree. One bike between them makes me think they’re not that bothered or in it for the long haul. They’re not exactly being led from the front by our no.1 though- missing the two mins in heat one is a nonsense then his bike being slow as a week in the jail from then on in. There was a gulf in class and professionalism last night.

Well, many a good rider has utilized the extra technical skills needed at Newcastle to improve they're game. As for the lottery mate,(its too random) would you not be better off chancing your arm/taking a punt on something you could have some influence over/knowledge about? Btw, if a had a pound for every time you used the 'lottery chestnut', a could buy you that pint or even a decent shirt. (ye must just ask for a lucky dip when buy one of them, eh?)

Regularly, it was the reason the 28 day ban was introduced. We forced rider's to pick the UK or lose a months wages. Only within the last 15yrs rider's haven't given an F about it to ride in Poland's top 2 tiers.

Honestly I wish I could predict the lottery numbers as easy... I would have retired years ago... Anyway Good Luck Kyle and stay safe... a trick track like Newcastle could be the making of you... Regards THJ

Did you watch heat 14 FB? Ablitt gated, Allen went around the outside but Coles was beautifully blocked by Ablitt and lost control, lifting and coming off. But for Bens chain coming off we would have got the 3-3 and at least a draw.

Yes, well not like Gavan to be objective when it comes to Poole is it! Well done to Scunthorpe, I think whoever won deserved it but they probably edged it for me, well they were winning most of the time anyway!

Head well and truly in the sand. Every TV company will always want to interview a clubs skipper & or top player or in speedway's case rider. It's not the TV companies fault that the governing body comes up with such insane rules.

I didn't watch any GPs last year cos I wouldn't pay the money. This year I'm watching with a couple of m8s but I can take or leave them tbh, rubbish tracks so far! Won't bother with the SEC, what's that all about anyway. The SON will probs watch it to see how our boys do.

True. I am not interested in any other form of motorsport. Speedway is different. I liked it because it was primarily a team sport and you had your favourite team men to cheer on in individual events. Without the loyalty of having those team men, cheering any individual in solo racing is a turn-off.

Links for tomorrow http://kergel.ucoz.lv/ https://daddylive.eu/stream/stream-563.php

Think Smith rides for Wroclaw in the under 24 league

Kyle also, Ishould remind folk, scored an impressive 7+2on his last visit, so we know he can do it at ourplace. This made me laugh!!! Pretty much every away rider has scored well!! Mainly because the home riders are awful

Polish commitments, what as?

Another example of the shambolic position the sport in GB finds itself in

This coming Saturday... mid summer's night, plum night in the Speedway calendar, weather likely to be fine, 2 matches on in Britain both at NDL level, Leicester & Berwick. Absolutely pathetic from all British Speedway so called promoters!