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I hate to say "I told you so" (not really, I bloody love it😂) but... I told you so! Surely his time in Speedway is over?

For the last 9 years we have been wanting a GP at this wonderful racetrack, for this year our wishes were finally fulfilled. I was concerned when it was then announced there would be 2 nights, why do we need 2 nights, no other GP has had 2 nights not only will it make it more expensive for everyone (nearly double price) but anyone not local would need a (expensive hotel). The ticket prices have now been announced and I’m dismayed. Last year’s ticket prices for SoN were bad enough and showed by the empty extra grandstand, thought they would have learnt from that but no they made it even more expensive! One night price is expensive enough but for 2 nights there is little discount. It’s depressing. Will I be there, yes I will reluctantly pay it but I only live 5 minutes away. Thousands won’t be paying it now though. To make matters worst for Belle Vue this will affect crowds levels for the next few months as those local who do choose to pay it will pick and choose the league meetings they go to as can’t afford both.

It is well known Cook has had a long battle with his mental health. In these days we try hard to make it noticed as a serious illness. Yet there is not one thought or consideration about how he is. Only assumptions regarding letting another team down. It’s a horrible place to be, I’ve seen it many times. One week you’re on top of the World and looking forward to the future. It can suddenly change over night to not want to even leave your house. It’s quite obvious he’s faced some demons but FFS, let’s take a step back, then judge in sickness or health.

The news about Cook comes as no surprise does it? He ceased to be a viable team member at the Premiership level at least two seasons ago. It highlights the enormous loss that Dan Thompson is to the club and team. I don't know how he has been allowed to desert Leicester but whoever is responsible should be sacked

There was a reason why the Workington promotion choose Batchelor over Cook, and was always going to be the right call. Was hundreds of social media comments at the time questioning why he wasn't going to be back at the Comets, but Andrew and Steve knew best. Don't think Leicester will be affected too much, but for Berwick it will be a disaster

The new Sheffield captain. No surprises for me Picko the man.

Red flag when Workington didn't retain Cookie in conjunction with the two years previous to that with other clubs. Hopefully Craig can sort himself out in another avenue. I certainly don't take mental health lightly and the affects it can have

Nonsense, the event will be amazing, the size of the crowd is yet to be determined. Stick to tnt then, me I prefer live any day of the week, you don't get great life experiences from a TV set.

You have to question Dickson's judgement... everybody Cook has ever ridden for have binned him off and we took him back after letting us down on numerous occasions previously

Even if he starts the season, it's only a matter of time before there's some kind of drama, he'll have to be working with the manager who he let down at Leicester!

Even IF they do sell out- people will have less disposable income for other speedway events/merch etc and the prices for children is ridiculous- we want to be encouraging families/children to speedway for the long term health of the sport!

I live about the same distance from Cardiff as I do Belle Vue. The appeal of Cardiff had clearly declined for many but I carried on going to the end and never missed one. The sub-standard line up and the comical points scoring system was already enough for me to decide I wouldn’t be doing another GP anywhere in a hurry.

GTF!

The problems with the new fence is a short term problem that cannot be resolved in time for the Fen Tigers to return to league racing this season but it does not derail the project and hopefully we will see some competitive matches later this year and a return to league racing in 2026.

Whilst I am prepared to be convinced otherwise, this should not come as a surprise to anyone. Signing Cook was always a gamble.

Cookie to win it 😂

Surely the staging costs are minimal compared with Cardiff... The cost to hire a 60k stadium for a week, plus the cost of equipment hire, shale and manpower to build a track is way more than a temporary stand for 2 nights.

Sorry to say your gonna need a new rider, he is just not committed no more to speedway but uses his mental health issues at the drop of a hat. To be honest if he does have issues as bad as he makes out should he really be riding a speedway bike professionally ? He has let Leicester down massively today and with the same team manager can not see him riding for him at Berwick. You will be better off without him as even if he did actually turn up for your press day he will let you down this season at some point just like he did at Workington last year.

The only good thing is he is only letting one manager down, not two. Got to say it doesn’t look good for Berwick🤷‍♂️

Waste of money. Riders have their own sponsors on them, I get that, but it's now a club/sponsor expense rather than the riders' responsibility. Much prefer a race jacket and suits which show the individuality of the riders.

The forum has been running very slow for me lately to the point where I can’t be bothered to post or it will post multiple times.

Leicester were never gonna challenge this year whatever with all due respect. They only just made it through last years semi (with huge help from the ref) against an injury ravaged Ipswich without our top end so this year having Howarth instead of Lawson they don’t have a snowballs chance. Just don’t think an on the way down Cook with all his issues is as big a loss as it seems.

Massively! Feel a bit sorry for Berwick to be honest.

100%. Correct decision by Andrew and team to go with Batchelor instead. I think it was the correct decision anyways but this just proves it.

Lewy, just read others posts. Hope that's sufficient for you.......and please stop your personal insults.

Has Jim Radcliffe bought Ipswich?

Sheffield are, rather cheekily, plugging their season tickets as 12 meetings costing less than 2 meetings elsewhere 👏😂

I’m still surprised he is granted a licence to race

I think MJJ's replacement has just made himself available from Leicester today 😂👨‍🍳

Firstly will I be going, yes, it's a no brainer as it's miles cheaper for me than Cardiff because I live close. Now I will pay £180 for me and my lad in the grandstand for both nights which IMO is good value for a Grand Prix. I think the South stand pricing is pitched perfect. I do feel the prices in the grandstand are way too high and I feel the east stand is also over priced as it should be the cheaper than the South stand (no roof,view not as good). I do feel the expectations of the cost were never going to be as low as some wanted, but time will tell if the have gone too high. Some believe it will sell out, well if it does then they have priced it right. I'm not sure although I do expect much bigger interest than the SoN.

https://classicspeedwaymemories.webador.co.uk/march-2025/personal-profiles-from-the-past-no-3

Havent seen Gypo's CP, or the signs on LP's ?? If you're there early enough, there's limited spaces at the front of the stadium? (or was....)

I agree regarding Cook. Just my opinion but Leicester started with Kemp @ No.6 last year and he struggled, Then Drew got replaced and Leicester went on a run and that was with Lawson @ No.2 instead of Howarth. Personally I think the league is stronger this year and that Leicester tail end is weaker than the one that struggled at the start of 2024. I think Leicester already had their work cut out for them in regards to a play-off place in 2025 before Cook done his usual bail out.

Not sure it makes a huge deal of difference to the strength of Leicester tbh. Cook is a busted flush and has been for a while. Having said that, now is the time Drew made his move and stepped it up a gear. Was THE next big thing only a few years ago and hasn’t made the jump many expected. Time to deliver.

I don't think this makes Leicester wooden spoon favourites but clearly Cook is a better rider than Kemp. Poor decision making by management to sign Cook in the first place. At least with Kemp you know your going to get real effort and he now has a point to prove. Weak at reserve again though...

Or... Simply lose the RS position completely, and run six rider teams with riders all over 4 point averages... Having so many lads well out of their depth, basically beating each other, isn't good for them and the entertainment value on view, given so many finish half a straight behind the GP lads.. It would mean one less "contrived" rule too isn't required, and ultimately not followed, too... Let them ride in the 2nd Div and maybe be a "reserve" in the top league to come in if a rider gets injured during a meeting. Remaining in and around the GP lads, to gain experience on how they prepare themselves, bikes etc... The less "contrived rules" the more chance the sport has of gaining some wider coverage and publicity, and, if nothing else, helps keep the "regulars" attending... Many of whom have simply stopped attending over the years due to the nonsense that goes on through implementing regulations that are full of holes, or simply ignored...

But they wouldn’t be “forced” to ride somewhere they didn’t want to be if they opted out of being a rising star 🤷🏻‍♂️ if you choose to carry on as a rising star then you should expect to go anywhere in my opinion

Lol if you can get a seat. You'll have the whole row to yourself. If you sit in the East Stand you can have the whole stand to yourself 🤣

...and don't forget it's possibly the weakest GP line-up ever in terms of competitiveness to be World Champion, with the 2 main challengers not included and riders picked based on nationality rather than performance

Its got disaster written all over it with those prices. I have never seen anything like it for a speedway event. Be cheaper to fly to Poland for a GP.

What a Pro! 👏

Fair comment. He was one of speedways great stylists, a great team rider as team riders go in the modern era, totally focussed, and machines were always immaculate. In fact one could say he had all. That is all except possibly the most important quality of all and that is the killer instinct. Perhaps he was just a little too much of a fair rider, too much of a sportsman, to have the absolute hunger and will to win. Maybe he would have won the top prize if he had been a little more of a hard man, but if he had been harder he probably wouldn’t have been held in the high esteem we all seem to hold him in.

"The Olsen Skid Lid" Being another...?

To answer your question, read IainB's post above. He is spot on.

Why should he? He doesn’t ride in the UK. He’s a super star in Poland. His country. What exactly would you like him to do?

Probably why he's so good ! just focusses on what he does best and doesn't get involved with outside influences/distractions....rightly/wrongly.... I have no opinion/judgement on that.

Not in the KOC you ain't, not won since 2017

one thing which is predictable is acebelle laughing at a sensible post which doesnt favour his team #whoknew

Can't beat a bit of positivity I can't say nothing about R.E.D. campers as I've not been in the market for buying one. But if I was up in that neck of the woods and needed a new tyre I'd be heading to STS due to the amount of times I've seen their logo on various riders racesuits etc. Embrace sponsors of every club.