Leaderboard

Again, people shouting their mouths off with no understanding of what 'mental health problems' either means or entails. "Should a rider be issued a licence if he has mental health problems?" Did you know that if someone has OCD, that is classified as a mental health problem?! So if somebody has to continually wash their hands, or has to count a number of times before carrying out a daily task, or has to check they have unplugged the iron five times before leaving the house, they cannot ride speedway?! Don't be so ridiculous. Next, you'll be asking for a table of classification as to what permits you to ride and what doesn't. There are too many people who think the term 'mental health issues' means 'nutter' and that anyone suffering from it is incapable of living a normal life. And for the other person on here who believes that Craig's problem is alcoholism, and that he is using the excuse of mental health issues to cover it...firstly, you know NOTHING at present. But let's humour you...if someone does have an issue with alcohol, you do realise that may be BECAUSE of their mental health problems?! Up to 75% of PTSD sufferers turn to alcohol. But I suppose they are all using mental health as an excuse too are they?!

It’s early doors but it must be clear to most on here that Ipswich are head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in every department, No 1, heat leaders, second strings and reserves. They clearly had a plan to utilise the British discounts and with the whopping reduction for Thompson as well they have put together a super team. And with 3 riders on the up (Brennan, Thompson & Jenkins) it’s obvious even now injuries aside they are going to walk it. The other teams could have gone the same way but decided to do it differently for a variety of reasons. To be fair Ipswich have had little success since 1998 so are due a good year, especially after the horrors of 2024.

I should just ignore it. The majority of speedway fans surely just appreciate anybody that takes time out from their own evening to send updates for the rest of us. On behalf of them, thank you.

To be honest Gregory Laguta would be a better signing, he is a bit of a nutter and not afraid to ruffle a few feathers

If only Oxford could sign someone🤔someone like... 🤔, ooh I don't know let me think 🤔, erm Grigory Laguta! No, not him, the other one... what's his name 🤔

will ipswich last the season, could go bankrupt by may at this rate

Links for ZG v Lublin: VitalSport VK link: https://vk.com/video-220089063_456245827 MaxSpeedway VK link: https://vk.com/video-228433959_456239255 SpeedwayRus VK link: https://vk.com/video-53550004_456242102 OKT Speedway VK link: https://vk.com/video-228433959_456239255

And the mighty referee 😀

Weird how so many Belle Vue fans are bothered by the Ipswich team. Seems like most fans of the other clubs appreciate some good team building, and just wish their own clubs could field a similar team.... not Belle Vue. A lot of jealousy coming from the NSS. As an Oxford fan, last night was a pretty tough - but not unexpected - watch. A lot of work to do for the Spires, but a lot of wiggle room with points if they can find the right rider.

That’s the thing the BV trolls keep harping on about us cheating and being moneybags but it is down to good team planning. With the Thompson reduction at least he was in our team last season, why are they not having a pop at Sheffield for getting the same reduction for Anders Rowe when he was at KL last season.

i actually think the track looked much improved from last season, you could see the difference and racing was alot closer than normal wth out any passing, last night was just not watered enough but i think once they get the track prep right it will be a good racing track. gutted to lose last night but cant fault them, was just a sublime hard pass by max on brady, very good ride that. i seen a few vue fans moan on socials about the move, but thats the same move brady does to many riders and they cheer it,

But what a great team. It's a pity that all the other teams aren't allowed to strengthen to try and match them a little more.

You got tomorrow nights lottery numbers 😊

After Glasgow fans were so cocky after the first leg, so be over the moon if Monarchs can win tonight. Can't really blame them, both sets of supporters like to rub it in when the other does poorly.

I've seen some crap at the NSS over the years... if the track is heavy because of rain (in Manchester I know!) the racing is dreadful. I've also been to a lot of daytime meetings and some of those are nothing to write home about. It generally is always a spectacle though mostly because of how close you are to the track, the speed and noise of the place.

I don’t really get all the noise about Foxhall being a boring track with no passing. I agree that it does not hold a candle to the NSS but that is purpose built, single use, designed from scratch and funded by the taxpayer. No UK track can hold a candle to the NSS, it’s brilliant. When compared to the remainder of the Premiership tracks, I don’t think it’s any worse and I would argue better than some. Yet again, Louis has spent time and money over the winter making more improvements which from memory is the fourth or fifth set of improvements over the past few years. You can’t fault the endeavour. It’s too early in the season to judge how successful the improvements made over the winter are because the only way you would have had close racing with lots of passing this season so far is if you had introduced handicap racing and given every Aces and Spires rider a five yard head start. You can’t have passing when the home team is consistently first and second into the first bend and even on the odd occasion they aren’t, they steam round or under the away riders. It’s pretty hard getting past Doyle, Sayfutdinov, Brennan, etc at Foxhall once you are behind them.

They're just a class team all round. Great race between Pawlicki and Lindgren. Top stuff.

Cracking Heat 8. Madsen by a nose.

Think this may be close tonight. 61-29 for the stripes.

I tend to agree with you on Lidsey, although his heat 12 first lap was superb last night. Blodorn isn't normally afraid to mix it. Haven't see enough of Zischke or Zach Cook yet to comment, Mulford isn't quick enough to mix it with most riders in this league. Had the racing been better last night I might have come next week with it being a day off on Friday, but the dust has put me off, if I want to miss most of the action due to dust I'll do so at Perry Barr.

Ipswich have done some strange things this season with team building... using the full amount of points available, what's that all about? Signing British riders in the engine room, when everyone knows you are supposed to use Australian's? Tainted victory that will be 🤣

Exactly, away teams shouldn't be bothering turning up if they can't beat him

Tracks need a staggering amount of regular watering to prepare it properly and a minimum of at least 24 hours especially in hot weather. It also helps if a track has some material on it to start with plus some more as and when needed, it also helps if you have a track man who knows what he is doing and has the tools to fully do the job. In recent years I seriously doubt Birmingham can fulfill any of those requirements, and I have watched several meetings there over the last few years. When clubs learn to prepare tracks properly to entertain paying customers with decent racing then they will get better attendances, race suits, mechanics in matching overalls, 2 minute clocks on the centre green, electronic scoreboards, video replays in bars, transponders, superheats etc etc are all very nice but supporters generally come for the entertainment, most of which is close meetings and good racing. Until the basic product gets it right this sport will always be second rate. Its interesting to hear that Leicester and Ipswich have both taken steps to improve their racetracks, it really is about time.

I think you may have got me there!

To be fair it was Kirky lane or nothing, bhut the NSS is the template on which all future tracks / stadia need to aspire to if they can, its a great set up. Given their opening spanking at Foxhall I would say the Aces will be fine - certainly playoff bound!

It is amusing seeing fans behaving so bitter towards Ippo this season. I have no link to them but I hope they win the league at a canter this season then the playoffs. It does remind me somewhat of when Poole used to waltz to the title and the other clubs would all be bitter about it. With Gavan being an Ippo fan and never getting along with him on this forum I can't believe I am writing it but he seems to of calmed down in recent years so don't mind saying it.

Yes, we had to endure Jason Crump week on week. You're correct about the racing at times, it was awful and we made our feelings known in no uncertain terms. We ended up with the NSS so my advice to those at gate ‘n’ go tracks is keep on at your management and get them to produce a race track instead. You’ll love it.

Abysmal, that’s weird. Last season and 2022, only two teams had a better away record and 2023 we were the best away team. Even in this years qualifiers we’ve won one and had this narrow loss. The majority of the league could only dream of being so abysmal. Great effort last night and I’ve no problem with hard riding in heat 15. We’ve seen Brady do the same many times, during one of our championship wins being particularly memorable. All The Aces chipping in and not being as reliant on our GP stars as most expected. Good to see Max, Kyle & Sam from the old boys club have a good night.

How this forum shows the bitterness of other teams is hilarious 😆 Ipswich built to the limit of points. We would have walked it last year as well and even other team managers admit that. Crowds are brilliant. Atmosphere outstanding. Last year the track was “awful” and now it’s a fair playing field with a better track we win by bigger margins! Lastly, people stop saying it’s gate and go. Ellis done a stunning outside overtake and Thompson done the best cut back from last to second on the first bend. It’s painful I know… but just admit teams aren’t up to it at foxhall. Oh sorry we’ve beaten everyone away as well

Ipswich built the team that every other team in the Premier League would have dreamed of with all the team consistently contributing to the scoring Every other team assembled their squad with a few riders they wanted and filled the rest of the 7 with individual riders just to fit the averages left available to them They're the one team in the league I'd ever pay to watch home or away if I ever had the opportunity.

One thing is for certain the turnstiles are clicking, the opening two meetings have been staged in front of very healthy crowds!

If no one in the opposition team can beat Danny king on the night then Emil and Doyle are irrelevant

I can't see it being much good for the sport with it being behind a paywall. I must have not watched speedway for around 13 years then one evening I was browsing the sports channels and saw that there was a meeting on Eurosport, which started drawing my attention back to the sport. That coupled with Woffinden, who I was a fan of as a child, rejoining Sheffield in 2023 brought me back to the sport. I must have watched virtually every English meeting and all but 1 or 2 GPs last year on Eurosport. However, as I must already spend close to £500 a year on sports channels already I can't justify spending another £30.99 for another channel. That coupled with me not being able to get to Sheffield, which is a me problem rather than for the sport itself, I can see how it can be so easy to drift away from the sport.

Just caught up with this... Richard Lawson appearing in heat 1 with a dirty bike and race suit, not really what you expect from a professional Premiership Speedway rider. Ben Cook has had a shocking start to the season. Boughen still looks to be backing off in the first turns, not as blatant as the end of last season but still noticeable he doesn't like to mix it. I'll never understand the mentality of some Speedway riders. Kvech in the same heat surely saw Bomber blasting around the outside to make a pass but still refused to ride any wider than mid track. Great bit of team riding from Jack Holder to shepherd Rowe home for a 5-1. When the riders do their obligatory arm fold in the captions, unless the team sponsors logo is situated on the top of their chest it gets hidden, I noticed this during the CLPC & CLRC, not great for main team sponsorship exposure. Some good track action despite the scoreline.

Nah, folk are used to consistent disappointment so it wont be anything out of the ordinary either way.

Well done, Monarchs. Totally deserved. That win tonight will mean more to Edinburgh than the bonus point will to Glasgow. Sedgmen was outstanding. If he can continue to lead from the front, this Edinburgh side will exceed expectations. An impressive debut from Polis too; huge potential there. I thought it was quite obvious Boughen is still struggling with his hip, so I’m avoiding criticising him, but I’ve already said my piece on Flint. A major disappointment. Hodder and Perry delivered their average and had Perry not fallen while in second in heat two, would have doubled his score and it’s possible the meeting sees a different outcome. Get this out the system, learn from our mistakes and focus on Berwick next weekend.

Is tomorrow the most anticipated day in Berwick Speedway's history?

That will be every team team this season then 😂 Is it realistic to think that Flint was last choice? Didn't Rob Lyon state beforehand they wanted Jenkins? It's clearly all bull, riders and teams decide independently, regardless of any press releases and whatever teams may say. Out team manager, I'll leave that with you but I don't think there's much room for any doubt 🤣 I'm happy if we are keeping within budget to remain viable, if that means we can't field a competitive team, don't try it and put yourself at risk. We were already a well supported and competitive team at Championship level.

The amount of free dates available these days surely some kind of challenge could organised. To be honest I couldn’t really care these days,just go along and watch some matches hoping for a good meeting.Its all a bit of shambles IMO.

Don’t be bloody daft there was absolutely nothing in that whatsoever 🙄 Wright just did what Wright does. The bloke even wants pistols at dawn with his own team mates. He’s an idiot.

I mentioned this a few years back and it was taken as a swipe at the updates site when it wasn’t. Why don’t they detail the racing on 3 & 4. Almost all heats read, FTG or a pass on bend 2 lap 1. It does a disservice to the improved track if the exciting bits are being brushed over. I travel the country and on more than one occasion I’ve looked at the description of the racing at nearby tracks and made the decision not to attend. Though it doesn’t get the readership of the updates site, it might be helpful if a fan could give the alternative view of the racing on here.

Is there any objective in having this meeting other than a run out for Redcar and to make a few quid? It's strange that there's been very little made of getting Newcastle back. No fan get togethers, no fundraising, no keeping the name alive. Just silence. It's never going to come back to Brough Park obviously, but is anyone doing anything to try other options? The long-term people all seem to have happily moved on to different tracks too. Decent line-up tonight anyway. Mostly riders who did well for Newcastle and are well remembered. Rather sadly, riders like Simon Lambert and Danny Phillips are needed to fill in even though they were very forgettable as Diamonds, but time moves on and there aren't many former riders remaining.

Good help us if we have to resort to MPT

The teams are shaping up exactly as last year, I know its early etc but the top 4 are the same as last year with KL, Ox and Birmingham as the poor relations - long term its not helpful

KL, like Oxford and Birmingham, have collectively, top fives made up of 15 second strings...* They are hoping to "get by" at home enough times to maintain their own crowds interest... Ipswich this year have King and Ellis riding as second strings, their true positions . The three teams mentioned above would have similar level riders at 1, 5 and 3... No surprise that away from home some teams will regularly struggle... *(Maybe 14 if Magic can recapture his better days)..

Good meeting that, I've never seen so much passing around Sheffield in a Televised/Streamed meeting. King's Lynn just aren't clicking, Every night they seem to have a couple of riders who have a stinker. Ben Cook looked distraught in the pits.

I think the problem with mental health nowadays is that its become in vogue to just just use mental health as a badge without having any issues whatsoever so its downplayed for people who actually do have real mental health problems. For example as a Manchester United fan ive heard fans saying recent results are affecting my mental health when there is absolutely nothing wrong with them, its become just a fashionable saying so for people like Cook who is suffering it can get downplayed.

Is it time for anyone working in the pits at a speedway meeting, to be required to conform to a dress code? Black seems to be the best, but instead of heavy metal bands tour t-shirts, plain polo shirts with "pits crew" on the back, plain black trousers or long shorts, and black shoes& socks (NO flip-flops allowed). If BSPL could find a sponsor whose logo could be added, then it should be able to supply most of this kit (except shoes) free of charge via riders and promoters. This would help to portray a better image when matches are televised and to new spectators.

Extremely sad. The air fence should not have lifted. When is speedway going to fix this problem?