Leaderboard

I’ve sat back and let people crack on but after reading through page after page, I’m gonna say my bit. The amount of people first off running there mouths saying some disgraceful things about Andrew etc is ridiculous. There’s absolutely no need for it. People thinking they’ve got it cracked what’s going on, throwing about silly rumours just to get everybody riled up doesn’t help the situation. I suggest you’s all take a back seat, and await further information. 99% of you clearly haven’t got a clue what’s going on and think you’s do. Wind your necks in, stop abusing the promotion that’s put their hearts and souls into bringing speedway back to the town and stop acting like an entitled bunch. The only people who should know what’s going on at this stage is the promotion, then comes sponsors and when’s the times right, the public will be updated.

Cash only is due to the unreliable signal/lack of phone line to the arena. Say what you will about this but as a business owner myself, I know how much each transactions costs to take a card payment. If the management team are spending time counting cash rather than paying transaction fees on card payments. then I don't think that is unfair or illegal. It just means they are getting every penny that comes through the gate. And most teams will certainly need that right now. To call the team running the club crooks is completely unfair. They have achieved something spectacular at Workington and they deserve every success and good luck.

Despite the comments made on here by others I am willing to give you an overview of the improbables of answering your questions from an ex promoters point of view. In 2018 my heat leaders in my championship team were earning less a than a certain rival clubs number seven. I had two riders on a ‘minimum guarantee’, i.e. if they crashed in heat 1 and didnt ride again then they got a minimum wage. One of these was to satisfy a work visa criteria. Some got a bonus if they scored over a previously agreed points score. Heat leaders got more than second strings and they got more than reserves. Travel was paid to all at the going rate of certain pence per mile. Now all clubs pay different rates depending on their income which includes turnstyles takings and sponsorship. Some clubs did not pay their riders weekly, I did and I never not paid on the agreed pay day, some clubs paid when they had the cash to do so, some didnt pay for weeks. The whole of speedways finances are a secret and a mess. No two clubs have the same income or outgoings because of stadium rents, riders wages, staff wages , maintenance costs etc and everything is dependant on regular home fixtures as you pay your own riders home and away so if you have one home fixture and two away, then you have three wage packets to pay but only one income fixture. So the basic answer to your question is….. depends on the club, the riders, the scores, the attendance, the sponsorship , the bills etc etc etc. That is why Im an ex promoter !.

I complete disagree Poland aren’t at fault for any of British Speedway ills. They have a product that has consistently over decades drawn crowds in big numbers no boom or bust for them. Poland have a product that people want to be involved in, and increasingly since the collapse of communism business has any to invest in. Why the Poles look at moving the product forward & innovate in their country we dither around with half baked crack pot ideas. The Poles have got Extralega 2 up & running alongside with the under 24 league. Britain can’t even make the premiership a success. All of this brings us to a point where the Poles can dictate what happens if they wish too though growing their league structure while we mismanage ours. From a selfish point of view at Ipswich it’s been great having Doyle & Emil after years of dodgy heatleaders. To have Emil don the witch for 3 seasons has been magic I think a fare few thought it might have been a 1 season wonder. The guy is pure class & id love to see him back on the heath in 26. However I think the uk is head for 1 big league or a very watered down premiership while keeping the admissions costs high. In short there are plenty of people who could be blamed for the current situation. The promotions of the 70s & 80s who didn’t reinvest in the sport. The promotions of the early 90s who though infighting threw away the opportunity that was amalgamation. Finally those involved in the early days of Sky. or maybe just the British public because they just don’t want speedway on a mass basis, one thing is for sure you can’t blame the poles!

Riders seem to only ride on licence over here from their Polish clubs... They are "their riders" who they allow to work elsewhere with clear constraints... Let's be honest, bringing some of the "top stars" back hasn't taken the sport, as a whole, forward has it?... But, instead, it has caused a more expensive, more unbalanced, and a very uncompetitive league... When "will they be fhere, won't they be there?", becomes such an ongoing, regular discussion point, it is probably time to do something about it..

The UK lads currently challenging BZ wouldn't be at that level if they rode in the UK only... Their kit wouldn't be of the same level for one, as the Polish money massively helps that... And, no disrespect, but beating Championship HL's and SS's each meeting wouldn't move them upwards into the standard required to compete with the best... Their constant exposure to riding against the best in Poland has elevated their own levels... As for making riders pay back signing on fees if they get injured riding abroad...? That is fair for me, given the size of the contracts these lads get .. If I am paying someone £25k a week and they tell me they want to work elsewhere too, for around a tenth of that, I would reserve the right to put some caveats in play... Without my money, their earnings would be around just 20% of what they do get, therefore my investment needs protection... Polish teams cannot just pluck a similar top level rider out of thin air, from another team, like you can over here, therefore one of these lads missing has a huge financial impact should that team get relegated or miss out on the play offs.. Hence, quite naturally, they want them to reduce all extra risks.. And Poland pay for rehabilitation even if "their riders" get injured riding elsewhere... Rehabilitation that benefits the riders UK team too... I often read that Poland and the GP's are massively responsible for the ongoing demise of UK Speedway.. The biggest issues lie much, much, closer to home...

I think everyone knows damn well that if something in this sport doesn't change drastically then I don't give it more than a couple of seasons tops...I don't see any radical change from last season tbh and in its present form and with the rumours of at least another possibly two tracks not operating next season the future of UK speedway doesn't look good....why is it that a couple of decades down the line,is Poland now the dominant force?? I think I have an inkling... A lot lot better supported...cheaper admission prices and better pay..run better and probably promoted better too.ive been attending this once great sport since 1976 and cannot believe the decline over here...many tracks now defunct and the ones left not looking too healthy.The cost also is a big issue and the rules regarding guests,r/r etc a complete joke..as mentioned many times before by people,how do you explain to newcomers that through a full season,unless you're extremely lucky,that chances are you won't see the same riders riding week in week out for their clubs..I used to follow this sport a hell of a lot and have parted with a lot of money in the process and I can't believe that it is now July and I've not attended,along with my wife,one meeting! I just don't have the enthusiasm or the finances now to do so.i also believe that yes,while it is a good thing for people who do not have the available money to follow their team,that seeing it on one of the streaming sites is a good alternative but in my opinion it's killing the sport and is one of the reasons crowds are down at many venues.i just hope for the sake of this wonderful sport that had been a big part of my life,that it's fortunes take a turn for the better.

I would say a lot of this is untrue and slightly disrespectful to Poland. When was the last time 'factually' someone was threatened to be withdrawn from British speedway and not 'hear say'. I would also argue that Doyle's massive crash at Kings Lynn and Emil's big crash at Sheffield were just as damaging to Polish speedway as is Tai's and Becker's. You don't see stretchers in Britain because you see a few part time volunteer's slowing jogging over to help out whereas Poland brings on the medical team fast and often ambulances even when not technically needed. The owners go to the hospitals and often pay big money (clubs) to give the best treatment and help the riders anyway possible. The riders aren't forced to ride injured and I don't know where people get that from, Emil wasn't forced in the play offs last year for Torun and neither was Doyle this year. Zmarzlik was closely run by Lambert last year who wasn't riding in British speedway and also Lindgren who done only a part season for Birmingham. I understand your frustration but I think you're directing too much blame at Poland.

Maybe the club should put a statement out with some information, maybe can't say too much, but at least say something. at the moment other clubs are saying we have no fixture this Saturday, after the 3 this week been postponed due to the suspension. Surely home fans and sponsors deserve some information even if it's just minimal. This is not a rant more of a plea, the promotion have done a fantastic job getting Northside up and running

I'm not sure they're trying to win something with very little kudos, I think it's more like they're trying to win races to get noticed by Polish clubs. If it were down to me, it'd be ultimatum time, riders commit to this country in something like a 40 match calendar or clear off and earn their bacon elsewhere. Our clubs need to be riding on the nights that suit them... not the riders.

As a neutral I love watching the racing at NSS, particularly as Bewley often misses the gate and has to work his way through- Kurtz maybe less so, but last night's race with Emil showed what he can do. However, the races behind the leader are often worth the entrance fee alone and that is frequently the place to pay attention. In recent seasons my main watching has been at Oxford, which can be entertaining. This year following a move Birmingham is my local club. Now, I don't want to kick a club when they are down, but the quality of racing is not as good. If a rider gates and doesn't move from tbe inside line there is very little chance of a pass. If the NSS produces predictable racing then that will do for me and I wish I could go more often

And the winner of the most irrelevant post of the year goes to........ YOU! Congratulations

Let's see racing first and foremost,isnt that what we pay our money for?The more rough tracks we get the less chance you will see riders wanting to ride here.You get smooth tracks you get to see what I call proper speedway.Workington,Scunny,Belle Vue,Redcar great tracks,good speedway.You don't need tracks like our rumbly roads. Klindt's interview told it how it was,and he scored well.

If only Oxford had listened to your negativity…they’d have saved those supposed ‘millions’ and left the site to ruin…🤦🏻‍♂️

The sport has to become semi pro over here... Like it mainly was in the 70's and 80's... Spending ridiculous amounts on equipment has to stop.. And it will if the money isn't getting paid to do it.. Too many FT pro's, spending far too much on kit, to try and win something with very little kudos, financial rewards, or credibility, is truly madness.. But not as mad as the promoters paying them enough to do it...

One of the key strengths is riders being in contention for four laps... As you say, that can be just racing closely for a point... If you build momentum for a couple of laps (what Kurtz and Bewley do brilliantly), you can make up some serious ground on an opponent, and be going quicker when you reach them... Scunthorpe, Redcar, Workington and Glasgow appear to be similar...

One big league is fine by me. If it's watered down that's equally fine. I want to see good racing, not superstars. Think it was 1996 we had the one big league when Eastbourne won and it was a very enjoyable season. It would be great to go see KL away at Scunny and several other tracks, as well as see some new teams at Saddlebow. (which is how I will always refer to it) Assuming I still support the KL sh#t show.......................

He is just the announcer, and actually quite a good one. Clear and interesting.

BSB does "more than OK" using UK riders with a few aspiring overseas riders who for many, see BSB as a stepping stone to WSB and MotoGP... If this type of model was the only Speedway on offer, I would suggest crowds would attend.. As you suggest, throw in some support classes to ensure a conveyer belt of talent coming through as the top names organically moved on to Poland, and the sport would continue.. Just like BSB does when their riders move on to the higher level racing.. It must cost circa £30k to lay out for two home and away meetings in the top tier, so use all, or some, of that, to put out some decent prize money and see if 1500 or so at @£20 will attend, and 10 sponsors will pay £500 for "a VIP night out" on nights that the entertainment industry is most successful... There will always be some who say "team speedway only for me" but, in its current guise, it isn't really that anway is it? These people have to actually collude with promoters in pretending it is a bona fide team sport.. Ten meetings minimum at each track, regular racing each fortnight, changing riders each meeting, all publicised well locally in the two weeks between meetings, with decent prize money, and ran on the best night for that customer base, and you could have some continuation of the sport.. If this was the only ticket in town, the sport would continue... On its current glide path it won't...

You wouldn't have the same overheads. And you could charge the riders to race, as they do in many amateur motor sports.

100%! but as someone who always likes to improve no matter what I do, which is why I look on socials for feedback , I'm a believer in you get better by taking criticism. So if you have any feedback to improve your thoughts I would appreciate it. If you just don't like me i cant do much but i can always try a be a happy medium.

This is much closer to the truth than the original post. So many mythical beliefs in the UK about Polish speedway. Experience of technical tracks definitely improves your skills as a rider but not sure tracks being served up like that one at Brum last night are beneficial to anyone.

And hopefully any info supplied will stop the 'crooks' accusations? The sponsors money will have probably helped to build new toilets, refs box, the 3rd and 4th bend spectator viewing, fan club shop and other spectator facilities - all costly projects and certainly good honest care for the fans at Northside.

Been thinking the same, be good if they put a statement out.

Doesn't matter if Poland put Jan Kvech on a leash now tbh, King's Lynn's season is over anyway. Hopefully next year it's one big league and no big names as it'll be much better rather than clubs having to be on edge when the Polski's make up excuses 24/7 when the reality is that Poland are the ones who are at fault for almost everything.

Not true, more the way the sport was being run . As it wasn't my club , I ran it for the owners, it wasn’t my money I was losing , and by the way , the owners were very happy the way I was running it.

Two years and because the stress of running a business at a loss ( I had reduced the losses by half on previous years ) , combined with the sports some times ludicrous internal politics meant it was one rule for one and different for others. Best decision I ever made was to stop being a promoter but I left the club in a far better position than my predecessor and happily the promoters since then have continued to improve the club.

I know people won't like it said but in a healthy and thriving professional sport this type of set up would be expelled from the league (or never accepted in the first place)

Interesting stats that illustrate in recent seasons that the aces home advantage has grown. The races with Emil last night were good examples of where it is difficult for away riders to defend safely as the track is so wide. The NSS is more akin to long track racing.

My feeling is that the management/owners are fairly sensible and wouldn't have spent the money on the new ref's box or the 3rd and 4th bend viewing if there was a chance of a few bad weeks would send them under. I know this is speedway but surely no one os that daft? Surely? My understanding is that there is a long term plan to have the track and facilities up to FIM standard - the work on the pits is an example of that. Again, it would be really daft to have those future plans yet to come undone by a few bad weeks early in the season. I sincerely hope it can be resolved.

I suppose you have never naively made a mistake. Well the only person who doesn't make a mistake is a person who does nothing. I think you should cut Andrew some slack, in particular your post about him being a crook I found very distasteful no doubt he will too. There is no one more emotionally upset about this right now than Andrew believe me. With regards to communication I would imagine the club are taking advice on this from the BSPA for legal reasons. I do not believe the current situation is about money but administrative matters referred to in the BSPA statement. I have my personal view on what the nature of these matters probably are based on the facts on offer on Companies House. The company Northside Speedway Training Track was dissolved on 17/6/25. There may be two reasons for this : either Andrew requested a company strike off for whatever reason or he has fallen foul of not meeting legal requirenents/ obligations. The problem with this dissolvement is that the company no longer exists as a legal entity. Among other implications of this is the fact the promotion will have had their Sponsor Licence revoked which allows the club to sponsor migrant riders under the Sportsmans Visa scheme. The situation is recoverable. The company will need to be reinstated . I expect this is what the club are working on with the help of the BSPL in order to bring about as speedy a resolution as possible.

Can't imagine insurance costs would be much cheaper,and can't imagine the poole landlord for example would take much reduction in rent,and like skids says would be real concerns about crowd levels,so can't see those type of meetings being an answer at all

We're it not such a potentially serious matter, some of the wilder statements and demands for immediate public release of private information would be laughable The seven-day pause in Working ton's licence is only four days in --- we'll learn what's to happen very soon, l'm pretty sure. One thing we should be grateful for is, Northside is a magnificent track, and the stadium has wonderful potential for development through eventual installation of lighting and some spectator cover. Unlike the permanent loss of places such as Wolverhampton, Peterborough, etc, Northside will be there, and can hopefully push on and up again, after this unfortunate situation is resolved

No the promotion can’t help the weather that was never mentioned. But they can help being suspended from racing. Or is that the weathers fault too? Smell the coffee and stop sugar coating this errors have been made and now everyone must suffer the consequences inc riders and fans. But again if the promotion actually bothered to communicate all this could be explained.

You can't, so don't even try, just do your own thing, you can't please all of the people all of the time. People will be crying out for individuality when everything is being presented by a Max Headroom (1980's reference) style ai bot 🤖.

Has someone pi$$ed on ya chips. I don't know if you noticed, but there's the small fact that we lost Kvech and Cook.

Hi there , What seems to be the issue with myself. What's strange is i get people like yourself and others saying how they like my style , I suppose im a very marmite kind of guy. But any tips im open to hearing how i can keep everyone happy. Despite your gripe ive only done 3/4 meetings this year so don't worry you don't have to listen to me too much and luckly there are some other great hosts on the show too. Thanks for subscribing to the channel. Paul

I like interviews with Nicolai - always provides honest and well articulated responses without the predictable safe management speak you get from most sportsmen

We lost blub blub blub.

It's pretty clear now that Jason returned too soon, he should have taken more time out...

along with the Speedway Bar

Who are 'this lot'? I'm not expecting a Plough Lane standard stadium. If anything comes of it then I'd expect a much more basic set up. The site exists and currently has motorsport on it and permission. I'd fully accept that the chances are less than 50%, but much better than zero

Apologies mate,I got the wrong end of the stick. Even me wouldn't want Plymouth to strengthen up at the expense of losing another track,don't think it will come to that and Workington can resume there season

Again, why would I attend when the Brummies aren’t my team? If you can point me to a post (even from Brummies supporters) that say the team aren’t rubbish then your point might make some sense. But of course you want be able to. League tables don’t lie. Oxford loook awful too. Do you want me to attend there as well? such an odd reply.

My Top 20 riders as at 30.6.25 are now as follows:- 01-Dan Bewley-1070 02-Brady Kurtz-1060 03-Max Fricke-1040 04-Jack Holder-960 05-Emil Sayfutinov-950 06-Tobias Musielak-910 07-Ryan Douglas-900 08-Jamon Lidsey-870 09-Jason Doyle-830 10-Jan Kvech-800 11-Danny King-790 12-Josh Pickering-785 13-Tom Brennan-765 14-Chris Harris-760 15-ERic Riss-755 16-Matej Zagar-750 17-Sam Masters-740 18-Chris Holder-710 19-Zac Cook-700 20-Nicolai Klindt-690

Meeting now rearranged for Friday 11th July

Not so sure I think they’ve got every chance personally. Yes they’ll have some passengers, but I think the top three will have a point to prove away from the NSS and will have a determination to see it through. They certainly won’t be as bad as last time that’s impossible.

I’d say Andrew and the rest of the promotion are entitled to alot more respect than the label of a “Crook” Im sure you’ve witnessed the amount for efforts and money that has been put into Workington Speedway at Northside , regardless of what people speculate this promotion have done everyone proud in the work they’ve done.

Personally, after attending both nights, I will definitely be there next year if it is held at Belle Vue. Lots of problems, but the racing was much better than Cardiff. Hopefully a few lessons will be learnt, & most problems could be sorted with more staff, in my opinion.