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What a meeting Thursday could have been, a fifteen heat shootout for the league title. Instead, we go into play-offs that could see a team that finished mid-table, win the title...

Well done Glasgow. The people's champions 2025.

Back in the sands of time if the sport had been run correctly a proper squad system could have been established doing away with guests & rider replacement. While also given opportunities to more riders for track time. it didn’t happen & we now have a situation where to keep 2 leagues going 50% of the riders double up between the leagues. Totally farcical.

Championship definitely needs more meetings imo. Worky recently had a run of weekly home meetings and the crowd held up well even with holidays and the usual many summer attractions in the area. It was good to talk about who is it next week rather than having a gap of 3-4 weeks without a home fixture. Need to change the current model it has stagnated and proved detrimental to British Speedway for too long now.

I know it's not likely, but I kind of want the following to happen to show the flaw in the scoring system to the organisers (so they fix it). What if Zmarzlik & Kurtz meet in LCQ1. Kurtz is 2nd which means 11 or 12 points, Zmarzlik is 3rd (9 or 10 points) or 4th (7 or 8 points). The world title would then be decided in LCQ2, the finishing order of 4 riders who cannot become world champion, would determine wether Zmarzlik or Kurtz wins the title! I challenge anyone to explain why this scenario is the best way to score the GPs.

I paid £8 entrance £2 programme and free parking to watch Jason racing for Częstochowa at gorzow on Sunday

Is that the ‘we are the people’s champions’ or does that risk alienating half the fanbase 😉

I think bringing riders in who are unattached is a much better "look" for the sport... You cannot use averages all year and then not use them just because something may not look right to some... As long as Rider A has an equal or lower average than the one he replaces then all is fair game for me... At least it makes the sport look professional and in line with other sports, and also makes it look like winning the competition has kudos, is something worth winning, and will stimulate plenty of interest!! It wouldn't take much to work an algorithm average for each level of rider from BZ down, and there would also need to be caveats such as the missing rider mustn't ride elsewhere, and be injured/ill tll the seasons end (eg like Fricke when Lambert replaced him)... If Emil got injured and missed the play offs, then Lambert, Madsen, Dudek etc would be much better "like for like" replacements than anyone from the bottom three teams, and a much more credible move for a pro sport... Wroclaw brought in Charles Wright when Tai got injured and he then subsequently got injured, which meant Wroclaw got hammered in the final, but, for the greater good of the competition, they couldn't bring a "ringer" in, which meant the status of their league stayed top level, maintaining TV and "major" sponsor involvement... UK Speedway needs to aspire to that level of professional credibility, and, somehow, find a way of achieving it...

The play off dates would be logged in the International calender and priority established accordingly

With the answer being from some on here.... "Well, that's just the way it is!"......

Just want to say to Kings Lynn and their fans thanks for a great evening. The racing was great and the atmosphere was very friendly. I think that if K.L. could have riden like that all season then the top four could have looked different. As a sheffield supporter I'm glad I made the trip. I left Sheffield in rain of biblical proportions and wondered if it would be awaste fo fuel, but it certanly wasn't. On a final note it was so pleaseing to see the Tigers on tour / Bend 2 Barmy Army group get a round of applause as they left the stadiun from a group of K.L. fans on the first bend. This is how it should be. I have loved coming down to kings Lynn ever since I was on the spanners for Adam Allott and Kev Doolan. All the best for next year ( except when Sheffierld arer in toun).

It's poor planning of end of season meetings, that should have been run earlier in the season. With so few league matches, there's no reason why clubs can't fit in BSN / KOC meetings earlier in the season. I don't remember that many rain-offs. Biggest problem is probably 4 Friday teams, who prefer not to race on their off race night. People still ask for 2H & 2A, but clubs can barely manage 1H & 1A.

Where does it say people are staying away. Also they was no public statement when Poole fans were abused at Oxford, just move on and forget about it.

A lot of speedway fans couldn't give a hoot about football

What is this problem that some people have with Simon lambert? Simon is still a very good rider and still a big influence in the pits with his wealth of experience and still gives 100% on the track.He has,and still is,a loyal servant to the club,a rider who gives 100% regardless who he rides for so instead of getting on his back,be grateful for a rider who bleeds Scunthorpe scorpions!

Agree but perhaps giving the punter what they want with a weekend race night does possibly reduce the odds of losing so much money. Speedway use to be a good weekend sport but alas circumstances dictate that it is not possible albeit NDL teams seem to cope. This is possibly why a rethink is necessary and perhaps go backwards first in order to progress. I would rather go to a Saturday evening meeting or a Sunday afternoon meeting than go mid week. Thursday is OK but after that having been brought up on Friday, Saturday and Sunday meets I would not bother with any weekday/ mid week racing. Just my view and others may feel different but promoters should race on nights which give them a best chance of a return on the asset/investment.

And yet... Year after year, the same system is allowed to continue.... Quite baffling...

I took me a fair amount of time to find the rules, translate them and post.

The golden era was very much led by World Of Sport having an English Golden Generation on the International stage with which to sell the domestic sport... Winning Team World Cups often, and having PC riding like he did so regularly, was a perfect advert for the sport... And in the pre internet days you mainly found out riders were missing only when you entered the stadium, so "too late" to decide whether it was worth visiting or not... That "necessary evil" has now unfortunately morphed into a fundamental part of the operating model.. I have seen on here mention of giving out one point each for a meeting called off, (ianb?), and many dismissed this idea.. However, if last Thursdays meeting had been declared a draw (like cricket would have), I wonder if llosing several grand in payments may have been "very influential" in their decision to ride or not...? And also, focus promoters on protecting their tracks and preparing them better...?

Oxford have squeezed in 29 meetings at Sandy Lane this season. Instead of unfairly criticising them, try praising a rival club for an amazing job in staging all their fixtures so far - with dates also arranged for the three (likely) remaining fixtures. All done by September 17.

Does British speedway not have priority over Swedish speedway on a Monday/Thursday?

Poole are the only team trying to get the fixtures sorted. That's why they are mostly 1st legs. We don't mind lifting trophies at away matches. Why do we have to wait to play Oxford, yes a riders ban will be finished.

I have never been in favour of the playoffs...

Then just accept the competition will always be devalued.... Not a great selling point to media, sponsors or fans is it?...

You’re talking a load of nonsense here as usual. It’s simply unlucky that Sheffield’s final planned fixture got postponed leaving very little time to get the fixture in before the play offs. What happens if it rains on Thursday and the return fixture is postponed as well with the play offs starting next Monday? Would you then criticise Ipswich for not fulfilling their fixtures as well? There’ll be even less time to run it before Monday and in all likelihood, wouldn’t be run. Yes, they probably need to plan the fixture list in future, so that there’s a two to three week gap between teams’ last programmed league fixture, and the start of the play offs to leave time to fit in postponed fixtures. But you, or anybody else, didn’t question the fixture list when it was released at the start of the year. It was just unfortunate that a last fixture fell victim to the weather. Everybody knows how difficult it is for promoters to compile fixture lists when availability of riders is a nightmare with 90% of the team riding here there and everywhere. It’s inevitable that sometimes fixtures will get run when teams are missing a rider or two.

A legacy of the Tigers having three meetings to cram in... It isn't a good look for the sport is it that, once again, we have another self inflicted guestfest when a 12 match home season starts in April...? The guest system simply makes it far too easy to run the sport poorly given its a basic "get out of jail free" card to be played.... The bottom line is, once again, a meeting has been planned in knowing riders are elsewhere, and can be replaced by your rivals employees, with the only clear message it sends out being... "It isn't really that important this competition is it?"...

And the winner of this weeks most stupid post goes to….. Doyle has been the most loyal overseas rider to British speedway over the last 10-15 years This meeting could only be rearranged for Wednesday when he has a contractual agreement ……. You may or may not be aware this meeting has to be staged before the cut off leaving not many nights when it could be run If this was rained off mid season it would 100% be rerun on a convenient Monday or Thursday with 2 fill teams barring injuries. Ipswich have moved fast to secure 2 guests both of whom go well at Sheffield

What a load of twaddle! Doyle is one of the most loyal non-Brits to British Speedway. It's not his fault the fixture has been rearranged and it coincides with a commitment he's contracted to elsewhere. It's a rock-and-a-hard-place for the Witches, who have managed to find guests for both missing riders.

I'm not sure that the Hundred is a drastic shake up in comparison to Twenty 20, other than having much more money thrown at it, being marketed to a different audience and getting much more TV exposure- all of which could have happened with the existing Twenty 20 format. And, as I say, it is rumoured that once more franchises are taken over by IPL owners it will become a Twenty 20 tournament. So it isn't the format necessarily. However, speedway needs to think about how cricket attracted all that and carried out the marketing. Strangely enough, a lot of what you propose, and I agree with, already happens at most IOW meetings. If only BSPL would have a discussion with Barry and Martin about what works and what doesn't I'm sure they would be happy to help

Typical pilots fan always whinging about something 😛

Some great news, Filbyterna will return! Filbyterna announced today that the club have decided to return. They will start with fielding a team in Divisions 1 from 2026 season and also aiming for hosting the individual SM-final in 2027. https://speedwayfans.se/gladjebeskedet-klubben-drar-igang-verksamheten-och-ansoker-om-sm/

UK speedway was never ran professionally & the great chance of creating a future was blown when the Sky money was wasted. The fact that the poles have a product that attracts huge crowds, investment form business & more than one tv company broadcasting the league live is down to their hard work & running the sport professionally.

I’d be more happy if Sheffield rode that night this was called off. Like they did against us in the final when it suited them.

Yes very unlikely is how it may well be..But I think east Boldon greyhound/speedway stadium is only 5/6 mile from the large catchment area of Tyneside so it's surely worth some wealthy promoter at least running the rule as to reviving speedway - maybe some already have of course?

Here's a thought:- what if clubs could only have the second leg in semis and finals, if there was some form of live stream coverage.

Well we have a new contender for the dumbest post of the week award. Maybe you should look at the Oxford fixture list for both teams and you will see that one of the teams has been riding every week at home.

I feel it’s more devalued when a team bring in a top rider like let’s say Robert Lambert who openly criticises British speedway , for a few end of season meetings to win a league….. injuries happen and that’s what guests are for

Im not arguing the fact but it was taken seriously by the mainstream media during the golden eras, becoming the number two spectator sport, nowadays it has become a big issue with the fanbase, i agree its not ideal, perhaps your suggestion would be better. Wasnt it last season when a play off meeting was getting pelters in Poland for a woefully understrength side being put out do to injuries? I dont really follow the sport over there but im sure there was some mention of it.

Then no one can ever wonder why the sport isn't taken seriously by the mainstream media... The same would happen in Poland if they ever adopted the UK system.. This has resulted in massively one sided finals when teams have injuries... However, in "proper sports" injuries are seen as part and parcel of what happens and some get lucky and some don't... Poland realise a one sided final still has integrity and will maintain the credibility of their competition .. Thus, keeping media, sponsors and fans engaged... Also, if Sheffield are missing Jack Holder then the next two in the averages should be able to take all his rides, they could do this, and their own rides, and still do Ht 15, if the manager wanted it that way... Many guests get used due to the RR system not being fit for purpose...

... and you pay your £25 entrance, £4 programme and £3 parking last week to watch former World Champion Jason Doyle perform and this week you get a 6 point rider from Ippo's bitter rivals!

Agree and probably should have had another win and an LCQ place on Saturday.

About twenty years ago we investigated the possibility of a Speedway return to Sunderland on behalf of Tony Mole. At the time, if I remember correctly, Newcastle was a National League Track. Tony was proposing to open up as a Conference League Track. Whilst we had about two meetings at the Stadium, they would not entertain a Team at Sunderland racing in a lower League than Newcastle. They were however receptive to, and listened to us and heard us out. We informed Tony Mole of their position and left it with him. No further action was taken. I suppose that being as we got our Meetings that it was NOT a definite NO from the Stadium, they never said that. Perhaps now that Newcastle has gone, it may be worth another try. Some Promoter can only ask. We would definitely need the support of Newcastle Supporters too, in order to make it a viable concern. Given the response to Sunderland in the 1970's, I would like to think things have changed, and that we could all get together to support a Sunderland Team in the North East for the benefit of BOTH Cities. Many things will have changed in the ensuing twenty years. Maybe Steve is right and that there is NO chance - but - if you don't ask, you don't get.

Also are we back to NO Tac Subs in the play offs?

Only guessing but it is SGP2 on Friday night, 12th September, so assuming Jake Mulford & Dan Thompson will be missing, hence racing on Sunday 🤷‍♂️

If correct, they cannot be bothered with a suitable replacement this sums up why the average punter cannot be bothered to regularly attend meetings. Sad to say that riders pick which paymaster calls the tune and ultimately not the club owners. The riders no longer consider the punters who wish to see a winning team unless it is Polish club and many of these throttle jockeys fail to represent the UK that they ride for and as to representing the town, no chance. It is no longer in a riders DNA to be honest with the fans/supporters. It use to be a tribal type of following given the number of tracks representing on many occasions rural or non cosmopolitan populations and this was evidenced by the number of travelling supporters back in the day. You use to have local riders who were migrating from grass track and other disciplines to speedway, now nothing can be further from reality. You cannot solely blame the riders but a lot of anger should be directed at the sports masters who treat the punter with such disrespect. The riders want to make a living at all costs and the powers that be have no balls to stand up to other market forces so GB followers can go to hell and put up with what is on offer.

It’s just farcical

What do you think speedway should do 'to go the way of cricket'? In some ways, speedway is already the motorsport equivalent of short form cricket, in that it is short bursts of activity with space for additional activity in-between. It's widely thought that The Hundred will be converted to a more usual Twenty 20 tournament once more of the franchises are bought by IPL owners. I'm in Poland at the moment, and went to a play off match at Leszno yesterday. The age profile of the crowd was significantly different to the UK, with much more crowd chanting, scarf waving etc. But it was all about the speedway - no 'novelty ' entertainment between races etc

Clubs losing money need to seriously look in the mirror, Plymouth who are hardly world beaters and have a very limited track and space have upped their crowds considerably by the looks of it through some savvy work on social media etc. Granted in some cases things can’t be avoided but I absolutely think there would be a lot to be said for promotions being less insular and less of the ‘woe is me’ attitude.

Just the normal at Glasgow ATM,great racing.

I think back then though it was used more to help young riders gain experience and develop rather than make up the numbers because there was a rider shortage.