Leaderboard

My service is 24 hours but very rarely gets used, make no mistake promoters and riders run this sport for themselves, riders more so, until the customer and credibility get put to the front of that pecking order we will fail

So in your opinion we are stuffed! Even without Zach we are definitely not stuffed. We will, as usual assemble a team capable of league success.

His average would decrease, he is on the way down, his attitude is awful,cant believe anyone would even suggest it.

Mediocre riders making full time living out the sport.Something has to give.Doubling up for a lot of riders should be Speedway and a job outside the sport.

Because riders don't want this, they want the cash they get from doubling up so they can make it pay. Riders are holding the sport to ransom and that is detrimental to the future of the sport in this country.

IMO the Championship clubs have already agreed they are not prepared to sacrifice their existing structure, including their race nights. None appear to be willing to join the Premiership and who can blame them, given the shoddy treatment when the likes of Birmingham received little help in trying to assemble a competitive side. Also the tv money received from Sky/Disney etc. never benefited CL clubs, so the potential demise of TV income doesnot affect CL clubs. So perhaps the choice for Premiership clubs is either apply for membership of the CL on existing CL terms, or continue to run in whatever form the 2026 Premiership becomes.

Mine too. As I said, my parents met at Plough Lane, and I first went when I was three weeks old. Many of my earliest memories of life are speedway memories, like Olle "White Boots", Mike "Zoomer" Coomber etc. Even though I followed the Dons around the country, I would regularly travel around taking in random meetings, particularly multiple ones on the bank holidays. I went to several foreign World Finals, and I have a big collection of memorabilia. I spent most of my life playing top-level competitive darts, with 25 years as a full-time professional - yet speedway remains far and away my favourite sport. Nope, they can't take away our memories...

Yip. He told then he was fighting fit, and ready to go.............

Wow that whittles it down !!!

Sadly, speedway promoters haven't always been kind... I certainly don't put all the blame on the promoters for the sport's demise, though. There have been so many social and economic issues that have played a much greater role, but promoters have always had a tendency - perfectly natural, I know - to look out for themselves, rather than looking at the big picture. However, it's hard to criticise those who have poured money into the sport with little reward. I was born into speedway, with my parents having first met at Wimbledon. It was such a huge part of my life, and actually still is. I just wish that people still found speedway "cool"...

Maybe we've signed Luke Harrison too and it's like a deal, buy one, get one free

Don’t think there is a”Standard Rate” in the sport that is adhered too.

But folk ARE attending the GPs in much bigger numbers the world over and the Play offs always ensure much bigger crowds than usual. World finals always had also rans who qualified from the European states who hardly ever had a chance. No different to now. Speedway was much bigger in the 70s etc so of course it was an epic occasion. But let’s not pretend they offered superior racing to now. At least with the GPs you will get 10 or 11 chances to show world class speedway to the TV world. If we go back to the old final and qualifiers you would have empty stadiums for the qualifiers, maybe a little more interest for the semis but only one chance to really represent the best of the best. At least with the GPs you are guaranteed to see the vast majority of the best riders in the world 11 times. Plus of course there isn’t the mass amount of talent that we had in the 60 to 90s. can you imagine a one off world final with half the best riders missing due to an engine failure or tape exclusion and you get Kai Huckenbeck racing in Germany crowned world champion. A complete farce and absolutely worse than what we have now!

Having removed the double counting of double up's there were 85 individual riders that finished the 2025 Premiership & Championship seasons. As well as excluding current GP, Ekstraliga & Ekstraliga 2 I also discounted (from a quality standard) a small number of riders who would be in a much lower class than those remaining from the current Premier & Championship teams. Far from "doom-mongering" I am just pointing out the undeniable math of the situation should folk wish to continue down the one league argument they need to understand that it would result with at best, 8 possibly 9 teams in it. Hence why the BSAP will not be considering one league as an option.

And are only ever one major benefactor away from not affording to run their business... It's often quoted on here that the "top riders" get some, if not all, their salary paid for by key sponsors... If ever there was something built on sand then this is it.... Sponsors money should really be some icing on the cake, not a huge part of the cake itself...

Perhaps they are getting signed just in case there is a u turn from what is expected, and there is only 1 senior league? Only need to look at Coventry and Peterborough in 2011 i think it was, they got shafted at the agm after pre agm plans were changed

Wouldn’t that be good. Imagine the clubhouse after every home meeting with woffy on the decks banging the tunes and the f bombs out 😁

He was quite open about his struggles at Foxhall and his body language wasn’t particularly great either towards the end. This was on the cards and as I said on another thread, a move away is the best for all parties here. He’s been a great signing and done very well since he was recruited as rising star.

1. We currently have 14 which includes 1 that is for sale, so that would be the number. 2. Whichever racenight that suits that particular team best. 3. In the last 20 or so years only Belle Vue have stayed as a top flight club, all the remainder have spent time outside the top flight. I hate to see any team close for whatever reason, Coventry and Wolves both closed through no Stadia not through lack of support, so the more teams the better for the sport as a whole. As for racenights Poole have shown racing on a night that people prefer to attend can be the best solution for increased attendances, we are trying to save Speedway in the Uk and what Poland does should not dictate what is best for the Uk. Standard of competition ? obviously the level would be reduced due to the lack of riders, but that should not detract from the racing entertainment provided, currently we could have Brady Kurtz racing against Sam Hagon (nothing against Sam) but with the reduced standard that difference should in theory be less. For goodness sake stop trying to hold on to something that has run it's course, in the early 1960's the top flight was down to about 5 teams, and the Provincial League had probably double that, the 2 Leagues amalgamated to form the British League (weaker standard but better) that is what needs to happen now, it does not need to be 7 man teams due to rider shortage, obviously not everyone will be happy least of all the riders, but this is a move that has to be made for the good of the Sport long term, the Sport has to put itself first and individual teams have to fit in with that. I have tried to answer your 3 questions as best that I can, their will be issues of course and it's not one answer that fit's every Team but by working together British Speedway can dig itself out of the hole that it finds itself in, and while we are at it why can we not find a Sponsor and Tv company that can support a British GP series with a round to be held at every Track ?, the Sponsor to provide prize money at every round and the TV company to pay for the rights at each track, or something along those lines.

Completely agree with you. I followed my local club religiously from being a child to mid-20s, until I moved away with work. I'd never miss a home meeting and often get to 7/8 away meetings a season. We were often crap, and the racing wasn't great, but I'd never dream of missing it. About a year after I moved back, they shut down completely, and I think I'd been to 1 meeting in that year. I just couldn't muster the enthusiasm for it, which I regret now but alas. Fast forward to now, there are 2 regular tracks within an hour, and I still cannot get back to regularly attending. It's not a financial or logistical issue for me, more like there's always a reason not to go. I would still consider myself an absolute speedway nut, read about it on here, follow Polish speedway, etc., etc. However, the thought of going to stand for 2.5 hours amongst a sparse crowd, with crap entertainment, and often average racing is just not appealing at all. Maybe I'm just getting older, maybe the lack of a 'home' club doesn't help, but I'd have watched speedway 24/7 not long ago if I could, and now I think I'd close the curtains to most meetings if they were raced in the back garden. Whatever the answers are, someone has a very big job on their hands to implement them.

Jye for Borke with Wood?

As I said on a previous thread, rider pay is not helping the sport grow in the UK.

Sure I seen Bastian had signed for a Polish club

DT

Zischke needs to improve a lot his machinery is really below par and went majority of the season without a mechanic and at times wasn’t changing things on the bike set up etc until his 3rd ride. I believe he can improve. Hook will naturally struggle in the main body of the team but he definitely deserves a team place. Etheridge I believe was solid and would give another chance for sure been around a while knows the tracks but will need to improve away from home. Batchelor I would only have back as 3rd heat leader the number 1 and 5 days have long gone. The question will be is the desire still there? Also questionable attitude if things don’t go his way. Voulas very solid at home but to win things needs to be solid away and he is far from that very poor away with no improvement I would let go. Foord I would keep for sure natural racer and another year older learning his trade I believe he needs signed ASAP if not can see him going to Glasgow. New Faces possibilities? Klindt good number 1 wins a lot from the gate but machinery 1st class and very experienced rider but doubt would be availability and commitment and can imagine not being a cheap option. Juul Pedersen brilliant in his couple of meetings in england but can imagine in high demand and knowing Danish riders not cheap and maybe go searching for the best deal. Also unsure what average he may come in on? Jonathan Grathn I would try everything to get this guy goes well at Workington and had good away form for Edinburgh for his first season will only get better. Dan Thompson people say he is not a number 1 but averages and figures don’t lie. 8.50 average for a reason. He is an active rider and has very good machinery riding in both leagues. He is only going to get better and will be a big force in this league next 1-2 years. He would be my choice at number 1 Thoughts Workington fans? Thanks

Are you insinuating that Trigger was one of those ? As I can confirm he certainly was not . Whilst I am more than aware of some of these high ‘demands’ only a foolish promoter would give in to them.

Despite saying he doesnt like Plymouth's track, wouldn't rule out SL being there next year

i hear BV need a 2 event weekend to make it pay, even if it's a GP and A.N Other event .....

maybe Zach/Danny are waiting to see on the 7th rider, if it doesn't work out then Zach may stay?

He could go teaching maths....

Neither the proposed (alleged) new site at Studley Grange (Wilts Council) nor the Abbey Stadium (Swindon Council) have had their planning applications decided upon yet.

mmmmm...errrrrrr!

"Please give us our stadium back for our 150 fans. We've got some magic beans you can have". Deluded and pathetic

Pedersen and DT?

So what exactly did Danny say to make everyone so convinced that Anders won’t be back? I can’t believe Middlo who’s known Anders literally since he was in nappies and is good friends with his dad Del can’t get the best out of the lad?

Exactly what has happened no riders around in that window of averages, by bringing in the 1 over 8 it stops clubs from brining riders in who our new or ridden in the past for a Champ side but average sits between 8-9.

Jack holder to become one of the highest earners of the transfer market. 1.1 million złoty signature and 11,000 złoty per point.

To be fair... Promoters expect riders to have two good bikes, even at NDL level, and to be available on "stand by" to guest at a moments notice whenever needed ... Pretty much expecting them to be professional riders.. And it's the promoters that have meant doubling up is now a "must do", due to their lack of development of UK riders to create a greater supply than demand over the past two decades.. And all to win competitions that have so little reward and recognition... What a truly ludicrous system!!!!l

It's been mentioned on the Leicester thread that Dan was offered a really good sponsorship deal if he returned to Leicester but it was only available if he did so, and like been said he did seem to struggle around Foxhall after his injury and he gets around Leicester better as a home track so its a no brainer for him if that's the case.

Think NIcholls as a second string would be great signing at home he could still beat anyone and be a nice way to sign off his career .

There were times at Ashfield last year when it felt that the tractors were out for ages going round, sometimes without moving any shale. It would help if something was said as to why the tractors were out for longer than normal. In general, there is a lack of info for fans at track side as to what's happening with delays and things (breakdowns, injuries, why Palovaara wasn't excluded in heat 1 of the playoff SF). Often people watching live streams know more than those in the stadium (On occasion I've had to message people watching the live stream, or sign in whilst at the stadium to find out what's happening in the match that I'm attending).

Personally I think this is the best move for all parties. He rides Leicester far better than Foxhall so I think it’s a much better signing for Leicester, then it would have been for Ipswich to retain him on his current average. Good luck to him he’s been great for us.

With that attitude you should work for them, the point of speedway and therefor the most important people are the fans, without their money the bspl doesn’t exist, every decision should be made to please the fans

1 Dan Thompson 8.50 2 Paco Castagna 7.05 3 Steve Worrall 6.88 4 Kye Thomson 5.93 5 Justin Sedgmen 7.34 6 Brigitte Macron 2.00 7 Jordy Loftus 2.14 39.84

He literally said he’s looking for sponsors for 2026 yesterday evening, so what is this nonsense?

That’s been “done” for a while. Leicester apparently made him a very good offer that Ipswich wouldn’t match. Similar to Rew and Birmingham last winter.

This isn’t true, Max is still racing next season

Just got round to reading the October edition. As ever an entertaining read. I actually attended 3 of the meetings mentioned in the opening feature on big swings in second leg Cup ties. The 2 involving Cradley, the second of which is sadly most remembered for a bad injury suffered by Peter Collins, and the Wimbledon v Berwick tie in 1988. Another "comeback" worthy of mention was Kings Lynn's recovery in 1984 from a 57-21 drubbing at Eastbourne by winning by the identical score in the second leg. The Stars won the replay as I recall. Though the second leg recovery didn't win the tie, pulling back a 36 point deficit is well worthy of mention. Thanks to Doug for all his hard work over the past few years keeping the memories alive.

I've only seen Ingram once (NDL match) but was very impressed. His scores certainly improved as the season went on in the development competitions. Think he should do ok as a 2 pointer.

Wish the Bandits a successful season in 2026.