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Just got back from the Arenacross at the NEC Birmingham and thought it worth mentioning a couple of things. Firstly Dan Bewley is a respectable motocross rider, it was only in the whoops which are Supercross specific really that he was losing time in a decent Pro-AM class. Secondly the presentation compared to even the Cardiff GP was so much better. 3 good presenters who ramped up the crowd and kept the interest going between races, probably all a bit shouty for an old bloke like me but the youngsters lapped it up and sport needs the likes of them more than the likes of me for the future. Lots of flashing lights, loud music and freestyle MX/ girls dancing with fire and a guy chucking free kids T shirts randomly into the crowd all accompanied with encouragement for the crowd to make a lot of noise and be involved between races and while the track was graded. (Graded incidentally by the son of Ace of Aces Promoter Ian Barclay) All in all despite decent rather than great racing we came away having had a great time and Speedway could take some lessons from the Promoters of this series. Might not be practical for every meeting but a lot of what they did could be applied to the bigger events and most certainly the GPs.

£59 per seat at what I think was the price for the majority.. I think the cheapest were £44 and the view from anywhere would have been pretty good. The most expensive VIP tickets I didn't look at but imagine somewhere between extortionate and daylight robbery ☺️ Hence why I said bigger events and especially the GPs. They are in it to make money though so these events must be turning a decent profit. As above, but a lot of the enthusiasm shown by the promotion would cost next to nothing and would make for a more exciting night out. I'd guess in that hall you'd be looking at 250m max or maybe 200m with air fences. I went to the Classic car show a few years back at the NEC and as best I can remember some of those halls were bigger and could have a reasonable track built in but would need stands built as well. What the cost of those halls are though I have no idea. I reckon a small track with a few top riders at this time of year and with the same presentation could work well if filled to capacity like the arenacross. Just looked it up and capacity in that hall is 15,600 which would be a better atmosphere than a half full Cardiff.

Every track in the top flight will take a hit on the attendances they’ve had previously I think that’s a given. It’ll be interesting to see how much of a hit though. The one team that I can see getting away with it to a degree, is Lynn. They now have the top rider in the league which they haven’t had for an awful long time, and the two young lads at reserve should pique their interest. The league set up will please nobody though and it’s been an incredibly damaging winter that has left a bad taste in the mouth that’s for sure.

Sorry, but that’s a ridiculous statement in relation to the Ipswich takeover. I have said before that if they complete the financial and legal due diligence in 6-8 weeks, then that would be some going. Just on the legals; Spedeworth will have a head lease with the ultimate owners and a sub lease with Louis. Both leases will have required a full legal review and the head lease may have restrictive covenants about who Spedeworth can sub let to and probably requires prior approval of the ultimate owner to any novation of an existing lease or creation of a new sub lease. I seem to remember reading somewhere, quite a while ago that the ultimate owner is the original Ipswich Speedway which if true means that entity was formed many years ago and may have a complex ownership structure e.g. some form of Trust structure and be governed by a Trust Deed, etc which would complicate decisions and approvals even more. The sale and purchase of a business is a complex and time consuming process.

I do have sympathy for Max Perry. Missing out on a team place by 0.02 pts is unfortunate. I still think they should bring rising star positions in to the championship. I also think they need to reconsider how they do it, because young riders shouldn't be missing out on team places because of 0.02 pts. Maybe force teams to declare their rising star first, making them build their team with that average deducted. Im throwing ideas around here, but maybe keep rising stars averages at 2 pts until they break 3/3.5 pts. In that case, young riders who are good, but not quite ready, such as Max Perry, would still get team positions.

Continuing the hospital analogy, it's about time that these "bed blocker" riders that are holding the sport to ransom are sent to dignitas if they refuse to stop doubling up and let some of the maternity ward patients have an opportunity (young riders). I'm sure that after a period in the real world on the building sites that many will soon be back realising that they can make it pay after all. Some of them only have a few years left in the sport anyway and are just hoping that the sport lasts long enough to give them a last few easy paydays.

Ipswich are holding the sport to ransom and the bspl are letting them, well fine but when the crowds are gone don’t go blaming anyone else, it’s a farce and in part it’s caused by Chris Louis and Ipswich, this should of been sorted months ago not weeks away from the season

Rumours that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to join the board at Speedway Futures. Looking for new opportunities

Usual audio problems this week... wouldn't be the same without them 😂

cant stand the sport, thats why ive only been going 60 years.

You're missing out on some great content 👍🏻😁

Tyson Fury keeps saying he’s quitting aswell. Believe it when I see it.

And that’s the mentality that closed Buxton down last time,the sport never learns from our mistakes

Would have to find a job that pays silly money.

Theres always been a decent hardcore at Lynn even when I started going in 84 we were truly awful until Bill Barker took over and brought in the dream team that also flopped .From possibly 84-87 we were woeful but the crowds held up pretty well. When Barker and Simmo took over and we looked powerhouse, opening match there must have been 4-5k turn up. I also remember when Poole turned up one bank hol Monday with Holder and Ward and Buster said it was the best crowd since the mid 70's which again proved run on the right days for the punters with half attractive teams and they will come.

I paid just under £50 last night, there were cheaper tickets available and also some more expensive. You could get a family ticket for £100. They also do numerous VIP upgrades and you can also buy a track walk package.

I have simply outlined the challenges, complexities and timescales as they relate to the sale and purchase of a business. You can ignore those realities if you so choose. I assume from your comments that Louis should have been prohibited from selling his own business and must continue to own it ad infinitum - bizarre on a number of levels. I have made no reference to the BSPL or Speedway Futures, so not sure how I am giving them a free pass.

That right you keep giving the powers that be a pass and nothing changes, Ipswich have done damage to premiership in the eyes of the public this season, they with the bspl and speedway futures have made a terrible situation absolutely dire and it’s unacceptable

At this stage we don't know which company Mr Coleman will use although the events company was recently founded. We also don't know how these companies will be capitalised although lenders will want cross guarantees and covenants in place or a PG with Mr C. This doesn't make the business flush with cash but will be in a great position if it performs financially. If he is the new owner he is to be applauded for taking the risks. Don't get carried away with "loads a money" it's about the business end of matters.

A lot of predictions are putting Worky out of the top 4 in here. I personally think we have a very strong team. We have three potential heat leaders, with tate and the young Dane to back them up, making it a good top 5. Vinnie should push on this season, with with only true weakness being our number 7. I think we'll surprise many

Witches fans...

I attended one in Manchester a few years ago.. I said at the time that every UK Speedway promoter should go and see how motorbike racing could be presented.. My lad caught a T shirt and I got roped in to entering the text raffle to win a mini MX bike, which was hanging from fhe ceiling, at a fiver a ticket... They must have paid for that bike several times over given how many phones were in use! Music. Lights. Noise. Colour. Excitement... And a hyped up prize too, where it was said they were racing for a £200k first prize... The reality was that this was the total paid out over the five rounds to the riders.. But nothing wrong with a bit of hype that increases your profile and standing...

If they were really interested in showing the way they’d put a NDL team together instead of using this to cherry pick riders out of it for themselves.

I reckon Steve Shovlar is the new owner and Gavan is considering becoming a Kings Lynn fan!

There are only a few established riders who do not double up. Those that don’t (putting aside those who ride in other countries in addition to UK) are by and large riders starting out. One league would not mean additional meetings because there would only be eight professional clubs (it’s the math of riders available).

Suspect he will get the 8 percent reduction whether people like it or not

That's an assumption. He could easily drop form ..Simon Lambert ain't got a prem club . Should he quit speedway? What about some of the younger riders not good enough for the premiership yet. Should they quit and also and hold the fans and clubs to ransom? Drew Kemp will likely get dropped again at some point, I imagine he earns much less than Kyle in the championship. Quit again? Connor Mountain? I could go on...

Have you watched Godfrey on speedway 360 on YouTube ? I it’s truly scary how they see speedway futures working. He can’t even remember the Tory grandee’s name despite being on the board alongside him. watch it and see what you think

I had a look at the website and anyone interested in two wheeled motor sport could not help but be impressed and would be attracted to the event given the time of year and speedway could certainly learn a thing or two. A good few years back I went to an indoor flat track meeting in Braintree and that was good entertainment. If I remember correctly that was in January, but nevertheless it was a good turn out and some decent racing. It then begs the question, why can’t speedway be a bit more innovative and look at options to run meetings off season.

The Aces will end up advertising prices for the two GP meetings, the PCMM, and Season Tickets all pretty much at the same time.... It must impact at least one of the three, if not two... With, you'd suspect, the GP's being the one least impacted... Crowds could be a real issue this year...

Pretty sure King will be there. Godfrey said on the podcast last week that King had been quite vocal about the fact he wouldn’t do one league, and needed two leagues otherwise he’d retire. So he has two clubs he could have signed for. The latest podcast this week, name dropped Riss, Wright, Kerr and Lawson in at Northampton. Nobody else so far. King will be at Ipswich. Louis probably done his mate one last favour before buggering off.

How about 3/4…? woffy 8.45 lambert 7.81 brennan 7.05 rew 6.19 jenkins/jeppesen 4.46/4.34 3 pointer - Mitch mcdairmaid or gusts be my choices edwards r/s 36.96/36.84 👀😂 Gotta love an elongated silly season 😅😅

Who collectively spend seven figures a year on riders?

The new owners are going to want to make a statement of intent. They’ll know full well the Ipswich supporters have been used to watching Doyle and Emil lead the team the last few years, and having Brennan (with all due respect to him) leading the team at 1 isn’t going to cut the mustard. If it’s Mayfield, that gives them a huge advantage over every other club when it comes to attracting a big hitter over. Especially those GP riders who might not make the cut, and will rely on a wildcard to remain in the series…

Going off his Aussie rides probably about at 5/6 pointer at most in the NDL.

That would be the logical move Mike to try and help them maybe thats why Kurtz is being delayed, I just hope they don't get stuck with someone 5-10 years past their sell by date who stiffs the owners for ten's of thousands and delivers near zero.

That all goes out the window when you’re offered enough $$$$ Think it would actually do him the world of good personally. Looked to go backwards a little last year and could do with being sharpened up.

At least that's a positive post about Scunthorpe

Whatever Rob decides so it fits in it seems.

Oxford Glasgow Redcar Plymouth Poole Workington Berwick Edinburgh Scunthorpe Top 4 hard to separate, injuries to top 3 riders in any team will be hard to replace and decide season, same riders never end a season fit or in the team

To add to this the club runs to a budget and pays on time every time . I do understand though to most posters on here that a club that provides great racing in a cost effective manner owing no riders money is in anyway a positive

Woke up this morning, stretched out my elbows, No Wooden sides ! another day to be grateful for .

Stadium would be nearly empty! On the plus side police station nice and close for him.

It's an "umbrella" organisation that isn't... Far too many vested interests, far too much self policing, far too much "what about me?", far too many disparate businesses, wanting far too many disparate things from their sport.. Any leadership of any sport should be independent, and given powers by the stakeholders to run the thing, after consultation which sets, and agrees, the business and operating plan. The independent body/person then just implements the policies agreed.. UK Speedway cannot move on when so much is diluted, fudged, and changed to suit disaffected individuals who want adhoc changes made due to circumstances, just to suit their own agenda..

Godfrey gave the forum a mention anyway even if it not in a good way but then again why would someone who runs a sport be interested in anything the people who pay for it have to say

Godfrey said doubling up was here to stay and he could never see it ending... just the kind of vision you want from your leader 😂

Couple of interesting points said by Godfrey, sport England are there to help - not true don’t want anything to do with speedway and the bspl and speedway futures are here to help any track get up and running - not true don’t reply and when they finally do no help at all (individuals with the sport are helpful)and speedway futures were asked by cradley for a supporting letter signed by Redknapp to help with their dealings with the council- didnt even get a reply and as I stated on an earlier podcast that the consultants that are working with cradley to find a track said they couldn’t believe that cradley had got so far without the help of the governing body whatsoever, that statement alone speaks volumes

A reasonable interview but unfortunately lacking in substance. Now that could be for contractual reasons but who knows. Either way we are all left scratching our heads I feel.

RG was good but him and Lambert's interaction was annyoing blowing smoke up each others backsides when no one else gives a toss.