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Strange isnt it that everyone says riders should have a job as speedway isnt a full time profession , then proceed to moan when a rider fits in racing around the job.😏

Robert’s attained an average of 7.81 at the end of the 2019 season. He signed for Belle Vue on an assessed average in 2022 due to the gap in league racing. He was given the 2.5% British reduction, bring him down to 7.61. In 2023 he signed for Kings Lynn on an assessed average but he didn’t get his 2.5% reduction this time. As an assessed rider without a current average he didn’t ride 4H & 4A so his average remains as assessed using the old 2019 figure of 7.81. However….. His average could be anything as come the play offs in 2023 he was suddenly deemed to not be an assessed rider and his 2019 figure was “current”. If they follow through with this thinking then they will need to role his average using the 2H & 4A from his Kings Lynn meetings. I don’t see this happening as the only reason he suddenly became not assessed was when Damian Bates of Sheffield speedway contacted Damian Bates of the BSPL board to ask for permission to use Robert Lambert. Damian gave Damian permission to do so, winning Sheffield the league title. Coincidentally, the year before Damian had asked Damian if the rules could be applied differently to help Sheffield win the league. Earlier in the season Peterborough had signed a replacement outside of the transfer window. It was allowed due to injury. When Belle Vue attempted to apply the same rule in the same way, Damian spoke to Damian and overturned the rulebook. Fortunately for the good of the sport a judgement was made from outside the sport and the correct use of the rulebook was forced through, much to the delight of all fair minded speedway fans and BSF members.

Why do people keep mocking the lad for this? Not all young riders have rich parents or big sponsors and I believe Nathan has to balance his riding around a full time job. When he has signed for a team he’s always been reliable and never misses meetings and gives maximum effort so maybe the offers last season just weren’t right for him financially or otherwise.

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.

thank god

Most PREM clubs cant afford what PREM clubs pay..

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

At least that's a positive post about Scunthorpe

Whatever the outcome and most hope that Ipswich come to the tapes come March, April or May, generally the sport is unlikely to entice broadcasters to cover the sport live, it has been a disaster the way things have carried on thus far, sponsors probably unwilling to commit without a t v contract, riders dropping the UK, no idea of a fixture list and the sapping interest of the UK punters who are losing the will to get excited with any enthusiasm about the coming season. You have so few if any new ideas to rejuvenate a dying product and a total lack of general tangible investment in the sport at any level leaves most wondering just how much longer it can it continue in any form other than an amateur part time pursuit by a few enthusiast. Unless those in charge have kept under wraps something really special, then the sport is going nowhere and they are trying the patience of every punter who puts money into the pockets of the clubs. The riders don’t really give a toss as they will look to ride in Europe or walk away and earn a living elsewhere. It is not just an Ipswich issue it is a problem for speedway UK and the lack of updates in any shape or form from the body that allegedly runs the sport is not doing anyone any favours. Still I am sure the promoters think all is rosey in the UK speedway camp. Fools comes to mind.

Some annoying kn@b

I've never known so much continuous ignorance from one person... and the beauty is they'll never read this 😂

If Oxford stay fit, they win. Too much pressure on young shoulders for Poole's reserves at this early stage in their career (, as well as Gilkes back from injury) but will be in Playoffs. Glasgow 50/50 make playoffs, they looked vulnerable at home at times last year & it'll take a while for Hausl & Pedersen to find their feet (thats if they are not ousted by then). Edinburgh & Redcar with their stable team from last season & well balanced 1-7 will be there. Whatever happens, the Championship is again the best and most competitive league for racing & entertainment in the country

he's an idiot , but that cant offend him because he wont see this. 🤣

Speedway has been a car crash forever, but for the last 10 years, it's been a multiple car crash!

I’m with you. As I said before, any other winter and we’d be out and they’d have cracked on without us. The reality is they need us and have no choice but to wait for us. Its been an absolute car crash of a winter.

Unless it gets quoted I think its visible then

You seem to be forgetting Cairns rode for Poole last season and achieved a 3.81 average, not bad for your first season, I can only see it going up, Rushen will get plenty of points at Poole, it is possible to pass at Poole!!

I'm sure the lure of riding for Laurence Rogers means that Alfie Bowtell will gladly ride for standard NDL points money and a good night's sleep afterwards in their VIP caravan!

Zmarzlik, Laguta, Lingren, Lebedevs, Lambert, Kubera, Madsen, Dudek, Vaculik are all missing from British speedway. The best youngsters aren't here either. Even if we did have them riders they would bankrupt the clubs. How do we pay for them?

I think this year is going to go down to the wire and bonus points will make all the difference for all teams. I Agree about Poole young reserves they might struggle if they can’t gate at Poole and might find it hard to pass stronger reserves. I think Worky and Edinburgh could be the dark horses and at Glasgow it will all depend how the track rides too slick and they will struggle for bonus points and if it’s got plenty grip like the last few meetings like the semi final and final last season they will get plenty bonus points and be hard to beat at home

I've watched Speedway in the USA and it's a similar vibe... It is a "night out" and not just a Speedway meeting... Kids races, sidecars, handicap racing, riders stalls with their merchandise, various competitions for the crowds to enter through the night, food and drink served to you in the stands, and a presentation level that keeps you engaged from announcer to roving mike person.. The towns I saw the racing in had a good many banners and boards up around them, including on the interstate, and loads of fhe restaurants, bars and hotels all had posters in their windows advertising the track and the racing... Crowds were "very decent" too, no GP riders in attendance, and, mainly, ex UK riders in their 40's and 50's dominating proceedings.. Speedway can be a great night out... The UK version just needs to find how to show it much more often..

I've no inside knowledge but didn't Matt Ford say Championship was roughly a third cheaper than the prem ? given I would imagine stadium rent would be the same regardless of league I can't see that wages in the Prem being double against the championship when the overall saving is only 30%.

The riders can be Full Time from April to October and get another job from November to March.. Not enough people pay to watch UK Speedway to have so many riders earning a full years salary... When I ran businesses my payroll budget flexed up if I beat my sales budget, and dropped down if I didn't hit my sales numbers.... I couldn't keep laying out more than the income justified so, many times, I had to pull in the payroll spend by cutting overtime or not replacing leavers.. My team were "disappointed" at times as their earning potential was reduced, as was I as so was mine... Life eh?

You cant beat your brain for entertainment.

I’ve said since seeing the Arenacross in Manchester a few years ago that speedway needs to move with the times and go indoors and only run 3 to 5 events per year. That proposal fell on deaf ears much as the t shirt cannon did. We now find ourselves where we are unsurprisingly. From now on I’ll get my kicks from Arenacross in Manchester, when’s the date for their next moneyspinner? I’d even travel to their other English events from now on, could someone post a list?

Most certainly not, the vast majority of MX events are held in a field with relatives watching and the riders footing the bills. Even the MXGP series is nothing like the Arenacross. However things like the enthusiasm shown by the presenters, the involvement of kids and getting the crowd wound up could be done for next to nothing. I've been to many meetings where the commentator brings every bit of excitement back down to a nice controlled level of boredom. The lightshow etc and pre event promotion would work well for SGP. It is also significant that very few of the riders would have been paid to be there on Saturday, the bulk of them will have paid to enter (or their teams will have)

Of course Workington look entertaining, they've got Batch. He entertains the fans with wheelies when he's last.

they could not put that show on every week though.

I do find it quite ironic that that particular poster always wheels out the ‘you’re against British speedway’ card but in the same breath talks down the national league and majority of the championship riders, even naming them at times. i think it’s clear who is really ‘anti British soeedway’

Liars? Mate you have no idea or neither do I how much riders really earn? But like I've said riders that don't double up still come back! You can't argue with that. IL have what your having jesus. You really think we should tell riders to RETIRE do you? That literally kills British speedway . The NDL would simply die . Every rider started off somewhere. Literally doing it for fun. Investing time and money for the hope they one day can make it. So would you get rid of the NDL? The fact you think riders like Lambert should retire is an insult to him. He's been a great servant to British speedway over years. Promoting the sport by taking his bikes into schools and never giving up. Your head is completely in the sand regarding the current state of the sport in the country. Your just so happy to carry on as normal when there are so many issues right now. Clubs are closing down every year don't you realise that? Your happy with that are you? For riders to double up and bankrupt clubs ? You haven't still answered my questions have you? Or anyone else's? Typical champagne premiership fan.

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

Those offering top dollar simply to ride are doing no favours to anyone. Perhaps the NDL should be restricted to standard bikes or e bikes and the next step will be once they have honed there craft they make it to semi professional racing. This should a development league and to make it open to many as possible, costs need to be kept to a minimum so that those who cannot make the grade have not lost an arm and leg in-terms of investment. Entry level costs need to be kept as low as possible to attract the widest possible numbers. Expecting youngsters and the family to splash out thousands to compete is unrealistic but yet again those in charge fail to think outside the box. The sport’s governing body really is run by a selfish bunch who like promoters are all on the take but give very little back in return pretending that they are doing everyone a favour whereas the opposite is true.

There has certainly been plenty of dense fog blinding the way....

I think we all know that Bogdanov would win the world title at a canter. But until they let the Russians back in ( soon I hope), the world champion is the top scorer in the world series. Incidentally, I'd be interested to see how the top Europeans would fare against the Russian older school like Khomitsevich, Kononov, Koltakov, Valeev etc now. Bogdanov is totally smashing them.

In the mid 90’s I used to race at a weekend supercoss / speedway meeting in the Munich Olympic-halle ( the massive indoor velodrome stadium next to the main Olympic stadium.) 8-10,000 people watching. The speedway was on late afternoon / early evening, the floor was boarded over with wood and we were all supplied with Metzeler road tyres … they sponsored the event, lights / loud music/ lasers the lot. For the evening event they wheeled in all the jumps / berms etc made out of wood for the track set up ( it took about 1/2 hour). The meeting was just as you’d expect with the riders disappearing into the stands under the seating, racing around corridors and appearing on the other side of the stadium. Brilliant mental stuff. It was great fun, ( paid well), there was no expensive temporary track to be installed and apparently the supercross berms / jumps could be used at other events. it’s not rocket science.

It does help when the sports are held indoors with light shows and music but promoters need to put on a show as you say. I remember going to an Ice Hockey game in Canada about 20 years ago and it was great , loud music when points were scored, big tv screens and fire machines etc.

The places he rejected last year were a Friday and Saturday night tracks. So pretty much same as Scunny. Also remember he couldn’t be bothered coming to Armadale one Friday for Belle Vue I think it was in the NDL but don’t tell anyone till the afternoon he wasn’t coming, real reliable. Nothing actually against Nathan, cause actually a good lad.

An excellent summary of how it works

Also Brighton and Bournemouth withe some riders on 250cc bikes.

36 matches, I make that just over around 5 weeks work! 🤔

Lynn fans always enjoy their speedway also helps that the three lads named should be core England lads in 5-7 years so long as they avoid big smashes and aren't expected to jump to high to soon and have confidence smashed as we have seen with many English decent young prospects over the years.

Well done on the promotion on bringing in a new british rider. Some of the best british youth have came in with scrutiny regarding previous seasons and not the potential they possess.

But could you watch a race from the centre green 😂

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...

Yeah he was just crap

Huge selection of speedway badges coming up at auction. Could be of interest to some. Starts at lot 339 https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/mitchells/catalogue-id-srmit10309?page=6

Glasgow ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Edinburgh

Very good news, well done to all involved. Fingers crossed that this is the beginning of the end and that consortium can get on with the job of restoring the stadium.

Big ego’s with little brains unfortunately.

I think he still has a lot to offer and the best place for him to learn and gain this Speedway experience is an extended spell, 2 or 3 years, in the NDL imo, I don't think him seeing a shrink to talk him into how to be aggressive in a first bend will make any difference at all.