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There were a number of “Big Guns” as such in the original plans, but Poland arranged sparring matches and as it is their day of the week they pulled rank unfortunately. It was not riders refusing to do it, Paul Ackroyd said this yesterday. They possibly do have insurance but that isn’t the point, for example within minutes of a rider crashing insurance doesn’t arrange to pay for transport or a hotel for his family to be at the hospital, and look after them once there. Or in some cases pay for a flight the next for the family to fly from wherever in the world to be with them. Or even just to have someone on the phone organising things for them when in a split second their lives are turned upside down. And then the immediate weeks and months or helping with bills, until the insurance might come in which could be a while. Nor does the insurance kick in 30 years down the line for an operation to help fix a speedway injury long after the event which wasn’t a problem at the time, but through age you need a hip replacement. Or those who need ongoing care, like Ricky Ashworth or Garry Stead, regardless of whatever else they may get (if anything I don’t know), getting extra support to make life a little better surely is the point.

While I respect the views of the 'good old days' brigade I think we are way past the point where random bikes and kevlars for team mates are acceptable or appropriate for our sport or any other which claims to be professional. British speedway gets plenty of things wrong but the correct team image is vital with social media, live streaming/TV and merchandise sales etc. Can't think of any other team sport where a side looks like waifs and strays and doesn't all wear the same kit.

I'm not sure I understand all this stressing about the name. People are talking as if Foxes is synonymous with Leicester. If that is the case then why are the Speedway team called the Lions, and the Rugby team called the Tigers ?

I don't know... A 30 something year old, grey, now far too small to cover a gut, Iron Maiden 1992 Tour T shirt, matched with a pair of dirty blue jeans, (also now too small), allows for a surfeit of "arse crack", when bending over and fixing a chain, which always looks professional on the TV...

Kevin certainly doesnt get put off by less than perfect track conditions due to weather. The lad can certainly gate, ride slick or grippy, can ride a tight inside line and when pushed to the outside isnt fazed either. Extremely professional approach , fantastic determination and looks like a great signing for Glasgow after outshining several heat leaders who know Ashfiled like the back of their hand.

I would rather trust that departed bigwig to bring change to the sport than the other 2 and I think when we finally find out why he departed it may well be that he was stopped from bringing change, bringing a new team isn’t change it’s a new club joining a failing system no matter how much its cost or who its cost, n new club is a positive step but until change happens thst club will be in the same boat as the others

I agree and this should extend to the mechanics and officials too, optics matter

Links for today: https://vk.com/video-234681448_456239080 https://vk.com/video-81427162_456239772 https://vk.com/video-53550004_456242516

Is it really the case that people won’t attend due to the name Foxes? If so I’m either really laid back or out of touch with modern sensibilities. I just hope Mark doesn’t bring along his bleedin’ podium.

Barker, Brennan (who flew in from Poland and flies back out today) and Thompson spoke very passionately in interviews on BSN about the Ben Fund and what it means to them as riders regardless of the fact they will be insured.

BBC couldn't forecast tomorrow is Saturday never mind the weather 7 days away

Premiership season kicks orf tomorrow and nobody has started a thread 😂 when was the last time that happened in years gone by? Been a winter of turmoil and it’s obviously (understandably) affected people’s enthusiasm. Anyway, fancy an away win here. Belle Vue are always a strong home side but have a tendency to start the season slowly and Sheffield have a better side.

I’m not knocking the 2 said individuals and their will to improve the product as did the 50 or so forward thinking promoters who went before them, I know there are good people in the sport, my point is they have conflicting jobs in the sport and therefor they can never be objective so shouldn’t have a job on the board of the sport, I know rob godfrey doesn’t understand the word independent but you do

And so it begins......

So a no to the new Northampton promoter introducing himself in his tracky bottoms then 😂

If it does contrary to rod Godfrey saying they all get on, they don’t and within time ego’s will come into play (they always do in any business)hopefully it’s a big success and makes money to keep those ego’s at bay

I don't think it's too much to ask and expect to know where the money is going, just like other charity appeals, Children in Need & Comic Relief always show on their shows how some of the money is spent, it may even help with donations, but as usual with Speedway, information is very hard to come by. Alongside their undoubtedly much needed grants that have been given, have been a couple of reports, in recent times, of how money has been spent for, at best, more dubious reasons that don't really fall within their stated aims. 🤔 All I'm saying is a little transparency is a good thing, especially when asking for people's hard earned.

Best to ask Reg Fearman or Alan Jones why Lions name was chosen in 1968. Leicester Tigers name goes back to 1880 and the local regiment after which the club was named. Leicester City FC has had Fox identity for a long time (I'm no football historian) but have used it increasingly in marketing since maybe 40 years ago. Leicestershire CCC has had Fox badge for as long as i can recall and like LCFC the club has increased its use in marketing and "brand identity". When Leicester Speedway was reborn in 2011, LCFC and LCCC had the Fox branding well and truly established and so it rightly continued the Lions branding even with a 28 year gap, regardless of why the name had been chosen in 1968. Leicester/shire is something of a sporting Mecca, and it would be very messy if all of them were called "Foxes"! But even so, Leicester/shire sport does have a strong Fox identity, and its attempted appropriation by Northampton speedway is a terrible and unbelievable mistake. Should be Falcons in my opinion

Hopefully it returns as we get stuck in to the season. We all love our Speedway despite the noise and the habit is difficult to shake off at least for the majority of us. Stick with it Iain we DO have a positive in that we’ve got a brand new track up and running, and let’s hope this time next year we have another one or two joining the party and things look a lot healthier.

... and City are of course "Citeh" 😂

Except Ipswich, where the loocals call their teaum: Towen - with the cheery encouragement "Uppa Towen!".

Cold night in Glasgow but some superb speedway on show , well done all !

The line-up matters very very much. These "Big Guns" need to be less selfish with their time for a great cause that is there for them. If anything happens, they'd be quick sharp on the blower for a hand out. All monies don't stretch very far in 2026 so an afternoon of their time wouldn't go a miss.

He indeed spoke very well, and was very professional, you can see that he is a level up from everyone else within the speedway community, very open about how people within speedway are only interested in what is good for themselves and not what’s right for the sport, I liked the change regarding FIM points system next year and his input into that! I was impressed with most of what he had to say, even touching on Grand Prix in GB vs in Europe and the amount of issues this country causes in terms of costs and putting on events.

Is it me or has this been the most stuttering start to a season ever? The PCMT & Klindt's testimonial, then nothing except for a few Redcar/Scunny encounters, Ben Fund & Belle Vue, then nothing... Good Friday! 2 meetings on! One at Poole and one at Edinburgh... Scunny not even bothering (maybe this was the "wow" news Godfrey has been referring to) What a state of affairs!

Does this Adrian Smith hand out the Iron Maiden tee shirts you referred to in a previous post to the mechanics? All seems to make sense!

As you're on the good old Interwebnet thing to be able to post on here, why not contact the club via email or a message on their social media channels.

Just been watching World Superbikes and Moto Gp what entertainment superb action.

Think you’re talking about me there in my mechanic days

I found that odd also. Second choice of gates and picked the worst.

I’d agree with that and it would no doubt help in speedways much needed aspect of creating personalities, good & bad for fans to engage with.

So Leicester were called the Hunters at the same time as the Brafield Flying Foxes existed. 😉 Far from it being an 'attempted appropriation' or a 'lack of local knowledge', it is historically accurate in returning to the name of the original team that rode at the same stadium. Most 'older' stock car fans still refer to the stadium as Brafield rather than Northampton.

Look at Berwick there is a bear on town coat of arms but we are called Bandits

About 15-20 Comets fans present at last nights Ben Fund meeting at Glasgow, Stoney made an appearance promoting his "Skinflint Rally " challenge in aid of the Ben Fund. Basically Stoney and co driver (ex mechanic) have sourced a car for under £500 and have to drive to Nice completing challenges along the way. The Rally takes place in September and a just giving page is to be set up.

Get what you are saying @IainB but they as a charity surly don't need to put every penny spent down, we all know the amount raised is falling every year, we know by several updates, who in current times and over the years they have had and still are helping, don't want to single anyone out, but to my knowledge by reading or being told by riders public words, Tom Brennan Tate Zischke Ben Barker past Joe Owen Lawrence Hare Alan Wilkinson, obliviously many many more. Just be thankful that this charity is running to help the riders and families out, now and in the future

No Scottish cup meeting this year to begin the season is very disappointing especially with the Easter bank holiday week end coming up. Missed a big trick there I feel.

Covers on- bad weather in Poland today but hopefully better later.

Dan had a fall at Leicester’s press&practice and was limping in the pits after it Nick also came off but he still managed a few laps at Berwick on Friday

How do you know the Big Guns would be straight on the blower for a handout ? I'd hazard a guess most of them have insurance to cover injuries etc.

Well I would imagine his last average was probably a bit higher than Gilkes and probably wouldnt get enough reduction for him to fit.

NO, NO, NO!!!!!. 🤬🤬 THAT WOULD BE VERY WRONG. 😵😵

Always the same riders commit to a meeting with a well deserved cause, but pull out last minute, then people wonder why fans won't travel to support said meetings especially as it's not a good forecast

Given the cause you'd think all riders would be keen to ride as it supports them!

I dont think its ever anything to do with the track who stage it, and I belive the riders ride for free which is why 'top stars' very rarely appear.

12 out of 16 riders announced but not a very inspiring line up imo, thought Glasgow promotion may have persuaded some top stars to appear

Bollo*ks more like. Another negativity know it all…🤦🏻‍♂️

dohhh, you know who I mean Daniel BEWLAY ... the bloke who rides for Belle Vue. Connor Rushen is always being mis-spelt. Along with that Australian fella Sedgeman ..I always got his name wrong.

Bewdley cannot ride in the British Final as its the same night as the pairs tournament in Iceland where both riders represent small towns. His team partner is Rushden.