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Speedway Tracks to Replace Air-Filled Safety Fences with Water-Filled Barriers in Groundbreaking Innovation In a revolutionary move set to change the face of speedway racing, the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB) has announced that traditional air-filled safety fences will be replaced by state-of-the-art water-filled barriers. This bold initiative aims to combine safety with track maintenance, allowing circuits to water the track without the need for tractor breaks. The “HydroBarrier” system, developed in secret over the past two years, features high-capacity water bladders positioned around the track perimeter. During races, if dust levels rise, automated valves will release a fine mist onto the surface—all without pausing the action! A spokesperson said: "We’ve always looked for ways to improve safety and efficiency. Air fences absorb impacts well, but water disperses energy even better! Plus, riders will get a refreshing splash instead of a hard bounce." Early testing has seen mixed reactions from riders, one said: "I slid out, hit the fence, and suddenly it was like being hit by a tidal wave! My bike floated away, but at least I wasn’t hurt." Despite concerns over soggy race suits and potential track flooding, promoters insist this is the future of speedway. A trial event is scheduled in the next couple of weeks, though sources say backup dryers are already on standby, just in case.

Wasn’t dirty riding so don’t know who would have suggested that unless they just hate Holder, I don’t particularly like him but it was deffo just a racing incident, he came up the inside and the gap was there as blodorn slightly ran wide but then Norick cut but and the gap disappeared fast, they both collided but technically you could say holder was ahead of him at the time of the incident. I don’t think anyone was to blame really, if you blame holder for those types of passes then you’ll see no racing at all.

According to some on here with an agenda , it was absolute garbage. Looking forward to seeing the thrill a minute passer’s paradise that foxhall regularly produces to put that right.

The Poole promotion were quoted as saying, when they signed him, that they knew he would miss some meetings at weekends but would do their best to work around it to minimise it.. Given he already had a Polish contract, Poole are secondary in priority... The Aces ride Monday and Thursday so shouldn't clash... Poole didn't have to sign him, knowing he would 100% miss meetings... No one held a gun to their head..

Way too late to sort these problems out.Warning signs have been about for years.Beyond repair IMO

IF the promoters aren't taking the sport seriously, then why should the fans bother turning up at all ?? Teams signing riders who they know will miss meetings sums the sport up. It's basically Mickey Mouse. No wonder the TV companies have washed their hands of it.

I thought Linda had done another video...

Yes could only happen in speedway 😂

I know the government wants us to do more recycling, but this is taking the p1ss!

Sour grapes and all that 😂 you barely get 6,000 when the Grand Prix comes into your city 😉

Wasn’t a bad meeting, enjoyed the coverage on BV TV, and the antics of Stoney. You don’t get those types of characters in speedway much these days, especially top level riders. Holder was just a bit hard of Blodorn, he didn’t need to make that move as he would of passed him at some point anyways. Pleased for Tate, he is just a natural on a bike, looked very quick out front when he gated and well on the pace compared to last season. Hopefully he will be back to his best riding alongside Cookie for the Comets, the pair were telepathic together in 2024. It was an average meeting for BV standards, which says a lot about the track because it was still rather enjoyable to watch IMO.

Lidsey 7.87 Iversen 6.71 Klindt 6.46 Zagar 6.46 Batchelor 4.73 Thomson 3.96 Harrison 3.00 Total 36.19 averages off speedway-stats they all look right.

Matt did say in an interview, it's up to Kyle, if he's going well, they would re look at it

Didn't even read the post as couldn't get past the memories of Jet Set Willy on the Spectrum from back in the day

It's been that way for far too long a time now to ever change... Ironically, some say "guesting" is a necessary evil... It isn't... It's now become a fundamental part of the operating model, hence meetings get planned in, well in advance, knowing riders will be missing... Considering it is such a "dangerous sport" the amount of injuries are actually very low... Isn't it amazing that the same injured rider can ride in Poland but, at the same time, not the UK?... Simply that is because the UK are happy to "put out any Speedway" regardless of credibility, and will borrow a replacement... To be taken seriously, a team sport needs integrity and credibility, but this costs money.... And when there is such a lack of prestige, and financial reward in winning UK Speedway Leagues (iroincally again, all down to their very own operating model), I can understand why "making it up as they go along" is the plan they follow.. Especially for those who run their team as a hobby... Those fans "who wear the club shop" still collude with those in charge, that what they are watching is relevant, and bona fide.. The rest, (the majority of fans), take it for what it is, however, those fans will be ones that "can take it or leave it"... Which isn't a great outlook, if you want your team sport to be successful...

When bomber guests for them every other week he’ll bring the average age of that team down ..

remember the last time dads army came to the party 👀

I think it is a good idea. It would save so much time watering the track... And. If, like in the GP's you need to flood tracks akin to biblical proportions, you could just "pop" the fence and gallons of water would instantly cover the circuit... Obviously you would need a repair kit to seal up the hole, but I am sure an ex World Champion could devise an "official one" to be used solely.... The only downside to having the track soaked so quickly though, would be it reduces, considerably, the length of time Phil would be on screen, directing operations... Màybe he could learn juggling and do that for ten minutes, whilst being covered by the cameras?..

And ran In front of almost 6,000 loyal fans too each week, desperate to hold on to the title.....

Well I was hoping someone would post a reasonable report of the action of the meeting, rather than 3 pages of Cairns chat but hey ho. Will be at Owlerton for an inevitable Aces humiliation on Thursday.

Sums up UK Speedway doesnt it? Teams are fully allowed to sign riders knowing they will miss meetings, (invariably away meetings), but, if they plan their fixture list well, they can actually improve their team by bringing in a track specialist ringer... Can't believe that more people don't take this sport more seriously...

Probably makes them stronger cook isn't very good around plymouth

The reality from Will on the Belle Vue socials. Cairns said: “I’m really looking forward to the season. Obviously I’m still only 16 so I’ve got lots of learning to do, and lots of experience to gain. “It would be nice to try and beat the other Rising Stars, but I know I’ve definitely got my work cut out there. “I think this year is all about learning and trying to find my feet. I would like to improve my average, but only time will tell!” What BSF hear. Obviously I’m the new great white hope for UK speedway and I’m looking forward to rinsing the other RS’s and tbh some second strings as well. I’m probably the best hope for the future of UK speedway and can see myself emulating Tai with at least 3 world titles. I just hope that if it does take time to find my feet the fans will offer encouragement rather than getting on my back after one race.

No this isn't another April Fool (another?🤔) If a possible shortage of jet fuel is a reality and not just another media catastrophisation, how would the PL look if riders based themselves and prioritised Poland over UK racing... Belle Vue and Northamptoningham could be in trouble... I'm sure our leaders have a plan in place to carry on running though 😁 Belle Vue Aces: 1. Brady Kurtz 8.97 2. Norick Blödorn 4.87 3. Peter Kildemand 5.28 4. Zack Cook 6.20 5. Dan Bewley 8.64 (8.86) 6. Tate Zischke 3.00 7. William Cairns (R/S) Ipswich Witches: 1. Tom Brennan 7.05 (7.23) 2. Scott Nicholls 5.55 (5.69) 3. Danny King 6.50 (6.67) 4. Tobiasz Musielak 6.63 5. Richard Lawson 6.83 (7.00) 6. Philip Hellstrom-Bangs 4.00 7. Jason Edwards (R/S) King's Lynn Stars: 1. Max Fricke 9.89 2. Paco Castagna 4.13 3. Chris Harris 6.53 (6.70) 4. Ben Cook 6.39 5. Jan Kvech 6.91 6. Cooper Rushen 3.00 7. Jody Scott (R/S) Leicester Lions: 1. Ryan Douglas 8.12 2. Kyle Howarth 5.00 (5.13) 3. Dan Thompson 5.87 (6.02) 4. Nick Morris 5.89 5. Sam Masters 7.28 6. Drew Kemp 4.72 (4.84) 7. Dan Gilkes (R/S) Nothampton: 1. Lidsey 2. Batchelor 3. Klindt 4. Zagar 5. Iversen 6. Thomsen 7. Harrison Sheffield Tigers: 1. Jack Holder 9.08 2. Leon Flint 5.06 (6.74) 3. Anders Rowe 5.22 (5.35) 4. Chris Holder 6.84 5. Josh Pickering 7.76 6. Jye Etheridge 3.00 7. Luke Killeen (R/S)

Weather should be fine, maybe a shower in the morning but looking dry for the evening.

Ah my stalker returns! If you mean that the club wouldn't agree to his demands (or his attitude)- then you are correct.

Looking forward to seeing Stars in action. To me there seems to be plenty of entertainers in the team. That’s great. A few years ago there were those who disappointed on that score. No names, no pack drill. I can accept defeats (we’ve seen a few !) but if riders try all the way, I will clap and support. I like to be entertained so if you win the race, pick up the flag, wheelies, wave but no straight back to the pits unless extenuating circumstances. Because of where I live, it costs me thousands of pounds to see the Stars each year. No complaints on that score but I do love telling people what a good night it has been. This year’s team looks set to deliver. Well done to Keith, Rob, Dale and the KL speedway team. Cant wait to get trackside. Boy was it cold for Nicolai testimonial.

Bomber, Lawson, King and Nicholls are the answer.... (Just like every season)....

I don’t think anyone is hammering Cairns … over reaction from Belle Vue fans…… I thought Mulford would be a much better better option Belle Vue rely on winning big at home but Sheffield kept it tight with their 3 heat leaders only getting less than 7 each If Sheffield stay fit should be champions in my opinion

You commit to every single fixture or you're not allowed to sign.

You never crumble, would that be with custard? Norick would have scored well!! Will Cairns had a bad night with mechanical gremlins, hope he gets that sorted for the more important Poole meetings!

Might depend on how old you are. In amateur era the local enemy used to be Coventry, but i know from mid 1990's in the professional era it's been Northampton (i still know many active Tigers supporters).

What are the options tho?

Captain Mainwearing!

No not Dave . I mean the club owner.

Hopefully it'll go to employ a number 1 once the first set of averages come out!

craig and tate rode well together in 2024 so maybe a good order at home maybe switch craig to 5 away if batch not on form but think he will be ok

Decent enough opener with the interest of The Aces taking to the track collectively for the first time this season diverting attention from the lack of racing early on. This winter & recent rain produced a very grippy circuit which we all know is a no no. Probably 4-5 races with any passing and all towards the end so I can see why fans might think it a poor night, the hold ups for Norick didn’t help but I never crumble when an injured rider is being see to and nor should anyone else imo. More positives than negatives from The Aces against the champions elect. Top two and middle order were fine. Norick would have scored well and Tate top scored so that settles the nerves for the coming season. Poor Will had a night to forget but hopefully that’s behind him now and no more ef’s. The Aces were gating better overall than usual and if they manage to get of the start away from home we’ll be set fair for a productive season.

He is annoyed by anything Poole do!

Still stings, clearly 🙄 And we’ve STILL to see the resurrection of @AceBelle 😲😂

My predictions 1. Glasgow 2. Poole 3. Oxford 4. Edinburgh 5. Plymouth 6. Berwick 7. Redcar 8. Workington 9. Scunthorpe Found this a tough prediction to make, apart from Scunthorpe think any other team could make the top 4. Glasgow look to have a strong top end & have been clever with their reserves riding in "lower" positions than last year, so both should see average improvement. Poole don't look as impressive as in previous years, but Rushen could prove to be a masterstroke if he likes up to the hype. Oxford have the best heat leader trip, plus 2 second strings who have a lot of potential. Reserve strength could stop them winning trophies though. Edinburgh look a good team to me, think their reserves will add to their averages, as will Dan & Kye. If the other 3 can maintain their averages, I'll predict play-offs. Plymouth look stronger than in recent years, if Klima can prove to be a trump card, then play-offs well within their reach. Berwick's heat leader trip look very decent, Etheridge could be a 4th heat leader at home (not away), but don't rate their reserves that highly. Redcar appear to be missing back up for Wright / Klindt. Whoever is at reserve should score well, which keeps them mid table, but don't think they are quite as strong as teams above them. Workington on paper, look great at the top, but sadly Cook appears a risk, will he last the season? One of the weaker reserve pairings for me. Scunthorpe clearly looks the weakest team to me, can see heavy defeats away from home. Need to wave the magic wand with Pickering's new average, to avoid the wooden spoon.

Cookie and Tate at 3 and 4, would be very formidable. Think we are in for an exciting season Comets fans.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002t1sq Ooh, that is the closest i've heard them say about moving up to the Prem in the media. Interesting! Only 2 things needed: Good tv deal Weds nights. Not asking for much! Apparently we would have both Cook's and both Holder's.

I do think nowadays riders don’t really go through the hard yards like they use to,the fact is for everyone that really makes it (top 5 in world) there are a couple of hundred that fail, there are some really exceptional talents in speedway who were always going to make it like zmarzlik and bewley and then there are others like gollob and Pedersen who went that extra mile to make it but on the whole 99% just forge a league career which is no bad thing but my original point to this is you have to ride the struggle and get through it because it will come when you’re up against it and nothing goes right and the world is to blame and that experience will help you get through it,speedway is a mind game, the head on your shoulders is as important as the head on your engine, I’ve watched both Rushen and Cairns and indeed bickley, they all have the talent,Rushen seems the most natural on a bike but all 3 seemed from the outside looking in to have had the their career so far on the crest of a wave but the moment you take that to the serious stuff and three others want your peice of track it’s a whole new world and unless you are headstrong it’s a harsh one, good luck to both Cairns and Rushen and hope bickley makes a comeback too

So, a young British kid (once again), goes from being a future World Champion, to being just another overrated rider... And. All in one meeting!!!!😁 Hyping these kids up does no one any favours, yet plenty seem to do it... "I watched him ride after the match and his times were close to those in the meeting itself"!! Was one particular pearl of wisdom I read about him about 18 months ago.. Riding on your own, without three far more experienced riders nailing you on turns one and two is a bit different from riding on your own, and your times , and finishing positions, in those races will get hit quite severely... Being fast is one thing, being a Speedway rider is another... Let the kid develop at his own pace, like all should be allowed to, as the entry level for UK riders is quite a low bar, therefore one or two can look "amazing" when riding against their peer group at 15/16... If these lads are Championship second strings by the end of 2027 then they are on track to become Premiership second strings, around two years later, (at 20/21 years old).... If they reach that level, then by 23 or so, Premiership HL and International level will be there "glide path"... Not many are Woffinden, Bewley or Robert Lambert level by 21 years of age, so just let these lads develop... And the aim isn't to have future World Champs, the aim is to fill team spaces with UK lads, something the sport desperately needs...

All tracks can serve up dull meetings even the best ones like the NSS especially early in the season. You’ll get more entertaining ones than dull ones around there though over the course of the season.

Yep and back in the day meetings were held morning afternoon and evening with some real derby matches. As a Hackney supporter in those days I remember travelling to Ipswich in the morning and the return at Hackney in the evening. At Rayleigh you had a morning meeting followed by a return over the weekend with either Canterbury, Eastbourne or Boston. Today you have so few teams you cannot even have a regular weekly meeting and as a sport which should be thriving in the summer months you end up with a calendar devoid of meetings when support should be flocking to tracks and today the lack of ability to capitalise on those months when the sport should be attracting punters is consigned to history. Sadly it is a pale shadow of what used to be such a great bank holiday extravaganza.

Back in the day a decent Good Friday could financially secure the season at Ipswich Often attracted 4,000 plus

Good for him. He take flak on here but I think he's a great commentator & enjoyable to listen to, better than a monotone nerd/dullard🙂

I saw him at Scunny at weekend. I tried to take a photo, but my phone was stuck on zoom and I only got his arm