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Update on former Berwick rider Connor Coles posted on social media. After 6½ weeks in hospital and rehabilitation, Connor is finally home. To say we’re grateful is an understatement. There were times when we didn’t know what the future would look like, so having him back home with us and the girls is the best feeling in the world. The progress he has made has been incredible. Just over two weeks ago he was largely bedbound, struggling to talk and eating puréed food. Today he’s walking, talking (all be it still very quietly) eating normal meals and continuing his recovery at home with his family. He still has a long road ahead, with ongoing appointments, exercises and rehabilitation, but today is a huge milestone and one we weren’t sure we’d see so soon. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, checked in on us, helped with the girls, visited Connor, donated, fundraised and kept us going through the hardest weeks of our lives. Every message, phone call and act of kindness has meant more than you’ll ever know. We also want to thank every single member of staff involved in Connor’s care and rehabilitation. Your support, encouragement, expertise and belief in him have helped get him home to us, and we will be forever grateful. Recovery doesn’t stop here, but we’re simply grateful to have our family back under one roof agai

Best call the whole thing off today.... In the great tradition of UK Speedway....

Racing will be on both days, regular nss attendee's know what manchester is like and what the track can take. unless the weather is biblical rain all day ( which it wont be) we will be fine so chill out and stop moaning

What I do miss are the Wembley Finals set in the magnificence of the Empire Stadium with 90,000 fans yelling their heads off..... But then I'm just an old codger, so what do you expect?

Influenced of course by the almost wholly right-wing media. Where's the headlines praising the Government for the massive reduction in immigration and small boats which has been achieved since 2024/5?? How about the progress with the NHS and reduced waiting lists?? No, all we get is Peter Mandleson stood in his pants - as if that had any real impact on people in the UK 🙄

If you vote Reform you must be a racist.

Do I miss Cardiff? Absolutely. I miss the whole experience of the day. Cardiff felt like a genuine event. The atmosphere in the city, the build-up, and the sheer scale of it made it a massive occasion on the calendar. We all know the track itself wasn't always brilliant, and if we are talking purely about the racing, Belle Vue is leagues ahead. NSS is a phenomenal racetrack, probably the best in the world right now, but the location is the big letdown. There is very little to do around the stadium compared to a city centre venue. If Cardiff was an 'event' day, Belle Vue relies purely on the track action, which I suppose for Speedway is really what you want. For a GP to really work there long-term, the Fan Zone is going to have to be incredibly special. We need proper entertainment and engagement, not just a rider doing a back-wheel burnout on a stage. Being realistic about why Cardiff ended, you could actively see the crowds falling away year on year. It perfectly mirrored the decline of British Speedway and the closure of so many of traditional tracks over the last couple of decades. The fan base shrunk, and the event sadly lost its momentum. I don't see the need for a double-header weekend at BV. Just keep it to a single GP on the Saturday night. I'd like to see Glasgow get one as well. Looking at the current meeting thread, almost all the talk is about the weather forecast. That just highlights one of the biggest perks of the Principality Stadium, we never had that worry at Cardiff. Rain or shine, you knew the meeting was ON. We just had to wait and see what sort of track they served up.

The only other league sport, that I can think of, that is so badly effected by weather is Cricket, they don't faff about trying to rearrange matches etc. Points are divided up and everybody moves on... Cricket seems to be doing quite well these days with their £880,000,000 4 year TV deal 🤔. ... still, we know best 👌

Been to several Cardiff gp over the years, either staying in Cardiff or travelling in from portishead (family) was great to meet up with friends/fans in Cardiff before and after the meeting and for food. Where this weekend at belle Vue theirs nowhere to meet up for a drink or meal. Yes longsight club but it is very small, and Kentucky on the other side of Hyde road, that's all, yes a fan zone but big queue for drinks, no central area in city centre to meet up before catching bus to belle Vue, may pop into spoons at Piccadilly before the bus, but the last time I was in there it was iffy . Give me Cardiff anyday dispite the racing

Interested to know why you feel his statement was stupid - having read his comments in full he was addressing the entire issue of meeting postponements / rain offs and the habit of postponing things perhaps on a whim. I was at the aborted BV match and I personally felt the track would and could be ridden - the bikes never warmed up and not one rider either offered or was asked to test the track, or at least not one bike even rode a lap to test things. - came away feeling not enough had been done on that one! The annoucement said they were going to scrape off the surface and then after some token efforst the annoucement was its off!! He was really alluding to was a lack of professionalism and consistency - he cited that in almost 200 SGP etc events they had only 2 rain offs. If the sport is to be taken seriously and thrive which is, i think what we all want, then somehow things like this needs addressing. Yes there is perhaps a element of the (naive) newbie having a say and perhaps ruffling a few feathers etc but, in part his comments were perhaps aimed at both promoters and riders. If things don't get more professional / improve etc etc blah blah waffle piffle and Mayfield decided to say exit speedway in 2031 etc everyone will be back about missed opportunities and why won't the big money men touch our little sport! The change (largely in attitude) has to start somewhere!

I just think it was a natural demise... The novelty wore off, the hotel prices took the pee, the racing wasn't much cop, and well over a dozen tracks, some with big followings, have closed down over the past couple of decades.. Cardiff just mirrored the sports overall dropping fan base... Ironically the tickets were excellent value for money in the context of the size of stadium and overall event status..

Some gullible people on here, starting to believe weather forecasts are in anyway accurate is downward spiral in life, it is not healthy and not a good idea if you wish to keep your sanity...if you do believe in weather fore casts you must be Labour voters who believe in Ed Miliband!

Yes they got it sorted correctly 6.17

stupid was probably worded badly by me, but he must understand that with speedway, a sport where weather plays a massive part that promotors have to go go with what the weather apps are telling them, any rain that falls, can be as little as 0.1 mil can affect the attendance 10 fold. im sure he wants to change the way the sport is run and i hope he is successful in doing so, hes got good vision it seems but having a little bite at teams early postpoments was not necessary for me

Which is why call offs are so frequent... Fixture pile up pressure used to focus the mind on getting meetings on, due to often running weekly.. Now you still have plenty of Mondays and Thursdays left to run those postponed meetings.. Mondays and Thursdays later in the season which, (with a certain irony as the clock is suddenly ticking to compete the season), often get run in very ropey conditions!!! So much of what all this self policing does is show how important an independent governing body or person would be, as if they decreed, (as they would), "one point each, move on", so many more meetings would take place... Also, so many more riders wouldn't be allowed, (without proper sanction), to duck out of UK meetings whilst still riding elsewhere, and domestic meetings wouldn't be allowed to be planned in against other meetings elsewhere, when you 100% know riders will be missing... Hence, we will never have an independent body or person in charge..

I don’t miss it as I last went in 2018 when Tai came 2nd - I did used to love the whole event every year and went from 2001 to about 2008/9 - I was there to see the Trick wall of death ride the Emil / Scott handbags and of course Bombers win in 2007. my old man, sadly departed in 2022, and I used to go every year we started at Coventry in 2000 that was a fab event too as were the old British finals we used to attend in the late 80s it was more than just about the SGP tho it was a whole weekend event if you wanted it to be just like the old British finals etc were a big day out - there was a meeting on the Friday night at Somerset and then one at Newport before they closed on the Sunday or was that the other way round?. There was also the meeting of friends from this forum in the Prince of Wales for a few hrs before and after the event! Like most things I suppose it had it’s day - I don’t miss the scramble for the hotels and like a few others stayed well outside Cardiff in Bristol Newport etc on a few occasions as the hotels started ramping up prices! Glad I got to do it and really enjoyed it for a while!

Links for Łódź v Ostrów: https://vksport.m.vkvideo.ru/video-53550004_456242681 https://vk.com/video-234681448_456239226

We have been watering the track this afternoon and evening. Track needed it. Tomorrow wont be as wet as people think. Saturday is only patchy rain and again it wouldn't surprise me if we water it before the start time

I used to look forward to the Cardiff GP personally, more of a social event then just purely the meeting itself, drive up on a Friday afternoon/early evening, wander round the city before and after the meeting, then spend Sunday at Cardiff Bay before driving home Sunday evening, found it something to look to on the calendar every year. British Final at Coventry back in the day was another meeting year on year that was one to look forward to.

They were fab weren’t they - the jeopardy of the one of final did have something! It meant every race was keenly contested and the racing could be frantic at times as riders either went for the title or a qualification place! Happy days!

The only watch out will be the track being too grippy... I am sure though with the quality of the track team involved they will deliver....

I really do miss the weekend in Cardiff - as has been said the racing could be patchy, but the feeling in the city, seeing fans around from all clubs (both current and historic) and the feeling of a big stadium was always something to enjoy. I'm looking forward to this weekend and last years GP was superb, but pouring out of the NSS into a Manchester suburb can't compare with the crowd coming out of the Principality. Pity we couldn't have had both! Surely some regulars on here must miss the opportunity to moan about the whole occasion from the safety of their armchairs and keyboards!

All good points... One GP at the NSS wouldn't be viable though.... Capacity would be around 4,500 as the East Stand would be cost prohibitive... You would be looking at every standing ticket over £100, and over £150 to sit down... I do think that the city centre in Manchester is untapped potential for the GP's to do a "proper" fanzone as all it does at the stadium is preach to the already converted.. The Aces would also benefit by doing something in the city centre alongside it...

In 2022, those who went back on Sunday had to endure sitting there for FOUR hours with a track grade every TWO races. The big pay-off of the semi-finals and final were called off, because the track had supposedly suddenly deteriorated, when in truth it had been awful since around Heat 12 of the previous day. So the most three important races weren't ON that day, whatever you may choose to claim. Rose-tinted specs, perhaps? I did go to the subsequent two Cardiffs, but many didn't bother. The racing at Cardiff varied between poor and awful - I think that's why the majority stopping going.

Part of the enjoyment was the whole city seemed to embrace it and people were talking about it everywhere you went. Also you could guarantee it would be on although the drainage and facilities at the NSS seem to be so good the meetings there are rarely affected.

Now your talking General the old british finals at Coventry what a great day out 10k plus would turn up, you had Silver, Havelock, Wigg, Tatum, Morton and loads more in with a shout of winning brilliant days. I was 16-19 when I used too go with my best friend and his dad, my mates old man was an utter loon behind the wheel and I always remember the carnage of getting out of the car park after the meeting when he would be doing his biscuit and battling for every inch of space spare heading to the gap out of the field with 5,000 other cars.

Went to every Cardiff GP, but don't miss it. Manchester is better - Friday's meeting last year was better than any meeting staged at Cardiff.

Any business, regardless of industry, cannot hope to succeed when your "opening hours" aren't regular... Expecting your customers to have to constantly check when you are open, rather than just knowing due to consistent opening is asking, and expecting, a lot...

My god is it any wonder that no one (other than the Fords) can make a quid out of the sport how are you expected to hold onto a fan base with a month and half between home match's.

Every meeting will be like opening nite at this rate 😜

No doubt this would've been on, in the 80s, but not these days. "Can you come to play badminton/marbles/tiddlywinks this week?" "What night?" "Thursday." "Oh OK yeah, i used to have speedway that night but it's rarely on these days so I might as well."

Another very noisy and heavy thunderstorm around 4-5pm for an hour, and then heavy rain for about 10 mins around 6pm. More black clouds over Foxhall at 7:40 - although I’m a couple of miles east and the sun is shining. Ipswich fans will be delighted that it’s off, because they’re desperate for a chance to see the Holder Bros flying on a slick dry Foxhall, instead of their usual pootling around on a damp and grippy field.

It was definitely one of the highlights of many a speedway fan’s year. British finals were superb. I used to cheer for KC and Neil Evitts if he was competing. As for the England v USA test matches . Superb racing in carnival atmospheres . Really enjoyed those too.

Still time I would think, for people with clout to get in touch with Manchester airport/ wetherspoons as it's not due to open till September. Would be a great place to put speedway memorabilia and fixtures on and around the walls, as it's gonna be a big place with 300 seats. Just think how much could be displayed if they lined the walls on the way to the loos with memorabilia 😜

In todays star the scunny manager says the real reason they got beat is because the pits are too far from the track and he didnt have time to tell anyone about changes esp for ht 10😂interesting comment from our co promoter we have 28 days to find a replacement for craig!

Or worse, Reform voters who believe Nigel Farage!

I was there also for that one also Roger 16 years old, 41 years ago jeez great atmosphere with the Gunderson v Neilson rivalry at its peak and Sudden Sam nearly nicking the title, Bradford was a good track I also went the year Per Jonson won it and I remember him using the banking to sweep past Jimmy Nilson on the run in to the line. I do remember walking to the stadium though even then you had to be on your toes I can't imagine the place is much better these days. Seems like a lifetime ago now but truly great times.

Freight Island would be good near Piccadilly, only 24 min on public transport or less if they lay on shuttle buses or a 50min walk. The problem there is the cost to use it and the fact it would likely be just fans there. The alternative is Piccadilly Gardens (27 or 63 mins). The problem with Manchester as opposed to Cardiff is the crowd wouldn’t make a dent in the city, even with a Cardiff sized crowd of tens of thousands. Lastly would be the area a the rear of the hotel near the old bingo hall. Setting up many marquees for food and drink plus entertainment would give an area for fans to mingle nearby. For me they have never thought about the greater experience as the fanzone just doesn’t cut it from my experience at any of them. Ok for a bit of a wander but nothing to occupy any great length of time. There are many screen around the city some with seating either temporary or permanent. These have been used for football, tennis, F1 etc. It would be good to get the whole meeting live up onto those screen as a Manchester event. I’ve had pubs up and down the country put speedway on for me whilst away and the response from customers has always been positive considering I was the only fan there.

Must have panicked when they got an email from you and got it corrected pronto😂

Glasgow last weekend showed how to get on with a meeting despite inclement weather. Keep the racing going, forego grading breaks and just plough through. Their presentation was excellent in the circumstances

I quite like the suggestion of awarding one point each and not re-arrange, this would focus minds a bit. It would also mean fixture lists could stay as they are for the season. There would need to be exceptions for playoff meetings and cup meetings where that wouldn't deliver a victor and then if clubs have commitments for x number of meetings they could fill them with other events, like clubs used to hold. I'm not in Ipswich today so can't give the weather picture but it's currently sunny here in Stratford.

Nope not missed at all from me

Here you go probably when the sport was near its peak how it missed Bruce

Klindt has taken the p""s for years now, why anyone bothers signing him is a mystery.

Stayed at Bridgend a few times and Porthcawl caravan site both not far on the train. Never understood why people stayed in Cardiff and paid crazy prices for hotels. Like you quid over the years especially when Bomber won.

what do you think killed it then ? my thoughts are crowds never came back post covid and the night Bewley won it the track was beyond terrible.

In other news it's dry and sunny here in Ipswich, windy too. Tomorrow looks a little wet, who knows if it was premature yet. Without regular speedway people just don't bother and drift off.

Correct call Steve the track is very wet still

Can people just go about their daily business and not constantly moan about speedway in this country. What are you moaning about… the fact it’s raining and we can’t race? That’s the weather’s fault not the promoters, can people give it a rest for a bit please jheeeez. You want them to be able to just race Friday now because it’s raining Thursday? Please sit down and tell me how you can make that work. And if you can’t, don’t bother commenting just for the sake of posting.

There seems to be a mistake with the title of this thread......