Leaderboard

That is not solely what this is about and if a few more turn up at the local track that is a bonus. It is the exposure on free to air television first and foremost that the sport will get which has not happened for years and if enough tune in it could open the door to a television contract which the u k sport needs to survive and rebuild for the future. Like many on here you may not like it so don’t watch. If this could lead to top league speedway from Poland being televised on ITV 4 even it is a recording of the match then the exposure of what it can be like could only help UK speedway. Still with all the negative contributions on here, it might as well fail so that all the critics can say we told you so yet those critics do sweet f a to promote the sport.

Spot on... Strong viewing figures bring sponsorship to the sport... And adverts to the TV company... If the sport is ever to turn around the tanker then it has to start somewhere... Saturday being that first opportunity...

The 1 and 5 are already in place. Or rather, the agreements are already in place. At this point in time, even the Ipswich management have no idea whether rules either here or in Poland over the coming weeks/months, will allow them to proceed.

Ha! I was thinking exactly the same thing! BSPL should really have a hot line giving away free tickets. I know it’s a shared event but the income clubs would get from it is minimal. The stadium needs to be packed out. It’s a massive opportunity for our sport.

No it was his knee!!🤣

I live in Workington, years ago used to go to Coventry for the British final, car full of mates, now in our 60's still watch speedway but more traffic on the roads, 3 hour drive each way, £70 for petrol, £25 to get in, £5 for a programme, somewhere for food, as nothing anywhere near belle Vue or stay at home watch it for free or before the ITV news, pay £14 for a stream .

About time there was a bit of pantomime in the sport again. Absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of theatre, its great for business. Rivalries faux or real shift tickets and some good hearted banter (providing it doesn't overstep the mark) should be encouraged.

Looking back over last Saturday's excitement, perhaps the best observations came from the website reportage. Two paragraphs from which rather sums it up: "...but when all seemed lost, the 2026 Bandits and their own local hero of choice stepped up to the plate and --- with the assistance of a rash teenager and an unfathomable piece of tactical incompetence --- reignited the playoff flame". followed later by: "......celebrations which seem to have got up the nose of the charmless Havelock, who raged over Rushen's exclusion, the floodlighting and just about everything else post-match. All decent attempts to deflect from his tactical shortcomings" Which more or less sums it up. Whatever your views, this was a nerve-tingling meeting with an amazing conclusion and just the thing to keep the Berwick public -- who have been solid in their support in this, their 59th season of speedway, coming back for the next helping on August 22nd....

Having thought about ITV4 being involved in screening the BF i think a hour long highlights show once a week would be a nice thing to see - that would show racing and meetings etc in a good light and hopefully get a few more interested in attending so that is on my wishlist for 2027!

Is there any way of ejecting clowns from this Forum?! 🤡 PART 2

Is there any way of ejecting clowns from this Forum? 🤡 PART 1

Well at least if you heed a guest for the play offs…. At least you know that Adam remembers the quick way around foxhall ….

This is fantastic news. Phil said ticket sales are poor, they need to hand out a load of free tickets and pack the place out then because this is a huge opportunity to sell the product at the best race track in the country. Makes a world of difference with a packed stadium and great atmosphere.

Best track in the world.

I understand and agree but with so few opportunities to get the sport on a main stream terrestrial channel at one of the best tracks in the country is not something that comes along every day. Someone somewhere has been pulling some strings because the current incumbents controlling the sport have failed miserably for years to achieve this so who ever has got the sport to this point is to be applauded. No it won’t solve all the problems and as long as the sport is self governed by those who cannot see beyond the business model which has not worked for years, it will not change overnight. However if this can be used to showcase not just UK speedway but European speedway and yes it might be banging the old drum but put a top flight league meeting from Poland on and you possibly have the makings of a revival of interest. Imagine if one or two clubs were allowed to compete in Polish league racing. Speedway UK needs an injection of good fortune and a kick up the arse. This might just be the start.

The big problem is that 90% of the current promoters would never agree to spend a penny on advertising as they would be worried that the money might help another promotion more than their own.

Yeah usual Batch bollocks.

I’d rather see Jody as a guest anyway, he’s a total trier and gives 100% every time and has strong Oxford support. Kennett’s Cheetahs performances were on the whole lacklustre to say the least with the odd glimmer of what he’s capable of - see last week 0,0,3,0. Of course guesting in a Poole jacket he managed to score 12 twice despite not getting near double figures previously… 🤔

Just move it around different clubs each year. Btw, the centre of the Great Britain is north of Manchester so it’s more central there than it would be in the Midlands!

Havvy seems to have lost the plot completely these days. No need for some of his comments,just sour grapes trying to cover his inept Team Management.

Whilst terrible news for Riss who I very much enjoy watching, why was he announced before a proper fitness test? Surely the change should be reversed, as they have a replacement already there for him? If a guest facility is now in place, with a higher average, it will only cause more questions about rule manipulation

If the headline figure of 200k is hit I am told that the demographics need to be attractive to advertisers so age and disposable income which are never strong aspects of the sport. I am planning on having both of my TV's running itv4, laptop and desktop streaming itvx and also recording the meeting. As they say, every little helps.

I think this is a very tragic story. Erik is an entertaining rider who could play an important part in the fortunes of any club. Sadly, whatever his health issues are, he's not able to pursue his chosen career. We wish you well Erik.

"Unfortunately I am still not completely over my health issues and I probably never will be." Doesn't sound great for him and his career, but best wishes to him.

Change the record, getting boring now

Congratulations to whoever has pulled that off. British Speedway now needs to make it an event that brings the crowds in

Still buoyed-up from Worky actually winning away from home and a bonus point, you must be buzzing, can hardly think straight right ? it was a great heat 15 plenty of drama in the build up and Will really deserves a win in the final heat of the night, it's been too long coming. Kneeler you are just seeing this as a single heat(an opportunity for a cheap dig) whereas a Poole fan can understand it as a significant progression of a talented young rider.

We did not need to use any in heat 15.

Only Workington did turn them over. UTC! Guests, in the end, made the difference I think. Harris started poor but his two wins at the end were vital. Boring racing at start but picked up at the end. Especially with Harris bombing around the outside and up the inside

Couldn't agree more. What a frustrating rider. Just watch him in the first two bends, gives up every time. Can't understand why he still gets a ride and Connor Mountain is just as bad. If they don't gate which is the usual scenario then forget it.

Didn’t think British Speedway could get any lower but it just did. No one believes that Kennet really wants to ride in the NDL for £10 a point, it’s just a move so he can guest elsewhere, we all know where , no doubt the ‘ Young Stars ‘ team manager , who loves a bit of publicity, will be ecstatic he can put Lambert and Kennet out in heats 13 & 15.

But dark with that eclipse. Was havvy on the phone to the ref😂😂😂😂

They are still developing Binns, Cossey, Huthwaite etc but this is the issue with a too high points limit unfortunately, Lynn have had to sign established Champ riders and old hands to be competitive. Plus I'm cynical about Kennet's motives, no doubt it involves Poole and using him as a ringer. There's only so long British speedway can keep treating its patrons like they're daft.

Another new sponsor.

As Meat Loaf may have said... "Now, don't be sad, coz four out of seven ain't bad"...

Roy posted afterwards that his brain got muddled up, Redcar 29th at 18.00

Would certainly be a novelty for several riders trying to put a good show on the blue groove at Poole 😜

Luckily its only Workington!!

If his symptoms will never cure he needs to retire for his and other riders safety, especially with it being his vision. As someone who is partially sighted I really feel for him. It can really affect aspects of your life and it’s frustrating as hell

Erik has had a great career, plenty of speedway and longtrack titles to his name and been a good servant to the sport. No idea what the future holds for him but i wish him all the very best.

I am sure Slater has seen the track and is aware of its size and shape.

Just to let you know that a thread was started in May by myself for both meetings in the International section where all the FIM Europe and FIM meetings are posted( apart from GP, SWC , SON etc). We had line-ups and PPV details as well.

Kennett couldn’t guest for Poole at reserve as he was no longer in a 1-7 in any league as he’s dropped from the Cheetahs now Riss is back tomorrow. However, to get round that, he’s signed for an NDL team which means he can come in on a 5 average. Those recent low Cheetahs scores helped with that one… this has been on the cards for some time as he already had an agreement to ride for Poole after the Cheetahs season ended (reliable source), hence Poole made little attempt to sign anyone before they hit 75% of their meetings…he’s riding Friday at Edinburgh.. and no doubt for the rest of the season.

Maybe they didn't announce it earlier just in case fans didn't buy tickets?.. If so, that didn't work out too well did it...? And if they did that for that reason, it hardly speaks volumes of their own belief in their own product does it..? Personally, if the tickets sales are poor, then I would close down a third of the Grandstand and put out some huge Aces, and Sponsors flags across the empty seats... Close up the Grandstand attendees together... Or just close the South side and let everyone sit down and put the adverts across there, like football does on Champions league nights... Getting good coverage for the sponsors... The place needs to look full even if it isn't...

This will be updated this evening as it couldn’t be put in EPG until announcement this afternoon otherwise it would have ruined any surprise. As this has been agreed a while I am unsure why they have waited until 4 days before the event to announce it but hey it’s British Speedway and keep your eyes peeled for more Speedway on tv later in the year With regards to presentation this is being done by Emma Jones from SGP and comms are Kelvin and Olly so should come over well on TV just need more fans to attend

New team declarations don’t take affect till 3 days after they have been made

I'm sure Kennett knew exactly what he needed to do at Oxford to fit at Poole 👀

Don't panic, it's not for Poole

Do we know why Andre Damien did not start yesterday? Shame about the weather today but all credit to Workington for doing there best.

It does show the state of UK speedway though that due to the complete lack of riders in the UK a fella who 10-20 years ago would have been axed sharpish is pretty much bullet proof and theres another 8-10 like him sadly.