Leaderboard

A familiar tale: 1. Speedway fans demand clear rule 2. SCB produce clear rule 3. SCB correctly apply regulation 4. Speedway fans winge 🫣

Would just like to say that the 3rd person that is mentioned took themself to hospital after the meeting. All ok and released soon after. New trousers required, for the rips off the wheel, not what you’re all thinking 😂. Would also like to say a big thank you to Jo(Redcar) and a young lady from Glasgow for attending to the unfortunate gentleman who got hurt. They both gave excellent attention until the paramedics got there & helping the paramedics also. Also well done to all Redcar staff for clearing the area, cordoning off & generally doing what was required. Certainly shook me up seeing it happen, 🤞all is good for everyone.

It is a moment all Panthers and Speedway supporters should take great pride in. We’re not there yet, but a foot is in the door.

It wasn't a "televised fixture" though was it? It was streamed by a streaming service that pretty much only Speedway fans know about... Non Speedway fans watching would be as rare as hens teeth... A crap meeting, or a great meeting, neither would "destroy" or "save" Speedway, as only Speedway fans, who will have seen thousands of gate and go races at their own tracks, or on TV, will be watching... Poole won, (again), and that seems to be the main problem for many non Poole followers... However. Their fans went home happy, so their promotion did their jobs well... It is their business to run how they see fit to bring the punters in... And, given their crowd numbers appear as good as any in the country, they seem to do it pretty well..

As gutted as I am to see the Lions lose I think that a Witches victory is probably the best for British Speedway, first of all that size crowd doesn't deserve to be sent home unhappy and hopefully many will return. Ippo have been the team to beat for the last 3 seasons, they took the financial gamble in bringing Emil back 3 years ago to partner Doyley and we've all benefited from that, they've worked the rulebook to within an inch of its life this year (and fair play to them for that) and they've got a true local legend captaining the club which is rare to see these days (even though he comes in for a bit of stick from certain quarters) Well done Witches, well deserved and earned... our final was the semi final again (we've got to stop celebrating semi final victories like that!)... it's our turn next year

Well that was dire to watch. Scorpions may have come bottom of the league, but we have some great racing week in week out.To have a track that is wide with so many racing lines, is a massive plus for passing and entertainment. I'm not saying I like seeing us bottom of the league, on the contrary, but I go to watch to see good racing and feel I've had value for money.

Even though Warner/Discovery/TNT are bigger than all the competition! Personally I'm not sure that full, live speedway meetings on any channel - mainstream or others - is the way to go in order to attract more people to actually attend meetings? A Well-produced highlights package once a week, including a regular 'where-to-watch next week' slot would surely generate more interest.

Crazy isn't it that all these repeat fixtures happen at the end of the season, BSN should have been done and dusted at the end of spring, the KO Cup mid Summer and Pay Offs now.

The notion Ipswich aren’t a family club is just flagrant trolling - fwiw belle vue are a similarly run club imo showing loyalty over countless years. Really can’t understand your constant derisive rhetoric towards the witches. Now being run by a second generation of the Louis family, both of whom were succesful riders and promoters over many decades. Captained by a rider who first rode for us as a 16 year old 21 years ago. Managed by a former captain of many years. Led from the front by world class riders in Emil and Doyle - Doyley being quoted as saying he’d happily see out his British career at the club. Ellis a returning rider who first rode at reserve as a teenager, Dan Thompson career revived when at a crossroads being dumped by Leicester, rew returning to help us win the trophy with Hawkins describing him in the meeting preview as “his first choice as soon as Adam was out, he’s our rider” Ipswich our as much a family as any club Now more than ever the speedway community needs to pull together and cohesively push towards a sustainable future for British speedway where we’re retaining clubs and even hopefully seeing past clubs re open or even new ventures come to fruition like Workington have in the last couple of years. I took my aged 9 t shirt with me Thursday as a good luck charm, signed by all 6 riders of the 98 team of 27 years ago on the track in the wild celebrations that night we won it all, it was a great talking piece with other fans around me reminiscing of that night sharing stories and remembering dad having to hoist me up over the fence so Tony rickardsson could reach to sign it for me! It’s certainly felt like a family club to me over the 36 years I’ve been going and others far longer, I’m a third generation fan with my grandfather even helping dig it out when it was originally built.

The anti-Poole rhetoric on here is as predictable as it is disappointing. The Poole management put together a team, and a track, designed to provide their loyal supporters with a winning team, but not just at home but away. I first went to Poole maybe 25 years ago and thought the racing was largely processional then but realised that, as long as it was Poole riders leading the procession, then the home support was happy. Matt Ford has a winning mentality and that shows through with both team and business success. His only year of losses was when he was forced to run on Thursdays and he found the resolution to that. He has proved he is not afraid to run in the top league. And often win it, so the decision to drop a league was sensible not cowardly. For too long, British speedway has supported the weakest teams and where has that got us? Dwindling crowds, fewer tracks and increased prices. The sport needs more teams like Poole who will improve the product not keep reducing what’s on offer. Which brings us to Glasgow, the only other team in the league who sees the sport from a business perspective. Their route has been to improve the customer experience by investing in the stadium, the team, the track. They must have the lowest average age of supporter though there’s still plenty of room for the long term fan. With the number of children attending, I’d guess the average age is closer to 40 rather than 60+ at many tracks. And that approach is paying off with the team consistently towards the top in performance. And, in my view, if you had to rank what is important to a regular supporter, then performance beats racing. I don’t support those that say they only want to see good racing - not if it means your team is regularly beaten you don’t! You only need to look at the crowd levels this year at tracks perceived as providing good racing but who’ve regularly lost at home. From a neutral’s perspective, these are the two teams that deserve to be admired, maybe even envied rather than being attacked. Both provide a product their supporters want and both see dividends through the turnstiles. If only there were more like them

Regardless of it's one league or two. the sport has to acknowledge, more so the riders. that riding in front of less than a half decent semi pro football team. doesn't warrant them being full time professional Speedway riders. How has speedway got to such a point? Some riders do work, how many I don't know, but a lot of them don't! The older riders like Bomber will find it hard to cope, but lets face it, he's had a good run. But he like a lot of the others will have to cut down on their bikes and all the little extras they ask for and god forbid get a job!. There are too many youngsters who are no where near the standard to be called full time professional Speedway riders. Lets face it, if it weren't for the bank mum and dad they wouldn't be doing it anyway, because the sport has now got so far out of hand. why in the third division even the second division do riders have to have two to three bikes and big Mercedes vans? Go back to the 70/80s 90% of riders in the second division worked. That was when the sport had a lot more tracks, riders and supporters. It's a sad fact that come next season with all the top riders gone, the only option left open will be for riders to go Semi Pro. The sport in GB has to start to cut it's cloth accordingly, or sadly, there won't be league racing as we know it anymore, just amateur racing like over in the Isle of Wight.

No, it is definitely not a joke. As I posted earlier, I lost my Track in 1964 and 1974. I am still very bitter about the way it happened, both in 1964 and 1974. You get to love a Sport and it is taken from you - it is no joke and certainly not funny. I sympathise with the Supporters with every Club that has gone, or will go to the wall. Even if Sunderland returned net Season, it is too late for me, I could not attend. It upsets me very much the way Speedway, our Sport, is shrinking. When one can see what has happened at Cradley Heath, Coventry, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Wimbledon, Hull, Newcastle, Swindon et al - to me it is tragic. These were all great Teams years ago. I know I am getting on in years and some will say (not all I hope) that I am a silly old duffer living in the past. There is an old saying: "The past is another Country; they do thing differently there". Quote attributed to L. P. Hartley.

The best deal is the one that gets the sport to the largest number of non speedway fans. But how to achieve this? My opinion is that the sport is not suitable for live TV but ideal for a hour long, prepack, magazine type programme. You focus on the best races from a couple of meetings with additional races that are talking points from the previous week. In a 52 minute programme (plus 8 minutes of ad brakes which is the maximum allowed) as the spot ruling will not be applied to speedway due to viewing figures you should be able to cover this. I would get BSN to prepare it and offer it prepacked to Channel 4 or 5. Being on a FTA channel but as highlights will not impact on people attending a live meeting as much as the present deal does. And you stand a chance of attracting new fans as its not behind a paywall. The key is to get a broadcast (TV) partner as a streaming service only engages existing speedway fans.

The only thing Neil cares about is winning. He doesn't care about passing or pleasing the neutrals. He's had this mentality for years and its the reason why his teams are always so successful. I don't think Neil or any Poole fans would swap any of those trophies for better racing. I certainly wouldn't. Poole have an elite winning mentality and quite frankly they laugh at everyone moaning about the track, they do not care one bit.

Hope there is drug testing tonight, Cairns said Poole's one of the best tracks in England on the track walk

Wouldn’t have had a meltdown if he wasn’t selected behind the Russians or Fricke or Michelsen or Vaculik ….. however if someone like Becker was in ahead of him then yes How the hell is Tai in there??? Farcical Left out last season …. Has a serious crash that ended his season early So in what way is he a better selection than Michelsen or Vaculik or even Kvech? Wasn’t good enough in 2024 in arguably a weaker line up … has missed a whole season so who knows how good he will be …. Awful choice

Max has more than doubled his average this season. Last season, he averaged about 1.04, which was masked by the league minimum 2.00 GSAs. Now it's 2.35. Freddy's average last year was about 1.52 - now it's 2.70. Earth-shattering? No. But it is measurable progress.

Oh get over yourself- the attitude of an handful of Ipswich fans on this form has been pathetic over last couple of years- constantly hounded about our track, fans and riders and giving a dig at every opportunity even when their teams aren't involved in it. Do I think most fans want to see Sheffield open? Absolutely. but with way the club has been lambasted by some i also feel there's some that would relish seeing the demise of the club i support. I'll leave it there. If people agree or disagree I don't care anymore. Outside speedway I'm a Wednesday fan so seeing both clubs you support potentially go to the wall is pretty draining.

Is this goodbye to Abi? There’s always a silver lining.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw the announcement, I have great memories of that place and missed it dearly. As soon as I saw they were coming back I got in touch to see if I could help them in any way - to which they accepted! I know the name isn't everyone's cup of tea but I'm the guy who designed their new bull logo (see below) I can't wait til tapes up now - I'll be there!

Doesn't matter who wins Redcar, Glasgow or Re-run the whole thing. The most important thing is those who have that been injured are ok and make a full recovery

Wow you do talk crap Go and look at the 4 fixtures between the 2 sides Your reserves 45 points and Glasgow’s 14 Yoir reserves are miles better than Glasgow …. You really do spout absolute tripe

What a night and what a crowd Leicester are a good side and Fricke was exceptional Dickson is a great manager and he showed great respect to us as a crowd applauding us and chatting …. Thought he was a bit harsh saying ‘his reserves’ as Joe sadly is out of his depth didn’t score a point in the semi or the final …. The rage Dickson had for Kemp was apparent and he did well to hold it in I felt… don’t think Kemp will ride for him again He should be Team GB manager instead of that whinging Stead Good final unlucky Leicester you are a great club with a good bunch of fans and I wish you more success But for now …. Up the Witches

Quitter Kemp a disgrace to the club! Get him out!

That's wind

If people think Covid is fake they really are utter numpties. These people really do walk amongst us. Luckily I am up to date in all my flu/covid jabs so the virus isn’t too bad for me and I am on the finishing straight back to health. But it’s very unpleasant and `I have had three solid days where it’s been quite bad. Not as bad as flu which can take you down for 2-3 weeks. Everyone should get fully vaccinated for themselves and their families. Anyway back on topic and Up The Pirates! Let’s beat those Bears and get our first trophy!

You're going to Leicester on Thursday? Good news for those going to Ipswich.

Unfortunately that is it until 2026. Thanks to all the riders, clubs, officials, broadcasters, forum members, particularly Racers & Royals and Stewmac and all in involved in the Polish league racing, it has been great watching all the meetings here in the UK and hopefully many will get the opportunity to turn up at tracks in Poland next year to experience all that is great about the sport of Speedway.

The whole sport is based on what individual promoters want to do... They even pick their divisions to race in, even if clearly too strong, or nowhere near strong enough, for that particular league.. For a pro sport, there are simply too many people who see it as an expensive hobby, rather than a business, so therefore, because they spend so much for hardly any material financial reward, or even local public awareness of any "success" they may get, they make up rules to circumnavigate what a "normal proper pro sport" would allow, thus driving a coach and horses through the sports credibility... It is quite a ludicrous situation that people willing to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds then devalue the very competitions they want to win, however, you, can see why they want to win them, regardless of their stature, when they spend hundreds of thousands of pounds!! I cannot think of another pro team sport in the UK with such a small following, small financial reward, a lack of sponsors from "outside" the sport, and such a small amount of public recognition, both locally and nationally.. (And definitely no other team sport has such an incredible operating model)... It is truly ironic that the very people who "save the sport" by spending so much, (who all love speedway and are well meaning), are the very people that prevent growth, and higher finanical rewards for success, due to the way they run things... When all are focused in what is good for UK Speedway, and not necessarily what is ideal for themselves, the sport may have a chance of moving forwards... Seven figure costs are met by the promoters each season as a collective, on riders alone, so surely now is the time to get that huge, (and for such a small sport a truly incredible outlay), to work for the sports' growth?

I’ve been waiting on a Glasgow fan reacting to this post but it might land better from one of us. You have obviously never seen the lad when fit. He was superb the last 2 times we were at Glasgow and he most certainly has a huge future in Speedway

Congratulations Glasgow, that was a great meeting with two teams giving it their all. I just hope Leon & Dan don’t have to get split up next year due to averages, they are speedway at its very best and when you throw a Bomber and a Kyle into the mix around Ashfield no-one else has a chance Sadly on a sour note, I apologise unreservedly to the Glasgow fans who suffered verbal abuse during the meeting and physical abuse at the end from a couple of drunken louts. Football louts receive bans…….. there is NO place in speedway for this behaviour

What night of action. Will cover the negatives first. The bizarre decision on the re-run in heat 1. Any explanation over the tannoy would have been good. Just gave enough time for the rider to get sorted like it was some youth meeting. The human error of putting the red lights on, sure it could happen to anyone but that was amateur stuff. Both incidents benefitted the away team. Track still wasn’t at its best. Lots more dirt than Tuesday but probably little clay put in to bind it. Now the positives. Glasgow winning in the last heat decider over two legs on our home patch was simply phenomenal. The atmosphere was electric. Always great when a big travelling crowd come through and make a lot of noise. The place was buzzing, the tension built and built till the amazing heat 15. Tigers top end was always going to be strong. BSN’s great coverage. A semi final being run in relatively warm and dry conditions, let’s hope the final isn’t decided in a swamp. Well done to all involved.

Glasgow won the "Entertainment Championship"... Far more important in a pro sport to win that. Like winning the "fair play award" or "the most improved player" in football...

No winners tonight, speedways loss.

It's interesting that those who run Speedway as a "stand alone" business seem to do quite well each season... Generally much better than those who run it as an expensive hobby, or get it subsidised by stock cars... Maybe when it is your day to day income stream it focuses the mind more? A few more like Chris Louis and the sport would be in much better shape...

Wrong decision from ref, pijper ran out of room

It could be the most average meeting you’ve ever seen, but a crowd and atmosphere like that just makes a world of difference doesn’t it. The gate receipts last night will have helped Louis no end and good on him. He could have built less expensive teams over the last few years and saved himself some cash but he’s used every bit of help from the sponsors to push the boat out and recruit the best team he could so he deserves that money spinner last night.

That’s a bit unfair, no matter what you think about Tatum he has served his time as a class speedway rider and just for that he deserves the fruits that the sport can offer him

Surprised at Hawkins going for Doyle over Brennan in 15. Tom took a while to get his set up right but once he did, he was absolutely rapid in his final two rides.

Woffinden ffs I hear Bruce penhall was available

Yes it is because the sport is run by the riders for the riders

They have completely ruined the world cup week format. back in the day it was a brilliant spectacle , even if the racing was gate and go it was still exciting and well attended. this new format is absolutely pathetic. why oh why do they change things that arent broken but any thing broken they do nothing about?

The winner of the SGP2 should definitely be nowhere near the main SGP series, it's generally years before they're anywhere near the level required to be in the main series if ever at all. The last WU21 Champion currently in the series is Max Fricke who won it in 2016, it's taken him 10 years to get from that level to his current level and he's still relying on wild cards to qualify.

Your problem here is that Poole and Glasgow are run by very successful businessmen who have no interest in losing lots of money just to keep the dying Premiership going. Where would you get the very large sums needed to persuade them to move up from? The Premiership has been living well beyond its means for years and is no longer sustainable. If the top level of British speedway is now to be roughly Championship level so be it, still a lot better than no speedway

The championship is a very huge jump from the NDL, you're riding against some premiership number 1s and riders that have been at the highest level. Max and Freddy last season were struggling for points (Max was even dropped). At the start of this season they'd have had a good meeting if they scored a point outside of heat 2 but now they're scoring 6+ points and really contributing. While they've not suddenly doubled their average like Cairns did I don't think it was really expected they would. They have definitely had a big improvement, Max and Freddy would run laps around their start of season selves, If they just had a bit better consistency and could carry their home form to more away tracks they would make a significant gain on their average but again it's a tough league so they'll need more time to build on that.

In all honesty, we should be thankful it's Poland who's calling the shots. What did we actually manage in the late 90s/00s when GB was in control? Everything Poland has now should've been GB, with the Sky deal, the top riders, the money, etc., etc. We ended up with green helmet covers, pissing money up the wall on one rider, and zero investment in fundamental parts of the sport.

If this is true, right there we have one of the problems with British speedway, riders these days expect, well those days are long gone, the sport isn’t in the position to pander to these demands,some of the things riders expect these days is unattainable and it’s not just top riders, I got told a few weeks back about a current championship rider who wanted a large guarantee to ride in a amatuer meeting, riders deserve the world but unfortunately the cake just isn’t big enough to feed everyone the slice they want

Thats your opinion and your entitled to it. Being a top class speedway rider does not give him a free pass to be untouched from criticism. He is paid to do a professional job and in my opinion he falls far short of that.

No Chris Harris tonight ? What kind of play off final is this.

April Fools Day has been cancelled next year, because no amount of pranks can match the unbelievable stupidity of the FIM right now...